Gemotions

The stale smell of instant coffee clung to the air in the breakroom. He had waited until the last possible minute to head back. The interview was over, but the feeling lingered, a dark stain of disappointment.

He spotted the intern, a girl named Emily, already sitting at his desk. Emily was brightly dressed and bouncing her leg. Everything about her radiated an energy he couldn’t stand.

"So, the first thing is... you need to learn to ignore the politics," he said, his voice flat and monotone. He didn't offer a chair. He stood, arms crossed, and waited for her to ask a question. He made sure not to help.