Comment from Judy Lawless

Excellent

Wow, that was a scary experience, Mary Kay! Did you know when you took the assignment that you'd be working alone through the night? I don't think I'd be brave enough to even accept the job. The company deserved what it got and I'm glad you found permanent work elsewhere, after escaping. Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 02-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 04-Nov-2021

Thank you so much, Judy, for your wonderful review, the five stars, and for caring about what happened to me, that night. No, I actually didn't know in advance, that I would be left alone there. Although it wasn't the only time that happened to me, it may have been the only time it happened on the first night I worked somewhere. I was completely unfamiliar with the firm, and with the layout of the office. I was completely surprised when the person who assigned me the work, announced that she was going home! I doubt that I would have accepted the job, if I would have known about the situation in advance. Thanks for everything and God bless you! Love, Mary Kay xoxo

Comment from LisaMay

Excellent

While I appreciated your brief story, I felt it depicted the situation like a report, and didn't capture the emotional drama of the situation. The more detailed version held me spellbound, because i could more fully picture the scene, your thoughts and feelings, the injustice at the company's concern for client over your own welfare, and also mention of the first responders' possible fate later with 9/11. Gratitude for God's input to your life rounds it out nicely.

 Comment Written 02-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 04-Nov-2021

Thank you, Lisa May, for your thoughtful review, the five stars and your honest feedback. While the need for more emotion seemed to be an issue for one or two other reviewers, there were some who said the opposite, although they may have been responding to what I included in my Author Notes. I have concluded that I would have been better off writing this as a longer nonfiction story, and I'm chalking this up to experience.
Yes, I am truly grateful to God for all His blessings, in every situation. May He bless you, too. Love, Mary Kay xoxo

Comment from Sherry Asbury

Excellent

God blesses His children and you are one of His best! That incident would have really frightened me and I admire your courage. Thanks for the after notes, they were very interesting. Those first employers were jerks and deserved what they got! Very expressive writing here!

 Comment Written 02-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 04-Nov-2021

Thank you so much, Sherry, for your wonderful review, the five stars and your kind and supportive comments. I really appreciate your encouragement.
I'm sure that if I would have been given this assignment after 9/11, I would have never been trapped at the elevator banks that way. I'm sure a lot of companies reexamined their safety protocols. These guys, by necessity, must have had a head start! I imagine the fine was a hefty one, but pocket change for the high-powered corporations I once worked for.
Yes, God blesses His children, and I have to trust Him now, while I'm going through a lot. It's important to remember the times when He came through for me, knowing He will never fail. God bless you, Sherry!
Love, Mary Kay xoxo

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

What a scary experience! And that temp agency should be ashamed of what they put you through! Why would that hiring company leave a temp worker alone at night like that? Thank the Lord that you were safe and later employed at a better company! Best wishes in the contest!

 Comment Written 02-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 04-Nov-2021

Thank you so much for the great review, Helen, the five stars and your supportive remarks. Yes, I was fairly flummoxed by the temp agency's callous response, the next day. Something was certainly flawed in their corporate culture.
God bless you, my friend.
Love, Mary Kay xoxo

reply by lyenochka on 04-Nov-2021

I agree! So glad you were safe! 💖

Comment from royowen

Excellent

I think this is one of those amazing stories, although it was probably incredibly scary at the time, it is certainly one to be told around the campfire or with a cosy night with friend. Beautifully written Mary Kay, (my daughter lived in Manhattan for 41/2 years. Well done, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 02-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 04-Nov-2021

Thank you very much, Roy, for the wonderful review, the five stars and the supportive and lovely comments. It's interesting that your daughter lived in Manhattan for a number of years! I actually only slept there a few times; most of my nights there were spent working, because I've generally lived in Queens. It's a great story to tell, although I wouldn't care to relive the experience. God bless you, too, my friend. - Mary Kay

reply by royowen on 04-Nov-2021

Yes, Elaine and I took four extended seasonal trips there from 2012 to 2016.

Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Hi Mary Kay.What a callous way to be treated. Good on you that you got away unscathed. You had a lucky escape. I'm also glad that you soon had another and much better job. Good luck in te contest. Ulla xxx

 Comment Written 02-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 03-Nov-2021

Thanks, Ulla, for the great review, the five stars and your supportive comments. I appreciate all of this. May God bless you.
Love, Mary Kay xoxo

Comment from L. Kalere

Excellent

That's quite a story, Mary Kay, but I think the authors notes are the better part of the story... and that's where your skills are more evident. One hundred words were insufficient to tell your fascinating story. I would have gladly read more.
Linda

 Comment Written 02-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 03-Nov-2021

Thank you very much, Linda, for your encouraging review, the five stars and your honest remarks. I think you're absolutely right; I should have chosen another forum, or contest in which to present this story. One hundred words squeezed the juice out of it! God bless you, my friend.
Love, Mary Kay xoxo

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

You did the right thing, Mary. What would the company have done if something worse had happened to you? They should have been held responsible. I wouldn't want to work for them in the future. I'm glad it all worked out well. Your entry reads well with great details.
Best wishes in the contest.
Respectfully, Jan

 Comment Written 02-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 03-Nov-2021

Thank you so much, Jan, for your fantastic review, the five stars and your very supportive comments. The experience, while not traumatic, was disturbing. I have a great mother who raised me to know that if I know something isn't right, or even if it doesn't feel right, I need to do something about it. I wasn't just going to stand there, being afraid all night, waiting for morning to come, knowing I was effectively trapped. I had to get out. Yes, something worse could have happened, and it would have been worse for everyone concerned. One phone call made the difference, but neither the agency nor the client saw it that way, unfortunately! But fortunately for me, I was outta there. The City of New York has emergency services that I'm sure are among the best in the world. God bless you, my friend. Love, Mary Kay xoxo

Comment from LJbutterfly

Excellent

That was a horrifying story. As I read it, I thought of all sorts of horror stories to write for next year's Halloween. I can't imagine a company hiring a temp employee to work alone at night. But, God is good. You were able to leave the building safely and were able to get a permanent job. God truly takes care of His own. Best wishes in the contest.

 Comment Written 02-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 02-Nov-2021

Thank you very much, Lorraine, for the great review, the five stars and your empathetic comments. Lol, it's funny that this inspired you to think of horror stories! One version would definitely have the office temp walking down those eleven flights, alone. Not me!
God bless you, and stay safe.
Love, Mary Kay xoxo

Comment from Iza Deleanu

Excellent

Wow, that totally breach of working policy. in Canada we even have policies for people that are working alone and there is a checking protocol in place reinforced by security. Praise the God you made it out safely. Thank you for sharing and good luck with the contest.

 Comment Written 02-Nov-2021

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reply by the author on 02-Nov-2021

Thank you very much, Iza, for your wonderful review, the five stars and your supportive comments. Yes, praise God that I got out safely! May He bless you too, and always keep you safe. Love, Mary Kay xoxo