She was pushing a cart with fresh cleaning supplies.

“You know,” she said with a little smile, “nobody has told me to use a different elevator all week.”

“Good,” I said.

“There never should have been a made-up rule in the first place.”

“I know.

I just didn’t know someone important would ever say it.”

I wanted to tell her she was important, too, but I knew how hollow that might sound coming from someone who still enjoyed a private office and a generous salary.

So I asked her about the newly published facilities procedures instead.