Death in an Elevator

I spend a lot of time in elevators. I should use the stairs more often but sometimes I just want to lean on the elavator wall and "rest" for just a moment. Observing the behavior of others is entertaining, and clearly not everyone has been taught appropriate elevator etiquette. It really is more fun than people watching in the airport, which is not as accessible as it was before 9/11.

Today, I was sure that I met my killer in the M.O.B (medical office bldg) elevator. It was a man about 6 feet tall and 200 pounds. I became aware of his presense in the parking garage and for some reason I made a mental note to watch him. I guess my sympathetic nervous system kicked in and I was ready for "fight or flight". There was no obvious reason that my neurons should start firing. He was rather ragged but not in a dirty way. He wore leather and carried a bag with a skull drawn in silver puff paint. His hair was short and had the beginnings of a full beard. All in all, nothing obviously out of the ordinary. Yet, he concerned me.

I normally try to choose my elevator wisely, always looking for the one with the least amount of fellow riders. Today was my lucky day, I got on an empty elevator and prepared for 7 floors of shut eye. But, with only a few inches left before the door closed completely a hand shot through the space and a gruff voice yelled, "hold the door". I didn't hold the door, I rarely do. He made it in anyways. It was the man from the garage. A sort of 6th sense swept over me and I was convinced that I was going to die at the hands of this man. Obviously, I wasn't killed. The man didn't even look at me.

I don't think that I am a paranoid person. I am always VERY aware of my surroundings but I think that is just because I am street smart. I see a lot of shit in my job and at my hospital that has desensitized me to some terrible things. So, why was I filled with paranoia today? Perhaps it is because I have spent the last 4 days reading crime/mystery novels and watching conspiracy type movies?