Gemotions

From his vantage point on the stage, where he’d just delivered a killer stand-up set, Mark surveyed the crowd. The laughter, the applause, the shared energy – it was intoxicating. He felt invincible, like he could conquer anything. His friend, Sarah, was in the front row, beaming at him. She was always his biggest fan, and her approval meant the world. He'd planned to invite her back to his place later to celebrate.

As he was taking his final bow, he saw Sarah making her way backstage. She was accompanied by a man in a very expensive suit. He knew at once that this wasn't someone she was familiar with; in this way, he could tell she was lying. He smiled, expecting her to come running after him and offer her congratulations.

"Mark!" Sarah said, her voice a little too loud, a little too strained. "This was… well, very good."

"Thanks," he said, enjoying the attention from the crowd. "What do you think of my act?"

The man beside her cleared his throat. "Sarah here is a senior literary agent at a world-class firm. She also manages her client's affairs."

Mark stared at her, the applause fading into a dull roar in his ears. The feeling in his chest was gone. It felt like something had been ripped away.