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
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"
Suddenly I knew I'd heard him say these things before
Victor fired me yesterday but 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
And 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"