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Bosslawyer told me we were expecting a potential client for a sort of fact-finding conference. He stumbled a bit, then said, “I don’t know how else to put it – he’s a flaming faggot!”
Well, I object to the terminology, but I know that Bosslawyer is a long-time boy scout, and the Boy Scouts of America are known for not tolerating homosexuals. I assured Bosslawyer that it was not a problem for me. I even told him a little about my friend, who was a good guy no matter which way he swung. I really didn’t think Bosslawyer was convinced.
On the day of the appointment, the young man called to say he was ill and wanted to reschedule. When I passed the message on to Bosslawyer, he asked me, “how did he sound?” It struck me that he had passed judgment without even meeting the fellow; maybe it was fear of the unknown. Bosslawyer is a big guy who can instill fear in the fearless, but we all have our phobias. I said he sounded “shy…scared.”
Eventually the man came for his appointment and, of course, I was the one to greet him. Believe me, he was no drag queen; he wasn’t a “flaming” anything. He was a scared kid. I brought him into our conference room and informed Bosslawyer that he was there.
Bosslawyer has always been very discreet about his clients’ confidentiality. He always closes the conference room door, even if the client is an attractive lady. This time he left the door open. I went on with my own work, but I overheard at least part of the conversation. I was sure that the open door was no accident, and I was trying to come to terms with that.
Bosslawyer went over all the documentation the kid brought with him and decided not the take the case. Basically, he said, there was no case. I don’t know enough about the law to say whether he’s right or wrong. It certainly was out of Bosslawyer’s field of expertise. The kid may well have suffered a hate crime, as he claimed, but there were witnesses who said nothing happened. He tends to try to explain too much and would be an unconvincing witness in court.
I feel bad about the result of this encounter. Not only did the kid not get the help he needs, but Bosslawyer’s opinions remain right where they were before. I keep reminding myself, this is a temp job. There’s nothing I can do. I can’t even understand.
Current Reading: Living History by Hilary Rodham Clinton
Good Diary Today: chailife
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