Friday 17 April 2015

'Rightsizing' by Ed Broom



Sprawled across both disabled bays sat Gannon's pearly white Lexus, an inevitable visitor after yesterday's "disappointing Q3 results". There'd be blood on the carpet by lunchtime.

Those of us who'd been fortunate enough to survive previous HR culls told the greener guys to treat it like any other day. Make it through to midday, we said, and you've made it. Easier said than done with Gannon HQ-ed in meeting room 5, most likely scanning an A4 sheet of competence scores on the wipe-clean surface.

First to receive the telltale call was Stevie - "Sorry lads, you'll have to find yourselves another goalie" - who marched out of the office acknowledging our high fives. Quick as we could, we cranked up the volume in our headphones. Once you've heard that axe fall, you never want to hear it again.

Ten long minutes ticked by before Dean's phone trilled. Poor Dean, with his interminable childcare problems and his informal oral warning for punctuality. In one last breach of corporate protocol, he tried to force his way out of the fire escape, forgetting that his swipe card would already be deactivated. We looked away as best we could and thought of the cleaners as Gannon's machete descended.

If you're in the private sector and need to reduce your headcount, Gannon's your man.



FlashFlood is brought to you by National Flash-Fiction Day UK, happening this year on 27th June 2015.
In the build up to the day we have now launched our Micro-Fiction Competition (stories up to 100 words) and also our annual Anthology (stories up to 500 words).  So if you have enjoyed FlashFlood, why not send us your stories?
More information about these and the Day itself available at nationalflashfictionday.co.uk.

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