Possible Clues:

• Stand up on it
• Nonstop flight
• Alternative to 45 Down at the mall
• Energy-saving steps involve a real cost
• Way to the top, à la 12, perhaps
• One may move on to another American story
• Lazy person's stairs?
• Actor's ale drunk - it might go down smoothly
• Tea Carol's brewed - feature in big department store?
• In possession of mescal, a torturous way of getting high