An empty meeting room.

Puzzled, you double check the time on your phone and the meeting time in the e-mail. Right time... right date... right room. Maybe they cancelled or moved it to another room? This building was so big, there were plenty of places to have meetings.

"Oh good, you came" a familiar feminine voice calls from the other doorway at the far end of the room. You look up from your phone and see Lisa, the tall brunette woman you've been working under since you were hired a month ago. She looks stressed. At least more than she normally does. Basically running the whole department despite not being the department head will do that to you.

"Morning, Lisa. Where is everyone else?" You ask.

"Oh, this meeting is just me and you." Lisa closes the door behind her. Your heart jumps just a bit. Just us? What's that supposed to mean? Surely you're not being fired. Working with Lisa has been great and she seemed to genuinely appreciate your help with the extra workload.

"Take a seat," she motions to one of the soft rolling chairs. You do as she says and she takes a seat across from you at the long table. "As of today, I'm the new department head." Finally, she's been doing Mr. Smith's job for him anyways. In fact, you haven't even seen your boss since the day you were hired. Apparently he really likes to golf... a lot.

"That's great! You deserve it after all the work you do." In the back of your mind you wonder why did she need a private meeting with you for this?

"Thanks, but its not all good news," Lisa looks up at you. "MegaCorp is restructuring our department. Something about meeting an employment equality standard set by World Gov. It seems Mr Smith didn't think women were good for anything but secretary eye candy so we have way more men than women." You sigh, dammit I am being fired. Just when i found a job I liked. Lisa notices your disappointment and reaches out, placing her hand soft hands on yours.

"Hey, you're not being fired! In fact I'm promoting you to work as my official assistant. I'd never be able to pull it off without your help." You look up, surprised at the sudden contact and the way she is looking at you. Your mind races. Does she actually like me? She's definitely pretty, and you enjoy working with her, but you always assumed she had a boyfriend. No, you are just over thinking things. Keep it professional.

"Uh, thanks. I don't know what to say."

"I'd like you to say yes. But there is one problem." Lisa takes her hands off yours and clasps them nervously in front of her on the table. "The restructuring... As the newest hire, you'd most likely be let go. Along with half the men here." You shake your head, so she wants to promote me but the company might fire me anyways? Just my luck...

"Isn't there anything you can do? You are the department head now. Surely you have some say, right?"

Lisa takes a deep breath, looking a little nervous. "Okay, I have a plan. Its a bit... out there but you'd get to keep your job."