Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the office seemed to hum with a malevolent energy today. Sarah adjusted the angle of her monitor, the click of the mouse a staccato rhythm against the sudden dryness in her mouth. She had been here for seven years, and now, this… this newbie, fresh out of college, was going to take over. Her hands felt clumsy as she navigated the software, each keystroke a potential failure. The young woman, Chloe, smiled brightly, and Sarah could feel the blood drain from her face.

Chloe was enthusiastic, asking questions a mile a minute. Sarah found herself answering in short, clipped sentences, avoiding eye contact. She could feel a tremor starting in her jaw. The manual she'd compiled over the years suddenly felt inadequate, the information inside anemic.

"So, about the Jenkins report…" Chloe began. Sarah felt a bead of sweat trickle down her temple. “Yes, that’s… right there.” She pointed vaguely, her finger trembling slightly. She needed to get through this, to get to the end of the day.