I live in a 9th floor flat.

Earlier today, going out for a meal, I got in the lift with a couple of friends.

It went down for a short while, then clunked to a stop, and the display said "Not in Service"

None of the buttons worked, including the door open one.

Pressed emergency alarm button, and a disembodied voice said an engineer is on the way.

A few minutes later, he spoke again "Are you still there?", dont know where he thought we would be.

Then told us that engineer would be about half an hour.

Sure enough, engineer arrived, forced the door open, and we saw that we were nearly on the 8th floor, with a steep step down.

At least I know the emergency button works.

First time that has happened to me in over 7 years living here.  Hopefully the last.