The Grand Crest Hotel sat in the heart of downtown Chicago.
Its grand lobby boasted high ceilings and shining marble floors.
Sarah had worked at the front desk for five years.
She knew every corner of the massive historic building.
It was a quiet Tuesday afternoon near the central staircase.
Sarah was checking the evening guest reservation list.
She noticed Clara entering through the heavy glass doors.
Clara was six months pregnant and walked very slowly.
Her husband Mark walked right behind her with two bags.
Mark was the heir to a large real estate estate.
He carried himself with confidence and deep family pride.
Sarah smiled as she watched the couple cross the room.
They were heading toward the private VIP staircase upstairs.
The elevators were currently down for scheduled maintenance work.
Clara put her hand gently on her swollen belly.
Clara: I am so ready to rest in the room.
Mark: We will be upstairs in just one minute, honey.
Mark placed a warm hand on her small back.
Sarah looked over toward the bottom of the staircase.
Something unusual caught her eye near the second step.
A thin metal strip had come loose near the brass rail.
A spark flickered faintly underneath the thick patterned carpet.
Sarah felt her heart jump straight into her throat.
She dropped her clipboard onto the polished wooden desk.
The danger was invisible from where Clara was standing.
Clara raised her foot to take the very first step.
Sarah did not hesitate for even a single second.
She sprinted across the lobby floor as fast as possible.
Sarah: Stop right where you are right now!
Clara froze in place, looking totally confused and startled.
Sarah placed herself directly between Clara and the stairs.
She stepped in front of the bottom step immediately.
Mark rushed forward with a dark look on his face.
Mark: What do you think you are doing?
Mark: Get away from my wife this instant!
Sarah stood her ground and pointed toward the carpet.
Sarah: Do not take another step up these stairs!
Mark: You almost knocked her off her feet!
Mark: I will have you fired before nightfall!
Sarah: Look down at the second step right now!
Mark stopped yelling and looked down at the floor.
A bare electrical wire was sticking out near the metal edge.
It was connected directly to the high-voltage step lights.
Smoke was slowly rising from the dark carpet threads.
Mark stared at the wire with total shock and horror.
Mark: Oh my god, that is a live cable.
Sarah: She would have received a severe electric shock.
Clara took two big steps back toward the lobby.
Her hands were shaking violently against her warm coat.
Clara: Mark, I did not see that wire at all.
Mark: Stay back, honey, do not move near it.
Mark looked back up at Sarah with new eyes.
His previous anger turned into deep gratitude and concern.
Mark: You just saved my wife and my baby.
Sarah: I saw the spark from the front desk.
Mark: This wire was intentionally stripped and pulled out.