columbia, south carolina was a stop that had been spontaneous from its inception. from Norfolk, VA, we had no prospective site for the booth, but by the hard work and persistence of Helen, our tour coordinator, we were able to secure a spot en route to south carolina on the bus ride. Helen reached out to OneColumbia, a non-profit arts advocacy group designed to promote the touristic and historic areas of the capital, and introduced us to our contact, Lee Snellgrove, who secured us a spot in the parking lot of columbia's five points district.
the parking lot was originally a spot for an auto body and service station. the oil stains and cracked pavement were proof. It was a great spot because it was conveniently nestled at an intersection of major roads, yet inconveniently positioned to bake in the sun's path to set. living up to its monicker, "famously hot," columbia had unanimously been voted a place to collect truths at night.
night time proved the right time, and proved strong the ancient saying: in vino veritas. columbians were more apt to donate a few truths after their vocal chords had been loosened up with local brews. soon, this sleepy, summering college town enlivened at night, and i was entertained by the booth's perplexing power to passers-by on the way to bingo night at pinch.
one 20-something actually stopped before and after. a rising senior at the University of South Carolina, she and a friend were making usual stops but were sidetracked by the glowing booth. she donated multiple truths over the course of the night, and revealed that her first interaction with the booth was quick and superficial. her second visit to the booth was inspired by an incident with a man who tried to cop a feel at the bar. being feminist and impassioned by empowering my fellow females, i quickly placed myself in the direction of her shouts, and encouraged her to go into the booth again, but this time to speak truths that perhaps unite all of us females. from that encouragement she began to see the booth differently; it became now a place not just to vent but a platform to spread a message. in her inebriated state, she exited and entered the booth multiple times, with a fervor to be heard and spread awareness. upon each exit she revealed to me what she had said, speaking truths ranging from sexual harassment of females to the rational fear of donald trump being able to diminish the value of and endanger immigrant families like her own.
i appreciated her willingness and openness, albeit in a state of belligerence, but i can't lie and say i've never been there.