the lay off

the director of human
resources
walks down the hall towards
your office. you can hear
the heavy footsteps
of her squared body.
you take your feet
off the desk
and stop texting on
your phone.
you put the bag of chips
back into the drawer
and sit up straight.
she comes in and asks
if she could have a talk
with you.
sure, you tell her.
have a seat.
how are you? i'm fine
she says, but I have
some bad news.
the company is cutting
back and unfortunately
you are part of
the layoffs. it has nothing
to do with your
work performance, we
love you here, it's just
a numbers game.
I understand you tell her,
opening the drawer
with the bag of chips.
you take the bag out
and offer her one.
no thanks she says.
by the end of the day,
gather your things, hand
in your key pass
and security will escort
you out.
can I leave now, you ask her.
standing up and stretching.
if I go now, I can beat
traffic.
sure, she says. why not?
you take the picture of
your dog off your desk. look
around and say, okay.
that's i'm packed and ready
you can have the rest of
those chips, if you want
them. thanks she says,
and takes the bag, eating
as she walks you towards
the exit.