Gemotions

“Behold!” Mark announced, gesturing grandly towards the robot that stood before his audience. The machine, built from scavenged parts and sheer determination, could handle any physical task. His voice rang with elation. He had conquered something monumental. The robot's eyes, two LED lights, seemed to wink back at him.

After the demonstration, a journalist approached him for an interview. He, Mark, the inventor, the genius. The journalist was trying to be polite, and asked a pointed question: “What do you think of the recent patent filed by ‘RoboCorp’?”

Mark felt himself freeze. He excused himself, abruptly. He rushed back to his small workshop, the smile wiped from his face. He checked the patent database. He found it. The same design, filed years ago. The air around him felt heavy, suffocating. He kicked a nearby metal bin with a resounding clang.