Martha's Day (standard:drama, 1274 words)
Author: BENTLINK	Added: Oct 27 2005	Views/Reads: 3541/2337	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Martha works her way to the fifth floor.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

Management may have had a mental picture in mind when they gave Martha
written instructions to, “Dress as a witch with pointed black silk or 
satin hat and be in position in the front center display window, 
stirring a smoking black caldron from 9 o'clock until closing the 
Saturday and Sunday before Halloween.  See the window dressing 
department for any necessary supplies.  You may select your wardrobe 
from anything available in our ladies ready- to-ware department”. 

Martha shopped carefully, finally selecting a red choker necklace of
small bones, sheer black see through negligee that gave only gossamer 
covering to her daring black lace garter belt with matching panties and 
push-up bra.  Black shoes with four inch spike heels, fish net hose, 
and the request pointed silk hat completed her statement making witches 
ensemble.  They wanted window decoration so Martha would give them a 
precedent setting something to talk about witch in the window 
decoration. 

Martha stirred and waited all of Saturday morning for the long arm of
upper management to drag her from the window and send her off to the 
ranks of the unemployed.  No one in authority seemed to catch her in 
the act of being a witch to end all witches and by late on Saturday she 
had given up all hope of being fired for her obvious disobedience.  
Sunday performance also became a non-event and though people lined up 
three deep in front of the window and a four car chain reaction auto 
accident occurred on Main Street just outside her window no one from 
management showed up to pull the plug on Martha and her seething 
caldron. 

Monday however brought new developments.  Mr. Doe was waiting by the
time clock when Martha punched in just before nine o'clock. 

“Martha, something very serious has happened over the weekend and the
General Manager wants to see you in his office right away.” 

Well Martha thought I finally got myself fired. 

The elevator ride to the fifth floor seemed to take forever and Mr. Doe
would not meet Martha's eyes as he stood as far as the limited space of 
the elevator car would permit from her as if being on your way to get 
fired was some contagious disease he was afraid he might catch. 

Martha had heard rumors about how plush the fifth floor offices were but
was unprepared for the rich wood paneling and potted plants.  She was 
equally unprepared for the warm welcome Mr. Firths blond secretary gave 
by asking if Martha would like coffee while she waited.  Funny way to 
get fired Martha thought. 

“Mr. Firth will see you now miss”. 

“I'm glade we could have this little set down this morning young Lady
Mr. Firth began; he was an older version of the bald guys that were 
pictured on all the direct mail pieces that went out announcing special 
pricing on must have items on sale each Monday. 

“Let me introduce Helga Shepherd from our accounting department.  Helga
tells me our sale dollars for ladies intimate apparel increased by 
27.3% on Saturday and based on the sales receipts we were able to check 
so far it looks as though Sunday will show an even larger increase.”  
As he spoke, Mr. Firth rubbed his hands together in a washing motion 
and looked over the window ledge and onto the street as though he were 
willing the people walking below to come into the store and into his 
grasp. 

Suddenly he turned and looked directly at Martha.  “We had you come up
here today to get your input on what sort of imamate apparel you think 
the pilgrims might have worn.” 


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