There's more humiliation

"Did you know I was getting laid off?" you ask Barbara.

"Of course not." She seems offended by your question. "H.R. materials don't go through the normal sign-in. I assumed you'd get a promotion. They even gave one to that ditz, Crystal."

"I don't understand. I've had outstanding performance reviews. I should have gotten the promotion. Crystal is nice but she's just not that good a programmer."

"Have you looked around the company much, Mike?"

"Huh?"

"They like surrounding themselves with beautiful women. Crystal may not be a good programmer but I bet she gives good head."

Almost as if to prove her point, a couple of uniformed guards, one Hispanic-looking and the other blond, appear. "Mr. Strong?"

"Yeah."

"We'll walk you back to your cubicle to pick up any belongings. May we have your company badge?"

You hand it over, deny having a company credit card, and follow them to the elevator.

Back in the cubicle farm, almost everyone, including guys you thought were your friends, keeps their heads down, pretending not to notice you grabbing the wedding picture of you and Amber you kept on your desk, the coffee mug she gave you when you started this job, and the San Jose State diploma from your cubicle wall.

"What the hell, Mike?" To your surprise, the one person who actually acknowledges what's going on is Crystal.

"They say they're transferring my function to India."

"But... that's bullshit. You're the best programmer in the office. Maybe I can hire you now that I'm a manager. Can I have your number?"

You scribble it on a piece of paper and hand it to her. "Good luck on your promotion, Crystal," you say.

"If they're going to fire our best programmer, I'm going to need a lot of luck."

"Thanks."

A part of you wants to ask for her phone number back but you've never been good at asking girls for phone numbers. Besides, like Barbara said, Crystal is a ditz and Amber wouldn't be happy seeing a girl's name in your phone.

"See you around, Mike."

"Let's go," the Hispanic security guard says.

"See you, Crystal."

You follow the guards out. Time to head home. You're pretty sure Amber is not going to be a happy camper when she hears the news.