Gemotions

"Indefinite delay," the robotic voice echoed through the loudspeaker. Mark sank back into his seat, the plastic digging uncomfortably into his back. The museum's grand opening! He had been scheduled to give the keynote speech. Now, the opportunity, the culmination of years of work, seemed to be slipping away.

His hands fidgeted, tracing the worn edges of his briefcase. The knot in his stomach tightened with each passing minute. He glanced at the people around him, a mix of boredom and irritation etched across their faces. They didn't understand. They couldn't grasp the significance.

He imagined the expectant faces, the hushed anticipation, the presentation he'd painstakingly prepared. It was all wasted. A wave of helplessness washed over him. He felt as though someone had pulled the rug out from under him.