Gemotions

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee did nothing to lighten the mood. Mark, staring out the window, felt a coldness creeping through him. This was the end. He turned to face the new kid, forcing a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

He’d presented the information in a deliberately confusing manner, speaking in a monotone and using jargon that was unnecessarily complicated. He would pretend to answer questions, only to change the subject or deflect.

When the new employee struggled, Mark would simply shrug his shoulders and say, “Well, that’s your problem, isn’t it?” He made sure to take long breaks, leaving the new hire to fumble on his own. He pretended to be annoyed every time the new employee asked a question.