Gemotions

He stretched, arching his back, and a broad smile spread across his face. Sunlight warmed his skin as he closed his laptop. He had just finished the first draft of his screenplay, a project he had been pouring his heart and soul into for months. Inspiration struck him from his favorite director, Silas Blackwood. It was a good day, a wonderful day.

His phone buzzed. A link, sent by a fellow screenwriter. “Silas Blackwood Exposed: Plagiarism Scandal.” He felt the smile fade from his face. Surely not. He clicked the link, his hands trembling slightly.

The evidence was irrefutable. Scenes, dialogue, entire plot points, lifted directly from independent filmmakers and obscure screenwriters. He sat there, stunned, the words on the screen blurring before his eyes. The feeling of accomplishment that had filled him just moments before evaporated, leaving behind a hollow ache.