I am The Victim, and this is the first installment of my diary . . .

It was about four months after moving into the Pavilion Apartments on Broad Street (Newark, New Jersey, USA) that I first saw him. One late summer day, after arriving home from work, I noticed him by the convenience store on the first floor. He was a white Hispanic, perhaps in his late 30’s, dressed in nondescript street clothing. His one dominant physical trait was an intense, piercing scowl. I could feel the heat of his stare as I waited for the elevator. “Why are you angry at me?” I wondered to myself. I had never seen him before. Yet, his piercing scowl insisted that he knew me. However, he said nothing. After boarding the elevator, I quickly forgot about him.

In the days immediately following, I began to see the “Scowler” more frequently as I entered and left my residence. He would always be in the lobby or just outside the main entrance. His furrowed brow and ill-tempered glare were always focused on me. I did not recognize him as a tenant, nor did he appear to associate with any tenants or workers. Yet he always had that scowl . . . never saying a word . . . this was getting weird.

One day, I came down to the lobby to use the pay phone. I was having problems with the phone in my apartment, and called for repairs. My call, it seemed, had attracted the ill-tempered attention of the “Scowler.” He stood about ten feet away, trying to follow my conversation. As always, he said nothing as he stared. I finished my call and left wondering who this man is, and why he seemed so interested in me. Little did I know that a chain of events that shortly followed would draw me into a confrontation with the “Scowler.”

After retiring one night soon afterward, I was suddenly awakened by an incredible level of noise coming from the apartment above mine. The racket was intense. There were shouts, cursing, banging on the floor, stomping . . . a real production. It seemed that each time I started to doze off, the cacophony would became even louder. This went on from about 12 midnight to four o’clock in the morning. Up until this evening, I had never heard a sound from the apartment above mine. In fact, I thought it was vacant. The noise seemed purposeful, intended to harass. It was focused directly above my bed and appeared to be the work of at least two or three individuals.

I wondered if I was the target of harassment. And, if so, why? I was a good tenant, quiet . . . my rent was paid . . . I had made no enemies I knew of . . . This was bizarre. However, I decided not to react too quickly. Perhaps I was making more of this than I needed to. I did not call the police or complain to the building management. Maybe it was an isolated incident that would not repeat itself in the future.

I got up at 6 in the morning, sleepless and tired, to prepare for work. All was now quiet. I showered and dressed. After leaving my apartment, I took the elevator to the lobby. The elevator was empty and immediately available. That is unusual for this time of the morning when the elevator is usually packed with people rushing to work. Perhaps what happened next explains why.

Upon leaving the elevator, the first face I saw was that of the “Scowler.” He stood directly in my line of vision and blocked the path I take to exit the building. The “Scowler” wanted my attention. His menacing gaze was, as always, focused on me. Standing behind him were about seven of the maintenance workers in the building, including the Superintendent. It seemed that they had formed an audience for just this encounter. The “Scowler’s” mouth had a crooked, self-satisfied grin that was both mocking and challenging. Still, he said nothing . . . However, it was clear from his stance and countenance that I was being lured into a confrontation.

The noisy harassment of the past evening started to flood my thoughts. Was the Scowler responsible for the harassment I had just experienced? It seemed logical to connect his sudden appearance with that event. What was the intent behind all of this? Who is this “Scowler?”

What would you do if you were in my shoes? You are tired, robbed of a good night’s sleep, and suddenly face someone whose hostile attitude and menacing stance suggests that he is responsible for it all. How do you respond in that instant? Would you accuse him? Have harsh words? Lose your temper? Could it escalate to violence? Also, what would be the consequences if you acted rashly, emotionally, without thinking first?

In the fraction of time it took me to take my first step out of that elevator, I said a quick prayer. That is something I always do when under pressure. That prayer instantly brought a small proverb to mind; “return evil for evil to no one.” (Romans 12:17) By the time I took my third step towards the “Scowler,” I was smiling. I knew how I should should respond. I greeted everyone with a warm “good morning,” navigated my way through the maze of individuals and exited the building. No anger, no accusations, no lost temper.

As I walked, all eyes seemed to follow me to the door, especially those of the “Scowler.” I felt a strong sense of relief, knowing that I had responded wisely. I also had the feeling that I had foiled a nasty scheme. But who was my antagonist? Who is the “Scowler?” Was he involved in the harassment I experienced the night before in some way? If so, than I had just survived a sophisticated psychological attack. If I had acted rashly, on impulse, it would have instantly destroyed a good reputation I enjoyed among my neighbors. I both marveled at the sophistication of this attack, and wondered about its intent. I also wondered if it really was an attack or merely a string of coincidences.

It proved to be no coincidence. You see, the “Scowler” would quickly make his presence felt again. And, I would receive my first clue to his identity. Read about it in the next installment of my account of involuntary testing with covert through-the-wall torture technology.

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