Morning all. I woke up thinking this morning was Wednesday and even seeing the calendar proclaim Friday I feel just a little bit off. I’ll shake it off after a while but it feels decidedly like a Wednesday today. Very strange. Still on we go. Timers at the ready and let’s get writing.
Huh. I like the idea of someone cut suddenly adrift as a story start. Especially if they perceive themselves as being the hardworking one. I think this could be an interesting story line to work with. It doesn’t grab me and make be itch to write, but it is something I think I would enjoy playing with.
Friday, April 21st: Why do you hold back?
“Why do you hold back?” she asked. She leaned forward slightly in her chair. For a second it actually seemed as though she was interested. Then I saw her eyes flick towards the clock. I smiled and tried to look sincere.
“I don’t mean to hold back,” I told her. “You asked how I feel about everything and I’ve told you. I am not sure what more you want.”
A flicker of a frown appeared before the professional concern took over. It was the first sign of genuine emotion I had seen in these enforced sessions. I wonder why I bothered her so much.
‘Maybe she expects me to throw a tantrum.’
I supposed I wouldn’t be the first in this office. ‘I probably wouldn’t be the first in my family.’
I tried not to nod as the thought struck me. I knew my family. They were all required to attend these sessions as well. Grandfather was taking stock. It started with the company and now proceeded to the family. I could imagine all of the others bargaining with the required therapist for their place. Arguing for their viability. I knew grandfather was cutting the fat from the company. Family members who took a paycheck without actually putting in any effort were going to be send home with just their income from the company itself rather than an extra salary.
But I actually worked for the company. I earned my salary day in and day out. I doubted I would be let go.
“So you understand that the company is going through a reorganization phase?” she asked.
I wondered if she considered herself a therapist or someone with a more corporate minded title. I looked her up and she did train for therapy and had the legitimate degrees but she also had plenty of management ones as well and worked more for corporations than in the private sector. As my feelings towards my family were at best a mixed bag, I tread carefully.
“Look at the end of the day it is my grandfather’s company,” I said. “It is his decision I am more than happy to work for him in whatever capacity he thinks I would be the most useful in helping him take the company in that direction. I really don’t know what else you want me to say.”
“well I suppose that is enough. Her eyes flicked once more to the clock, and I am afraid we have no more time anyway. Thank you for your …time.” She concluded. I nodded.
“I hope it helps.”
I stood and left the office she was using, more than ready to be free. I had work piling up on my desk and I needed to get back to it. I left and returned to my own section. As expected, in the hour I took off, things accumulated. I spent the next half hour trying to take care of the back log and by then more e-mails came in, and the afternoon mail arrived. I spent the rest of the day trying to get back to a level ground. I was pleased when I managed to find it and got ready to shut down for the day. As I reached for the power button on the computer a man bearing a new letter arrived.
“What now?” I asked in no mood to deal with anything else. I took the envelope and he left as I opened it. It was a corporate letter instead of an external one. I was being let go.
Ten til Midnight 