Item #: SCP-4496
Object Class: Safe
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-4496 is to be held in a secure anomalous item locker at Site-64. SCP-4496 should be stored in its "robot" configuration to avoid accidentally triggering its anomalous properties. Foundation web crawlers are to monitor internet traffic for activity under the username "MxMaster".
Description: SCP-4496 is a Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers action figure representing the character ランディー ("Randy"), produced exclusively for Japanese markets. The toy, as with its non-anomalous counterparts, is built around a primary gimmick of converting from a representation of an organic wild boar (Sus scrofa) to a bipedal "robot" with the use of a spring-loaded trigger. SCP-4496 is anomalously durable compared to other "Randy" action figures, lacking the excess fragility that typically characterizes the toys.1
SCP-4496's active anomalous effects manifest when its spring-loaded transformation is triggered. On conversion to its robot form, intermolecular forces within approximately 4.550 meters of SCP-4496 will be instantaneously and significantly weakened, rendering solid matter significantly more brittle and liable to crumble or tear under pressure. This effect is a permanent, one-time alteration of the surrounding molecules rather than an ongoing effect; other matter surrounding SCP-4496 after its conversion into "robot" will not be affected, and transforming it back to "boar" form will have no impact on matter it has previously affected.
Gases and liquids are also affected; while liquids will be subject to a reduction in surface tension, there is little practical effect on gases due to their already-weak intermolecular force. However, testing has shown SCP objects of anomalous durability or fragility to be unaffected by the effect.
Discovery: SCP-4496 was initially discovered by Agent Para of MTF Rho-40 ("Toys 'R' Us Kids") during routine surveillance of the dealer room at the 2004 Official Transformers Collectors' Convention in Rosemont, Illinois, after its activation during purchase from a dealer table caused the collapse of two tables and severe injury to the buyer.
Subsequent interrogation of the seller, Mr. █████ ████████, revealed that he was aware of SCP-4496's anomalous properties, having broken his right arm and leg as well as several other rare items in his Transformers toy collection after triggering it; he had been attempting to sell the toy purely out of desire to not be around it any more. The Foundation took SCP-4496 into custody, and administered amnestics and medical treatment to both Mr. ████████ and the purchaser, Mr. ██████ ██████, under the pretext of both men having undiagnosed osteoporosis. Convention organisers 3H Productions disseminated a Foundation cover story about a damaged table that collapsed and injured Mr. ██████.
Addendum: Collected Data
The following data consists of interactions made through both the Usenet newsgroup alt.toys.transformers and private emails, and was taken from Mr. ████████'s personal computer.

Post by KillerPunch in alt.toys.transformers thread "Dealing with "GOLD PLASTIC SYNDROME"", February 7, 2004
On my way to completing my BWN collection - just picked up the Randy and Crazybolt 2pack - but i'm worried about "Gold Plastic Syndrome". How to best make sure Randy doesn't shatter whenever i pick him up? Don't want to have to hunt down a new one.

[EXTRANEOUS POSTS REMOVED]

Post by MxMaster2 in alt.toys.transformers thread "Dealing with "GOLD PLASTIC SYNDROME"", February 9, 2004
hey man i can help you out, i know a guy whose taught me plenty of tricks for this stuff. if you mail randy to me i can treat him and send him back to you . hell be solid as a rock. send me an email ██████@aol.com

Post by KillerPunch in alt.toys.transformers thread "Dealing with "GOLD PLASTIC SYNDROME"", February 9, 2004
Sent

From: ████████@yahoo.com
To: ██████@aol.com
Sent: February 9, 2004
Subject: GPS fixes
I didn't know what to think about this, but figured "what have I got to lose? How much do you want for doing this?

From: ██████@aol.com
To: ████████@yahoo.com
Sent: February 10, 2004
Subject: RE:GPS fixes
no cost, i wanna get my name out there and i need practice doing this anyway. just send it over, ill fix it and send it back to you. [MAILING ADDRESS REMOVED]

From: ████████@yahoo.com
To: ██████@aol.com
Sent: February 12, 2004
Subject: RE:GPS fixes
I know it's a risk but i figure if i don't he'll just break in 6 months anyway. Putting him in the mail now. [MAILING ADDRESS REMOVED]

From: ██████@aol.com
To: ████████@yahoo.com
Sent: February 26, 2004
Subject: RE:GPS fixes
all done. hes basicly unbreakable now. sent him back to you - enjoy

From: ████████@yahoo.com
To: ██████@aol.com
Sent: March 15, 2004
Subject: RE:GPS fixes
What the hell did you do? He's not crumbling sure but when I transformed him its like everything around me shattered instead. My toy shelves collapsed and i've broken my leg AND my arm. Did you use some fucked up chemicals or something??

From: ██████@aol.com
To: ████████@yahoo.com
Sent: March 17, 2004
Subject: RE:GPS fixes
ohhhh. i was wondering where all that fragility was going when i forced it out. thats magic for you. sorry man

From: ████████@yahoo.com
To: ██████@aol.com
Sent: March 17, 2004
Subject: RE:GPS fixes
what??

From: ████████@yahoo.com
To: ██████@aol.com
Sent: March 21, 2004
Subject: RE:GPS fixes
hello??????

Foundation efforts to locate or identify "MxMaster" have been unsuccessful.

Footnotes
1. Commonly referred to by toy collectors as "Gold Plastic Syndrome".
2. This username has since come to the Foundation's attention as a member of web-based anartist communities.

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