The Clutter That Stopped the Elevators

Ms. Harding, this is your seventh ticket.

Building manager Finn, a young man, handed over the pink slip, avoiding my gaze.

Forty dollars. With the previous six, Id been fined $280 this month for obstructing the hallway.

I glanced at the AED in the corner and smiled wryly. Id bought it three months ago for $2,500, placing it on the 17th?floor landing because Mr. Davies across the hall has a heart condition.

Ms. Harding, I cant help it, Finn whispered. Ms. Peterson reported it again. She even went to the city council

Ms. PetersonLaura from 1702. Ever since she learned reports earned reward points for groceries, the buildings been in chaos.

I sighed. Fine, Ill move it.

Finn looked surprised. Huh?

Id already opened an app, finger over Terminate Service. After three seconds, I pressed it.

[Everest Elevators C Vista Towers, Building 1 C Annual Maintenance Contract Terminated]

Im Chloe Harding, 32, lived here fifteen years, always the good Samaritan.

It all started two months ago.

I came home from work that day, stepped out of the elevator, and saw Laura Peterson standing by my door, snapping photos with her phone.

Ms. Peterson, what are you

Chloe Harding, you have far too much stuff piled up in the hallway, she said, not looking up. Fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, and this big metal box. You know thats public space, right?

I followed her gaze.

That big metal box was the AED Id just installed last month.

An automated external defibrillator, something that could save a life in an emergency.

Mr. Davies was 68 this year, and his heart wasnt good. Once, hed had an episode in the hallway, and if I hadnt happened to pass by, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

After that, I bought this machine and even got certified in CPR and first aid.

Ms. Peterson, this is a defibrillator, for Mr. Davies across the hall

I dont care what kind of instrument it is, she cut me off. Rules are rules. You cant put things in the hallway.

Its life-saving equipment.

Then put it inside your own apartment! Whats the point of putting it in the hallway? To show off how rich you are?

I was stunned.

Show off how rich I was?

This thing cost $2,500. I specifically found an inconspicuous corner to place it, afraid neighbors would think I was flaunting my wealth.

Ms. Peterson, if its in my apartment, there wont be enough time to get it out if something happens.

Thats your problem.

She shoved her phone in front of my face. It was the reporting interface, the photo already uploaded.

Ive already submitted it. If the building management doesnt handle it within 72 hours, the city council will send someone.

With that, she turned and walked away.

I stood there, clutching my keys, motionless for a long time.

The door across the hall opened a crack, and Mr. Davies poked his head out.

Chloe, I heard everything, he sighed. Maybe you should move the machine. Dont cause trouble for my sake.

Dont worry, Mr. Davies. The machine stays.

He hesitated, then added, Dont mind Laura Peterson. Thats just how she is.

I know.

I actually knew more than just that.

I knew more than anyone else in the entire building.

The next day, building management showed up.

It was Old Man Miller, who had been with the building for almost ten years.

Ms. Harding, about this He looked at the AED with a troubled expression. According to the rules, you really cant put things in the hallway.

Old Man Miller, this is a defibrillator. It saves lives in critical moments.

I know, but someone reported it, and I cant just ignore it.

So, what do you suggest?

Old Man Miller scratched his head. How about you move it inside for now? Just until things calm down

Old Man Miller.

I cut him off, my voice calm.

Who pays to replace the fire extinguishers in this building every year?

His expression stiffened.

Who bought the motion-sensor lights for the hallways?

Who installed the public water dispenser?

Old Man Miller lowered his head, saying nothing.

Only the building management knew about these things.

For fifteen years, I had never mentioned them to any neighbor.

Ms. Harding, I know you do a lot, but

Alright, I wont make it difficult for you.

I unmounted the AED from the wall and carried it into my apartment.

Old Man Miller looked relieved. Thank you for understanding, Ms. Harding.

I closed the door without answering.

I opened my phone and found the buildings group chat.

Sure enough, Laura Peterson was posting her battle report:

[Report successful! The illegal clutter on the 17th floor has been removed. Everyone should report violations promptly to maintain public order. [Rose emoji]]

Below, a flurry of likes.

And messages:

[Ms. Peterson is amazing!]

[Who is that on the 17th floor? How can they be so shameless, taking up public space?]

[Exactly, some people just have no self-awareness.]

I watched silently, scrolling through them one by one.

Seventy-two households, and not a single person remembered that AED cost me $2,500.

Not a single person remembered

This elevator hadnt had a single breakdown in fifteen years.

Laura Petersons reports didnt stop.

The third day, the first-aid kit was reported.

My first-aid kit, placed on the 15th-floor landing, contained bandages, antiseptic, band-aids, and the heart medication Id specifically added.

Fine: $40.

The fifth day, the public water dispenser was reported.

Id installed that water dispenser eight years ago, replaced the filters twice a year, and paid the electricity bill.

When building management came to me, they had a Notice of Rectification for Illegal Occupation of Public Space.

Ms. Harding, Ms. Peterson says she doesnt know who installed this water dispenser, and if it leaks electricity, its a safety hazard.

I installed it.

Even so, its not allowed. It wasnt reported, didnt follow procedure

Fine: $40.

The seventh day, the shared umbrellas Id placed for children in the hallway were reported.

It was a plastic bucket with about ten umbrellas, which I replenished annually.

Kids who forgot their umbrellas on rainy days could borrow them and return them after use.

Laura Peterson called it random clutter, affecting the buildings appearance.

Fine: $40.

The tenth day, the fire extinguishers were reported.

Eighteen floors, two fire extinguishers per floor, all replaced at my own expense every year.

The building managements fire extinguishers had expired three years ago. I couldnt bear to see them, so I paid out of my own pocket to replace them.

Laura Peterson said: The fire extinguishers are too old and faded, affecting the hallway aesthetics.

Fine: $40.

I stood in the building management office, five pink tickets spread out before me.

Ms. Harding, Old Man Miller sighed, I really Ms. Peterson, you know how she is

I knew.

I knew all too well.

Laura Peterson, 52, retired, her husband a section chief at the citys consumer protection agency.

She moved into this building three years ago, and in her first month, she reported the barbecue stall downstairs, the hardware store on the ground floor, and the pigeon coop on the top floor.

She exchanged reports for points, earning over four hundred cartons of groceries in a year.

Old Man Miller, Ill pay those fines.

I slapped $200 in cash on the table.

He opened his mouth. Ms. Harding

But I have a condition.

Tell me.

From today on, Im taking everything I bought for this building.

Old Man Miller froze. Huh?

The fire extinguishers, the first-aid kits, the water dispenser, the motion-sensor lights, the shared umbrellas, and that defibrillator.

Ms. Harding, these these are public facilities

No, I corrected him. They are my private property. Your building management has never paid a cent for any of these things.

I slapped a stack of invoice photocopies on the table.

Fifteen years of invoices are all here. Take a look yourself.

Old Man Miller flipped open the first page, his hand starting to tremble.

2009 C 36 fire extinguishers, $576.

2010 C 18 hallway motion-sensor lights, $720.

2012 C 1 public water dispenser, $240, annual filter fee $96.

2024 C 1 AED defibrillator, $2,500.

Page after page, densely packed.

Old Man Millers face turned pale.

Ms. Harding, this in these fifteen years, youve spent a total of

One hundred seventy-four thousand eight hundred sixty-four dollars.

I stated the number, my tone flat.

As if talking about the weather.

Dont thank me, I was willing. But now someone finds these things an eyesore, so Im taking them back.

Old Man Miller stood up, his lips trembling. Ms. Harding, please dont be impulsive. These things everyone uses them

So?

So just dont bother with it. Ms. Peterson is

Old Man Miller, I cut him off. Am I being difficult? Did I report her clothes drying in the public area? Did I report the shoe rack she put in the hallway? Did I report her taking up a public parking spot?

He fell silent.

I didnt. I just did what I wanted to do and spent the money I was willing to spend.

I stood up, gathering the invoice photocopies.

But she doesnt appreciate it and still wants to fine me. Fine, then I wont do it anymore.

I walked out, stopping at the door.

Oh, one more thing.

What is it?

Our company maintains the elevators in this building.

Old Man Millers expression was as if hed seen a ghost.