SKIP THE ELEVATOR
Comments(17) HERE GOES. SO LAST NIGHT I LEFT EARLY TO GO TO THE FRIDAY NIGHT SHOW, AS I HAD SOME ERRANDS TO DO…I HAD JUST HAD A SPLENDID AFTERNOON BRUNCH AT ALICE’S TEACUP, FEASTING ON SCONES AND CLOTTED CREAM WITH MY FRIENDS KATHY AND LAURA…I WAS STUFFED NEEDLESS TO SAY. TIM ALWAYS CALLS ME WHEN I ‘M ABOUT TO LEAVE FOR WORK, AS HE IS JUST FINISHING WORK. I LOSE HIS CALL WHEN I’M ON THE ELEVATOR GOING DOWN TO OUR LOBBY…SO I SAID “SHOULD I TAKE THE STAIRS TONIGHT?” “NO THE ELEVATOR”AND NOW I BLAME HIM.
SO I GET ON THE ELEVATOR AND PRESS LOBBY, IT GOES TO LOBBY, BUT THE DOORS DO NOT OPEN, AT ALL…I HIT THE OPEN BUTTON, NOTHING…THAN SUDDENLY IT STARTS SPEEDING UP TO ??? I RANDOMLY PRESS A FLOOR, 8. AT 8 IT STOPS AND SHAKES, AND AGAIN NOTHING…I PRESS OPEN, THAN LOBBY, THAN OPEN…AND THAN I FELL THE SWEAT BEGINNING TO FORM, AND MY HEART BEAT A BIT FASTER (IT’S ALREADY BEATING FAST, BECAUSE I HAVE WHEAT ALLERGIES, AND CONSUMED 2 HUGE, DELICIOUS PUMPKIN AND GOAT CHEESE SCONES), AND MY CHEST FEELS TIGHT…ALL PANIC ATTACK SYMPTOMS.
I SEE AN INTERCOM, PRESS THAT, AND NOW HEAR MY HERO, BELOVED DOORMAN, RALPH SAY “ARE YOU ALRIGHT”…HE PROMISES TO GET HELP, AND I SAY JUST KEEP CHECKING INTERMITTENTLY, WHICH HE DOES. ANOTHER SOUL WHO LIVES ON 8 TAPS ON THE ELEVATOR DOOR AND ASKS IF ANYONE’S IN THERE, WHICH I REPLY YES. HE SAYS THIS HAPPENED THE OTHER DAY, HE’LL GET HELP…I THANK HIM.
MOMENTS FLOAT BY… I DECIDE TO SIT ON MY DOWN JACKET, ON THE FLOOR, AND PLACE MY PURSE IN FRONT OF ME, FOR CUSHION IN FRONT AND UNDER ME, IN CASE MY FEAR OF THE ELEVATOR SUDDENLY CRASHING TO THE BOTTOM FLOOR OCCURS. I TRY TO DECIDE WHAT POSITION WOULD BE LESS DAMAGING IF INDEED IT DOES CRASH, AND TRY THOSE PATTERNS…
THAN RALPH COMES UP TO 8 AND ASKS ME TO TRY AND OPEN THE DOOR, NOTHING…HE GOES BACK DOWN, AND APOLOGIZES THAT THE TECH MAN HASN’T ARRIVED YET.
I AM COMFORTED BY THE SOUNDS OF CHILDREN’S VOICES RUNNING AND LAUGHING ON THE FLOOR I’M ON..AND LONG FOR THEM TO STAY FOR SOME KIND OF NORMALITY. I THINK OF DANIEL IN THE LIONS DEN, PROTECTED, AND PETER SEEING JESUS WALKING ON THE WATER, BRAVELY WALKING TOWARDS HIM, BUT AS SOON AS HE ANALYZES THE CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND HIM, HE STARTS TO FALTER, FEAR AND SINK, TILL JESUS INVITES HIM TO GRAB HIS OUTSTRETCHED HAND…I’M CALMED, FOR A BIT, TILL LIKE PETER I AGAIN WONDER COULD THIS CRASH? WILL FIREMEN HAVE TO COME TO FORCE THE DOOR OPEN, AND ME CRAWL OUT SPRAWLED BTWN 2 FLOORS, HOW MANY HOURS???
THEN I BALANCE MY CHECKBOOK, THEN READ ABOUT 5 TEXT MESSAGES FROM TIM ASKING “WHERE ARE YOU” AND ME NOT BEING ABLE TO MAKE ANY CALLS, BECAUSE THERE’S NO SERVICE…AND EVEN TEXT WON’T SEND…AND THAN WONDERING HOW TO REACH MICHELLE OUR STAGE MGR…AND TELL HER SHE BETTER PUT HEATHER ON.
THAN I REALIZE IF I’M PATIENT SOME OF MY TEXTS START TO GO THROUGH IF I USE DIGITAL/ANALOGUE??? AND ALL THESE TEXTS START REACHING ME FROM TIM, MICHELLE, SARA, HEATHER, TRAVIS…AH LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE.
I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO SOUND SO OVER DRAMATIC…BUT I ALSO THOUGHT OF THOSE IN TRAGIC CIRCUMSTANCES, LIKE 9/11 AND SUCH, WHO COULDN’T REACH THEIR LOVED ONES, WHO DIDN’T HAVE TIME, WHO WERE CAUGHT OFF GUARD, WHO LONGED FOR A HUMAN VOICE OF A LOVED ONE…AND I TRIED NOT TO WEEP…BECAUSE I KNEW THAT I WOULDN’T STOP…AND THAN I THOUGHT, SINCE IT IS LENT AND EASTER IS ARRIVING SOON…OF JESUS , ALONE, FACING DEATH, ALONE WITH NO ONE WHO LOVED HIM TO COMFORT HIM…AT TIMES IN THAT SHORT SPAN OF UNDER AN HOUR…I FELT SO ALONE, ABANDONED…HOPEFUL, KNOWING I ‘D BE ALRIGHT…AND THAN DOUBTING…
AND THAN THE TECH GUY SHOWED UP AND SAID I’M GOING TO TRY SOMETHING….”NO” I HAVE TO GO ABOVE…OH MAN, I THOUGHT NOW WHAT…AND AFTER ?? THE FLOOR SWUNG, SHOOK AND THE DOOR OPENED SLIGHTLY AND I BOUNDED OUT LIKE A FAWN AND RAN DOWN THE STAIRS AND HUGGED RALPH…CALLED MICHELLE, TIM, MY PARENTS, WALKED UP TO THE 11TH FLOOR, TO MY APT…MY NEIGHBOR INVITED ME IN AND OPENED A BOTTLE OF WINE…AND
I’M GREATFUL I WENT TO THE BATHROOM BEFORE I GOT ON…
OH MY GOD JENNIFER!!!! I’m shaking! I just can’t imagine having that happen to me! You certainly called on the Man above and He answered and guided Ralph and the tech guy. You poor thing! So thankful that all turned out well! Yes, don’t take the elevator! WOW!! However, Jen, I have to say, you certainly tell a great story, you had my complete attention from the very beginning, just scary to know that it was true!!!! I love you and I’m so happy that you’re OK. Something you’ll never forget I’m sure! There’s a second career there, writing!!!! Love, Wanda
Jen–I can so empathize with your feelings of despair and panic. Several years ago, I was stuck on an elevator for two hour hours, which felt like an eternity. Like you, I was so grateful that I had used the bathroom before getting on the elevator. How long were you stuck? The important thing is that you are safe.
Hope you are feeling better today and have an uneventful elevator ride down from the 11th floor. I totally agree with Wanda that you have a real skill for writing. Sharon
Oh, wow!! I can’t believe this!! What an awful ending to a really nice day. It must’ve felt like forever!! Well, at least you weren’t hungry!! I know that I wasn’t until right around midnight when we were walking back to the car, so we stopped for a snack!!
Oh my, Oh my, Oh my!!!! My poor little Sweet Heart. Sure blame me so you can now start taking the stairs!! I know have much you like walking those stairs. Remember what you did with my niece and nephew when my dad was ill the hospital? Poor things, they now have fear when they see you and stairs.. But, I am very happy to see you made it out safe and sound. It’s amazing what thoughts come to mine when you all alone and trapped. Two things for sure was good, you weren’t hunger and didn’t have to go!!! Have a wonderful day my LOVE… Your biggest West Coast Fan
PS: Enjoy you’re freedom..
OMG Jen,
First of all, I am SO GLAD YOU ARE OK !!! This is an incredible story, and thank goodness with a happy ending. My heart was racing reading it, so can only imagine how it was for you going through this ordeal. Sounds like you did everything right in terms of coping, and you, Ralph, and the Tech Man were all guided along by a higher spirit. I was once stuck in an elevater for 5 minutes, and it felt like hours. PLEASE be careful my friend, and know my thoughts are with you. Love,Pam
Wow, Jennifer, that is awful! I’m not really a fearful person when it comes to elevators, but there is always that little voice in my head that wonders what would happen if the elevator suddenly stopped and I was trapped. How horrible for you! I’m so glad everything turned out safely and you’re okay. Technology (or whatever elevators are considered, lol) sure can be scary!
I think stairs are a good idea from now on!
–Devon
Hi Jen,
Since I am not going to see you until wednesday…this hug will have to do for now{{{{{{JEN}}}}}}}. I can’t imagine how you felt being stuck in the elevator. Have they fixed the problem with it yet…so it won’t happen again? We can give you a lift back to your apartment wed night, & then you can give us a buzz once you are safe inside your apartment. This way, we can let Ralph know you may be stuck again if you take the elevator. And no it will be no problem at all to drop you home. What are friends for. Can’t wait to see you & the rest of the cast Wed.
From your vantage point on stage,we will be on your left, look for us in the center orchestra, 2nd row, 2nd & 3rd seats on from the asile. You should be able to see us very well while singing from the staircase.
Talk to you soon….and don’t take the elevator!!
Love ya,
Stacey
I’m so sorry this happened to you, Jen. I don’t really have a fear of elevators, but I do suffer from claustrophobia, and I’m not sure I would have faired as well as you. I guess it’s days like this that reminds you what a strong woman you truly are and how a strong faith can help you through any situation. Thanks for sharing your story.
I completely understand where you’re coming from. I was stuck on an elevator on a class trip one time when I was a kid. You know, one of those lets cram 20 people into this old, probably barely operational, elevator trips? Well lucky us it got stuck. We were in between floors so they couldn’t get us out but managed to get the doors open. So we just stood there (since there was no room to sit) for about an hour while the repairmen worked on the old thing. We had our teacher and each other to keep us company though. Ever since then I am not a fan of elevators. I deal because I am too lazy to walk up stairs but… it’s a horrible experience.
On a positive note, the repair guys that fixed our elevator said that it is almost impossible for them to go crashing to the bottom because of a mechanical problem. That made me feel better minus the fact he said “almost”. To be more honest I’m more scared of falling down stairs! I think stairs are very dangerous things. Basically, I like the first floor. Stay low! I’m happy to hear you’re safe as well as balanced your checkbook, that is always a daunting task!
Kelly Ripa (from Regis and Kelly) was recently trapped on her elevator at home….she said it was the best two hours of her life. She did her bills and read magazines as she listened to her children screaming as her husband Mark attended to their every need, LOL.
Jody that’s the best way to add the humor!
Wow Jen, what a story! And I agree, well-written. You had me on the edge of my seat. I’m so happy to know you’re alright! This situation proves you’re strength, wisdom, and faith. Even if I wasn’t on the elevator with you, your biblical reflections made me feel better.
I’m sure those stairs look a lot more appealing to you now.
Wow, well this is certainly a unique story. I can’t imagine how you must of felt. However, I do know my English teacher was stuck in an elevator once, and she called 911 and the operator refused to listened to her because she thought my English teacher was a little girl making up the whole story. So, she was stuck in the elevator without help on the way for a little bit.
But, boy, do you know how to keep me in suspense with your story. I kept reading and nodding or shaking my head..maybe you should be a storyteller. Well, that’s probably why your an actress-and a terrific one at that.
Hope you enjoy the rest of the week,
A
Hi Jen!
I am so glad you are OK!
Now…any suggestions for me the next time I get on an elevator in NYC? I know…I will forget that I just read your story!
All the Best!
NJL
Jennifer,
Despite I knew you were alright – my heart was racing for you while I was reading about your unexpected adventure. I just returned from something I’m not crazy about – going to the dentist, when I read your post. I thought the dentist was bad – but I know it was nothing compared to your experience. Of course, now that it’s over, I can say reading your last line re going to the bathroom was funny – it hit home for me, because that would be my first reason to panic (not having a place to go to the bathroom). I was stuck on the NY Thruway for 5 hours (by my self) and I learned to make sure to FILL UP the CARS tank and to EMPTY MY tank before I go on the road
.
Now, I know your additional secret for staying thin – walking up 11 flights to go home.
So I gather, you’ll be taking the stairs for awhile.
Stay warm, hope to see you soon, we miss you.
Norene and John
Oh my Jen! That is so creepy!! I can’t imagine
I’m glad you are ok, and I knew God was watching over you 
I miss you!
Don’t at ALL feel like you were being overdramatic… Man, if it was me… Whoa baby I woulda FLIPPED.
I can’t imagine dealing with that, by the time the technician got there I’d be hypervenolating and banging my head against the wall.
And you went through that by YOURSELF, my god…
Honey, you have courage to have done that. Glad you weren’t stuck for too long though, that show wouldn’t be as great without you there :]