The Elevator Beacon

Following the faint mechanical hum down the carpeted hallway, I reached the gleaming elevator bank just as night fell. Down at floor level, the brushed steel doors met with an ultra-narrow seam, and right beside them sat an illuminated call button glowing with a soft amber ring. I stood on tiptoe atop a discarded plastic delivery wedge to peer closer at the reflection in the polished metal panel. The low vibration through the wall felt like a giant power core winding up! I gave the metal door frame a gentle, approving tap with my gloved knuckle—first corridor expedition successfully charted.