When you are alone, has the lift automatically open its door for you to enter? Has the lift always stops and open its door at some levels yet no one is there. Lifts by nature are pranksters…
Let me tell you of my experience of a very special lift in NUS Science.
It was my Toddycatty day again at the Raffles Museum, a level below the Science Library. There were two lifts at the Science Library block, a small one and a big one. I entered the small one and waited for two ladies to enter. I pressed my number 3 while they pressed number 4. The lifts moved off as usual and at the third level, the doors opened.
But alas! They were only half opened, too small for me to squeeze through with my tummy. Worse still, they were jammed. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get it to open or close. Neither did the lift response to the open door button. Left with no choice, I pressed the close button. And obediently, the doors closed.
Never mind I thought, I still can exit at the fourth floor. But it shot passed the fourth level. The floor display panel showed an increasing number: 4, 5, 6 and it stopped. The motor died and the doors remained closed. I quickly pressed the open-door button. Then it struck me.
There is…
no…
number six…
in the lift.
My heart started to pound and I felt my sweat oozing out of my forehead. Panic began to seize me.
I quickly calmed myself down. No need to be scared. There were two ladies here too. You have to keep your head cool and save the damsels in distress. Out of desperation, I pressed the number four button again. Nothing. I pressed the close door button and waited. A soft whirling sound could be heard. The lift motors engaged and it slowly moved down. I stared at the floor display panel, willing it to stop at Level 4.
When the doors finally opened at number 4, there was a sigh of relief from all of us. To hide our fear, we laughed loudly as nothing has happened. The ladies exited. As a coward and not taking anymore chances, I stepped out as well and descended a flight of stairs to begin my Toddycatty day in the museum.
From then on, whenever I am taking the lift alone, I will give my thanks to the lift when I enter or exit.
See also
Otterman’s The lift that wouldn’t stop
Eskie’s Conduit between heaven and… the science library?!
Be courteous to lifts. They know we are in them…
