Elevator

Nora was on business in London staying at a cheap hotel, feeling lonely after a messy divorce. James was a handsome young man on a business course, assigned to a company nearby, during a college break. Nora glanced at him on entering the small elevator, but that is all. He looked like a typical snooty British boy, thinking he was above everyone, and too good to talk to by the likes of her.

As an American abroad she thought she was better than him. At thirty-two she was too old for him, but the idea wasn't thought just felt. After two marriages, she thought of herself as experienced and in business she certainly was more experienced. Both marriages had been pretty awful, with little good to look back on. When last had she had sex? Why was she thinking that?

James was thinking about Janet, a girl in college, that he had never got around to talking to. neither spoke, until the lift suddenly halted. He had nothing to say to an old woman, but she had plenty to say to him. It was unfair to take her anger out on him, by being acerbic, but he was a man, and the only one close in the small space. They tried to contact maintenance, or anyone, but there was no response. It was going to be some time before they were rescued, and neither of them were happy to share the small space. Being a practical person, she told the stuffy young man to remove his jacket and jumper. They didn't have water, so dehydration was a danger to them both.

She had an important business meeting in morning, starting a new consultancy contract. Sleep was important, and she decided to stretch out on the floor to get some sleep. There was little room, so she told him to snuggle up. That was when the trouble started.

Be warned this is short story is a romance, with a happy ending.

Dettagli