Gemotions

The silence was the worst part. The rhythmic whir of the emergency generator was punctuated only by the occasional, frantic gasp for air. Robert had stopped talking. He had exhausted his supply of jokes and platitudes. Now, he was just staring at the floor indicator, willing it to move.

He pictured the important phone call he was missing, the opportunity that was slipping away. He saw the promotion, the future he’d envisioned, all vanishing within these steel walls. He pressed his face into his hands, trying to contain the rising tide of… something.

He started to mutter to himself, repeating key phrases from the presentation. He needed to prepare himself for when he got out. He knew he'd need to explain, that the delay would be catastrophic. He was already rehearsing excuses.