The Locksmith–modern day boogie man

With layoffs dominating our lives, I remember vividly what it was like when I saw one particular tradesman pull up to the office building when I worked at the newspaper.

He struck fear in everyone. 

First thought in everyone’s mind at the time was, “Who’s not here today?”

You see, at the time, the paper leased  a suite and at any one time, multiple employees had keys to access the office. 

So whenever the locksmith arrived, it meant only one thing: someone left the paper and usually not in an amicable fashion.

Inevitably the alarm code would have to be reset as well.

Then some head honcho would arrive and assemble everyone for a last-minute meeting.

Seniority these days means nothing. It probably means you make more money, aren’t afraid to speak up, so management have you in their sights.

It’s can also  be a curse because those who have it foolishly think they are bullet-proof and speak up.

I foolishly said,”…. isn’t here yet. Aren’t we weren’t going to wait for him(the editor)?”

Well, it turned out that the editor was the one who was let go.