Living in New York City can be exciting—whether you’re strolling beneath the bright lights of Times Square or exploring one of its many historic landmarks. However, unexpected situations can still arise, such as finding yourself stuck in an elevator with a lawyer.
That’s exactly what happened to one woman. However, instead of simply waiting for someone to come to the rescue, she and her unexpected companion struck up a conversation. By the time she finally made it out of the elevator, she knew far more than she ever had about what she might be able to use in a lawsuit against the building. Fortunately, it all seems like harmless fun and games… right?
The video above was posted to the TikTok account @danessyauguste, which appears to belong to Danessy Auguste, a New York-based influencer. Her content largely centers on herself, her experiences, and her day-to-day life. In this particular video, she recounts being trapped in an elevator for more than an hour with, of all people, a lawyer. As the two chatted casually, she decided to take out her phone and record their conversation.
The comedic tone of the situation is unmistakable, and it is heightened when Danessy abruptly asks, “So you don’t know how much money we can get out of this?” The alleged lawyer responds, “You know, I’ve been doing some back-of-the-napkin calculations in my head, and I’m pretty sure, um, you know—especially if we claim some sort of pre-existing claustrophobia that was triggered by this. Can you fake a panic attack?”
New York Woman Becomes Trapped in Elevator with Lawyer
Commenters found the situation absolutely hilarious, with many praising Danessy for asking about it in the first place. One person joked, “Her thinking about that money.” Others, including lawyers, admitted they likely would have done the same thing. As one commenter put it, “As a lawyer I am always always doing ‘back of the napkin’ calculations to see if I can sue and get some money.”
By the end of the video, both Danessy and her new lawyer friend can be seen being rescued by workers. Danessy later posted an update video, clarifying that she was simply being friendly during an unusual situation. Still, if she ever finds herself stuck in an elevator again, she’ll at least have a better idea of the potential legal options.
