Seven Scene writers sacrificed sleep and sanity Tuesday, April 18 to head out onto campus to observe late-night activity, the night owls and see just what it is that drives people into the early morning hours. What follows is a compilation of what Scene found lurking beneath the cover of night.

Midnight — Bond Hall

As we approach the prestigious front steps, what do we hear but "Boom, boom, boom, boom, I want you in my room!" A large crowd of young Archies has filled the front stairs of the architecture headquarters. Soon the sounds of "Back that Ass Up," one man's tribute to his impudent mule, replace the Boom Boom song. A senior on the steps explains the late-night commotion. Apparently, the freshman projects were due the next day, and fifth-year projects due the next week. "It's sort of a tradition. We're breaking in the freshmen," the senior archie says.

"Without release like this, we would go insane," Dan Pizanello says.

As if in reply another voice breaks through, "Less talk, more rock."

12:07 a.m. — The Huddle

Burger King looks like a ghost town — the first sign that night is coming. Silent and empty. The result of this abandonment: loads of people are quarter-dogging it.

"BK is my first choice, but it's closed and I'm running out of flex points," junior PJ DuWors reports.

12:10 a.m. — God Quad

A giggling couple is neckin' away. That guy must be telling her a really good joke. Wonder what that joke is? It must be dirty 'cause she stopped laughing.

12:16 a.m. — The Huddle

Scene approaches a group of guys who are stocking up on quarter dogs. "I've been working all day, and my brain's fried," junior Mike Crowe tells Scene.

The perfect end to a day of studying … a pair of the steaming hot dogs.

12:30 a.m. — Fitzpatrick Hall

Word has it that the engineers have a lounge on the second floor of Fitzpatrick and that it's nearly always occupied. This word — the word that has it — is a lie. The lounge is there — and beautifully furnished with all modern amenities, including big screen TV and refrigerator — but there is no one here at all. Those lazy engineers. When will they learn?

12:31 a.m. — LaFun Computer Cluster

There's not one PC available in the lab at this hour. "It's been busy," sophomore cluster consultant Margot Howard tells Scene. "The closer you get to finals, the more likely people are to stay until 2. At 2, when we close, people sometimes beg us to stay open." Come 2 a.m., desperate students must make the trek to DeBartolo.

12:33 a.m. — Bond Hall

Most of the Archies are back inside now, hard at work. Deep in the basement of Bond Hall, a group of first year Archies toil over the construction of large papier-mache columns, summed up by Carrie Sweeney as "a large waste of paper and time." Plans for keeping the projects as dorm room decorations were discussed, but this may have been an effect of the overwhelming paint fumes.

12:35 a.m. — LaFortune

The basement after midnight consists of both intense crammers and casual socializers, which is interesting, but not exactly out of the ordinary. In the midst of it all, sophomore Elizabeth Emerson plows through her history text. With 100 pages to go, she's remarkably cheerful. "I usually go to the library, but I was looking for a change of pace," she tells Scene. The basement is certainly a change of pace from the library, but not an especially exciting one.

12:37 a.m. — Badin Laundry Room

There is one laundry-laden fellow leaving as we walk in this roaring hut, but he was apparently the last to occupy the space. Half of the dryers are still running, though, and the scent of dryer sheets and Tide are causing hallucinations of that Snuggle bear to appear. "Follow me," Snuggles' soft voice coos. "Abandon your God." His furry pleas will not be heeded. The gentle rumble of the dryer fills the air, and the clock ticks.

12:38 a.m. — LaFun Laundry Room

We have to ask. Why laundry … at LaFun … at this hour? Don't these people have any work?

12:45 a.m. — Library

Scene notes that the "fishbowl" is definitely closed for the evening. There isn't much library traffic. The crowds seem to be thinning, and the maintenance crew emerges to vacuum the front foyer. The Fishbowl is closed and looks sad and empty. The desk is all locked up so no one can check out books anymore.

Everyone who is there seems to be working hard — another surprise, since the second floor is notorious for socializing. At first, we're hesitant to approach these fervent learners (the vibes aren't the best), but we force ourselves to chat with a solo studier who's immersed in an econ book. "I'm studying for finals," says sophomore Jack Palma, almost apologetically. "I really don't have any other exams until then."

Oh, that we all had such devotion to our studies!

12:52 a.m. — Library Basement

Senior Denice Rivera is working on a group project for theology (although interestingly, she's alone), "probably until we get kicked out," she says. We? "It's quiet down here, but you can talk," says Rivera, explaining her choice of study location. Talk to whom? "There's some weird food over there," she notes, gesturing in the direction of the vending machines along the walls. Sure enough, mixed in with regular fare like Doritos and pretzels are such delicacies as a pre-wrapped country fried steak sandwich that appears to have been around awhile. General consensus of those present is that we'd take the Huddlemart any day, although the retro dιcor of the basement almost makes up for the revolting food choices.

1 a.m. — Carroll Hall Lawn

Andres and Shaun are having a talk outside, sitting on picnic tables. They are procrastinating.

"Last night I had this paper due — I typed one paragraph of BS and I was TIRED!" Andres says. " This is bad — it's not just senioritis, it's a mutation of senioritis."

"I just want a beer," Andres, the president emeritus of the lit choir, concludes.

1:25 a.m. — The Huddle

Oh, quarter dogs, daintiest of dainties. One can eat them like potato chips, and that's how they're selling. The proprietor of the Mart has just refilled the silver tray with a stack of the floppy, faded beige treats and a line has formed. One bystander reports, "They leave your stomach feeling kind of spicy."

In the background the big screen TV is playing MTV's Spring Break, and everyone is showing off thongs to the catchy tune, "Show me that thong." Meanwhile, a disinterested woman vacuums the littered floor of LaFortune.

1:38 a.m. — Bond Hall

Downstairs in Bond Hall, the sophomore studio is about a quarter full of chipper Archies plugging away at a huge project. A Mountain Dew bottle collection sits quietly, a testament to the sleepless, bleary eyed nights of Architecture students. Sophomore Diana Reising explains that the sophs are designing "a row house for the Lincoln Park neighborhood [of Chicago]. It's worth 40 percent of our grade … and it's due the 29th."

Despite the imminent pressure, the Archies are remarkably cheerful and take the extra work in stride. It seems to be agreed that so long as they are going to spend the rest of their lives in Bond, they might as well be cheerful about it.

"I haven't been in my room for awhile … like this whole semester!" says sophomore Johnny Maas with a certain amount of pride.

1:42 a.m. — LaFun Computers

The lab is half full. One particularly stunning creature is finishing up her Spanish Review Sheet. Her name? Verinique Something-or-other. She looks up from her computer and says softly, "Tom-orrow, I'm gonna suffer for it. I have to be up at 6." She continues the conversation by relating her favorite late-night incident, "I used to work at Edy's upstairs and one time this guy came in and freaked out and insisted on making his own milkshake — vanilla. He came right behind the counter and made it. And he made a mess. I'm going to bed. This is ridiculous. I'm a freak. Good night." Good night Verinique.

1:48 a.m. — The Huddle

According to management, 300 quarter dogs are sold per night. Someone is heard commenting that they are "not looking very green tonight." Presumably, a good thing.

1:49 a.m. — God Quad

Scene witnesses two people getting very "close" behind the statue of Jesus. We decided they probably couldn't hear each other very well, like some of the other couples we met around the lake, because they had to get very close together to "talk" to each other. Hmm ... our only thought is, making out behind Jesus' back? Isn't that a little creepy?

1:58 — Lyons Arches

We pass through the first set of doors under the arch, a doorway that's notorious for post-parietals "socializing" with the opposite sex. Tonight is no exception. Sophomores Beth Schaffer and Mike Collins tell us they watched a movie earlier.

"And now we're making out in the `man trap' of Lyons," says Schaffer with a laugh.

2 a.m.

Why does the Dome look quilted? Why is it quilted? I hate that! And why isn't the top of the Basilica lit up? It's got gold!

2:05 a.m. — LaFun

Scene sits in a sleep-deprived stupor and ingests caffeine. But while here we did learn from the Huddle Mart workers that there is some guy who comes in every week for quarter dogs, not unlike many Notre Dame students. But this fellow drives to the Huddle and pays in exact change every week (i.e. no Flex Points = not a student). According to the laughing cashier, "He's incredibly sketchy. We think he's a townie." Oh townies. When will you learn?

2:09 a.m. — Reckers

The television selection is questionable tonight: "Ricky Lake" — "My relatives are sleeping with my man!" Someone is heard muttering "yours too?" If Reckers is any indication, there isn't too much drunken revelry going on tonight. Most students here are chatting, although a few have established themselves with headphones and permanent grimaces in front of their laptops.

2:13 a.m. — Bond Hall

A group of first-year students are in the lobby still slathering away at their project. There are donuts everywhere, and before Scene's eyes a tiny co-ed paint fight has erupted. Senior Joe Smith enters the building in a hunter's cap with a look on his face that says — hey, let's do some architecture. "This is where I live," he reports, and with his shoulders stiffening he adds, "I am an Archie major." Looking around at the fairly quiet second floor, Smith reflects on projects past, "I remember sophomore year — for our row house we stayed up 10 to 14 days in a row. The best part of all that is SDH when you all just pile in there. One time I fell asleep and my friends all got up and replaced themselves with alumni who were visiting, and that's what I woke up to."

2:21 a.m. — Reckers

Scene decides to get the scoop from the late-night workers who report that "the funniest thing is that these kids will stand in line for 45 minutes for a smoothie." The ladies then told about a group of guys who once tried to walk out with a couch. The ladies think these same guys may have had something to do with the disappearance of a stall divider from the men's room. They got away with this one. The best story was about one of the infamous nudists who apparently stripped down by the bookcase and then (according to the cashier) "he didn't just run right out the door, he ran all over the place! Up on the stage and everything, dancing around like a crazy man. Then he ran right out the door, never came back for his clothes." When asked if they tried to catch him, the ladies chuckled and replied, "Nah, we just stood back here and laughed. We've seen it all."

2:27 a.m. — Reckers

Suddenly, without explanation, blasting music invades the silence. Not only is it earth-shatteringly loud, but also the music seems extremely out of place. No one here seems to be in a dancing sort of mood.

Junior Andy Hoffmann takes a break from typing on his laptop to share his opinion of the music. "I think it's terrible. Horrid!" he exclaims.

"It ruined the mood," adds his friend junior Patrick Parks.

2:30 a.m.

A couple is apparently necking in "The Hand of God Tree," that big ol' hickory down by the grotto. Well, actually, sorry — now they're arguing up there. Hey! You kids! You don't climb into a tree for a spat! You climb into that tree for some neckin'. That's a neckin' tree.

2:32 a.m. — The Grotto

The grotto is empty but very well-lit. For some reason, every bird on campus is awake, and they're the only noise around. There are no footsteps or cars — nothing but the singing of birds. And the sounds of neckin'.

2:41 a.m. — Quad outside Reckers

Two young men are staggering in this direction. "Hell yes we'll answer some questions," one of them reports. "We drink a lot of beer, that's our favorite drink."

"Whiskey sours."

"Yeah, and whiskey sours. We're mad Boat Clubbers. WE'RE MAAAD BOAT CLUBBERS!" one of them shreiks.

"Holy s— dude, this is awesome." proclaims one. "WE'RE MAD BOAT CLUBBERS!"

"You smell him? He doesn't smell of alcohol, he smells of happiness."

2:45 a.m. — outside Reckers

A South Quad RA is chasing a duck. What are you going to do with that duck, RA, if you catch him? "Keep it and feed it," the RA reports. "I'll name him Mr. Bill. Because of his bill."

He's after the duck again, "Look at him waddle. You won't waddle out of this one. Woah! — those things can really move when they want to."

The RA returns. In a drunken, nonsensical slur he states, "We came back from 1 a.m. and the birds were chirping their minds out. I hate these morning birds. Something wicked is nigh. Evil is coming."

3:15 a.m. — Reckers

Scene mingles among the small crowd. Upon hearing the word "Observer," senior Jason Conrad asks, "Who's in charge of Crossword? Is it you? Cause the answers are never right. And what's with Libra having all these two-star days?"

3:25 a.m. — DeBartolo Lounge

Everyone is kicked out of the lab at 3:30 a.m. for cleaning. Junior Sean Markey is eating a random pizza that has been placed in the stand that normally holds Observers. When asked what he was doing, he responded, "Nourishing the mind and the body."

3:45 a.m. — Reckers

The music in here is making the ears swell. The employees refuse to turn it down, saying, "It helps us work." Their true motivation is too apparent though, crowd control. Or maybe sadism, it's a tough call. One might as well brandish a knife and say, "I find it comforting, that's all."

3:46 a.m. — Quads

A search party of five interrupts our quiet walk across campus with a strong flashlight.

"What are you looking for?" Scene asks.

It turns out they're getting a head start on the SUB Easter egg hunt.

"I'm trying to win a Sega Dreamcast," explains junior Nelson Rivera, the aforementioned leader of the pack. They kindly throw back the eggs that they don't want.

4:01 a.m. — Reckers

Status report from NDSPD officer at Reckers — "Most of what we see about this time of night is injury, theft and intoxication. We're viewed as adversaries, but we're just trying to serve and protect. One time I saw some nude roller bladers. And once a goose with an arrow through him — grounded — everyone helped take care of it."

4:09 a.m.

So tired. A girl just walked by the table saying, "Peters. Peters." But apparently she was just looking for her friend sitting behind us whose name must be Peters.

4:25 a.m. — Outside Reckers

A light shines in a room on the second floor of Dillon. It is discovered that these guys have made a doorbell that can be rung from the ground. Scene pushes it, and immediately two guys appear at the second floor window. "How do you have a doorbell?" we shout.

Senior Jason Conrad replies: "We're good. We're engineers."

Ah, that explains it. "He hasn't slept in 48 hours," senior Bret Sedenka says of his friend. "I enjoy 5 a.m."

5:12 a.m.

The Virgin Mary appears to Casey Grabenstein.

5:21 a.m. — Bond Hall

Only two architects remain in the studio. Sophomore Rudy Mancilla lets us in with a bemused look on his face. "It's been 33 hours since I've slept," he explains.

5:36 a.m. — Debartolo Lounge

This room shelters one person sprawled out asleep on the couch and one woman huddled up and typing away on her laptop. Now a guy with a huge mullet is walking in and everything is good again.

5:45 a.m. — Reckers

It is dead here. One guy remains, sipping a Coke. Scene's way too tired to ask why. Even those pulling all-nighters have gone home. Our eyes glaze over to "I Dream of Jeannie" reruns.

5:56 a.m.

Scene is done reporting! We're off to Nick's Patio to share stories and giggle in that incoherent, sleep-deprived way over real food.

Sunrise

How I missed thee, thou ball of hottest fire. To french toast and bacon Scene scurries.

Andrew McDonnell, Amanda Greco, Laura Kelly, Mary Anne Lewis, Casey Grabenstein, Jackie Ostrowski and Katie Sanders contributed to this article.

• Notre Dame's other night life