"Well, now," he said.  "You've been with the company for three years and nine months, it would seem."

"Yes, sir."

"And for the last fourteen months, you've been a Customer Service Supervisor."

"That's right."

"And a damn good one, I might add."

"Thank you, sir."  A compliment was a good sign. 

"You handle difficult customers well.  Your cashiers are well trained.  You almost never come up short, and when you do, you get to the bottom of the problem real quick."

"I do my best."

"Oh, you certainly do.  In fact, I'd say you're one of the best Customer Service Supervisors we've ever had.  And I've been here twelve years, and I've seen more than a few."

"Thank you."  She felt herself actually blushing.  This was going better than she hoped.

"And here you are, applying for Assistant Manager."

"That's right."