“Aaron, have a seat.”
Aaron sat down, wondering what this was about.
“I'll get straight to the point,” said Duncan, “I run a tight ship here, as you know, and can't afford to carry any weight.”
“Of course,” began Aaron.
“And,” interrupted Duncan, “you and I both know you haven't been delivering of late, and if that's not bad enough, I found this.”
He held out an empty bottle of vodka.
Aaron looked at the bottle but didn't say anything.
“This is yours, right?” insisted Duncan.
Aaron nodded.
“Well, I'm not having it. You're fired. I can't believe I wasted so much time and energy on you. Go get your things and get out of my sight!”
Aaron thought about protesting, but got up and turned to go.
“Aaron.”
Aaron looked back.
“Don't forget your bottle.”
