The Curator/Involvement/The Devil in Me

*Art can elicit all sorts of reactions. Delight, inspiration, desire... but also doubt, fear and dread...**This article is about The Dark Pictures Anthology's fourth installment,* ***The Devil in Me***
***.***
*You're going it alone. Independent. Admirable. Possibly foolish...**The content below contains spoilers from one or more of the games. Read at your own risk!*

**Sub-Pages**

* Man of Medan
* Little Hope
* House of Ashes
* **The Devil in Me**
* Switchback VR

## Meetings

### *First Meeting*

The first meeting with the Curator happens after the intro sequence. He approaches his desk and fixes his sleeves as a crow feather falls behind him. The Curator stands near the mirror and acknowledges the player's presence, before asking if they have been waiting long.

* If the player doesn't have any save files, the Curator will welcome them in his repository, which contains a vast collection of dark, frightening and horrific stories. He will also introduce himself as the Curator.
* If the player has save files in any of the previous games, the Curator will welcome them back, saying it's always good when a familiar face returns and the player is in the mood for a new tale.
* If the player has other save files in the game, the Curator will welcome them back and say that he enjoys seeing a familiar face. He will also make an additional comment depending on the previous playthrough:
	+ If everyone survived in the previous playthrough, he will say that the player did so well last time, and that he's surprised they're back. He will wonder if the player returned due to morbid curiosity.
	+ If some characters died in the previous playthrough, he will say the player is holding on a little guilt and hoping that this time around they might be able to save them all.
	+ If everyone died in the previous playthrough, he will say that last time no one survived and wonder if the player was even trying.

After that he can also make a small comment depending on the selected game mode:

* If the game mode is Movie Night, The Curator will say there are several players and it's quite a party. He will add that "safety in numbers" is what people say.
* If the game mode is single-player, but the player has a save file for Shared Story, the Curator will acknowledge that they are alone and say it's for their best. He will also remember the saying about "too many cooks".
* If the game mode is Shared Story, but the player has a save file for single-player, the Curator will acknowledge the player has brought a friend and say it's good thinking, adding that "teamwork may win the day".

The Curator stands in the center of the room and says it's so good to have company, because he was on his own for a long time. The Curator also explains that he barely recalls the time when he wasn't in the repository, watching over these tales and that there is no good in the stories without someone who will experience them. He says that this story is about those who create and the lengths they might go to for their art to be made pure. The Curator sits in the chair and adds that this "art" can elicit all sorts of reactions, like delight, inspiration, desire, but also doubt, fear and dread. He notes that the way the player will react and make decisions will affect the story. The Curator finally introduces pictures mechanic to the player, which can give glimpses to the possible consequences of the player's choices. He reminds the player that sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can have the biggest repercussions and finishes with a small note:

* If the game mode is single-player, The Curator will say the player is responsible for what happens, as they are culpable.
* If the game mode is Shared Story, The Curator will say all players will experience the repercussions.

The Curator explains that he can't interfere, because it's against the rules and he can only observe what happens and record any significant events. He then attracts the player's attention and shows them a very old coin in his vest pocket, which people used to call obols and put in the mouth of the recently deceased, to pay the "ferryman." He encourages the player to look for them in the strangest places, because he will be happy to exchange them and make it worth the player's while. The Curator sends the player to the story with the words "the game is afoot" and adds that he will be watching.

### *Second Meeting*

The second meeting with the Curator happens after Erin's first encounter with the killer. He stands near one of the bookshelves on the mezzanine floor. Then he notices the player, holding a small red book in his hands and starts with a comment about Erin:

* If Erin is alive, the Curator will say she has shown some signs of "serious pluck".
* If Erin is dead and...
	+ The player was controlling Erin and...
		- Erin kissed Jamie, he will question how Jamie will take the news, just when they seemed to recognize their feelings about each other.
		- Erin did not kiss Jamie, he will say it's such a horrible death and she picked the wrong time to find some bravery.
	+ The player was controlling Kate, he will wonder what has become of her.
		- If Erin kissed Jamie, he will say she just disappeared, adding that Jamie has an especially hard time with it since the two of them connected.
		- If Erin didn't kiss Jamie, he will say she just disappeared.

The Curator talks about how rude it was for Du'Met not to appear for dinner and that he has apparently left the island. He flies off in his crow form from the mezzanine to the ground floor and fixes his waistcoat. He discusses Charlie's attitude during Dinner:

* If Dinner ended positively, the Curator will say Charlie has rallied the troops and the road ahead will be full of challenges.
* If Dinner ended negatively, he will say things became uncomfortable after Du'Met's departure and Charlie lost his cool. The Curator will also add that if the group can't work together, they are unlikely to succeed.

After it, the Curator laments that he is just an observer and the player gets to make the choices. He leaves them saying that it's time to get back to things before a protagonist makes a poor choice on their own.

### *Third Meeting*

The third meeting with the Curator happens after Charlie's ordeal within the furnace. He uses a metal poker to keep wood burning in his marble fireplace, while talking about the status of Charlie:

* If Charlie hid under the grate and survived, the Curator will comment that things are starting to heat up for protagonists, and Charlie's goose may be cooked.
* If Charlie desperately tried to open the door and died, the Curator will comment that it's such an unpleasant way to go, and wonder how the group will fare without their leader.

The Curator can also discuss Erin's situation:

* If Erin was stabbed in the eye, he will say "that's one in the eye for Erin", apologize for it and ask the player if this is "too soon".
	+ If Erin found Jamie's texts and accused her, the Curator will also add that Erin was bothered with them and didn't entirely trust Jamie. He will say that sometimes it's better not to read things, which were not intended for someone's eyes.
	+ In Curator's Cut, if Erin is stabbed in the eye, the Curator will point out that Erin's been quiet and how he hopes she's okay.

He leaves his fire poker, walks towards his desk, while discussing the relationship between Mark and Kate:

* If they have a high relationship, he will state that it can be difficult working with someone you've been involved with, after which he will also add that Mark and Kate may be finding a way and learning some new things about each other.
* If they have a low relationship, he will mention how Mark and Kate want to be truthful to each other, but Kate has been hiding something from him and possibly even herself.

The Curator asks the player how they feel about Du'Met's lovely animatronics, adding that they are rather clever, look very realistic, and wonders, where Du'Met sources the parts, alluding to the real human eye in Mannequins. He then offers to give the player a hint, to even the odds.

* If the player accepts, the Curator will say to take inspiration from the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He will add that apparently, Herman Mudgett was so enamored with Sherlock Holmes that he borrowed his surname. The Curator then will quote "*The Final Problem*" — "*He has a brain of the first order. He sits motionless, like a spider in the center of its web. But that web has a thousand radiations. And he knows well every quiver of each of them.*"
* If the player refuses or stays silent, he will apologize for asking.
* (In Shared Story) If the players' answers contradict, he will ask them, what hope do they have, if they can't agree between themselves.

The Curator goes back to the fireplace and takes his fire poker again. He frustratedly tells the player to get back to things and wishes them luck, while being occupied with the fireplace.

### *Fourth Meeting*

The fourth meeting with the Curator happens right in the crushing moment. The Curator can be seen standing near one of the tall glass windows. He says that it's an excruciating way to go and discusses the situation, while looking at the ambiance outside and walking back to his desk.

* If Jamie was killed before reaching the glass trap, the Curator will say that Jamie and Kate weren't on the same page with their plan to catch Du'Met and that deep down Kate will always know she played a part in Jamie's death. He will add it's not the first time Kate has let down a friend of hers like that.
* If Jamie was not killed before reaching the glass trap, he will make a comment on whether or not the button was pressed:
	+ If Jamie pressed the button, he will say Jamie and Kate didn't always see eye to eye, but he didn't think she'd be that cold blooded.
	+ If Jamie didn't press the button, he will say she chose to spare Kate at the cost of her own life. He will add that this is admirable and that people can surprise sometimes.

The Curator takes his pen and makes some records in his book, while discussing status of other protagonists. He starts with Erin:

* If Erin's died in Surgery, he will note that her "Don't Be Scared" song has a catchy tune, but sadly it didn't work.
* If Erin died in Breathless, he will say Jamie didn't choose to save her when she could and left Erin to die, deprived of oxygen and suffocating to death.

Then he comments on Charlie's status:

* If Charlie is alive, the Curator will note that Charlie has proved himself capable by surviving the furnace and every other obstacle.
* If Charlie crushed in the shredder or was caught by Du'Met again, he will say Charlie managed to escape the furnace, only to fall straight into Du'Met's grasp.

The Curator stands up from his chair and walks towards the bookshelves. He comments on the player's decision to take the first hint or not.

* If the player agreed to take a hint, the Curator will ask, did it help them and do they want another.
* If the player refused, the Curator will say the player probably regrets their decision and ask them do they want a hint now.

He stands near the books and offers to give the player a second hint. There are two variations of the hint, depending on the tape, which Erin can listen to in Silver Ash.

* If the player accepts and Erin listened to the audio tape, he will quote from Arthur Conan Doyle's *"The Valley of Fear"* — *"The temptation to form premature theories upon insufficient data is the bane of our profession."*
* If the player accepts and Erin didn't listen to the tape, the Curator will quote from Doyle's *"The Man with the Twisted Lip"* — *"A trusty comrade is always of use, and a chronicler, still more so."* He will also add how he thinks that last part might refer to him.
* If the player refuses or stays silent, he will say that they're on their own.
* (In Shared Story) If the players' answers contradict, he will advise them to get on the same page before it costs them more than a little help.

The Curator turns around and tells the player to get back. He says he hopes their chats are helpful, as he doesn't want them to be intimidating. The Curator also adds that he'll be watching their progress very closely, as always.

### *Final Meeting*

The final meeting with the Curator happens before the game's conclusion. Depending on the player's outcome, they will see the Curator at his work.

* If Lake was the final chapter, the Curator's paper will be shown with the names "Herman Mudgett", "Henry Howard Holmes" and "Hector Munday", all three crossed out. Granthem Du'Met's name will be written underneath the three, but won't be crossed out. The Curator will be visibly frustrated. He will angrily tear the paper out of the book. The room will begin rattling and concerned Curator will look around. An unknown force will break into the repository and bang on the Curator's doors.
* If Ultimatum was the final chapter, the Curator will just make some records in his book.

The Curator acknowledges the player's presence, says that all good things must come to an end and asks how good the end was for the crew.

* If all protagonists are alive, he will say "hats off" for keeping everyone alive, and that it must be so rewarding for the player.
* If one protagonist died, he will say that most of them survived, but sadly, there was someone who didn't.
* If two to four protagonists died, he will say that unfortunately, the player lost a few of them.
* If all protagonists died, he will say not to mince words, and that everyone, but everyone, is dead.

Then goes short comment about Connie's fate:

* If Connie is sole survivor, he will say that the only one who made it off the island alive was the dog.
* If Connie and all protagonists are dead, he will say the player somehow even managed to get the dog killed, and that he didn't even think that was possible.

The Curator discusses the fate of the dead first:

* If at least one protagonist died, the Curator will say "so rest in peace" before mentioning them.
	+ If Kate died, he will say *"it's a final closeup and CUT. It's a wrap"*.
	+ If Mark died, he will say that Mark was loyal to the final frame and that there's some studio space going spare in Brooklyn, if anyone is interested.
	+ If Charlie died, he will say that it looks like series two isn't going to be commissioned after all.
		- If Charlie was tied up by Mark, he will instead say that Charlie's poor management skills let him down again, and that his team didn't trust him; they "trussed him UP like a turkey" and left him out for Du'Met.
		- If Charlie was decapitated during Lake, he will instead say that Charlie lost his head at the end, literally.
	+ If Erin died, he will say that the new girl surprised everyone with her courage, but now she's gone to the great audio suite in the sky.
		- If Erin was axed, he will instead say that she was killed by an axe that really shouldn't have been left where a deranged killer might find it.
	+ If Jamie died, he will say that the plug's been pulled and the lights are out, and that he doesn't think rewiring the fuse is going to help this time around.
		- If Jamie died in Lake, he will instead say that she should've jumped rather than trying to fight, but she had bad advice, and things got very, very messy.
* If there are two dead protagonists, he will add "and Mark/Charlie/Erin/Jamie" between his discussions.

Then he talks about the surviving protagonists:

* If there is only one survivor, the Curator will ask what is about sole survivor.
* If there is more survivors, he will ask if the experience has changed them.
	+ If Kate survived, he will say that she had a secret; she was traumatized by something that happened a long time ago, but Kate faced the thing she was most afraid of in the whole world and survived.
		- If Kate and Mark kissed in Wall and have maximum relationship, he will add that perhaps it helped her see how important Mark's love was to her.
	+ If Jamie survived, he will say that she learned that she had to trust other people and work with them.
		- If Jamie and Erin kissed in Guests and have maximum relationship, he will add "and to care for them".
	+ If Mark survived, he will say that Mark had to stop waiting for people to tell him what to do, and he had to make his own way in the world.
		- If Mark and Kate kissed in Wall and have maximum relationship, he will add that it helped him to find his way back to Kate.
	+ If Erin survived, he will say that she showed everyone that although she may be easily spooked, Erin found immense courage when she needed it the most.
		- If Erin and Jamie kissed in Guests and have maximum relationship, he will add that it took courage to act on the feelings she had for Jamie.
	+ If Charlie survived, he will say that Charlie finally understood that leadership is more than ordering the team around, and that he had to treat them as equals and let them take the lead when the time was right.

The Curator stands up from his chair and walks towards the exit. He says he'll tackle the paperwork in the morning. He asks the player can they find their own way out and adds with a smile that the meeting was, as always, enlightening. The Curator puts on his bowler hat, says he has no doubts they will meet again, in the future, and bids the player farewell.

### *Curator's Cut*

After the intro sequence the Curator welcomes the player again into the game and talks about results of their previous playthrough. The rest of the conversation with the Curator plays out similarly as to the one that happens on the Theatrical Cut.

The other encounters with the Curator occur exactly as they do in the Theatrical Cut.