Saïd Sayrafiezadeh Reads “Process of Elimination”

The protagonist, Tamerlan Thompson, is unfairly associated with the Boston Marathon bomber, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, due to a shared first name, leading to suspicion and contributing to his eventual firing.

Tamerlan's attempts to seek justice for his unlawful termination through the Department of Labor and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission highlight the slow, impersonal, and often unsatisfying nature of bureaucratic processes.

The protagonist's perception of his former boss as the "owner" and a powerful entrepreneur is shattered when he discovers the man was merely a manager, revealing a complex and often hidden power structure.

Tamerlan eventually receives a modest $800 settlement after months of effort, raising questions about the true value and accessibility of justice for individuals against institutional power.

Tamerlan's experience shifts from a small, independent coffee shop with ambiguous rules and personal biases to a large corporation (Starbucks) offering clear career paths, benefits, and a more structured environment.