Today I reached for a pen to fill out my exit interview. There weren’t any. I went to the supply closet, grabbed three pens as I usually do. Realized on way back to my desk that three was overkill. Three would mean one fresh pen for each remaining day I have here. One for each day in which I’m employed.

On Thursday my immediate supervisor was called up to human resources. We all knew what it meant. Twenty minutes later, I was called up. On my way back I ran into our assistant editor, exiting the elevator.

“Well?”

I chuckled, “You’ll see.”

Dear Josh,

As you know, our business situation has, regrettably, caused us to have to end your employment with us. Your last official day on payroll will be on August 30, 2008.

They shut us down, weren’t attracting enough business. We did our jobs well, they didn’t.

We paid for it.

Fun while it lasted.

Had to walk back down hallways after leaving HR. Realized they were same hallways I walked through during orientation, just over two months ago. Same people in same offices, cubicles. Same people in elevators, chatting, ready for the workday to end. They still have jobs.