The recession hits me in the stomach

The company where I work is not having the best of years. Cutbacks are happening, budgets are tightening and we all walk around with a little anxiety cloud over our heads.

Luckily, near the receptionist's desk was a little bowl with chocolate squares. When life and its worries got too much to bear, I would head over and pick up a square to pick me up.

This morning I was walking past the desk and thought I'd pocket a chocolate. I looked around -- they must have moved the dish.

"Where is the chocolate?" I asked.

The woman at the desk shook her head sadly. "We can't have them anymore," she said. "Cutbacks."

I turned away sadly thinking, "CUTBACKS! How I hate that word."