The convention would run through the weekend. It kicked off with dinner Friday night for those who could get there by then. I drove up after work with the two men I worked, both of them chattering all the way. I was new but they’d worked for Frito for a long time and knew everyone. They called our peers “all the old dogs”. “We’re goin’ up and see all the old dogs,” they said and I was amused.

We checked into the hotel after a 5 hour drive agreeing to clean up and meet in the lobby before heading to dinner. We planned to sit together and they told me they’d introduce me to everyone.

I was keen on that because meet and greet and flit is not my strong suit. I hate groups and meeting people at parties so I was very appreciative of being flanked by two surrogate big brothers. Aquarians no less who are very well suited to this kind of scenario.

I was feeling very fortunately “covered.” You know. If my personality was to bolt on meas it does sometimes, either one could pick up the slack while I smiled prettily or something.

Chip told us the curiosity about me was high across the state. Sky high.

“They aren’t coming to hear about the new products that’s for sure,” he said. “They don’t care. They say bring it to us and whatever it is, we’ll sell it. We want a look at Elsa!”

Chip had gone on and on about this and two Aquarians thought it was very interesting. They wanted to witness and me?

Well I was kind of the star so I was part happy about that. Part happy, part proud and part nervous wreck. I was young and had never been to anything like this. I’m from the desert in case you haven’t heard.

We walked in and people were mulling. The Aquarians were well known and popular and once spotted, three other men rushed to greet them.

One of the Aquarians, Frank, introduced me. “Elsa, this is Tom and Dick and Harry,” he said. “Tom, Dick and Harry, this is Elsa.”

I shook their hands. “Nice to meet you,” I said, trying to act un-nervous. There was no response.

Now it turned out they were trying to figure out who I was. Yeah. There was a weird blip and then one of them men slapped his forehead.

“Oh! You must be Frank’s wife!” he said.

“Huh?” I asked. Because I was not Frank’s wife. And this was especially confusing because no one had brought their wife. There were no wives in the room because spouses were not invited! As a matter of fact, I was the only woman there. “No. I’m not his wife,” I said, looked at him queerly. “I’m Elsa,” I said as if this should explain it.

But no. Now it was his turn to be baffled. “Huh?” he asked. “Who?”

Frank spoke up. “She’s not my wife. What’s the matter with you? She’s a salesman. Well, she’s a sales GIRL. I guess you can see that. You know. Elsa! She’s the girl on top the list every week. What other Elsa do you think would be here ya dumb ass? What’s the matter with you? This is her. This is Elsa! Where are your manners? You ought to show her some respect the way she’s been kickin’ your ass,” he said.

I snorted, involuntarily.

“No way,” the guy said. He didn’t believe it. He thought it was a joke. He thought it was some kind of set up.

We all watched as he took a step back. Seriously. He took a step back. “You’re Elsa? Elsa P?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I answered. “I’m Elsa. I’m Elsa P.”

Frank chimed in. “Yeah this is her. What? Not what you expected?” He was gloating and I felt embarrassed. There was some fumbling.

“You’re really, Elsa?” the guy asked.

“Yes.”

“Oh. Nice to meet you,” he said. But he was disturbed.

He went off to tell others and it didn’t go well. Matter of fact, I was completely ostracized for the entire weekend. The men I worked with were very sensitive to the situation. They worked double time to keep me shored up while not even one of the other men there that weekend strung three words together to say to me unless it was vaguely demeaning.

It was completely horrible and then we went home.

Skip to part 4 – Las Vegas