As an eager IB student heading into the last year of high school and considering a career in law, finding a volunteer opportunity that allows me to work at the B.C. Supreme Court puts me right up there on cloud nine. However, I soon learned that there are so much more than elegant smart suits and snappy speeches in the Court building.

I got dropped off a bit early that day, at around 8:15, and waited a while in the lobby before going over to the sheriff to grab the key for the room where my clinic was going to take place. So there I was, in my white blouse and freshly-pressed black pants, a binder in one hand and a few keys jingling in the other, eagerly waiting for the lawyer and the clients to arrive. You see, being a complete clutz most of the time, I was ecstatic that so far the day went back without me walking into any poles or spilling coffee on someone. I got in the elevator to take me down to level one, where I knew a nice carpetted seating area and a sheriff would greet me.

None came.

Instead, the elevator doors opened and I stepped out to a small, unfamiliar room. The guy waiting for the elevator gave me a sheepish smile and walked into the elevator. I realized I must’ve pressed Parking Level One, instead of the Level One. I didn’t want the guy to know I got off the wrong floor so I pressed the button again after the door closed. No problem.

Except the button didn’t light up.

Hmm. Maybe both elevators were going to Level Four or something. I waited. And pressed. No sound. No movement. Five minutes later, I was still standing stupidly in the holding area pressing the button, pretending I knew what the hell I was doing. I took out my cell phone to call my mom and get her to get back and maybe take the elevator down … crap, No Network Signal. Alright… don’t panic. Time to find a way out through the massive underground parking lot and pray that there’s no card that one has to swipe to open the outside gate. I opened the only other door in the room and hoped maybe to see some source of light in the parking lot. But noooo… there had to be ANOTHER door behind the first one. These lawyers, so damn strict about security! That’s when I saw writing at the back of the first door.

Authorized Personnel Only.
Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Card Access After Public Hours

Okay, phew, I was so close to buzzing security with the intercom beside the elevator. It was now 8:26 AM. I just needed to wait a few more minutes and the elevators will work and NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW I WAS TRAPPED IN THE SUPREME COURT BUILDING. No wonder that guy gave me an embarassed smile earlier. At 8:29, I heard voices from the other side of the double doors. CIVILIZATION! I’m saved I’m saved! Sure enough, a few seconds later people walked into the little room. Have I ever mentioned lawyers are intimidating? Well they’re more intimidating when there are fifteen of them all cramped in a little room giving ME weird looks. Ten silent seconds later, a lady beside me asked the man next to him, “Is the button lit up? It doesn’t look…” In the faint light it was hard to tell. The man stepped forward and pressed the Up Arrow. Green light lit up and shone brightly. Somewhere above the elevator whirred to a start.

Okay God, this is the part where you make me melt into the floor. By now, I could feel a dozen or so pairs of eyes on the back of my head. The lady who spoke gave me a puzzled look and laughed.

Ding. Thank GOD. Last thought of the day? Being in a crowded elevators filled with lawyers is not very pleasant, especially when you’re a head shorter than all of them and not wearing fancy suits -____-

(My clinic went fine though, phew. The uber nice lawyer gave me all these advice for law school!)

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