Work Text:
Thirteen minutes over nine.
The red numbers of the elevator's digital clock were just as visible as the floor number display that was stuck on the number four, which is to say hardly visible at all with the harsh fluorescent lights shining brightly on the grey metal walls of the elevator.
It had been half an hour since the red emergency button was pressed, yet the two occupants haven't heard a word of a potential rescue.
The man standing closest to the door kept tapping a steady beat on the floor with his shiny black dress shoes. He kept altering between crossing his arms over the straps of his laptop bag and checking his smartphone for any news.
Likewise, the man standing in the opposite corner wasn't faring any better. His right hand was firmly clasped to the clipboard his eyes were locked on, as his left continuously pressed the button of his blue pen. His mouth was silently wording whatever was written on the old clipboard's pages, only stopping when turning to the next page.
The silence that stretched between them was almost completely amenable, if not for the sounds of their nervous ticks. Though suddenly, it wasn't quiet anymore.
"Could you stop that ticking?!" The man near the exit said, yet glared at the digital clock as if willing it to go faster with his annoyance alone.
The other man looked at his face and then glanced with narrowed eyes to the shoes that were still tapping an annoying beat. He shot the man a judging look before rolling his eyes, putting his pen in the pocket of his pants.
☆★☆
Thirty-four minutes over nine.
The time passed by in awkward silence till the man with the cellphone did a double take. His face melted into a grin.
"I just got word that the desk has finally gotten a hold of the closest fire station, they said that they’re on their way right now."
With those words and a grateful nod, the tension that had been building dissolved into a feeling of relief.
He put his phone back into the pocket of his dress pants before opening his laptop bag with mumbles about being productive. By the sound of grumbling that came not much later, it wasn't going well.
The man looked up from his reading to see the other staring at a screen that had a big fat 'Error', and before he could stop himself he had to ask, "Do you need any help?"
With a raised eyebrow in reply, he continued,
"I'm a computer technician."
Realisation clear in his eyes he nodded, before offering his laptop. An exchange of possessions later, the technician sat on the floor to start.
After looking at yet not understanding whatever the seated man was doing, he went to check his phone again, though kept throwing glances to the mysterious clipboard. Finally his curiosity won out and he had to ask, "May I read?"
"Sure, though it's not all that good."
☆★☆
Forty-eight minutes over nine.
"-And, it's done!"
With a final button pressed the monitor showed the desktop, the background a nice picture of a family outing at the beach.
With the same smile shown in the picture, the standing man waved the clipboard around.
"You know, this is written pretty well. You should have more faith in yourself."
Giving a smile in return he closed the laptop. He held it firmly to his chest with one hand while using the other to try to stand up, when all of a sudden the elevator moved. He began toppling over, before a hand reached out and grasped his shoulder. Finding his footing once more he carefully stood up.
Thus their slow descent started, the numbers of the floor number display leisurely counting down.
When they reached the last stop both men got their bearings. Quickly afterwards the doors were forced open. When freedom was finally in sight the men switched objects once more and said goodbye to each other with a smile.