The Elevator

via navema

... I'm at my parent's house, drinking vodka. My mom wants to run an errand so I go with her. We're sitting in the car and I'm holding a drinking glass - that's about 1/4 full of vodka - like I forgot it was in my hand. My mom probably thinks it's just water. Or does she? Does she think I'm a drunk? I take a sip, try not to cringe, and hope my mom can't smell the liquor...

We're inside, looking for the elevator. It's a high rise art deco style building and a little run down. My mom is walking ahead of me and I don't think she's going the right direction because it looks like we're in the basement. She calls out to me

"What floor? You want alcohol right?"

What, why is she saying that? She presses "Up" and the elevator door opens. This is no ordinary elevator. It's round, spherical, and there's a spiral staircase that goes to... nowhere? It's quiet for a minute. We just stand there, waiting. I wonder why the walls are curved...

Suddenly the elevator ascends. And spirals. I'm thrown back, but caught by the curve in the wall. It's going really fast. I'm upside down. The vodka spills. I try to catch it in my mitten. I close my eyes because I'm afraid of getting dizzy, I'm frightened but this is fun! It's like a roller coaster. I think to take a picture. I try to shove my hand in my pocket to get my phone but I can't get it, my jeans are too tight! The elevator begins to stop and I brace myself. That was a wild ride! My mom said it seems unsafe.

We get out and my mom is already ahead of me again. I forgot my jacket in the elevator! I run back and open it. I hold the door with my foot and try to reach in. I do not want to go for another ride, alone! I can't reach. I yell for my mom. I yell again. She comes back and holds the door while I gather all my stuff - jacket, mittens, some other things. I have trouble carrying it all. Catching up to my mom I pass a mother watching her small children climb into what looks like a trash chute ("maximum 4 people" the sign says)...

elevator
alocohol