How to Photocopy by Maxine Draper

You sit behind your work desk. You sit upright, so upright that books would balance perfectly upon your head. You cross your legs and pull every strand of hair over your left shoulder. You recognise, this is how a lady should sit. You feel your back start to throb because you are wearing a push up bra, that is two sizes too small. You recognise, in order to keep your job, you must show cleavage. You see your boss arrogantly walk towards you. You flick through alternatives, but you continue to drag your spectacles to the end of your nose. You look at him, enough time for him to recognise you have noticed him. Because god forbid if you don’t notice him. Nevertheless, he continues to walk towards you. He informs you of the amount of photocopying that needs to be done. You recognise that he is capable of doing this. But you are aware of your status.  You rise from your chair, cautious of your five denier tights. You know you have to have your legs on show. You walk away from him, pretending your feet are not patterned with blisters. But you know you have to wear heels as the men in the office prefer it that way. However, you make sure your heels are not high enough for you to be taller than the men in the office. You lean against the photocopier for support. You lick the tip of your finger and begin to flick through the pages. You know you shouldn’t read what you are photocopying as you are breaching his privacy. Whilst you wait for the first batch of pages, of which you assumed was admin, you undo one more button of your pressed shirt and pull up your skirt, so the spilt at the back just reveals your lower bum cheek. Now you are dressed appropriately, you work to your full potential. Careful not to chip a polished nail, you open the photocopier and begin to alphabetically arrange the admin. Once complete you begin copying the next batch. Breaching his privacy, you can’t help but read the fresh copies. How a women should act in a workplace, you read. You hand over the copies to your boss. You smile as though you are clueless. After all, that is the duty of a lady.