After Dark トゥワイライトゾーンエピソードを基に創作

A young, good looking lady walks into a department store crowded with shoppers one day at the end of the year. She looks to be in her mid-20s. The simple combination of her white shirt and tight black skirt, both pleated neatly, which is a typical office lady look, contrasts her fine features. She's looking around on the ground floor. She has come to buy a golden thimble that she found in an ad of the store previously, and thinks that should be an ideal gift for her mother. After going around on the floor, she asks a clerk, who appears terribly busy attending to other customers, which floor she should go to for it, but he looks as if he doesn't hear her. Although she isn't sure now, wondering it might be in a gift section, she goes toward the elevators to find which floor there is a gift section on. There are two elevators, in front of which lots of people are waiting, so she also joins them. After a while, she sees an elevator arrives but nobody seems to care about it. She is the only person who moves forward and gets into it. Now in the elevator, only she and an elevator operator, a middle-aged man are inside. She feels awkward somehow and addresses the man.

"Is this kind of a private elevator for me? I'm not a VIP nor a frequent customer here..."

"This is an express for the 9th floor.. May I ask what in particular you are looking for?"

"I'm looking for a thimble...a golden thimble for my mother..."

"Oh, I see. It should be on the 9th."

"Here we are."

The door opens, but the floor is dimly lit inside and it seems that there is nothing but rows of empty showcases without any clerks or shoppers.

"This must be some kind of mistake..."

But the elevator starts to move down with the doors closed already.

"Is anybody here?"

Silence.

"How can I find a thimble here? There is no merchandise here. This must be a mistake!"

"Have someone attended you already?"

All of a sudden, a female clerk appears and speaks to her.

"Where did you come from? I didn't see anybody here!"

"You may not have been paying attention, ma'am. I've been here. Which item may I show you?"

"No, you haven't but it's okay. Well, I'm looking for a golden thimble which I saw in your ad...but I'm not sure you have that here. I can't see any items on this floor."

"Don't worry. We actually have the appropriate one for you. Follow this way."

Then, the lady clerk walks and she follows.

"Here you are."

As a matter of fact, it's a golden thimble.

"Oh, this is beautiful! Wonderful! It must be expensive. How much is it?"

"It's made of 24-karat gold. Since it's on a sale, it's 250 dollars."

"Not expensive, actually very reasonable. I'll take it."

"You made a wise choice, ma'am. Thank you very much, Marsha. And will you be paying in cash or credit?"

"I pay in cash. You know, I don't want things made complicated with signature or something.... But what did you say? Why did you know my name?"

"We must have met before in this store because you are a special customer..."

"That's impossible. This is the first time. I've never been here before."

"No. You just misunderstood..."

"How did I misunderstand something like this? Okay, never mind. Well, I have to go now."

"Yes, ma'am, thank you very much. It was my pleasure serving you. By the way, are you happy Ms White?"

"What? Why did you ask what was actually none of your business? How did you know my second and first name? What's the hell happening here? Why, you?"

"I'm just making conversation... Well, suit yourself. I leave you. Have a nice day!"

And just then, the elevator arrives and the doors open. Once Marsha inside, she doesn't see anyone on the floor...