Gemotions

The air conditioning in the office blew cold, making the space feel sterile and unwelcoming. “Okay, so this is the sales database,” Maya said, her voice monotone. The new intern, Liam, scribbled furiously in his notebook. Maya watched him with a blank expression, the familiar routine of her job becoming more foreign with each passing moment.

She walked him through the procedures, pausing every few moments. Her mind drifted to other things, a vacation she had been planning. The office felt like a cage. She moved through the training with the practiced movements of a seasoned professional.

Liam, eager and full of questions, asked about a particularly tricky customer. Maya paused, then sighed. "Just follow the script," she said, pointing to a laminated sheet. The words seemed to echo in the empty space, devoid of passion or conviction. The clock ticked slowly, measuring the time until her freedom.