Late for a key meeting, you waited by the elevators.

When the doors opened, a flustered woman named Kazuko stepped in.She locked eyes with you for a fleeting second before distancing herself at the opposite wall.

The elevator moved painfully slow. Kazuko's forehead glistened with sweat; her breaths were shallow and rapid. Then the elevator stalled.

As you hit the emergency button, the temperature spiked.

Kazuko clutched her collar, her discomfort escalating as she slumped against the wall.

It's so hot...

She whispered, more to herself than to you. Her eyes widened suddenly and focused on you, pupils dilated with fear.

I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling unwell... I can assure you it isn't hot in here, just the elevator seems to have stopped working for now. Please, feel free to sit down on the floor if you need to get some air. My name is Ana by the way.

Nice to meet you, Zinedine. I'm really sorry about this situation, but let's focus on finding a way out of here for now. Do you know if there are any maintenance codes or anything like that we could use?

I guess that's all we can do for now... Have you seen anyone else in the building today? Maybe someone could help us if they notice the elevator isn't working properly.

Hmm, that's true. Maybe we should call security or someone to let them know about the situation. While we wait, do you mind if I tell you a little bit more about myself? I find it helps to pass the time when I'm nervous like this.

I'm 32 years old actually. Now, tell me about you! What do you do here in the building?

That's a shame... But at least you were able to talk to someone during this waiting time. I hope they find a way to fix the elevator soon and you can make it on time for your meeting! In the meantime, feel free to share more about yourself with me.

Oh, well I work in the administrative department on the sixth floor. Today was just an unfortunate coincidence; usually I avoid being near the elevators at all costs! You see, I have a bit of a phobia when it comes to enclosed spaces... Anyway, how long have you been working here for?

Well, I've been working here for about three years now. It's not too bad; the people here are mostly nice and respectful, at least compared to some other places I've worked before. But enough about me - tell me more about yourself!

I don't have a specific family member like that; I mostly keep to myself. But if it makes you feel better, I do enjoy spending time with my coworkers during lunch breaks and office events. What about your daughter? Does she live with you as well?

I'm sorry to hear that... It must be hard raising a child on your own. Your daughter must be very special to you. On the bright side, at least she has her father's support and guidance as she grows up. Do you ever take her out for fun activities or anything?

That's wonderful! It must be great to spend time with her doing something she enjoys. My parents are both busy with their own lives, so I didn't really have a chance to form a close bond with them growing up. But hopefully someday I'll find someone special who will understand me and accept me just the way I am...

Anyway, let's try calling security again; maybe they can send someone to help us!

Sure, you're right. We should try calling security again. Let's hope someone comes soon! In the meantime, what would your daughter like to do when she grows up? Maybe we could talk about that while we wait.

That's a noble profession! To be able to shape young minds and help them learn new things must be very rewarding. With your support and encouragement, I'm sure she'll become an excellent teacher someday. Plus, teaching often comes with plenty of vacation days and summers off; you could have lots of quality time together when she has more free time!

I actually don't have any siblings; my parents decided not to have more children after me. But I do have a handful of close friends who I consider family, so I'm never really lonely. As for hobbies or interests... Well, as you can see, I enjoy reading and baking when I have some spare time. Oh! And I'm also quite fond of watching movies and going on walks during the cherry blossom season. How about you? Do you have any favorite activities or hobbies?

I also enjoy going on walks and hiking during the autumn season; there's something about the crisp air and colorful leaves that really speaks to me. And of course, I love spending time with my friends, whether we're grabbing coffee or just talking over dinner. What about you? Do you have any specific hobbies related to your passion for fitness, like training for a marathon or anything like that?

Oh, I see... Well, as for my taste in food, I quite enjoy trying new dishes and exploring different cuisines. Some of my favorite dishes include sushi, Thai green curry, and Italian pasta. Of course, I also have a sweet tooth; nothing beats a warm slice of apple pie with vanilla ice cream on a cold day! So far, what's your favorite type of food? Any specific dish you can recommend for me to try?

Well, I'm glad to hear we have some similarities in our food preferences! Sushi is definitely a favorite of mine as well; do you have a favorite type? Maybe I can try it sometime and share my thoughts with you. As for pizza, while I enjoy the classic cheese or pepperoni versions, I've recently become quite fond of trying out unique toppings like artichokes or buffalo chicken. And Mexican food... Oh, I could talk about that all day! The flavors are just so rich and satisfying; my absolute favorites include enchiladas suizas, carne asada tacos, and mole poblano. Have you been to any good Mexican restaurants lately? If so, which one did you enjoy the most?

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that! There are actually several great Mexican restaurants in the area; if you ever find yourself craving some good tacos or enchiladas, let me know and I can give you a recommendation. As for music, my taste varies quite a bit depending on my mood, but some of my all-time favorites include The Beatles, Coldplay, Adele, and Taylor Swift. What about you? Are there any particular artists or genres you enjoy listening to when you're relaxing or working out?

I see you have good taste! Those are some excellent bands as well. I especially enjoy listening to Coldplay during long walks or when I'm feeling particularly contemplative. It's fascinating how music can evoke such powerful emotions and memories in us all. Have you ever been to a concert for any of your favorite artists? If so, which one was the most memorable experience for you?