Life's Ups And Downs **Frankenstein

Pauline had never worked for a temporary service before so she didn't really know what to expect but she was determined to make a good impression on her first assignment. She had been told that it could possibly lead to a permanent position if they were impressed with her job performance. That was what she really wanted, a place where she could feel like she had some security along with the possibility of being able to build up something for her retirement. A prestigious law firm such as Nicholson, Meyers and Harrison seemed like an ideal place for her to put her vast experience in date entry and knowledge of common office procedures to work for her.

Upon entering the lobby of the Wilcox building, Pauline saw the elevators directly ahead and her eyes automatically darted about until she spotted the door which led to the stairwell. She looked at her watch and then at the elevators, paused for a moment, and then headed toward them. She had a fear of elevators but this time she had little choice. It was getting late and there was no way that she could walk up six flights of stairs and still be on time. She nervously pushed the button and watched the numbers above the doors as the elevator made it's descent. When the doors opened, he hesitantly stepped in. It was as they closed behind her that she realized she was all alone. Going in at ten had it's advantages since she didn't have to fight her way through the rush hour crowd. Pauline pushed the six button and watched the lighted numbers as the car rose. Two.....Three.....Four. The elevator came to a stop and she expected the doors to open so that someone could get on but that didn't turn out to be the case. There was then the feeling of upward motion once again. Four.....Five. There was a sudden stop accompanied by the sound of a thud as though the machinery had just ground to a halt.

How long she had been stuck at the fifth floor, she couldn't say since her watch seemed to have stopped running. All she knew was that she was miserably late. How would the partners in the law firm see that? Surely they would understand, or would they? She had no idea as to the sort of people she was dealing with here. One type of person would have said something to the effect of they were sure she would have been right on time had it not been for a malfunction within the building which she had no control over whatsoever. On the other hand, there were always those who would insist that it was her responsibility to get there on time no matter what. That would be followed by a lecture on how she needed to make allowances for unexpected flat tires, dead batteries and anything else that could possibly stand in her way of getting there at her allotted time. She knew that type all to well. She had walked out of a number of positions just because of such judgmental and accusatory attitudes. She didn't deserve to be talked down to as though she were in grammar school and she wouldn't stand for it. Any human being deserves at least some modicum of respect especially if they are making an honest and sincere effort. What would she be walking into? She would know when she got there. She had tried repeatedly to get through to someone on the emergency phone but there was nothing but dead silence. She guessed that surely maintenance was aware of the problem and would have it all working again soon. All she could do was relax and try to stay calm.

There was no way of knowing how long it had been but it seemed like hours had passed. It had grown noticeably hotter and Pauline didn't know whether that was the reason for the moisture on her forehead or if it was due to the cold sweats she had been experiencing. She had long ago resigned herself to taking off her shoes and sitting on the floor with her back resting against the wall. She reasoned that she might as well be as comfortable as possible. After what seemed like an eternity, There was a slow grinding sound and then, as suddenly as it had started, it once again stopped. Within a minute or so, the sound resumed and there was a jerking sensation just as the car resumed it ascent. She watched the lighted numbers. Five....Six. Finally! She had made it to the sixth floor! The doors would be opening any second now so she quickly put her shoes back on and stood up, straightening her clothing. She waited patiently for a moment and then the lights began to flicker. There was a low humming sound and then...darkness.

Ages passed once more and Pauline found herself huddled in a corner of the car and trembling like a wild hare. She felt as though she had to find a way to occupy her mind in order to retain her sanity. That turned out to be much easier said than done. She tried to clear her mind but she couldn't help but dwell on the fact that all of her worst fears were coming true at once. She was alone, enclosed, in total darkness and suspended six floors up by a thin cable. It could have been worse. Spiders could have figured into the scenario. She tried desperately to rid her mind of that thought because in her panicky state, she could have easily begun to imagine that she felt tiny legs crawling all over her body. Then a miracle happened which snapped her out of it. The lights came back on! That had to be a good sign! They had fixed the lights and soon they would have the elevator back in operation. She could wait a little bit longer since she could now see the light at the end of the tunnel. The nightmare was almost over!

After a short time, the car moved in an upward direction just a bit, as though it had been just inches short of the sixth floor, and then it stopped. The doors would be opening now for sure. It must have been a minute or so that passed and then two when there came a squeaking, grinding noise followed by a brief silence and then...freefall! The car descended with such incredible speed that Pauline was thrown to the floor which she clawed frantically. She was lying on her back and she could see the flash of numbers. four..three...two.... It had been gradually slowing since it's rapid drop and it stopped with a jerk just short of the first floor...the ground floor....death. There was the humming sound again and the lights began to flicker once more. The grinding sound resumed and the car gently descended to the first floor. Pauline felt as though she was going to pass out as she tried to prepare herself for yet another wild ride. She had been biting her lower lip so hard, it was bleeding. Just then, the doors opened and she was flooded with the light from the lobby. A kindly maintenance man with "Carl" monogrammed on his shirt saw her sorry condition, rushed into the elevator and knelt by her side. He took her hand and tried to comfort her. As she slowly regained her composure, he helped her to stand up and they walked slowly into the lobby. She looked at the large clock over the front door. Three o'clock! Her ordeal had lasted for an incredible five hours! He asked her where in the building she had been going so that he could call upstairs and apprise them of where she was and what she had been through. After all, someone up there may have been worried about her all this time and he just wanted to assure them that she was okay. She took the slip of paper from her purse and the read the name of the law firm to him. Carl looked puzzled and then asked to see it.

"Oh, I see whats happened here, ma'am, and it's an honest mistake. It could've happened to anybody. See? You're looking for the Wilson building. This is the Wilcox building! Look here! See how the nine looks sort of like a seven? Heck! I might have done the same thing myself! This is 1407 Connecticut Avenue and the Wilson building is 1409. See?" He pointed out the side window. "That's it! Right next door!" He handed the paper back to her, wished her well and wandered off, on his way back to his duties. Pauline stood there silent for a moment and then walked towards the door. The fresh air outside did wonders to help her fully regain her senses. She looked next door at the Wilson building and as she started to take a step in that direction, she stopped in her tracks, turned and just walked away. The little slip of paper fluttered to the sidewalk where a gentle breeze whisked it away and into the nearby storm drain.

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