Gemotions

The scent of stale coffee and cheap cologne mingled in the stagnant air, making Ben's stomach churn. This was just his luck. He was late for a date, again, and now this. He slumped against the cool metal of the elevator wall, the smooth surface a stark contrast to the rough texture of his frayed nerves. He ran a hand through his hair, already feeling the inevitable dampness of a stressed sweat.

His attention was grabbed by the emergency phone. He slowly lifted the receiver, the plastic feeling strangely heavy in his hand. “Hello?” he managed, his voice sounding thin and reedy. The dial tone on the other end was a constant, maddening hum.

His colleague, Lisa, was trying to keep the conversation light, but her forced cheerfulness grated on him. He just wanted to be alone with his thoughts, or maybe, in some other place entirely.