Sean Page - Sealed In
Sean T. Page is a horror writer. He
writes zombie and other fiction to entertain and enlighten the masses
of what events could transpire should the world fall apart. He
doesn’t stop there…NO! He’s going to seal himself into a Cold
War bunker for five days, and that’s what we’re going to talk
about today. I have questions about it all, and I’m sure you do
too! If I don’t cover them in this interview, feel free to post
comments and ask Sean a few things yourself. 
Bec: I’ll
start with the obvious question: Why?
Sean: It was one of those things I’ve
always thought about, something you day-dream about when writing the
kind of survival fiction I do. Then I found the bunker and got to
know the owner. I ran the idea past him and suddenly the chance was
there. I knew if I didn’t grab it now I wouldn’t be able to do
it. So, it’s really the lonely survival experience for me.
Bec:
What does your wife think about this? What are her concerns? Does she
support you in this endeavor?
Sean: She’s been very supportive.
She’s used to my strange adventures now. I think as long as I stick
to the week and don’t come out a mental wreck she’ll be happy
with it.
Bec: How does one go about finding a
bunker to hide out in?
Sean: That’s not easy. I just got
lucky with this one. We have a lot of Cold War bunkers here in the UK
so there are plenty about, some are open, some not. I just got to
know the owner through an event and it went from there.
Bec:
What safety precautions have been taken? What would you do if you had
an emergency?
Sean: I can get out if I need to and there is an
emergency phone line at ground level – I hope.
Bec: You said
you’ll be doing a Blog once a day… Do you have electricity, or
will you be using a generator? What kind of internet connection will
you have to post these daily updates?
Sean: Ironically, the
place is packed with computer hardware and telex printers. There are
screens everywhere. However, they are all 1980s classics and
leftovers from the Cold War. There is electricity and that ‘bunker
hum’ of the lights. On the ground level they have one internet
point so I’ll go up and upload my blog once a day. Don’t forget,
this is a big place – over 3 floors of concrete and made for up to
400 people.
Bec: What kind of food are you taking down with
you? Is there a favorite snack you decided you couldn’t live
without?
Sean: Good point. I’m taking rations, nothing
fancy. There is a fridge so I’ll be OK for milk but I’m not
taking much meat – mostly dried stuff. Treat will be Bounty
chocolate bars.
Bec: What insights do you hope to glean from
this experience? How will you use that information?
Sean:
That’s a tough one. I’m really not sure. All I know is that I’ve
read so many accounts in zombie and survival horror of folks
surviving in isolation – authors describing how people feel etc. I
suppose I just wanted to get just a small insight into it. I’m
really going to try and get myself in the spirit. For example, every
night, I’m going to barricade myself into one room as per I am
Legend to help build up that tension.
Bec: If all goes
well, will you do it again for a longer period of time? (We talked
about the five days on Facebook. I don’t think that would be as
hard as say, thirty.)
Sean: Well I’ll see. I really wanna
see how I get on. I originally planned to do it the Sinai desert but
with everything going on just couldn’t organize it. I think 5-6
days will be a challenge – 30 days I think would be
life-changing…
Bec: Do you think it will be harder going
this alone? Or would it be more difficult to have others with you
(you know, whining and complaining)?
Sean: Harder alone for
sure. It’s a big bunker. If there were two of you, you could easily
split for the day then meet up later – it’s that big. I think
having at least some company would make it much easier. Also, the
other person can help keep your imagination in check!
Bec:
What do you plan to do while you’re sequestered from the
world?
Sean: I have a full routine of security sweeps,
perimeter checks, workouts and other activities to keep me busy. I
tried to model it on I am Legend so I know routine is vital if you
don’t want to slip into lethargy.
Bec: I’m assuming
you’ll be taking books to read… What titles (and authors) will be
your buddies in solitude? Why did you select those books?
Sean:
I am. To keep myself busy, I’m taking a selection of books and am
going to review them whilst I’m in the bunker, making little videos
of the reviews. I’ve got a range of stuff – certainly David Moody
but also some of my indie writer friends like Eric S Brown – I want
to try and make them a really cool trailer if I can. This is all
subject to my limited technical skills.
Bec: What scenario are
you trying to (mock) escape with your “sealing in”?
Sean:
My brief is that there has been a major viral outbreak in the UK. I
managed to seal myself in and must keep the perimeter sealed. Hence,
the regular patrols. I don’t know if anyone is left outside and I
don’t know how long I need to stay underground. I suppose it’s a
kind of I am Legend/28 Days Later vibe.
Bec: What made you
choose that scenario?
Sean: I just think it was a simple one
that could really explain why I’d be stuck down there. In fact, it
is a Cold War bunker and the charts and set up is all designed as a
regional control centre to manage the chaos after a nuclear strike on
London but I thought that was to grim!
Bec: Do you think
something like a five day seal in would make for a great apocalyptic
writer’s retreat? Why or why not?
Sean: I hadn’t thought about that but
I suppose it would. It would certainly be a great venue for it. I’ll
see when I’m down there and if people are interested, I’m sure we
could do it. It certainly has the atmosphere for it.
Bec: If
you said yes to the above question, how many writers would you think
would be a good idea at one time, and which would you most like to be
sealed away with?
Sean: I reckon we could do 5 in a place like
that. As I said above, it’s three floors and a large area. People
could easily work in isolation from each other and still get that
inspiration.
Bec: What type, and how many changes, of clothes
are you taking with you?
Sean: I will be trying to stick to
ex-military clothing. I think I have enough – limited
amounts!
Bec: What do you plan to use as a toilet? How are you
going to keep the place from stinking?
Sean: There is plumbing
down there so the toilet is fine.
Bec: How do you plan to take
a bath?
Sean: OK – this one I’m not as sure. I have a sink
for strip washes. There may be a shower down there but I haven’t
found it yet. Would you take a shower in an abandoned bunker alone? I
gotta see if I just don’t prefer staying dirty.
Bec: What do
you think will be the hardest thing for you to handle during those
five days?
Sean: The long hours of not talking. We are just
not used to it these days and I don’t think I’ve ever shut up for
this period of time.
Bec: Is there anything you would like to
share that I haven’t asked you about?
Sean: I suppose the
only thing would be to mention that as it’s got closer, I’ve
grown less gung-ho about the whole thing. At first, I thought it
would be an easy PR stunt. Now, I realize it’s much tougher and
will be a real test of character for me.
Bec: Good luck with
your “seal in” vacation. I wish you all the best, and I hope
you’ll stop by for another interview once you’re out in the world
with us again! Thanks for stopping by!
Sean: Cheers all and
wish me luck.
If there’s a question you’d like to ask
Sean, please post it as a comment. Don’t wait too long, because in
just days he’ll be all alone in a Cold War bunker, not talking to
anyone!
If you’d like to follow his blog and learn more
about his experience and/or watch the Vlog posts (when they go live),
go here:
Search for ‘Ministry of Zombies’ on
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