Long Way Down — There’s a Strange Thing

THERE’S A STRANGE THING

that happens

in the elevator.

In any elevator.

Every time

somebody gets

in, they check

to see if the button

for the floor they’re

going to is lit,

and if it isn’t,

they push it,

then face the door.

That’s it.

They don’t

speak to the

people already

in the elevator,

and the

people already

in the elevator

don’t speak to the newcomer.

Those are

elevator rules, I guess.

No talking.

No looking.

Stand still,

stare at the door, and wait.