Something unexpected

"Ah, come in." Mr. Worthshill sits behind his desk, not bothering to get up as you enter. "Barbara, get me a coffee."

"Right away, sir."

You notice he doesn't ask if you want one. Maybe he knows Barbara already offered. On the other hand, who cares? You're here for your promotion, not to socialize.

And speaking of socializing, you thought the reason he made you wait was because he was in another meeting but there's nobody here and nobody left the office. Well, maybe he was on the phone. Or maybe he was just playing a power game.

"So..." He picks up the manilla folder from his otherwise pristine desk. "It's Mike Strong, is that right?"

You've only been working for him for five years and he hasn't learned your name? That's got to be a bad sign.

"Right, sir," you say.

"Hum. Interesting. You seem to have positive reviews." He shifts in his chair. He isn't obese, exactly, but he's definitely carrying a few extra pounds. Still, he looks like he works out... something relatively few programmers have time for.

You notice he didn't ask you to take a chair and continue standing.

"All outstanding for all five years I've been here," you explain. "I truly believe I'm ready for a promotion. I don't have any direct management experience but I've been program lead in my section and I've done a lot of training and mentoring for the newer programmers."

"Yes, very nice."

He puts down the folder. "Here's the thing, uh, employee."

"Mike," you remind him helpfully.

"Right. Anyway, the company has decided it needs to cut some costs."

"I'm your man, sir. I've brought my last two projects in under budget. On the robotic arm job, my section was the only group that actually returned a portion of our budget."

"So," Worthshill continued as if you hadn't spoken, "we've decided to outsource to India."

"Ah. Well, I do have some experience working with a dispersed development team. I think, with modern technology, it's possible to--"

"Look, uh, employee. You keep talking and it doesn't change anything. We're laying you off."

"That--"

That seems impossible. They promoted Crystal to manager and they're firing you? She doesn't know the first thing about programming.

"I've got your severance papers here. Just sign the non-compete and you'll get a week's salary for every year of service. Oh, and one more thing...." He reaches into his desk and pulls out a small jewel-style box. "I've got your five year pin. Congratulations."

"Non-compete? But the only jobs I'm qualified for are competitive."

"All of those programming jobs are being shipped to India anyway. You'd do better trying something else. I understand there are a lot of management positions opening up in the fast food industry."

You're not sure whether he's trying to insult you or if it just comes naturally for him. Maybe both.