Lucas did not look like a loser.  At 6’5” he stood out in the midst of the crowd, his piercing blue eyes giving him the air of a young man who possessed a keen sense of intelligence, and his broad shoulders alluding to his history as the high school quarterback.  Confidence preceded Lucas wherever he went, surrounding him like a cloud of strong cologne which saturated those around him.  People would watch him as he walked through the swinging glass doors of the seventy-four story office building, strength and success in each step, and as he stepped into the elevator they would move away from him a little, wondering which floor he would get off.  Lucas knew that people were curious about him, he could feel their questions hanging in the air above his head like little clouds, and he enjoyed the attention.  This is how it was every day. The elevator would stop at the fifty-sixth floor, the stainless-steel doors would silently slide open, and Lucas would step out onto the padded carpet of the office.  Behind him the doors would silently slide shut on the watching eyes and beside him Mary would appear holding a cup of coffee for him and an ever-growing to-do list.  Lucas liked Mary. 
And so Monday began; his feet softly padded on the office carpet. The doors silently slid shut on the watching eyes behind him.  Mary appeared at his side.  Mary was not holding his coffee or the to-do list.  Mary looked worried.  
                        Good morning Mary, he said. 
                        Lucas, he wants to see you in his office. 
                        Oh.  Alright.  Is anything the matter, he asked. 
                        Um, yes.  Maybe.  She sounded concerned.  He smiled.  He knew that if he smiled she would feel better and maybe forget that anything was wrong—his smile seemed to have that magic.   She smiled, remaining close by his side as he reached the door.  He felt the smooth metal handle pressing into his skin.  He opened the door and went inside.
                        Lucas, you're out, the words hit his ears before the door could shut behind him.
                        Out, he asked, confused. 
                        Yes.  Out.   The company doesn't need you any more.
                        Sir, I
                        Here's a box for your stuff.  We want you out of your office by twelve. That's final.
                        But sir I
                        Goodbye Lucas. Pick up your paycheck on the way out. Lucas fumbled with the door.  Mary was waiting outside.  
                        What did he say, she asked worried.  Lucas shook his head.  
                        Nothing.