The HR investigator asked:
“What did you understand that to mean?”
The Sales Associate looked frightened.
“I don’t want to guess.”
Good.
The Black Woman respected that.
“Then don’t.”
The attorney continued.
“What happened next?”
“He asked where the appointment came from.”
“I said corporate concierge.”
“He told me to remove the special-access marker until identity could be verified.”
“Is that allowed?”
“No.”
“Did you object?”
“I said corporate had already verified.”
“What did he say?”
The Sales Associate’s eyes filled.
“He said he ran the store.”
“Then?”
“I removed it.”
The Black Woman asked her first direct question.
“Why?”
The Sales Associate looked at her.
“Because he controls scheduling.”
“What happens if you disagree?”
“I lose clients.”
“Explain.”
“He assigns walk-ins.”
“Private appointments.”
“Commission opportunities.”
“He can make your month.”
“Or destroy it.”
The Black Woman nodded slowly.
There it was.
Power beneath procedure.
The Sales Associate continued.
“He has categories.”
The HR investigator frowned.
“What categories?”
“Not official.”
“Explain.”
The Sales Associate looked toward the door as if the Store Owner might somehow be outside.
“Collectors.”
“Tourists.”
“Browsers.”
“Watchers.”
“High intent.”
“Low intent.”
The Black Woman asked:
“What is a watcher?”
“Someone staff should monitor.”
“Based on?”
The Sales Associate hesitated.
“Sometimes behavior.”
“What behavior?”
“Taking photos.”
“Handling lots of pieces.”
“Asking strange questions.”
“Reasonable.”
“Yes.”
“But?”
The Sales Associate looked down.
“Sometimes it’s appearance.”
The Black Woman felt the answer coming.
“What appearance?”
“Clothes.”
“Age.”
“Race?”
The attorney interrupted gently.
“Do not lead.”
Correct.
He asked:
“Have you observed race influencing how customers are categorized?”
The Sales Associate nodded.
“Yes.”