Gemotions

John sat at his desk, watching the seconds tick by on the digital clock. His fingers drummed a slow, erratic rhythm on the desktop. The pile of paperwork on his desk was a monument to his stagnation, each document a reminder of the mountain he had to climb. He felt the pull of the couch at home; the lure of a nap was almost overpowering.

His phone buzzed. Another email notification. The subject line: “Important News Regarding the Future of [Company Name].” He clicked on it with a heavy heart. He was already anticipating the announcement.

The email started with platitudes about the company’s success and future opportunities. He scrolled down, his eyes scanning for the key phrase. There it was: “We are pleased to announce…” The words dissolved around him as he realized the company was being sold. He slumped back in his chair.