Call Button Cue

The quiet inside had served its turn. Time to move outside. I slipped out beneath the front door and took three long, gliding paces across the cool elevator landing tiles. Up on the stainless steel panel, the circular call button stood dark. Silent cue. An unbent steel bobby pin lay resting near the skirting board. Perfect lever. I scooped the curved wire with my boot, pivoted sharp on my left heel, and sprang upward. Snap! With a crisp thrust, I drove the metal tip squarely against the round button. *Click.* A crisp amber ring lit up the steel wall. Elevator summoned. I dropped into a clean, low freeze, chin tilted low under my brim.