The old lady looked up at me, her face bright with anticipation. "Yes, I'm ready. I've been waiting for you for too long.
"Wait, I'm gonna need your key," he said. She slowly walked to a small pot.
"I know, I know," she said, taking the key from out of her pocket and handing it to him. "I know it's pointless, but I have to have my quicksilver key."
"Please don't die," he said, placing the key into the keyhole and turning it. It took a lot to turn it, but it did turn. With a screech, the bowels of the boot spread open. He helped her into the boot. "I'd hate to be the one who has to tell the children about Granny Pieason's disappearance."
"When you find them, do you think you could let the children live with you in your hotel? I know it's not the same, but I just want them to be safe. I don't think I could bear it if one of them were to die at the claws of my boot's resident."
The man rubbed his chin, thoughtfully. "I'd rather not. I'll take care of the pests though. It's just that I'm afraid; Granny has been staying down here so long, and I haven't heard a peep. I haven't seen any reason to go up there myself; she's not going to be here this time tomorrow!"
"You shouldn't worry. The sooner you can get to your hotel, the sooner I can find someone to take care of this place."
The man took the key out of the lock. He opened the door and began to slowly extricate himself from the boot. He shook his head, slowly. "Please don't be too severe on me."
"I won't," I said, smiling. He finally pulled himself up and out. He closed the door and turned the key again.
The man stretched his back.
"I'm just going to see you in a bit. I'm taking the elevator down. I've been staying up there. I mean, upstairs." He laughed and rubbed his arms. "I'm going to go make myself a nice hot mug of coffee. I don't care what the doctors say, it's the only thing that takes the chill out of my bones."
"Be careful not to drop the pot," I said, "or you'll spill it all."
He chuckled, but not maliciously. "Don't fret, Granny Pieason. I won't. Now good luck, and stay safe. I think I need to clean up the rest before I leave; my boots are getting a little messy."
"Goodbye," I said, and he disappeared back into his hotel.
I went down the stairs, keeping my eyes on the street, avoiding the litter that piled up and the rats that scurried about.
I made it up to the 24th floor and arrived at the elevator. I was glad that he didn't need to double check, because a scuffle with a group of thugs on the way up would ruin his cleanliness.
I pressed the "up" button and waited for the elevator, growing anxious.
I stared at the traffic going in and out, a scuffling and a rummaging of my own people.
The elevator made its slow descent back down to the 24th floor, picking up every so often, and carrying back every so often, too few of both. Maybe this was just a bad time to go out.
The elevator rocked under my feet as it screeched to a slow stop. I pushed through the doors and found a single man inside.
"Excuse me. I'm sorry to bother you, but on my way to the top, I ran into some of my people. I can't help but feel bad. Could you take me back up? I just felt like watching them for a little."
"Yeah, sure, whatever." Thank heaven for the lonely, I thought.
"Wait. Could you just reach the closest floor and leave me back up? I don't want to miss my own people."
"Oh. Ummm... okay. I'm sure I'll find someone else to take you up."
"Thank you."
For a few floors, we said nothing, either leaning over the bar that went down the middle of the elevator, or standing at a corner.
"I don't really like having you around. I mean, we already got a lot of strangers around here, so it's not like you could get in the elevator, but it's just that I don't like being disturbed," he finally said. "If you want to leave, you can, but I wouldn't blame you if you didn't. I am really sorry I kept you here."
"I don't mind. You're different. You're nice," I said. I was unsure why he was being so nice to me, but it felt nice. "Is that why you're at the top, to spy on my people? I don't think they will blame you."
"No, of course not. I'm different too. My people may not be the nicest people either, but I'm just trying to make sure the world doesn't end with those scumbags." He was silent.
"I really hope my loved ones will come back to me. I feel like I've waited for so long."
He stopped the elevator in the middle of the lobby. "I know, I know," I said. "I wait for my loved ones too, I know just how you feel. I hope it won't be too long."
The doors opened, and we found our way back down to the bottom floor on the other side of the lobby. I pressed the "down" button and waited a few seconds before the elevator arrived. I told the man my floor.
The elevator came to a screeching stop and I made my way out, only to find the same lonely waiter. "Excuse me," came a man's voice. I turned around, and I saw the man I had been waiting for.
His clothes were all torn up and he was beat up, like he had been in a fight. He assured me he was fine, and he helped me into the elevator.
"I'm sorry I sent the elevator back. I guess I was just a little afraid."
"No need to apologize! You didn't do anything wrong; I'm the one who should be apologizing to you. I was a little frustrated when I got in, but I'm making up for it now. I'm fine to drive," he said, striking an almost physical blow against the wall, "and I was just about to make my way to my hotel."
