The meeting in the lift.

The day hadn't started well; that's why I'm standing within a group of people waiting for the old elevator to dwindle down to the lowest level. 

I glance down at my Watch, ignoring the flakes of leather that are beginning to peel off the strap, and the hands were ticking quickly towards my dead line. Tapping my foot, my patience was beginning to fail me, my frustration growing tremendously. 

I was not the only one.

All eyes were watching as the blue number of the wall slowly decreased.

5
4
3
2
1 ...

Old doors groaned as they struggled to open fully, but didn't stop the any of elbows from pushing their way through one ever growing crowd. I didn't let that stop me. I joined in with the fight, pushing my way forward, fighting against much stronger and taller people. But l knew my report was due, and I knew my boss would be less than understanding this time. 

So I pushed forward.

Yet the lift was filing quickly, and I was watching my chance slip away. But there was no way l could get there is time if I waited, or even I ran up the stairs.

Slipping through the crowd I neared the doors, and finally secured my place in the lift. That didn’t stop my pity for those glaring at us - the winning few. 

I had won this race.

But the anxiety began to settle in the pit of my stomach; I put that towards the up coming Presentation in front of me leading board. This could mean a vital promotion. It could be the beginning of my career.

We stood in silence as the lift once again struggled up to each floor, groaning as it went.

My eye caught a man standing in the corner of the lift. He didn't have a brief case. He didn't wear a suit. He didn't glare at anyone who glanced his way. The man stood with his back to the wall, seemingly unconcerned with the speed in which the lift was ascending, or how crowded it was. He appeared unfazed by the rising heat, and the feeling of the lessening levels of oxygen.

In fact, he wore a mischievous smile. 

He didn't fit in. 

“ so, I guess you're all wondering why I've gathered you here today.” He smiled 

No one else showed any sign of amusement to his joke. 

Great. A joker. 

But he didn't look like he was joking anymore. His smile morphed into something sinister; a cruel smirk of malevolence. But no one else seemed to witness this change of character. How could someone who once appeared so normal now look so dangerous. But this was a public place... he wouldn't...couldn't do anything.

But this was no joke. 

His malicious gaze travelled over the bored looking faces of those yet to see the change in this man, those who were blissfully unaware that anything was wrong, glancing down at their watches and tapping their foot impatiently. But I wasn't as ignored. Despite being at the opposite end of the lift, I watched as he signed in discontent. Until his focus landed on me.

He smiled.

Then he hit the emergency stop button.

"No? Then let me tell you"