[ WP ] Short story that takes place in a single elevator ride .

I tried to turn the classic elevator love story in a bit more satisfying direction. Sorry if it's a bit incomprehensible, I was slowly drifting off to sleep as I wrote. 
 
 Stewart ran across the countless steps to the elevator, while a brown case and a plastic tubular dangled on his side. Stronghold Technologies did n't have very strict rules - but you had to be at your work place on time, or a warning from the higher-ups was imminent. Stewart did n't have any significant violations behind him, but that was only because he always managed to get to his floor at the last minute. Punctual or not, New York traffic jams never bothered with such details, and could stomp around the morning city for hours. Nevertheless, the man was ready for the challenge. 
 
 This time he was lucky, as the elevator had already opened his welcoming doors and stood there, waiting for him, just like it always did. He was twice as lucky, as he saw Melinda in there. Melinda worked on 27th floor, just a couple of floors below him. Another promising young soul in the glassy heart of the biggest metal producer in America. Melinda had a black business suit, a long ponytail, and her usual square glasses on. Stewart always reminded himself to buy the same modern, slick glasses, as his round cheek-warmers were already a couple decades out of style when he bought them. But, just like always, there always were more pressing matters at hand. Besides, they looked somewhat in place with his wardrobe. He called it `` Engineer's Classics in Brown''. His friends called it `` Stop Being Such a Cheapskate''. 
 
 Junior Designer ran into the elevator, and almost dropped his baggage on the floor, as he tried to retake the breath, lost on the way from the bus. Melinda just barely glanced at him and pressed the button for her floor, as Stewart took a stronger hold of his possessions and tried to straighten his clothes. He looked in the mirror. Good thing he had the time to shave his uncertain beard. Most of the times it hid in his chin, certain to never grow into a beautiful substitute for manliness. But during the busy weeks, it tended to rise a bit and look outside, just enough to make him look like a raging drunkard. As he turned back to the elevator doors, his mind completely shut itself from all the beard-related problems, or the general problems of any kind. He was completely lost in Melinda. He worked for the company for about a year already, and throughout it, Melinda was his own personal haven. A drop of fresh water between the windy desert of morning commute, and Antarctic coldness of his daytime routine. Her brown ponytail was tied almost at the top of her head, and her sharp glasses only made her small face warmer by contrast. Even though she was standing with her face to the door, he could remember every feature on her face. Stewart tried to strike a conversation with her every time they met, but he never quite managed to force the words out of his mouth. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed and his arms almost clenched into fists. This was a familiar feeling. He'd often get it at night, just as he drifted off to sleep. A desire to change things. A desire to achieve something significant. A desire to win. It was the first time he would experience it in the middle of the day, and it made him drop his tubular to the elevator floor. Melinda turned to him. 
 
 -Are you alright? 
 
 -Yeah, thanks. Just a bit tired from the road. The traffic. It's horrible, you know – Stewart replied. He almost physically had to tear his sight from her face. 
 
 -Yes, it surely is – she replied, while slowly turning back to the door. 
 
 The next five stories flashed in complete silence. 
 
 Stewart felt the call for action again. This time, he managed to get a hold of himself. 
 
 -Say, Melinda... – he started, and she turned to him 
 
 -Yes? 
 
 -You know... - just as he wanted to start some awkward small talk, while elevator crawled to their floors, and they continued on with their weary lives, his mind almost snapped. He did n't know what that was – perhaps, a distant call of his ancient relatives, who did n't wish for the timely demise of their dynasty – or, more likely, an adrenaline rush from the morning marathon, but his words stuck in his throat, and instead, new ones came out. 
 
 -There is a new pizza place at the corner behind the tower. Do you want to go there with me? 
 
 Just as he said it, his sudden rush was gone. He was back with his usual self, and this self was completely lost, as to what to do next. His legs started shaking, and he suddenly understood what a perfect mess he did. There was no return. No more safe havens. No more quite rides in an elevator next to a nice colleague. No more Melinda. He quietly wept for his failures for five other stories, while Melinda stood quietly, with her back still turned to him. On the 22nd floor, she suddenly and sharply turned. Her face was bright red, and her hands gripped into her purse. She looked right through him. “ This is it ” - something shouted in Stewarts head - “ This is the end ”. 
 
 -Yes. Yes, yes, I'm... - Melinda paused, while finding his eyes, but then suddenly looked to the side – I'd like to, yes. It'd be nice... Yes – She nodded at the last moment, leading a complete count of yesses to five. Stewart did n't bother with a response. He simply stared at her, perhaps, a bit impolite, but it was understandable, considering the fact that his brain was busy with overloading sensors. Sensors were somehow still sure he was going to hunt, mate, or die – perhaps, all at the same die – so they kept all possible responses from coming from his mouth. He tried to say “ okay ”, but instead, he squeaked like a mouse, and decided to keep it shut. Meanwhile, elevator creeped to floor 24. 
 
 -Let's meet at six o'clock, down in the hall, alright? - Melinda said, finally watching him straight in the eyes. 
 
 -Yes. Yes. Let's do it. - Stewart added, like she was the one who proposed it. 
 
 Melinda stared at him for another floor. Then she leaned closer to him. Then she kissed him. Then she snapped back, and turned to the door, fast enough to almost knock her head on it. They stayed completely motionless for another floor, while her ears were getting deeper and deeper shades of red. Then she murmured something. Stewart somehow heard it from behind his shock, and even had enough willpower to ask: 
 
 -What? 
 
 -I said, I was getting tired of holding the elevator for you every damn morning. - She responded quietly, like she was hoping he still would n't hear it. 
 
 Suddenly, the elevator doors opened, and Melinda stormed out of the elevator, like it was on fire. The doors waited for a second, hoping someone else would exit, but then closed back with a quiet, unsatisfied “ clunk ”. Elevator started moving down, as Stewart remembered that he forgot to press the button for his floor. It did n't matter.
