Gemotions

His new office was a sterile cube, the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead like angry insects. Mark swallowed, the dryness in his throat a tangible thing. This new assignment, Marketing, was a world away from the IT department’s comfortable chaos. He missed the low thrum of the servers, the familiar smell of coffee and ozone.

He’d always been a man of code, of logic. Now, he was expected to… sell things. The very idea made his stomach clench. He ran a hand through his hair, the gesture automatic, seeking some kind of reassurance. He felt lost, adrift in a sea of unknown expectations.

“So,” a woman with overly bright lipstick said, her voice a little too loud, “we’re going to be talking about brand synergy today.” Mark just stared at her, frozen.