Gemotions

“Well, this is awkward,” the engineer said, his voice laced with forced cheerfulness. The air in the lab crackled with a tension he could practically taste. He’d brought the team together to unveil his latest creation, a revolutionary new type of solar panel. But as he began his presentation, his lead scientist, a woman he deeply respected, cleared her throat and pointed out the striking similarities to a patent she had read weeks ago. He felt sweat bead on his forehead, his carefully crafted speech dissolving into a mumble. He wished the floor would swallow him whole.