Gemotions

The workshop hummed with a low thrum of barely-contained energy. Sarah clapped her hands together, the sound echoing a bit too loudly in the cluttered space. She bounced on the balls of her feet, her eyes darting between the blueprints spread across the workbench and the gleaming prototype sitting beneath a protective cloth. Finally, she snatched the cloth away. It was perfect. She had finally cracked it! "I can't believe it," she breathed, the words barely audible. A wide grin stretched across her face, showing off teeth she usually kept hidden.

A sudden knock startled her. She swung the door open, practically vibrating with excitement. "Mom! You won't believe it! The self-stirring coffee maker... it works!" Her voice was higher than usual, and she could barely stand still.

Her mother's face remained neutral. "That's wonderful, dear. However, I believe a similar device has already been patented by a large corporation." Her words were a sudden chill.

Sarah's shoulders slumped. The light that had danced in her eyes dimmed. It felt as though someone had slammed a door on her.