Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being an elevator operator in Pechenizhyn is like riding a rollercoaster, but without the safety harness. So, I roll into work, right? It’s a sunny morning, and I’m thinkin’, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First off, I’m at the building on Shevchenka Street. You know, the one with the weird statue of that guy? Yeah, that one. I’m just minding my own biz, when this lady rushes in. She’s got a baby in one arm and a bag of groceries in the other. I’m like, “Lady, you need a hand?” But she just huffs and puffs, “No time!” I mean, c’mon! You’re in an elevator, not a marathon!
So, I hit the button for the third floor. The doors close, and BAM! The elevator stops. Just stops. I’m like, “Great, just great.” I can hear her muttering about how she’s gonna be late for her kid’s school or something. I’m sweating bullets, thinking, “If I don’t get this thing moving, I’m gonna be the most hated guy in Pechenizhyn.”
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, I get it going again. The doors open, and she bolts out like she’s escaping a fire. I’m just standing there, like, “Wow, that was intense.”
Next up, I get this old dude on the second floor. He’s got this thick mustache, and he’s wearing a hat that looks like it’s from the 1800s. He’s all, “Young man, do you know where I can find the best borscht in town?” I’m like, “Uh, I dunno, maybe try the place on Haharina Street?” He nods like I just gave him the secret to life.
Then, outta nowhere, the lights flicker. I’m thinkin’, “Oh no, not again!” But it’s just a power surge. Phew! But then, I hear this loud crash outside. I peek out, and there’s a car that just smashed into a lamppost on the corner of Kostiantynivska. I’m like, “What the heck? Is this a movie or what?”
So, I’m trying to keep my cool, right? But then this group of teenagers hops in. They’re blasting music from their phones, and I’m like, “Dude, we’re not at a concert!” They’re laughing, taking selfies, and I’m just there, trying to keep the elevator from turning into a party bus.
One of them, this girl with pink hair, says, “Hey, operator! What’s your name?” I’m like, “Uh, it’s just ‘the operator.’” She laughs and says, “Nah, you gotta have a cool name!” I’m thinkin’, “Yeah, like ‘Elevator King’ or something.”
Finally, I get a break. I step outside for a breather. Pechenizhyn is buzzing. The sun’s shining, kids are playing on the street, and I can smell fresh pastries from the bakery on the corner. Life’s good, right? But then I remember I left my coffee on the counter. Ugh!
Back in the elevator, I’m just about to hit the button for the ground floor when this guy rushes in. He’s all flustered, and I’m like, “Dude, what’s up?” He’s like, “I’m late for a meeting!” I’m thinkin’, “Welcome to my world, buddy.”
As the day drags on, I’m just trying to keep it together. I’ve seen it all: the happy, the angry, the confused. Pechenizhyn is a wild place, man. But you know what? I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
By the end of my shift, I’m exhausted but happy. I’ve met some wild characters, and I’ve got stories for days. I step out into the evening air, and it hits me—this city, with all its quirks, is home. And I’m just the guy who helps people get where they need to go, one crazy ride at a time.