Gemotions

"Dr. Peterson is retiring," the department secretary said, her voice a monotone. Mark stared at her. Retirement. He’d spent two years working with Dr. Peterson. He felt a profound sense of… weariness. He walked back to his lab, his steps slow and measured. The equipment glinted under the fluorescent lights, each piece a reminder of the time and effort he had poured into this endeavor. He picked up a pipette, then slowly set it back down. The thrill of discovery, the intellectual challenge, all seemed to have… vanished.