The group with which I've worked for the last four years was just ruthlessly acquired and laid off. They paid me in advance, so I still owe the company some money. A guy with a sleazy reputation just cold-called me about working for him. I cut him off.
"I'm not interested in working with your company any longer."
He was taken aback but not derailed. "But we have a credit balance."
"Yes, you do. I'll write you a check."
Apparently fresh from Management 101, he went straight to flattery. "I really wish you would reconsider. Hal (the executive in charge) really values what your company does and very much wants to continue the relationship."
"Yeah. Well. Considering that he just fired the only remotely competent people you've got, that means slightly less than fuck-all to me."
"Oh. I, um, guess that's it, then."
I guess it is.
