I walk down the familiar street a bit gingerly. When I get to the bend in the road, I slow down. The soundscape feels strange. The continuous hum that’s usually always present in the background is no longer there. The one caused by cars, people, trams. Just gone. The silence feels oppressive. An empty bus drives past. It’s like a second Christmas Day that never ends. The office building looks unfamiliar, and at the same time, familiar and safe. How long has it been since I was last here? Six months? I hated every second of being laid off. The constant uncertainty and the changed financial situation caused me distress. I got scared when the phone rang, since each call could be about extending the layoff. Or about terminating my employment entirely. I grab the door handle and there’s a drum solo going on in my chest. What will my colleagues say when they see me? I wonder if our receptionist is still there, I hope they didn’t fire him. It feels like there’s a ball of dust in my throat, I try to cough it loose. How many workstations will be empty?