Fire and ice

8:17 a.m

Drew Long was on topic number five when everything went black. Shelly stayed glued to her chair, thinking the backup generators would kick in any second. They did not, which was very strange. Even stranger was the sound of the loading-dock doors closing and locking automatically, as if a ghost had thrown the switch.

“What the hell’s going on?” Hal Miller said.

“Everybody stay calm,” Drew said. “I’m sure it’s just a glitch.”

In the event of a catastrophic spill-say, one of the fifty-five-hundred-gallon tanks rupturing or something-all the doors in the plant could be closed by a central switch in the main power closet. The doors had strips of rubber on their bottoms that created an airtight seal, thereby containing the spill until a hazardous-materials crew could come in and clean it up. In theory, everyone in the production area was to be evacuated before the doors went down. Once the doors were closed, there was no way in or out until the hazmat team declared an all clear.

Shelly heard Drew fumbling around at his desk. He pulled a flashlight out of a drawer and switched it on. He picked up the telephone receiver and started punching in numbers and then said, “Shit.”

“The phone’s not working?” Shelly said.

“It’s not,” Drew said. “Listen, I want you all to stay here while I go up front to see what’s going on.”

“How about we all go up front to see what’s going on?” Fred Philips said.

“No, there’s no point in all of us stumbling around in the dark. I’ll be back in two shakes. Promise. I only have the one flashlight, but I’ll leave it here with you guys. Try not to use up the batteries.”

“How are you going to find your way?” Hal asked.

“I know this plant like the back of my hand. Plus, there’s a little bit of light filtering in through the ventilation fans. I’ll be all right.”

Back in two shakes…

Like the back of my hand…

Drew and his cliches.

“We’ll be here,” Shelly said.

Drew handed her the flashlight. “Shelly’s in charge while I’m gone.”

“Gee, thanks,” Shelly said.

Drew opened the office door and disappeared into the blackness.