"Who stays and who goes in rock-paper-scissors?"

(Baonghean) - The three of us sat in silence, looking at each other. A week of tea had passed. It was too difficult to say anything.

Yesterday afternoon, the boss called us in and announced that our department would have to reduce one staff member. Who would stay and who would leave? The boss said: "All three of you are doing a good job, there's nothing to criticize – I can't make this decision arbitrarily. You should discuss it democratically and then report back so I can make a decision."

This was our first time participating in a democratic discussion, and we should have been excited, but instead, we just fell silent, anxiously looking at each other.

After the second round of tea, young Quan spoke up:

- In my opinion, in our department, if anyone's departure has minimal impact on work, they should voluntarily step down.

Mr. Trong immediately refuted:

- The work is running smoothly and steadily like a three-legged stool; how can we remove one leg now? Let's start with the smallest thing, like having tea at the beginning of the day. Without Can knowing how to choose good tea, Quan being skilled at brewing it, and me cleaning the teapots and cups, how can we enjoy it and work with enthusiasm?

"Or perhaps we should consider age?" the official timidly suggested.

He needed to let out a loud, booming "hiss":

- I may be older than you guys, but nobody has ever called me "uncle." With over 20 years in the profession, without my experience, you wouldn't be able to handle the job.

"I'm the youngest," Trong said, standing up abruptly. "Even though I don't have much experience, I can't just join the agency with a bachelor's degree and be unemployed. We need a 20 or 30-year vision when arranging personnel."

"Could it be me?" Quan said angrily. "Without this middle-aged guy, you guys wouldn't be able to get anything done. He's full of energy and has plenty of experience; if I came back to this room, it would collapse."

Another deadlock. The last cup of tea is gone. Almost the end of the workday. I need to say sadly:

- I think the boss already has a plan; the talk of democratic discussion is just a cover-up. Quan is from the same hometown as the boss, and he brings gifts for the boss and his grandparents every week; surely the boss wouldn't remove his name from the list.

- Not necessarily. The boss should just follow the official procedures. Among us, young Trong, who is handsome and currently pursuing the boss's youngest daughter, seems to have the best chance of staying.

- There's nothing to talk about yet, so why are you suggesting a "cutting and pulling" (a euphemism for a marriage proposal)? In my opinion, Mr. Can has the most promising prospects. He plays cards with the boss every week. They sit together playing cards, then sip on some rice wine afterwards, pat each other on the shoulder... surely...

The department meeting seemed to be over without reaching any consensus to include in the minutes for submission to the boss. Suddenly, Can, the oldest and most experienced member, suggested:

- Let's stop discussing this. We have to use a childish method, rock-paper-scissors, to decide. Now, raise your hands and let's play rock-paper-scissors to decide who stays and who goes.

Quynh Tho