Gemotions

The metal walls seemed to press in on him. He picked at a loose thread on his cuff, then another. He looked at the technician, who was attempting to fix the elevator. He’d been stuck with his coworker, Emily, who didn’t seem remotely concerned.

"How much longer?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

She shrugged, engrossed in a magazine. He sighed, the air escaping his lungs like a deflating balloon. He had a date to get to. He could already imagine her reaction when he told her what had happened.