What a tumble-down day … Mr. was laid off without a warning. Staff reductions, they said. Of all the proofreaders at that company, he was far and away the most accomplished and most experienced, so it was a heckuva shock that he was the one cut loose. My supervisor let me leave early to come home and offer support. He's already putting out feelers, so I hope he isn't without work long. Just before the holiday season, too. Considering the way that office treated its people, though, this may be a blessing in disguise. Just the same, we're feeling mighty low just now.