Ah okay, I see what you mean now. I need to check out the day and night cycle if there are some loop holes...
No need to post a screenshot, I know the spot you mean with the beams and the pillarmen. I happened to me once too.
Short-circuit didn't have use before, because I left few areas out of the demo because of time constraints, but with the version 2.2, I made few doors available, including one the one you spoke of, so that it's not completely useless right now.
I'm afraid the doctor cannot be recruited fully. He only joins you for one area. Both him and the occultist can be met on Day 2.