The Dumbwaiter

You climb into the dumbwaiter box. It’s an uncomfortable fit, your back pressed against the wall, your chin tucked, your knees tucked tight against your chest. Your toes cramp as they push into the opposite wall.

Even so, you fit.

You begin to operate the pulley. 

This ought to be a fun ride, you think sarcastically.

It seems an aching long time as you lower yourself through the shaft, the pulley whining somewhere beyond, above, around you. Pressed into the box and traveling through the walls, you begin to feel claustrophobic. Your breathing becomes shallow and quick. Your head becomes light. Your body is determined to pass out but before you can, a beam of dusky light hits your face as the dumbwaiter bottoms out with a thump.