Tape 8

## Overview

Tape 8 - titled *ReSt\_As5ure.mp4 | Lost VHS Tape* - was posted on YouTube on June 5th, 2020. The tape stars The Jester (as seen when brightening the first few seconds of the tape) watching a seemingly peaceful meditation video. However, as the video progresses, the contents begin to reflect on Martin Greywhinder's actions against his own family, showcasing him for the monster he has become.

## Summary

In this tape, The Jester is seen setting up what seems to be contents relating to meditation/tranquility. As it begins, a green tinted background appears with the following text and dialogue:

> "*Hello and welcome to our mental rehabilitation session. This is a safe place, a place for your mind to be at ease.*"
>
>

The screen quickly fades into a new scene including fields of grass with yet more dialogue/text reading:

> "*You may have experienced a troubling event. You may have committed an unspeakable act. You may have committed a sin...*"
>
>

There is a slight pause within the video, causing the screen to flicker black revealing The Jester again before the voice and scenery returns stating:

> "*Rest assure, all your problems will melt away.*"
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>

The video cuts to a shot including either orange or pink roses and more greenery. The voice continues:

> "*Our first exercise is a breathing technique. At first you may feel as if no air is going in. As if your body does not belong to you.*"
>
>

As the contents begin to scroll through hedges and more tall-grass, Henry is seen staring at the camera besides a wooden-pole whilst the camera continues to move past. Despite this, the voice ignores this encounter entirely, instead explaining:

> "*Rest assure that your angel will take care of you. Breathe.*"
>
>

The scenery changes to a view of a dirt pathway between hedges/bushes. In the distance, Sofia begins to form almost like a glitch. She soon disappears as yet another scene opens involving a gravel pathway alongside more hedges/bushes. The meditation carries on as the voice states:

> "*Our next exercise is one on mental images.*"
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The last view of greenery occurs when the contents showcase an open clearing as the voice accompanies the visuals with:

> "*Imagine yourself in an open field. Where your fears, and regrets, can't hurt you.*"
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Suddenly, a figure appears at the top of a hill. As it approaches the camera, the calming music in the background fades out leaving behind only the windy ambiance. Once again, the voice returns in the same gentle manner as previously:

> "*Rest assure, no-one can hurt you.*"
>
>

Now in a much clearer view, the figure is revealed to be the Ice Cream Man, heavily damaged and still in one position as he fades in and out to get closer. The contents seem to be affected at this rate as the voice instead takes a more aggressive tone upon stating the phrase:

> "*Not even your brother.*"
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The text violently shifts and lowers in pitch before the tape becomes corrupted. Previous visuals of the tranquil environment instead have filters of red/black tints alongside carnival-like music. The Ice Cream Man is also shown again, still motionless but placed in a dark room with the heavily damaged suit left unattended. As the camera zooms in randomly, a scraping noise is heard.

The contents eventually depart from this disturbing imagery to present a Jack-In-The-Box toy with The Jester's face stamped on its exterior. The handle seems to move on its own accord as "Pop Goes The Weasel" plays somewhere in the background. After about 44 seconds of the handle being cranked, everything seems to halt. From the right side of the screen, The Jester appears as the video glitches out.

The tape itself ends with a gradually zoomed in shot of The Jester grinning with the same voice speaking whilst lowering in pitch:

> "*Rest assure (assure)...Rest assure (assure)...Rest assure (assure)...Rest assure (assure)...Rest assure (assure)...*"
>
>

At the last frame of the video, realistic eyes replace the visuals.

## Trivia

* In the description, Battington displays a link to a playlist of most of the season 1 episodes of Harmony & Horror, beginning at the first episode and concluding at the teaser to the second installment.
* This tape could symbolize the deterioration of not only Martin Greywhinder but the family overall.
	+ Certain lines hint at these details with the voice explaining "*You may have experienced a troubling event. You may have committed an unspeakable act. You may have committed a sin...*" relating to Martin and his guilt over using potential Satanic rituals to commit to murdering his family. The lined "*At first you may feel as if no air is going in. As if your body does not belong to you.*" could relate to the Greywhinder family members Macy, Thomas, Ava and Arthur (as they were fused with metallic/plastic items.
* The Jester seems to either serve as a physical or metaphorical reflection of Martin's insanity through his sadistic and abusive ways of control.
* It's unknown why the tape seems to glitch/corrupt itself but - in future tapes - it is revealed Gloria could be responsible for most if not all of the corruptions revealing these tragedies against the family.
* Surprisingly, neither Gloria Greywhinder, Ava Greywhinder or Banzo appear in this tape.