Smell of Failure

Gordon took in a deep breath and then shook his head as he let out a sigh, "I smell failure."

Isaac thought a moment, "What is failure supposed to smell like?"

"You know that first thing you smell in the morning? That smell that sticks around with you all day, and is the last thing you smell before you fall unconscious asleep? That smell is failure."

"Are you saying I'm a failure? That's a mean thing to say."

"Oh! I'm so sorry! I apologize!" Gordon said. "You've probably gotten so used to it by now that you don't smell it anymore."