Gemotions

He avoided eye contact, staring instead at the patterns on the tablecloth. The perfectly folded napkins seemed to taunt him. He felt a profound unease that seemed to seep into his very bones. The joyous laughter of the crowd grated on his nerves. He longed for the quiet solitude of his apartment.

"Well," he began, his voice flat. "This is… a significant moment." He paused, searching for the right words, but all that came to mind was a jumble of anxieties. He felt the urge to pace, to move, to do anything to quell the mounting pressure inside. He gripped the microphone tightly, as if it could anchor him to the spot.