Our friend Bridget is an actor in a small theater troupe. Today, they’re performing a series of short sketches at a corporate event. The curtain goes up, one actor on stage. Jim, sitting at a desk, is holding a piece of pink paper and talking to himself. “C’mon, Jim. You can do this! 10 percent reduction in headcount. Unavoidable. Let’s get this over with. You know you’ve made the right choice.”

Jim walks to his office door. “Angela, can I see you?”

Angela (Bridget) looks nervous as she sits down at Jim’s desk. Jim is hesitant. “Thanks for coming in, Angela. I…I’m not sure how to say this...” Silence… “I think you know that the company has had several unprofitable quarters. Headquarters has ordered some…ah…trimming of our…”