Lab Journal Entry #28

[matril]

"Tragedy"

Ext., Another forest, daytime. CREATURE is looking directly into camera)

CREATURE
(Scornfully) I discovered who you are, dear Maker. You put your face out there for the whole world to see. Now you will see mine. You will know me. You will know what you made. And you will take responsibility for my creation.

Pans camera down to chest, where a partial insignia can be seen: “Dr. TORI F-”

CREATURE
I took up this coat after I first came to life, groping about for something with which to clothe myself. It was not until recently that I realized it had your name on it – an oversight which is perhaps understandable, considering I prefer not to gaze intently upon my own form very frequently. As soon as I became aware of the name, however, I was able to perform a search on this device (lifting tablet) using the wireless signal from a nearby restaurant. I am able to conceal myself easily at nighttime, blending in with the shadows. I never travel during the day. I am all too aware what the consequence of that folly would be.

(Pulls up TORI’s Youtube channel on the tablet) So I found this. How very convenient, to have my entire origin story laid out before me. Told as a tragedy – your tragedy, of course, dear Maker. You took no thought for my feelings. I was an experiment. A mistake. The best possible ending, for you, was my quick death. I am sorry to disappoint you.

I found other information as well. I know where the facility is where you brought me to life and immediately abandoned me. At first I planned on returning there to confront you. But then I learned that you haven’t returned there yourself, that you have been ill. You have been half-heartedly searching for me. You needn’t worry about that any longer. (Lifts camera to look significantly at it) When I want you to find me, you will.

(Begins walking) I am traveling instead to your hometown, another piece of information I was easily able to acquire. I’m already nearly there. I want to see this place where you had such a happy, carefree childhood. Every pleasure you were granted which I was coldly denied. Every –

A child’s gleeful voice. CREATURE, startled, crouches behind a tree and watches, setting camera on ground. Then we hear crunching leaves and twigs as the creature approaches something off camera. Muffled voices, gradually rising in an argument. Then a shriek, echoed in a more distant scream. CREATURE returns, snatches up the camera and runs.

Cut. Different part of forest

CREATURE
(Out of breath, horrified) It happened so fast. That child – that beautiful child – he was wandering alone and I thought perhaps he was an orphan, abandoned like myself. I could take him under my care and have a friend – someone who did not disdain my help – (Chokes) But he did not want me. He scorned me just like everyone else. I was angry. He struggled to get away from me – said his father would have me thrown in jail – when I recognized the name I realized he was your brother – I lashed out at him in a blind rage – he fell into the ravine – (Stares at camera) I killed him. (Face twists in struggle between remorse and sense of exulting power) Now you have a taste of my suffering.

We suffer together.