I gathered the strewn pieces of paper and gazed at them uncomprehendingly.

“I . . . don’t know . . . what you mean . . . ,” I stammered.

“Look at the figures, how can you miscalculate?”

“I had computed this accurately,” I insisted not bothering to read.

Her eyes widened in surprise. “You don’t want to accept your mistake and you’re not even remorseful,” she fumed.

I stared at her defiantly. I was certain I made the correct computations.

“You’re fired!” she bellowed, ...