A Melodrama Of Manners

"The only way to guarantee attention in this day and age," he said, "is to ensure that you will be wearing the biggest hat in the room."

Monday, March 19, 2007

All the glamour has gone out of being caught in lifts in this day and age

There was a power surge, and the lights flickered, once, twice, and cut out. We were between floors at the time, and a steely silence descended, just for a moment. The lift was full, about ten people, all of whom seemed to be alone. There was a long moment, where we all just stood around, isolated in the darkness, then suddenly the inside of the lift was lit - the power not having come back on, our companions seemed to have decided to create their own. Ah, modernish technology.

Let there be light, said the Lord. Let there be less of it, say the EU leaders of this hemisphere.

Just what is it about getting stuck in a lift that prompts people to call their families/ significant others? I swear one man was calling his limo driver, but my Japanese is sucky.
I ventured a quiet, "Joel? Is that you holding my hand?"
"Cupcake, is that you leaning against the door?"

Ah. We reshuffled. "Joel, was that man talking to his driver?"
"Aren't you claustrophobic?"
"Nope. Where did you get that from?"
"I'm going to be sick. Do you think we could prise the doors open?"
"Look, if you're claustrophobic just admit it. Anyway, thats quiiiiiite probably not a great idea. Aren't we between floors?"

"Have you got a swiss army knife?"

Because of course I carry small knives around with me all the time.

The inside of the lift was still dark, but there was a slightly suspicious scraping noise coming from the door.

"Joel! Stop that! Just sit and leave the door alone."
"I have to get out."
"Look, the last time you didn't listen to me, we almost got arrested. Remember?"
"Oh come on, there was no sign saying I shouldn't climb up the war memorial."

*shrugs* ADHD.

He went on."And who are you talk, missy? The last time I did listen to you, we wound up on a train to Fukuoka."
"Mmm. Well, even between us our Japanese isn't going to stop you getting arrested by the security guards for vandalising the elevator. And believe me when I tell you I won't even try to help you."

Another silence fell. "Um, Cupcake? Do you reckon they speak English?"
"Why, do you think that'd make you getting arrested as soon as the power comes back on any less socially awkward? Anyway, I think we're beyond that stage in our relationship now."

Someone giggled from another corner.

The lights came back on and the lift jolted back into motion; just after he'd started trying to persuade me to climb up onto his shoulders and look for a roof hatch. Or something. Movies do terrible things to a boys mind, don't they?

This mornings little adventure was considerably less exciting; possibly because it was daytime and my companions were all over sixty.

--------------

Now, I have a very important question. Do I go to Spain and learn Spanish, or Korea?

Labels: ,

95 Comments:

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    I vote for Spain, athough Korea would certainly be interesting.

     
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    Very unlikely to learn Spanish in Korea. Madrid is fantastic though Buenos Aires isn't 1/2 bad either.

     
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