05-15-2038: Take a Year Off

2038

It must've seemed strange when I came into the office
on the next day like as if nothing had changed
and I got my morning coffee and my yogurt from the fridge
my appearance made the secretary cringe
I was sitting at my desk, wondering why my tablet
won't unlock doing my best to look busy
now I've started sweating 'cause the drawer I keep my pills in
has been emptied out broke a pencil in my mouth
Victor's walking towards me with his tendons poppin' out
this is what he looks like when we lose a big account and
Victor doesn't like me 'cause I've worked here twice as long
I never made much of an effort to get along

I say "Good morning Victor"
he doesn't even answer
He just barges in and closes the door
he says

Take a year off, maybe you can come back
you've done some good work, it hasn't always been bad
you've written good code, taught me most of what I know
but you've been distracted and we have to let you go

Take a year off, maybe you can come back
you've done some good work, it hasn't always been bad
you've written good code, taught me most of what I know
but you've been distracted and we have to let you go

Suddenly I knew I'd heard him say these things before
Victor fired me yesterday - somehow I'd ignored him!

I was shocked, and furious, and mostly just embarrassed
even though the door was shut I knew that they were staring
Victor started telling me how I had shoved this girl
yesterday when she told me the coffee wasn't made

Victor said I had to leave but I was pleading with him
you should be embarrassed for firing a family man
I've been with this company for twenty four years
he said it was appreciated, but said it with a sneer

Hey I know that I haven't been that fun to be around
but even the interns have a way of talking down to me
Victor loosened up his tie and asked me not to shout
then Jim and Barry came along to escort me out

Take a year off, maybe you can come back
you've done some good work, it hasn't always been bad
you've written good code, taught me most of what I know
but you've been distracted and we have to let you go

Please Gavin

take a year off, maybe you can come back
try to get some help, get yourself on track
you don't understand how you look from where I am
you're not a stable man but you can be
you don't understand how you look from where I am
you're not a stable man but you can be

2038