OK, we're getting to the bottom of this....
First, my friend is not a "read the instructions guy"... I told him which books to buy, he hasn't read them yet. I asked him which yeast he used, he didn't know. I asked him what the OG was and what it is now, he doesn't know..... <beating head against wall>
But, here's what happened. It was a kit. I doubt that the "Czech Pilsner" kit had a lager yeast in it. Probably a German ale yeast to simulate the pseudo sort of almost pilsner. He stuck it in a basement closet which is at about 52º. I suspect the yeast took a nap, and the other bugs took over.
Now, he has racked it from under the "fuzz layer" into a carboy and put it on the counter top in the kitchen. 68º-ish. Lo and behold a vigorous fermentation is taking place which confirms my theory.
Now, I asked him how it tasted, he said: (you guessed it) I don't know.
So whether this beer will survive is still up in the air.
At least he's a halfway decent drummer.