I protest.

Stunned disbelief.

I got a job today. I start on Monday. Which is the day I was supposed to have the interview for the job. Not the money I had hoped for, but not bad and lots better than the now nonexistent unemployment.

But what's this about hiring someone on the basis of his résumé and a short chat on the telephone, even if he does start as a contractor? Not that I'm complaining, mind you. It's just that I keep having to pick my jaw up off the floor.

HRL Labs, the former Hughes Research Labs. You know, the place where they invented things like the laser, among a whole bunch of things that we now take for granted.

Um, like, wow, man.