Gemotions

The interview panel droned on, their questions perfunctory. He glanced across the table at James, his competitor, and noticed the eager, overly earnest look on his face. The guy was practically vibrating with nervous energy.

He had to work hard to keep his own facial expression neutral, to prevent the sneer that threatened to surface. The whole process was transparent, a game of manufactured fairness.

Each positive remark they made about James felt like a personal insult, a confirmation of the obvious.