I am really enjoying this story, most tales are about guys who just accept what has happened to them, I like when not only does the guy fight back but also comes out on top and if the girls or women get what's coming to the even better.
I also like that your stories don't contain spelling or other gammer errors that are so common in other stories, this is refreshing, so please post another chapter of "Hostile Environment" asap.

brilliant story so far more please there is a lot going for this story

"Lesson one: fighting fair is for guys!"
 -Ellen Hayes, 'Bikini Beach: All Tucked Up'

"Girls are nasty fighters, they will do WHATEVER it takes, while boys usually have unspoken rules in their fights. Girls are the more dangerous."
 -Kim EM, 'EXPO Summer,' part 5, 'The Unkindest Cut'

Other TG authors have also written on the qualities that make women particularly vicious and effective fighters. One of the essentials, though, is that, unlike those men who are hampered by codes of chivalry or concepts of fair play, women fight to win -- that is the only rule.

I've often remarked upon the woman who, in the single-minded pursuit of whatever it is she wants at the moment, leaves all around her feeling like they've been hit by a 16-wheeler. I also have pointed out that this mindset and effect is not limited just to women; among men, it chiefly manifests among attorneys, politicians, and corporate CEO's.

Meet Brian Northrop, who dropped out of law school and took a job with a department store selling home electronics to put his sister through college when their parents died. Although law is his true calling, he likes his current income, and has no mind to return to the status of being a starving student. So, when the owner of his store decides to shut down the electronics department because it cannot compete with the specialty chains, Brian is determined to keep his current job and income no matter who he has to push out of his way, even if it means selling women's lingerie. This, you see, is what Brian wants.

Making his move puts Brian in direct opposition to the lingerie department sales manager, a woman who likes feeling powerful, usually gets what she wants, and who dominates and intimidates her sales staff. She makes a grave error when she goes head to head and toe to toe with Brian, though, because she seriously underestimates him. He comes out on top because he is smart and determined and, above all else -- because he fights like a girl. The Dragon Lady huffs and puffs but, instead of blowing his house down, she winds up hacking and coughing up all of those ciggies she's been sucking down...

I once saw suspension of disbelief described as an agreement the reader (or viewer, in the case of visual media) makes with the author in exchange for the promise of being entertained. I have to admit that I was entertained by this story, even though I found it annoyingly implausible at several levels. The appeal of a scrappy main character who "comes out fighting" is mitigated by the possibility that he could choose his battles a bit more wisely, and his inclination to barge into situations without considering his impact upon others. It does not surprise me that the lingerie dep't sales manager would want to fight back, even if she weren't the vindictive, power-hungry, control freak portrayed in the story.

I also noticed several appeals among the comments to continue the story. In a sense, though, it is already complete. It starts with a press conference where the main character is discussing his victory in court, and ends with the attorney taking his case and then inviting him out for dinner. Between these two "bookends," there's not room for much more than the courtroom battle, which would have to be at least in part a rehash of what has already been presented. Of course, the author could always develop a relationship between the main character and his attorney and/or one or more of his co-workers, and maybe even have the main character decide that he likes being en femme (which would bring more plot problems, since his lawsuit is based on a claim of coercion), but most of the TG elements are already covered. It may well be that Tina just wasn't up for writing a courtroom drama; I'm sure that she wouldn't want to write something that would make a Perry Mason episode look good.

Tina, as Angel said, this is a great story. I think there are quite a few additional chapters that you can do. I hope that you complete the story.

IN PART 2, BRIAN FINDS THAT EVERYBODY UNDER THE DRAGON LADY'S REIGN OF TERROR IS FOR HIM. EVEN THE LADY THAT HE REPLACED IS THANKFUL BECAUSE SHE IS PREGNANT. MEETING HIS LAWYER HELPED HIM TO REALIZE THAT HE INDEED HAD HELP. HIS BREAK DOWN ONLY STRENGTHENS HIS RESOLVE. TINA, WILL YOU PLEAS FINISH THIS STORY OR DOES BRIAN JOIN MEN IN BLACK DRESSES? SORRY ABOUT THAT LAST COMMENT, BUT YOU HAVE TO ADMIT THAT HE WOULD MAKE A GOOD AGENT.

TINA, I LOVE THE WAY YOU HAVE BRIAN FORCED TO TAKE ON THE DRAGON LADY. THE GIRLS ALL BACK HIM UP WHEN HE DECIDES TO WEAR THE DRESSES THAT ARE DICTATED BY STORE POLICY. I CAN'T WAIT TO SE THE BATTLE OF WITS AND WILL BETWEEN THE LADY "BRIAN" AND THE DRAGON LADY. SO FAR, SCORE ONE FOR BRIAN. THIS STORY READ VERY MUCH LIKE YOUR DIANA HUNTER SAGA. IN BOTH CASES A MAN HAD TO WEAR A DRESS AND FACED AN EVIL LADY. WELL. I QUITE FRANKLY ENJOY YOUR STORIES.

Hi enjoyed this story greatly. While we know the ending I would like to see it expanded with Brian suggesting a CD evening or something similar. Perhaps the manager of that department could be fired for being light fingered. I would also like to see more made of the actual court case. Surprised smoke breaks are allowed though. Health and saftey need notifying.

Lovely stories Valentina (lovely name!)- very mainstream with a touch of TG thrown in but from a different vantage point making it at least semi-believeable.  Thank you for writing it and sharing your talent with us.  The only question I have is whether Dragon Lady or the female attorney will finally have Brian for her own.  tee hee!  Is that a "Lady or Tiger" question?
Hugs
Mandee

Hi Tina,

This story started off just great.I'd certainly like to see you  pick up the thread for the next part(s). This story is just too delicious not to continue.

Cassandra

Cassandra

Valentina,

What a fantastic start to a very promising series! Your unique twists and the way you have drawn the lines for the fight of fights has me wanting to read more this very instant.

You go girl, I'm now a big fan of yours!
Huggles
Angel

I must say that this is one of the better stories that I have read recently.  I get tired of reading stories where men are physically and mentally abused while being forced into drag.  Here there is some mental abuse, but Brian is standing up to it and getting support from the other women in the store.  Nice to see a hero(ine) with a spine. Please keep writing and I am waiting for the next installment.

Great story so far ! Hoping for a little romance- possibly between Brian and one of his sympathetic co-horts! Very well written!!

Very enjoyable story! I really like all the possibilities that are present .. all the twists this story could take (& really like that the saleslady who was replaced turned out to be pregnant).
I'll be waiting expectantly ...   :)

REALLY ENJOYING THIS STORY CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HOW THE BITCH FALLS.HOPE WE DONT HAVE TO WAIT TOO LONG

Ooooh.  This is quite good.  Nice job in making Katie pregnant and ready to quit anyway - only now with extra benefits.  That removes the only sticky point of the story.

I am eager to see further chapters.  Thanks for sharing.

Being a fan of workplace situations, I love this story and can hardly wait to see where you go with it.  These two parts are a phenomenal start.