Incognito
"Incognito" is the story of our time. Yes, that's quite a statement but people are losing their jobs left and right due to companies sending jobs overseas to save money on salaries, not to mention AI is starting to take lots of jobs - Microsoft announced on October 26, 2026 that they are reducing their workforce by 27% thanks to AI. People are in trouble like the main character in this story is. He is desperate for a job and takes drastic measures to get one.
It's a very timely story due to the state of our economy and job market and it's about an engineer in the Silicon Valley tech industry.
Norm is a brilliant software database engineer in Silicon Valley. But he's 41 and can't get a job. He's starting to experience age discrimination; this happens in Silicon Valley. When he finally gets an in-person interview, Norman is so desperate, he acts on a thought to force / scare them into hiring him - he goes in wearing a dress. He's straight but he does this because he knows they won't hire him when they see his age, so he takes a chance that the company will hire him just because they want to avoid a possible gender discrimination lawsuit. To this interview he wears a floral sundress sporting a 5 day beard, sneakers and chest hair showing. It works and he gets the job, but there are issues that crop up.
He runs into his girlfriend and that doesn't go well. People in the office don't know how to deal with him especially when he uses the restroom. And one time at a night out with the company, the press finds out and publicizes his situation. Then things happen that he couldn't imagine. Norm's therapist is of no help. As the saying goes, "Be careful what you wish for, you may get it."
I worked in Silicon Valley with tech companies for years. I was an employment recruiter in Silicon Valley over that time and has seen tech hiring first hand. I know hiring laws and illegal practices. This could happen. The details and general picture painted of working in tech companies and of living in San Francisco, are quite accurate. The story is written comedically.
Most people fight age discrimination after their 30s and the target audience is a huge untapped market victims of an un-talked about problem in America. By the time people are in their 50s, lots of them, even educated and masters at their jobs, end up homeless. Some even commit suicide. Tech employers complain they can't find good employees but they cause their own problems because they keep hiring youth rather than experience.
Overview stated as this commercial
Norman has some problems:
His girlfriend left him for his friend and broke up with him via a note - Norman, it's been fun but I've had a change of heart..."
His boss warns him about age discrimination and getting future employment -
He replied "I'm only 41"
He couldn't find a job, sells his car and asks a friend... "Can I move in?"
Desperation set in so when he finally gets an interview - "I'm going to wear a dress to the interview. They'll have to hire me. They'll be afraid of a discrimination suit."
Unfortunately it worked but there were complications -
Scene of guys in a men's room seeing him pee-ing at a urinal with a dress on.
New girlfriend bumps into him in the bus - Are you fricking kidding me?
Friend - Norman Have you become a male prostitute?
Lawyer - You were probably right, they wouldn't have hired you. And you got this job because you are a protected class. You are a transvestite. His reply - "No I'm not. I just needed a job." Lawyer: "Are you a guy who wears dresses? You are a transvestite. Congratulations."
And it gets better - "This is the mayor of San Francisco. We would like you to give a speech."
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