This morning I sat staring at a blinking cursor. I was clear out of material but at the same time felt that I was overdue for a new entry. So finally after half an hour I gave up and decided to do something productive. I started cleaning the apartment. I did the dishes, swept the floor, cleaned my cat’s litter box (not for the faint-hearted) and took out the trash. And as if the Forces That Be took pity on my having writer’s block infection, it decided to give me a writing prompt. Of course, in accordance with everything else in my life, the material was served wrapped neatly in that lovely gossamer we generally refer to as aggravation.
So anyway, I was down at the garbage shoot disposing trash. I walked back to my door and casually twisted the knob. It was stuck. I tried again. The thing would not budge. I could’ve sworn on my life I left it unlocked when I stepped out. I thought, “Excellent! I’m out here and the only other person in the apartment who has opposable thumbs is asleep. Note to self: train cat to unlock doors by command.”
Naturally, my first instinct was to ring the doorbell like crazy and hope that it would wake up my roommate. Fifteen minutes later, my forefinger is worn down to a stub and still there was no sign of life.
I mulled over my situation. Here I am locked out of my own apartment dressed in an old t-shirt and a pair of shorts (thank goodness I was wearing a bra or this would have been exponentially more difficult). My hair is completely dishevelled. Not having showered yet, I reeked like a dock worker after a long day. I had no money and had nothing in my pocket but the plastic bag I used to dispose of some bottles earlier. Hmmm…What would McGyver do? With a plastic bag? Not much.
Then I thought I’d do away with my dignity and went to see if anyone at the building administration office could help me. The elevator ride was interesting. There was an old lady there who gave me a strange look. I positioned myself in the corner farthest away from her so as not to give her an olfactory assault. The last thing I need right now is a complaint from a senior citizen with regards to my hygiene.
At the office, I asked to borrow a cell phone to see if maybe my roommate would pick up. The admin assistant was nice enough to let me use his. After calling multiple times with no answer, I had to give that up too. I was afraid I might use up his battery and it wouldn’t be fair to extend my misfortune to others.
So I went back and tried the doorbell again. An eternity elapsed when finally I heard the bedroom door open. Salvation!
After being let in, I was asked what the hell happened. Well, I cleaned the apartment and was chastised for it. Good news is I no longer have a blank screen.
