Gemotions

The elevator ride felt interminably long. Carol was returning from her lunch break when she heard the news from her friend, Mary, in the office. Mary had the inside scoop on salaries, and the number Mary had spoken about… Carol's colleague, the fresh-faced, recent graduate, Jessica, earned a hefty amount more than Carol. Carol, who had been there for ten years.

Carol felt her stomach knot. The elevator doors opened onto the familiar office floor, but everything looked different. Brighter, somehow. The air was charged. She walked slowly to her desk, her footsteps sounding loud and deliberate.

She placed her bag down, the action slow. She had been diligently preparing for the upcoming presentation. She suddenly felt that it was pointless.