Gemotions

He bounced on the balls of his feet, his heart hammering against his ribs. The emergency lights flickered, casting grotesque shadows across the worried face of Sarah. A few more minutes. That’s all he needed. A few more minutes of captive audience.

"I can't believe this is happening!" Sarah wailed, clutching her chest. He, on the other hand, felt a surge of energy. He took a deep, steadying breath. This was it.

"Don't worry," he said, his voice brimming with a quiet confidence. He knew the building's maintenance protocols better than anyone. He'd practically written them. This was a gift, a chance to really be heard.

He reached into his briefcase and produced a thick, well-worn file. He cleared his throat. "Now, as I was saying about the budget proposal…" The flickering lights seemed to pulse in time with the growing excitement in his chest.