Posted by rfidvole
Wow, that safe is beautiful and we missed it!
Am I correct in thinking that these were taken in the low-rise part of the building? I don't remember seeing any of: the slanted skylight, silver-painted columns, square columns, stacked pallets, and the goddamn safe. |
Yep, all my pics are from the main floor. I'm guessing the safe was brought down from upstairs somewhere because it seemed to be just randomly sitting there.
| The holes in the back of the building were sealed with white stuff (clearly seen on pic #4) a week after our trip, so congrats on getting in! |
Thanks! It was actually really easy, but we don't discuss those things here, so...
Care to share the details of (1) getting caught and (2) talking your way out? (We nearly exposed ourselves by foolishly not guessing the location of the guard's office, although, in retrospect, we could.)
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Glad to!
1. My experience has been mostly with long-since abandoned places where there's no security, so I really should have been more aware. Alas, I was lulled by the tranquility of this beautiful old building, and made the false assumption that I was alone. After spending some time wandering and clicking, I walked into an area that (I didn't realize at the time) was in plain view of the security office. Duh. I had just finished setting up the tripod and framing the shot - ready to click the remote. The guy must have watched me for a good minute or so (or he was asleep). I hear a voice, "What are you doing here? Come here." Fuck. I must have been really concentrated because it took me a few moments to clue in. "Are you coming?" I grab the tripod & camera and start walking towards him.
2. There's always the risk of getting caught so I've rehearsed what I was gonna say (maybe its me, but it's almost a monologue in my head when I'm out...).
My rules for encountering authority are:
a) Be contrite.
b) Let them know that you are not there to vandalize, steal, etc.
c) Understand their point of view. They have a job to do and unfortunately it's to keep the likes of us away.
The conversation went something like this:
"What are you doing here? Do you know you're not supposed to be here?"
"Yes, I do."
"Then why are you here?"
"I just like taking pictures. I'm not here to vandalize or take anything, I promise. I'm just curious about this building."
"You're trespassing, do you know that? How did you get in?"
"Just over there"
I gestured vaguely in the direction of my POE."That's Breaking & Entering!"
He had no basis for this claim, but I could tell he was a bit agitated by my presence so I wasn't going to get argumentative. I just wanted to reassure him I wasn't a threat."No I assure you I didn't break a window or a lock or anything. I just came in through an opening."
"I don't want to have to call the police."
"No that doesn't have to happen. I'll leave right away. I'm really sorry I disturbed you."
And that's about it. Others might handle it differently (e.g. not admitting that they know they're breaking the law) but I just want to diffuse the situation as quickly as possible and be on my way.
The thing that bugs me the most about this whole thing is that I didn't get to see upstairs. Curiosity can be such a persistent itch...
