Haha Muirenn, there is no "they" in this equation But I guess I could poke holes in the drywall at the top and learn how to do drywall repair in the room where it doesn't really matter how bad it looks!

Here is the room:
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The wall to your right is asbestos siding, as it was once the outside of the house. The floor is plywood over concrete (I think) but I have a pile of vinyl composition tile to put in when it's warmer out there. The green monstrosity is the linen closet accessible through the old bathroom window. I'm not sure the walls actually meet the ground on the left, but there's baseboard up so it's hard to tell.

I'm guessing this has happened before, judging by the condition of the floor in that corner!