Was this reporter locked in the closet without his cell phone? Did he have the capibility to beat on the walls or door, holler and in general cause a ruckus?
When drudge had the story originally from the reporter, there was no lock, the reporter was just put there until his time to come out. He kept sticking his head out asking if it was time for him yet so it seems the story above is greatly exaggerated from what is originally reported.
http://www.drudgereport.com/flash7.html