Alibi Encyclopedia · absurd
The Elevator Took a Detour
It went to a floor that does not appear on the directory. The doors opened. You did not get out.
The scenario
You pressed the lobby button. The elevator stopped on a floor labeled with a number that doesn't appear in the building directory. The doors opened. You did not get off. You will not be discussing what you saw.
It was the 14th floor, which doesn't exist in your building. The doors opened onto a hallway with carpet that was slightly the wrong color and a single, unattended ficus. You stood very still. The doors closed. The elevator resumed its descent like nothing had happened. You're now at street level, slightly shaken, an hour behind schedule.
You're going to take the stairs from now on.
Why it works
Office building horror is universal. Everyone has had a weird elevator moment. This dials it up just enough to be funny without being scary.
How to deliver it
- ★Mention the ficus. The ficus is what sells it.
- ★Use the phrase 'slightly the wrong color.'
- ★Refuse to take the elevator with anyone for a week.
- ★Apologize once, briefly, and move on.
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