My covert clientele includes some of the most 
prestigious nobles, wealthiest merchants, and 
powerful sorcerers in all of Europe, all of whom 
are dependent on me for enchantments. That sort 
of influence is not to be tossed aside. Even the 
Royals of Westminster consult with me on matters 
of Alchemy. You think my position here puts me in 
danger from the Church? My position here 
protects me from the Church. 


And besides, my trade in mundane wares is 
actually doing quite well. Can't put all our eggs in 
One magical basket, now can we? 


Date | March 14th, 1501 


Transaction | Gave 49 in Tally to an anonymous 
doctor (Tally password: Fellow Pestilence) for a 
bloodletting to an employee of the London Shop. 


Comments | As noted above, earlier today a 
medicine man performed a bloodletting on one of 
my shop girls. | paid him in Tally, only for the poor 
girl to expire barely an hour after he had made his 
exit. 


As this doctor was in full plague doctor attire | 
cannot give a description of him, but if anyone 
tries to claim Tally using the above password, 
please detain them for me. 


Thank you 


Date | April 4th, 1592 


Transaction | Company was granted a Letter of 
Marque by the English Crown. 


Comments | | was finally able to obtain a Letter of 
Marque from Her Majesty. For one hundred years 
the New World's been sitting there, and what an 
embarrassment it is that | have not been able to 
capitalize upon it until now. 


Captain Graff and his crew are all privateers now, 
and the Fair Duchess a ship of war. Guided by my 
foresight, protected by my wards, armed with 
weapons from Shylock's Quarter, success is all 
but a certainty. 


The Duchess shall seize Spanish galleons, 
already laden will silver and spices and other 
treasures from the New World, and press those 
ships into service. The Darke Trading Co. will 
soon have a proper merchant fleet, the only one in 
the World that can communicate with their 
homeland or each other without delay. 


The world will be ours for the taking. 


Date | August 23, 1612 


Transaction | None, Memo to Darke from Quilton. 


Comments | Shylock's starting to take an issue 
with our Tally system. In fact, he doesn't like that 
we write our records in a cypher to begin with. 
Says we're cooking our books, and we either have 
to pay him his weight in gold or let him audit us. 
Up to you Darke. 


If you want my opinion, this Tally system is more 
trouble than it's worth. | get that it's easier than 
lugging gold and silver around everywhere, and it 
doesn't put a limit on our growth like a commodity 
currency would, but you never know what Tally is 
going to be worth in a week. Some folk won't take 
it because of that, others take it only when it's 
down in value so that they can redeem it when it 
goes up, at our expense mind you, and its 
anonymous nature is just begging for abuse. I've 
had people claim Tally with passwords and 
account numbers | know weren't theirs. It pains 
me to think of how they might have gotten that 
information. 


Plus, it's just absurd that | have to burn real whale 
oil to see well enough to record transactions with 
imaginary money. 


Date | July 15th, 1653 


Transaction | Made arrangement with local 
plantation owners to purchase slaves practicing 
witchcraft for 1000 lbs of sugar per head. 


Comments | Some of the slaves in the Caribbean 
have been practicing African witchcraft that's 


making it hard for the taskmasters to keep order. | 
consider this to be a unique opportunity since 
such sorcery should not present any challenge to 
us. 


The plantation owners have agreed to sell these 
troublesome witch doctors to our plantation in 
Antigua for half of what the Dutch are selling them 
for. Should these new arrivals make any attempt 
at using their voodoo for insurrection, the Tarp is 
to respond in kind. 


Make sure they know exactly who their new 
master is. 


Date | May 13th, 1713 


Transaction | Acquired control of the Gypsimnum 
(Full Contract available in the London Office). 


Comments | I'm happy to announce that the Darke 
Trading Co. has a new subsidiary as of today: The 
Gypsimnum. They're a group of nomadic 
Wanderers, travelling the Ways between Worlds 
and trading goods between them. 


Admittedly they haven't been very successful, as 
walking the Ways is dangerous and often not 
cheap, but I'm confident that our resources and 
leadership will make them an indispensable asset. 


To tell the truth, I've grown a little dissatisfied with 
how mundane the Darke Trading Co. has become. 
What do we trade these days? Slaves and spices, 
saltpeter and silk, indigo and opium. How dull. 
Over these past few centuries, I've become more 


and more disenchanted with the disenchanted. | 
hardly need more money, it is wonders that | lack. 
Ever since we've been forced out of Shylock's, I've 
wished to return to our arcane roots. 


| think the Gypsimnum is a good start. 


Date | October 9th, 1793 


Transaction | Liquidation of the Darke Trading 
Company. 


Comments | It is with a heavy heart that | write 
this, my final entry. | have liquidated the Darke 
Trading Co., the company | have conducted my 
business with for over four hundred years. It 
pained me to do it, but it was the right choice. It 
was either that or see it fall to ruin before my eyes. 


I'm too old. These are revolutionary times; the 
French Revolution, the American Revolution, the 
rise of steam-powered industry and this growing 
abolitionist movement are all too much for me to 
handle. The Darke Trading Co. was meant for a 
bygone age of this world. 


Just like me. 


At the very least, | made a sizable profit from the 
liquidation. I've divied it up among various banks 
and investments under various pseudonyms, plus 
a few well hidden piles of gold and stacks of cash, 
just in case. All of my true treasures, the magical 
ones, are safely sealed away. 


I've purchased a building in Hy-Brasil, where | 


plan to study and hone my craft. The King was 
loathe to let an outsider take up residence in his 
beloved utopia, but relented when | reminded him 
how | helped his father and their people flee the 
Green Isle all those centuries ago. The prince 
though is most interested in hearing tales of the 
outside world, and the treasures it contains. When 
he becomes King, perhaps he will seek my 
counsel in a more official capacity. 


For now though, | am merely glad that | shall be 
removed from the mundane and immersed in the 
magical. Hy-Brasil will be a nice reprieve, but | 
doubt my lust for coin will let me rest forever. 
Sooner or later, an opportunity will come along 
that will be too good to ignore. 


And | will be the Deathless Merchant of London 
once more. 


Footnotes 

1. Established by archaeological and forensic dating methods, as 
well as dates listed within the codices themselves. 

2. Referred to as 'Tally' within SCP-3549 itself. 


SCP-3550: Cancer of Passion 


Item #: SCP-3550 
Object Class: Euclid 


Special Containment Procedures: SCP-3550 is to be contained at 
Site-42 in a modified humanoid containment chamber without an 
observation window. All observation of SCP-3550 is to be made 
indirectly, through camera feed. Access to SCP-3550 and its 
chamber is restricted to Dr. Rosetta and janitorial staff. 


Along with standard sanitation and minimal furniture requirements, 
SCP-3550 has been issued a computer with limited internet access 
with approval of Site Overseer and Ethics Committee. The only 
approved use of this computer is writing a diary (requested for 
therapeutic reason by Dr. Rosetta) and to access the ' support 
group chatroom for cancer patients and survivors.’ Chat logs are to 
be monitored for the sake of information security. The profile 
SCP-3550 uses is anonymous, and will continue to be. 


Requests for leisure items should be filed to the Site-Overseer and 
will be approved or denied at the discretion of Site-42 Security 
Overseer and Ethics Committee. 


SCP-3550 has agreed to wear custom-made blacked out goggles! 
during therapy sessions or when in visual contact with security 
personnel. Physical contact with SCP-3550 is strictly prohibited 
without use of protective gloves. 


Food must be supplied through a feeding hatch situated near the 
entrance of the containment chamber. While SCP-3550's diet has 
no special requirements, SCP-3550 has refused to eat several times 
since initial containment. When undernourishment is judged to be 
present, Fortisip or intravenous food drip can be administered at the 
discretion of both Dr. Rosetta and the Ethics Committee. SCP-3550 
is to be restrained only when absolutely necessary. 


shielding, appearing to examine the window and Dr. | 
Dr. :Howdo you feel about fuel? 


SCP-457: It burns. [457 places a 'hand' upon the blast 
shielding to no effect] 


Dr. : Please move away from the window. Or we will 
be forced to reduce your size considerably. 


SCP-457: [No reply or signs of understanding. Does not 
move.] 


Dr. :...How do you feel about water? 


SCP-457: [Emits a high-pitched scream of superheated 
air and presses body against blast shielding.] 


Dr. : Please move away from the window, or we will 
be forced to turn the sprinklers back on. 


SCP-457: [Backs away from the window, still screaming, 
hissing, and snapping.] 


Dr. : Do you understand that? Stay away from the 
window, and you will not be doused. 


SCP-457: [Quiets and remains still for several seconds 
before approaching window again, stopping several feet 
away.] 


Dr. : Do you understand? 


SCP-457: Want fuel. Want air. Want burn. Want to burn. 
Want to burn. Want to burn. [Repeats self, growing 
louder and beginning to move about containment area 
rapidly, apparently searching walls and ceiling for a way 
out] 


Dr. : There is not a way out, if you would please... 
what is it doing? Is it looking for a way ou- 


Accommodations to improve SCP-3550's mental health have been 
requested and approved, such as reading material, radio and 
television. Dr. Rosetta has evaluated that SCP-3550 has a medium 
to high risk of suicide. The containment chamber contains no 
furniture higher than SCP-3550's waist, and no sharp objects and 
edges are allowed inside the containment cell. SCP-3550's 
garments are devoid of items that may assist in self-termination 
such as shoelaces, belts and ties. 


SCP-3550 receives weekly therapy sessions on Wednesday at 
18:00 performed by Dr. Rosetta in treatment of clinical depression 
and general anxiety disorder. SCP-3550 is required to take 20mg 
40mg of fluoxetine daily as prescribed by Dr. Langford. 


To the public, the abnormal rate of diagnoses of cancer in has 
been attributed to radiation poisoning through accident at the 
nuclear power plant situated near the town. 


Description: SCP-3550 is a female human, born in 1996. 
SCP-3550 is physically healthy with the exception of mild 
malnutrition. There are several places on its scalp where the hair 
has been forcefully removed. It has a history of severe psychological 
problems since its initial recovery. suicide attempts have been 
recorded since containment began in 200 (see extended psychiatric 
evaluation). 


Exposure to SCP-3550's direct line of sight will result in malignant 
cancerous tumours appearing in the body of the viewer in 100% of 
cases. This extends to physical contact. Cancer cells are typically 
discovered in the liver or brain of affected persons, and metastasis 
has been reported to occur within a period of between two weeks 
and one year. This has resulted in the loss of the majority of 
SCP-3550's family, friends and over 58% of the population of : 
SCP-3550's home town. 


This anomaly has started relatively recently, possibly manifesting 
after SCP-3550 became adolescent. SCP-3550 is aware of its 
anomaly, and expresses severe distress and feelings of remorse 
when mentioned. Based on SCP-3550's reports, it is theorised that 
the speed of its anomalous effects on a subject is proportional to the 
degree of SCP-3550's emotional attachment to the subject. In 


keeping with SCP-3550's continued mental stability, this information 
is withheld from it. SCP-3550 has shown complete cooperation with 
its containment but frequently requests to be terminated. 


+ Psychiatric Treatment Notes, approval by Dr. Rosetta required. 


04/03/200 - Started on 20mg fluoxetine daily for the first 
six weeks, titration up to 40mg recommended over 6 
months. ~ Langford. 


07/03/200 - Pregabalin added to prescription (75mgx2 
daily). Move up to 300mg if needed. ~ Langford. 


29/04/200 : SCP-3550's psychological state drastically 
reduced during initial weeks, but improved over time. 
Cause is suspected to be confinement. Sustaining 
prescription. ~ Langford. 


04/05/200 : SCP-3550 has been administered Class-C 
amnestics in an attempt to improve its mental condition. 
SCP-3550 appears to be immune to its effects, even 
stating that its memories are actually more vivid. Subject 
took approximately 3 weeks of intense therapy to 
recover. Further testing with amnestics is not 
recommended. ~ Langford. 


12/06/200 : Dosage elevated to 40mg. ~ Rosetta. 

+ Interview recording: Weekly therapy session with Dr. Langford -1 
09/03/200 : 
Interviewed: SCP-3550 
Interviewer: Dr. Langford 


Dr. Langford: So, your dosage has been 
upped a little. Do you notice the difference? 


SCP-3550: A little fuzzy, but | feel better | 
guess. Thanks doc. 


Dr. Langford: | know that it's hard to be here 
sometimes but I'll try what | can- 


SCP-3550: | know, doc. Look, you've been 
really nice to me. Security is a little scary but 
you already gave me a lot. | Know you're trying 
really hard. 


Dr. Langford: Okay. Do you think we can talk 
about yesterday? 


SCP-3550: [PAUSE] You heard about that. 
Yeah |... | don't know. 


Dr. Langford: We're trying to make it as 
comfortable as possible. I'd be very sad if 
you... weren't with us anymore. You know 
that, right? 


SCP-3550: | mean, yeah. | don't want to hurt 
you like that. | know it's probably a hassle to 
deal with me like this. 


Dr. Langford: Never think so. You can't help 
it, remember? 


SCP-3550: Yeah...true. 


Dr. Langford: So anyway, about your 
drawings. 


SCP-3550: | made new ones! Do you want to 
see them? 


Dr. Langford: I'd love to. 


END LOG. 
+ Interview recording: Weekly therapy session with Dr. Langford -2 


21/05/200 : 


Interviewed: SCP-3550 
Interviewer: Dr. Langford 


Dr. Langford: So obviously your profile will 
have to be anonymous, you know we don't 
want people know about our work here. 


SCP-3550: Are there more people like me 
here? 


Dr. Langford: | can't tell you about that, I'm 
afraid. You know how it goes, confidentiality. 


SCP-3550: Right, | guess that makes sense. 


Dr. Langford: Why this chatroom, 
specifically? 


SCP-3550: They're a support group for 
survivors in , where | came from. They 
think it's something like a nuclear waste 
accident. | guess your people told them that, 
right? 


Dr. Langford: They did. Of course, you can't 
mention that in the chatroom. 


SCP-3550: | figured that. It's just... it reminds 
me of what | did, but | need to stay connected 
to the people | left behind. 


Dr. Langford: Are you sure you want that 
reminder all the time? 


SCP-3550: Don't know. It's better than 
pretending it didn't happen. [PAUSES, SIGHS] 
Can we talk about something else? 


Dr. Langford: Alright, like what? 


SCP-3550: | feel a bit bad. We only talk about 


myself all the time. How are you doing, doctor? 


Dr. Langford: I... that's sweet. I'm very well, 
thank you. Don't worry about me okay? 


SCP-3550: I'm not worried. | just wanted to 
know if you're doing alright. It's a shame | don't 
know what you look like. Or anyone here for 
that matter. Steven sounds like he's nice. 


Dr. Langford: You mean Steven Nilus, the 
head of security?