Okay so this is stupid but you know that feeling when you've been working your ass off for months, like really going above and beyond, covering for literally everyone in the office, and you just feel like finally, FINALLY, it's all going to pay off? Like you've been doing the gig work, the freelance scramble, trying to make ends meet, and this *one* thing is supposed to be your ticket out? That's where I was. For six months I’ve been the executive assistant at this small, high-stress firm. It's the kind of place where 'work-life balance' is a joke and 'overtime' is just… time. But I was told, explicitly, that I was the top candidate for the office manager role. My current manager — who is also the HR person, obviously — sat me down, said "You're exactly what they're looking for, just knock the board meeting out of the park and it's yours." You can imagine the relief. The tiny glimmer of hope for a regular paycheck, some damn benefits, not having to worry about if this month’s rent is going to be a struggle. It felt so close I could taste it. Then the board meeting happened. It wasn't even bad, but it wasn't… what they wanted, I guess. I answered all their questions, gave my ideas for streamlining things, even made a few jokes that landed. Afterwards, my manager gave me that pitying look, the one that tells you before they even open their mouth. "They went with someone more... experienced." Someone with a "broader vision." Someone who definitely wasn't me, clearly. It was a kick in the teeth, honestly. All that effort, all the promises, just evaporating. And that's when you just snap. You know? Like, the little voice in your head that usually just says 'suck it up' or 'be professional' just goes dark. And another voice, a much louder one, pipes up and says, "Nah. Not this time." So I went back to my desk, my fingers just flying over the keyboard. I drafted an email. To the entire board. And to my manager. The subject line was something innocuous like "Follow-up regarding Office Manager position." But the body... oh boy. It wasn't even screaming or yelling. It was just… politely worded sarcasm. Like, "Thank you for your valuable feedback, I appreciate the insight that my six months of running this office single-handedly might not constitute 'experience' in your esteemed opinion." Or "I will certainly take your advice to 'broaden my vision' by perhaps enrolling in a course on corporate clairvoyance." It was all very calm, very collected, and very, VERY cutting. I reread it, felt that cold, satisfying rush of adrenaline, and then… hit send. That was three hours ago. No one has replied. My phone has been silent. I’m pretty sure I don’t have a job anymore, or at least, I won't by tomorrow morning. And you know what? Right now, in this moment, at 2 AM, I don’t even regret it. Not one bit. Maybe I will when the reality of finding another gig hits, but for now… it felt GOOD. For just a second, I felt like I had some power, even if it was just the power to burn a bridge. What happens next? Who knows. Probably back to the grind, but with an even more impressive anecdote for future job interviews. Or at least, a story to tell over cheap beer.