"The Perils of Victoria"

The managing partner took me to lunch. We had a couple of drinks. He told me the firm was laying me off. I felt like I'd been punched in the stomach. Tears welled up in my eyes. I had trouble catching my breath. The firm would pay me three months severence. They'd hire me a head-hunter. I could use the office or leave as I chose. It didn't have anything to do with my performance. I was a twelfth year associate with no book of business. I was making a lot of money with liberal bonuses, and tremendous benefits. And I was pretty much spending all of it every month. The new car and the new condo. An expense-account life-st…