i know. it does sound weird. but let me tell you, elected officials at high levels have some of the most dedicated staff who do nothing but protect them. even the mayor. and that attitude transfers to the executive and administrative and event logistics staff when they are guests at an event - "should we tell invited guests that the mayor and the prez are stuck in an elevator?" "GOD NO JUST STALL THEM FOR A FEW MINUTES MORE THERE'S A TECHNICIAN ON THE WAY THEY SHOULD BE OUT IN JUST A COUPLE OF MINUTES". because the logic would be - well, they aren't getting out of a stuck elevator any time soon, so i'll just leave. but if you don't know they're stuck in an elevator, you're just waiting, getting more and more impatient, but you don't want to get up and get your stuff together just as the mayor waltzes in. nor do you want to be conspicuous in leaving because you are an important business person and everyone is watching who leaves and who stays. "did you hear about ______?" "ohmigod, it was hilarious - they got up and left after they said the mayor was stuck in an elevator - if they waited just another five minutes they would have seen him show up" "yeah, that was like the shortest elevator stoppage ever" "i know. i heard they are persona non grata right now with _____ because of that" "oh really?!!" "yesh".
public servants do some funny things when it involves perception, and protecting the reputation of elected officials. i get ordered to re-word emails all the time, and i'm just barely aboveground on the totem pole.