Helen: Bill, I’ve been searching for a loan, but I was rejected everywhere. Now I’m afraid I have some very bad news.

Bill: What is it?

Helen: Well, the company has been experiencing serious financial difficulties for quite a long time now.

Bill: I know we’ve been operating in the red for the past few months.

Helen: Exactly. After a long discussion with my partners, I’ve come to the conclusion that the best course of action is to file for bankruptcy

Bill: What? Bankruptcy? I didn’t know you were in this kind of serious financial trouble.

Helen: Sales have been low all year long. Now two of our leading competitors are discussing amerger. Then we’ll have to face even stiffer competition. I feel the situation is going to go from bad to worse. We simply can’t afford to keep our doors open for long.

Bill: When do you plan to make the announcement to tell all the employees?

Helen: Early next week.

Bill: What kinds of severance package will we able to offer them?

Helen: Unfortunately, the best we can do is offer one month’s salary.

Bill: Oh! How terrible! OK, I’ll contact Vivitek and see if they are interested in acquiring our company.