the calm disguise

The overwhelming state of can't-be-asked exhaustion that hits while logged into a call centre system, where every incoming beep fills you with pure dread and you do the bare absolute minimum just to survive the shift.

A barked, micromanaging command hurled across a call centre floor by a power-tripping manager to force an advisor off post-call administration and straight back into the queue, treating seconds spent documenting a customer case as pure laziness.

A state of intense concentration induced by staring at a tiny moving scooter icon.

A dignified conversational withdrawal that avoids further disagreement.