Stuck

This morning started off as work mornings usually do – the alarms went off.  Yes, alarmS.  If both aren’t set I’m likely to oversleep, making me late, causing me to lose out on a parking space and thus requiring me to return home, wake JD and make him drop me off.  But, thankfully, the second alarm went off at 5 and I was up and running.

Bonus!  It’s Friday!

The train into Seattle wasn’t standing room only which allowed me to continue reading the paperback I’ve been hooked on for a few days.  I’m crossing my fingers I finish it at lunch so I don’t have to carry it back home again.

But none of that is what I wanted to talk about today.

Once the train arrived in the downtown station everyone bolted for the stairs or the elevator.  I usually choose the elevator because of my knees.  As a result, I stand up and wait by the door before we enter the station in order to be sure I can get to the elevator before it’s full.  I don’t think I’ll be doing that any more.

This morning I took my customary corner so my backpack would fit into the space and be out of the way.  For some reason the elevator regulars insist on cramming in as many people as possible.  This usually doesn’t bother me; with earbuds in and my tunes playing I can close my eyes and pretend I’m alone.  Ignore the person stepping on your toes!  Hold your breath, the perfume will be gone soon!  Today, however, after we were packed in like sardines and the door slid closed we just sat there.

I looked over to be sure someone had pushed the button; unnecessary since Esther was with us and she never forgets.  But still we sat.  They tried opening the doors with no success.  Esther started pressing the alarm bell, hoping one of the people in line would press the button outside and the doors would open.  They remained steadfastly closed.  Next, Esther picked up the emergency phone and waited to be connected.  It rang and rang.  The woman directly in front of me began talking about her mild claustrophobia and said she wished there was more air.  About then someone outside got the message to us that help was on the way, but I was imagining the claustrophobe losing it and … well, I don’t know what.  What do claustrophobes do when they lose it?

In the end we were only stuck there a few minutes, though as you can imagine it felt longer.  As I said earlier, I believe I’ll avoid the elevator in the future.  Or possibly wait until the line is shorter (proving the elevator is actually working).  I’m usually early to work anyway; it’s not like I HAVE to be on that first car up.

Here’s the only way I’d want to be stuck on an elevator.  (WARNING:  This vid is a bit on the raunchy side.  Although it contains no real nudity, it does include provocative scenes so if you’re uncomfortable with that, do not watch it.  You have been warned.)  For everyone else – enjoy!