It's Time to Go

Everyone in the office was edgy, Nick, the new manager, brought across from America to shake things up had moved through the organization like a rampaging tornado. Now that his three-month probation was completed, heads were going to roll. He had made his assessments, investigated work practices and, despite all staff treading warily, he had targeted a string of people who could be laid off at a moment’s notice. Everyone knew why he was here and they knew all jobs were on the line but hoped they could keep working and failing this, that they wouldn’t be the first to get the chop. Jacqueline was the only one not worried; after all she had been there for a long time and had proved her worth time and again. She blended into the organization so well she was almost backdrop and now she worked tirelessly to keep up morale. 1

Nick on the other hand couldn’t be said to blend into anything. He was a big man, a hard man, who had made his way in the world fighting to gain everything he had. He had no time for those without clear goals and plans and no time for the dreamers, ones he called fuzzy thinkers. Jacqueline was obviously one of them, whenever he looked at her he wondered how she had managed to keep her job for so long. True, she had worked in most departments and was quiet and efficient in everything she did, but it was like she was waiting for something to happen, waiting for life to begin. He couldn’t stand her and had earmarked her early to be the first in a long line of people to leave and by leaving, develop his plan for the organization. He had big plans too; right now they were a middle-of-the-road company providing essential services. He put this down to the fact that the Chief Executive Officer was a woman. Oh sure she had built the company from nothing and turned it into a growing concern but she would never take it any further than where it was because she wouldn’t have the drive. Women didn’t see things the same way men did. Nick had no respect for women, he had taken this job partly because of his vision of what the company could be - but mostly because he needed a fresh start away from the snickers and crude jests that he got when his wife ran off with the executive manager in his previous place of employment.2

He laid his plans convinced that Steve, the assistant manager, would back him up. Steve had been promoted into the job to ensure that Nick didn’t make too many mistakes. Steve was quiet also but he had a core of steel; he walked a fine line between decision and diplomacy and he was another one that Nick had targeted for dismissal further down the track. For now though, he only needed to convince Steve that this was the right course of action, the only course of action that would pave the way for future success. Nick called Steve into his office to give him the news. The office was a sanctuary of red leather. Nick had insisted on new office furniture as part of his contract. He loved the smooth suppleness of the leather and when he sat behind his huge Brazilian rosewood desk he knew what it meant to be in control. Nick stretched out behind his desk, his leather chair swiveled back into an almost reclining position and he grinned a feral grin as Steve cautiously took his seat on the opposite side. Then he began without preamble. “I hate to be the one to say this but Jacqueline has to go.”3

Steve flushed, making the freckles on his face stand out and stammered, “Look, Nick you’re new to the company, new to the country and although you’ve been head hunted by the organization I’d tread carefully if I were you.” Steve ran his hands through his curly red hair, took a deep breath and tried again. “I don’t think you’ve thought this through. There are reasons Jacqueline gets moved between departments. She’s good at whatever she does and she’s reliable too. She doesn’t make a fuss and she punctual and a whole lot of other things.4

“I’ve looked at the figures and someone has to go, she’s the most likely because although she seems to be involved in everything no one knows what she does. If you’re so eager to keep her give me a good reason why and while you’re at it, tell me who I can make redundant.”5

I can’t give you a name and I can’t tell you why you should keep her, but you’ll be sorry if you don’t.”6

“Steve, you’re a good man and I know you’re trying to do the right thing by Jacqueline but it’s my decision to make and I’m making it.”7

“It’s your funeral.” Steve said glumly, “When will you tell her?”8

“I’ll tell her tonight around five twenty, that way she won’t have time to make a fuss. She can work tomorrow if she wants, as it’s Friday and we’ll give her four weeks in lieu of notice but I don’t want her moping around for the month making everyone miserable. 9

Steve gulped and tried again “I advise against it.”10

Nick snarled - he wasn’t used to being thwarted and said callously, “You can advise all you like it’s my call and I’ve made it. Unless you want to leave in her place…”11

“No Nick, you know I’ve got a young baby and medical bills from the Caesarian. I can’t afford to leave.”12

“Well then, you’d better do as I say and make sure she’s here on time. Oh and Steve, don’t say anything to her or anyone else. Let’s make this as easy as possible. Nick smiled again. It was a smile without warmth that didn’t reach his eyes; Steve recognized the dismissal in it and hurriedly left. He went to Jacqueline, who was perched on the edge of a desk talking shop with one of the I.T. technicians and said brusquely, “Nick wants to see you before closing.”13

“Okay, I’ll go now.”14

“No, he’s busy now he said to come about quarter past five.”15

“Okay. Steve are you alright you look a bit green?”16

“I think I’ve caught something. I’m going home. I’ll let reception know on my way out.” Then he was gone.17

At 5.15 precisely Jacqueline knocked timidly on the glass and wood door that separated Nick from the rest of the office. 18

“Come in and shut the door behind you.”19

Alarm bells started ringing in Jacqueline’s mind but she stilled them as she entered the office. Nick was seated behind his precious desk. The blotter and a pen were aligned in the center of the desk and the calculator rested an equal distance from the pen container on the other side. Jacqueline looked down at the carpet that was deep scarlet and wondered why it reminded her of blood. Her hands felt clammy and her pale face, made even whiter by anxiety caused her blonde hair to look honeyed instead of strawberry.20

Nick cleared his throat and she jumped. “I suppose you’re wondering why I’ve called you in. There’s no easy way to say this so I’m just going to come out and say it. You’re fired! You finish tomorrow or tonight if you prefer. We’ll give you a month’s pay in addition to what’s owing to you but if you aren’t off the property by five thirty tomorrow I’ll have security escort you off.”21

Jacqueline gulped and gulped again; she had difficulty getting air into her lungs and felt dizzy from the effort. This couldn’t be happening. This simply couldn’t be happening. She had always done her job, worked hard, been punctual and never even taken sick leave for God’s sake and now she was fired – just like that. Without warning or explanation. “W…why?” she asked desperately.22

“We have to make some changes and you are the first. I’m sorry it has to be you but that’s the way it goes.”23

He didn’t sound sorry Jacqueline thought, he sounded gleeful, ecstatic, as if he was already doing a victory chant. She tried to form the words to argue against the decision but her tongue felt thick and she was having difficulty keeping her thoughts on track. However much she tried she couldn’t find the arguments to keep her there and so she turned and walked out of the office. The image of Steven earlier that day made her wonder if he also had lost his job, but there was no point speculating, she would know for sure tomorrow morning. The office was quiet as she went to her desk. She looked around there was too much junk collected over the years to carry on public transport, she would have to get her mother to pick the stuff up in the car. She wondered what her mother would say about this. Her mother had always encouraged her to rise or fall by her own efforts and she had thought she was doing a good job until today. Suddenly the interview overwhelmed her and she burst into tears. After ten minutes of crying and looking at the door, which remained firmly closed, she decided she would go home and think about it tomorrow.24

The next day everyone in the office knew, she had packed up all her bits and pieces by eleven and despite having a lunch and gifts she felt hollow and unwanted. She put on a bright, happy face and told everyone it was for the best, and she would be okay. However she could see the worry in their eyes and the forced laugher said louder than words what they were all thinking. By the end of the day her face was stiff from smiling, but she refused to stop. Her mother was coming at five to help collect her stuff and Jacqueline, being her mother’s daughter would not show what she was feeling anymore than her mother would.25

At 5pm precisely, Jacqueline’s mother entered the building, she nodded to staff, walked across to Jacqueline’s desk and picked up a box. Just then Nick came out of his office and came face to face with her. She looked familiar but he couldn’t recall where he’d seen her face. Perhaps Jacqueline had kept a picture on her desk. She looked cool and collected and Nick was surprised to see how different they were. Jacqueline was pale and washed out with wispy blonde hair, whereas this woman was immaculately groomed, her golden tresses were coiffed and tied back in a French roll. Her suit was severe black and tailored to fit and she looked as if she had stepped from the pages of a magazine. He went to move past her but she put down her box, stood determinedly in his way and held out a gloved hand. “Hello I’m Susan, Jacqueline’s mother.” she said brightly, “I can’t say I’m happy to meet you now, but perhaps we’ll meet again under more pleasant circumstances.” Then she picked up the box and left with Jacqueline following in her wake.26

Nick stood for a moment dumbfounded and then continued on his journey. When he returned to his office he tried to remember where he had seen Susan’s face, it was not on Jacqueline’s desk he was sure of, she had a lot of clutter but no pictures. The question continued to worry him as he turned to the annual report to calm himself. When it flicked open, he gasped and became sheet white for there inside the front cover was Susan’s picture and underneath the words - Susan Elliot-Rainer founder and CEO of Gaston enterprises.27