Elevator experiences...
When I was 2 or 3 years old, while shopping in a department store with my mother, I stepped into an elevator by mistake - I thought she'd been heading for the elevator, but she wasn't. I realized my mistake as the doors shut and I was sent off to parts unknown, alone in the elevator. Mom could hear my cries of terror fading away but could do nothing but hit the call button and wait.
The entire episode was over in minutes, but I'd get sweaty palms in elevators for the next 20 years.
On another occasion, I left my desk at the office where I worked in order to a) hit the men's room and b) pick up a snack at the snack bar downstairs. Unfortunately, I decided to reverse that order and got my snack first. On the way back up, the elevator ground to a halt between floors. Sh*t, I was thinking, why didn't I go pee first?!? At least I wouldn't starve in there. Since then, I plan elevator trips better.
That wasn't the last time I'd be stuck in an elevator. On another occasion, we were delivering a new computer system to an insurance company. The large cabinet just fit into the car with me jammed in behind it. My partner took the stairs. But as soon as the elevator began to move, it became apparent that we'd exceeded its weight capacity - it groaned for a moment and then stopped at an altitude of six inches. Just far enough to disable the doors. I had to be rescued by building maintenance.
The Muzak, however, continued to entertain me through both ordeals.