Specific details are omitted to protect…everyone.
A while back I was hired to work on a low budget film. It was some European straight-to-cable piece of crap but it was being shot in a great location. Thus I signed on. The work was boring, but the crew and the host city were awesome. I was having a really good time when the producers suddenly threw a monkey wrench into the situation. The script had changed and we were now going to film a few scenes in a penitentiary. Not just any prison, but an extremely notorious one that had a significant history of brutality and violence. I was less than thrilled to say the least. We were then informed we would be simulating reality by filming on Death Row. Which by the way was a working one, with convicted male killers waiting their stays of executions. I wanted to leave the show but felt an obligation to stay.
I made a deal with one of pals, a very large and tough sound guy, that he would protect me if needed. Or at the very least I could hide behind him.
Our van pulled up to the prison and we were all frisked and x-ray’d. There was a sign that informed us we were entering at our own risk. Translation: if there was a riot, the guards were not going to come and get us out. The crew got very quiet. As I was only one of two women, that information especially did not make me happy.
We were then escorted to Death Row. There was a chalkboard with a list of all the prisoners, their crimes, and the status of their appeals. I recognized a few of the names.
The lead actor, who was playing a priest, was told not to walk too close to the bars as he could get hurt very badly. We all knew what that meant. The rest of us stood in the back of the room. The inmates all had small hand mirrors and were watching us. The scene began, the actor walked silently down the cell block, when suddenly I heard chanting and hissing but could not understand what was being said. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. There was a foul aura and I instinctively knew what it was… I was surrounded by pure evil. It was almost like a cloud of noxious gas filled the room. I felt like I was choking.
I HAVE NEVER BEEN AS SCARED IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.
I have no idea of how long we were inside but it felt like days. I could not wait to get out of there!
I had nightmares for years after that experience.
Recently I told a friend the story. He is quite psychic and tried to help me understand what had happened.
He said, “maybe it wasn’t evil you felt but desperation?”
I said adamantly, “NO, IT WAS EVIL.”
I was shocked at how firm I was. But I never forgot how I felt in that place. And being surrounded by that much malevolent energy, I almost felt like I was being taken away to some really scary place. I’m not a religious person but I understand what people mean now.
Evil truly does exist.
I believe that evil exists and that it can be as palpable as you experienced.
That was a pretty fine piece of writing, by the way. I know that’s not what it was meant to be, but if I was right there with you, and I was, well, shit, that’s some good writing, right there.
I wonder if that’s something that just anybody can sense or whether you’re tuned into the energy around you — positive and negative. that would be pretty cool, I think.
it was indeed evil that you felt. your instincts are pretty damned honed.
I have never been in a situation like that. In my former line of work, I’ve been in various prisons and have met lifer’s, but never been on Death Row, but I know the feeling of having the hair on the back of your neck go up, and I did meet a few lifer’s that gave me the creeps. Nothing better than being able to walk out and hear the jail door slam behind.
There is pure evil among the human race and the projection from those who cannot be harmed except by death has to be unbelievably strong even if none of those men had formed a distinct desire to harm you at the time. They are surrounded by it and have given themselves up to it. Very proper to be scared there; very wise.
Strange part is that some of them can be the opposite too. Maybe they didn’t like the actor.
I think that Charles Manson is a prime example that EVIL exists!
Well you certainly made up for your “Less Than Nothing Day” with this posting.
We don’t have to look any further than our newspaper headlines for proof that evil exists. It does serve one purpose though, it forces you to appreciate everything that’s good all the more. Well written post indeed.
I agree, this is very well said!
There definately is evil. I’ve seen & felt it– not inside of me, but looking upon me from another. It’s chilling. Your sensory defenses were up that day. You should probably always trust them. I’m glad you got out of there unscathed, but sorry you had to have bouts with nightmares
Oh, we know evil is out there. You’ve met my ex-boyfriends, haven’t you?
Seriously, though. I wish my instincts were as in tune as yours obviously are.
If anyone needs proof that evil does indeed exist, they need not look any farther than this past Monday…
Amazing post, Lisa. I found myself saying this somewhere else this week, but it fits here too. It wasn’t so long ago that we didn’t know that radio waves and x-rays existed because we couldn’t see them. Who could possibly be certain that real human energy, whether positive or negative, individual or collective, doesn’t exit? I believe it does and that being in tune with it, aware of it, is an evolutionary advantage. JMHO.
I have a maximum security story that I shall get around to sharing some day.
with all that experience on Death Row you can now come over here and watch the badass mothaF still admitted here in the hospital!
Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts!
reading that actually made me a little sick to my stomach
and yes, evil does exist
Very interesting. Thank you for the read.
Shakin’ in my boots over here. *shudder*
oooh, that would be creepy! I’d like to visit a prison like that just to see what it’s like for myself but I sure as hell couldn’t work in one like that EVER.
Damn, that’s intense. I got some ideas as to which prison it was, given your current location. None of them are good places.
Evil does indeed exist in the world.
Evil exists!! My brother and wife (now retired) work at Rikers and the stories they tell me! It’s pretty nuts…my brother’s wife, once told me this story:
She was on duty one night and saw a shadow walking past a table. She thought it was a prisoner who was quietly escaping. She take a hold of her gun, then sees the figure past through the table. IT WAS AN EVIL GHOST!!
Did I scare you more?
It makes sense that evil would be felt strongly in a place like that. Glad you all made it through the experience okay!
Aw, shucks, Lisa. That was just some good ol’ boys lettin’ loose a little methane. Nothin’ else to do, you see.
Wow. Sounds like fun – (I’m being sarcastic, can you tell?)
I have seen the insides of a few prison’s in my time. As a guest kinda, not as a resident. Death Row was one of the places that is definitely not enjoyable. I am a firm believer in taking every school age child on a tour of the place, incliding the main attraction…. I’d bet my last buck crime rate would drop half way.
That’s an interesting story and I totally believe you that you felt EVIL. I hope that I never experience that. Very scary.
Man, Lisa! After reading this, I couldn’t agree with you more. Hope all of your projects from here forward are wonderful and filled with Hope and everything Good!