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March 07, 2007
stuck on the elevator
I was stuck on the elevator today, in the building where I work. Another guy named Sori (sp?), an illustrious employee of AG Edwards, was stuck with me. From what I've seen in the movies, being stuck on the elevator is supposed to be a life-changing experience. Two examples:
1) In "You've Got Mail," Tom Hanks gets stuck on the elevator with his girlfriend and several other odd characters. During the course of their time, he realizes that he no longer wants to be with said girlfriend. He is convinced, by the stories of some of the others, that he needs to seize the day and get the girl who is actually perfect for him and will make him happy (Meg Ryan).
2) And in "Shallow Hall" (yes, I admit to having seen this movie), Jack Black gets stuck on the elevator with some sort of psychologist/hypnotist/oddball who messes with his formerly shallow and womanizing brain, causing him to see fat women as beautiful. His life is forever changed when he falls in love with an obese Gwyneth Paltrow.
But nothing like this happened to me today. We were stuck for all of 15 minutes before someone came and got us out. One thing is for sure, though: when you're stuck on an elevator with someone, you actually end up getting to know them, rather than awkwardly trying to pretend they aren't there, as on a normal elevator ride. Sori and I chatted about my internship and school and about the apparently enormous AG Edwards buildings in St. Louis.
Also, it was fun to push the emergency phone button, something I've always wanted to do but never got to until now. For those of you who might be wondering, someone actually does answer. To hear the voice say "Help is on the way" was quite a thrill.
| By heiders | 07:17 PM
Comments
That sounds so thrilling! I would have loved to press the button, too.
I think the reason we ignore others in the elevator is that there is just enough time to notice their presence (unlike passing people in the street), but not enough to start any sort of conversation beyond the social "hellos." It is an awkward in-between gap in the categories of social interaction.
Posted by: funke at March 7, 2007 09:49 PM
Heidi, I'm jealous of that button pushing!
Posted by: mom at March 8, 2007 12:44 PM
