Gemotions

“Another successful quarter, team!” The team leader, Carol, clapped her hands, her voice filled with manufactured enthusiasm. Mark, who was sitting in the corner, didn’t join in the applause. He felt a pressure building in his head.

He knew what the success meant: bonuses. And he also knew that, based on prior years, he wouldn’t be getting the same percentage as the newer team members, particularly the ones who had recently graduated and were already earning a decent salary. He took a sip of the water, and it tasted like sand.

He focused on the small scratch on the table. It was irritating, but at least, he felt that he could control that, unlike his salary. He would need a new computer soon. The old one was glitching and clunky. It was a good thing the company paid for these things.