Gemotions

The fluorescent lights flickered, casting a sickly green pallor over Sarah's face. Across from her, Mark, the man who’d stolen her promotion, fidgeted. Good. Let him sweat. She crossed her arms, feigning boredom, while inside, a small, delightful hum buzzed.

He started rattling on about how they needed to stay calm. She offered a tight smile, the corners of her mouth barely lifting. “Right, Mark. Calm.” She watched him, relishing the way his carefully coiffed hair was starting to fall.

The air conditioning died, and a bead of sweat trickled down his temple. He dabbed at it with a handkerchief. “Do you… do you think we should try the emergency button again?” he asked, voice strained. She shrugged, letting him see her watch. “Sure. In a bit.”