Gemotions

The coffee tasted bitter. It always tasted bitter when he was anxious. He'd been asked to guide the new recruit, a young man named Ryan, through his first few weeks. He felt a tightness in his chest.

He began by emphasizing the importance of confidentiality. He made a point of describing every possible security risk, from phishing scams to data breaches. He spent a disproportionate amount of time on these topics.

He took Ryan on a tour of the office, pointing out every surveillance camera, every access point. He showed him how to use the keycard system, emphasizing the importance of keeping it secure.

He watched Ryan constantly, observing his interactions with other employees, noting the things he said and did. He took pages of notes, his pen scratching against the paper with an insistent rhythm.