“Stand-Still” Part 1

This is a quick run through of a random idea that has developed into a short outline of a non-existent movie based on the perils of being stuck on an escalator.

David and his girlfriend, Katarina, are enjoying a shopping spree after he just won a small legal action suit.  They are holding hands on the escalator as they journey upwards to some more shopping goodness.  All of a sudden, the escalator halts, jolting them forward slightly.  At the bottom of the escalator, David notices, what appears to be a man with a rucksack on his back and his hood up over his head running toward one of the exits to the shopping centre.

The escalator adjacent that leads down from the floor David and Katarina were headed has also come to a halt.  Approximately thirty people are stranded on the escalator and somewhat shaken.  After about ten minutes, a woman breaks down into tears whilst her husband puts his arm over her shoulder to comfort her.  David starts sweating and wonders who will come to their aid.

Bobby Johnson, security guard of sector 5-B, spots an anomaly on camera 7 and zooms in.  Panic strikes as he identifies that upward and downward escalators have stopped.  He dons his security jacket and flashlight and races to the scene.

Upon Bobby’s arrival, passers-by have gathered shouting words of comfort to the stranded folks.  Bobby has an issue.  The way to resume the escalators involves an access panel at the top.  Does he dare enter an elevator and risk being stuck or does he try another daring approach?  He contemplates ascending the escalator but there’s too many people and he feels he would never make it.

He calls over his radio for back up.

Meanwhile, the people stuck on the escalator are getting somewhat anxious and a few of the more hot-headed ones are getting irate.

TO BE CONTINUED…