Completely out of breath I hit the entrance door to the office building I worked at.  The door spun around so fast it nearly caught my briefcase behind me.  I felt it pull on the shoulder strap that, in my hurry, I didn’t have time to put on.  My hands were sweating and the clock ticking.  Pulling and pulling I tried to keep walking.  Being late for work for the third day in a row was not a good thing at all.  It finally gave way and I shot forward to the front desk.  I must have looked completely ridiculous in my black suit with shoes that were just shined, but now scuffed as with years of age.  Tumbling forward I pushed off the front desk like a swimmer doing another lap and shot toward the elevator. 

            As I neared the elevator I noticed that it was unusually on the first floor already.  Was I really late?  My heart hammered through my chest as I picked up my arm.  I was limp all over as I looked at the watch on my hand.  It read nine forty; forty minutes late.  I pushed the button on the elevator knowing I had to hurry.  The doors opened slower than normal, or so it seemed.  I got in and pressed my floor button without looking.  I knew that I had pressed forty-eight, but as I looked down the button wasn’t lit up.  I got out before it could close so that broken machine couldn’t slow me down in my race to get to my office.  I would have to use the stairs.

            I flung the door open in a rampage.  I was so angry.  I had been late for so many days, the elevator didn’t work, and now my boss was-walking down the stairs!?  What is he doing in tennis clothes?  Then, he began to speak.  Oh no, here it comes.  I have lost my job and now what am I going to do.  He is going to yell.  I can feel it.  “Forgot my cell phone in my office.  Enjoy the day off!”