Floors Four to One

            “Floor four,” the automated woman’s voice said, “parking.”

            Claire was on her way to her first interview since she graduated with her BA in communications. She wiggled her way into the elevator as it filled with people, her chin at eye level with the guy who stood less than three inches in front of her. Her purse was shoved up onto her left shoulder as she clenched her fingers around the strap and her right hand grasped her key ring. She closed her eyes in hopes that no one else would get on. The elevator started to drop and Claire breathed through her nose, held the breath for three beats, then let the breath hiss through her teeth.

             “Floor three,” the automated woman’s voice said, “office spaces sixteen through twenty-five.”

            A woman in a red business suit started to shove her way towards the front as a man walked on. We attempted to part a way for her the best we could, but the doors started to close.

            “Wait!” She shrieked as everyone in the elevator winced at the sound. Claire’s shoulders curled up to her neck as she backed as far as she could. Someone scrambled behind her, but the elevator began to move just as they smashed the open button multiple times. The woman started to heave herself up to the front of the elevator as it glided down.

            “One step at a time. One step at a time. One step at a time.” Claire muttered to herself.

            As the doors opened, before the automated voice could even speak, she charged off. Claire shook her head, itched her brow and bounced on the balls of her shiny black flats.

            “Floor two,” the automated woman’s voice said. “office spaces seven through fifteen.”

            Almost everyone in the elevator glided out, after the woman. Claire tried to make herself as small as possible to avoid getting trampled. When the elevator began to move again, only Claire and a man in a creased wheat-colored suit remained. He crumpled against the side of the elevator. Claire stood as if a cylindrical forced field revolved around her and she could not move a muscle or she would be vulnerable once again.

            “You new around here?” The man said.

            “I’m in for an interview.”

            “Oh.” He chuckled. “Well, good thing you won’t have to deal with them.”

            Claire let her shoulders relax and laughed with him.