During this time I?ve been reading through this website some memories have come back. I wanted to share a story, if I may. This one in particular is more light-hearted than most, but shows how someone could use the ?knowledge? that we were force-fed to beat the system itself.
I went through the intake process, uneventful as far as some described here, but I went through nonetheless. As the intake progressed I got the feeling that I may be searched at some point. I happened to have a stash and an old wood pipe in my pocket (you see I thought I'd be going to the beach afterwards so I came prepared). At some point, I don't remember if I was left alone or if everyone was distracted, but I was able to get the stash and pipe out of my pocket and into the couch crease behind me without anyone noticing. Big deal, right?
Well, fast forward. I proceeded through the program and made it to fifth phase and after an open meeting one night my newcomer and I were told to wait in the intake rooms until it was time to leave. It was the same intake room where I was "interviewed". Of course my curiosity got the best of me. I had to check the couch never expecting that my stash would still be there.....but it was! So, I had a dilemma. Should I tell that it was mine from a year prior? If I did that I would certainly be ?honest?, but certainly be started over as well. My rational side took over, so I lied. I told staff that when I sat down I noticed a lump in the couch and this is what I found. I was praised and not long after that I graduated. But the kicker is that I was invited to join staff as well. I did and went to junior staff, but left by the time I was 16 as I?ve said before.
This is an entirely true story. I hadn?t thought about this in 20 years. Had I been caught I would have been started over or at least demoted and more than likely experienced some of the awful things that I have read here. I was a lucky liar or maybe just ?conning my way through?.
