Submitted to: Contest #306

The Junior Associate

Written in response to: "Tell a story with a series of emails, calls, and/or text messages."

Drama Fiction

From: <hr@onr-law.co.il>

To: <ralfasi@onr-law.co.il>

Date: June 10, 7:35 PM

Subject: Termination of Employment – Romi Alfasi

Hi Romi,

We regret to inform you that, following internal deliberations, Orlev, Niv, Rosenthal & Co. has decided to terminate your employment with the firm.

Your last working day will be on June 15, 2025. Please ensure that all company property in your possession is returned no later than your final day. You will receive your final salary and any remaining benefits per our requirement to provide advance notice.

We thank you for your time with us and wish you luck in your future endeavors.

Kind regards

Dana Berkovitz

HR Manager

Orlev, Niv, Rosenthal & Co.

---

From: <mgonen@onr-law.co.il>

To: <oweiss@onr-law.co.il>, <tkatz@onr-law.co.il>

Date: June 10, 8:22 PM

Subject: What gives??

Girlsssss

Did you hear about Romi?? She's really really good, I don't get why they did it... poor thing.

I'm actually freaking out. I can't lose this job. If they're firing juniors, and they fired Romi, I'm definitely next. OMG I'm so nervousss

Adv. Meital Gonen

Junior Associate

Orlev, Niv, Rosenthal & Co.

---

From: <tkatz@onr-law.co.il>

To: <mgonen@onr-law.co.il>

Cc: <oweiss@onr-law.co.il>

Date: June 10, 8:24 PM

Subject: Re: What gives??

Relaxxx sister. You'll be fine.

What happened to Romi is not that surprising, you know? All things considered...

---

From: <mgonen@onr-law.co.il>

To: <tkatz@onr-law.co.il>

Cc: <oweiss@onr-law.co.il>

Date: June 10, 8:28 PM

Subject: Re: What gives??

Huh? What do you mean?

Adv. Meital Gonen

Junior Associate

Orlev, Niv, Rosenthal & Co.

---

From: <tkatz@onr-law.co.il>

To: <mgonen@onr-law.co.il>

Cc: <oweiss@onr-law.co.il>

Date: June 10, 8:30 PM

Subject: Re: What gives??

Calling u in a few minutes...

---

From: <ralfasi@onr-law.co.il>

To: <hr@onr-law.co.il>

Date: June 11, 1:08 AM

Subject: Re: Termination of Employment – Romi Alfasi

Hi Dana,

Thank you for your message. I acknowledge receipt of the termination notice.

Regards,

Romi

---

From: <ralfasi@onr-law.co.il>

To: <ygoldman@onr-law.co.il>

Date: June 12, 11:03 PM

Subject: You piece of shit

We know what you did.

It's obvious that you're a jealous, petty asshole, even if Romi is too kind to see it. You either got her fired, or you fired her yourself.

We demand that you and your toxic company give Romi the compensation she deserves. Letters of recommendation. A severance package. A year of full pay and a paid vacation to Thailand. IF not, we'll go to the press. We'll sue the hell out of you. You won't get away with this.

Yours truly,

A few concerned individuals

---

From: <ralfasi@onr-law.co.il>

To: <ygoldman@onr-law.co.il>

Date: June 12, 11:11 PM

Subject: Re: You piece of shit

Yoni, I'm so so sorry. My idiot friends used my phone while I was in the bathroom. Can we please pretend their email was never sent?

Let me know,

Romi

---

From: <ralfasi@onr-law.co.il>

To: <ygoldman@onr-law.co.il>

Date: June 12, 11:16 PM

Subject: Re: You piece of shit

I know you're reading these messages. It's eleven on a Thursday, but I know you're still working.

Just please, please respond and let me know that we can put all this behind us. Again, I'm really sorry.

---

From: <ralfasi@onr-law.co.il>

To: <ygoldman@onr-law.co.il>

Date: June 12, 11:32 PM

Subject: Re: You piece of shit

You know what? FUCK this. My friends aren't idiots. They're amazing, and they emailed you because they love me. And I love them. And they're right.

Admitedly, I've had a few drinks with my friends. But that doesn't change the TRUTH. It only gives me the courage to state it. I'm absolutely certain you got me fired because I told you I started seeing Itay. You had no right to punish me for that.

Tonight I was reminded that unequal relationships in the workspace are wrong and illegal. As the subordinate, the weight of blame does not fall on me. In a just court of law, I would easily prove your unquestionable guilt. However, it seems Orlev, Niv, Rosenthal & Co. harbor some extremely partial judges.

Why am I writing this? I don't know. I don't even know what I want. Yet. At the very least, I deserve an actual response. You better answer.

---

From: <ralfasi@onr-law.co.il>

To: <ygoldman@onr-law.co.il>

Date: June 12, 11:39 PM

Subject: Re: You piece of shit

Seriously, answer me. NOW.

My next message is to your wife.

---

From: <ygoldman@onr-law.co.il>

To: <ralfasi@onr-law.co.il>

Date: June 12, 11:40 PM

Subject: Re: You piece of shit

Let's move this conversation to WhatsApp.

Adv. Yoni Goldman

Partner

Orlev, Niv, Rosenthal & Co.

---

From: <ralfasi@onr-law.co.il>

To: <ygoldman@onr-law.co.il>

Date: June 12, 11:41 PM

Subject: Re: You piece of shit

Hahaha no...

---

From: <ygoldman@onr-law.co.il>

To: <ralfasi@onr-law.co.il>

Date: June 12, 11:44 PM

Subject: Re: You piece of shit

Romi, stop this at once. Take a moment and calm down. You're drunk and exhausted, and it's the middle of the night. Distance yourself from these so-called "friends" who are clearly having a dangerously negative influence on your thinking. Ask yourself: do they truly understand the jeopardy of your situation?

Your dismissal from the company had absolutely nothing to do with me or our relationship. Unfortunately, the company is currently in the process of laying off several employees. You know how these things go. It was strictly performance-based and not personal. Honestly, it is sometimes rather arbitrary. I realize this may seem cruel, but that's the reality.

With that in mind, I must address what you wrote. You are in no position to threaten me. I know everyone at all the serious firms. If you have any intention of continuing your legal career, I strongly suggest you stop this at once. If you continue down this path, you may damage my personal life, but nothing of your future will remain. I will personally see to it. Once the dust settles, you'll be out of a job and unable to find one, and I'll still be in the same place. Consider this carefully. Don't act rashly, like a child blinded by rage.

Tell me you will stop this. We can discuss this rationally, like two adults, at the start of next week. Had you approached me respectfully, I would have gladly offered to help you find your next opportunity at another firm. That course might still be available to you — if you make the right choices.

Adv. Yoni Goldman

Partner

Orlev, Niv, Rosenthal & Co.

---

From: <ygoldman@onr-law.co.il>

To: <ralfasi@onr-law.co.il>

Date: June 13, 12:07 AM

Subject: Re: You piece of shit

Romi? I'm waiting for your response.

Adv. Yoni Goldman

Partner

Orlev, Niv, Rosenthal & Co.

---

From: <ygoldman@onr-law.co.il>

To: <ralfasi@onr-law.co.il>

Date: June 13, 2:14 AM

Subject: Re: You piece of shit

Given the lack of your reply, I can only infer that you have made the right choice. I hope we can discuss this calmly on Sunday.

Adv. Yoni Goldman

Partner

Orlev, Niv, Rosenthal & Co.

---

From: <ralfasi@onr-law.co.il>

To: <all@onr-law.co.il>

Date: June 15, 9:00 AM

Subject: Farewell and Thank You

Hi everyone,

I wanted to let you know that I will be leaving Orlev, Niv, Rosenthal & Co. as of today. I'd like to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside such dedicated and talented colleagues.

I’ve experienced a great deal during my time at the firm. Frankly, some things were wonderful — and some were awful. Despite what I've witnessed here, I still live by a simple truth: every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Even the sharpest lawyer must conform to this basic law of reality. Though the consequences of certain misdeeds may not be immediately apparent, justice eventually seeks — and punishes — those who deserve it.

Thank you for the support and kindness many of you have shown me. Always remember to trust the right people.

Kind regards

Adv. Romi Alfasi

---

From: <ygoldman@onr-law.co.il>

To: <ralfasi@onr-law.co.il>

Cc: <all@onr-law.co.il>

Date: June 15, 9:01 AM

Subject: Re: Farewell and Thank You

What the hell is this sniveling bullshit? What are you trying to do here?

Even when you're sober, you're absolutely pathetic. Fucking ridiculous.

Adv. Yoni Goldman

Partner

Orlev, Niv, Rosenthal & Co.

---

From: <ralfasi@onr-law.co.il>

To: <ygoldman@onr-law.co.il>

Date: June 15, 9:04 AM

Subject: Re: Farewell and Thank You

Accidentally pressing 'reply all'? I'd say that's fucking ridiculous.

It seems justice found you quite quickly after all :)

Best regards

Adv. Romi Alfasi

---

From: <mbenami@barakcohen-law.co.il>

To: <yonigoldman@gmail.com>

Date: June 25, 11:17 AM

Subject: Divorce Proceedings, Abutbul – Goldman

Hi Yoni,

Per our call, please send over the signed agreement by end of day. My client is prepared to proceed with filing.

Kind regards

Adv. Maya Ben-Ami

Senior Associate

Barak, Cohen & Co.

---

From: <aorlev@onr-law.co.il>

To: <romialfasi12@gmail.com>

Date: October 1, 10:08 AM

Subject: Senior Position Offer

Hello Adv. Romi Alfasi,

Following the settlement and compensation agreement reached between you and the firm, I would like to personally extend an additional proposal.

We would be pleased to welcome you back to Orlev, Niv, Rosenthal & Co. in a senior position, should you be open to resuming your professional path with us. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, your talent and contribution have never been in question.

If you wish to discuss this further, I am available on my personal number: 052-775-1986.

Whatever you decide, I wish you nothing less than the best in your future endeavors.

Kind regards

Adv. Ayelet Orlev

Partner

Orlev, Niv, Rosenthal & Co.

---

From: <mgonen@onr-law.co.il>

To: <oweiss@onr-law.co.il>, <tkatz@onr-law.co.il>

Date: October 8, 7:45 PM

Subject: Yesssssssssssss

Girls, we need to bring a cake on Sunday. Romi is coming backkkkk... as a senior! OMG, she's so brave!!!

Adv. Meital Gonen

Junior Associate

Orlev, Niv, Rosenthal & Co.

---

From: <tkatz@onr-law.co.il>

To: <mgonen@onr-law.co.il>

Cc: <oweiss@onr-law.co.il>

Date: October 8, 8:03 PM

Subject: Re: Yesssssssssssss

Wow. That's actually unbelievable. I'm so happy for her.

But Meital, I'm literally begging you, please stop using work email for personal stuff!

Posted Jun 13, 2025
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