one person one set of hands

[Doktor Howl]

you make a strong point. I just have to figure out how to use that stick as a lever. The sword of Damocles is suspended very precariously above my head. And this project is so late and overdue it's actually become a joke. (it was supposed to be launched in september)

If I tell them they can shove it and figure it out on their own, it's not that much of a stretch for them to say, "that's cool, we were gonna can the project anyway!"

There's always one (or more) person in an office that treats a confidential conversation as a chance to be the font of all gossip.  Find that person, and let it slip that you're looking for a full time job, not because you don't like the fascinating project you're on, but because you need one to survive.

Let the grapevine do the work for you.