“Only when they really need someone. They’re picky about who they take on,” she said with a note of pride.
After about thirty minutes, I told her I needed to step outside to call my wife and get her opinion on one of the items. Instead of calling Emma, I called my friend Mike. He arrived quickly to fulfil his part of the plan.
We went back to the shop together. My mate approached the sales assistant and introduced himself. ‘Hi,’ Mike began, extending his hand. ‘I’m Mike Gladstone, a talent acquisition specialist for a major fashion brand.’
He was impressed with the shop and hinted that it was a great place to find new talent. “I was looking for someone with unique looks and a great personality. Do you think you might have someone like that here?”
The assistant’s eyes widened with excitement. “Oh, really? Well, I’ve been told I have great looks for occasions like this,” she said, clearly deciding that this was her big hit. Mike gave her a critical look and shook his head.
‘I’m sorry, but I don’t think you quite fit our requirements,’ he replied. ‘We need someone who will stand out, you know?’ The assistant looked absolutely crushed!
Before she could respond, Mike turned to me. ‘What about you?’ – He asked, gesturing at me. “You have an interesting appearance. Have you ever thought about modelling?” The assistant’s jaw dropped! She was completely stunned!
I smiled and replied, ‘No, but I have someone in mind who would be perfect for your campaign.’ Without wasting a second, I said: “My wife, Emma. She’s amazing, confident and absolutely beautiful inside and out.”
Mike nodded enthusiastically. “I’d really like to meet her. Let’s arrange an interview.” I turned to the assistant, who was pale and visibly trembling. Looking her straight in the eye to get my point across, I said:
“You know, it’s funny how perception can be so deceiving. Maybe next time you’ll think twice before you judge someone by their appearance.”
As we walked out, I could feel the assistant’s eyes burning into my back. Emma met Mike later in life. Although she didn’t pursue a modelling career, the experience gave her a much-needed boost of confidence.
‘So, how did it go?’ I asked my wife when she returned from meeting my friend. “It actually went absolutely amazing! Mike was so kind and professional!” – she enthused. ‘He said I have real potential,’ she said, her face glowing with happiness.
“I told you, honey! You have everything you need,” I replied, hugging her tightly. That night Emma and I sat down to dinner, reflecting on what had happened. ‘I can’t believe you did all this for me,’ she said, holding my hand across the table.
“I would do anything for you, my love. No one has the right to make you feel worse than you are,” I said firmly.
A week later we were at the shopping centre again. This time Emma walked with newfound confidence. When we passed the lingerie shop, I couldn’t help but look inside. The sales assistant was in place and looked like she was still recovering from the shock.
‘Do you want to come in and have a look?’ I teased Emma. She laughed, shaking her head. ‘I’ve had enough of this shop for a lifetime!’ We continued to walk hand in hand, knowing that sometimes the best revenge isn’t just a cunning plan. It lies in lifting up those you love and helping them see their true worth.
That’s my whole story. Sometimes the best way to handle a situation is to make the person realise how wrong they were, in the most public and humiliating way possible. And believe me, I will remember the look on the sales assistant’s face forever!