"Guy, can you use this thing?" Michael asked as we walked toward the elevator. "Because I've not used one before."
"I haven't either, but we have to try. I don’t see any stairs. Or do you?" I replied, scanning the lobby.
"I don't. Make we no go stuck for there o. (Hope we don't get stuck there)."
I laughed. "We won't. I'm sure it's just pressing the right button." I replied.
That morning I was feeling ecstatic but I couldn't tell why. Maybe because after a long while of waiting, I got a job interview with a big organization in Lagos. A sign that there is still hope. To top it all up, it was a firm in the upscale part of Lagos. For me to be qualified for such an interview meant a lot to me and I couldn't hold back my happiness.
I had traveled all the way from the east to Lagos to stay with Michael in his sister's house in Lagos, where he has been staying ever since we graduated from university. He had agreed to let me stay with him since I had no other place to stay. And while I went for the interview, he also insisted on tagging along to make sure I didn't miss my way to the organization.
Now we were in the organization's building. It was nothing like the places we were used to. Soon, we were making our way upstairs after the receptionist had told us that the interviewer was ready for me.
I could see my reflection from the well-polished marble floor. It was as if we were in a different world, where people are only meant to dress in suits and expensive shoes. Then move with purpose, their footsteps clicking against the floor, their eyes fixed ahead like they had their life all planned out.
I looked at myself. I had only a shirt with a tie and trousers on. I looked different without a suit. But I shoved that thought off my mind. I didn't want to ruin my chances of getting the job with a bad thought.
We got into the elevator. The inside was cool, quiet, and smelled like an air freshener. Before I would press the button, Michael leaned forward and pressed it. He stared at me with a smile on his face. He was smiling sheepishly like a kid who just did what adults do for the first time.
I smiled back at him. But then, instead of going up. We were going down.
"Guy," I frowned. "We dey go down o. (We're going down)."
"I don't think so. I pressed this button...." He turned and stared at the elevator buttons. Confusion etched on his face as he tried to remember which button he pressed.
"Look." I pointed at the display. The numbers above the door started counting down—5... 4... 3...
We looked at ourselves but instead of panicking. We laughed at our ignorance. A wholesome and hearty laugh.
"Just let it drop to the floor first before pressing the right one again," I said to Micheal as he tapped on the correct floor number repeatedly trying to cancel the selection.
"How do you know all this?" He asked, looking at me. "You said you haven't used one before."
"I watch a lot of movies, bro," I replied, feeling like the knowledgeable one.
"So, since we were on the ground floor. Where is it taking us?"
"The basement, I guess." I gripped the rail. "But this feels exactly like life."
Michael arched his brow. "How?"
I took a deep breath. "First, we finish school, and we think it's time to shoot to the sky. When we act our strength in a bid to go up. Instead of going up, life can decide to drag us down first."
Michael nodded. "Na true (It's true). Just look at us. No job, just plenty of business plans and application letters. But no capital or jobs forthcoming. Just us and our vibes to survive. Feels like being stuck in the basement of life, waiting for the chance to rise."
I let my mind drift to the years we spent struggling through school. We had high hopes that our degrees, with our good grades, would earn us a job immediately after school. That everything would fall into place. But here we were. Two fresh graduates with nothing but uncertainty. All the application letters we've been sending felt like shooting into a wall. I made a short prayer for this one to work.
The elevator jolted to a stop. The doors slid open. Outside was a well-lit parking lot. We waited till the door closed again with no one entering.
"Punch in the right floor this time please," I said.
Micheal chuckled and tapped the keys. Unlike before, we started ascending to the top. We stood side by side in silence.
I glanced at him. "But you know the truth bro?"
"What?" He looked at me.
"No matter how down we go, eventually, we’ll come up. Just like this elevator." I said pointing to the display. The numbers ticking 2…3…4…
He smirked. "Maybe you should try motivational speaking." He joked.
I laughed. Then I looked at myself and adjusted my tie.
"How do I look?" I asked him.
"Like the new employee of this organization." He replied. The elevator chimed and stopped. The doors opened. Micheal looked at me and continued. "Go make me proud, son." He joked.
"Yes, Daddy," I replied, smiling. Then I stepped out of the elevator with him tagging along.
While Michael waits for me in the lobby. I battled with questions thrown at me by the interviewer for minutes.
The interview went well. The interviewer promised to get back to me. But till now, I still await her call.
Till now, I'm still keeping it positive.
I remember when I used an elevator for the first time, it felt like I was suffocating and could not even operate it, laughs.
I hope you get this job, wishing you the best.
That's the situation in the country right now and the main reason why most youngsters are loosing interest in academics, "school is scam", they say!
But keep up with the enthusiasm, it will get paid one day!