ook! i set off the emergency alarm in our building's lift! it was when i took dismantled pieces of a huge filing cabinet upstairs to the trash room, although i shouldn't perhaps say "dismantled," since that does imply disassembly in a more skilful fashion than the way i managed it. (rules: if you see a screw, unscrew it. if you see a nail, remove it. anything else in the way, like jammed drawers, give it a good shove until something gives.) i got in the lift and put the pieces down and leaned them against the wall and apparently, against the emergency button as well. and there was no way you could cancel the call, that was the trouble. there i was rousing the building with earsplitting sirens and the intercom was crackling and some gruff voice says, what's going on? and i say nononono, i'm sorry, i'm sorry, it was an accident! and they said oh all right and forgave me. well at least i know now that if the lift jams i'd be rescued in a jiffy.