Still in Shock: Say WHAT???

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Abstract

end. I covered the operation whenever he went on hiatus. I kept the task log up to date and in synch with the files of jobs pending and jobs completed.Three days ago, whilst logging a job I’d completed, I came upon an entry in the “pending” section of the task log, which Dick had recorded therein upon commencement of a job.Having noted that job logged in the file of completed jobs— and having confirmed that the requisite citations had been addressed— I assumed Dick had neglected to update the task log.So, I figured why not do him the favor?Alas, that is not a rhetorical question.I’ll tell you why not: when I told Dick I’d taken care of the entry, he went ballistic. In an escalating four-part diatribe via email — over the course of ten minutes, during which I couldn’t get a word in— he excoriated me for encroaching on his territory.He ranted that I’d disrespected his authority from the start by blatantly and repeatedly overstepping when I assumed his role in the course of his unannounced absences. He culminated his rampage by firing me with a

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flourish of invective.When I informed James of the distressing events, he was appalled. He said Dick was going down for sure: by dismissing his sole support, Dick had orchestrated the final flush.I know I did nothing wrong — indeed, as James agreed, I’d helped keep the business afloat.Nonetheless, I am sickened by having been dismissed. This was my first rewarding job— despite the lack of pay— since my involuntary early-early retirement, consequential to my layoff in 2004 after 23 years of employment in high tech.Three weeks from today, I turn 65. I was deemed too old to be hired after I lost my job 18 years age 47, besides which my skills were obsolete. An editing stint might have given me an edge as to changing careers. Mercifully, I have sufficient savings and a pension — I shudder to contemplate my circumstances had I been dependent on employment.Had this been fiction, this piece would understandably be rejected on the grounds that the storyline is not credible. Given that this is factual, I respectfully request that it be published.</article></body>

Unexpected Unemployment

In October 2021, at the behest of my friend James, I volunteered my services to his former partner, whose copyediting venture was foundering. “Dick” had been struggling to keep the business afloat in the wake of James’s retirement and the departure soon thereafter of their sole assistant.

The job promised — and delivered — the opportunity to interact with clients and hone my skills. Each person I worked with appreciated my efforts in their behalf. Together, we’d polish the prose to give it its best shot. I was gratified by my clients’ profuse thanks — and thrilled by announcements of publication.

Dick was in declining health and often unavailable for days on end. I covered the operation whenever he went on hiatus. I kept the task log up to date and in synch with the files of jobs pending and jobs completed.

Three days ago, whilst logging a job I’d completed, I came upon an entry in the “pending” section of the task log, which Dick had recorded therein upon commencement of a job.

Having noted that job logged in the file of completed jobs— and having confirmed that the requisite citations had been addressed— I assumed Dick had neglected to update the task log.

So, I figured why not do him the favor?

Alas, that is not a rhetorical question.

I’ll tell you why not: when I told Dick I’d taken care of the entry, he went ballistic. In an escalating four-part diatribe via email — over the course of ten minutes, during which I couldn’t get a word in— he excoriated me for encroaching on his territory.

He ranted that I’d disrespected his authority from the start by blatantly and repeatedly overstepping when I assumed his role in the course of his unannounced absences. He culminated his rampage by firing me with a flourish of invective.

When I informed James of the distressing events, he was appalled. He said Dick was going down for sure: by dismissing his sole support, Dick had orchestrated the final flush.

I know I did nothing wrong — indeed, as James agreed, I’d helped keep the business afloat.

Nonetheless, I am sickened by having been dismissed. This was my first rewarding job— despite the lack of pay— since my involuntary early-early retirement, consequential to my layoff in 2004 after 23 years of employment in high tech.

Three weeks from today, I turn 65. I was deemed too old to be hired after I lost my job 18 years age 47, besides which my skills were obsolete. An editing stint might have given me an edge as to changing careers. Mercifully, I have sufficient savings and a pension — I shudder to contemplate my circumstances had I been dependent on employment.

Had this been fiction, this piece would understandably be rejected on the grounds that the storyline is not credible. Given that this is factual, I respectfully request that it be published.