when i worked for at&t in the 80's, all managers had to supervise an inventory annually. mine was one of the world financial center buildings that were going up at the time. we arrived at 8AM or so on a day like this (+ rain) got our hardhats and walked up a plank to the building. then, we got in an “elevator”, which was basically a plywood box hauled up by a steel cable and in which you could already smell alcohol on the operator's breath. the phone equipment was on one of the upper floors and was the only area that was covered or had doors. we stepped out of the box and the scene was much like this. unworldly and a little scary, but unforgettable.