Gemotions

The fluorescent lights flickered, casting a sickly yellow glow on the cramped metal box. Beatrice crossed her arms, the expensive silk of her blouse bunching uncomfortably. Three hours. Three hours she’d been trapped with *him*, the perpetually late, perpetually smiling, Kevin. She’d missed her important meeting, a meeting that would have solidified her promotion. And here he was, humming some inane tune.

“Well, this is just great,” she finally snapped, her voice tight. “My entire day, utterly ruined. All thanks to this ridiculous contraption.” She punctuated her statement with a sharp kick against the elevator wall.

He just shrugged, his cheerful facade unwavering. “At least we have company. You know, I was starting to get worried that there was a ghost in this thing. You know, since it's like an old mansion's elevator."

Beatrice rolled her eyes. Ghosts. Honestly. She fumbled for her phone, checking the signal for the hundredth time. Nothing. The utter lack of cell service added another layer of frustration. This was beyond unacceptable.