Turns out that Holden Caulfield and all of the Playboy Playmates whose questionnaires I ever read weren't so wrong in decrying phonies.

I had been doing some freelance work for another department here. They let me go last week, assuring me
that it wasn't a performance issue on my part.

Then, I discovered that they went to my big boss later and told him that they had, indeed, let me go because of performance issues. Wonderful.

Luckily, the big boss - and my direct boss - specifically told me that THEY have no issues with my performance, but it still rankles, particularly in light of my recent and not-so-recent employment history.

Again, I am forced to appreciate the advice of my dad, who always tells me that people are no good and can't be trusted.