Potential
"Captain, can I have word with you?" Sykes approached Raydor as she went into her office.
Raydor turned to look at her. "Of course. Come on in and we can talk."
As Raydor put her purse in a desk drawer Sykes sat down in front of her desk. "I was just wondering…"
Sykes went silent as Raydor sat down at her desk. After a few moments passed in silence Raydor gave up.
"Alright then. What is it that you want to talk about?"
"I was just wondering ….why you brought me onto the squad. We had just met and my record isn't much better than anyone else who applied for the position. "
At Sykes question Raydor smiled. "Honestly I had two reasons for bringing you on. First, I needed someone who would at least pretend to like me."
Raydor laughed at the look on Sykes face. "I know you don't like me anymore than anyone else but it's nice to at least have someone that does not fight me on everything I do. It gets tiring being surrounded by people that dislike me so I needed the illusion of being liked."
Sykes deflated at Raydor's words. She had hoped …
"The second reason that I hired you was because I thought that you had potential."
Sykes looked up at Raydor and the hope in her eyes made Raydor smile again.
"Women have fewer chances in the workplace than men so I am always on the lookout for women that have the potential and the drive to do our work. When I saw you I knew that you just needed a chance and I had one to give."
"You think I have potential?" Sykes asked as she thought about what Raydor said.
"Yes. Just look at how much you've improved already. You gained the respect of a team of men that don't give respect easily and you have learned so much."
Sykes thought about everything Raydor had said. Then she grinned at Raydor and got up from her chair to head toward the door.
"Thanks for listening to me, Captain. I'm sorry I took up your time."
"No problem. I'm glad I could help."
As Sykes closed the door to the office she smiled. She was glad that the Captain had thought she had potential.