Notes (2023)

Notes can be picked up throughout Layers of Fear (2023). They tell the story of the Painter's life as well as his family, and give the player more information and lore surrounding everything that happened in the past. These are different than Mementos, as Mementos can be viewed later in the album on the table in the Workshop, while regular notes cannot be looked at again once the player has left the area they're in.

## Painter's Story

### House (Prologue)

#### Letter #1

*Dear sir,*

*We would like to ask you to cease bothering our pest control* *specialists, as well as to refrain from sending us any more of your* *highly inappropriate letters (I’ll have you know that my* *mother is a respectable woman and does not take kindly to* *such accusations). All of our employees have visited your* *house and found absolutely no signs of a rodent infestation of* *any kind, and as such decided not to act further than a* *prophylactic spraying.*

*Please treat this letter as a final warning, or else the next* *envelope you’ll receive will be from our lawyers.*

*With best regards,*

*Carl Denton*

*Pesky Pests Pacification Co.*

#### Newspaper clipping #1

*AN ARTIST’S TRIUMPH*

*GALLERY OPENING WOWS CRITICS*

*Some call him the new Caravaggio, others compare him to van* *Eyck, and one awestruck critic (who wished to remain* *unnamed) went as far as to invoke “the spirit of the great* *Leonardo”. Any way you slice it, the exhibition proved an* *Immense success. (...)’s distinct style has been praised for its* *unique combination of Renaissance influences and more* *progressive techniques. The artist himself attended the event in* *the company of his beautiful fiance. Looking stunning in her* *black gown, (...) revealed to us exclusively that the couple are* *indeed expecting (...)*

#### Painter's note #1

*I’m sorry for yesterday. You were right. I overreacted. It’s just* *that… This isn’t about me. It’s about her. Everything I do, I do* *with her best interest in mind. I guess I’ve always believed that* *in an imperfect world, it’s worth to strive for perfection. Ah,* *now I’m starting to sound like my father. I WILL work on my* *temper, though! Promise. We’ll talk later.*

*I love you.*

#### Musician's note #1

*Figured you’d be up all night, so I made you a little treat. You* *know, I bet even Rembrandt occasionally took time off from* *being brilliant and snored his head off like the rest of us common* *folk. I know, gasp! In other words, get some sleep, you big* *dummy!*

*I love you.*

#### Shopping list

*paint:* *rose doré*

*burnt umber*

*sienna*

*brushes x 25*

*air fresheners x 50 packs*

*apples 10 kg*

*booze ̶5̶ ̶1̶0̶ 30*

#### Pest control business card

*Little Vinny & Partners*

*Got a rat problem?*

*Call us now and foggetaboutit!*

*555-3825*

*FAST, EFFICIENT AND DISCRETE!*

#### Daughter's report card

*REPORT CARD*

*READING: C | D | F | C*

*WRITTEN COMMUNICATION: D | B | C | D*

*MATHEMATICS: F | D| F | C*

*SCIENCE/HEALTH: C | D | C | F*

*SOCIAL STUDIES: D | C | F | D*

*ART: A | A | B | A*

*MUSIC: B | A | B | A*

*PHYSICAL EDUCATION: EXCUSED FROM CLAS*S

#### Musician's note #2

*I’m so sick and tired of us talking through these notes. We live* *in the same house, for god’s sake! Come talk to me when you’re* *done. BEFORE you go to sleep!*

#### Painter's note #2

*Been working all night*

*Don’t wake me up*

#### Newspaper clipping #2

*Galactic’s Grand Opening in Flames*

*Disastrous Fire at the New Department Store Leaves Dozens* *Fighting for Their Lives.*

*The long awaited opening of the Galactic department store* *turned into hell on earth when the building’s wiring burst into* *flames. While the majority of the visitors managed to reach the* *emergency exits in time, several unfortunate attendees were* *trapped in the back of the building, having no chance to escape* *the raging inferno. The exact number of casualties has not yet* *been determined, although it is estimated that at least a dozen* *people have been severely injured. The owner of the Galactic -* *Ronald Schefield - has so far declined to comment on today’s* *tragic events.*

#### Painter's note #3

*Sorry. Couldn’t sleep. The leg’s been acting up again. Figured I* *might as well do some work.*

*I love you.*

#### Letter #2

*My Dear Friend,*

*Let me ask you one simple question: have you completely lost* *your goddamn mind?!*

*I know you’re going through some rough times right now, I* *really do; that’s why I agreed to let you do those* *illustrations in the first place, for old time’s sake. I even* *deliberately gave you a trivial task, because I expected Little* *Red Riding Hood” to be something you can draw in your* *sleep. What I didn’t expect is to get this demented nightmare* *fuel you submitted for a kids’ bedtime story! There is no way* *in hell I’m using this and I already regret agreeing to a* *payment in advance. Please get your shit together.*

*Your old pal,*

*Liam Brickstone*

*Whispered Tale Publishing House*

#### Painter's note #4

*I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you. Tonight, it’s all about you and* *me. Let’s make it special.*

*YOU PROMISED!*

### Chapter 1 (Canvas)

#### Wedding invitation

*(...) request the pleasure of your company to celebrate their* *wedding on Saturday, the ninth of June at St. Luke’s chapel at* *two o’clock in the afternoon.*

#### Letter #3

*Dear Sir and Madam [illegible], We are truly thrilled to hear that you accepted our humble proposition. After discussing dates with my colleague, we find [illegible] the best time to open the exhibition. We need time to set everything up, as getting a piano to our gallery will be no small feat!*

*Respectfully,*

*Thomas Caldwell, [illegible] Gallery*

#### Musician's Note #3

Dearest,

I think I have the music for all the paintings now, and I’m going to play it for you this evening.

You’re going to love it!

#### Letter #4

*Hey,*

*Sorry I haven’t written in a while, I’ve been swarmed with work. I gotta tell you, your last letter was… troubling, to say the least. I can’t believe she would set fire to your old paintings. Why would she do that? “The Lady in Black” especially - that was your tribute to her, wasn’t it? I don’t know what to tell you, except to get her some professional help, pronto. You could probably talk to someone about it as well. With all that’s happened, I’m sure it would do you some good. I probably don’t need to tell you that the buyer was sorely disappointed with the news. The new pieces just aren’t selling as well as the classics. Anyway, I’ll keep looking. You just hang in there and focus on your work. I know you still have it in you. I believe in you.*

*Your friend and agent,*

*Thomas Caldwell*

*I DON’T*

#### Marriage Counseling Flyer

*Reconnect with your partner*

*Rebuild your relationship*

*Rediscover the joy of marriage*

*REKINDLE THE FLAME*

*Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Perfect relationships may look great on the silver screen, but the rest of us mortals have to face the simple truth: Nobody’s perfect! And you know what? That’s fine! In fact, many loving couples struggle day to day life in a relationship. This does not make them any less special. It just takes some work, and we’re here to help! Our consultants - all trained experts in their field - will help you identify the source of your troubles and deal with it, at your own pace. Whether it’s simple miscommunication, money problems, or conflicting personalities - where there’s a problem, there’s always a solution.*

*And remember, it’s never too late!*

#### *Honey,*

*I think we should drop the toccata here. People won’t be able to concentrate on anything but your music. It’s about our family after all, about both of us. I’m sure Thomas would agree with me.*

#### Musician's Note #4

*My love,*

*I have a new set, less flashy this time. You were right - it works better! I can’t wait for this opening. I’ve never dreamed of making art together with you, yet here we are and it’s all I could’ve wanted.*

#### Letter #5

*Dear Sir and Madam,*

*We must kindly but strongly ask you to keep your voices down during the night. Your marital problems, while regrettable, are a private matter and should remain that way. They are certainly of no concern to us and especially our children. Please, consider that not everyone is a freelance artist. Some of us have to get up early and work for a living. We need our sleep. We must warn you that if things continue the way they are now, we will be forced to call the police.*

*Sincerely,*

*Your very tired neighbors.*

#### Musician's Note #5

*My home is my castle. Locked inside, I am safe.*

#### Newspaper Clipping #3

*A ONCE GREAT ARTIST*

*(...)’s PAINTING LAUGHED OUT OF GALLERIES*

*“What we witnessed today, while entirely worthless in artistic terms, might be an invaluable case study for Psychologists” These harsh words came from none other than Jason Hughes. The famed critic was one of the first critics to appreciate the works of (...) and whose praise once contributed to his first spectacular success. When asked if such brutal criticism was indeed called for, especially in light of the recent tragic events, Hughes responded: “As critics, it is our duty to critique art, but not to judge the artist. The man has been through a lot lately and obviously it has taken its toll on him. Still, if we were to remain silent and pretend this is even remotely acceptable, we would be doing the artist a disservice. Other critics were only slightly more lenient, as the...*

#### Newspaper Clipping #4

*ARTS JOINED IN PERFECT UNION!*

*In an unexpected experimental streak of his usually conservative endeavors, Thomas Caldwell hosted an extraordinary exhibition opening in his gallery. “This is a great day for me and my wife”. Said (...) in the opening speech. “For us, this is not only an exhibition. This is how we want to live our life. (...)'s music accompanies my paintings just as she will accompany me in the future. [It is rumored after the exhibition some kind of arrangement was set between Thomas Caldwell and (...)]*

SPELLNG DIFFERENCE: In the transcript, the Musician's name is simply written as (...) or (illegible), but in the writing on the actual item in-game, the Musician's name is spelled as "Bjbdss"

### Chapter 2 (Base)

#### Servant Resignation Notice #1

*RESIGNATION NOTICE*

*I hereby resign from service as maid in [illegible] house.*

*Mary Smith*

#### Musician's Note #6

*I can’t stand to see you like this! You’re not well! You were sweating and shaking all night and now there you are, locked  in your workshop, as usual. This whole “tortured artist” nonsense has got to stop!*

#### Painter's Note #6

*This is my house! You can’t keep locking me in! You’re so afraid of fire, how can you cut off the means of escape?!*

SPELLING DIFFERENCE: On the in-game item, the last sentence is spelled slightly differently than the transcript. It is spelled "*If you're so afraid of the fire"*

#### Symptoms List

*Warning signs:*

*The following list is a compilation of the most common symptoms of schizophrenia. While typically diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 25, the disorder is known to affect older patients as well. Note that these symptoms are not exclusive to schizophrenia and should by no means be treated as conclusive evidence of this particular affliction. In order to obtain a proper diagnosis, you should contact a qualified specialist (i.e. psychologist, psychiatrist).*

*-blank expression, stares off into space (YES)*

*-involuntary facial movements (YES)*

*-insomnia (HAVEN’T NOTICED)*

*-unusual gestures of postures (ALWAYS HAD THAT)*

*-unable to experience joy from activities (DEFINITELY)*

*-depersonalization (WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?!)*

*-awkward, clumsy movement (MIGHT BE FROM THE ACCIDENT)*

*-prone to anger, resentment (MORE PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE)*

*-lack of motivation (YES)*

*-suicidal tendencies (???!!!)*

#### Letter #6

*Here are the calculations you asked for. 10/kwh/room, 10x3=300=3/mo. You need to also include the cost of lamps for every room*

*Sincerely,*

*Gregory Baker, accountant.*

*I DON’T CARE HOW MUCH IT COSTS, SHE’S AFRAID OF FIRE. WE’LL HAVE ELECTRICITY, AND THAT’S THAT.*

#### Newspaper Clipping #5

*(...)-let’s talk about the symbolic aspects of your work.*

*-I’d rather not.*

*-Why is that?*

*-Symbolism is a word that gets thrown around a lot, usually when people don’t really know what to make of you. The worst question you could possibly ask me is “what did you mean by that?” If it was that simple, I wouldn’t have painted it. I would have just told you. Of course, we can talk in general about themes that always inspired me… Duality. Conflict. I think that all art revolves around some sort of struggle. Whether or not we’re able to see it, of course, is an entirely different matter.*

#### Prescription Note

*MORPHINE PRESCRIPTION*

*PATIENT NAME [ILLEGIBLE]*

*DATE [ILLEGIBLE]*

*William H. Green, MD*

#### Painter's Note #7

*Since my last letter, things only got worse. Yesterday a stool broke underneath me. My cup stuck to the kitchen table. We need new servants, but these people are so lazy! It’s like nobody wants to work anymore.*

SPELLING DIFFERENCE: In the in-game item, the third sentence is written differently, with the word "The" with "A".

#### Servant Resignation Notice #2

*Madam [ILLEGIBLE],*

*As of today, I’m resigning from work at this house. I think I don’t have to explain my reasons. You know what life in this house is like. If I can give you some advice, think about being more understanding and a bit nicer to future servants.*

SPELLING DIFFERENCE: On the in-game item, the third sentence is spelled differently, as "You know how life in this house looks" as opposed to the sentence in the transcript.

### Chapter 3 (Paint)

#### Medical Business Card

*Harry Marvin, MD*

*Relationship counselor*

*Telephone(...) No. 225 East Fifth Street*

[On backside]

*March 3*

*This time we’re really going.*

#### Musician's Note #7

*This house is sick. The world is breaking around us. Everything I touch breaks.*

#### Story Proposal

*About a boy who wakes up in a cave. He finds a mysterious note and a gun. He then journeys through environments (woods, fields, rivers). Eventually he winds up at a small cabin, where it turns out it has all been a product of his subconscious, brought upon by a traumatic childhood memory (he killed a guy who had murdered his father). In the real world, he’s been drooling in a loony bin this whole time.*

*Get it? The twist is sort of gimmicky, but I think it works. Could you storyboard it for me? If you’re interested, I’ll send you the details right away. Frankly, I think you should take this job. It pays well and it would take your mind off of… well, you know, everything else. Please, let me know as soon as possible.*

*Thomas Caldwell*

#### Letter #7

*Dear Sir,*

*While I can certainly understand that you are upset and I have nothing but sympathy for your wife and yourself, I must categorically state that I do not wish to receive any further correspondence from you in this matter. Any skin graft procedure is extremely complicated and inherently associated with the risk of failure. Having stated that, I assure you that me and my colleagues at St. Anne have made every effort to ensure a positive outcome for your wife. Personally speaking, I believe we have done the best job possible considering the extent of tissue damage. You are, of course, entitled to your opinion and I can certainly understand your disappointment. What I do not understand is how you seem to think writing hateful letters to me, or my fellow doctors will ameliorate the situation. As I’ve already stated, I can certainly understand you’ve been under a lot of stress as of late, and thus I will not press charges IF you refrain from any future correspondence. Let me make it absolutely clear that I will not tolerate further threats aimed at my staff, my family, or myself. If you wish to seek psychological help, I can have my assistants provide contact information of several specialists who would be more than competent to help you get through the hard times.*

*With best regards and wishes for you and your wife.*

*William H. Green, MD*

#### Painter's Note #8

*Cleaning this house is a nightmare! We don’t even use the fireplace that often and ash is everywhere!*

#### Letter #8

*I’m terribly sorry for your inconvenience, but we have seen no fluctuations on power in your area and see no issues with the neighbourhood. And since you didn’t allow entry to our electricians, we cannot help you in any way.*

*Sincerely,*

*Adam S.*

*Power company*

#### Painter's Diary Page #1

*September 12*

*She’s been at it again. Earlier in the day, I found more of her “reviews” - little notes stuck to one of my paintings. Some of the most scathing, hateful shit I’ve ever read about my work. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, she knows me well enough to what really gets to me. I just can’t believe she would use that against me. Worst thing is, when I confronted her about it, she claimed she hadn’t written any of them. Like I can tell her handwriting... Jesus. Does she really hate me that much or is her mind starting to slip? I just don’t know what to do anymore.*

#### Newspaper Clipping #7

*Some paintings defy simple words, let alone critique. A basic knowledge of the subject is an absolute must if one is to even try taming them. Babyface is one such painting. This art anomaly draws tens of thousands of mediocrity enthusiasts and sunday abstraction aficionados. In reality, it looks like a result of a week-long art marathon if a not very well-adjusted painter locked in a dark basement. Leaving aside the horrible execution, the painting excels in a hideous-*

#### Musician's Note #8

*I can put it in the books. He will never find it there.*

#### Painter's Diary Page #2

*September 15*

*More notes today. Even worse than before. The sad part is… I agree with every word.*

#### Letter #9

*Dear Sir,*

*If I am to be honest, I can’t say your letter was unexpected. Numerous other colleagues have informed me that you had previously sought their advice in this matter and while it is perfectly understandable for a patient to demand a second opinion, I would think sixteen concurring opinions would be enough. Still, out of respect for you and your wife, I have examined the case thoroughly and I have to concur with my colleagues. Involuntary muscle spasms are not uncommon with patients who have suffered burns as severe as your wife did. What you refer to as a “freakish grin” or an “unnerving yelp” (though many would find such expressions hurtful) could indeed be manifestations of nerve damage. The other symptoms you mention do not seem to be physiological, but rather purely psychological in nature. Traumatic events can lead to severe stress and that is nothing to be ashamed of. As to your demand that we “fix” your wife, you have to understand that what she went through cannot be undone with one simple procedure. It is a long, tedious process that will require all your strength and support. Please, feel feel free to contact me, or my colleagues, should you wish to discuss a long-term rehabilitation program.*

*Sincerely,*

*Robert Richards, MD*

#### Painter's Note #9

*You put more and more locked doors between us, but it’s my drinking that ruins the family?!*

*This is childish!*

### Chapter 4 (Brush)

#### Marriage Magazine

*Marriage guide*

*Kids in marriage*

*Expect the unexpected!*

*The everyday magic of parenthood.*

*The new book by Molly Pearce is a must-read for parents who are expecting their first child and want to create a happy, healthy environment for the baby. Order now to receive a free set of motivational tapes - Strong Enough Vol. 1 & 2*

#### Letter #10

*As for your question, my sister tells me that Anne Blackwood is an extraordinary child-minder. From what I saw, she deserves such praise.*

*Your friend and lawyer,*

*James Jerome Sadler.*

#### Musician's Note #9

*I had to move most of the dolls out of her room. It was getting ridiculous. You can’t just throw gifts at her whenever you feel guilty for… whatever it is you feel guilty for. She needs a father, not another useless distraction.*

#### Letter #11

*Your child is barely two years old. It’s absolutely normal that she doesn’t talk yet. It’s not the nanny’s fault. And no, stimulating your daughter’s mind by reading her Nietzsche is not a good idea, for god’s sake!*

#### Painter's Note #13

*I know she adores that toy, but… I don’t know. Something about it is very unsettling. Maybe it’s the way she plays with it? She’s not a happy child. It shows sometimes when she plays. It breaks my heart to see it.*

#### Letter #12

*Hey, in regards to your previous letter, I’m sure it’s nothing to be too concerned about. Women tend to get weird after having a baby, hormone imbalances and the like. When we had our first, I remember Valerie got the blues real bad. I would ask her what she wanted for lunch and she’d just burst into tears. Just be there for her and I’m sure it’s gonna be fine. Now, I know I promised not to rush you and by all means, enjoy your well-deserved time off, but just to let you know, I’m getting phone calls up the ying-yang, commissions left and right. You’re a hot ticket, my friend. Maybe we should strike the iron while it’s hot. But, of course, the family comes first.*

*Your friend and agent,*

*Thomas Caldwell*

#### Letter #13

*If she really endangered your child, then yes, it is reasonable to let go of her. But maybe you should give her one more chance? Mrs. Blackwood does not know how to mind children!*

*NO. NO MORE CHANCES.*

*NO MORE RISK.*

#### Newspaper Clipping #8

*FROM LOVE TO MADNESS*

*Man Apprehended After Kidnapping His Own Daughter*

*Earlier today, a typically quiet and peaceful neighborhood witnessed a scene straight out of a crime drama as social services accompanied by armed police officers descended upon the residence of (...), once a famous painter and recent widower. Apparently, the man had broken into a children’s care center downtown and absconded with one of the young patients. Our sources claim that the girl was in fact the culprit’s daughter, who had previously been removed from his care after a family court ruling. After unsuccessful attempts at negotiation, fearing that the man might harm the child, police officers stormed the building and apprehended the suspect. Eye witnesses claim that, as the paramedics escorted the girl out of the house, the man, still in handcuffs, fell to his knees and repeatedly exclaimed “Please! She’s all I have left!” A truly tragic turn…*

### Chapter 5 (Touch)

#### Painter's note #14

*He came to me at the bottom of the bottle. The horned master of cubism. We drink to the fall of reality. Till the shapes sharpen and I cut myself on the rectangular, infinitely straight edges of my glass. And he retreats to his nest. In the iris of my left eye.*

#### Newspaper Clipping #9

*CUBIST ART A DISGRACE SAYS (...)*

*Art is about beauty, writes (...), a painter recognized widely for his talent a few years back. These “painters” as they call themselves, either forgot what beauty is or decided to insult it. Waste of paint, waste of talent, waste of time.*

#### Painter's Note #14

*Everything I do, I do to stop thinking. To stop the questions. Is this really the house I know? Where am I? What is behind that door? What is behind me? The questions are worse than anything that can actually happen.*

#### Newspaper Clipping #10

*It’s no wonder that the old star rebels against the light of the sun that outshines it. [The] Truth is, [Illegible]’s paintings have been bland and overly conventional for many years now. They don’t evoke feelings, they don’t say anything important, and they are, at best, pleasant to look at. Art shouldn’t be pleasant. It should be world-changing.*

#### Painter's Note #15

*Deep breaths. Remember, you’re a professional. It’s just the first few strokes. Then you’re over the hump. What’s so hard about it?*

#### Letter #14

*And so, our agreement, while fruitful, must come to an end. We seek someone who understands modern art a little bit better, who is able to engage with it, and you, sir, don’t seem to be that person anymore. Your reactions to other reviews and letters from our readers don’t encourage further collaboration.*

*Regards, (...)*

#### Newspaper Clipping #11

*That’s a good question, Peter. In fact, that is a very common misconception. Some people think it’s just about putting paint on a canvas, but they’re wrong. I believe that every detail must exist in the mind of the artist before the first stroke is made. The process itself is more about following these preconceived steps, rather than just going crazy with the brush. Personally, I have always perceived it as a ritual.*

*-A ritual? Sounds ominous.*

*-Not necessarily. Though I will admit it carries a certain risk. In order to create, the artist must first deconstruct himself, figuratively speaking, of course. If the artist succeeds, what most people see as mere tools of the trade will become the implements of his ascension.*

*-Holy artifacts.*

*-I wouldn’t go that far. Art is quite often quite beautiful, but the process behind it… rarely so.*

#### Musician's Note #10

*I need to start practicing. I don’t care what he thinks about it, I’m not myself without music.*

#### Painter's Note #16

*Art is not about watching. It’s about feeling with all of your senses - every part of your body. It’s the only way to understand it, the only way to eliminate doubt.*

### Chapter 6 (Witness)

#### Letter #15

*In any case, your lawyer and I advise you to refrain from any imprudent actions. In other words, don’t do anything stupid. We still have a chance of winning this. Believe it or not, I’ve gotten clients out of deeper shit than this. Just don’t make it any worse. Lay low for a while and let me appeal the court order. This social worker definitely has it in for you. We can use that to our advantage, portray you as a victim of the system. A husband in mourning, a momentary lapse of reason, an overzealous bureaucrat… Trust me, this is our best option. considering what you’ve been through lately, I’d say we have a good 50/50 chance of a good outcome, but not if you keep trying to convince everyone that you’ve gone completely insane. No more outbursts, no more rambling, better yet - no public appearances whatsoever. You can still get your daugh-*

#### Art Invitation

*INVITATION*

*Dear utterly despised traitor,*

*Come! You turned on me in [my] time of need, [but] we’ll worry about that later. Now have your prize - watch our demise. One last spectacle by a half-dead couple. A feast for your ears and eyes!*

#### Letter #16

*I always strived to be the best friend I can to you. I still do, when I say: I won’t come to this event of yours and I think you should abandon this idea. There will be no closure; only pain. On the other hand, it seems it’s the only thing you’re interested in lately.*

*Your saddened friend,*

*Thomas Caldwell*

#### Painter's Note #19

*Just a little more, and it will be finished!*

#### Painter's Note #20

*Nothing will stop me from finishing it.*

#### Painter's Note #26

*What music should we choose for the exhibition? A waltz? A march?*

*No. A requiem.*

#### Painter's Note #26

WHY DON’T YOU ANSWER ME?!

I need something. Anything. Some old notes will suffice. I know you’re dead, but you’re not really GONE. Without you, it won’t be FINISHED

#### Musician's Note #11

*November.*

*I think I should be happy. Why am I not happy? I have a beautiful daughter. I think she is. I know she is. So why can’t I look at her without feeling sick? I used to have a loving husband, wonderful, sensitive. Now all I see is this strange man who only cares about his paintings. Like they matter at all… It’s all so pointless. Music used to help. Doesn’t anymore.*

#### Musician's Note #12 (Family Ending)

*I used to hate you. Not anymore. I think even now, in spite of everything, I still might love you. You see I finally understand. I know how you must feel. Lost. Alone. It took me a while, but I finally realized, even with us, you have always been alone. I recognize that now as the quintessential part of your being and I admit hoping we could become a true part of your life was a grave error on my part. A grotesque misunderstanding.*

*Still, if we are to make any sense of all this… If any of this ever mattered to you…*

*FINISH IT.*

*For us.*

#### Musician's Note #12 (Art Ending)

*I used to hate you. Not anymore. I think even now, in spite of everything, I still might love you. You see, I finally understand. I know how you must feel. Lost. Alone. It took me a while, but I finally realized, even with us, you have always been alone. I recognize that now as the quintessential part of your being. But even for you, there is still a way. A way to bring it all back. The one precious thing you ever truly desired.*

*FINISH IT*

*If only for yourself.*

#### Musician's Note #12 (Loop Ending)

*I used to hate you. I think even now, I still might. I know how you must feel. Lost. Alone. Hopeless. You probably deserve it. The one precious thing you ever truly desired.*

*YOU WILL NEVER FINISH IT*

## Musician's Story (Final Note)

### Letter #1

*You mustn’t give up! You had everything any of us ever wanted. You still do. Your talent, your marriage, your daughter, none of these went away. The only thing the flames changed was you. You have power over yourself. Live your life. Reclaim it. Don’t let your body be your cage.*

*Your friend forever,*

*Beatrice Gillespie*

### Poem Fragment #1

*Hush now, my baby. I’ll tell you a tale.*

*There was a man who’s world wasn’t pale.*

*There was a woman who made the world sing.*

*And they found love, the most beautiful thing.*

### Poem Fragment #2

*After some time, they had a child.*

*That brought light to their life. A lot of light.*

*She loved her parents, her dolls, and her toys.*

*And even daddy wasn’t mad at the noise.*

### Poem Fragment #3

*But then one day there was a fire,*

*It took from mommy all her desires.*

*She didn’t know what to do with her life.*

### Musician's Note #1

*I felt like a goddess when you looked at me. When you painted me. I fell asleep posing, and you didn’t wake me up. You just kept working until you could barely stand. That was when I knew that it was you that I wanted.*

### Musician's Note #2

*Luckily I can take refuge in music. That’s when my shackles get lighter, if only for a short while. Even the gramophone helps sometimes. I feel much better after listening to some vinyl. [Illegible] also seems to think it helps.*

### Musician's Note #3

*Today a lock jammed in the bedroom door. I started screaming, begging anyone to open it. It was a good half an hour before a maid showed up. I don’t understand. I lock the doors in the house all the time, but something about being in a room I couldn’t leave was just unbearable.*

### Musician's Note #4

*This painting is so bland that you have to focus to see that it is even there. It looks like the work of a person afraid to change his surroundings. Someone who resigned and isn’t willing to put himself out there, who hates to see even his loved ones out and about and free, a man who will imprison his family just to stop them from becoming better than him.*

### Musician's Note #5

*Today, after dinner I tried to pick up the violin and I just couldn’t grasp the bow. The problem wasn’t even holding it properly and it was holding it at all and not letting it go. Not screaming in pain. It’s like my hands are in shackles, and every finger now has its own ball and chain. I can’t move them properly.*

### Musician's Note #6

*A painting as boring as this one could be conceived only by a person who doesn’t feel or understand emotion anymore. A vile, heartless man, locked away in a bland, boring prison.*

### Letter #2

*Are you insane? You can barely write! you can’t be planning solo piano concerts, and you shouldn’t be surprised nobody wants to talk to you about that! This is crazy, even for you. If you keep going on like this, you’ll hurt yourself. Keep to your writing now, and when you send a letter that is actually legible, you can, I think, try to practice playing again.*

*Your friend forever,*

*Beatrice Gillespie*

### Musician's Note #7

*I try to think of better times. Of our engagement, of the exhibition we did together, his paintings on the walls, my music in the air.*

*Freedom.*

### Musician's Note #8

*I* *started practicing again. It isn’t much and it’s frustrating, but it feels good. [Illegible] keeps telling me that I should be careful. But I don’t think he believes I can get better. I think he likes that I’m locked here, in this house, in my body, with him having all the control.*

### Letter #3

*I’m so glad you are all doing well! Are you sure though that you should be planning a journey abroad already? Traveling can be exhausting, even in the best of circumstances. Give yourself time to heal, please!*

*Your friend forever,*

*Beatrice Gillespie*

### Musician's Note #9

*All those hours at the piano, with the violin, with the flute… I didn’t want to create art, I wanted to be art. You saw that, and it felt as if something new opened in me. I saw it open in you as well. The new possibilities,* the new ways to make beauty.

### Painter's Note #1

*You have a responsibility. There is a child who needs you. I know this is hard. I understand that you’re in pain. But you are a mother, for God’s sake!*

### Letter #4

*I don’t know what you should do, but I know this: Your husband is a grown man. A grown man who swore to love you, honor you, comfort you, and keep you in sickness and health. You know the damage the flames do better than anyone. Don’t set yourself on fire to keep him warm.*

*Your friend forever,*

*Beatrice Gillespie*

### Letter #5

*When I had Sebastian, I thought I would be the best mother to ever walk the earth. And it almost killed me. With Margaret, I gave myself more space to breathe. To be myself. I am happier for that, and the children seem to be happier too.*

*Your friend forever,*

*Beatrice Gillespie*

### Musician's Note #11

*The surge of power. It shouldn’t be so prominent in a three or maybe two year old, but I remember it clearly. The realization that the piano would do what I wanted it to. The feeling of complete control. From that day, I strived for it.*

### Letter #6

*Do you remember the saying that behind every great man there stands a great woman? Your husband has the bearing of a great man. But without your help, without someone who is always there for him, who keeps the fire at home, he will wither and die. You proved yourself to be a strong woman. I know you have it in you to be there for him, even now. The tragedy that hurt you, hurt him, too. I know you have compassion in your heart. Reach for it.*

*Your friend and lawyer,*

James Jerome Sadler

### Musician's Note #12 (Variant 1)

*Dearest [illegible],*

*You are just a child, but in ten years time, You’ll be a woman. It’s a hard part to play. I want to tell you the lessons I learned when my life fell apart. You will become a mother one day. It will be hard. You’ll often be in pain. But you’ll have a responsibility. There will be a child who will need you. Grit your teeth, smile and be there for them. Nothing else matters. As for marriage, know that without your help, without someone who is always there for him, who keeps the home fires, your husband will wither and die. You need to find strength to support him. If your pursue art, know that she is a cruel mistress. To be worth something, you need to do her bidding. She doesn’t accept weakness. Remember: Practice makes perfect. I pray that you don’t have to learn these lessons the hard way.*

*I love you. Always.*

### Musician's note #12 (Variant 2)

*Dearest [illegible],*

*You are just a child, but in ten years time, You’ll be a woman. It’s a hard part to play. I want to tell you the lessons I learned when my life fell apart. When you become a mother, give yourself space to breathe, to be yourself. You will be happier, and your children will be, too. There’s no such thing as a perfect mother. The only rule is to love your child. In marriage, remember: He is your husband, not your child. A grown man who swore to love you, honor you, and keep you in sickness and health. Care for him deeply, but don’t forget about yourself. If your pursue art, use it to discover the deepest truth of your own soul. Then everything else, fame, money, won’t even matter. Once you learn how to uncover your own soul with your art, when you feel that surge of power, that’s when you’ll know that you’re an artist. I pray that you don’t have to learn these lessons the hard way.*

*I love you, always.*

### Letter #7

*I would talk to her if I were you. There is way too much responsibility on your shoulders. There must be a way for her to do something, anything, around the house.*

*Your friend and agent,*

*Thomas Caldwell*

### Letter #8

*When in darkness, try to remember that you have a daughter. You brought her into this world, and she needs you. Be strong for her, if not for yourself.*

*Your friend forever,*

*Beatrice Gillespie*

### Musician's Note #13

*Dearest friend,*

*Things are going better now. [Illegible] truly is a miracle child. Quiet and well-behaved. Does everything I ask her to do. A little, obedient prisoner of this place. Just like me.*

### Letter #9

*You made a vow after all, to be together in health and sickness. Your husband also needs a refuge, someone to rely on. Please, keep going.*

*Your friend forever,*

*Beatrice Gillespie*

### Musician's Note #14

*I need to do more. If they see me playing a sonata, they won’t lock me up!*

### Musician's Note #15

*As far as beauty goes, this painting is the antithesis of it. A slap in the face of aesthetics. Does the man who painted it even understand what beauty is? Or did whining about the ugliness of his surroundings strip him of his ability to perceive and create art? In the prison of his own mind, beauty ceased to exist.*

### Letter #10

*What happened to [illegible] is, of course tragic, but it was also something that happened to you. As your relationship changes, your art will change with it. You should take extra care of yourself in this difficult period.*

*Your friend and agent,*

*Thomas Caldwell*

### Musician's Note #16

*What is left of it now? Of our love, so pure, so ideal, when all I am now is blood and pus, a pile of screaming flesh locked in a prison that is this house? No wonder you run towards your canvas. No wonder you love your art more than me.*

### Musician's Note #17

*Everything in my life is tainted now, soaked in the ever-moving shadows the flames cast on me. They surrounded the cell I am locked in and there seems to be no escape. Yesterday, I played with our daughter for a while, she was a bit shy at first, but then she opened up a bit and started to laugh and dance. I felt the happiness coming, it was just at the door. And then, like a guard in a prison, thinking that I might just catch a glimpse of freedom, the pain came. I saw the fear in her eyes. In her mind I must be a maimed monster, haunting her worst nightmares.*

### Painter's Note #2

*I hope she picks up music again. It would be such a loss for the world if she didn’t. I pray she still has it in her.*

### Letter #11

*I’m sure that when she gets better, both her art and your art will reach new heights. It’s just a matter of time, and her wanting to heal.*

*Your friend and lawyer,*

*James Jerome Sadler*

### Musician's Note #18

*Today I walked by the piano and remembered a meeting we hosted for our friends I think a year into our marriage. We all had a little too much wine, and I started playing Carreno. I was completely lost in music, traveling with sound through the strange, beautiful soulscapes. Completely free. When I finished nobody made a sound for a good while, afraid to break the spell. Could the magician I was then turn* *into the monster I am now?*

### Musician's Note #19

*There was a time when I couldn’t spend a day without crying, but now I don’t even want to do that. It’s like my emotions are locked away in their own cage and I can’t even be bothered to look like the keys.*

### Musician's Note #20

*Playing with our daughter is usually a joyous occasion, one of few left in my life. Today though I had to ask her to leave almost mid-sentence. It’s all the questions, how do you feel mommy?  What do you think mommy? Mommy, why are you sad? What’s your name mommy? I don’t know, darling. I don’t know, I don’t know! I don’t know anything but the fact that my chains grow heavier every day.*

### Musician's Note #21

*Doctor Richards,*

*I feel like my soul has gone sick, and that’s why I’m writing to you. It’s like all my energy has gone away. It’s hard to even get out of the bed. Not because of the pain, I don’t mind pain as much as I used to. I just can’t see the point of waking up. Eating. Talking to anyone. Living this life in the prison my body has become.*

### Musician's Note #22

*I can’t help but thinking* *that what’s happening to me is right on some level. I deserve to be imprisoned in this body, in this house. After all, what can I bring to the outside world? Why should anyone love me, admire me, seek my company?*

### Letter #12

*Mrs. [illegible],*

*The symptoms you described aren’t uncommon, especially among women and artists. Being both, you are naturally more prone to hysteria and melancholy. I’d suggest avoiding extreme emotions and spending time in peaceful surroundings. In fact we have a center for troubled women here in [illegible], just over the sea.*

### Musician's Note #23

*We had another argument today. Why? (...) asked if I was feeling alright and I just snapped. I don’t understand. Why I'm being treated this way, the accident was ages ago, and I left largely unscathed. I’m fine now! It’s like he wants me to be locked inside this house forever! He was hurt. And I could see that. And, as ashamed as I am to admit it, it brought me a lot of satisfaction.*

*What have I become?*

### Musician's note #24

*I wrote to the doctor, declining his offer. I won’t be locked up. I won’t let them.* *I will get through this on my own. This is MY head*

### Letter #13

*The things you describe in your letter are, frankly, impossible. I admit your drive, but… Don’t you see yourself? All you’ll achieve by forcing yourself to do these things is more pain. Your body isn’t what it used to be. Learn to live with it, please. I couldn’t stand it if another tragedy befell your family.*

*Your friend forever,*

*Beatrice Gillespie*

### Letter #14

*Why did you lie to me? We prepared for your visit, you know. John and Mary were delighted to see their aunt and uncle again, and you can’t imagine their-and mine- disappointment when you never came! Your husband tells me you are in no fit state to travel and that he told you as much, that he never agreed to go in the first place. Please, don’t write to me until you’re ready to face the truth about your condition.*

*Your friend,*

*Beatrice Gillespie*

### Letter #15

*I’m sorry for the late answer. These letters are hard to read for me. I don’t sleep, because I’m thinking about you and your misfortunes. I need a break after each letter, and when I come back to it to write the answer, there’s always a matter of deciphering your handwriting - I’m sure you know it’s not as beautiful as it used to.*

*Your friend forever,*

*Beatrice Gillespie*

### Painter's note #3

*Yesterday, I was woken up by, I think, the most terrible sound I have ever heard. It was like a sick cat being slowly strangled. It took me a to realize it was the violin. [Illegible] had picked it up and tried to play. I think there’s no coming back for her.*

### Letter #16

*From what you write this whole situation is very hard for your child. Maybe you should spend less time with her. I know it’s painful, but I believe it will be for the best. You both need time.*

*Your friend forever,*

*Beatrice Gillespie*

### Painter's Note #4

*Sometimes I think she changed too much. That this is not the person I loved. That this is not the person I could ever love.*

### Letter #17

*If you refuse to take on the recommended treatment and visit my facility, I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do for you.*

*Sincerely,*

*Robert Richards, MD*

### Letter #18

*Mrs. [illegible],*

*I don’t think you fully understand your condition. You have been in a terrible accident and you are, to be honest, lucky to be alive, not to mention writing letters. Demanding your body to come back to normal, to being healthy is like demanding of a broken mirror to fix itself. You’re doing great progress and you are healing, but I’m afraid things won’t come back to “normal”. No doctor on earth can “make the pain go away”. I’m truly sorry to tell you that, but you will have to learn to live with it.*

*Sincerely,*

*William H. Green, MD*

## Daughter's Story (Inheritance)

### Letter #1

*Dear friend,*

*Today, before I leave for my new appointment, I intend to make one final attempt to communicate with you. Since you have obviously decided not to answer my calls, or letters, I shall endeavor to speak with you in person.  If you’re reading this, then I have clearly failed and for that I apologize.Should you choose to ignore me, I will slip this letter under your door. Hopefully, you can at least read it. For old time’s sake. If the knocking on the door has caused you any discomfort, please know that that was not my intent. I wish I could tell you that I’ve found some miracle solution to your problem, but unfortunately such is not the case. Do know that, as your legal representative, I always did my best and that is the God’s honest truth. Unfortunately, I feel that the issues you’re struggling with go way beyond my expertise. At this point, I once again feel the urge to ask you to reconsider seeking professional help, but let’s be honest… If your were to listen to me, you would have done it a long time ago. I regret it had to end this way, know that you and your family will always be in my thoughts.*

*Your old friend,*

*James Jerome Sadler, Attorney at law*

### Painter's Note #1

*~~My beloved, I’ve been thinking about what happened I’ve been trying to understand~~*

*~~My dear [illegible] Help me. I don’t understand. Why would you do it? Did you feel like there was no other way? Tell me, God damn it! What did I do to deserve this? I did my best, you know I did! I gave you everything!~~*

*YOU SELFISH FUCKING WHORE! WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO ~~M~~ US?*

### Pedigree Certificate

*National Kennel Association, est. 1889*

*CERTIFICATE OF PEDIGREE*

*As   POPIEL*

*U.K.C.  SR29872498237*

*Breed  Doberman*

*Sex  Male*

*Date whelped  [Illegible]*

### Hawaii Poster

*Hawaii*

*Why wait for ~~Paradise?~~ HELL*

### Painter's Note #2

*Dear Mr and Mrs Kirkstein,*

*I once again implore you to give me back my daughter. Give her back. GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK GIVE HER BACK*

With best regards, [Illegible]

### Letter #2

*Dear sir,*

*In my line of work, one becomes used to receiving all kinds of correspondence - obsessive letters from failed authors, threats from offended readers… I guess you could say it comes within the territory. However, never in my twenty years of running a publishing house have I read anything quite like your recent letters. While I always try to keep my composure, in light of your continuous and increasingly… enthusiastic output, I find it exceedingly difficult to reply in a civilized manner. Hence, let me make this painfully clear. We at Marshall & Waters take pride in our numerous publications, especially our acclaimed encyclopedias. Our staff of esteemed academics work tirelessly to provide our readers with the most up-to-date information and include the latest scientific data.*

*Unfortunately, your ‘findings’ have nothing to do with real science and the ‘visual references’ you have provided - although impressive from a purely artistic standpoint - are not proof of anything. Honestly, your continuing attempts at ‘redefining’ the rat and ‘exposing its true, vile nature’ have turned from being simply tiresome to deeply disturbing.*

*If this was some misguided attempt at performance art, then I must say I find it in very poor taste. If, however, you were being serious, I humbly advise you to seek professional help. In any case, I do not wish to receive any further correspondence from you.*

*Regards,*

*Charles Joseph Marshall, Marshall & Waters Publishing*

### Clock Homework Sheet

*What time is it?*

*6:00 PAINTING          4:53  SLEEPING*

*12:15 PAINTING        7:20 HIDING*

*5:30 PAINTING         12:45 CRYING*

*12:00 CRYING         12:10 PAINTING*

### Newspaper Clipping #1

*A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE*

*Revolutionary projection method takes audience by storm*

*Things were off to a slow and fairly uninspiring start last night at the world-renowned Chiron Odeon. As the lights dimmed and the murmurs died down, (...) took the stage. The ingenious engineer, businessman, and philanthropist went on and on about his vision for the future, a world where artificial images can be created out of thin air and appear just as real as any physical object or person.*

*Despite his undeniable passion, the speech went on a bit long and the audience started to wonder if the man actually had anything to show for it. Little did we know, the whole thing was in fact a brilliant diversionary tactic. Seemingly bored by the sound of his own voice, (...) invited his “friend” to take the stage, hoping that he would do a better job of explaining just how revolutionary their technology was. The entire crowd gasped in disbelief as an exact duplicate of the speaker took to the stage and proceeded to address the audience. And then came another. And another. In a matter of minutes, the entire stage was filled with what seemed like identical twins of the inventor. The crowd erupted into into a standing ovation, as the man himself appeared at the back of the room. As he was making his way to the stage, his doppelgangers gradually dissolved into thin air.*

*(...) proceeded to take questions from the audience. Although the response was overwhelmingly positive, there were a few skeptics to be found. When asked about the potential hazards of the technology, its creator seemed unfazed and quipped jokingly that people were once terrified of automobiles. All joking aside, the spectacle did prove a bit much for some audience members - several instances of fainting have been reported and one elderly gentleman had to be escorted out of the building by paramedics. For better or worse, the technology is bound to generate controversy. On the one hand, its potential applications are seemingly limitless - from engineering, through education and medicine, to visual art. On the other, one needs to pose the inevitable and unnerving question - if there comes a time when we are unable to distinguish between reality and fiction, just how will that affect us as a society?*

### Painter's Will

*LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT*

*I, [illegible], grasping at the remains of my sanity, declare this to be my last Will and Testament. I hereby deem all my previous wills just as worthless as the shallow husks calling themselves my “friends” and “associates”.*

*To my agent, Thomas Caldwell, I bestow the hellish vermin that infest my home, praying they will gnaw away at him endlessly, bleeding him dry, just like he did to me.*

*To my publisher, Liam Brickstone, I bequeath the flames that consumed the love of my life, in hope that they will devour him, along with the wretched whore and squealing bastard he calls his family.*

*To my lawyer, James Jerome Sadler, I pass on whatever illness has rotted my mind and soul away, so that he can feel just as empty and useless as he was to me.*

*To any other parasites that come crawling out of the woodwork, I leave nothing. To hell with all of you.*

*Finally, to my beloved daughter, (...), I leave all my earthly possessions. For what they’re worth, I hope they will inspire you to realize your true potential. The final, most precious gift, however, is not mine to give. You will have to discover that on your own. I believe in you, as I always have.*

## Actor's Story

### Chapter 1 (The Unmooring)

#### Telegram #1

*DAILY DISPATCH TELEGRAM*

*Hope you settled in alright. Remember what we talked about. Focus on what you do best. Go to that special place of yours. Find your motivation. BUILD THE CHARACTER. Trust me, it’ll be worth it.*

*I’ll try to keep in touch. Travel safe.*

Your Friend and Agent.

#### Actor's Note #1

*So long I have struggled. To finish what was started. I nearly lost hope.*

*And yet here we are.*

#### Cruise Note #1

*Esteemed traveler,*

*The room has been set up as per your request. The reel was delivered shortly before departure. We wish you a fulfilling journey.*

*Respectfully,*

*Icarus Transatlantic*

#### Character Construction Note #1

*BUILD THE CHARACTER: PREPARATION*

*Explore. Who am I. Where am I?*

#### Cruise Note #2

*Esteemed traveler,*

*As per the director’s request, this section of the ship has been closed off to all passengers and crew. We wish you a pleasant and fulfilling day,*

*Icarus Transatlantic*

#### Passenger Note #1

*I swear that if this damn movie star spends another night tossing and turning and screaming, I’m jumping overboard. If you’re afraid of the sea, don’t get on a goddamn ship, for Christ’s sake!*

#### Newspaper Clipping #1

*…in an unprecedented move, the director decided to shoot his next motion picture aboard an ocean liner traveling across the Atlantic. Plot details are kept under wraps, but our trusted sources claim that the project has found its star, [Unintelligible]. An obvious choice, perhaps, given the star’s fabled career and numerous critically acclaimed roles. It seems that the recent worrying rumors as to the artist’s personal life have not dissuaded the director.*

#### Security Letter #1

*From: Security Office*

*To: Chief Security Officer*

*The new procedures come into force as of next week. The company holds you personally responsible for enforcing them. Prepare all of the guards for detailed briefings.* *In short, STOWAWAYS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.*

#### Newspaper Clipping #2

*A PERFORMANCE FOR THE AGES*

*Acting, if done well, is a scary business. It takes immense courage, to lose consciousness of your own self and not just reenact, but BECOME the character you are portraying. Few can muster that kind of courage. And yet, it happens. To which, after last night’s visit to the majestic theatre, I can personally attest. As my regular readers know all too well, I am careful with words and do not the easiest critic to please. Having said that, the play’s lead performance left me speechless. Utterly fearless, the acting by [Unintelligible] was nothing short of transcendent. It was as if the person onstage dissolved before my very eyes, letting the character burst into existence.*

#### Passenger's Note #2

*I told him that you’re not interested, as per your extremely stupid wish. He told me to tell you that he thought your sibling meant more to you. I told him you’re an only child, but he just laughed.*

#### Passenger's Note #3

*Dear Fellow Traveler,*

*I apologize for being forward, but when I’d heard we were to travel on the same ship, I could not resist the temptation. Just think of me as an admirer of your talent. Your performances… They speak to me like no other ever have. To say that you are my favorite actor would be a gross understatement. I do wish we could meet in person. Still, if you could grace this modest piece of paper with your signature, I would treasure it more than anything. In any case, I remain forever,*

*Your greatest admirer*

#### Security Letter #2

*From: Icarus Transatlantic Security Office*

*To: All Officers*

*Most of you are already aware of the Hollywood motion picture that is going to be shot aboard our vessel. We are sending you detailed guidelines as to which decks are to be restricted for ‘regular’ passengers. Above all else, THE FILM CREW AND CAST ARE NOT TO BE DISTURBED*

#### Director's Note #1

*So many have tried. To be a part of my greatest work. As if there was ever a choice. Only one can bring this character to life. Only one is broken enough to build it.*

#### Security Record #1

*Time & Description of Activities*

*10:05 PM - Break over*

*10:30 PM - Last repair technician leaves the ship through the gangway on the E deck aft.*

*11:00 PM - Patrolling the water front along the ship*

*11:27 PM - On patrol near the cargo. Saw a shadow move. Small, most likely a child. I gave chase, but could not find anyone.*

*12:00 AM - Watch over*

#### Movie Prop Commission

*Refined Carpentry*

*F.W. & Sons*

*Made to order:*

*One sturdy, wooden chest, built entirely of old oak, with heavy iron banding, additional leather straps and carrying handles on the sides. Large enough to fit a grown man.*

*We hope you’ll find our work to your satisfaction*

#### Lily's Crew Note #1

*Mr Hardy is a quartermaster and that is a very important thing to be because a quartermaster takes care of getting the crew where it needs to be and also Makes sure there’s plenty of food and rum for everyone! Mr Hardy is loyal to the captain and always follows orders because he knows that he (the captain, not Mr Hardy) Is a fearless leader. The captain sometimes gets crossed with Mr Hardy, but that’s only because he cares greatly about the whole Crew. The truth is-*

#### Prop List

*Props - shopping list*

*replica of a 17th century flintlock pistol - 1 FULLY OPERATIONAL*

*~~flash powder~~ gunpowder - 4 kegs (66 lb each)*

*ammunition - 5 boxes (100 pieces each)*

*dummies - 100*

#### Director's Note #2

*Only one of us knows what must be done. Only one knows what is at stake. The other… doesn’t need to know. Doesn’t need to understand. Only to listen. And act.*

### Chapter 2: The Hunt

#### Telegram #2

*DAILY DISPATCH TELEGRAM*

*Heard you got off to a rough start. I know you have your idea of who this character should be. It’s your right. You’re the star of the show. Just remember, the Director might be an odd duck, but at the end of the day, you’re on the same team.*

*Your friend and Agent.*

#### Director's Note #3

*Inside every actor is the one part they were born to play. The one character they were meant to build. Chip away the bloody marble. Give form to the formless. Until all that remains… Is the truth*

BUILD THE CHARACTER: MOTIVATION

What drives me? What do I want? What do I need? What are ~~my virtues?~~ MY FLAWS? ~~Who~~ WHAT ~~hunts~~ HAUNTS me?

#### Security Record #2

*Time & Description of Activities*

*01:05 AM - Starting patrol of the lower decks*

*01:30 AM - Engine room appears to be in order. Moving to the cargo holds*

*01:38 AM - Heard suspicious noise coming from the cargo. Went to investigate. Flashlight broke. Had to double back to get a spare. DAMAGE TO COMPANY PROPERTY (DEDUCT FROM PAY) DERELICTION OF DUTY (RECOMMEND DISCIPLINARY ACTION)*

*01:53 AM - Resuming patrol. No further signs of disturbance.*

*02:30 AM - Shift over.*

#### Security Letter #3

*From: Chief Security Officer*

*To: Whom it may concern*

*It has come to my attention that some of the food supplies have recently gone missing. In light of this, I am left with no other choice but to introduce increased security measures. Starting today, food will be rationed to individual crew members and the provisions storage will be guarded at all times.*

#### Newspaper Clipping #1

*…involved in a number of personal scandals, sparking moral outrage and rumors as to the thespian’s mental health. Our sources within the household reveal that the star would spend hours on end behind locked doors. Voices could be heard, at times accompanied by laughter, or crying, but then the door would open, revealing there was no one else in the room. Still, as famed critic Noah Wensley is quick to remind us, extraordinary artists seldom leave ordinary lives. “We must not forget that great art carries a heavy cost. To lose oneself in a role sometimes leads to losing oneself, period.”*

#### Animal Handler's Note

*Had to reinforce some of the cages. Something’s got the animals all spooked. Might be they sense the storm coming. Need to be better with the hatches. It’s gonna be a big one.*

#### Dog Company Note

*Beale & Co. Animal Trainers*

*SERVICES PROVIDED:*

*Dog training + delivery*

*TOTAL COST: 225 USD*

*NOTES:*

*Cage + contents delivered to the live cargo deck. Kept feeding to a minimum, as instructed. Handle with caution.*

#### Lily's Crew Note #2

*…Mr. Hardy wouldn’t get far without his beloved Captain Baynes. The captain is the main character of the story. Some people call him the black wanderer because of the color of his ship’s sails. Captain Baynes is strong and fearless and he always gets the treasure in the end.*

*Mr. Hardy is bit envious of the captain because he would like to be as strong as him.*

#### Security Letter #4

*From: Chief Security Officer*

*To: Whom it may concern*

*I have been informed that some of the crew had voiced their misgivings about the new rationing policy. Let me remind you that it was introduced as a direct result of misconduct occurring aboard this ship. I cannot stress this enough. THEFT WILL NO GO UNPUNISHED*

#### Passenger's Note #4

*Listen, I talked to some people. The man is difficult, yes, but he is a genius. You can take something from it for yourself. Achieve the greatness you sometimes talk about. Just listen to what he has to say. You don’t have to do it but listen.*

#### Director's Note #4

*Such an opportunity. Such responsibility. To unleash what has been trapped for so long. I can hear it howling, rattling its cage. Dying to get out.*

#### Security Letter #5

*From: Chief Security Officer*

*To: All Officers*

*I am hereby ordering all the supplies to be transferred to a more secure location in the upper cargo hold. I expect all provisions to be accounted for in the next report. In any case, I wish to hear no more on the matter.*

#### Engineer's Letter

*From: Second Engineer*

*To: Requisitions Officer*

*I know you have your orders and I mean no disrespect. I’m just saying the Chief is being unreasonable. He’d let all that food rot in the hold as long as it’s accounted for. Anyway, the workers are getting restless. Shifts are getting longer and now they have to make due on less food. I know my men. They’re decent. God fearing folks. Not one thief among them. But when people hear their bellies rumbling, it’s easy to put them over the edge.*

### Chapter 3: Bloody Roots

#### Telegram #3

*What happened? I heard the Director’s furious. Ready to call the whole thing off. It seems you two have a completely different vision of who the lead character should be. I hope you know what you’re doing*

*Your Friend and Agent*

#### Character Construction Note #3

*BUILD THE CHARACTER: LOOK WITHIN Context Background. What brought me here? The present ROOTED IN THE PAST*

#### Cinema Crew's Note

*I’ll be sending over a new reel tomorrow. Pirate film. Heard the Yanks love it. Give this one a good spin. More screenings means more arses in the seats. And more reason for me to keep paying you.*

#### Lily's Crew Note #3

*Barley, the cannoneer. He eats a lot. A whole lot. So he is round like a cannonball himself. This one time he almost shot himself out of a cannon!*

#### Crew's Note #1

*I’ve been getting complaints about noises up in the balcony. People are scared the damned thing is gonna fall on their bloody heads. I told you to keep it off-limits. Damned thing can barely support its own weight*

#### Distinguished Service Letter

*Cpl. [illegible]*

*In recognition of your distinguished service in documenting the courageous struggle of His Majesty’s troops on the Western Front, as well as injuries sustained in the field of battle, the War Office has decided to award you with the Silver War Badge. May you wear it with pride, knowing that you have Fulfilled your duty to your King and Country. The decoration ceremony will take place on the fifth of January.*

*Sincerely, [Illegible]*

*On behalf of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff*

#### Lily's Crew Note #4

Delilah, the ~~topman~~ Topwoman. She likes boys a lot, and girls too. She’s very friendly. Maybe a bit too much

#### Actor's Mother's Letter #1

*My beloved husband,*

*As to my prospects, the doctor remains cautiously optimistic. His concern is that the difficulties I had giving birth to Lily might lead to certain… complications. Still, he believes that I am more than able to bring another child into the world. And with you by my side, I believe so as well. I admit the pains have been getting stronger as of late, but I dare not complain, compared to what you’ve been going through, my “suffering” is barely worth mentioning.*

*Forever yours,*

*[Illegible]*

#### Actor's Mother's Letter #2

*My beloved husband,*

*It is with trembling hands that I write this letter. Words cannot express how overjoyed I am to finally hear from you. When I heard of what happened, my heart sank. It was as if a terrible shadow had eclipsed my life. But now that I know that you’re still with us, I pray that you find solace in the fact that you’ll be here to witness the birth of our second child.*

*Forever yours,*

*[Illegible]*

#### Lily's Crew Note #5

*Slumpy, the bosun. he is a bit lazy. A lot lazy, actually. If he could sit around all day, he would. But there’s always more pirating to be had. The captain says so!*

#### Crew's Note #2

*For the last time I’m not replacing the bloody projector. It’s your job to keep it up and running. Quit your whining and do your god damn job while you still have it.*

#### Lily's Crew Note #6

*Midas the helmsman. He loves gold above all else. He can smell it half a world away, so he always steers the ship towards treasure.*

#### Newspaper Clipping #2

*BIRTHS*

*To Mr and Mrs ABRAM, a daughter at St. Bartholomew’s hospital, Saturday, Feb 3, at 11:30 p.m. To Mr and Mrs HOPKINS, a son at St. Thomas’ Hospital, Sunday, Feb 4 at 4:30 p.m. To Mr and Mrs BURNS, a son at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, Sunday, Feb 4, at 2:00 a.m. To Mr and Mrs WILKS, a daughter at the Royal Hospital, Monday, Feb 5, at 6:00 a.m.*

*DEATHS*

*ANDERSON - Entered into rest Saturday, Feb 3, 6:00 P.M. Beloved son. Funeral Tuesday, 2:00 P.M, Highgate Cemetery. BURNS - Entered into rest Sunday, Feb 4 at 2:00 a.m., beloved wife, mother of two. Funeral Wednesday, Feb 7 at 2:30 P.M, West Ham Cemetery. GREEN - Entered into rest Monday, Feb 5, at 8:30 P.M, beloved husband. Funeral Thursday, Feb 8, at 1:00 P.M, Highgate cemetery. MILLER - Entered into rest Saturday, Feb 3, at 10:00 P.M, beloved husband and father. Funeral Tuesday, 4:30 P.M, Hampstead Cemetery*

#### Government Safety Letter

*Dear Sir,*

*in regards to the recent safety inspection carried out on your premises and on behalf of the County Council, I hereby oblige you to introduce necessary fire safety and prevention measures, i.e.*

*-ensure the theater equipment is compliant with the schedule of fire-resisting materials*

*-ensure the theater infrastructure facilitates escape in the event of fire.*

*You have 30 days to comply.*

*Regards, (Illegible)*

*His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary and Fire Services*

*JUST GET THIS.* *30 DAYS? DAFT BUGGERS. STALL THEM.*

#### Lily's Crew Note #7

*Lucia, the first mate. She won’t have no one disrespect the crew OR THE CAPTAIN! Because she is very proud. SO PROUD!*

### Chapter 4: Breathe

#### Telegram #4

DAILY DISPATCH TELEGRAM

*Gotta be honest, I don’t like what I’m hearing. I’ve been told that you didn’t even show up on the set and the Director’s mad as hell. I don’t think he likes where you’re taking the character. Oh, well… This’ll all be over soon enough, one way or another.*

*Your Friend and Agent*

#### Character Construction Note #4

*BUILD THE CHARACTER: TURNING POINT*

*Step back, breathe. Remember ~~moments that change one’s life~~ SCARS that define them.*

#### Director's Note #5

*We are so close. I can feel it. There can be no doubt. No hesitation. Only will. Unbreakable. That is what we have. That is what we are In the end.*

#### Security Letter #6

*From: Chief Security Officer*

*To: all Crew*

*ATTENTION - Stowaways on board! Two of them, most likely children, have been sighted on the lower decks, near the cargo hold. I call upon ANY AVAILABLE CREW MEMBERS to be on the lookout for a BOY and a GIRL roaming around the ship unattended. They are to be apprehended on sight.*

#### Crew's Note #3

*She heard there were children hiding on the ship and was convinced the crew will never find them. You know how she was, the old hag, “there must be order” and all that. “They will trust a woman,” she said. “We can’t have stowaways on the ship, this is preposterous”. I smiled and nodded, as always. So one night she went to look for them. And never came back.*

#### Crew's Note #4

*We suspect that mrs (Illegible), despite the crew’s warnings and captain’s orders decided to go out to the deck during a windy night and fell overboard by accident.*

#### Crew's Note #5

*Mrs. (illegible)’s body was found by the quartermaster (illegible text) It was discreetly thrown overboard.*

*MONSTERS! IF THE CAPTAIN WANTS TO FIND THEM, HE CAN LOOK HIMSELF*

### Chapter 5: Forever

#### Newspaper Clipping #3

*A TRAGEDY OF MYTHIC PROPORTIONS*

*British cruise ship perishes at sea. Half of the passengers lost*

*Nautical experts and laymen alike are shocked to learn that the state-of-the-art cruise liner sunk to the bottom of the Atlantic in the early hours of the morning. The ship’s maiden voyage turned out to be its last. Tragedy struck on the fifth night of the voyage, when a fire broke out in one of the engine rooms. Despite the attempts from the crew, the flames spread throughout the lower decks, causing a massive explosion in the boiler room that breached the integrity of the hull. While the exact number of casualties is still unknown, latest estimates claim that just over a thousand passengers and crew, approximately half perished to the fire, or lost to the cold depths.*

#### Misspelled Note

*You are so jsvzl av getting out whichever way fvb nv fvb or oly as long as hz fvb choose anything pz better aohu this place*

#### Warped Character Construction Note

*Flame truth BEGONE break the cycle stay in the loop HERE AND NOW FOREVER him who lives? who dies?  her him her WHO THE him her FUCK  us AM I? ME*

#### Actor's Note #2

*This place. It feels so familiar. Like I’ve been here before. And yet, I cannot find my way. There has to be a way*

#### Actor's Note #3

*Door after door. All lead to where I came from. All lead to nowhere. Cannot get out. Need to get out*

#### Actor's Note #4

*How long has it been? I don’t remember anymore. So hard to remember. I feel myself slipping. Growing thin. And it keep growing. It won’t let me go*

#### Actor's Note #5

*Wherever I go, It follows. I cannot be free of it. A formless shadow. My shadow. It keeps shifting. Changing. And I change with it*

#### Actor's Note #6

*It’s always there. One step behind. Stretching over me. Pulling me in. I’m shedding skin. Changing. Into what?*

#### Actor's Note #7

*The sound. In the deep. It’s growing louder. thump, thump THUMP. Something’s coming.*

#### Actor's Note #8

*Finally I understand. The way out. It’s HERE. YOU IN ME. ME WHO ARE YOU?*