Gemotions

The pool. The sheer audacity of the pool. It wasn't just a pool; it was an oasis, shimmering under the desert sun, a constant insult to Carl’s cramped, above-ground version.

His neighbor, Mr. Ramirez, had always seemed ordinary, a man who kept to himself. Now, Carl watched him lounging by the pool with a drink in hand, the picture of casual relaxation. He found himself imagining a lot of things.

He started spending more time at the local library, reading books on investment strategies. He found himself studying the market, spending more time online, searching for ways to get ahead. The air around him felt thin.