Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the office hummed, a low, buzzing drone that seemed to vibrate in Arthur’s teeth. He kept glancing at the woman, Sarah, his replacement, as she sat across from him, diligently taking notes. Each scratch of her pen felt like a tiny accusation, etching away at his livelihood, his purpose. He cleared his throat, the sound a dry rasp in the sudden silence.

He offered a forced smile, his eyes darting to the corner of the room, as if expecting someone to burst through the door and snatch the chair right from under him. The coffee machine gurgled in the break room, and Arthur jumped, the sound amplified in his ears. He adjusted his tie, suddenly convinced it was crooked.

"And then you process the invoices like this," he said, his voice a little too loud. He tried to focus on the task at hand, but the feeling that his every move was being scrutinized was overwhelming. He knew he was being replaced, but to do it himself? It was unbearable.