ultimatum

I dreamt that I was in a building. At first it felt like a fancy school and then a business. There were interesting rooms in the building and it was all unique architecture, with lots of stained wood. One room was an auditorium. My coworkers were filing into the room and I felt as if I might have been a bit late. As I walked in, I could see there was something going on. Some of the people were standing, some were sitting, but the room wasn't settled. There was a man facing the room from the side entrance. He was in charge, and not just as a boss. It seemed he was powerful, and in control of everyone's fate somehow. He offered a new contract to everyone, but it was more like an ultimatum. You choose the contract, or you choose ?? getting fired? death?  I hadn't had the offer yet, as the man didn't see me. A group of women refused his contract. It didn't feel like tragedy though, it felt like they freed themselves from this man. I was happy for them or at least admired their decision.  Then the man and I sat down facing each other. He had a case and opened it. It was full of gold square shaped plates (not food... ). It filled the case in a kind of curve, almost as if it was some sort of game where cards are fanned out. He was making an offer to me...