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having been a property manager for 15+ years and dealing with multiple elevators, their mechanics and quirks, I can’t let this one go past. First of all, kudos for giving the guy the name "Otis." Most people think Otis invented the elevator but he didn’t. What he invented was the "fail-safe" braking system that prevent an elevator from doing exactly what Chloe’s elevator did. An elevator CANNOT free-fall, thanks to Mr. Otis. Any time an elevator starts to slip, the brakes automatically grab tight onto the tracks and stop it. And it’s not something that can be tampered with. You’d have to virtually take the entire elevator apart to override the system. Writing something like this into a script does the public a horrible injustice and perpetuates the fear that an elevator can fall. Probably the most it could go is one, MAYBE two floors before the brakes catch.
Here’s a good site: http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blelevator.htm
Another thing most people don’t know is that if the building has six or less (this is often arbitrary) floors, they will use a hydraulic (instead of a cable) elevator. That is pushed up by a large "post" from the bottom up. It would also be impossible for this elevator to fall as the post would be there. If something happened where it lost the hydraulic fluid, it would just slide down slowly. So, now you can go into an elevator with less fear.
That said, at least they got it right about letting Johnny go to sleep after a head injury but waking him up periodically to make sure he hasn’t slipped into a coma. It used to be you’d never let a head injury patient go to sleep. So, Days got that one right…at least!
elevators and comas! I know I for one – every time I get into an elevator – the thought always fleetingly crosses my mind about plunging
– (guess too many horror movies when I was younger – and I’m afraid of heights) – luckily, in my area – (within 30 miles) there are only two story buildings so I don’t have to worry about it so much – otherwise, I’d be in a coma! This storyline is way too familiar, right down to the "Otis" bit. Unless I’m crazy (which could be argued!), I am almost certain that this exact same scenario has been done on Days before… including the saboteur named Otis.
And you’re right about elevators having safety devices to prevent them plummeting. I thought Otis said something about being on the 10th floor (but I may have heard that incorrectly). If there is a 10th floor at Salem University Hospital, there wouldn’t be a hydrolic pole, but you’re right, there certainly would be emergency brakes.
As usual, it’s all about "da plot".
Jenn
I use elevators, but I’ve always had a fear of them free falling, now I can ride in one more confidently.
in the Salem hospital several years ago. ROTFLMAO!!! For the younger fans, or non-"Friends" fans – Joey (a charactor on "Friends" that was an actor) got the part of Dr. Drake Ramorey on Days of Our Lives. They even included a couple scenes of him with the Days actors. It was great. But, Joey had an interview with a soap mag and trashed the writers, saying they weren’t important, it was all about the actors improvising. Next thing he knows, the writers have Dr. Drake plunging to his death down the open elevator shaft. It was hilarious. Jennifer Aniston’s character was a hoot through the whole thing. She played a huge Days fan with the hots for Bo (I think) but didn’t care for Victor at all. Watch for it on reruns.
Watching Joey try to perfect the raised eyebrow manuever that John Black was teaching him. I was howling!
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