The Layoff - Pilot Episode

Cold Open?

Whoever is in the writers room for season 2025 of America needs to chill the #%!& out. Better yet, cut the January episode. It lacks heart and the main character doesn’t overcome any challenges, leaving the audience unfulfilled. It’s just an overall bad script that belongs in the trash, not on anyone’s screen!

Deep sigh

The new year is supposed to mark a fresh start, but for me, I was recovering from a really bad cold after overworking late last year and then-?

The Layoff

Since 2021,? I have had a deep disdain for the infamous date, January 6th.? This year, to my surprise, that disdain grew when I received a last-minute calendar invite, one that no Hey Boo text could ever prepare me for: The Layoff. I’m still workshopping a name, but for now, I’ll just call it what it is. I officially joined the club of professionals who are unemployed in a job market that I can’t even put to a single word. I’ll add that to my list, come up with a new word, and circle back.?

After the initial shock, I allowed myself to feel all the feelings; anger, sadness, denial, and grief. Yes, you read right, grief. A loss is a loss,? and waking up without a job with benefits is a major L in 2025, given the political climate and economy. The combination of The Layoff and LA fires put my sanity to the test, but to quote the modern lyricist, Glorilla;?

“Every day the sun, won’t shine, but that’s why I love tommorrows.”?

Tomorrow/Job Search?

Tomorrow was here, however, the thick haze of smoke blanketing the county blocked the sun from shining through. But nevertheless she (sun) was there even though I couldn’t see it, so I stop doomscrolling on TikTok and started applying to Jobs on Linkedin.?

If The Layoff didn’t do anything else, it humbled me. No job was beneath me. I applied to stock shelves overnight at Whole Foods and Target nearby, intending to keep my days open for job hunting and interviews.?

Commercial Break: LinkedIn please work on integrating Google Sheets into your list of embedded content. I had to paste my script into Canva , reformat it, and save it as a jpg. Thanks in advance!

Now back to the article for real this time:

You’re probably thinking,? there have to be other jobs that align better with my previous roles.? And there are but very, very, very few compared to the hundreds of retail jobs.?

Apparently, my skill set doesn’t translate to retail, nor the entry-level assistant roles at universities and medical practices. And I had no idea you have to take exams for government jobs. This is senior year of high school all over again (flashback episode coming soon).?

What’s Next??

I don’t know. And that’s ok.?

What I do know is I will be writing like the rent is past due,? knock on wood. I do have a part-time, event-based job, so I will be present at every event and early, early.?

My network, whether LinkedIn connections, past co-workers, friends, or Howard Alumni should prepare to be sick of me because this business is all about who you know, then what you know.?

Lastly, I do know I will be alright.?

Before Abbott Elementary, Quinta Brunson was going to move back home.? As each day passes, I entertain the thought of returning to my hometown in Virginia.?

But what if my Abbott Elementary is next??

Stay tuned for this new season of my life.?