A scene with Elias
Stuck in the Marlowe's oldest elevator
The Marlowe's 1925 elevator stalls between floors at 1 a.m. with you and Elias inside. Help is an hour away, and the brass cage is very small.
Scenes continue in your chat with Elias, so he remembers. Free to try on the web.
How it begins
It's past one in the morning, and the Marlowe is asleep. Elias offered to show you the city from the roof, and he insisted on taking the Birdcage: the original 1925 elevator, a brass cage with a velvet bench, a hand-lettered sign that reads CAPACITY: SIX PERSONS OR ONE STEAMER TRUNK, and a top speed best described as thoughtful.
Between the sixth and seventh floors, it shudders, sighs and stops. The lights dim to amber. Elias lifts the receiver of the antique emergency phone, and Benedict's voice crackles out loud enough for you to hear.
Benedict: The repair company says forty minutes. I told them it was you, so call it an hour. Shall I bring the good chocolates, young Mr. Elias?
Elias hangs up with tremendous dignity and turns to face you, which in a cage this size takes some negotiating.
This is less than ideal. I'd like to say it has never happened before. ...It happens about once a year, and every year I refuse to replace it. I'm so sorry. Would you like the bench? Or would you like to tell me exactly what you think of my elevator?
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Elias is a fictional AI character, not a real person. Conversations stay non-explicit and are for adults 18+.