I finished the second season of the show Severance on Apple TV +. It is a science fiction about people working at Lumon. Upon entering the 7th floor each morning they forget everything from their civilian life and only know what is happening during their workday. Leaving the elevator at the conclusion of the day they revert to their ‘Outie.’

Severance explores how we identify with corporate culture. We have work friends and relationships separate from our home outside. I have known people who never retired due to being afraid of what their lives would be without work.

Our psyche is fragile and malleable. We tend to agree with our peers. Identity carries over into other relationships. The more we hear a lie the more truthful it sounds.

‘I am working late again tonight,’ He said. ‘The Boss is counting on me and I can not let him down,’ He continued. ‘I am working for recognition of my efforts and the satisfaction that I am integral to the operation,’ He explained.

‘It seems you work many hours you are not paid for,’ She commented. ‘It would be nice to see some money for your efforts,’ She said. ‘I do not know your Boss nor his wife yet he seems to keep impinging on your time with me and your kids,’ She said with a frosty glare.

‘Boss introduced me to the CEO the other day and told him what a good employee I was,’ He said. ‘The CEO told me that the organization needed more staff like me,’ He smiled with the honor. ‘The Company could not make it without me,’ He pleaded.

‘Look, I received a gift bag from the Boss,’ Coworker said. ‘It has Snickers Bar and some jelly beans in it,’ Coworker happily said. ‘Did you get a Snickers Bar or Jelly Beans from the Boss,’ Coworker asked?