Locked Out

📚 Story of the Week #25

Location Sydney, Australia 2017.

Jamie has returned from his trip to the city centre. His backpack is swung over his shoulder, and he's dressed in swim shorts and a t-shirt.

Jamie:
Hey – are you awake?
I have a quandary
I’m locked out of my friend’s flat in Sydney
And need my suitcase and passport
My friend is out, and hasn’t seen my messages
So I can’t get in
My flight leaves in 2.5 hours. Takes 1 hour to get to the airport

Friend:
Aaaah
So stressful
Err and yeah
It’s not even 5am yet m8
What are your options?

Jamie:
1) Wait for my friend to help and hope for the best
2) Scale the outside wall onto the balcony and go through the open balcony door

Friend:
Tell me more about Option 2
What are the risks to your health and criminal record?

Jamie:
Criminal… none, I suppose
And health – I’ll take a picture

That ledge is the balcony. The higher one.
It’s about a 10m drop, like as high as a house

Friend:
How are you taking the photo that high up?

Jamie:
I pleaded to a neighbour and they let me into the complex. I’m at the hallway window now near the front door of the flat.

Friend:
Aaah gotcha
So you’d climb across and up

Jamie:
Yep

Friend:
Idk
Could you petition help from the flat below?
If you go from their balcony
With them supporting you
That would minimise the chance of you dying
Also, if your friend does get back to you and you miss your flight, what are the repercussions in terms of money and time

Jamie:
Erm dunno on time but it’d be about £1,000

Friend:
Aw shit.

Jamie:
Yeah…

Friend:
Well
I don’t feel comfortable advising you to climb up the height of a house
But if you were telling me this story
I would assume that you were going to do it
Because that’s what you’re like

Jamie:
I do have my climbing shoes with me
And chalk

Friend:
…
Of course
You have that in your bag but not keys

Jamie:
The footholds are weak though

Friend:
You need to reprioritise your packing
The scary bit for me is
Pulling your body weight up
From the railing to the balcony above

Jamie:
Yeah it’d be all finger strength
Ugh….

Friend:
Could you get a locksmith to you within 90 minutes?
Or like 80 minutes now

Jamie:
Ah yes! Hidden option 3
Let me search

Friend:
Wait. Whose flat is it?
Would that be ethical?

Jamie:
I mean, it is the flat of one of my best friends and I’ve been staying here for a week
I have a thank you present in my bag for them
That’s what I went out to buy
I guess if they break down the door
It can be a ‘I’m sorry’ present (and a note saying I'll cover the damages...)

Friend:
Oh damn
Yeah. Sometimes it busts the lock.

Jamie:
Ok locksmith is here

Friend:
Jesus that was quick

Jamie:
He said he lives next door

Friend:
That is insanely lucky

Jamie:
He said he has to cut the lock out the door 😫

Friend:
Ah crap
Where is your friend? Won’t their flat just be left open unguarded if you have to leave for your plane?

Jamie:
Yeah
I don’t think I can buy a new door in like 75 minutes

Friend:
Dunno. Knowing you, you probably could

Jamie:
I’m in! I’m in!
This man is a wizard
Almost kissed him

Friend:
Yay! Well done locksmith god!

Jamie:
Ok packed. Now I need a cab.

Jamie:
The reward coffee. I made it 😭

Friend:
Well done dude. See your jammy face in London

Unknown Knowns

Known Unknowns are things that we acknowledge exist, but we don't know what they are or how they work yet. How to open a locked door, for example. I know that knowledge exists, but I don’t have it stored in my brain.

Unknown Knowns are slightly different. These are things we know exists but we've forgotten about them, like realising that locksmiths are a thing, and they might live next door and save you from missing your flight home.

Stay curious,

Jamie