The Elevator

I hate using the elevator at work for the sole reason that if there is someone else on it, I feel the need to chit chat with them instead of stand in awkward silence. I guess it’s in my nature, I can’t stand to stare at someone, or stare at the ground, as we go up or down from floor to floor. However, a few weeks ago, I had the experience of a lifetime on the elevator, one that I will never forget. 

            I had just gotten my lunch in the cafeteria on the first floor and was taking the elevator back up to my department on the 9^th floor. Another young woman was stepping onto the elevator at the same time. She was going to the 8^th floor. For some reason, I didn’t initiate a conversation with her. I didn’t say “hi” or “how’s your day going” like I usually do. I guess it was because it was a busy day for me and I wasn’t in the mood for small talk. Although I did note that her name badge said “Anna” and she was a physical therapist at the hospital. A big part of me felt rude, but another part of me felt plain tired.

            The uncomfortable silence ensued as we traveled up the first few floors. Elevator music played in the background, which made the quietness a bit more tolerable. Around the 4^th-5^th floor, however, things started to go haywire. The elevator jerked to a stop in between floors and the power went out, turning the inside of the cab pitch black. I couldn’t see a trace of Anna, but I heard her gasp.

            “No, no, no, no, no…” her voice trailed off. I heard her start to cry. 

            “Are you ok?” I asked.

            “No,” she replied. “I have a fear of elevators to begin with and now this! I’ve always been terrified that something like this would happen to me.” 

            I heard her respirations start to increase. I’m a nurse at the hospital, so I know to watch out for these kinds of symptoms. She was headed for a panic attack. I pulled out my cell phone and switched on the flashlight app, hoping that would help calm her.

            I turned the flashlight on her. She was sweating profusely already.

            “My name is Liz, by the way. You’re Anna? I looked at your name badge earlier.”

            “Yes,” she managed to squeak out between tears and sharp jolts of breaths.

            “I’m going to help you get through this. I’m sure it’s only temporary and they’ll have the power back on soon, ok?”

            “What if the cords holding the elevator give out and we go crashing to the ground?” Anna asked.

            “That’s not going to happen,” I said. “Did you know that elevators have very powerful magnets that hold them in place in addition to all of the wires and cords? We’re not going anywhere. When the power comes back on, you’ll go to the 8^th floor like you’re supposed to and I’ll go to the 9^th floor. Right now, I need you to focus on your breathing. You’re hyperventilating and we can’t have that. I need you to take some deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Can you do that for me?”

            Anna did as I asked, but I could tell it was a chore for her, so I decided to try to distract her by asking her some questions about herself. I figured if I could get her to talk, I could calm her breathing down. 

            “I also saw on your name badge you’re a physical therapist. Do you like that job?” I asked.

            “It has its ups and downs,” she replied. “Some days it’s very rewarding and other days it’s just plain hectic.”

            “Yeah I can imagine. It’s the same way with nursing. But, most days it’s rewarding,” I said. “How long have you been a physical therapist?”

            “Eight years,” Anna replied.

            “Coming up on a decade,” I said with a smile that she may or may not have seen with the small flashlight we had. 

            “How- How long have you been a nurse?” she sputtered in between breaths.

            It was good that she was making conversation. She was distracting herself from the situation.

            “Twelve years,” I answered, “In what department do you work?”

            “I work both acute care and outpatient,” Anna answered. 

            “Which do you like better?”

            “I like acute care better. It’s more exciting,” she said. 

            “I work in med-surg, and I agree with you,” I said. 

            “Thank you for helping me through this situation. I realize what you’re doing – trying to distract me. It’s helping. You’re a good nurse.”

            “Thank you,” I said. “You seemed to be in quite a bit of distress. I’m glad to help.”

            The lights of the elevator started flickering then and Anna let out a gasp. 

            “It’s going to be ok, the power is coming back on,” I said.

            And that’s exactly what happened. The lights finally turned on completely. We had to re-press the buttons for the floors we were going to, but the elevator started moving again. We were no longer stuck!

            “You know, you seem like a really nice person, maybe we should get together sometime outside of this elevator. We could have lunch in the cafeteria together sometime or grab a coffee.,” I said.

            “That’s a great idea,” Anna said. “I’ll give you my number to put in your phone.”

            As we approached the 8^th floor, she held the door long enough to give me her number, I told her I would text her back mine and I meant it. I really hoped to see her again and make a new friend.

            A couple of weeks later, I got a text from Anna.

            U free for lunch today in the cafeteria? Around 12?

            It turned out I was and I was looking forward to meeting up with her and seeing how she was doing after the whole elevator experience, so I texted her back.

            I am. See you there!

            At 12, I took the elevator down to the cafeteria to meet up with Anna. When I found her, she looked like she had just run a marathon. 

            “Tough shift?” I asked.

            “No, I took the stairs,” she said with a laugh.