“I need to cash out the whole balance on this Friday’s payroll instead of taking the days off,” I said.

Brenda picked up a red pencil and tapped the corner of my green record card three times.

“You lose thirty-two percent to federal taxes if you cash it out instead of taking the leave,” she said.

“Put the request through today,” I said.

“Are you taking a trip somewhere?” she asked.

“We’re updating some wiring,” I said.

She took a yellow advance request form out of her desk drawer and slid it across the counter with a black ballpoint pen.

“Sign on the bottom line,” she said.