Gemotions

The emergency phone on the wall sat silent. He stared at it, the red button a bright, useless distraction. His coworker, a woman he barely knew, was trying to start a conversation. He responded with monosyllables.

“So, what do you do for fun?” she asked, a forced cheerfulness in her voice. He shrugged, looking at the floor.

He had a book in his briefcase. He’d read it later. Or maybe not. He wasn't particularly bothered by either prospect. The lack of air was a minor irritation.

The sensation of the elevator moving again would have been more interesting.