Lock Picking

The labs here in UM had their drawers fitted with primitive, dead bolt locks...

Primitive Locks

Today we were having some physiology experiments involving the spinal cord and the pain sensation (Substantia Gelatinosa---Lateral Spinothalamic Tract thing) We were provided with long pins and the lecturer walked off after we were briefed. After some poking around, we (especially me) were bored. Suddenly I eyed my pin. This could be the greatest time ever to pick up lock-picking. I always wonder how they picked lock, especially after watching how Sarah Connor escaped from the mental institute with the T-1000 after her. I read articles online just to learn this, none of my friends know how to pick locks, and the only one who knew uses an ulti-key, no skills involved. I don't want to depend on keys, I prefer the older way, picking it...

I got my pin for the columns but what should I use to turn the lock itself? I looked and looked and looked for something solid yet tiny. Finally I found this, a key for a padlock my father gave me to lock my 2nd College cupboard during my first year in UM. I still have the key in my pencil case.

My tools are ready, and a quick glance made sure that there was no lecturer around, a second glance to look out for security cameras and a final glance to make sure that half the lab are busy with their work. Good! The condition favours me! And so I set out to work. The first attempt was on the lock on the microscope drawer. It took me time, wasn't as easy as described online. Suddenly the lock yielded and I rotated the keyhole 70 degrees clockwise! Then I was dumbfounded, not really believing that I succeeded... During that moment of stupidity, I turned it ANTI-CLOCKWISE and it clicked back into place, leaving me cursing myself... The pin is now crooked, and with some effort, I made it into something curving. I set out again... After something like 7 minutes, I did it again! This time though, I turned it clockwise all the way. A harder click resounded... Heheh... I had access to the microscope! My first time!

I asked for my friend's permission, both Yik Fan and Sock Cai to unpick their locks. Yik Fan's lock was too small for my key, so I couldn't turn it. I went for Sock Cai's lock instead. I struggled and did it again, this time faster as the lock was bigger (very easy for manipulations) After some show off business, I had to lock back Sock Cai's drawer. Here comes another problem... I had to pick it once again to lock it! This confusing fact really bothered y, as I never thought that an opened lock needs any picking. I was not interested into picking locks to lock up things either, but since I had already done bad, I might as well reverse it... It took me longer than before. Firstly, I 'locked' the drawer, but with the lock's bolt outside the space --- I was so stupid. I picked it to unlock it again, and finally, picked it again to secure the drawer... However, I was not interested in locking up the microscope again... So I left that one open... Hehe... Evilness!