Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Wordless Wednesday - With Words

Today I have no picture to share...but I have a story, that I think you can imagine what the photo/motion picture (and caption) would be - if I had had my camera this morning at 3:47AM.

Points to keep in mind when visualizing my Wordless Wednesday "photo":

  1. Every morning I get up and go to work for 4AM. My new office is actually 2 blocks from my parking lot - so, at 3:45AM you can usually find me trudging my way up the street. I park beneath a government office building and exit via the lobby every morning.
  2. Each morning I cheerfully greet the security guard in the lobby. We exchange hellos, good mornings and usually comment on the weather.
  3. As I exit the building I walk purposely to my office. I pass countless federal government offices during my 5 minute walk - since, I do work on Parliament Hill. Apparently 4AM is coffee or smoke break for many of the government security guards along my route. I usually nod, or great them with a hello. We seem to have a secret early-morning relationship. I look forward to seeing them and exchanging friendly hellos.
  4. On March 24, 2008, the Canadian federal government announced that since 9/11 they have spent an extra $24 BILLION on security in Canada.

This morning began like any other morning. I drove to work. Parked my car, walked up the stairs. Turned toward the security desk to greet the security guard...only to find him asleep...yep, asleep.

I chuckled, and went out the front doors - heading to work.

I pass the first big government building - no guard outside having a smoke.

Oh well.

I pass the next big government building - no guard outside having a smoke.

Strange.

I pass the next big government building - no guard outside having a smoke. I look into the main lobby of the building and there is the guard - flaked out on his desk...alseep...yep, asleep!

A bit odd.

I pass the next big government building - no guard outside having a smoke. I look into the main lobby of the building and there is no guard to be seen.

Bizarre.

I suddenly realize how dark it is outside. How still. How eerie it is outside.

I continue on my way. A bit discombobulated.

I pass the next big government building - no guard outside having a smoke.

I start to wonder...has something happened to all the security guards? Have they all been drugged - am I walking into the middle of some sort of terrorist plot?

I get to my building. Unlock the door. My heart beating.

I push my floor button. The elevator doors close.

The elevator does not move.

My heart beat quickens.

I jam the button.

The elevator starts to move. Whew!

BANG!

The elevator jumps to an unexpected stop. The doors do not open.

I panic and look up to discover there is no light indicating what floor I am on.

Suddenly the elevator drops. It feels like 20 floors - but in reality, my office is on the 4th floor of a 6 story building.

I hear creaking and the sounds of gears.

I think back to the sleeping security guards...the "MIA" security guards...my heart is beating in my throat.

I punch at the button. Finally, the elevator resumes its ascent.

The doors open. I get out. Walk to my desk and when my counter-part arrives (3 years, I mean 3 minutes later) I finally take my first breath!

* Can you picture all that...it was like a scene right out of a movie! The type of movie my hubby leaves with bloody finger nail marks on his arm from me grabbing him at every startle!

16 comments:

Melissa said...

oh gosh! I had something like that too with the elevator! But the scariest part was that is was a mostly glass elevator, so I could totally see how far we were up (which was high) and how far down we went. pretty scary!

Life As I Know It said...

ACK! That is very eerie!
What the heck was going on?!?

InTheFastLane said...

Yikes!!! I hope the rest of your day was better?

Janet said...

That would have creeped me right the hell out. I fully expect that CSIS is going to shut down your blog, now. ;)

Mighty Morphin' Mama said...

That was so freaky! I can totally see why you were holding your breath. I would'a peed my pants!

Unknown said...

That would have totally freaked me out!!! Let us know if you ever find out what the deal was!

Caroline C. Bingham said...

ummm, yeah, I would've turned around and walked back to my car.

Family Adventure said...

What was going on with all those guards AWOL or sleeping??? Do tell.

Heidi

CC said...

I was sure the end of the story was going to be "only to realize it was actually 2am" or something of the like. Very scary!

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I was totally thinking it was either a dream or you got up at the wrong time or something!! Yikes!

Forgetfulone said...

That was a fabulous retelling of an awfully scary situation.

OHmommy said...

Oh man... you are right. Yes. It did feel like reading a movie.

Where did all that money go? LOL

Kat said...

Holy crap! I am freaking out here! I would have crapped my pants! What was with the sleeping security guards???

Kristan said...

Holy cow! That would either freak me out, or put me in Nancy Drew mode. Considering the time, I'd say freaking. So...did you get to take a nap later, too?

SECRET AGENT MAMA said...

Hahahahahahahaha!!!

Mamarazzi said...

that freaked me out and it happened to YOU not me! wow...skeeeeeeeeeeery!