Sabrina the "Working Girl".....
On
Tuesday, May 21, 2002, I got the opportunity of a lifetime, to go to work
as a girl! Mary at Lady Godiva Boutique was having a two week sale, and
was kind enough to let me "work" for her for the day, to help out. Mary
has been such a big help to me this past year, and I was very happy to be
able to help out in return.
This was something I couldn't pass up, so I booked the day off. I called Mary on the Sunday before, to ask about a "dress code", and she said just wear what you usually wear. It was certainly a big confidence builder, to have her comfortable with me being at her store for the day, and that she was comfortable with my choices of outfits*S*
After taking care of other errands Tuesday morning, I got ready for "Work". I wore my black mini skirt, a green satin blouse, and my black blazer, and got to Mary's sometime after 2 PM. Mary's already had the tables set out and a girl working the table, so all I had to do was take her place, letting them take care of things inside.
It was a bright sunny day, although quite windy. I found it very relaxing to sit at the table reading a book, with my short skirt riding up my crossed legs*S*, chatting with passers by, telling them of all the great buys on the tables. A steal at $ 2.50! Then sending them inside for more terrific bargains. The best part was the reactions from the customers when I spoke to them. Everything was all smiles and I didn't seem to startle anybody.
Sabrina at "Work" helping Mary with her sidewalk sale
There was one customer, a short blond lady, who was looking through the
boxes when the mailman, er, "letter carrier", arrived and smiled saying
hi to me when he entered the store. The lady kept looking through the boxes
and commented "He thinks you're straight, but we won't tell him!" I smiled
and to myself, thought, "I fooled you too, I am straight
Mary came out often to chat and see how things were going, and once, she came out to tell me that a customer, who is also a dresser, called to ask who the sexy redhead was she had working for her, and would I consider going out with him. Mary said she told him I was a dresser too and a member of Masquerade. She said his words were "No way!" Did that make me feel good*S*
One lady and her husband arrived and walked into the store. Her husband had been in the store earlier. Anyway, after a while, she walks out to the table, starts looking around at the things on display, and comments "I couldn't believe it when he told me you were a guy!" Then she said "You gotta do something with that wig, it looks awful!" It didn't bother me, since I had fooled her with my first impression, and took her comments as her way of making light of her mistake!! Besides, I "knew" I was better looking than her anyway! :-)
One other guy left the store, about 55 ish, and started looking through the boxes. He looked me in the eye, smiled and said "You look absolutely terrific!!" I thanked him, and he was on his way. I didn't know if he knew or not, but I felt good about his comment. Later, Mary told me she suspected he was a CD, since he buys cinchers and stuff a guy would never buy for a girlfriend or wife. Oh, he came back a few days later and got more stuff!!
And one guy, who was parking in front of the store, was staring at me while doing so, and smashed his front tire against the curb and wrecked his hub cap!! I felt bad, but then again, it WAS him that was driving:-)
I really had a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed getting all the looks from guys passing buy, as I stood on the sidewalk putting more balloons on the sign near the curb. To be honest, I think I was a little slow at doing the tying, since I was having so much fun. Mary was kind enough to take some pictures of me and joined me in some of them.
The "Boss", Mary, and Sabrina in front of Lady Godiva Boutique
In the evening, Angela, in guy-mode, arrived and sat with me for a while. Andrea, in guy-mode, arrived before 9 and helped put things away at the end of the day, which was kind of sad. I didn't want the fun to end. After Mary closed her store, we all went out for drinks afterward.
We decided Club 200 would be too noisy, so off we went to Carpaccio's Restaurant & Bar, which we found was closed. We then tried the lounge at the Round Table, on Pembina Hwy. That was so cool walking into the lounge which was full, having the guys checking us out. It had to be Mary they liked:-) with no tables for us, off we went and wound up at the Cork & Dock on Pembina Hwy., which wasn't too busy, and in we went and were shown to a table near the window. It was a very pleasant experience, to be in a regular club and feeling so comfortable with myself. Besides, I was with wonderful friends! I know I got glanced at, but nobody stared and I certainly didn't get any bad feelings.
It meant a great deal to me, that Mary was confident enough, and trusted me enough, to let me stand between her and her customers. You can imagine my confidence level has gone right through the roof!!!
I had so much fun, I went back for a few hours the next day, then worked at the store about 8 hours Friday evening, a few hours on Saturday, then Monday evening, and again for a full day on Saturday on June 1, 2002!
On the Saturday, we had a very special customer in the store. My good friend Shandi stopped by to take advantage of the wonderful bargains and say hello:-) Plus, I had a little help too. Jacilynn, one of our newest members, came to the store and helped out with the sidewalk sale. Shandi took some pictures of us, and while we are doing that, a customer asked to have one taken with us too. (Kinda makes us feel like a celebrities*S*).
Sabrina and Shandi
Sabrina, a "Happy Customer", and Jacilynn
For my story and pics of me working at Lady Godiva Boutique in June 2003 - Click Here
Thanks for reading my story,
Sabrina
E-mail me at sabrina_markes@masquerade.ca
Member of the Winnipeg support group - "Masquerade"