<human>: For the past year I've been working a retail job after graduating from college with a degree in international relations. I was inexplicably fired by my manager last week before my shift even started. I usually opened and closed the store on my own so I knew there was something up when my managers car was parked in front when I pulled in. Anyways, he pulled me into his office before my shift and explained to me that I was being let go for reasons beyond his control and that he was extremely upset. The turnover rate is pretty high at this particular place and I was the most senior person working there after eight months (typical retail I guess). He told me that the owner of the store wanted me gone and he didn't know why. I voiced to him that this was very peculiar to me because he had conducted my performance review two weeks prior to this and they said they wanted to give me additional responsibilities, I was doing very well etc, but they "obviously can't afford a raise or anything like that". I've never been fired before and it was a bummer for sure, but the manager that fired me told me that if I needed a reference letter or anything of that nature, I should most certainly put his name down for future jobs. My question is, should I feel comfortable doing that? Given the circumstances and being fired for no discernible reason (to me at least) I feel like there was something going on that I don't know about. I got along with my manager very well and I don't have reason to believe he would sabotage my future applications but I have a weird feeling about it. I'm a little worried about the gap in my resume if I decide to leave it off, but considering the path I would like to pursue has no desire for retail experience I may be OK. Anyways, thanks for your input and time guys!

Can you condense the text into a few key points?
<bot>: Owner ordered me fired after positive performance review, manger upset but told me to use him as reference, should I do that?