Stay away from Elevator No. 4 @ IBM Southfield

A funny thing happened to me today while I was at the IBM Southfield building. It was just like any other day... I followed two people into Elevator No. 4. They just came from the cafeteria and both got off at the 5th Floor. I continued on my journey up ... and up .... and up ... past my floor (10) to the 15th floor. Then, the elevator stayed on the highest floor of the building and then moved to the 11th floor. I waited for a few seconds, and then I pressed several floor buttons without avail. I could hear the other elevators on both sides of me going up and down.

Finally, I pressed the button that rings security.

Security: "Security!"
Peg: "Hi, I'm in Elevator No. 4... I'm stuck at the 11th floor."
Security: * Pause * OK, "We'll have to call the Elevator Engineer Company."
Peg: "OK, Thanks!"

After a few minutes, the elevator opened its door at the 11th floor. In walked another person who was talking on his Blackberry. I informed him quickly that this elevator was not working right. However, I thought that if the door opened, the elevator must be working... so, I stepped back in. (I used the analogy that this is the part in a movie, where I would yell at the screen, "Don't go back in there, you idiot!!!" Argh! :O))

In the midst of all this, I tried to call Michael (no answer) and then ended up calling and talking to my sister Fai. Finally, I had to hang up during this confusion.

After the man was done with his conversation, he and I introduced ourselves and exchanged plesantries. We eventually ran out of things to talk about, and we had to make a few phone calls to inform people that we would be late. I spoke to my one colleague, Patty, during this time and she said that she was also stuck last Friday in Elevator No. 4. ARGH!

Every now and then, Security would call:

Security: "Are you doing OK in there?"
Peg: "Yes. The door opened up at the 11th Floor. Someone is here with me now."
Security: "The next time the door opens: Leave the elevator. The Elevator Engineer will be here in 20 minutes."
Peg: "OK. Thanks!" (In my head, I'm thinking, "Why the heck didn't I do it earlier?!")

Finally, the Elevator Engineer arrived and pried the doors with his hands. Hallelujah! We both said "good-byes," left quickly and went to the other elevators. After all, I was helping set up a booth at the IBM Ice Cream Social today!

I IM'd with Patty, and we both looked up this guy that I was in the elevator with. Here is his title:



Here I was with a top-level Senior Manager, and I never knew it. Wished I was a bit more witty... but at least I didn't say anything inappropriate either. Phew ... :OD

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Editor's Final Note: It looked like they had fixed Elevator No. 4 when I left the building 'cos people were all filing in there. But, I'll skip to the other elevators from now on! :O)