Last night I got back to my building a tick after midnight. It was cold and miserable out and though I wasn’t especially tired, I was just happy to be inside.

The building I live in is big, three elevators to take care of the traffic. There’s usually one at the ground floor while the other two work their way up and back down. I spotted a waiting elevator, doors open, as over my right shoulder, I saw a guy also just in from the rain. I was a few steps ahead of him but figured he was hoping to catch that elevator just the same.

I figured correctly. In no hurry, I strode over inside and waited just long enough to hit the button for the 9th floor to keep the doors from closing on him. I had a hat on and earbuds in, so I wasn’t expecting a courtesy of any size for not rushing away, let alone being able to return the gesture. But we did exchange a small glance when he got on the elevator, and I may even have nodded.

What happened next, happens rarely: Once through the doors, he saw that the button for his floor had already been pushed. I’d never seen the guy, but apparently he was my neighbor. Fair enough, then, there are maybe 20 apartments on my floor. But a few hundred people live in the building, generally one for young families, so thinking back I see the odds are very much against this set of circumstances.

As soon as I recognized that he saw that his floor was already pushed, without making eye contact, I made a small noise of realization. And pressed the button for 6.

The doors closed. He and I still looked straight ahead, long nights each, both now having taken a weird turn. It was only a few more seconds until we reached the 6th floor. I stepped out of the elevator and turned fully back around, one earbud now in each hand. In my best guy-from-The Warriors voice, I said: “Have a good niiiight.” My neighbor and I locked eyes until the doors were once again fully closed.

I swear I’m not ever this creepy. The guy was in his 30s, he could take it. It’s not like there were any kids around. And if he were freaked out, he’d have himself a story to tell. Plus, when an opportunity for harmless fun ever presents itself, you have to think quickly and act even more quickly. Otherwise, it’s a “Jerk Store” situation and all you can do is regret it and tell the story as if it actually happened this way, if it happened at all.

April Fool’s.