Return of the daleks
I’d barely gotten to sleep last night when I was woken by a disembodied dalek’s voice shrieking “EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!”
A check of my iPhone told me it was almost 2.30am and I realised that the voice I was hearing was coming from speakers I didn’t even know were in the ceiling in my room, and was in fact saying, “EVACUATE. EVACUATE.”
Argh! This is the fifth week in my new apartment and I felt like I was finally getting a handle on things.
I’ve worked out how to manoeuver my car into my teensy parking spot in the basement. I’m now remembering I need to take my key whenever I shut my door (as I need it for the elevator, stairwell, front security door etc) and I’m finally getting used to the rubbish chute on my floor (which is just the best invention EVER I have to say!).
But, although I’d seen the notice about setting off fire alarms (we can quickly push a button to avoid a call-out fee), I hadn’t bothered reading the evacuation instructions. Obviously they aren’t / weren’t rocket science (well, I’m assuming this as I still haven’t read them), but I knew to use the stairs and well… exit the building.
My bigger dilemma was what to wear. Given the time I was attractively attired in a baggy Nike t-shirt (with some of last night’s peppercorn sauce drizzled down it for added impact!) and short cotton cycle pants. Thankfully I had knickers on, but no bra. Of course. (I was in bed for god’s sake!)
I grabbed my phone off the charger. And pondered on what else I needed.
‘Should I throw a looser t-shirt over the other t-shirt, to make the bralessness less obvious?’ I wondered. I had visions of us huddled outside of the building with firemen and newspaper photographers (or social media fanatics) witnessing my braless state. I eventually (ie. seconds later!) decided it would be inappropriate of me to pause to don a bra or find an additional t-shirt, but I DID grab a hairband as my hair looks like a non-curly afro when I get out of bed.
The next decision – obviously – was what shoes to put on my feet. But, it appeared I’d inadvertently left my thongs next to the door for such an emergency so, keys and phone in hand I was ready to rush (bounce!) down the stairs.
Naturally it was a false alarm. Only four of us appeared and I’m pretty sure they were happy that I shared with them my braless state (as I kept my arms clutched across my bosom) and were relieved I’d done something about my hair.
Hyped up from the braless excitement I then couldn’t go back to sleep so have been blog reading since 4am, only taking a break for a quick walk as the sun rose.
I’ve had fire alarms and drills at work, but this is the first time I’ve had one at home (when I can’t just poke the alarm to turn it off when the toast burns!). I’m thinking I might need a bit of a plan for next time as I’m sure this will happen again. Perhaps a summer robe on the back of the door?!
Have you been caught in an evacuation?
Would you have donned a bra? (Boys, feel free to be honest here. We’re among friends.)
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Mel
December 5, 2012Haha too funny Deb! It always astounds me that people just seem to ignore fire alarms.
I was working from home one day a couple of weeks ago and the fire alarm went off. I grabbed Harley and my laptop and left (luckily I was appropriately attired to leave the house). It was about 4pm so I went across the road to a cafe, continued working and had a beer and some fries. It was actually pretty cool 😉
Debbish
December 5, 2012Mel, it’s the first time I’ve lived in (or been on holidays in) a complex where one has to evacuate. As I said, previously I’ve been in my own flat etc where you just turn your own smoke alarm off.
It was quite surreal but – yes – there were a few people who didn’t budge. Perhaps that will be me one day if it’s a regular occurrence. (Though I think middle of the night alarms would get me up. Mealtime ones may have me going ‘Meh.’)
Deb
Jo Tracey
December 5, 2012Well, the thought of Qld fire-ies would be enough to have me reaching for the bra…& the make-up…
Debbish
December 5, 2012Well, I was pondering how much time I could spend on preparation before heading downstairs. I didn’t want to appear TOO frivolous!
Liz
December 5, 2012If I was a boy, no 🙂
Debbish
December 6, 2012Hee hee. The only man down there was in his PJs. I didn’t mention though that the caretaker’s two kids were there (taking our total to six). They’re such cuties and they were excited but half-asleep. SO cute. (Don’t think they noticed the bralessness, but I did have to curb my confessions in front of them!)
Natalie (extralargeaslife)
December 5, 2012Bwahah, I love that you thought it was daleks! That’s amusing! I don’t know what i’d do, I generally sleep in a singlet and underwear all year round, so I think i’d have to throw something on. I’m a b cup so the braless thing doesn’t really matter for me. Apparently Mum’s set off the fire alarm twice since we moved into the new house, I haven’t heard it either times :S
Debbish
December 6, 2012God, you’d be in trouble if there was a fire. The good thing about this place is that there was no horrid alarm (that I could hear) just the voice appearing from NOWHERE (well, the ceiling!).
One of the other residents (one of the four to make it downstairs) made an announcement that it was a false alarm after they worked out there was a faulty switch. But I think the original EVACUATE message was recorded. Perhaps a more gentle voice is called for.
I can hear it now… ‘Evacuate sweeties….’ or a vampy voice, ‘Evacuate dahrlinks’. Hee hee.
Satu
December 6, 2012I must start thinking about hanging my bra around the door knob so it’s always available in case of fire… 🙂 Otherwise I would be super bouncy. 🙂
Debbish
December 6, 2012Yes… I must confess I put one near my bed last night. Think I might hand something near my door though! (I do have to look these neighbours in the eye again!)