Did I mention that I love my job?18:58 Aug 29 2008
Times Read: 836
This morning became much more of an adventure than I had bargained for.
I enjoy conducting environmental investigations of abandoned buildings, especially pre-demolition surveys. I get to commit wanton destruction and mayhem. I open up walls with whatever is handy, even my bare hands, just to see what is inside the wall cavity or on the other side.
I was conducting one such investigation on the east side of Dallas in an industrial area. The subject property was a 4-story office building, abandoned about 4 years ago. The lender met me onsite and let me into the building. They had arranged for temporary power and had turned on the emergency lighting and the air conditioning for my comfort. Actually, they had been on since yesterday for other disciplines to walk it, and I was the last entity scheduled to inspect the structure before its impending demolition in a couple of weeks. I expressed my appreciation for everything and he left, after telling me to watch for a reported pack of wild dogs roaming the area.
The building was warm inside, but not as warm as outside. The air was slightly stale but I could feel the currents caused by the under-charged AC system. The emergency lighting provided plenty of light to see by; every room had at least one fluorescent light on, and large common areas had about every 4th fixture illuminated. The elevators were not working; the doors pried open and the cars sitting in the basement. The stairwells were dim.
I started my inventory of suspect materials on the first floor and worked my way to the top. Then I intended to collect representative samples on my way down, saving the basement and, presumably, dirtiest work for last. The first and second floors contained large common areas, small offices, conference rooms and break rooms. The third floor was dominated by a large computer room with a raised computer floor. This was surrounded by various support rooms. There were no windows on the third floor. The fourth floor was mostly executive offices, luxury restrooms (which reeked, the pee traps having dried up years ago), and an enormous conference room.
I started collecting and logging samples of building materials, disappointed that all of the rooms were unlocked (I rather enjoy kicking down doors) and nothing of innate coolness or interest presented itself for salvage. (OK, I admit it, I am a packrat). I collected my sample kit and proceeded to the third floor.
I picked a side room with a beat-up metal desk as my work station for this floor. Here I could stage my samples and fill out my paperwork at a reasonable height. Much of the suspended ceiling had been removed from the central computer room, parts of the grid and electrical cables hanging like jungle vines. Several of the 2’ panels had been removed from the raised floor, holes and loose panels scattered about. I moved easily about the floor, collecting my samples; my weapons of choice being a box knife, small plastic bags and a Sharpie marker.
I was standing near the elevator lobby in an oversized doorway or opening when the computer room suddenly became darker. I looked up to see the fluorescent lights wink out. Even the Exit signs were extinguished. Remember when I mentioned that there were no windows on the third floor? Here was where I first noticed it. The blackness pressed over my eyes. I honestly couldn’t tell if they were open or shut, the absence of light so absolute. I could hear the air handlers and fans coast to a stop. The air was suddenly still. The buzz of the underpowered electrical light ballasts silenced. I could hear a high-pitched keening sound that I had previously ignored much more clearly, although I couldn’t identify the direction or source. Something much more important than merely the lights going off had just happened. I could feel it. The walls rushed away from me; all except the right side of the doorframe. I knew it was within arms reach. But I had turned all the way around, maybe twice, since the lights went out. Was it still there? I reached out and it, too, was gone. I was suddenly standing atop a windswept precipice, blindfolded (minus the wind, of course). I had no idea what direction I faced; in panic, my internal compass failed me. Somewhere nearby, in an unknown directions, were three (count ‘em, three!) open elevator shafts, a minefield of missing floor panels, and the relative safety of a stationary wall. I couldn’t drop to my hands and knees and crawl because I remember skirting several broken fluorescent light tubes navigating my way to my current location.
I searched my pockets for a possible light or ignition source. Dammit, why hadn’t I ever taken up smoking! I would at least have the possibility of carrying a lighter. I had truck keys (no light), a knife, several small plastic bags, a marker, and wallet. Thank goodness for the wallet. Now at least they will be able to identify the body.
I had no idea how long I had stood there, unmoving. The air already felt warmer. I felt a bead of sweat trickle down my spine. Nobody was expecting me. Nobody was coming back for me. I had to be clever. What would MacGyver do? Plastic bags…hmmm…no help. Wallet…same. Sharpie marker…maybe I could hold it to my nostrils and inhale the fumes until I either float above the hazards or no longer cared. No, now I’m just being silly. Write a letter to loved ones? No. Think. OK, got it. I threw the marker in the direction I was facing. It must have sailed forty feet before hitting the floor and sliding into a hole. Now I believed I was indeed facing the large computer room, the gaping elevator openings behind me. I gently slid my left foot to the left, reaching out my left hand as I did so, expecting to encounter the wall I was standing near. Nothing. I moved my right foot in and slid my left further left. Still no wall. I held my keys by the key fob, a 10” long, hand woven snake (don’t ask), and swung them in an arc. The keys hit the wall about 3 feet behind me. I had missed the wall and passed in front of it at an angle.
I didn’t remember any missing floor panels along the walls and felt my way in relative safety around the perimeter of the room to the office with my kit. After jabbing myself with several of the sharp implements in the kit I located my flashlight. I clicked it on and was rewarded with a strong, white shaft of light. I resumed collecting the required samples, although much slower than my previous progress. I never relocated the marker, but I really didn’t look for it very hard.
I finished the third floor without incident and continued to survey the second and first. Sunlight flooded through windows everywhere. Even standing in areas without windows, plenty of light was reflected off of surfaces to navigate without aid.
I found the stairs to the basement and was greeted with the smell of hot motor oil and that high-pitched keening sound. I discovered a hot emergency generator in the basement. The lender hadn’t “arranged” for temporary electrical service; they fired up the emergency generator. The high-pitched sound was the low-fuel alarm. It was apparently on a battery. The diesel fuel had run out when I was on the third floor. Bastards.
I am safely back in my office, otherwise I couldn’t have written this very text (and you were worried). Oh, and I never saw the pack of wild dogs. Just in case you wondered.
COMMENTS
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Morrigon
19:17 Aug 29 2008
The pack of dogs coming upon you in the dark would have made this the ultimate cool movie scene.
This is still pretty damn wild, you're very resourceful!
Now... the most important bit... Say if I were to travel down your way and get a model, how possible would it be for us to follow you around to these crazy locations and snap some pictures? *angel face*
MysticMoon
19:27 Aug 29 2008
lmao........Morrigon you have no clue how much he would love that. If you asked nicely he would hum his theme tune too .lol
back to the incident i would have sent the search dogs out for you if you hadn't returned home tonight, we both know lilly would have found you.. :) but im glad u got out of their safe
( KEEP YOUR DAMN PHONE IN YOUR POCKET from now on)
Morrigon
20:05 Aug 29 2008
Yeah! Sheesh... Try to keep the objects that light up near by you when you're in the places that might go very dark.
captainglobehead
20:34 Aug 29 2008
OK, I'll admit leaving my phone in my kit was a bad move. I didn't expect the lights to go out.
Oceanne
21:12 Aug 29 2008
Bet you'll keep yourself a little better prepared.I swear by my little sure fire!;)I Dont leave home without it.
captainglobehead
21:19 Aug 29 2008
I have a great tactical flashlight. I just left it with the survey kit in the other room. And yes, I promise, it won't happen again.
Oceanne
02:03 Aug 30 2008
LOL after that,I m sure you wont...thats some spook story forealz!