March 11, 8am
After taking the Metra from her Edison Park apartment to her downtown job for her usual 8am arrival, Gayl has a cigarette with her work buddies. They know layoffs are imminent, but as transportation specialists, they’re so sure of their futures with the company that they joke about having their last smoke before facing the firing squad. Minutes later, they learn it’s no joke: At 10am, HR calls in several employees individually—Gayl among them. At 10:30am, holding a box of her desk items, Gayl leaves the office for the last time.