Just one of those days…One that can keep you grinning through to a ripe old age. Good for the soul.
I took a man named Sam on an adventure; a functioning mental hospital was our destination, the sittin spot. A rich history and magnificent architecture filled the 240 arches of land. We drove the streets through the old city, once a thriving community for those in need. Some of the buildings still house patients, but the majority stand abandoned, only the red brick tells the tales of the past. You just need to be still and listen.
Sam and I did that. We parked in front of the oldest building on the lot and I was so proud to take him up the stairs to the chained door. To watch his eyes take in all that was around him. We were stalked by the red security van. A game of "chicken" ensued, I wasn't going to be made to leave my building and they were trying to scare us off by their presence. I could tell Sam was a bit nervous, hands in his pockets.
We won.
Next I took him to the largest building on the lot, Crease, empty except for the constant movie trailers parked in front. That morning there were but a few parked cars and people milling about. We stepped out of the car and approached the front steps. One of the few people regarded us as one of their own, a studio person for Smallville. I looked to Sam with a gleam in my eye and motioned for him to follow me.
In urban exploration there is no time for second thoughts, if you get an opportunity you take it. Sam and I put on our best "we belong" faces and quickly made ourselves scarce. We got ourselves cleared of the pack and I took off running down a long dark corridor, I looked behind me and Sam looked like he was unsure if he should run or walk. I whispered to him…"come on" and made him run with me. True adventurers…like two little kids getting themselves into trouble.
We explored all we could, and I watched him take in his breath at the beauty of it. He saw such wonderful images in his black and white world. Where I saw fear and loneliness in those old halls he saw compassion and hope. I looked through his eyes and came away...humbled. Sam has a way of doing that to me from time to time.
Forty minutes of exploring, the two adventurers not believing their luck. We kept climbing the cold concrete steps until we reached the attic. Looking through the old skeleton key hole, we glimpsed the hidden secrets of an old mental hospital. Our hearts beating faster and our breath taken away, we made our way back towards the exit, knowing you should never overstay your welcome.
As we tried to "fit in" and keep ourselves from just running out the front door, our dear Smallville friend stopped us and questioned where we were. Busted. I told him my name, and proceeded to lie my ass off about which part of the active hospital I worked. He looked to Sam and asked "your name?" I looked at Sam, wondering what his response was going to be, "my names Jason", he replied. Our friend reluctantly let us go.
Now we were not just adventurers we were super spy's...who still needed some stealth training.
After an experience like that, you feel alive! Your heart still racing, you can't stop laughing and giggling, a most amazing experience. And one I hope Sam never forgets.
