Gemotions

The air in the cubicle farm seemed stifling, the repetitive sounds of typing and phone calls echoing in a way that grated on Kevin’s nerves. He felt a constant ache behind his eyes, a dull pressure that wouldn't relent. He braced himself as his replacement, a young man named Jake, approached.

Kevin was instructed to be enthusiastic and helpful. He forced himself to paste a smile on his face. The words of praise for Jake that were supposed to be flowing out of him remained locked inside. He found himself answering Jake's questions with clipped responses.

"So, yeah... that's how it works," Kevin said, his voice flat. He turned back to his computer.

Jake just kept talking.