Honestly I would probably be out the door after this. I can’t tolerate people trying to come across as aggressively benevolent. And the line about him being a fool definitely shows me she equates her endeavors with automatic success. Sorry, I’d stick around just long enough to find a new job then depart. Though being the honest sort I am, I’d at least give a proper two weeks’ notice and put in my best work while i was there.
Had she tried coming across as less of a high handed lecturer talking to someone as if they don’t know their success is their own doing, sure. If she’d started with ‘I asked you to toss your hat in the ring because I know you have skills we could benefit from’ rather than ‘you were competing with four other people so it TOTALLY isn’t shady!’, maybe. Heck having told him ‘I’m starting a magazine in Portland, I know your work ethic and quality are great, and I’d like you to apply with the project manager to see if you fit’ would have been REALLY a good start. But this? I couldn’t work under a boss with that combination of obfuscation and high-handedness. I might if she wasn’t going to be a presence in the office basically EVER, at best.
I’ve had too many people try that ‘intense sincerity’ and ‘how dare you question my shady motivations for helping you!’ attitude and every time I’ve bailed out, it has exploded spectacularly down the line.
The intent, was good… the methods were a bid shady… or could be perceived as such. we’ll see how this plays out. But what is for certain… they are not happy with each other. Ryan is such a hard worker. Emily, too, works hard… but she has a safety net, whereas Ryan does not. I mean…. remember when he took that job as a guy in a squid suit?! He is willing to put up with poop on his way to the top. Let’s see how much poop he’s willing to put up with here.
I agree with Trev about the obfuscation. If it’s really no big deal that she’s the boss, then why didn’t she let Ryan know before he accepted the job. This is at least ‘less than upfront.’
Ryan should take her at he word and if it turns out she’s being, ah, economical with the truth, he can always leave later. In the meantime he and Randie need the paycheck and if Emily is a straight shooter, there’s no harm done. A little humility is good for the character. Does he think he is such a hunk?
Ha ha… No, Ryan doesn’t think he’s a hunk. But he and Emily had an intense relationship back in the day. And sure, humility is a good thing… but Emily ought to have been more up front… Ryan tore Randie away from her beloved Cypress City for this job/career move. It has to work out!
I believe her intentions are good. Emily has always been a bit bossy when she saw an answer that was obvious to her.And she is high-hatted…but for her, that’s normal.
Bossy is a good word. She knows it was a good opportunity for Ryan. He’s a diamond in the rough. She’s already got diamonds. Let’s see where the former couple can find a happy medium… if they can.
I like that “eye” in the third panel. eeek
EEEK, indeed… that’s a mad eye. Probably a bit moody as well.
Say “Yes!”, or you’re a fool, Ryan.
mmmhmmmm.
Do you have reason to question her ulterior motives in this, Ryan?
Wait until Randie finds out… then ask HER!
Pull out your textbooks, ’cause Ryan done got schooled!!!
oh, just wait!
Honestly I would probably be out the door after this. I can’t tolerate people trying to come across as aggressively benevolent. And the line about him being a fool definitely shows me she equates her endeavors with automatic success. Sorry, I’d stick around just long enough to find a new job then depart. Though being the honest sort I am, I’d at least give a proper two weeks’ notice and put in my best work while i was there.
Had she tried coming across as less of a high handed lecturer talking to someone as if they don’t know their success is their own doing, sure. If she’d started with ‘I asked you to toss your hat in the ring because I know you have skills we could benefit from’ rather than ‘you were competing with four other people so it TOTALLY isn’t shady!’, maybe. Heck having told him ‘I’m starting a magazine in Portland, I know your work ethic and quality are great, and I’d like you to apply with the project manager to see if you fit’ would have been REALLY a good start. But this? I couldn’t work under a boss with that combination of obfuscation and high-handedness. I might if she wasn’t going to be a presence in the office basically EVER, at best.
I’ve had too many people try that ‘intense sincerity’ and ‘how dare you question my shady motivations for helping you!’ attitude and every time I’ve bailed out, it has exploded spectacularly down the line.
The intent, was good… the methods were a bid shady… or could be perceived as such. we’ll see how this plays out. But what is for certain… they are not happy with each other. Ryan is such a hard worker. Emily, too, works hard… but she has a safety net, whereas Ryan does not. I mean…. remember when he took that job as a guy in a squid suit?! He is willing to put up with poop on his way to the top. Let’s see how much poop he’s willing to put up with here.
I agree with Trev about the obfuscation. If it’s really no big deal that she’s the boss, then why didn’t she let Ryan know before he accepted the job. This is at least ‘less than upfront.’
Uncle BAD! … yes… un-up-front indeed! And now there’s a hierarchy in place.
Ryan should take her at he word and if it turns out she’s being, ah, economical with the truth, he can always leave later. In the meantime he and Randie need the paycheck and if Emily is a straight shooter, there’s no harm done. A little humility is good for the character. Does he think he is such a hunk?
Ha ha… No, Ryan doesn’t think he’s a hunk. But he and Emily had an intense relationship back in the day. And sure, humility is a good thing… but Emily ought to have been more up front… Ryan tore Randie away from her beloved Cypress City for this job/career move. It has to work out!
I believe her intentions are good. Emily has always been a bit bossy when she saw an answer that was obvious to her.And she is high-hatted…but for her, that’s normal.
Bossy is a good word. She knows it was a good opportunity for Ryan. He’s a diamond in the rough. She’s already got diamonds. Let’s see where the former couple can find a happy medium… if they can.
This just got heavy. How thick is each issue of this magazine?
It’s not NOT-thick… let’s say a goodly medium size.