Each of them pushed the UP button, because they didn’t know if the others were going up. The doors opened. They entered. The doors closed. The four people pushed the buttons for the floors they wanted to go to. The elevator started going up. It stopped.
“What floor are we at?” said Sue.
“No floor,” said Jim. “I think we are stuck between floors.”
“Push the emergency button.”
Jim pushed the button. Pushed it again.
“Hello,” said a cheerful voice. “What seems to be the problem?”
“Our elevator seems to be stuck between floors.”
“Umm. Well, we will investigate to see what the problem is.”
Pete said, “I am already five minutes late for my music lesson. How long will__”
“We can’t say how long until we find out what the problem is.”
Sue said, “I am supposed to meet my personal trainer at 2:00 in the fitness center. Can you tell him__”
“Just remain calm. I can’t say how long__”
“Has the power grid gone out? Is this a terrorist attack?”
“A terrorist__?”
“There is no terrorist attack. Just be calm. We will get your elevator going as soon as__”
“Can you rescue us through a trap door in the ceiling? Pull us up to a floor by harness and ropes?”
Marge had not spoken yet, and decided she should try calm the nerves of her young fellow passengers. “Let’s just be calm. Everyone take three deep breaths.”
The ele
