A week ago we lost a coworker from a heart attack.

Today we learn that two more of our coworkers are leaving. One has been laid off, the other reassigned to another work location. The manager was unaware of these personnel actions and is just as surprised as we.

The one who has been laid off is in his early 20's with a sprawling network of friends and a large family to take him in. He's been anticipating this outcome and already has activated his network, looking for a job.

We are left staffed with the manager, two office workers, and me.

Guess who's going to be answering the phone calls. And it wouldn't surprise me if we were expected to do the cleaning, empty the wastebaskets, etc., as well.

The good news is that it's a lovely cool drizzly day. The air is so soft--100% humidity--that you could almost swim in it. I love this kind of weather.

Later: Just learned that one of the two remaining office workers also got a layoff notice. That leaves three of us, one a manager who shuts the door, closes the blinds, keeps the lights off--the message being, "Don't bother me." Very strange.