1
Hurry!
You'll be late! I kept telling myself I needed to leave earlier, but it never seems to happen.
Was the building on the other side of campus? Or was this the one just up ahead?
2
Ding.
The elevator is here, I might as well take it.
Get on.
So many other people.
It's tight quarters.
Maybe I should just get off and take the stairs.
What will everyone else think when I jump off?
Doors will close any second.
3
Another quick flash before she is around the next corner.
I feel like I'm walking in squares.
She is always just one turn ahead.
Finally, a hall that ends without turning.
4
This is way more work than it should be.
Besides, there probably was no class today anyway if the entrances are blocked.
I wish they had alerted me to it though.
Time to hit up the arcade!
5
Let's see, where to sit? There are people at each table. I don't see many that I know.
I'll just take this lounge chair off to the side.
It looks comfortable.
This salad tastes so bland.
There is never really fresh stuff here.
But it's sustenance, I guess.
With enough dressing, it's edible.
Too bad I can't take food out with me. I could eat while I walk to class.
That didn't take as long as I thought. Should I try to make it to class still?
6
Well, at least I made it to a class.
It might not be the right one, but that's better than not going at all, right?
Pretend to take notes for a while.
Why is this guy next to me trying to copy my fake notes?
Everyone is leaving.
7
Quick.
Walk after them.
Don't run.
Power walk.
Don't want to seem like I'm chasing them.
8
Rattle the handle.
Bang on the window.
Yell.
No one seems to notice.
9
Great choice!
I'm just going to go back to my room and calm down.
Maybe get some cleaning done or work on homework.
Back in the room.
Why can't I focus?
So much effort today and nothing accomplished.
Stare at the ceiling.
Trying to find patterns.
I wonder if those patterns are randomly created or if it's due to some process they used during construction.
They aren't on the walls. Maybe it's random.
I guess I might as well take a nap since I can't get anything done today.
10
Out the nearest exit.
Across the path to the grassy area.
Sit on the bench.
Enjoy the sunshine and soda pop.
I'll call this a win.
11
I fling open the door to the stairwell after flashing my tenant badge at the front desk.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1.
2 steps at a time, then a single.
Hmm... That makes 13 steps per flight.
I thought they were superstitious and didn't make things like that in buildings.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1.
One floor down, 4 to go.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1.
Why do I have to count every step?
If I try to stop, even my breaths sound like numbers.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1.
Let's try to move faster, I'm already late.
1, 2, 3, 4, almost trip, 1.
Okay, 3 steps at a time is not a good idea.
3rd floor.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.
Landing, turn, next flight.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.
Okay, singles are a lot more effort.
Maybe a little faster, but too much exertion.
Almost there! Finally.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1.
I grab the door, but it won't open.
Crap! Again?!
Suddenly, it opens. Someone comes through.
Quick! Grab it.
"Thanks," I mumble.
Fast-walk down the hall, into the room.
Where is that planner?
It's not in my bag, so maybe it's in the desk. Or in that pile over there.
Did I forget it somewhere? What if I just overlooked it in my bag?
...
There it is!
I grab the planner.
Is it too late to bother going to class at this point?
Maybe I should stay here and just try next time.
Didn't I do that last week?
If I miss too many classes, it'll be harder to go back.
What will they say when I finally show up?
But being late is worse than not going.
What do I do?!
And which building was it?
The planner says the far one.
That's a long walk.
13
Just sit and watch.
Wait, no, stand.
No one else is sitting.
Don't stand out by not standing.
What's that noise?
BUZZ BUZZ
It's really annoying.
BUZZ BUZZ
But it sounds familiar, I should know what it is.
14
I should really try to make it to this class.
Rush out, head down.
All the way across campus. I should have just done this to begin with.
Why do I always need that stupid planner to tell me what to do?
15
Head back to the room.
Make it there with no obstacles.
How odd. There's always a problem getting everywhere.
Guess I'll just study.
Chalk this up as a win.
16
Something is off about that person.
I should go the other way.
Back to the door.
But it won't work.
I need out.
There are people out there, they can help.
17
I'll just take a quick nap.
It's not like I'm getting to class at this point anyway.
So comfortable. Maybe I'll just head down here every week.
18
Rattle the handle.
Nothing.
Harder.
Clink.
Something fell out.
Handle loses tension.
Push on the door.
It swings open.
Freedom! Sweet Freedom!
Better take advantage of it and go get a candy bar since there is no class apparently.
19
I pull out my planner to check where this class is.
Yes, I need to be more organized.
Yes, I should have been to more classes and I would remember them by now.
No, I can't find my planner.
20
Don't. Budge.
Just wait for something to happen, then react.
If we start falling, spread out horizontally to minimize impact damage.
If the doors don't close, stay to the back.
None of the buttons respond.
Maybe someone on another floor will call the elevator and we will move.
Wait...
Wait...
Wait...
Wait...
Finally, the doors close.
And... Movement.
We are going down.
No one else seems bothered.
Ding.
First floor.
Jump out, ignore people coming in.
21
I'd hate for it to be right here and I run all over.
Just duck inside the door.
Past the smokers.
Past the people staring out the window.
Stairs? Or elevator?
22
Open doors, go down stairs.
There is a good number of people milling around down here.
Why is there a small fountain in the middle of this room?
And cots, and soft music?
It's like a strange break room, except everyone is just standing around.
23
Apparently, there are people here now.
These nearby rooms have people sitting in them.
I'll just grab the nearest seat and enjoy this drink.
24
I'll just wait here and try to get someone's attention on the outside.
Why did it open from the outside but not the inside?
Hey, there is someone near the door!
25
The doors close.
Up to the fourth floor.
Strange, why didn't it stop on the second?
The doors open several seconds before the elevator comes to a stop.
No one seems to care as they just step up to exit.
Only a few people left.
Doors close.
Down we go.
Way too fast.
Slow down, slow down, SLOW DOWN!
Sudden stop.
Doors slowly open, halfway.
We are clearly between floors.
The elevator slowly moves up.
Where did everyone else go?
Full stop.
Only six more inches.
The box feels so unstable.
Maybe it's my imagination; I don't see any movement.
I know if I step through, everything will start moving again.
Or, maybe if I stay here everything will fall...
26
Maybe I can jump a full flight at once.
Yep. But that sure stresses my knees.
I feel old sometimes.
Out the front door, into the cold wind again.
Why is it always so windy here?
Do I know that person? Maybe? Are they in math with me?
It'd be nice if she says hi. Maybe I should wave.
No, what if it isn't her?
Hey, there is the cafeteria.
Maybe I should just call it and go let some food make me feel better.
27
Walk down the hallway.
Why are those lights not on?
Where should I go?
I don't hear anyone nearby.
Wait, what was that?
Someone just crossed the hallway down there.
28
Follow her down the sidewalk.
Away from the building.
Class must have been canceled.
Or is already over.
To the cafeteria.
No, past the cafeteria.
To a building I've never been to.
She looks over her shoulder and ducks quickly inside.
29
BEEP BEEP BEEP
Uh-oh, an alarm is going off.
Better get up with everyone.
BEEP BEEP BEEP
So much for a nice, relaxing time.
Why is the door so small now?
I'm not sure I can get through there.
BEEP BEEP BEEP
And the desks are so close together.
I'm going to have to float over them.
BEEP BEEP BEEP
Or, I can just wake up finally.
Smack.
I hate the sound of that alarm clock.
I'm so thirsty. I feel like a root beer.
30
I'll just continue the search outside then.
Turn around.
Door won't open.
Great. Just what I need.
They are probably bug-bombing or something and now I'm stuck here.
31
Finally, back at the lobby. Just have to get up to the room and grab that stupid planner.
I can't believe I forgot it again. I mean, why even have it?
There's that elevator. I bet it's still acting strange. Maybe I should take the stairs. It is 5 floors up though...
32
Fling open the doors.
Bound up the stairs.
Two at a time.
Open the door...
Open the door...
The door isn't opening.
Rattle the handle.
Why would it be locked?
Peer through the window.
No one in the hallway.
No one to hear me.
Guess I'm not going to make it to that class after all.
33
Jump up.
Where did everyone go?
Why am I in my room?
BUZZ BUZZ
It's time to get up.
BUZZ BUZZ
I won't need to grab my planner, right?
34
Elevator it is!
Let's see...
Press 5, door close...
Ding. Floor 1.
Ding. Floor 2.
Ding. Floor 2.
Crap.
Ding. Floor 2.
Not again...
The doors are sliding open and closed erratically and two separate floors are visible between them.
Suddenly, the floor drops away.
No, wait, the whole box is plummeting.
It's only two floors plus the basement, the brakes will kick in, right?
The metal box stops, the doors wide open. I walk out, completely unharmed.
Shaken, but unharmed.
I can see the enormous coils that act as cushioning springs underneath the now-useless elevator. The room is just large enough to walk around outside the box.
"Help!" I yell.
No answer.
Why did I take the elevator?
I should have known better.
What if no one hears me?
That's silly, eventually, someone will notice the elevator not working.
Right?
Wait...
35
She doesn't look like she is going the right way.
Probably blowing off this class, like I should be.
36
Around the corner.
No doors here.
Around the next corner.
There's someone from class!
38
Speed-walk down the hall to the stairs.
Only one flight up, no problem.
Standing outside the door.
Should I go in?
It's not too late to turn around.
Is this the right room?
207? Or was it 217?
Why don't I know this?
No one familiar is standing out here.
Maybe they are all inside.
Still not too late to go back.
39
Kick the door.
Yell some more.
An alarm starts sounding.
Great, I set off something.
No, it was supposed to go off right now.
Open my eyes.
Time for class. I'd better not forget my planner.
40
Rush across campus.
How fast can I go and still not look like I'm running?
Why is everyone else going so slow?
1, 2, 3. 1, 2. 1, 2, 3. 1, 2.
Steps per block of cement.
Only 4 more buildings to go.
Why is everything counting? Stop counting.
1, 2, 3. 1, 2. 1, 2, 3. 1, 2.
Maybe I should go back.
It is chilly.
I bet there won't be anything worthwhile there today anyway.
Finally, at the door to the building.
So many people standing around smoking.
Hold breath, get inside.
Keep silently holding my breath.
I wonder how long I can keep doing this.
Exhale...
Don't inhale...
Weave through so many people.
Double-check my bag, make sure I have what I need. What class is this again?
Doesn't matter, I brought all 5 books, a giant notebook, and my laptop.
Just have to get upstairs.
Take the stairs or the elevator? It seems like every elevator here has something wrong with it.
41
Never a bad time for a root beer.
Better grab one.
Swipe card.
Hit button.
Bottle falls.
Twist cap.
Hisss...
MMMM... Delicious.
This puts everything into perspective.
I need to relax.
42
The water looks so refreshing, I might as well take a sip.
It's delicious.
Ice cold.
I am a little sleepy now, too. Those cots are looking very inviting.
But why is everyone down here?
43
Nervously enter the elevator...
This never goes well...
The doors close.
Silence. No movement.
Suddenly, the floor lurches upward.
The doors open prematurely, exposing the floor outside dropping to meet the floor inside.
The elevator stops. It seems to be finished.
Step out, walk up to the classroom door.
Hesitate. Am I too late already?
Should I just stand here and pretend I went to class and go back when it's over?
No, I'm here. I might as well go in.
Sit down. No one looks familiar.
Is... this the right class?
Oh, no. It isn't.
44
It's not over yet.
Why do I feel compelled to make it to this class?
Off to what I hope is the correct class.
Why is the door to the building taped off?
45
Around the next corner.
Nothing on this side either.
46
This looks like the way to go.
Open the door.
Walk inside.
Empty hallway.
Great, the building shut down or something.
Why are there no signs?
47
Finally!
I'm in the class. The right one.
And it's not over yet.
Too bad it's basically a review of the homework.
Why do most days just seem like a waste of time?
At least I get the attendance points.
Now that class is over, it's time for a nap.