Here's a snapshot of one event in an otherwise mundane week. 

One of your luxury homes sold and will close in 10 days so you're out at the property checking security.  The mansion sits on 5 wooded acres that backs up to more wooded acres in the middle of nowhere & deer wander the streets at all hours- it was very picturesque. And remote. (Important foreshadowing). For some odd reason, you decide to go out on a 2nd floor balcony for better views of the yard.  Suddenly the wind slams the door shut behind you.  Not usually a problem. Except you didn't check the lock on the knob and now you're locked out! 

What to do? 

Got the cell phone - yea!  If you call 911, they'll come to the rescue but may end up chopping the front door down or damaging the pristine back yard. 

Decide to call everyone you know but no one picks up.  So now there are messages all over the area with your cryptic call for help.  You could wait for someone to call back.  Surely it wouldn't take more than 2 hours for help to arrive.  But you might have the front door key in your pocket (and no, it doesn't work on the locked door).

How about yelling?  Hmmm.... not likely to help as you're in the middle of 4 acres.

Should you jump? The drop looks bad but can't be more than 8-10 feet to the deck below. 



So you carefully lower yourself over the bannister and are hanging by your fingers.  Then it happens. You lose your grip and before you know it, you've landed in a heap on the deck below.  Stand up and do a quick body check.  No broken bones - Yea!  You do walk funny for a couple of days but no one asks why.  They all know.  And they saved your voice messages.

Question of the week - what would a sane person have done?