Up In Smoke

by Mark Dalligan

Harry had just returned from buying coffee for the team when Max, his Director, beckoned.

“Take a seat.”

Relaxing into the deep leather Italian furniture was like being swallowed by a perfumed clam so Harry hunched forward. This forced attentiveness was made more uncomfortable today by the cardboard tray of hot drinks on his lap. He could already feel his thighs beginning to burn.

Max sat in the chair opposite and lit one of the workplace-illegal cigars he favoured. Light from the struck match reflected briefly from the glass and  stainless steel coffee table between them.

“Bad news Harry, Redundantsyville beckons. Nothing I could do about it. H.O. wouldn’t listen. You know how it is.”

Harry knew, he felt his blood turn to ice. He’d joined LeBros five years ago after losing his last job in a bank merger.

“So, why me?”

“You want to go through that?” Max waved his cigar in surprise, a trail of pungent smoke hanging in the air. “The usual things. Your one of the higher paid members of middle-management, recent results o.k. but not spectacular. The Bank thinks that combining your team with Connor’s, under a new man not so close to retirement, will bring dynamism.”

“I’m just 47, no where near ready for retirement.” Harry felt the bile of panic build and his trouser belt suddenly felt tight over his modest paunch.

“Unfortunate that you haven’t managed to get your financial ducks in a row, but your experience with LeBros should help you find a fill-in job.”

“It’s a career I want. Is Connor being made redundant too?” Harry said, his face reddening in anticipation of the reply.

“Keep cool Harry, HR say the position, not the person, is redundant. Connor’s going to be No. 2 in the new team.” Max’s face betrayed the slightest degree of embarrassment.

“Come on! Despite exceeding the bloody new business budget for the last five years, your treating me like a number two, something to be flushed down the toilet. ”

Max stumped his  cigar in the flowerpot of a sick looking Yucca and leaned across the coffee table. “Look Harry, there’s no point in getting emotional, it won’t change anything. Lets cut the crap. HO has empowered me to make an offer.”

“Let’s hear it then.”

“A month’s salary for every year you’ve worked, plus we’ll put you on gardening leave for three months, give you the chance to find that new position without an interruption in income. Your company car is gratis, family medical insurance stays in place for a year. LeBros will pick up the tax.”

“I’ve got to think about this Max.”

“What’s to think? There’s no negotiation with HO Take the package man, if you don’t accept it now, it’ll be less tomorrow. It’s the way the system works.”
 

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~ This piece was posted on Monday, March 17th, 2008 and was filed under Blog, Writing, Short Story, Featured. You can make comments on it below. ~