The Call Button

The quiet hallway floor led me toward the elevator doors. Two brushed stainless steel panels stood side by side, perfectly plumb. Beside the seam, a single circular call button sat recessed in a brass plate, glowing with a soft halo of yellow light. I stepped onto the metal threshold plate. Raising my right arm, I positioned my curved hand directly against the cold center of the glowing circle. I leaned my weight forward until the plastic mechanism gave a quiet, mechanical click. The glow changed to steady amber. Across the polished floor, a crisp rectangular reflection flared into view. The corridor holds its breath. I wait.