Between Floors

Text 1: The Brass Cage, by Elinor Voss

An original novel extract.

The lift was built for four passengers and one attendant. Eli stood behind the brass rail, where the ceiling dipped low enough to brush his hair. Each time the doors met, the cabin gave a little shiver and began its climb. A brass arrow crawled past the numbered floors; the small bell above it gave a neat, bright note.

People came and went without looking at him. They held out room keys or named a floor, and Eli repeated each destination in the same clear voice. One man left a wet umbrella across the rail. A woman stepped over Eli’s foot without noticing. He moved it back, then stood square again, his uniform buttons catching the cabin’s yellow light. The lift rose and sank around him, carrying the smell of rain, perfume and warm coats.

At half past nine, between the sixth and seventh floors, the cabin stopped. The lamps stayed on. Somewhere above, music continued, muffled as if behind a closed door. Eli pressed the brass call button. Nothing answered. He waited, then pressed it again. When the lift finally jerked down to the basement, the doors opened on an empty corridor. Before Eli could step out, the bell sounded above him. He turned towards it.

How does Elinor Voss use language and structure to present Eli’s experience of working in the lift?

You should use relevant subject terminology to support your answer.