Mr. Hidden and The Art of Hiding Behind a Coffee Cup
The elevator bank at the historic Hotel Fort Des Moines.
In my endeavors across Greater Des Moines, I occasionally capture an image of something that that prompts a message like “how did you get in there” or “didn’t they ask you to leave”? An example is an image I took of the elevator bank at 801 Grand; when asked how, I answered truthfully. “Dress like you work there, don’t hang around long, and DON’T bring the big camera”. It can be taboo in the photography world to use a phone, but phones have come a long way.. and what they lack in control they make up for in discretion.
I will maintain that blatant trespassing or breaking and entering is not my style- I’m much too anxious for that. I will however say that one of the most alluring things to me is the pull of an unlocked door. What secrets are back there? As a fashion industry student and professional, I am often planning outfits that are meant to blend in. In Des Moines I’m often asking myself how I can look like I might sell insurance. A more mundane version of the old “carry a ladder and you can get in anywhere” trope, I suppose.
Recently, I needed a few short clips of Hotel Fort Des Moines for a collaboration with an artist from another medium. (Let’s call her the songbird.) Longtime readers might know that I am a semi-frequent guest of Hob Nob Coffee and Winebar and a fan of Proudfoot & Bird. I had on one occasion been asked not to photograph the lobby. It was late, I was waiting for my party to arrive for dinner, so I can hardly blame the hotel for this. I was a strange man with a camera. I’ve been respectfully shy of making any attempts since.
I am also someone who struggles with social anxiety. I am an extrovert, yes, but something in me is terrified of not knowing (or accidentally defying) social convention. I am then, often put on edge in public places, even when I’m minding my own business. I have a work-around for this, though. I simply tell myself that I’m simply intentionally defying expectations. It’s hard to be anxious about breaking rules when you’ve already set out to break them. So, sometimes I’m on a secret mission, that’s all. I digress.
Lately, the hotel has shared images posted by community members to their story, so I took it as a cue that it was time to wander in again. With my imagination running wild, I carefully planned it out. Then, in my own tongue-in-cheek way, set out on the job. Mr. Hidden is on the case.
The following account is a classic example of how I find intrigue and romance in the mundane. (Words which have been in the biography of HiddenDSM’s instagram since day one.)
I let the songbird know that I had taken on this mission. I took the skywalk to the back lobby door, (so not as to alert the valet to my presence). I went straight for Hob Nob. A tip from Mr. Hidden, if you have no business being somewhere, find some. I strategically ordered a mocha to go. This little green cup would be my ticket, a little token that meant I could stand around longer without raising suspicions. Places are less likely to be angry with you if you’re literally one of their patrons. I texted the collaborator. hacker voice I’m in
The Wedgewood Room in all its glory.
With the coffee in hand I very intently made my way up the historic stairs to the mezzanine and had a seat. Finally, I had a moment to breathe. With one eyebrow raised I took in my surroundings.. and there it was. Someone had exited the Wedgewood room and allowed the door to swing closed on its own.. it did not latch. Knowing this was my shot at some HDSM content I slipped through the threshold into what has to be one of the most beautiful rooms I have ever stood in.
Excuse me while I plan an afternoon tea for me and 50 of my best friends here.
So did I get caught? No. As a matter of fact, I’m back at Hob Nob as I write. I did not hang around more than a moment- long enough to snap a couple of pictures and take it in. Then I was back into the elevator to be delivered into the buzz of the ground floor lobby. I strategically got my clips and some images of the elevator bank and made my way back out the way I came.
The adrenaline of feeling like you’ve gotten away with something always makes me chuckle to myself like a child. Harmless mischief is a powerful anti-aging serum.
My collaboration with the secret keeping songbird drops Wednesday, August 24th, on Instagram.
Hotel Fort Des Moines and Hilton did not sponsor this post. In the interest of creating good will in the community, I’ll link you to the event and meeting space page for the hotel here so you can consider booking the Wedgewood Room.