As I lay on the couch trying to ditch the cold that had driven me out of the office, a fire alarm went off. This happens occasionally when they test the system so I didn’t think much of it.

I went downstairs to check things out; the building manager was there and looked pretty unpanicked, talking to someone on the phone while the alarm panel went crazy. The elevators were out so I had to walk back up to my apartment. No big deal, I thought; they’ll shut it off in a minute. Then the second-stage alarm came on. A bit more concerned now I step out on my balcony; a fire chief’s van has just pulled up in front, lights on, and I hear sirens about to turn the corner onto my street.

Right, time to go. Stuff the cats in their carrier bags — which they do not like, by the way — and carry them down to the lobby. A bunch of people have gathered down there already, with pets & babies in tow, waiting for the all-clear. Eventually it was deemed safe to go back to our little boxes in the sky, much to the relief of the cats, who’d been howling the entire time.

Jeez…I can’t imagine carrying them down (and back up) 20-odd stories. I hope this doesn’t happen in our new condo building…