Client #1

So I showed up to work on time and got straight to work on the final touches of the termination I would do today. I'm not going to lie, I was pretty nervous.

Carolyn came over to wish me good luck and to "knock him dead," and gave me the keys to the company car. I got lost and drove all over the city to find out where South Alaska street was before I finally rolled up on a small apartment building near the bottom of the city.

I got out of the car, straightened my suit, and checked to make sure I had all the paperwork ready before I went over and rang the bell for D.'s section. When he answered I told him I was a specialist sent to talk to him for a few minutes. It's best to get a foot in the door before you break the news.

I met D. on the second floor of the building and he let me into a small clean apartment. When he opened the door I shot my hand out in greeting and he invited me to sit down on his couch. D. was a short man in his middle 20s but was already seeing his hairline thinning at the top. He had a friendly smile when he said he had to go into the kitchen to take a pot of the stove. I looked around the room to take in my surroundings. Across from the couch there was a nice sized t.v on an entertainment center with dvd's neatly arranged in a shelf. Next to the t.v was a bookshelf packed with books and picture frames. A couple triumphantly displaying him and S. together.

D. came back into the room and asked what this was all about and I quickly remembered what I had come to do. We are supposed to confirm identities to verify the situation. He said he was a Mr. D. and that he was in fact dating a Mrs. S. for several lovely months. I felt a twinge of guilt as I looked into his friendly eyes.

I said to him, "Well Mr. D. I'm an employee for Beautiful Break-Up and Mrs. S. has employed our services to inform you that she wishes to end the romantic relationship that exists between you." When I finished I let out a big breath. The weird thing was D. just sat there and stared at me like he didn't even hear any of that.

I might have sat there for a few minutes if I hadn't come prepared. So I said, "Now I understand this all may be very confusing and I understand how you must feel but you must understand these are the wishes of Mrs. S." He continued to just sit there and stare past me. I slid him a piece of paper to sign verifying that he has heard the message and that I've performed my job. I also informed him that S. wished to express she would rather not be contacted any further.

I pulled out another packet containing a standard brochure the company prints-out for targets to read. It contains a bunch of quotes pertaining to the ending of relationship. "There are plenty of fish in the sea." "Every end is also a new beginning." That sort of song and dance. It's protocol.

I told him that one of our company's services included a "post-termination counseling session." Basically in a couple days another employee will contact him and plan a date at a bar or restaurant. They are made available for expressing emotions and will help make an action plan about how to move on. Around the office they are known as "Wings."

I started to stand up and get my papers in order. D. continued to sit and stare at the wall behind me. I could have just left but he looked so sad. I told him "Again I'm very sorry Mr. D. but I'm sure there are plenty of women who would want to go out with you." His eyes darted from the wall and looked at me. "Really?" he asked me inquisitively. "Sure," I responded, "I think plenty of women would think you're a good catch." He was practically beaming after I said that.

It wasn't my place to say anything like that but I think I made him feel better. And I was able to consider my first termination a success.