Deep underground with L.A.’s computer and scooter scenes

By Noah Barron

The tall, combat-booted hacker hefted up a large, fatigue-green metal case. It sure looked like an ammo canister by the light of the streetlamp.

“Here you go,” he said, opening it to the circle of onlookers. “A 1,000 rounds.” Inside, rifle ammunition glittered like a pirate’s doubloons.

The corporate computer security technician known as Vidiot, who was buying the bullets on a downtown L.A. street corner, replied, “Okay, I still owe you. How about if I pay you 20 bucks now and the rest later?”

Welcome to L.A. 2600, a group of self-professed hackers that has been meeting in the back of Philippe’s Deli across from Union Station for nearly 15 years. They get together to talk shop, tell stories, smoke cigarettes and enjoy the camaraderie of forbidden knowledge. And, as the above scene shows, they have an unusual view of the legal system—when it applies to them and when it doesn’t is a matter of speculation.