Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the office hummed, a relentless drone that amplified the knot in Arthur's stomach. He walked to the break room, his footsteps heavy on the linoleum. The coffee machine was broken, of course. He hadn't bothered to report it. He got the impression no one cared about anything.

Arthur found himself staring at the new hire, a fresh-faced kid named Ben, who was cheerfully adjusting his headset. Ben had a whiteboard marker in hand and a perpetual grin. *Probably thinks he’s going to save the world,* Arthur thought, his jaw clenched.

"Alright, so, customer complaints... they go here," Arthur said, pointing with a deliberate lack of enthusiasm to a overflowing inbox. His voice felt thick, as if coated in something sticky. Ben scribbled furiously, his eyes wide.