I've seen stuff like that in NYC (Brooklyn, Coney Island area)
Zip cord stapled to the walls, duplex receptacles extended to 12 outlets by the ingenious use of adaptors, 3way extension cords and power strips,.. The ground got lost somewhere... I wasn't able to get further into that mess, so I don't know what was hidden behind. All light switches were worn out, and in the room I was living in there was one single duplex receptacle. In the bathroom there were none at all, so I had to plug my hairdryer (1200w) into the mess described above.
I also remember rusty and broken conduits with stalactites hanging down at deKalb Avenue D train stop before and during renovation.
My worst memories of living in NYC.
