At 5:01, I headed for the elevator. Freedom at my fingertips, as I walked I unwound my earbuds from around my pink iPod nano and secured one in each ear.
Without slowing my pace, I pushed the center button to select Music and again for Songs. Five hundred options loaded into my palm. I scrolled my thumb indefinitely around the nano’s clickwheel, relaxing to the satisfying sound of so many songs in my pocket.
I waited for the elevator, still scrolling through my downloads. As I spun my thumb, the click click click transported me to a few moments from now, when I’ll swing through the revolving door and breath in the energy of New York City.
The elevator arrived and I stepped inside. Safely aboard my getaway car, I turned to look up and commemorate my departure. That’s when our eyes met.—Her’s a stunning blue. Mine wide with shock.
“Oh! Hello!” I squeezed between the closing doors.
I rode the ten stories down, trapped in an elevator with my thoughts.—It’s barely five and I’m out the door! That’s not a good look in front of the boss. …You know what? Damn the Man Woman. Sorry, Martha. The City is calling!
The doors opened to the lobby. I stepped forward and pressed Play.