Working Girls

Tess McGill, a working-class woman from Staten Island, dreams of achieving success in the corporate world. Despite her business degree, she faces constant belittlement from her male colleagues at a stockbroker firm in lower Manhattan.

Frustrated by the ongoing humiliation and lack of respect from her superiors, Tess makes a bold decision to quit her job. This marks a significant turning point as she seeks new opportunities that align with her ambitions.

Tess secures a job as an administrative assistant to Katharine Parker, a young associate in Mergers and Acquisitions. Initially supportive, Katharine encourages Tess to share her innovative ideas, which gives her a glimmer of hope.

Tess pitches her idea of acquiring a radio network to Katharine, who dismisses it, believing it to be unviable. This rejection deepens Tess's frustration and highlights the challenges she faces as a woman in a male-dominated industry.

After Katharine breaks her leg while skiing, she entrusts Tess with house-sitting duties. During this time, Tess discovers crucial notes that reveal Katharine's plan to steal her merger idea and claim it as her own.

Returning home, Tess confronts a painful betrayal as she finds her boyfriend cheating on her. Despite his proposal for marriage as a reconciliation gesture, Tess realizes she cannot trust him and decides to end their relationship.

Seizing the opportunity while Katharine is away, Tess partners with her friend Cyn to change her appearance. They renovate Tess's style to project a more polished and professional image, aligning with her corporate ambitions.

Tess schedules a meeting with Jack Trainer, an associate from a competing firm. To make a good impression, she attends a dinner hosted by his company, where Jack is intrigued by her, although he keeps his identity hidden.

The next morning, Tess wakes up believing she spent the night with Jack, only to find him waiting at their scheduled meeting. They both play it cool, despite their awkward yet obvious attraction to one another.

Despite her initial nerves, Tess impresses Jack with her ideas during their meeting. As they begin collaborating on the financials of her merger plan, their professional relationship quickly evolves into a romantic attraction.

Tess struggles with the idea of revealing the true origins of her merger proposal, especially as she learns that Jack is romantically linked to Katharine. This complicates her feelings as she navigates professional and personal entanglements.

On the day of the merger meeting, tensions rise as Katharine confronts Tess about her supposed role as a mere secretary and accuses her of stealing the idea. Overwhelmed by the accusation, Tess feels powerless and decides to leave the meeting.

In an unexpected turn, Tess receives an offer for an entry-level position at Trask Industries shortly after Katharine is confronted about Tess's contributions to the merger idea. This moment signifies a shift in her career trajectory.

Post-offer, Tess reunites with Jack, culminating in an emotional embrace as they acknowledge their feelings for each other. This moment represents not only a personal victory but also a new chapter in Tess's life.

On her first day at Trask, Tess meets her new colleague Alice, who she mistakenly thinks will be her boss. This encounter reveals Tess's commitment to fostering an environment of equality, as she insists on a partnership rather than a hierarchical relationship.

In a triumphant moment, Tess calls her friend Cyn from her new office, elated to share the news about her job at Trask. This conversation symbolizes her success in overcoming the obstacles she faced in pursuit of her dreams.