The smell of stale coffee clings to my jacket like an unwelcome cousin at the high school reunion. I fumble for a spare pack, trying not to spill crumbs from my morning donut on the crowded office elevator. Floor 14 blinks above one of those 'please stay calm' posters.
As we lurch to a stop, I lock eyes with Karen from accounting, who's sporting that new 'I'm-trying-too-hard' haircut. She nods curtly, and I hastily adjust mine to avoid any possible misinterpretation. The doors squeak open to reveal our boss, Mr. Patel, grinning maniacally like he always does at 10 AM.
As we lurch to a stop, I lock eyes with Karen from accounting, who's sporting that new 'I'm-trying-too-hard' haircut. She nods curtly, and I hastily adjust mine to avoid any possible misinterpretation. The doors squeak open to reveal our boss, Mr. Patel, grinning maniacally like he always does at 10 AM.
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