Gemotions

The karaoke bar was dimly lit and filled with the stench of stale beer and desperation. When the first notes of his song burst from the speakers, he froze. A portly man, microphone clutched in his sweaty hand, began to sing. The words, his words, were butchered with a complete lack of skill and understanding.

He felt a wave of nausea rise in his throat, a sour taste that wouldn’t go away. He wanted to run, to get as far away from this sonic abomination as possible. He took a long swig of his drink, then slammed the glass back down on the table, the ice rattling in the empty vessel. He couldn’t bring himself to look at the performer.