So, after a few more weeks of confusion and trying very hard to adapt to the new management, I began to feel that my staff was pulling away from me. Was this my paranoia? Did they feel that something was up, too? Was something indeed up? Why was I having to work so hard to explain my job? Why was I getting no read at all on my new supervisor's personality or management style?

I did get to know her assistant fairly quickly, and liked her very much. She was funny, smart, and very helpful during the transition. But these relationships were short-lived. A certain Friday came. Human Resources, Security, and my new Supervisor arrived in the Photo Archive. My staff was asked to leave.

I was then laid off. (Not fired.) I was euphemized. Re-structured. Sent home.