@imjenilynn I think you were able to 'say goodbye' on an episode of the Universal show. How did that come about? Did you ask to do it or did they ask you to do it to try to avoid the criticism of another person leaving without any explanation? Did you see or speak to Pete again after that meeting? If he had to find out from his lawyer that you didn't have a non-compete clause, I'm guessing he threatened to sue you and/or ITM?
I found time between brining the turkey and making the cranberry sauce to answer these questions. Again, taking them one-by-one below:
*As you've heard, one of Pete's toxic traits was being manipulative. He would reframe his wickedness as generosity to get what he wanted from you while appearing charitable. After telling me he was firing me for stealing, he told me that he would allow me to say goodbye on the show as if he was doing me a favor that I didn't deserve. The thing is, though, I'm not stupid. I knew exactly what this was about.
He had regularly been called out by the viewers for never addressing Shaun's sudden disappearance. He didn't like the way people saw through his dismissive silence. It showed his hand a bit because you can't claim to be the boss that everyone dreams of working for when people think you unjustifiably fire your employees.
I told him that saying goodbye on the show wasn't necessary. He said, "You can make up whatever reason you want for leaving. The company won't refute it." I said, "Nah. I'm good. I'm not bothered if people think I did something wrong. We can just part ways here." You could tell that wasn't what he wanted to hear, but he said nothing.
It must have been the following week I was told that I was required to attend the Universal Show and give a goodbye. I said that I couldn't because I was already scheduled for my first day at my next job, which was true. I was told that because I had resigned, I had to give The Dis two weeks. When I clarified I hadn't resigned, I was fired, I was told that Pete might cut off my "severance" if I didn't show up, and no one wanted that. Long story short, I had to cancel my first job opportunity with Disney and was worried that would hurt my chances of getting more jobs with them. It wasn't bad enough that I was framed for theft and turned out as a single mom. I now had to make covering for Pete a priority even if it cost me a chance at employment.
I did what I had to do. I canceled. My chance at Disney wouldn't work if I didn't have Pete financing it anyway. There was no way around it, so I showed up for the Universal show. Anyone who watched saw a very weird dynamic in the room during housekeeping when I said I would be leaving. Oliver was silent. Ryno aimed for laughs. Craig got emotional, and I sort of cut him off and said, "We should push on with this show." They also saw me hijack his goodbye speech at the end. As much as I love Craig, I was not going to give Pete the satisfaction of seeing me go soft. And if Craig kept on, I was going to break and go soft.
The whole thing was wrong on so many levels. It was wrong to jeopardize my opportunity to move beyond The Dis. It was wrong to force me to go on-air when I was in pain, and it was wrong to put the Universal team in that position with me as well. But this is what happens when there is a bully calling the shots.
I know that during my time at The Dis, I didn't appeal to some viewers because they interpreted my behavior as bitchy or condescending. It's been stated here in previous threads that I believed I was "better than" if I remember correctly. I'm hoping this brings some clarity to those who felt that way. That was just me trying to keep my chin up and hold onto my dignity in front of a tormentor who got his jollies from regularly seeing people crumble under his persecution. That was me trying to make sure he didn't have the upper hand.
*In case you haven't picked up from the story above, I did not see or speak to Pete again after my dismissal. He is a bully, but he is also too much of a coward to look his savagery in the eye. He had my co-workers do the dirty work that followed for him. I didn't and still don't hold that against them. Again, it's complicated, but I know that they felt like they didn't have a choice.
*I was told by the people that I kept in touch with that Pete called his lawyer after I released my Inside the Magic announcement. I was told that he was livid and ready to prosecute me to the fullest extent that he could, but his lawyer said, "Nope. Can't do it." And I was also told that after the call with his lawyer, my name was never brought up again. I imagine he didn't want the reminder that he didn't have the upper hand anymore. I did, and I don't think the smile could be wiped off my face when I got that confirmation. Mission accomplished.
