On Monday of this week I got stuck in an elevator…the same elevator I was stuck in about 5-6 years ago. That’s right, the exact same elevator, twice. One might even think there was a conspiracy going on.
When I come into work in the morning I always go to the cafe first. I fix myself a fruit/yogurt/granola parfait, get a decaf coffee, then make my way toward my building.
Since I work on the second floor and the cafe is on the first floor I’ve either got to take the elevator or the stairs. Being the safety role model that I am I always take the elevator if I am carrying things, because you can’t hold onto a safety rail if your hands are full.
Monday was no different. I pushed the call button, stepped into the elevator and hit “2″. The elevator rose, got to the second floor and stopped. The doors didn’t open. Having been in this situation before I reacted calmly. I set down my breakfast, looked around the ceiling to see if anyone was watching me on the security camera that is likely hidden behind one of the burned out light bulbs, laughed at myself for looking for a camera that isn’t there, then sat down on the floor and hit the button to call security.
They answered promptly after the voice lady reminded me that my call might be monitored for quality assurance (and who doesn’t want to hear a panicked person screaming at them on tape), and I informed them I was once again stuck in the elevator. I’m not sure they understood the “once again” part since it was only my first call to them, but somehow it made me feel better to make the point.
They said someone would be with me soon and hung up. So much for providing supportive reassurance that all would be well in the world.
I pulled out my phone and updated my Facebook status to “Heath is stuck in an elevator…” (because updating my status on a regular basis is an important part of social networking, and a crisis situation is no excuse for silence), at which point the elevator decided to return to the ground floor, but again, not to open the doors. I stood up, and with my brute strength pulled the doors apart to find a group of employees standing there staring at me wondering what was going on. I kindly advised them to take the stairs.
This wouldn’t be so strange except that it’s not the first time it has happened in that same elevator. Several years ago I was stuck in there for about 30-45 minutes while they attempted to get the doors open. That time I didn’t have any breakfast with me, so I sat on the floor and cleaned out my wallet.
Important Learnings: always use the restroom BEFORE taking an elevator; have at least one game on your mobile phone that can occupy your time; make sure your contact list is updated so you can call some friends you haven’t talked to in a while; deep cleansing breaths.
