Chapter 2 – The Job Interview
Unless you were paying attention, you might not immediately realize that the shop sold restraints and the like. The shop window was mostly filled with trendy leather clothing. One had to look a bit closer to see the cuffs, harnesses and other accessories displayed near the feet of the well dressed mannequins.
From the front door, Amanda showed Dan how the store was laid out. Toward the front of the store, the owner kept the more respectable merchandise: coats, skirts, pants and shoes. The center of the store held most of the leather restraints. They were displayed on along the walls and on free-standing racks arranged to form small aisle ways. At the rear of the store, the owner kept the more severe restraints and accessories. Looking around, Dan noticed a full-length cage hanging from the ceiling and a set of iron manacles chained to a 50 lb iron ball. Several glass display cases along the back wall housed a complete array of torture implements: pinwheels, cock cages, nipple clips, and the like.
In the back corner farthest from the front door, there were three full-length mirrors, each at a slight angle to the others. An inconspicuous doorway behind the mirrors separated the shop from a private back area. The back area provided access to a loading dock, a storage room, a spacious private dressing area and a small back office.
After making a fairly quick circuit around the shop, Amanda completed the tour at the checkout counter located toward the front of the store.
"Now, that wasn't so scary, was it?" Amanda said with a smile. Dan smiled back. "Still interested in the position?" she said with raised eyebrows.
"So far, so good." said Dan.
"Great, but this job isn't quite as easy as it looks." cautioned Amanda. "From an outsider's perspective, it probably looks like all we have to do is humor our kinky clientele and operate a cash register. In fact, there is a lot more to it."
"Well, I'm sure there's inventory and a bit of office management, but how hard can it be?" said Dan.
With that, Amanda began to slowly peel the onion that was "Leather or Knot."
"To begin with, the owner is anonymous. Although I couldn't actually identify him… or her, I'm fairly certain that we've met. I was told by the person who hired me that the owner comes into the shop on a regular basis as a customer or delivery person in order to keep tabs on how the shop is running."
"Great!" said Dan. "So that dominatrix or the guy who just left here trussed up like a Christmas goose could have been the owner?"
"Theoretically, but not likely," replied Amanda as though she had already thoroughly considered this possibility. "They have only been coming into the shop for the past nine months, and I've been working here over a year."
"Okay, well at least I haven't embarrassed myself in front of the owner, yet. That's a plus."
Amanda laughed.
"So, how does the owner provide any direction without direct contact?" Dan asked.
"Well, there is a store manager, Lisa. She communicates with the owner via e-mail, and she implements any changes the owner requires." Amanda explained. "Actually, any of us can communicate with the owner via e-mail, or text message, in case of an emergency. The e-mail address and texting number are posted on the bulletin board in the office."
Amanda then began to tell Dan about the compensation and the clientele. Dan was disappointed to discover that the sales associates only made minimum wage, but he perked up when Amanda mentioned that they also received a 20% commission on all sales. That meant that Amanda just pocketed over $100 on her last sale. No wonder she didn't want him screwing things up!
"Our customer base is split among three general groups: newbie thrill-seekers, goth-types and the regulars, or as I like to refer to them – the irregulars." Even though she joked about them, Amanda respected them. "I'm quite certain that they are all educated, well-paid business people based on the amount they spend on this stuff."
Amanda paused to think. "What else would you like to know?"
"Why do you need another sales associate? It seems to me that between you and Lisa, you can handle the shop. It isn't like there's a line of people waiting to checkout."
"Well, actually, we are very short-handed right now. We're actually hoping to find two sales associates through the ad. Shop rules require two sales associates to be on duty at all times. As you can see, right now, I'm the only one minding the store. So, the owner wants to find at least one new associate ASAP."
"What's the big deal about having two sales associates on the floor at the same time?"
"Security," Amanda answered flatly.
She explained that some customers like the sales associates to model the bondage gear. Hence, the rule requiring two sales associates. You can't operate a store with a bit-gag in your mouth and your hands cuffed behind your back.
"Currently, with only one sales associate on duty at a time, the store has temporarily suspended that customer service practice." Amanda explained.
"Whoa, hold on a second. You mean that I have to let the customers tie me up to make a sale?"
"Not every time." Amanda said to calm him down. "Besides, we do get a pretty hefty commission. With that reward comes a commensurate amount of risk." Amanda paused to let it sink in.
"Besides, the owner doesn't condone the customers binding the staff." she continued. "For safety reasons, when a sales associate is asked to model the gear, the gear is applied by the other associate – again, you see the need for two associates. Sales associates are advised to use extreme caution if a customer wishes to apply the gear to either another customer or to the sales associate. While it is not prohibited, each sales associate should use his or her best judgment on such occasions. The shop only takes responsibility if the gear is applied by another associate."
"That's understandable. It must be a huge insurance issue."
"I guess. I never really thought about it. All sales associates who model the gear have a safe word or gesture that the other associates know. When the safe word is used, the other associate must immediately remove all of the gear that they applied until the bound associate can remove the rest themselves."
"Wow. That's a lot to take in." Dan said shaking his head.
"Well, do you have any other questions?
Dan thought for a moment. "Yeah, do I have to wear the leather outfits? They really aren't my style."
"No. Clothing is optional."
Seeing Dan's look of disbelief, she quickly added "What I meant to say was that the style of clothing is optional. I started out wearing street clothes, but I switched over to wearing leather after my first week. You see, if you wear the merchandise, you get it at cost because the owner considers it good advertising. But if you buy bondage gear, you don't get any employee discount."
"That stinks. Why not give the staff some incentive to learn about the equipment firsthand?"
"Well, there's always the on-the-job training that I just told you about, but actually, there is another incentive. The other sales associate on duty is credited with the sale, and gets a 40% commission. Apparently, the owner believes that peer pressure to buy merchandise is a stronger incentive than an employee discount for the purchaser."
"Have you ever bought any bondage gear?" Dan asked.
Amanda laughed. "No. Nobody's made a dime in commission off me. I just don't see the appeal."
"Well, I've never bought anything like this stuff either – though I've been curious once or twice."
"Your curiosity could be satisfied if you decide to take the position," Amanda said hopefully.
"Oh. So, you're offering it to me?" Dan said in surprise.
"It's yours if you want it. You're in the right place at the right time."
"When would I start?"
"Tomorrow at 10:00 am."
"I'll be here," said Dan with a decisive nod.
"Great!" Amanda said beaming. "To start with, you'll be working mostly with me. Let's consider tomorrow a training day."
* * * * *
Links to Leather or Knot Chapters 1-20:
1. First Impressions
2. The Job Interview
3. Dan's First Modeling Session
4. Things Get Personal
5. Amanda’s in a Bind
6. Dan’s Private Modeling Session
7. A Lapse in Judgment
8. Honesty is the Best Policy
9. Dan’s New Position
10. The Employment Agreement
11. Juliette’s Domain
12. Dan’s Preparation
13. Amanda’s Decision
14. The J-2010 Training Harness
15. Amanda’s Mistake
16. Linda’s New Job
17. On The Job Training
18. The Final Tests
19. Test Results
20. Epilogue