Presumably the person was a "partner", a term involving shadowy details, heavy cloaks, and, I'm only guessing here but - opera masks. Before "partner" comes "bench," which involves paddling and cross-dressing (but not in a fun way), I hear.

https://www.quora.com/What-does-it-mean-to-be-a-Partner-at-M...

Laying off a partner would be very strange.