Everybody loves Joe. He organizes "Dodger Days," leaves Root Beer floaties in the kitchen for all, and by most intents and purposes, he's a good employee. Problem is: Joe hates Me. Why? It's a long story, but I'll be concise: He mis-represented himself as someone who could get my screenplay made, under the condition that I write it with him; I found out he wasn't connected, and most unforgivably, a horrible writer. I ended the endeavor, wrote the script, am currently shopping it around. But the "straw" that broke his back...the President of a major studio recently called ME regarding the script. Joe felt betrayed. But I didn't care. And the "People" (or every company's requisite group of gossip-mongers) wanted to know what the deal was. So Joe started flappin' away.
At first the things I heard he had said (from a source who wants to help me, but doesn't want to get involved) were just hilarious: I stole his idea, I'll never make it in this industry alone, I'm shady, hahaha. The "people" loved all he said, of course, not only because they liked him, but also because, well...they mostly don't like me. Why? The President (who is a good man, I should add) favors me because I was "instrumental" (his words) in securing a $100 Million dollar contract (Yes, I said million). Anyway, that kind of favor goes a long way: I come in when I want, I've successfully combatted VPs, I've got a plush leather chair, a fancy title, and the biggest of desks. I won't mince words here: I'm also...kind of an a**hole. I'm all too good at what I do, and I know it. There is literally no one at the company who can do what I do (and the VPs know, because they've tried others out, only to come back to me with their tails between their legs). So, it really wasn't a surprise to me that he began slandering me (if that's what you'd call it).
But then the stories got worse: Lies about finding gay pornography on my computer (This might be a good time to reveal that I dress impeccably, I have what I'm told is a "great sense of style", I'm "pretty" and very "metro"). At first I laughed at this too, but then people started taking shots: I'd say "I'm confused about this," (referring to an invoice). "Yeah, you're confused all right, but not about that invoice." -- this was from a Manager, BTW. Then there were the "Hey Johns": Hey John, isn't this guy hot? Hey John, they opened a new gay bar! Hey John...etc. I wasn't laughing as hard, because these people were really treating me as if this lie about my sexuality was true (which in a weird way, makes it feel like it is. I am wowed by the power of collective ignorarnce). But again, I didn't say anything, though I was beginning to get concerned. You see, there's also a depot attached to our office, where there are some pretty tough "depot" kind of guys that I interact with from time to time. Let's just say they can be a little scary if they think the wrong things about you. But whatever, I thought. When you climb the ladder, everyone can see your ass--right?
Then came the straw that broke my back... The rumor stating that I had HIV/AIDS. The "people" also believed this, of course. One woman bumped into me (pretty roughly) and she shouted out in fear that I was bleeding, and had bled on her. One woman pointed to a scar on my arm and suggested it was an "open wound that wasn't healing," but the piece de resistance was when I felt ill one day and a co-worker demanded "You need to keep taking your Amino-Acids!".....Yeah, I was completely confused too. "Did you mean to say Advil?" "Nooo!...Nevermind." A little googling of "HIV+Amino Acids" and it all makes sense. HIV patients take Amino Acids to lessen the symptoms and onset of the disease. That was it for me. Don't know why, but it was.
I went and got the HIV test and brought in the results (negative, of course) and it took a lot of restraint for me not to photocopy it and paste it all over the office. I didn't. But the serious thought I weighed for doing it made me realize that this had gone too far.
So I complained to HR (today) and told them everything. Of course, they want someone who will admit that they've heard the rumor too....and NOBODY will (especially my all too timid "source"). Not because they don't like me, for a change, but because they're afraid of getting Joe fired. So here I am, left in limbo, wondering if I have a chance in hell in ending this kind of behavior--without someone who will fess to hearing the rumors as well.
Any advice?
John

