Dorothy Celene Thompson/Thompson Reports

Reports written by journalist Dorothy Celene Thompson, as she interviews members of the cast.

## Thompson Report #01: Eviscerating Enemies as a Fusion Monster

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Farrell. Please take a seat over there."

"So you're the world-famous Dorothy Thompson, huh? Hard to believe you'd be interested in interviewing some rube masquerading as a gumshoe."

"Now, now, word on the street is you've also become quite famous in your own right. After all, who wouldn't be dying to hear the story of an expert monster hunter who secretly fights in the shadows of civilized society? I'm especially intrigued by this 'fusion monster' I've been hearing about – the 'other face' of the man I'm sitting here interviewing, so to speak."

"Sometimes, when you run into creatures that don't belong in this world, guns and knives aren't enough to do the trick. And in those situations, making the wrong split-second decision usually means your goose is cooked."

"You don't fear death?"

"I did at first... But not anymore. If anything, I'd have to say it’s sort of exciting."

"Instead of fearing your battles, you enjoy them?"

"In a way. Standing on the brink of life and death can be very stimulating. Then when I'm all riled up, I unleash the darkness deep inside my heart. It takes the shape of a knight and utterly consumes me."

"And that 'knight' is your fusion monster?"

"Bingo."

"A medieval knight in the 20th century... This is all starting to sound surprisingly romantic."

"Heh. If you're into dead knights, I suppose. This isn't some gallant knight riding on a white horse I'm talking about here – it's a demon that lets me rip monsters into bloody pieces. And nothing feels better than pulverizing 'em in a single blow."

"You served in the great war, didn’t you, Matthew?"

"I did. I entered the service in the spring of '17. Things shifted over to the Western Front shortly after I arrived, but I fought in the Battle of Belleau Wood, and then the war ended while I was three miles out of Sedan."

"Was the war what awakened you to your power?"

"No. I inherited this from my da’. Children inherit all shades of darkness from their folks, don't they? My da’ found a way to wield the power of the monster living in the darkness of his heart... And now, I can too."

"So that power you use to defeat all those monsters was actually a gift from your father."

"Not a gift – a curse. When I turn into Demna, I'm just another monster to everyone else."

"Ooh, I must say that gave me the chills! Now I'm even more interested in this 'Demna' character. Will I get a chance to meet him someday?"

"I don't know about that. I mean, I'm flattered, but I can't say I recommend it. After all, where there's a fusion monster, you can bet there'll be blood."

## Thompson Report #02: Thrilling Greyhound Races!

"Good evening everyone, Dorothy Thompson here. The year is 1923, and our world is filled with all kinds of social entertainment. Tonight, I've decided to do a special report on the dog races that happen nightly in the Harlem underground. Keep listening to find out more!"

"It’s been three years since Prohibition dried our cities, but it looks like the race hall is full again tonight! These races are managed by Owney Madden, aka "The Killer," an infamous gangster – oh, I think I hear cheers! It sounds like another race has just begun!"

"Yeah, attaboy! You can do it! Get ahead of ‘em!"

"The hall sure is hot tonight! The crowd's on the edge of their seats, desperate to win bi--O-oh my!"

"Sorry, ma’am. Didn’t mean to bump into you like that. Are you alright?"

"Ma’am? Excuse me?! I’m not that ol--oh, wait, you’re the one who bumped into me, little boy? This is no place for a child! Did your mommy or daddy bring you here?"

"No, I came on my own. Matthew n' Emilia said they don't like gamblin', so I didn't have much of a choice. Anyway, mind not treatin' me like some little kid? I got a name too, y'know – it's Luka!"

"OK, Luka... So you came here to enjoy the dog races all by your lonesome, I take it?"

"You betcha! If your luck’s any good, you can win all sortsa cabbage and prizes, too! Ain't why I came here, though."
"Then what, pray tell, did you come here for?"

"You seen how fast those dogs run, ain’t ya? Sure feels swell making 'em all eat my dust!"

"Oh, you’re talking about winning with your bets, yes?"

"What? Nah, I'm talkin' about racin' and beatin’ em!"

"Umm... I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to say."

"I mean goin’ wolf! Then I get to enter the race and beat 'em all by a mile! Helps me train, too."

"Wolf? Wait… Who's entering the race here?"

"Me."

"..."

"You alright, ma’am?"

"Could you stop referring to me like I’m some tired housewife? Just call me Dorothy!"

"Okay, okay!"

"Good heavens, I'm not sure what came over me just now. I didn't mean to lose my temper. Now then, Luka, I believe you were telling me about how you've been entering your pet dog in the races here."

"Yeah, sure, that's it! My...pet! My pet runs the races for me."

"I see. I wasn't aware that these races allowed spectators to send their own pets out to compete."

"Oh, you betcha they do."

"Well then, I'll be sure to root for your little Wolfie when you send him out to race!"

"Thanks, I'll do my best!"

"What was that?"

"I-I mean my dog...will do his best. See you 'round, Dorothy!"

## Thompson Report #03: Torture Events

"My, what a ghastly sight. I can hardly believe I'm staring at a place that exists on God's green earth... Good evening, everyone – it's yours truly, Dorothy Thompson. Tonight, I'm standing inside an old castle nestled somewhere in the hills of Europe.

Deep within the stone of this fortress, which remains unchanged since the medieval age in which it was built, lies a solitary room that not a sliver of sunlight can reach. Quite unsettling, wouldn't you agree? I'll do my best to give you all an honest report, so I hope you will have the courage to follow along.

"In the center of this cold room, I can see a large rack with a number of leather straps suspended from it. Perhaps they tied people to this contraption? Beyond it, I see a large, triangular wooden horse and a mannequin, of all things. Deep within, I spy a sort of chair with restraints attached to it... And it seems that there are several cables extending out from its backrest, all leading to a large machine in the corner of the room… And my intuition is telling me this is an electric chair!

"Calm down, Dorothy, just stay calm and take deep breaths. In…and out again......

"What is all this they have hanging from the wall? Shackles connected by iron chains, thick leather whips... Mercy me, I can't imagine what they might use these saws and pliers for. I can even see a few gags fashioned like steel masks, staring right down at me!

"I wonder if those following along have been able to put the scene together yet? That’s right, this is a room built specifically for inflicting torture – a truly spine-tingling chamber that's claimed the lives of hundreds. It is astonishing to think Matthew was able to escape from this place with his life."

"Matthew? Would you happen to be speaking of Matthew Farrell?"

"Goodness gracious!"

"Now, now, don't stare at me like I'm some kind of spirit, my dear. I'm Dr. Eugene, caretaker of this castle. We spoke on the phone."

"And how long have you been standing there?!"

"Since before you entered this room. I believe you mistook me for a mannequin."

"But you look as shriveled up as a mummy..."

"Ahem!"

"Oh, um, excuse me. I think all this eerie excitement must have sent me into some sort of temporary delirium."

"Think nothing of it, my dear. I'm very honored to be interviewed by such a prestigious journalist – especially since you were so quick to uncover all the charming details this room has to offer."

"Are you an acquaintance of Matthew's?"

"An acquaintance? Oh, we're far more than that. We've attempted to kill each other several times, and I for one can't wait to run into him again."

"Y-you aren't going to torture me and force me to tell you where he is, are you?"

"Hah hah hah! You may rest at ease. Despite how I may look, I’m a gentleman. And it's a policy of mine to never interrogate anyone when business is not involved."

"Well, that is a relief. Once I get back, I'll tell Matthew to watch out for you."

"By all means, Ms. Thompson."

## Thompson Report #04: Jewel Alchemy

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Thompson. You may remove your blindfold now."

"Thank you kindly."

"Welcome to the headquarters of the BOI’s special task force. I'm Emilia Dawson."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Agent Dawson. Your thoroughness in your confidentiality says a great deal about how professional you must be. My shoulders are a tad stiff, given how tight the handcuffs were... Oh, but I'll be fine, don't you worry. One ought to be tough if they’re to work in journalism, I find."

"This location must be kept secret, you understand. Truth be told, I should have declined your request for an interview right from the start."

"Well, let me start by thanking you for the opportunity. My, this is quite the unsettling room. If I didn't know better, I'd say we were in the lab of a mad scientist, or perhaps a hideout for cultists researching black magic rituals. Quite the peculiar mixture of the scientific and the magical."

"Unsettling? This is my laboratory. I perform my jewel alchemy here."
"Jewel alchemy?"

"*Bijou Alchimie* – a special alchemic process used to create a type of stone known as *lapis de haeresis*... Right, I see you're struggling to follow. I'll do my best to explain in layman's terms. Simply put, my power is supplied to me from this mage reactor that has been inserted into my neck here."

"That pretty pendant is a reactor?"

"Yes, and the stone that serves as its core is a *lapis de haeresis*, or a hereticore, as they’re also known. These stones have the power to create enough energy to supply several power stations."

"Several of them, you say?"

"The energy output differs per the quality of the hereticore. In other words, the rarer the gems used as the ingredients in the alchemical process, the more powerful the hereticore will be."

"It has long been said that beautiful jewelry can enhance a woman's charm exponentially, but it seems these gems truly do boost your *power* in every sense of the word."

"Indeed. As you can see, my left arm and both legs are mechanical, meaning I require energy from these hereticores to power my body."

"Interesting… So the rumors were true."

"What rumors?"

"I have heard about how an ally of Mr. Farrell's fights evil…not with magic or science, but a special sort of supertechnology."

"Impressive. No wonder you're one of the world's top journalists."

"This is all very intriguing. Would you mind telling me more? Is the alchemical process difficult to complete?"

"It is not easy, that much is certain. But I need to create the most powerful hereticores I can if I am to become stronger...to defeat the fiends who threaten us."

"Well, you have my support in your endeavors, Agent Dawson. The world has changed a great deal since women finally earned the right to vote. From this point on, it is our time–our chance to change society. And I know you will be right there on the front lines, leading the charge."