It's an old building - for sure.
Yes, I work on the top floor alright, and the view is great - when I bother to look at it at all.
There is a medium sized potted rubber plant in one of the elevators.
I timed it.
It takes exactly 3 minutes, 31 seconds from lobby to the top, or vice versa - assuming no stops on the way.
They need a faster one.
It's an old elevator.
It's an old building.
I'm a young woman.
There ought to be a Law...
I just knew I could do it; and I couldn't pull back from the risk.
I took an early lunch.
I wanted to be ready for it to come out at the right time.
I went shopping that day.
I bought vegetables, and picked-up a small free sampler-tube of hand cream from the cosmetics counter.
I ate twice the usual amount of Chinese food: Its better when it's big - it comes out faster.
I checked the elevator out for over three months: Every day - at all different times.
At 6pm, there is a 90% chance that the elevator will stop on the way down from the 92nd floor to the Lobby.
But, at 8pm, I found, that there is only a 20% chance that it will stop - except on Mondays...
On Mondays, there is only a 15% chance of it stopping to pick up passengers.
I attribute this to Monday night football, or just that people want to flee the scourge of the 'Monday work-curse', and leave early.
I wanted it to be fair...
If I got caught, then it would be the end of my career.
But it had to be fair!
A six figure career...against odds of 15 to 85...
A 15% chance of getting caught, against an 85% chance of getting away with it...
The risk: became -- acceptable; under the pressure of free expression, which I felt, I needed to explore.
I was, simply -- fed up!
Fed up of towing-the-line -- 'The Corporate Line' -- all the GOD DAMED time...!
Around 5:30pm I let it be known that I would be working late this evening, but that all the staff should go; relax, and enjoy a nice, long, quiet evening at home tonight with their loved ones; for they had, all, done well that day - I lied.
The double portion of Chinese food from lunch was getting fully digested, and I could feel the pressure building at the back of me.
I brewed a fresh pot of coffee, just to be sure of prompt delivery.
The last staffer left at 7:15pm.
That's when I started drinking the coffee, cup after cup -- after cup.
I was ready for the challenge now.
Chp2.
I HAD MY hand-cream, my vegetables - a medium sized zucchini, washed and wiped: My favorite hair-brush with the long, thick, bobble-finger-grip handle; a gut full of digested Chinese food - and lashings of coffee in me.
No tights: -
Easy-fit French lingerie panties: -
Front fastening 'Lift 'n' Separate' bra: -
Slip-on peep-toed clogs:-
-- And, statistically -- the odds were stacking in my favor.
It was now or never!
As the clock came up to 8pm; I opened my desk drawer.
I took out my black velvet eye covers: I use them to block out the intense sun at the 92nd level when I need to catch a cat-nap in between -- difficult - negations...
I was ready.
I grabbed my handbag, and my shopping, and moved to the elevator.
I pressed the call button and waited - shaking with anticipation.
I would have to be fast -- nay, I would have to be -- perfect! -- And, much more than that, I would have to be...Lucky.
Right on cue, the elevator arrived.
It docked at the exact stroke of 8...
As the doors opened I prayed someone was in there so that I could, at least, put this off for now -- but, it was empty, and the odds were with me...!
I stepped into the elevator's inner-chamber.
The peppery scent of the oak paneling made me shudder.
I have shared that woody smell with my staffers many a day.
It reminded me just how public this space is... But; nevertheless, I was determined to see this through.
Chp. 3.
I PLACED ONE of my clogs between the incessant shutting of the doors, so that they couldn't close.
It was time!
I took a deep breath and stepped up to the plate.
This was it!
Here we go: Let Luck shine kindly upon my soul...
"Okay," I sighed to myself, "let's get this done -- NOW!"
I yanked the rubber plant out of its pot, and placed it to one side.