Random Thoughts from Childhood Series – Potato Chips
April 5, 2010
Mat's Memories From Childhood
POTATO CHIPS
It was late summer 73’ and I had gone down to the office and entered the lower level which was a basement. I walked down this tight narrow hallway and noticed on the left wall three buttons lined top to bottom next to a wood door with a handle. I stopped and grabbed the handle and pulled up to see what was inside. The door hit the top and inside was dirty dishes. A couple of different size plates, a coffee cup, and silverware. I realized it was a miniature elevator, a butler elevator. I had never seen one in person before but, had seen them used in some TV programs and movies. I ran out of the building to find my brother and to tell him what I had found.
I found my brother and in great excitement, I told him about the mini elevator and he went and grabbed two other kids and we headed back to the office basement. I pointed the elevator out to them and opened the door so they could see what was inside. Suddenly, one of the kids said take out the dishes and let’s see where it goes. It sounded good to me so I removed the dishes and placed them on the floor around the corner. We all stared inside the empty elevator and realized that it was an extremely small area. Who was going to get inside? Then the other kids and my brother at the same time turned their heads and looked at me. My brother said I was the smallest one and told me to climb up inside. I climbed inside and it was very tight. I had to pull my knees to my chest but, I fit! Someone pulled the door down and just as it shut I heard an adult yell “What are you boys doing?” followed by “You do not belong down here and need to leave.” My heart starts to pound! I think “Did he see me climb in?” I sit completely silent and can hear the other kids exit the building and hear the door close behind them. I wait for several minutes and hearing nothing, I pull the door open and sneak a quick look and notice the coast is clear. I jumped out and ran for the exit. I burst through the door and ran to find the other kids. I had just dodged a bullet.
I met up with the other kids later in the evening to formulate a plan on how we can use the elevator and for what. An older kid was brought in and he recommended that we use the elevator to get into the kitchen and raid it for goodies. I thought that was a great plan! I automatically had visions in my head of cookies, cakes, and candy. It was decided the raid would happen tomorrow evening after the staff left for the day. I went to bed in great excitement thinking about the well crafted plan we had come up with and felt that I could barely wait for tomorrow.
I woke up and started my daily routine and the day flew by. The time had come to place our plan into motion. We get to the elevator and I climb up inside and the other kids tell me to look for candy, cake and cookies. The door is closed and the elevator jerks into motion and slowly heads up to the kitchen on the second floor. The elevator comes to a stop and I pause for a moment and listen to make sure no adult was still inside the kitchen. I hear nothing and open the door and poke my head out and scan left to right before I climb out. I climb out and notice the counter tops, appliances, and food racks where made of shiny stainless steel. I have never seen such a clean room. I turn left and notice the evening sun setting and how beautiful the deep orange light was as it filtered through the trees outside and entered the west windows. The light struck the stainless steel which scattered into pieces, reflecting like a disco ball. It hits me that I see no food at all. The kitchen racks and shelves where empty and I could see no sign of food anywhere. I did not plan for this and was not sure what to do. I walked around and looked in every nook and cranny and nothing! What kind of kitchen has no food? I realize I’m taking too long and just as panic starts to swell up inside me, I notice a beam of sun light shooting across the room. The dust particles are swirling inside the light beam and seem to ride the light across the room. I follow the beam to its end and notice it was lighting up a large tin canister. I cross the room and notice it’s a container of potato chips. What a beautiful sight, it was lit up like a fine piece of jewelry inside a glass case. I get within grabbing distance from the chips and then freeze. It seemed out of place and what if it was a trap? Was I the mouse in this case? The moment passed quickly and I grabbed the canister and headed to the elevator but, before I placed it inside I decided to open and make sure there were chips inside. I pried the lid open and it was full of chips! I grabbed one and ate it and that was one good chip! I placed the canister in the elevator and realize there was not enough room for me and the canister. I quickly decided to send the chips first, so I closed the door to the elevator and pushed the down button. The kids below sent the elevator backup to me. I opened the door and climbed inside and pull the door down. It hits me that with the door closed, I could not push the elevator button! I open the door and reach out and push the button. Nothing happens! Dang! The door must be closed for the elevator to work. I close the door and just as I decide to yell, the elevator lurches and starts to go up. That’s the wrong the direction!
I knew the third floor held several bedrooms and figured an adult was calling the elevator to put dishes inside. I buried my face in my knees and did my version of the Wizard of Oz. I kept repeating to myself “I’m not here… I’m not here…” My heart is pounding and it becomes hard for me to breath. The elevator comes to a stop and just as the anticipation becomes unbearable, the elevator starts going down. I get to the basement and open the door and the other kids are laughing. They thought it would be funny to send me to the third floor and I guess it was for them but, not so much for me. It was dusk now and we hustle back behind cottage one and two. We place the canister of chips down by a tree that had a rope and tire as a swing and began to gorge ourselves. I think I had shiny lips for a week after eating all those potato chips and decided the overall experience was not worth ever doing again, so ended my only successful heist.
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