Gemotions

The air smelled different. A mixture of stale coffee, cheap air freshener, and something…spicy? He squinted, trying to locate the source, but the new office was a chaotic kaleidoscope of desks, each one a miniature ecosystem of personal effects. He missed the muted gray of the IT department, the orderly rows of computers, the comforting silence punctuated only by the click-clack of keyboards.

He felt a vague pressure in his chest, a tightness he couldn't explain. He'd misplaced his water bottle, and his stomach rumbled a protest. He kept checking his watch, the minutes crawling by like molasses. He couldn’t seem to find his stride.

“So, you’re the new guy, huh?” a booming voice startled him. He jumped, spilling a little of his coffee. The speaker was a man with a wild beard and a flamboyant tie. He offered a hearty handshake, and his grip was surprisingly strong. He felt lost for words.