Straight Incorporated Part 3: Escape (2269 hits)
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Rating: 1.96 on 49 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by badassmofo (View user info) at 2005-07-21 10:28:21 EDT
Authors Note: Again thanks to all for reviewing, I am coming to a close on this with one more installment after this one. I don't want to drag it out and make it some sort of plea for pity. It's just a story about part of my life, good, bad, or indifferent I don't think I would change it. In this one I won't spend too much time relaying the cruel and unusual things, there are plenty of stories out their as some of you have seen that are far worse than mine. This post is to reveal some of the things that this system was starting to do to my mind and how I thought. Thanks.
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There were many rules in Straight. The program was based off of the AA/NA Thirteen Step program. Aside from moving through the Straight phases you were supposed to be progressing through your 13 steps also. One of our daily chores was to write an M.I.(Moral Inventory). Its tough to remember the whole outline but more or less you examined each day based on the steps ie: what was I powerless over today, whom did I harm, how will I make tomorrow better. You get the picture.
I occasionally participated in the MI writing, mainly because I wasn't allowed to read or write anything else, my mind was warping without stimulus.
As I mentioned rules about rules about rules was the game. Sitting in group sessions you had to sit up, back straight, arms locked with your hands on you knees. If you wished to speak or share you had to raise you hand and wait to be called on. In front of the group sat a row of 4th Phasers, their job was to maintain order in the group or as I saw to be general fucking pricks. Now not being able to speak aloud they had to communicate in some way to get your attention.
The chosen method of communication was snapping and clicking their fingers. I don't know about you but someone snapping at me is about the most annoying thing ever. If they saw you scratch your face *snap snap* and then they give you this signal where they rub their knuckles together, this meant No Clicking. Clicking to them meaning you doing anything they didn't want you to do.
As non compliers we would sit in the back of group, making noises, having conversations, being general dickwads for lack of something better to do. Occasionally someone would want to call you out for your behavior, they would raise their hand, get called on, stand up, and call you out. Example;
Random Phaser: *hand up shaking it vigorously to attract attention*
Counselor: Yeah Jimmy go ahead.
RP: *stands up* Yeah I'd like to say something to Jason (oh yeah that's me).
Counselor: Sure, go ahead, I was waiting for someone to do this.
Fellow Non Complier: J...J I think someone is about to say something to you.
Me: Oooh! I can't wait.
RP: Ok, Jason...Jason stand up I want to say something to you! *stomps foot in homosexual manner* Come on stand up!
Me: Fuck you homo...*goes back to daydreaming*
Note - mentioning the word homo was a sure fire invitation to an all out onslaught as many of the people there were professed bi/homosexuals. As one they were meek and powerless however as a group they were a burning tirade of sharp tongued attackers.
The general tone of the callout was to humiliate me, it was encouraged and often used by not only the compliers but counselors as well. I am sure in someone's mind there is a rationale for this; making me truly see myself and my problems or at least getting me to shut up for a while. This confrontation would inevitably lead to either;
a) Me sitting there feeling like a pile of shit.
b) Me yelling back about something this person had given up in confidentiality in order to emotionally hurt them.
c) Me in some sort of physical altercation
Or
d) The dreaded 4 point restraint.
Whatever the outcome, it was never good. I was never confrontational or violent before I went to Straight and only for a short time afterwards. I am to this day one of the most laid back easy going people you could meet, but for a short time I had been changed. At a few weeks in I was beginning to warp, my mind thought more deviously and dangerously than it had at anytime before.
The set up for Straight went as follows, during the days you were at 'the building' where you attended group meetings, shared your feelings and the like. At night you went to host homes. See if you lived in a 30 mile radius and had a kid in the program you had to open your house as a host home. A group of 4-8 kids would return to your place nightly were you fed them, let them handle their hygiene needs and let them sleep.
The parents with host homes, parents of children who completed the program, and counselors set up a dragnet, which would rival even the most well thought out law enforcement program. If kids ran from the program the call list went into immediate action. Networking, looking, checking all the places kids might go in order to find the 'escapees'. Someone who ran would most likely be returned within 2 to 3 days but way of the effort of the parents.
My fellow non compliers and I had planned a mass jailbreak the first time I ran. There was an upcoming recreation day, this meant we would sit at the building all day watching movies, doing crafts, and other 'fun' activities. Shortly after lunch was our scheduled time of departure and the counselors were understaffed this day as there were no group sessions and the atmosphere was to be light.
Soon after lunch we started what turned out to be an all out war. Non compliers were starting shit all over the room, fights were breaking out between staff and kids, kids and kids it was utter chaos. I remember distinctly watching a non complier named Eric get restrained by a smaller counselor. As the counselor had him in a head lock Eric rose up only to find he couldn't handle the weight of the man hanging from his neck. The result was a full on DDT (that's a pro wrestling term for those that don't know, search Google for Jake the Snake Roberts) with Eric landing face first, no actually nose and teeth first on the tiled concrete floor. His face exploded, teeth and blood in all directions. I remember seeing him after we had all be rounded up, he had a beautiful set of pearly white caps.
I would say there were 30 kids revolting at this point even kids who were complying were taking advantage of the chaos. At one point someone called out some sort of rally command and we made a mass exodus for the doors. I can imagine the scene from a helicopter view, here is this professional looking building and all of a sudden doors bust open on all sides and kids are fleeing in every direction.
We ran, ran until we thought our hearts would explode. We were free, no more arm locked trips to the restroom, no more constant berating, no more prescription sedatives...no we were free. All be it for a short while.
You seen once you come to Straight they take everything, your wallet, any type of ID or money, all of your street clothes, anything that would show individuality. Once free the jubilation started to fade, where were we going to sleep, how would we eat, what would we do? I tried in vain to call my mother, as we both grew up together (she was 17 when she had me) we were gypsies to an extent. I had no way of tracking her down she could be anywhere from the PA to Florida to California and I had no idea. I was on my own in a strange land (Texas) with no money, no one to call and no where to stay.
We had split up, kids going in all different directions I ended up with 2 other guys and 2 girls. We eventually made our way to the mall where the girls talked a few teenagers working at a fast food joint to hook us up with some burgers. I ate like a free man and loved it. We ended up sleeping at some concrete piping company, you know like the big 8 diameter concrete pipe sections.
We ended up spending 2 nights out enjoying freedom before the parents caught up with us. By the time they found us we were ready to give, we couldn't muster anymore food and we ready to an extent to go back. In my heart I didn't want give in, I had become a rebel but in my mind weird things were happening and I almost believed that I had to go back.
I wouldn't know how close I was to actual freedom for about another month and a half. Irony would teach me that my Uncle lived a mere 15 minutes from the very building I was trying to escape from. He will play a major role in my last installment on this subject.
Up next...Removal by force, if necessary.
User Reviews
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2007-12-19 12:48:56 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
It's killing me to read this.
It's like quicksand.
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2007-11-07 14:45:21 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
There is a solid one badassmofo post with a 1.99 rating with 30 or more reviews. That is stupid. I am weeding it out by giving every one of them a +1.
Submitted by Mike-Mc (user info) at 2007-09-19 05:40:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by DirtyHarry (user info) at 2007-04-18 17:03:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by jagmcmanus (user info) at 2005-12-21 07:01:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Mike00295 (user info) at 2005-11-11 09:57:55 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Right on.
Submitted by Professional_Peon (user info) at 2005-11-11 09:40:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2005-10-19 04:05:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
There are a solid four pages of +2 streaks with 30 or more reviews. That is stupid. I am weeding it all out by giving every one of them a +1; that way posts that have 1.99 with 200+ reviews gets best ever.
Submitted by Davros (user info) at 2005-08-14 02:40:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Brdn_Nkd (user info) at 2005-08-11 08:58:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by MANICMOTHER (user info) at 2005-08-10 15:56:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Kre8rix (user info) at 2005-08-10 15:54:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Caulaincourt (user info) at 2005-08-09 14:56:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by matnotharry (user info) at 2005-08-08 09:46:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Ducky (user info) at 2005-08-07 14:35:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Feijuada (user info) at 2005-08-07 14:18:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Lechuga (user info) at 2005-08-03 12:03:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by missflibble (user info) at 2005-08-03 11:54:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
missed this the first time, and who am I to mess up a perfect +2??
Submitted by jgreening (user info) at 2005-08-03 09:43:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I missed this.
BUt I have to read these, they're disturbing.
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2005-08-03 07:13:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Siren - man would I be cool if it was, if I had the originality to come up with that I would be a god.
Don't be sad, I'm not sad...I learned a lot...and Straight made going to boot camp a fucking walk in the park.
Submitted by Siren (user info) at 2005-08-03 00:48:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This could be the greatest shenanigans that ever was. But, I'm sad because I don't think it is.
Submitted by joedaddy (user info) at 2005-08-02 23:58:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2005-07-28 13:42:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
ouch, way to ride my ass...hound!
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2005-07-28 09:51:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Wednedsday, huh?
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2005-07-26 11:24:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
ok folks fourth and final installment will be out on wednesday.
Submitted by justsayno (user info) at 2005-07-26 02:19:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
awesome, after reading these posts I did a google search on these camps - did you know almost 1 american kid per week is killed in these camps - even today? usually they die of dehydration and in the majority of cases the counsellers are found not guilty of involuntary manslaughter. How fuckin barbaric and wrong is america if the solution to unruly kids is put em in these camps where 50 kids die every year wake up USA
Submitted by chemokenny (user info) at 2005-07-23 13:58:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Pentameter (user info) at 2005-07-22 15:06:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2005-07-22 14:56:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2005-07-22 12:23:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-07-21 19:27:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
great stuff!
Submitted by twentyseventy (user info) at 2005-07-21 18:18:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
stomps foot in homosexual manner
awesome
Submitted by Adamdidit2u (user info) at 2005-07-21 16:53:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2005-07-21 16:16:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Jack, more_time, Siskel - thanks for the compliment. I should have stuck to something like this for UM seems a bit more my style of writing.
Man I left for a bit and whammo! I come back to being one post away of getting knocked off the front page. I guess I will have to check out some of these SPT posts.
Submitted by SiskelandFatboy (user info) at 2005-07-21 14:32:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2005-07-21 12:24:50 (#)
Ranking: 2
This is compelling stuff. Keep them coming.
Submitted by a_little_more_time (user info) at 2005-07-21 13:31:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Eyes: CEMENTED TO TEH SCREEN
This is great. Great writing, great story...not so great that it happened to you, but it seems worth it if only for you to be able to tell it to others. Nice going, can't wait to read the finale.
Submitted by LadyPlural (user info) at 2005-07-21 12:33:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Oooch.
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2005-07-21 12:24:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This is compelling stuff. Keep them coming.
Submitted by egadz (user info) at 2005-07-21 11:53:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Finally, there's more.
Now to read it.
Submitted by GodChicken (user info) at 2005-07-21 11:34:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2005-07-21 10:58:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Oh I forgot the links to 1 and 2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/70560
http://www.ubersite.com/m/70402
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2005-07-21 10:51:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
jack - yes, I was saving the line for the last installment but Straght made the mental side of boot camp a cake walk.
de oppresso liber - you?
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2005-07-21 10:49:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by c1ndy (user info) at 2005-07-21 10:47:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
It makes me livid that people put kids in places like this.
Can't wait to read the next one.
Submitted by jack11058 (user info) at 2005-07-21 10:42:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
riveting tale. you ended up in the military, right?
de opresso liber, man.
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2005-07-21 10:42:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I just had a kid put away for 15 years for doing what you did here.
except he really really deserved it.
Submitted by spedmonkey (user info) at 2005-07-21 10:40:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Truly badass.
Submitted by Soley_Trinity (user info) at 2005-07-21 10:37:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by nitty34 (user info) at 2005-07-21 10:33:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Nice one J.