Gemotions

The workshop was a disaster, scattered with wires and half-finished gadgets. Sarah hummed, oblivious, as she tinkered with the prototype. Her fingers danced across the circuit board, a smile playing on her lips. She could almost *feel* it – the solution to the energy crisis, within her grasp. A small bead of sweat trickled down her temple, but she paid it no mind. She was so close.

Her phone buzzed. It was her patent lawyer. Her stomach dropped. She steeled herself.

“Hello?”

“Sarah, I’ve got bad news.” The lawyer's voice was grim. "Someone already patented your design."

The workshop seemed to dim slightly. She felt a sudden chill, despite the heat of the soldering iron. She slumped back onto her stool, staring at the invention, her chest aching. Then, a thought sparked. There was always another way, another angle. She wasn't beaten yet.