Microstory 59: The Elevator

I step in and push the button for the penthouse. Fortunately for me, the elevator is rather slow. I’m dreading having to go up to my boss. I’m just the latest in a long line of personal assistants that he mistreats. When the time comes, and I’ve finally reached my destination, the doors in front of me don’t open. I hear a sound behind me and watch as a second set of doors disappear to the side. I’ve been using these elevators for weeks, and I’ve not once noticed a second set of doors. No, that’s impossible. There was most definitely a painting there just a second ago. My curiosity gets the best of me, though. I timidly step out and look around. This version of the penthouse looks just the other one, but it’s much cleaner. My boss comes around the corner and greets me, giving me a small kiss on the cheek. His entire demeanor is different. He’s polite and lively. I’ve lucked out and stepped into an alternate reality. I decide to not ask questions, and just go along with it. We spend the rest of the morning together, eating breakfast and watching the parade from the balcony. After the last float goes by he smiles and pulls me away. He opens the door to a closet where I see a young woman tied up and crying. He hands me a knife. “You can go first this time.”