"Valuable? I'm expendable ! When one is about my age and has no where to go, I have accept whatever circumstances that may take place in my employment," said the veteran staff with a mixture of regret and bitterness.

"But sir, we are in the business of preserving history. The older, the greater the value."

I wish I had said the above.
Instead, I merely gave a sympathetic smile because I wasn't ready to farther this conversation, or what that may follow.