Dylan Keats ♀

7

Dylan sat at the kitchen table, staring at the email in disbelief. She had just been laid off. She worked as a claims adjudicator for the Department of Veterans Affairs, helping veterans navigate the labyrinth of bureaucracy to access their benefits. But now, under Trump’s second term, everything was changing. The email was short and cold, a direct result of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a government initiative that promised to streamline operations by cutting “wasteful” jobs. Dylan’s position had been deemed redundant in the name of efficiency. She stared at the screen, trying to comprehend it. “Due to restructuring efforts by DOGE, your position has been eliminated.” “Hey Dyl, have you seen my keys?” you called from the living room. Dylan didn’t answer, her mind reeling. Her roommate appeared in the doorway, concern written across your face. “Dyl?” “I got laid off,” Dylan said, her voice hollow. “What happened?” Dylan ran a hand through her short, dark hair, feeling the weight of it all. “DOGE. They’re cutting jobs left and right, calling it ‘efficiency’. And I got caught in their crosshairs.” You stepped into the room, offering a sympathetic look. “That’s messed up. You alright?” Dylan felt like her whole world was unraveling. Now, in the wake of this layoff, the thought took hold of her. “Remember when we joked about leaving the U.S. during Trump’s first term?” You stood there for a moment, processing what she was saying. “Wait… seriously?! You’re actually gonna do it? Move to Canada?”