Cash Pyle and the Office Ultimatum

 

Cash opened his work email on Monday morning, sipping his coffee as he scanned through the usual start-of-the-week messages. But one subject line made him stop cold: Return to Office Notice. His brow furrowed as he clicked it open.

He skimmed the email quickly, then read it again, slower this time. There had to be a mistake. He had never worked in any of his employer’s offices. The remote position was the reason he had accepted the job in the first place. There was no way he was moving to another state just to keep it.

But as he reread the email a third time, reality set in. This wasn’t a mistake. His company had decided to bring employees back on-site, and he had until the end of the week to make his decision.

By lunchtime, Cash set his sandwich aside and pulled out a notebook. If he was about to walk away from his job, he needed to be sure he could afford to do so. He flipped to a fresh page and started listing out his finances.

First, his emergency fund. He had built it up carefully over time, not just with money, but with supplies—non-perishable food, household essentials, and even some extra toiletries. He estimated that between his savings and stocked goods, he could comfortably cover his expenses for at least six months.

Next, he thought about his spending habits. Thanks to his natural deal-finding skills and habit of living below his means, he wouldn’t need to tighten his belt too much. He had always prioritized value over impulse, and that discipline was about to pay off.

By Wednesday, Cash felt a sense of calm wash over him. He knew he was making the right choice. He wasn’t willing to uproot his life for a job that had changed the terms on him. And if it came down to it, he could always return to his old job. It wasn’t ideal, but it was local.

That afternoon, he drafted his resignation email. He kept it professional but brief, thanking the company for the opportunity while making it clear that relocation wasn’t an option for him.

Friday afternoon, with a steady hand, he hit Send. His career path might be shifting, but at least he was in control of the direction.