chapter 2: the elevator

I inspected the new installation. Had the sweaty men around me and the lull of alluring food finally took a toll on my sanity? But no, the matte curves and industrial finishes were totally solid as I ran my hand over them. There was no button to be seen, but I was sure a second look-over would prove successful. Currently, however, the only thing on my mind was telling my staff mates.

I burst through the cheap paneled doors leading into my workplace in a hurry, causing many big-bellied men to look up at my distressed frame.
“What is it?” I heard the booming voice of Daryl query from his corner, arousing many alike questions to detonate from around the room.

“The Elevator’s been put in!” I squealed. This warranted a cacophony of sighs to fill the room, and I furrowed my brow in confusion. Only Barry, one of the weathered, yet still rotund members of the company, slowly rose from his desk, meandering over to where I stood and ushering me out the door. His greying mustache wiggled in concern as he looked me in the eye.

“Lad, loads of people will come in and say that once in their life here. Even I did once,” His eyes clouded over bizarrely as he rubbed his round belly. “Yet it never was. Nobody else can see it, and they don’t see it again. All you need is a bit of rest, Max, and you’ll be up for work again tomorrow.” He turned and left, but not before sneaking a glance at the missing persons sign posted outside the office. It detailed the conditions of men who had “Disappeared” before I arrived and hadn’t returned yet. One had mattes of orange hair, Chandler, and another had a thin brown cut, Bert.

“But Bar-”
I was cut off by the gentle close of the panel doors I’d sprung through earlier and I was left with my baffled thoughts. I turned to observe the elevator again. It looks so real though - I can’t be going crazy… Thoughts rushed through my head, but they were all calmed when a glowing peach light caught my eye. My head filled with calmness, the only thing I could see was the tantalizing glow of the button. It pulled me towards it, forcing me to come near. I could faintly make out what looked like a belly button on the face of the button, but I ignored it. My finger was pulled forward, and suddenly I made contact. A light chime rang out. The doors opened.