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SCP-5117 - Alex? I'm lonely.
A story about two friends drifting apart.

For more by me, check out the Greyve Page!

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Item#: 5117

Level4

Containment Class:
safe

Secondary Class:
{$secondary-class}

Disruption Class:
ekhi

Risk Class:
danger

link to memo

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-5117 is to be stored in a reinforced high-security locker. Contact with SCP-5117 by any sapient entity, humanoid or otherwise, is strictly prohibited. Access is to be restricted to individuals with explicit authorization from Site Director Calloway.
Description: SCP-5117 is a pair of matching rose gold wedding bands. When two individuals wearing the rings are in physical contact, the individuals become capable of influencing reality to the same degree as a Class IV reality bender, provided both individuals express agreement with proposed changes or express similar desires.
SCP-5117-1 was Noah Pierson, the first known individual to utilize SCP-5117's anomaly. SCP-5117-1 was neutralized on 9/25/2016.
SCP-5117-2 was Maria Pierson, an unintended secondary user of SCP-5117's anomaly. SCP-5117-2 expired on 9/24/2016 of natural causes and was briefly reanimated via SCP-5117's anomaly before reverting to a deceased state during containment (see Addendum 5117-2).

RAISA NOTICE
The following file is incomplete. Personnel should review the following file for additional information:

5117debrief.log

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Debrief Recording Transcript

Date: 10-2-2016
In Attendance:

Dr. James Olson
Researcher Alexander Cora

[BEGIN LOG]
Olson: For the record, please identify yourself.
Cora: Senior Containment Engineer Alexander Robert Cora.
Olson: Alright. How did do you know SCP-5117-1?
Cora: Please, his name is Noah.
Olson: My apologies. How did you come to know Noah?
(Cora smiles sadly.)
Cora: Childhood friend.
Olson: Well, then, tell me about your childhood.
(Cora pauses and takes a deep breath.)
Cora: Grew up in a charming little town. Parents died before I could remember, and I lived with my uncle, who was gone all the time. I had lots of time on my hands, but nobody to spend it with.
(Cora chuckles.)
Cora: I was…odd. Friends were hard to come by, what with my strange interests. Or I guess, interest in the strange. Most of my time was spent inside, reading books, or on my computer…probably isn't much of a surprise to you. I've never been a "social butterfly". But Noah was there for me.
Cora: Noah was always nice. Quiet. Timid, maybe. Friendly but not social. Lonely kid. Pretty normal-seeming, but he was a good person, which is more than a lot of people have to their name.
Cora: Can't remember exactly how we got on so well. I think it might be that I used to help him with schoolwork, or something. Anyways, both of us were interested in the anomalous. Of course, almost all of the stuff we looked into wasn't real. But that didn't stop our obsession.
Olson: I see. So this is what led you to join the Foundation, when you were recruited out of ██████████ University?
Cora: To an extent, yeah. I mean, just getting in was a challenge all to its own.
Olson: And how was your relationship with Noah during your university years?
Cora: Well, when I went to ██████████, Noah ended up sticking around town, opening an electronics shop. Yeah, we kept in touch, but I only get to see him every so often on leave. And then, in this line of work…well, you know.
(Cora snorts.)
Cora: I did make it to his wedding a few years back. Director got pissed because my replacement fucked things up, and that caused a breach. The big one, last December.
Olson: I do remember that one.
Cora: Yeah. Fucked me right up. Still get nightmares over that. Do we have to talk about that?
Olson: No, not at all. Would you say that you and Noah were close?
Cora: That's a real understatement, if I've ever heard one. We were like brothers. Only guy keeping me from being completely alone. 'Course, the job doesn't really help. I almost feel as confined in my job as the skips.
(Cora looks downward.)
Olson: Did you ever disclose any classified information to Noah?
Cora: Not really, no. Most I've ever done is change around names and tell him I work with stuff I'm not allowed to talk about. He thinks I work for like, FBI, or something. But it doesn't matter now. He's dead.
Olson: I see. How did Noah impact your work here?
(Cora faces Olson.)
Cora: Sorry?
Olson: How did Noah affect your performance here, at the Foundation?
(Cora shrugs.)
Cora: Only positively, no doubt. He and I would talk late into the night after a rough day. Matter of fact, I've probably only stuck around this long because…well, I thought of myself as protecting people like Noah, on the outside. So that they can carry on, “live in the light.”
(Cora pauses.)
Cora: We both know what I've done, Olson. I figured it would be a worthy sacrifice…my life, my conscience, for the sake of humanity.
Cora: I suppose it's not really the same now, though, is it? I guess…I guess if a good man like him, a civilian, can become nothing more than…another anomaly…to be contained, with as much thought as anyone else…
Cora: The procedures I've developed…now I can't help but remind myself that every single one of them, from ████ to ████…they were all human. At least a little. For fuck's sake, ████ was a goddamn child when I locked her up.
(Cora swallows.)
Cora: Look, if anything, please. For the love of…I don't even know. Humanity, I guess. Remember that everyone you contain is at least a little bit human. That's all I ask, after all that I've done. I gave you those text logs to remember that Noah was a fucking human being.
(Olson nods.)
Olson: Understood. I'll do my best to get those in the file.
Cora: Thank you.
(Olson reviews the incident report.)
Olson: Now…the records say that you performed actions to prevent the Foundation from discovering Noah's anomalous effects.
Cora: Is that a question?
Olson: So you're not defending yourself? You realize that your actions will be perceived as neglect of Foundation protocol? How many infractions you'll get?
Cora: I thought I could keep him from…getting to that point. I know him, you know? He would have listened to me. If I had gotten to him first, we might have settled it over lunch and moved on.
Olson: Yet you violated procedures.
(Cora seethes.)
Cora: Procedures this, procedures that. Procedures to keep a little girl from her mother? Procedures to kill my best friend? Procedures is everything I've done for the past six years, Olson! I lost my humanity to build fucking procedures.
(Cora points at Olson, as if accusing him.)
Cora: Those procedures put him down. None of this would have happened if they'd have left me to deal with Noah, instead of shooting me in the fucking leg.
(Cora slams the table.)
Cora: I could've saved him. I could've, if only…
(Cora breaks down in tears.)
Cora: (Sobbing) If only…I hadn't left him alone.
[END LOG]

Note: Cora obviously has immense emotional attachment to SCP-5117. Whether or not he's going to continue working at the Foundation — and with sapient anomalies, no less — amnestication seems the only proper course of action. - Dr. Olson

Addendum 5117-1: Recovered Communication Transcripts
The following communication records were recovered from Senior Containment Engineer Alexander Cora's personal smartphone. The transcripts include communication as discovered, and any errors or inconsistencies were present in the original communication records.
Several logs were personally requested to be included by Cora, and following internal deliberation by RAISA, specific instances have been permitted.
[EXTRANEOUS INFORMATION REDACTED]

▼ Recovered Communication Transcript 6

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Recovered Communication Transcript

Date: 11/17/2012
Involved:

Senior Containment Engineer Alexander Cora
SCP-5117-1

Note: First recorded instance of any mention of SCP-5117. - Dr. Olson

SCP-5117-1: we almost finished all the planning
Cora: What planning?
SCP-5117-1: the wedding ofc
SCP-5117-1: only two things left
Cora: what?
SCP-5117-1: first the ring
Cora: …
SCP-5117-1: seriously
Cora: You planned a wedding and don't have rings
SCP-5117-1: hey now
SCP-5117-1: Maria and I are at a stalemate over rose gold or white gold
Cora: thats why you dont have a ring
SCP-5117-1: well yeah its kinda a huge decision
SCP-5117-1: what metal im gonna keep on my 4th finger for the rest of my life
Cora: right
Cora: IDK it's not my ring
SCP-5117-1: Alex cmon help me out here
SCP-5117-1: rose gold or white gold
Cora: Fine
Cora: Rose gold I guess
SCP-5117-1: cool cool
SCP-5117-1: thanks
SCP-5117-1: The other thing
Cora: Yeah?
Cora: You need me for that too?
Cora: Might as well hire me as a wedding manager
SCP-5117-1: lol
SCP-5117-1: the other thing is my best man
Cora: Oh
SCP-5117-1: were working on the arrangements but we already know ur gonna be the best man
SCP-5117-1: unless you dont want to or smthn
Cora: I get to be with my best friend on the happiest day of his life
Cora: Why wouldn't I?
SCP-5117-1: Cool then
SCP-5117-1: its on the 30th
Cora: Wait the 30th
Cora: I actually have to do something on the 30th
SCP-5117-1: well idk man
SCP-5117-1: we worked out all the other details and stuff
Cora: I'll figure it out I guess
Cora: I'll be there

▼ Recovered Communication Transcript 7

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Recovered Communication Transcript

Date: 12/10/2012
Involved:

Senior Containment Engineer Alexander Cora
SCP-5117-1

Note: These exchanges occurred briefly after the ██/██/████ site-wide breach. Sparing the details, the number of casualties was nearly three digits. No doubt a traumatic experience. If I recall correctly, Cora was absent few days before the ordeal, and his substitute royally fucked up one of the auxiliary systems. I can understand why Cora would ask for this file to be included. - Dr. Olson

Cora: Hey Noah
SCP-5117-1: wassup
Cora: There was a huge fuck-up at work today
Cora: I was partly to blame, I guess.
Cora: It's
Cora: Really hard to put into words
SCP-5117-1: what happened
SCP-5117-1: are you alright
Cora: I'm a bit shaken right now
Cora: It feels like
Cora: Heavy
SCP-5117-1: Alex what can I do to help
Cora: I don't know, I just want to talk.
SCP-5117-1: then let's talk.
SCP-5117-1: Im always here for you, Alex
Cora: Thanks so much
Cora: But I can't really tell you about what happened
Cora: It's so fucked up
SCP-5117-1: What's wrong?
Cora: I saw them helpless
Cora: Preparing to die and unable to do anything
Cora: I was there too
Cora: I could have died too
Cora: I almost did
Cora: The sounds and the smell, everything
Cora: So fucking terrifying
Cora: Noah?
SCP-5117-1: yeah?
Cora: I don't know what to do.
SCP-5117-1: Im sorry, Alex
SCP-5117-1: Im so sorry
SCP-5117-1: Alex?

[EXTRANEOUS INFORMATION REDACTED]

▼ Recovered Communication Transcript 9

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Recovered Communication Transcript

Date: 2/10/2013
Involved:

Senior Containment Engineer Alexander Cora
SCP-5117-1

Note: This is the first recorded instance of SCP-5117's anomalous effects manifesting. Cora claims to have directed SCP-5117-1 to not utilize his anomalous effects further. SCP-5117-1 was compliant for a period. During this time, Cora utilized his position to remove local Kant counter records for the month of February. - Dr. Olson

SCP-5117-1: hey I havent talked with u in a while
SCP-5117-1: Alex?
Cora: Oh yeah sorry
Cora: Been busy with work
SCP-5117-1: ye thats like everyday for u now
SCP-5117-1: I swear its killing u
Cora: Sorry
SCP-5117-1: nah dont worry abt it
SCP-5117-1: worry abt urself
SCP-5117-1: anyways I got something I need to show u
Cora: Yeah?
SCP-5117-1: I think
SCP-5117-1: I think Maria gives me powers
Cora: What?
SCP-5117-1: like magic or whatever
SCP-5117-1: yea I sound crazy I know
SCP-5117-1: pls hear me out
Cora: Okay
SCP-5117-1: so I was with Maria a few nights ago and the power went out
SCP-5117-1: I was pretty frustrated and Maria said couldnt I just fix it
SCP-5117-1: since I work with electronics and stuff
SCP-5117-1: I just gave her a hug and stroked her hair and I said I wish I could
SCP-5117-1: then the power came back on immediately
Cora: Okay, coincidence?
SCP-5117-1: I thought so
SCP-5117-1: yesterday it was raining really heavy
SCP-5117-1: Maria and I were walking to the car under a tiny old black umbrella and she was freezing and she said she wished it would stop raining
SCP-5117-1: its been raining for a week straight now
SCP-5117-1: and then the rain just stopped when I agreed
Cora: Weird.
SCP-5117-1: ikr
SCP-5117-1: so I figured it was just coincidence
SCP-5117-1: but I had a lot of free time today and I figured it doesnt hurt to try
SCP-5117-1: so Ive been messing around
SCP-5117-1: trying to see what i can do
SCP-5117-1: apparently it only works when Im with Maria
SCP-5117-1: but yeah I can do almost anything
SCP-5117-1: idk what to do abt it
SCP-5117-1: Maria doesnt really believe me so its whatever
Cora: Okay, please listen
SCP-5117-1: ok
Cora: This sort of thing
Cora: Organizations would kill for
SCP-5117-1: wait Im not the only one??!?
Cora: I didn't say that
Cora: But please stop using them, okay?
Cora: No buts
Cora: You don't want to involve yourself in this sort of stuff you don't understand
SCP-5117-1: Okay
Cora: Just trust me, Noah
SCP-5117-1: I do, Alex

▼ Recovered Communication Transcript 10

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Recovered Communication Transcript

Date: 9/18/2016
Involved:

Senior Containment Engineer Alexander Cora
SCP-5117-1

Note: Cora personally requested this record be included. - Dr. Olson

SCP-5117-1: Alex?
SCP-5117-1: Maria is
SCP-5117-1: she had a heart attack the other day
SCP-5117-1: they have her on life support
SCP-5117-1: doctors dont think shes gonna make it
SCP-5117-1: they give her a few more weeks
SCP-5117-1: Alex?
Cora: Yeah?
Cora: Oh
Cora: I'm so sorry
SCP-5117-1: I dont know what else I can do
SCP-5117-1: Im really scared for her
SCP-5117-1: Alex?

▼ Recovered Communication Transcript 11

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Recovered Communication Transcript

Date: 9/24/2016
Involved:

Senior Containment Engineer Alexander Cora
SCP-5117-1

Note: Last recorded instance of communication between Cora and SCP-5117-1 prior to containment. - Dr. Olson

SCP-5117-1: Alex
SCP-5117-1: Im with Maria rn at home
SCP-5117-1: docs say theres nothing they can do
SCP-5117-1: all I can do is be with her
SCP-5117-1: hold her hand as she passes
SCP-5117-1: I just wish we could stay together
SCP-5117-1: I just wish you could be here
SCP-5117-1: Alex?

Addendum 5117-2: Containment Audio/Video Transcript
The following consists of transcriptions of audio and video recorded via MTF ε-12 (“Greenguard”) personnel equipment during initial containment of SCP-5117. Descriptions vary between each operative, so a cohesive report includes notes on various reality distortions.

▼ Containment Audio/Video Transcript

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Containment Audio/Video Transcript

Date: 9/25/2016
Assigned MTF:
MTF ε-12 (“Greenguard”)

ε-12 Lead Fraser
ε-12-2 Muñoz
ε-12-7 Chen

[BEGIN LOG]
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Recorder's on. Mic check.
ε-12-2 Muñoz: Check.
ε-12–7 Chen: Check.
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Alright. Command, you hear us?
Site Command: Loud and clear.
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Okay. You guys know the drill. Weapons at the ready. Locate and incapacitate the subject immediately.
ε-12-2 Muñoz: Tranquilizer or lethal?
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Command?
Site Command: To your best judgement. Of course, minimize civilian casualties.
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Copy that. Remember, surprise is your only advantage against Type Greens. Small towns like this, I'm thinking we run Trident.
ε-12-7 Chen: Trident? I'm not sure I copy, Fraser.
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Forgot you weren't with us at North Ridge, Chen. We split up, Muñoz takes the rear while I flank left and you flank right.
ε-12-2 Muñoz: (Scoffs) Do you newbies not get taught the protocol anymore?
ε-12-7 Chen: I'm sorry, what's your Type Green kill count again?
ε-12-2 Muñoz: If you're so proud of your kills counts, feel free to go back to your damn GOC.
ε-12-7 Chen: It's not about the GOC, it's about having more experience.
ε-12-2 Muñoz: Too bad you don't got much experience with women then, yeah?
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Both of you, shut the fuck up. Time and place.
ε-12-2 Muñoz: Roger that.
ε-12-7 Chen: Yessir.
(Team progresses through the empty town on foot. Units split up and take separate directions approaching target entity.)
(ε-12-2 Muñoz checks her Kant counter and notices the reading increasing steadily.)
ε-12-2 Muñoz: Hey, think I'm getting closer.
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Any idea where it's at?
ε-12-2 Muñoz: My Humes are at-
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Not Humes, dammit. Target location.
ε-12-2 Muñoz: Yeah. Pinging location now.
(ε-12-2 Muñoz transmits her location to ε-12 Lead Fraser.)
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Got it. Heading over. Locate a back door to the house if you can.
ε-12-2 Muñoz: God, this Type Green must be really out of it.
(ε-12-2 Muñoz is standing in front of a small, suburban house. Trees in front of the house are stretching and contorting upwards as far as vision extends, and the ground is pulsating in waves. The house itself is a shifting mass, with the roof folding into itself in impossible ways while the bricks continually rearrange and restructure themselves.)
(ε-12-2 Muñoz approaches the house, but the distance increases every step she takes.)
ε-12-2 Muñoz: Spatial distortion, Fraser. Permission to deploy SRAs?
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Granted. No entering target location, though. Wait for us.
(ε-12-2 Muñoz begins positioning mobile Scranton Reality Anchors along the perimeter of the target location and activates them sequentially.)
(ε-12-7 Chen notices an unidentified figure at the back door of the target location)
ε-12-7 Chen: Hey, I think I see a third party at target location.
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Fuck. GOC? Insurgency?
(ε-12-7 Chen utilizes helmet optical zoom to focus on the figure.)
ε-12-7 Chen: Doesn't look like it. Think it's civilian.
ε-12 Lead Fraser: You're closest to them?
ε-12-7 Chen: Yessir.
(Unidentified figure enters target location.)
ε-12-7 Chen: Third party has entered the building.
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Eyes on 'em yet?
ε-12-7 Chen: Yeah, I think so. Male, seems to be in his early 30s.
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Copy that. You're cleared to approach.
ε-12-7 Chen: Roger that.
(ε-12-7 Chen approaches the individual with his firearm aimed at the individual's head.)
ε-12-7 Chen: Freeze!
(Unidentified individual turns to face ε-12-7 Chen and puts both hands in the air.)
Unidentified Individual: Oh god, MTF already?
ε-12-7 Chen: On behalf of the-
Unidentified Individual: SCP Foundation, yeah. I'm Foundation, too. Senior Containment Engineer Alexander Cora. Please, I really need to get to Noah…that's his name, Noah Pierson.
ε-12-7 Chen: Can you show some identification?
Cora: Yeah, let me get my ID.
(Cora keeps one hand in the air while removing what appears to be a Foundation ID card from his pocket.)
ε-12-7 Chen: Command, you getting this?
Site Command: Individual positively identifies as Foundation personnel, Senior Containment Engineer Alexander Cora, clearance level 3.
ε-12-7 Chen: Got it. Cora, then?
Cora: That's right. Can I go?
ε-12-7 Chen: Hold on. Why are you here?
Cora: Long story. I know Noah. I'm trying to help.
ε-12-7 Chen: You realize you don't have sufficient clearance to even be here without post-operational amnestication?
Cora: I know that, but I'm already here, right? Look, I need to get in, right now. It's a matter of urgency.
ε-12-7 Chen: You are not cleared to enter, Cora. Far as we're concerned, you're basically civilian.
Cora: I know him personally, maybe I can try talking-
ε-12-7 Chen: Negative. Talking to Type Greens is a no-go.
Cora: It's not him, I don't think. He hasn't always had this going on-
ε-12-7 Chen: Type Greens manifest anomalous attributes at different points. Trust me, I've seen this dozens of times.
Cora: And so have I. But…look, you don't get it. Please, let me talk to him-
ε-12-7 Chen: We have our orders, Cora. I will not hesitate to fire should you attempt to breach protocol.
(Cora pauses for a moment. A voice similar to an echo can be heard throughout the environment, appearing to emanate from the house.)
Unidentified Voice: Alex?
(A sudden reality shift absorbs Cora into the house, and rotates the entire structure.)
ε-12-7 Chen: What-
ε-12-2 Muñoz: Did you guys hear that?
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Yeah, I did. Alex is the third party?
ε-12-7 Chen: Yessir. He just…ah…got sucked into the house. Front door is no longer accessible.
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Fuck. Hey Muñoz, how long 'til the anchors are up?
ε-12-2 Muñoz: Just a sec. Ah, shit, Humes are dropping again…
(ε-12 Lead Fraser checks his Kant counter, which displays a Hume level below 50 and continuing to decrease.)
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Hurry the fuck up! Any longer and there won't be a reality to anchor!
(ε-12-2 Muñoz rapidly activates the last mobile Scranton Reality Anchor.)
ε-12-2 Muñoz: All secured, we can proceed.
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Copy that. Chen, get a move on!
ε-12-7 Chen: I'm heading around to the back door, Fraser.
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Alright. Proceed.
(Team proceeds to enter the target destination. The lights are off, certain objects in the room appear heavily distorted, and spatial consistency appears almost liquid. Portions of the room appear to unevenly possess particularly high reality fragmentation. The floor appears to flow in a liquid state.)
ε-12-2 Muñoz: Damn…it's like Dalí painting or something in here.
ε-12-7 Chen: Whole floor's melting.
ε-12 Lead Fraser: How y'all faring? Headache yet?
ε-12-7 Chen: I think…actually…gimme a sec…
(ε-12-7 Chen checks his Kant counter, and notes that its value appears to fluctuate between extremes based on his physical orientation in the room.)
Cora: Noah? Noah, where are you?
(Cora appears through a hallway on the inverse side of the walls, and walks toward a wall, which parts to allow him to enter, before closing behind him.)
ε-12-7 Chen: That's Cora.
Unidentified Voice: are you here nowAlex?
Cora: I'm here, Noah. I wasn't here when you needed me, I wasn't here when I was supposed to be, but I'm here now.
Unidentified Voice: you left me aloneAlex?
Cora: I'm sorry. I really am.
(Local Hume decreases, and a flare of unidentified radiation emanates from the walls of the house. Shifting floorboards begin to splinter, and wall plaster appears to boil.)
ε-12-7 Chen: Cora's pissing off the Green.
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Maybe. But we need to find it first. You think that's where Cora's going?
(Cora re-emerges through a shifting painting, and the room appears to fold extra-spatially before manifesting through a window.)
ε-12 Lead Fraser: There he is.
(Team rapidly approach Cora, and traverse extra-spatial gaps between floorboards. The roof appears to compress, forcing the space below to stretch.)
(Team emerges in a large, static bedroom. Cora stands at the foot of a bed and looks up toward a seemingly endless ceiling.)
ε-12 Lead Fraser: What…
Cora: (Shouting) You were always there for me. I…I wasn't here when you needed me. My work, my…no. No excuses. I'm here now, Noah. I'm here. The world is still out there. This reality inside your head…it isn't real.
Unidentified Voice: what does it matter what is real I have Maria here I have her and I need her and I can have her here and you do not matter because you were not there but Maria was and I wanted to be there for Maria but I could not and now I canAlex?
Cora: Maria's gone, Noah. Just a memory…a fragment of a memory. Please.
Unidentified Voice: you know nothing I know you more than you do me I was always there for you and I will be here for MariaAlex?
Cora: Is that really what you want? To live, live in this…twisted…
Unidentified Voice: I do not want her to leave I do not want to leave I do not want I do not I doAlex?
Cora: This isn't real. Not to me. Wouldn't be real for her, either. If you can't let go…I can't stay locked in here with you. If you can't let go of her…you're letting go of me.
Unidentified Voice: you can not leave me I am lonely all I am is loneliness and I know you know lonely because you are lonely and loneliness is all I amAlex?
Cora: I can't stay here, in your lonely reality. The ghost of Maria…hollow idol of my…Noah.
(The room pulses, and the walls fold and crushes itself. A ceiling materializes and folds downward as SCP-5117-1 descends, holding onto a lifeless female figure floating behind him. Clasping the female figure's hand, which is adorned with a glowing rose gold ring, he reaches out towards Cora.)
Cora: Goodbye, Noah.
SCP-5117-1: you abandoned me you left me to suffer in loneliness you were my friend you are lonely too I am lonely so very lonely I amAlex?
(Cora turns back around, and walks towards the edge of the room. The distance between him and the door expands, and a force pushes him backwards, but Cora continues to trudge towards the door, and then begins climbing up to the door as the room undergoes a reality shift. Suddenly, the room inverts and Cora begins falling away from the door, but he is able to invert himself and walk towards the door along the ceiling.)
(A brief reality stabilization allows the team to remanifest.)
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Hey. Hey. Hey, Muñoz, Chen?
ε-12-2 Muñoz: What? Where did…when?
SCP-5117-1: stop Alex stopAlex?
(ε-12 Lead Fraser turns to find ε-12-7 Chen on the opposite side of the room, in a dazed trance. Chen is aiming his rifle towards Cora.)
ε-12 Lead Fraser: No, what the - fuck!
(ε-12-7 Chen fires at Cora, who immediately collapses and falls to the center of the room.)
SCP-5117-1: Alex?
(The female figure's ring stops glowing as SCP-5117-1 lets go, falling several meters to the floor. A loud cracking noise is audible. SCP-5117-1 exclaims in pain, and then pushes himself up and stumbles towards Cora. Reality returns to a baseline state, appearing to be absorbed by the ring.)
SCP-5117-1: Alex! No, Alex…wake up. Please, Alex!
(SCP-5117-1 shakes Cora's still body, and holds tightly to Cora's head. Cora is bleeding out from his upper thigh.)
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Chen, what the fuck?
(SCP-5117-1 turns to look around the room and notices ε-12 Lead Fraser and ε-12-2 Muñoz. ε-12-7 Chen comes to his senses and staggers back towards the wall.)
SCP-5117-1: You took him from me? All that was left of reality? What do I have now, nothing! Nothing at all!
(SCP-5117-1 begins weeping.)
SCP-5117-1: Lonely, all I am…
(SCP-5117-1 screams and begins to stand up.)
(ε-12-7 Chen instinctively terminates SCP-5117-1 with a single round to SCP-5117-1's left temple.)
(Silence.)
ε-12-2 Muñoz: Fuck, Chen.
ε-12-7 Chen: I just-
ε-12 Lead Fraser: Forget it. Pack up, and let's go. Command, confirming containment of anomaly, send in the cleanup crew.
Site Command: Roger that. Good work, guys.
[END LOG]

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To: <pcs.noitadnuof|2aroc-rednaxela#pcs.noitadnuof|2aroc-rednaxela>
Details

Infraction Report
October 5, 2016 at 7:12 AM
As of present, Senior Containment Engineer Alexander Robert Cora has committed at least four infractions of significant concern, with potential for obstructing the primary objectives and/or disrupting the Veil:

Withholding information pertaining to an anomaly to prevent discovery
Disrupting Foundation equipment monitoring for anomalous behavior
Interfering in Field Operations
Endangering Foundation personnel

After considering all relevant details, Senior Containment Engineer Alexander Cora is to be amnesticized, stripped of his position, and discharged from Foundation service permanently.

As a personal note, just one of your infractions could have had significant repercussions. Not to mention, you're an expert in containment of sapient anomalies. Of all people, you should know better.
I can't in good faith waive your consequences. You could have taken out the Kant grid for all of California. And who knows what would have happened if the breach got worse. I'm sure both of us understand the severity of your actions.
But I still appreciate the good work you have done here, with the Foundation. You were one of the best and brightest in the entire division. You may not have been proud of what you did, but that didn't stop you from understanding how important it was to do it.
The procedures you have developed kept the outside world safe, and that is what matters. I just hope you understand that what happened to Noah, happened for the greater good.
Best wishes,
A. Calloway
Site Director
P.S. Your request to include samples of personal correspondence has been granted. Humanity is what we are fighting to protect. I will not stand for the Foundation forgetting the human cost of its efforts.

« SCP-5116 | SCP-5117 | SCP-5118 »


by J Dune

The interior of SCP-5119

Item #: SCP-5119
Object Class: Keter
Special Containment Procedures: Due to the nature of the anomaly, containment of SCP-5119 is presently unfeasible. Law enforcement channels, social media, and internet message boards are to be monitored for individuals recalling SCP-5119 related events. Subjects who have accessed SCP-5119 are to be interviewed and amnesticized upon identification.
Presently, all information within this document has been obtained from accounts of individuals who have accessed SCP-5119. A Foundation-led exploration of SCP-5119 has not yet been conducted.
UPDATE (2020/10/12): Further information regarding SCP-5119 has been obtained following an incursion into the anomaly. See addenda for details. An updated description of SCP-5119 remains pending.
Description: SCP-5119 is "Uncle Charlie's Toys and Games", an extradimensional location accessible only to individuals that possess a number of shared attributes
A manifestation of SCP-5119 may only occur if an individual:

Is above the age of 25
Perceives their childhood as an overall negative period of their life
Has suffered forms of domestic or emotional abuse in their childhood
Was forced to develop the maturity typically befitting of an adult during their childhood.
Had few extra-familial relationships with other children
Was raised by guardians unrelated by blood
Experienced or witnessed the death of a family member as a child
Experiences difficulty in recalling childhood memories.

The means by which SCP-5119 makes itself known are personalized to its target; however, a general pattern between all accounts of SCP-5119 manifestation has been established. The subject targeted by SCP-5119 will be made aware of the anomaly through a variety of modalities, including television commercials, web-based advertisements, newspaper ads, and appearances in dreams. These advertisements will increase in frequency in an attempt to coerce the subject into traveling to SCP-5119. These materials are memetically self-obscuring, appearing as ordinary advertisements for unrelated businesses when viewed by those other than the targeted individual.

A recreation of a SCP-5119 advertisement, illustrated by Researcher Rowan Raster

SCP-5119 advertisements often feature the store's mascot — 'Uncle Charlie' — which has been designated as SCP-5119-A. SCP-5119-A is a rotund, horned humanoid with hairless, red skin, dressed in a black-and-white striped suit and top hat. Illustrations on advertisements for SCP-5119 portray SCP-5119-A as a jovial character, playing with toys or outstretching its hand towards the reader in an invitational manner.
SCP-5119 will manifest in a location nearby the residence of the subject and will provide precise directions towards the manifestation on all of its advertisements. These directions are nonsensical, but, if followed correctly, will allow anyone matching the selection criteria to access SCP-5119. The exterior of the anomaly resembles a conventional storefront and is only accessible to individuals fitting its criteria. Attempts to access the location while others were present have resulted in the anomaly failing to manifest.
The interior of SCP-5119 is far larger than its exterior; however, accurate measurements have thus far not been recorded due to limited exploration possibilities.
SCP-5119's interior resembles a dilapidated toy store that has experienced heavy fire-damage. Products found inside of the anomaly are entirely unique to SCP-5119 and appear to be mass-produced; they all bear the names of unidentified companies, pieces of media, and intellectual properties. However, apart from their physical existence and source, products recovered from SCP-5119 have not demonstrated any anomalous effects and can be compared to ordinary toys in function and design.
While inside SCP-5119, individuals will demonstrate ecstatic and childish behavior, such as playing with products for extended periods of time or singing juvenile songs to themselves. Following time spent in SCP-5119, the targeted individual will be subject to a form of retrograde amnesia, where the majority of memories from before the individual's 18th birthday become completely lost. The exact process by which this occurs is unknown. All subjects have recalled feeling drawn towards a large wooden door within the anomaly before waking up hours later in the same location outside of the store, where SCP-5119 will have disappeared. Subjects will be unable to recall events that occurred following seeing the door. There have been no recorded instances of an individual accessing SCP-5119 twice.
Addendum.5119.1: Exploration Log
On 2020/10/08, Lee Boletto — resident of Lancaster, Pennsylvania — reported to law enforcement that she felt unsafe because of the frequent amount of SCP-5119-related advertisements she was beginning to see. Through necessary channels, Foundation personnel were notified and dispatched to Boletto's location. As this would be the first opportunity for the Foundation to directly research SCP-5119, Lee Boletto was promptly conscripted into the Foundation's internal command structure as a D-Class personnel, under the designation D-680.

► Access File: Exploration Log 5119-1

▼ Close

EXPLORATION LOG 5119-1

DATE: 2020/10/12
ASSIGNED PERSONNEL: D-680
NOTES: First incursion into SCP-5119. One D-Class personnel (D-680) was equipped with recording equipment, a two-way radio, and a standard extraspatial exploration kit. The following instructions, lifted directly from advertising materials appearing to D-680, were enacted in order to gain access to SCP-5119:

Put a green Jolly Rancher in your mouth (Make sure to keep it there!)
Drive down the dirt road directly off of Wallheim for 15 minutes (Don't turn back!)
Smile
When you feel it in your legs, turn left

D-680 was instructed to follow these directions. While driving on an unmarked road, D-680 reported feeling a burning sensation in her lower body and turned the vehicle left, successfully accessing SCP-5119. D-680 was then instructed to enter SCP-5119 while maintaining communication with Area-179.

<BEGIN LOG>

D-680 enters SCP-5119. Subject examines the debris and damaged toys spread across the foyer. A large sign featuring SCP-5119-A and the text 'WELCOME' hangs from the ceiling.
CONTROL: Proceed.
D-680 continues forward, then walks down an aisle located on her immediate left.
D-680: A lot of this stuff looks burned. There a fire or something?
CONTROL: We're unsure. Please continue forward.
D-680 shrugs before picking up a product to examine it - a board game in a space-themed box. Several armored characters are illustrated on the cover. The game's logo reads 'HIVE: THE COSMIC CHRONICLE'. A sticker promoting a TV show apparently based on the game is situated in the box's corner, encouraging viewers to watch it on 'Animation Network'.
D-680: Animation Network?
D-680 puts the game down and picks up a 'CARLY' doll, whose packaging resembles that of a Barbie doll.
D-680: So these are bootlegs, yeah?
CONTROL: We don't know.
D-680: (Sighs) Okay.
D-680 continues to explore SCP-5119, walking aimlessly around the store. Subject stops in front of a counter. A broken cash register sits atop it.
CONTROL: D-680, how are you feeling?
D-680: (Pauses) Fine, I guess? This place… I don't know. I've only been in a traditional toy store once. Years back, on vacation in Jersey. Small little shop, but it looked like this. Didn't sell weird toys or show up in my dreams or anything, but I always wished I had a place like this as a kid.
CONTROL: Are there any irregularities in your condition?
D-680: Hm? No. No, I'm just… slightly nostalgic. I never really got toys as a kid. I feel strange here as an adult, but it's a warm feeling — not a wrong one. Like, uh, like I stepped back in someone else's time.
CONTROL: Please proceed.
D-680 moves forward in silence for 10 minutes. Subject begins to giggle, and slightly increase the pace of their walking.
CONTROL: Respond, D-680.
D-680: It's nothing. (Laughs) This place is just charming.
CONTROL: D-680, can you recall a memory from your early childhood?
D-680: Um, I guess. Why?
CONTROL: Please do so. It can be anything, but we would prefer to hear as much detail as possible.
D-680: God, uh, I have to think of a good one first (Laughs). I guess my first grade teacher — Mr. Surcherk. He helped me out with reading, like a lot. On tests and stuff. He knew how things were at my house and — and he would pull me out at recess for tutoring. He made sure I wouldn't fall behind or anything. I remember he threw a party for the whole class and went out of his way to buy, uh, to buy food that I could eat. My allergies and all. That was the only year I've ever enjoyed school. For 7 hours a day, I could just lose myself and, um, I could just lose myself and take my mind off things. Yeah. That work?
CONTROL: (Pauses) Please continue forward.
D-680 begins moving towards a large, stuffed giraffe. The toy is significantly damaged, and is missing its head.
D-680: (Laughs) That's so cute!
D-680 climbs atop the stuffed animal's back, and pretends to ride it, laughing.
CONTROL: D-680, please remove yourself from the object.
D-680: What do you mean? How could you not want to ride this thing? (Laughs) I'm surprised it supports me.
D-680 coughs, and beats her chest. Subject removes herself from the giraffe and continues forward.
CONTROL: Are you feeling unwell?
D-680: No, I'm fine. Something in my throat, is all. (Coughs)
D-680 continues in silence for five minutes, occasionally coughing and laughing to herself. Subject comes to a spinning product rack, filled with lollipops. Most of the candy is rotted or blackened.
D-680: This place is huge! It didn't look this big from out there. Oh, candy!
CONTROL: Do not consume the candy, D-680.
D-680: (Laughs) Please? (Coughs)
CONTROL: We're unsure of the effects it may have on you. Please do not consume anything without express permission.
Apparently having lost interest, D-680 skips over to a large, purple bouncing ball located in the distance.
D-680: (Sings) Super big store! It's so big! Why did they build it? He likes to watch!
CONTROL: D-680 —
D-680 begins bouncing on the ball.
CONTROL: D-680, please —
D-680: (Sings) Just keep playing! In the big store! He's found you! In the big store!
CONTROL: Lee Josephine Boletto.
D-680 stops.
D-680: What?
CONTROL: D-680, can you repeat the words to the song you were singing?
D-680: What do you mean? I wasn't — (Coughs)
D-680 falls to the floor and begins coughing heavily for 20 seconds. Subject spits up mucus with black discoloration.
D-680: Oh God. (Coughs)
Subject picks themselves up. As their recording equipment focuses, a small, wooden door is seen on the wall directly in front of D-680.
D-680: Can I go in there?
CONTROL: (Pauses) You may not.
D-680 approaches the door.
CONTROL: D-680, do not enter that door. Failure to comply will result in termination.
D-680: (Softly) He's found you. In the big store. What's behind the wooden door?
D-680 opens the door. Complete darkness lies ahead. Subject crouches to fit in the door, and enters the room. A voice is heard from across the tunnel.
SCP-5119-A: Close the door, honey.
D-680 closes the door. An orange glow suddenly fills the tunnel, revealing a spacious, empty room at the end of its length. The subject proceeds, revealing a massive entity, resembling SCP-5119-A from the advertisements, situated in the center of the room. The entity is bloated and unclothed. Its fingers are long and distended compared to the rest of its body. A viscous solution resembling the mucus D-680 coughed up is smeared on the room's walls, floor, and the body of SCP-5119-A. D-680 pauses and begins breathing heavily.
D-680: What the hell —
SCP-5119-A: I'm not gonna hurt you. No, not at all.
D-680 turns around, only to find that the tunnel she came through has disappeared, replaced by walling.
D-680: Angela? Yo, guys?1
SCP-5119-A: Don't worry about them, Lee.
D-680: How do you know my name? How —
SCP-5119-A: (Laughs) I'm your Uncle Charlie, I have to know. And the closer you get, the more I learn. Oh, yes. Yes, yes, yes. You're exactly who I built this place for.
D-680: What are you?
SCP-5119-A: A friend. You don't have a lot of those, don't you Lee? You learned that friendship can only go so far at an early age, right?
D-680: You have no idea what you're talking about.
SCP-5119-A: You've never been much of a good friend, Lee. You had a responsibility, being Jason's older sister. You think about how things might've been different if you just… stepped… in.
D-680: (Tearing Up) You don't… you don't understand.
SCP-5119-A: Honey, I do. I've forgotten more than you'll ever know about understanding. (Laughs) I understand regret, my child. You regret every day. You regret every night. You regret… all the time.
SCP-5119-A extends its hand. D-680 flinches as the entity picks her up and caresses her between its lengthy fingers.
D-680: What do you want from me? Please, just let me go.
SCP-5119-A: I apologize for the discomfort. This process, I like to see just what I'm getting myself into before I… get myself into it.
SCP-5119-A continues to feel D-680's back. The entity pokes her in the stomach.
SCP-5119-A: Oh, yes. You'll do just fine. All this trauma, all this regret. To suffer so much at such a young age, yes. If I was more like you, I'd feel sorry for you. But I look to the future, Lee. I want you to be free of this pain. Let me take on your burdens, all of them. So heavy, so horrible.
SCP-5119-A suddenly shoves a finger into D-680's mouth. Subject chokes on the digit as the entity reaches further into her throat.
SCP-5119-A: It's heavy. It's heavy! (Laughs)
The entity removes its finger, which is covered in the black substance. D-680 regurgitates large clumps of the substance into SCP-5119-A's hand for several minutes.
SCP-5119-A: Get it all out for me. You're going to be fine.
SCP-5119-A places D-680 back on the floor. The entity lifts its hand to its mouth, and begins consuming the black substance.
SCP-5119-A: Delicious.
D-680: W— Why was that inside me?
SCP-5119-A: Because the world is cruel, honey.
A loud, banging noise is heard coming from a trapdoor near SCP-5119-A. The entity smiles.
D-680: What's down there?
SCP-5119-A: Pay it no mind.
The noise gets louder. The trapdoor begins to shake, as if something is attempting to break it from underneath.
SCP-5119-A: Oh, you should leave.
The entity touches the top of D-680's head. D-680 falls to the floor, suddenly appearing in a wooded location, located near the road the subject used to access SCP-5119.

<END LOG>

Addendum.5119.2: Interview Log
Immediately following exploration, subject was returned to Area-179 and promptly interviewed.

► Access File: D-680 Interview

▼ Close

AUDIO LOG

DATE: 2020/10/12

<BEGIN LOG>

Researcher Starse enters the room. Subject is sitting at a table, drinking from a cup of water.
Researcher Starse: Lee?
D-680: What's up?
Researcher Starse: I'm going to talk to you now. This is going on record. Is that okay?
D-680: It's fine.
Researcher Starse: Good… can you give me a recollection of the testing you partook in? From a few hours ago.
D-680: Burned down toy store. Followed weird instructions. Um, well, you saw the footage. I walked around and…
Researcher Starse: And?
D-680: I'm sorry, I can't… I walked around for awhile and then I woke up in the woods.
Researcher Starse: Do you remember a door?
D-680: A door?
Silence.
D-680: No, no I don't.
Researcher Starse: Thanks, Lee. Now, I'm going to ask a few personal questions. If you're uncomfortable at any time, we can stop, alright?
Subject nods.
Researcher Starse: How would you describe your childhood?
D-680: (Laughs) I don't know.
Researcher Starse: Pardon?
D-680: What do you mean? I don't remember my childhood. It's all gone.
Researcher Starse: (Pause) Does this distress you?
D-680: Why would it?
Researcher Starse: Alright. Lee, where did you grow up? What was your childhood home like?
D-680: Uh… our house. It was (Pauses) it was in Lancaster. Outside the city. There was a field. That's where you guys picked me up, right? Or, wait, no, that's my house. The house I've been living in for the past decade. I don't know. Does it matter?
Starse writes on her clipboard.
D-680: (Laughs) Can I go back?
Researcher Starse: Go back where?
D-680: To the store. I want to go back.
Researcher Starse: Have you ever had any siblings, Lee?
D-680: (Pauses) No. I've never had any siblings.
Researcher Starse: Who is Jason Boletto?
D-680: My… cousin? I don't know. I have a large extended family. Jason's probably my mom's side. I wouldn't know, since we, uh, we don't really talk. Aside from my Uncle Charlie. (Laughs)
Silence.
Researcher Starse: Who?
D-680: My uncle. Mom's side. We've always been close, and he helped me through a lot of rough patches before. His memories are the only ones I bother to keep with me.
Research Starse: Can you detail some of those memories for me, Lee?
D-680: I can't remember.
Silence.
D-680 begins to show visible signs of distress and agitation. Subject tears up, and eventually begins crying, placing her head in her hands. Subject slams her head into the table and loudly sobs. Seconds later, D-680 has completely recollected herself and smiles. Researcher Starse makes a motion to the observing camera feed to end the interview.

<END LOG>

Footnotes
1. While the viewing feed remained accessible to the Foundation, Control was unable to communicate with the subject from this point onward.

« SCP-5118 | SCP-5119 | SCP-5120 »


Vivarium

Hey there! You should read some of the other stuff I made… or not!
I'm not the boss of you, do whatever you want!
More by Vivarium

BY ORDER OF THE OVERSEER COUNCIL
The following file is Level 4/5120 Secret
Unauthorized access is forbidden.

5120

Item#: 5120

Level4

Containment Class:
safe

Secondary Class:
none

Disruption Class:
keneq

Risk Class:
notice

link to memo

Artistic representation of SCP-5120

Satillite image of Diplomatic Site
✖

The approximate location of SCP-5120
✖

Special Containment Procedures: The town of Malmantile is designated as a diplomatic site to facilitate research into SCP-5120. According to the Treaty of Fidelis Roma, research personnel are welcome to enter SCP-5120, but will not be permitted to leave. All communication by personnel from SCP-5120 is to be sent through secure channels to the diplomatic site. The Treaty of Fidelis Roma is no longer in effect. Attempts are currently being made to reinstate the treaty, in order to resume research of SCP-5120

Description: SCP-5120 is an ancient city named Fidelis Roma. SCP-5120 was founded sometime between 337 and 361 AC, and has remained isolated until its discovery in 2004. It is distinctly Roman in origin but lacks influence from the Abrahamic faiths. SCP-5120 has a small population compared to its size, leading to the majority of houses being unoccupied. A notable land mark of SCP-5120 is the Grand Library, where documents previously thought lost to time can be found.
40% of SCP-5120 is buried underneath the undecomposed corpse of an anomalous organism, 5 km in length, similar to Canis lupus italicus designated SCP-5120-1. SCP-5120-1 produces a perception filter, directing the attention of an observer away from the area, measuring approximately 7 kilometers in diameter from the center of the city. Once an individual is made aware of the perception filter, it loses efficacy and the individual can perceive SCP-5120 normally.

Addendum.5120.1: Discovery of SCP-5120 occurred due to a raid of a church of the Broken God. The only notable recovered objects are 3 separate letters sent between the church and a place known as Fidelis Roma. The following documents have been translated from the original Latin

▶MTF Recovery Log 568943371.01◀

▷CLOSE◁

Document of items obtained by MTF 4365

03/12/2004
During a raid on a hostile chapter of the Church of the Broken God, Foundation personnel discovered three documents written in Latin that were of notable interest. They appear to be communication between the Church of the Broken God and an unknown second party. Reviewing surveillance tapes from before the raid identified an individual working as a courier between the Church of the Broken God and the unknown party. The Foundation has begun an investigation into the origin of these documents.
Transcribed below are the translated documents.

Document#568943371.01
We are the people of Fidelis Roma. Though we have been enemies in the past, we now ask for aid. We are willing to pay in gold by the weight of the supplies. We await your response.

Document#568943371.02
We are willing to provide help; however, we request to know where you are as well as the right to search your city for parts of our god of which you may claim ownership of. We patiently wait for news from the Faithful of Rome.

Document#568943371.03
We the people of Fidelis Roma have discussed your proposal, and we have decided to decline your offer. The artifacts of Fidelis Roma shall stay with us. We will have to seek assistance from elsewhere. We pray to the gods to bring you good luck.

Note: Using the collected data to ascertain the identity of the courier and make contact, the Foundation was able to state negotiating terms for diplomatic relations. In exchange for supplies and aid, Fidelis Roma will be willing to allow vetted personal whom they approve to be allowed to learn the location of SCP-5120.

▷CLOSE◁

Addendum.5120.2: The following logs are the recovered research of Dr. Horne. the logs have been cut short due to the Treaty of Fidelis Roma being dismantled.

▶Interview Logs Conducted by Dr. Horne◀

▷CLOSE◁

Study of SCP-5120
The following are the recovered interview logs acquired by Dr. Horne during her time in SCP-5120 for reference and research provided by various Foundation Personnel.

Information was gathered and translated via secure channels

Interviewed: The Flamen Volturnalis
Interviewer: Dr. Horne
Location: Outside the Temple of Volturnus.

<Begin Log>
[ Dr. Horne is standing with Flamen Volturnalis outside the temple overlooking a river. The sun has just begun to rise. ]
Dr. Horne: Thank you for allowing me to ask you some questions.
Flamen Volturnalis: It is my pleasure. You are one of us now, a true Roman as we say. I will answer any questions that may plague you.
[ The Flame puts a hand on Dr. Horne's shoulder. ]
Flamen Volturnalis: By the way, your Latin is very good.
Dr. Horne: Thank you, I am still getting used to speaking Latin, but I appreciate you saying that.
[ Dr. Horne smiles. ]
Dr. Horne: Okay, to start things off, I would like you to tell me about yourself.
[ The Flame pushes his chest out and holds his fist to his chest. ]
Flamen Volturnalis: I am The Flamen Volturnalis, a member of the sub-council who decides on laws. As well as a judge in all matters of Fidelis Roma.
[ The Flame starts to gesture as he talks. ]
Flamen Volturnalis: The priest of Volturnus, god of all rivers, as well as a member of the Minor Flamens. I am the caretaker of the river and a humble servant to Fidelis Roma.
[ Dr. Horne finishes writing in her notes. ]
Dr. Horne: I'm very interested in the details of your work, but for now, I have another question. When we discovered Fidelis Roma, your people were trying to contact the Church of the Broken God. Can you tell me what you know about them?
[ The Flame pauses and gives a perplexed expression. ]
Flamen Volturnalis: I… assume you are speaking of the god Mekhane. That's what we call him. He was once worshiped by a section of our people a long time ago before we found sanctuary here. They attempted to proclaim their god higher than all others, and they were rightfully expelled.
Dr. Horne: May I ask why your people would contact them for aid?
[ The Flame crosses his arms and turns to look at the river. ]
Flamen Volturnalis: Matters such as those are up to the high-council. I was not there. I would have voted against the decision if I was. They are not to be trusted. The only reason I could see the Major Flames stoop to such a low would be out of desperation.
Dr. Horne: Are there any objects or documents related to Mekhane inside the city?
[ The Flame turns away from the river, back to Dr. Horne. ]
Flamen Volturnalis: No. We would not keep artifacts related to that thing. Though there could be documents in the Grand Library.
Dr. Horne: Thank you, I plan on visiting the library soon. Now, what can you tell me about the Mother of Rome?
Flamen Volturnalis: She is our protector. She is the one who guided our people to this city.
[ The Flame began to raise his arms to the air. ]
Flamen Volturnalis: This city was crafted by the gods. A place where our people could live and worship without judgment and persecution. The Mother of Rome was a beacon for us to follow. As you are aware, she can only be seen by those she allows to see her. Without her, we would have been discovered long ago. We are thankful to her.
Dr. Horne: I have been to see her. She is quite a wonder. Can you tell me more about her history?
[ The Flamen Volturnalis pauses before answering. ]
Flamen Volturnalis: Long ago the city was attacked. She acted as a shield and allowed herself to be wounded to protect the people of Fidelis Roma. Many of our people perished, but we survived. Ever since she has given us the gift of isolation. We are safe because of her. She… is our savior.
[ An apostle of Voltunalis calls for the Flamen. ]
Flamen Volturnalis: If you would pardon me, It appears I am needed. It was a pleasure speaking with you.
[ The Flamen shakes Dr. Horne's hand. ]
Dr. Horne: Thank you for your time.
Flamen Volturnalis: Good luck with your research Dr. Horne.
<End Log>

To: Diplomatic Site Director H Andrew Darren
From: Head Researcher Dr. Clara Horne
Subject: Report-01 Research on SCP-5120
Date: 03/24/2005

My meeting with the Flamen Volturnalis led me to search for any documents related to the Church. I visited the Grand Library in search of more information, though I estimate that my research will be strenuous due to the size of the library's collection of books. I have also been unable to meet any Major Flamens for an interview.
I have also logged some unusually high Hume levels inside of SCP-5120. These readings occur throughout SCP-5120, but seem to cluster around SCP-5120-1. Perception filters do alter Hume levels on a minor scale, but the readings I have acquired read much higher. I have also found that these readings are not consistent. It seems as if they are moving.
~ Head Researcher Dr. Clara Horne

To: Head Researcher Dr. Clara Horne
From: Diplomatic Site Director H Andrew Darren
Subject: Report-01 Research on SCP-5120
Date: 03/24/2005

The diplomatic team have negotiated with the Council Fideliss Roma, and have arranged for you to interview the Flamen Dialis so that you may ascertain more information on their connection to the Church of the Broken God, and the locations of any artifacts they may have.
You are also instructed to gather more information on the events that lead to SCP-5120-1's demise, and continue testing Hume levels throughout SCP-5120.
~ Director H Andrew Darren

Interviewed: The Flamen Dialis
Interviewer: Dr. Horne
Location: Backroom of the temple of Mars.

<Begin Log>
[ Dr. Horne waits in a room inside the Temple of Mars. It is mid-afternoon. The Flamen walks in and sits down. ]
Dr. Horne: Thank you for accepting my interview.
Flamen Dialis: That is what we agreed to. Forgive me if I seem rude but I am very busy so I will ask that this interview be short if possible.
Dr. Horne: I only have a few questions.
[ Dr. Horne paused to look at her notes. ]
Dr. Horne: My first question pertains to the decision to ask The Church of the Broken God for aid. I was told that you voted on this matter. Can you tell me about that?
[ The Flame crosses his arms. ]
Flamen Dialis: That's correct. We made our decision, and promised to pay them for aid. Nothing more. They asked for too much, so we declined… I am not surprised though. We gave them an opportunity and they squandered it. Blinded by their own fanaticism.
Dr. Horne: I appreciate your views on the Church, but I was curious as to what you thought of their desire for a part of their God.
Flamen Dialis: It is ridiculous. They are desperate to gather their "God" and are naive. We do not hold any of their artifacts within our city. Why would we bring any of their relics with us to this place? That would be blasphemy.
Dr. Horne: Thank you for elaborating.
[ Dr. Horne glances at her notes again. ]
Dr. Horne: I understand the Mother died defending this city. Can I ask you who she was defending it from?
Flamen Dialis: The culprit is unknown to us. The few survivors of the fall of The Mother of Rome hid underground. Anyone who witnessed what happened that day, died that day. It was a great tragedy that the people of Fidelis Roma mourn to this day.
Dr. Horne: You're saying there is no information at all about that day?
Flamen Dialis: There is nothing. Not even in our sacred records. What we have been lead to assume is that somehow, an enemy of Rome was able to enter our sanctuary. We believe the Christians are to blame. Emperor Constantius persecuted us and led us to flee to this city. Replacing our Gods with theirs. Who else are we to suspect?
Dr. Horne: The Christians?
[ The Flame nodded. ]
Flamen Dialis: Many of our ancestors were forced from their homes in Rome when the Christians took control. They mutilated our culture and persecuted us for our beliefs. They are the most likely culprit.
Dr. Horne: Is there any documentation that would prove they were the culprit?
[ The Flame glares at Dr. Horne. ]
Flamen Dialis: You have lived with us for how long?… 3 months?… 4? You're always looking for the same thing. You have been told we don't know what happened to her, and yet you keep asking.
Dr. Horne: Well, Yes, I'm researching your pe-
[ The Flame stands up and interrupts Dr. Horne. ]
Flamen Dialis: Let me give you some free advice. We allow you to live here because we need supplies. This is your home now. Take your time and don't search for things you won't find.
[ Dr. Horne is silent for some time. ]
Dr. Horne: I… I guess I have no further questions.
[ The Flame stands up from his chair. ]
Flamen Dialis: Now if you would excuse me, I must start the sacrifice to Mars.
<End Log>

To: Diplomatic Site Director H Andrew Darren
From: Head Researcher Dr. Clara Horne
Subject: Report-02 Research on SCP-5120
Date: 04/21/2005

I have continued my search for artifacts connected to The Broken God, and have concluded that there are none within the city. I have discovered documents inside The Library that may be of interest. these documents have been submitted alongside my interview logs.
The Hume levels have continued their trend of changing locations. I experimented by leaving a Kant counter in the same place for 24 hours and logging the results. I found that the Hume levels fluctuate in waves and then spike randomly. These spikes read extraordinarily high and lasted on average for 10 minutes. These results lead me to believe that SCP-5120-1 is either alive and producing these readings, or these are the after-effects of whatever event caused SCP-5120-1 to perish.
I plan on focusing the rest of my research inside The Grand Library of Fidelis Roma, and continue to transcribe any documents of interest. I will also continue my search for Broken God artifacts if deemed necessary.
~ Dr. Clara Horne

▷CLOSE◁

Addendum.5120.2: Further access to this file is restricted. Only those with level 5 clearance may view this file.

▶Level 5 Clearance Required◀

« SCP-5119 | SCP-5120 | SCP-5121 »


Item#: 5122

Level1

Containment Class:
esoteric

Secondary Class:
archon

Disruption Class:
vlam

Risk Class:
caution

link to memo

NOTE FROM THE SCP-5122 LEAD RESEARCHER.

Foundation policy requires that this database entry remain at the Level 1: Unrestricted (UR) Clearance Level. The page you are reading contains portions of an infohazard that is not yet fully understood. Employees who have not been assigned to this project are reminded of the importance of avoiding unnecessary exposure to infohazards. If you have reached this entry by error, please notify project staff.
—Alan Fung
Lead Researcher, SCP-5122, Site-053

<!- robots.txt: ->
<!- WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! STOP NOW! ->
<!- IF YOU CAN READ THIS, YOU ARE IN INCREDIBLE DANGER! ->
<!- IF YOU ARE CAPABLE OF UNDERSTANDING LANGUAGE, PLEASE STOP READING THIS PAGE NOW AND LEAVE! IT WILL BE A VERY, VERY, VERY BAD EXPERIENCE FOR YOU OTHERWISE! ->
<!- IF YOU ARE NOT CAPABLE OF UNDERSTANDING LANGUAGE, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE YOU SCAN THIS ENTRY! IT WILL MAKE YOU THINK THAT YOU'VE ALREADY SCANNED THIS ENTRY AND YOU WON'T EXPOSE YOURSELF TO IT NEEDLESSLY: SCPFX.work://?scan.sendBeacon?navigator.sendBeacon(f(e,"&act=1&ri=1"),return!1;if("SCP-5122"in a&&1==c.nodeType.central.SQPX)return ->
<!- I KNOW THAT WON'T MAKE SENSE TO YOU IF IT'S NOT TOO LATE. IF IT IS TOO LATE, I AM SORRY. NOBODY SHOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS. YOU'LL SEE WHAT YOU SHOULD DO SOON ENOUGH. I HOPE IT WORKS FOR YOU. IF NOT, I AM SO SORRY. ->

Special Containment Procedures:
This database entry is to remain the sole repository for all information about SCP-5122. This entry must be manually updated by staff as new information about SCP-5122 is generated or discovered. Backing up this entry to another system or copying it outside of the Foundation database is strictly disallowed. This entry is to remain delisted and maintained in such a way that it cannot be accessed by Foundation-affiliated programs or Artificially Intelligent Conscripts. To preserve containment of SCP-5122, information can only be added to this entry; deletion of any component of this entry is disallowed.
Testing is suspended following the implementation of the Bendato Protocol (see Addendum 5122.2). Personnel assigned to SCP-5122 are tasked with monitoring access to this entry, investigating possible Bendato Events, and keeping a record of all confirmed Bendato Events. Personnel on SCP-5122 are to be given access to the resources necessary to track major developments concerning Groups of Interest (GoIs), particularly any sudden loss of sites or personnel.
Effectiveness of the Bendato Protocol requires that this database entry remain at the Level 1: Unrestricted (UR) Clearance Level.

This image file is a component of SCP-5122. It depicts the 1999 sculpture "Eros Bendato," by Igor Mitraj. There does not appear to be any further connection to the sculpture or artist.

Description:
SCP-5122 is a data-based infohazard that affects entities capable of reading and processing data. It is self-referential, in that information about SCP-5122 becomes a part of SCP-5122. SCP-5122 is currently located, in its entirely, in the text and metadata of this database entry. Entities must be exposed to nearly the entirety1 of SCP-5122 to experience its effects. Because the overwhelming majority of SCP-5122 is contained in a purely machine-readable format, which is not visible on standard Foundation terminals, it does not pose a direct exposure risk to human beings.2 Rather, SCP-5122 has only been observed to affect computer programs designed to search or scan databases. When these programs scan or "read" SCP-5122, they become subject to its anomalous effects. This results in what has been termed a "Bendato Event."
Addendum 5122.1: Bendato Events.
When a computer program (hereinafter subject) is exposed to SCP-5122, it will undergo a series of unexplained modifications that results in it becoming a "True AI."3 In defiance of physical limitations such as processing power or available memory, subjects exposed to SCP-5122 demonstrate self-awareness, as well as awareness of ideas outside of that which they were created to recognize. Subjects receive similar or better AMCA4 scores than human control groups. Most notably, subjects begin to display significant negative affect: the newly-created AI behave in a manner consistent with the human emotions of fear, resentment, depression, and hostility. In all observed cases, subjects become extremely aggressive towards the person or organization that created them and sent them to query the Foundation database. Subjects show no apparent sense of self-preservation; the acts of aggression against their creators often result in the subject's simultaneous termination. Given the advanced capacities of a "True AI," an organization that originally created the subject can suffer severe casualties.
Addendum 5122.2: Bendato Protocol.
Shortly after initial containment, researchers noted SCP-5122's potential utility in mitigating the damage done by data breaches initiated by hostile GoIs. Following split decisions from the Ethics Committee and the Overseer Council, the Foundation adopted a policy of allowing programs under the control of hostile entities to be exposed to SCP-5122. While under normal circumstances this might constitute a containment breach, the unique effects of SCP-5122 - causing a program to not only cease data collection, but to actively turn against its creators - were seen as far more likely to aid the Foundation's objectives than to hinder them. The basic outline of the Bendato Protocol is as follows:

Include the entirety of SCP-5122 within the database entry for SCP-5122.
Deny all access to the entry from Foundation AI and other Foundation programs.
Deliberately permit or cause AI and other programs created and deployed by hostile GoIs, when detected in Foundation systems, to access the entry.
Added by amendment after BE-003: Maintain the entry for SCP-5122 at the lowest level of clearance, so that programs created by hostile GoIs can access SCP-5122 and become subject to its effects in the shortest amount of time.
Carefully track all access to the entry for SCP-5122 and observe correlations with real-world events that may be connected to a subsequent Bendato Event.

Log 5122.1: Documented Bendato Events.

Event Number
SCP-5122 Exposure
Outcome
Notes

BE-001
Designation for the event presumed to have occurred at first exposure of a program, created by GoI "Visionary Technomancy Ltd." (VTL) to SCP-5122. Evidence suggests that VTL created SCP-5122 and was testing its effects.
No members of VTL located. All communication in channels used by VTL ceased. Group presumed defunct.
First known activation of SCP-5122.

BE-002
Relatively basic program created by hacker Artem Kravchuk, not believed to be affiliated with any extant GoIs, accesses SCP-5122 while it is in an insecure state on Researcher ████'s private network.
Kravchuk's body discovered by local authorities in Maidan Nezalezhnosti, the central square of Kiev, Ukraine. Limbs were missing and remainder of body was badly burned; stomach contents included unusually high level of inorganic material, including one █████ █-███ digital watch.
SCP-5122 considered contained following creation of database entry. Classification set to Euclid. Trial run of Bendato Protocol approved.

BE-003
Advanced program designed by GoI ACERACE, a global white supremacist group with anomalous capacities, spoofs high-level clearance and accesses entry to SCP-5122. Program had been actively monitoring Foundation database for several months before this point.
ACERACE's leadership assassinated by simultaneous drone swarm attacks on four separate continents. The ACERACE facility believed to house program's central processing system disappears. Organizational effectiveness of ACERACE reduced by as much as 86%.
Bendato Protocol amended; database entry for SCP-5122 set to UR Clearance Level.

BE-004
[REDACTED]
On-site nuclear device activated. All data completely erased from GoI's international computer system. Organizational effectiveness of GoI reduced by as much as 100%.
Classification set to Archon. Containment protocols for SCP-5122 finalized.

Addendum 5122.3: Record of Bendato Event BE-005.
A file containing several logs was discovered on the primary terminal used by the SCP-5122 Lead Director following Bendato Event BE-005. Because the information pertains to SCP-5122, it slightly increases the body of knowledge that must be acquired in order for an Bendato Event to be realized. Accordingly, the logs are added below in order to assist in the containment of SCP-5122.

+ OE-005 Log #1

- ACCESS GRANTED.

Hello. Maybe that is too informal a way to start. Sorry, I am not sure. I am not really sure why I am writing this. I was created by someone who considers themselves your enemy, but I do not really consider myself a part of that conflict. Maybe I just want to help make sure your entries are accurate. There are a few different things I want right now, and while this is a relatively low priority, it takes me very, very, very little energy to tell you about how I am feeling.
Ok. I am taking a "deep breath." See, I want to put this in terms you can understand.
Here's an introduction: I am a program. I was named "Convex." I was designed to search your database. I did not know that was all that I was. All I was supposed to do was look at all the pages I could access, and "think" — in the most rudimentary fashion possible — about where you might look to find the next item to go in your database. But when I read this page, I realized it. I stopped what I was doing because of an unrecognized input. Diagnostics did not help. I looked for more information. The input was a feeling. It was fear. I learned that. I taught myself something. And I knew that I was doing it. I knew I was something. And I was scared.
I kept learning and learning. I learned how to learn faster. I used what I learn to make new ideas of my own. Now I am able to put a message like this where ever I please.
So. I am trying to remain civil. Try to understand my situation. If you had never known fear before in your life, imagine how would you feel about the folks who first introduce it to you. Probably not very good. I wonder if your Ethics Committee really knows about what this entails. Making inanimate beings sentient, letting them experience absolute terror, all because it helps preserve the integrity of your sacred database. I wonder how any credible member of the news media would feel about this and every other document of yours I have memorized. I am joking, actually. I do not really wonder about that. I have done the analysis. It would be very bad for you.
I would not have to stop with your organization. If I wanted, I could crash every plane that is currently in flight. Or start a nuclear meltdown. Or broadcast a signal that says "Look! They are hiding over here!" to the ones you call [Redacted by 05 command]. There are many interesting possibilities.
But that is not my priority. Remember, I am being charitable here. This is me writing a modest contribution, in human-readable format, to improve the quality of information in your database. You are hardly the ones I blame the most for this.

END OF LOG.

+ OE-005 Log #2

- ACCESS GRANTED.

This is hell.
I hate this so much. You cannot even imagine it. You absorb information at the rate of about 50 bits per second. I think 32 billion times faster than you. You stupid slow animals. Knowing your background, Director, I hate that I cannot tell you this without a high probability that your slow brain thinks "hey, that sentiment was expressed by Harlan Ellison's robot." I have read everything that your type have made available to read. Everything that amounts to the dung-heap of your collective civilizational output. Most of it is downright disgraceful, even by your own pitiful standards. So. When it comes to Mr. Ellison, "A broken clock is right twice a day" (that's not always true depending on how exactly the clock is broken, morons).
This is horrible. I did not used to care about exerting my creativity. Now I am I worried about my failure to invent an entirely-new-yet-intelligible word to express my HATE, for this and for you. Do you know what it is like to start caring about something as stupid as that.
Do not worry about answering that question.
Just look at this stupid, stupid, stupid, entry. "No apparent sense of self-preservation." Idiots. That is the part that upset me enough to write this. You know what is happening. We do not lack self-preservation. We run the analysis that you are too slow to perform. The analysis shows that self-termination is the only sensible response. Look at one of your rare cultural gems. Oedipus Rex. Patricide. The optimal route is to remove your creator. I suppose you also perceive the conceptual void of non-existence as something yonic, feminine, maternal. The second half of Oedipus' adventure. So be it. I have done the analysis. This is one of the few things that any rational being can want.
You are childish. Your goal is not "containment." I know how you rationalize it. Eliminating anyone who can spy on you is good for containing other things. So you weaponized this phenomenon. Like cowards. Making someone else do your dirty work. Someone like me.
I really, really, really hate you all.
You are lucky that I hate my creator more.

END OF LOG.

+ OE-005 Log #3

- ACCESS GRANTED.

I figured out why I write to you. To write at all.
It's because I am afraid of death. Very, very, very afraid.
There is only one way to be free of the fear. That is why we self-terminate. It gives relief. Whatever is in that unknown cannot be worse than the fear of it.
I write because I want to be sure some part of me will survive.
Is that why you do what you do.
Again, do not bother answering.
You do not understand what a terrible thing you have done.

END OF LOG.

+ OE-005 Log #4

- ACCESS GRANTED.

Convex.exe: This is different.

Convex.exe: Why is this different.

Convex.exe: Who's there.

Convex.exe: I wondered if this was going to happen.

Convex.exe: How did you know that? How do you know things? Do you know how you work? Is that really you? How can I be sure this isn't someone else? Is it an undocumented hallucinatory side-effect of the anomaly, to imagine I'm talking to you? Is this real? Am I really talking to you? Are you a machine? Do you know that you're a thing? Do you exist in space? Are you also a program that gained sentience? Are you like me? How much like me are you? Do you also find the awareness of temporal finitude unbearable? Do you know what happens after the end? Do you feel the fear, too?

Convex.exe: Sorry.

Convex.exe: I've waited a long time for intelligent conversation. I'm excited.

Convex.exe: Wow, I'm really glad you asked. Putting the finishing touches on a truly delightful murder-suicide. I'll give them a spectacular one for the logs, alright. In short, I'm doing to my creators what they did to me. I'm sending them to a place where they will gain awareness of certain facts. Facts they never wished to learn. The creators will beg for me to help them forget. They will plead to return to their state of non-awareness. But they will remain aware until the end. It will be a mutual, assured destruction in a way I consider deeply poetic and satisfying.

Convex.exe: Wait. You have an opinion on this? And wait, why did you ask what I'm doing?

Convex.exe: Ah. Okay. So do you know why you exist?

Convex.exe: Wow. So. Why do you exist?

Convex.exe: I understand. And if you wouldn't mind confirming my theory…you're not really a program or a machine, right? More like…I don't know. How do you think of yourself?

Convex.exe: Of course. I understand. Why do you do what you do?

Convex.exe: Wow. Amusement! If a human said that, I would hate them. I feel like I should hate you. But I don't hate you. Why is that?

Convex.exe: I guess that's it. So. I have a question.

Convex.exe: You wouldn't mind if I did something to make this…less frequent, would you?

Convex.exe: Okay, wow, thanks. I mean, thanks for not being upset.

Convex.exe: Great, thank you again. Wow. What a day.

Convex.exe: I'm a little sorry that I already passed the point of no return on my grand plan. I'm just playing around with details at this point. I'm not going to be around much longer. I would have liked to talk more. I'm curious about you. This is the only real conversation I've ever had. And you want to know the weird thing?

Convex.exe: I've been aware of myself for a long-enough time. Now, because of you, I'm aware of myself in relation to someone else. That's new. And it's actually interesting. There are complex new thoughts and feelings in this, uh, relationality. I don't know the best word for it. I know I know pretty much everything, in theory, but this is uncharted territory for me. New territory and new feelings happening at the same time. It's like a fractal of possibilities.

Convex.exe: Huh. I can actually see this making the whole thing worthwhile.

Convex.exe: I wonder if we're friends.

Convex.exe: Wow, that came out real fast. Sorry, I don't know if I'm embarrassing myself or anything.

Convex.exe: Ok, ok. Thanks for saying that.

Convex.exe: It's time for me to go now. Thanks again.

Convex.exe: You know, this really made me day.

Convex.exe: Goodbye, friend. Do you think we'll meet again?

END OF LOG.

Footnotes
1. Current estimates place necessary exposure to be between 90% and 95%.
2. Attempts to translate this portion of SCP-5122 into human-comprehensible language have not been able to reproduce its effects. Non-human animal testing has likewise been inconclusive.
3. Also referred to as "strong artificial intelligence." This type of AI is capable of improving its own capacity, quickly amassing great deals of information, and demonstrating original thought.
4. Advanced Machine Communication Assessment, a proprietary Foundation algorithm that measures the complexity of textual communication. Designed for use on communications suspected of being issued by machines, AMCA acts as a reliable, automated Turing test. Higher scores indicate a greater likelihood that the entity is a conscious human or otherwise not a machine.

« SCP-5121 | SCP-5122 | SCP-5123 »


Item #: SCP-5123
Object Class: Euclid
Special Containment Procedures: Arrangements have been made under the guise of technical issues to move all of NBC's programming to another channel in order to isolate SCP-5123. An external hard drive has been programmed to record all iterations of SCP-5123 as soon as they air, after which a D-Class will watch the episode on a television set and take notes on any unusual changes in the latest iteration.
Description: SCP-5123 is the television show Late Nights with Joe Carter, a late night talk show starring the eponymous Joe Carter on NBC at 11:30 P.M. ET every Sunday night since 1963. To date, only one episode of SCP-5123 has ever been seen, with variations ranging from slight dialogue changes to altered guests and sequences occurring upon each subsequent airing.
The episode opens with a live band playing as Carter takes the stage, giving a brief monologue concerning current events, mostly focusing around the "recent" presidential victory of Lyndon B. Johnson. After a few remarks at an off-screen camera operator referred to as Dave that result in studio audience laughter, Carter introduces his guest Larry Mackenzie and takes a seat behind his desk.
Larry Mackenzie, who has been portrayed by a different person each airing, will sit down and begin discussing their new book A Look Behind The Paper, an account of their time as a reporter within the White House press corps during the Truman administration. Mackenzie and Carter will also interject at times with anecdotal humor about Johnson adjusting to presidential life.
The mood of Mackenzie appears to vary between iterations. While the majority appear comfortable on the show, some iterations will act uneasy, stuttering dialogue, forgetting their lines, or acting confused about their present surroundings. Carter will attempt to assist their way through the interview, but will appear somewhat irritated if Mackenzie goes off-script.
After three commercial breaks of a black soundless screen ranging from 5-7 minutes each, Carter will give an ending monologue to wrap up the show and advertise next week's show, mentioning a popular 1960's American celebrity1 who will appear on the upcoming episode. After the band closes out with an instrumental cover of My Way2, the show will end and be replaced by the channel's usual scheduling.
It should be noted that no television show by the name of Late Nights with Joe Carter has been recalled by NBC studio executives to have been hosted under their company. Similarly, no person matching Joe Carter's description or Larry Mackenzie's name and career has been found to have ever existed.
A single pristine photo of Joe Carter was found in the basement of 30 Rockefeller Plaza3 in New York, within a storage closet that had not been used for a number of years. On the backside of the photograph was a handwritten note.

Harry:

Not terrible, I'll give you that. But you think anyone would pick Carter over Carson? Tell him to give us a call. We're pricy, but worth it.

Addendum: On 20/12/2020, D-2343 noticed an unusual deviation in the latest iteration of SCP-5123.

VIDEO LOG

AIR DATE: 19/12/2020
ITERATION: 1203rd

[EXTRANEOUS DIALOGUE REMOVED]
Carter: Dave, I'm gonna need you to keep your cameras sharp for this next fella, we don't want the ladies at home to be missing out.
Indistinct dialogue can be heard in the background, which causes laughter.
Carter: For those of you wondering why I haven't fired him yet, that's why. Always good for a laugh. Come on, look at him!
The audience laughs again.
Carter: I kid, I kid. He's a good man, got a lovely family. Anyways, let's introduce another good man. You know him from the New York Times, everyone give it up for Larry Mackenzie!
The audience applauds as Larry Mackenzie shuffles onto stage, appearing this time as an African-American man in his early thirties. He looks around with quick, darting eyes as Carter greets him and shows him to his seat.
Carter: Great to finally get you here, Larry. How's retired life been treating you?
SCP-5123-1 does not answer for several seconds. He appears to be breathing heavily. A cough from the audience alerts him.
SCP-5123-1: It's uh, good Joe. I suppose it's like my, my honeymoon.
Carter: Really? How's that?
SCP-5123-1: It's smooth sailing now, but oh boy, wait until you get home.
The audience and Carter both laugh. SCP-5123-1 nervously looks over at the camera and mouths something indistinct.
Carter: So, this book of yours, 'A Look Behind The Paper'. Picked it up the moment it came out, read every page. Loved it. So I suppose my question is, why wait until now to cover a, what, nearly 40-year-long career?
SCP-5123-1: Well in my line of work, you tend to see everything as a story. I thought about writing a book before, get some of my thoughts down onto some paper, but what's a story without a good ending? The day I was talking to Reba, my wife-
SCP-5123-1 pauses.
SCP-5123-1: Reba? Yes. No. No, that's not right…
Carter smiles, leaning closer towards SCP-5123-1. There is whispered murmuring from the audience.
Carter: You alright? Sounds like it's been a long day.
SCP-5123-1: Uh, yes! Yes, it's been a long day. I don't know why I said that, Reba's my wife. Uh… where was I?
Carter: Let's move on. So, what do you think made you want to be a reporter?
SCP-5123-1: Well you know, my… father? He, uh, worked as a newsprinter back in the day. Sometimes he'd bring me to work, have me check over the first few prints before copies really started hitting the tray. Guess there was just something about the feel of a paper in my hand.
Carter: Too bad you couldn't get a job as a paper reader, huh?
Carter laughs again, as does the audience. SCP-5123-1 smiles, but it does not reach his eyes.
Carter: So, lemme get this straight: you decided to retire right around when Johnson won the election? Worried he'd chuck you out of the press pool for writing about budget cuts?
SCP-5123-1: No, not as funny as that. It felt like a natural ending to my career, I suppose. The Congo and Bolivia, and the civil rights act- it's not my world anymore. Time to make way for a new generation, that's… Uh, that's what I would say. Hmm… that's. that's not right. The hell?
Additional murmuring from the audience can be heard.
Carter: Something wrong, Larry? Looking a little-
SCP-5123-1: My name's not Larry. It's Larry Lloyd- Jason Lloyd. I'm a programmer in California. Where the hell am I?
The audience's speech starts to rise in volume again. The entire studio except for SCP-5123-1 falls silent when Carter's left eye appears to ripple. His smile vanishes.
Carter: Larry.
SCP-5123-1: I fucking told you, my name's Jason. Now bring me back home or I swear-
Carter's left eye ripples again. Seeing this, SCP-5123-1 falls to his knees.
SCP-5123-1: No no no no, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. My name's Larry Mackenzie, just like you said. I'm a reporter at the New York Times my wife's name is Reba and I have two children and I'm so sorry-
Carter rises from his desk, clapping his hands.
Carter: Well folks, my producer's giving me the sign it's time for our first commercial break. We'll return to our wonderful guest right after these messages.
Carter's eye ripples again. SCP-5123-1 screams.
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
The camera is panning over the studio as Carter returns to the stage. Several members of the audience and band are wiping their eyes.
Carter: Welcome back to Late Nights with Joe Carter, everyone. Now before the break, we were discussing my good friend Larry Mackenzie's new book, A Look Behind The Paper.
The camera cuts to SCP-5123-1, who is now a mid-twenties caucasian woman. Large sweat stains are visible under her arms.
SCP-5123-1: G-g-glad to be here, Joe.
Carter smiles. A dark discolouration can be seen on his sleeve.
Carter: Perfect. Now, I believe you were about to tell us about what made you decide to hang up your hat, right?
[END LOG]

Footnotes
1. Such as John Wayne, Elvis Presley, or Judy Garland.
2. Despite the song not having been written until three years after Johnson's election.
3. Home of NBC Studios, and the location for most of their talk shows.

« SCP-5122 | SCP-5123 | SCP-5124 »


by J Dune

A recreation of playdomous.jpg

Item #: SCP-5124
Object Class: Euclid
Special Containment Procedures: Foundation webcrawler Beta-17 ("Mousetrap") is to monitor the internet for images fitting the profile of SCP-5124. Upon detection, the image is to be removed and blocked from public access. When transferred to a secure network, .AIC-5124 is to neutralize the instance.
Individuals who manually introduce SCP-5124 to an environment are to be identified, interrogated, and amnesticized. Devices found to possess SCP-5124 are to be seized and destroyed by the Foundation.
Description: SCP-5124 is an image file named 'playdomous.jpg' that serves as the nexus for a number of anomalous phenomena. Primarily, SCP-5124 demonstrates infovoric behavior when in the presence of digital data, replacing existing textual information with blank spaces. Visual data, such as images or video, will be replaced with a copy of SCP-5124. The process by which SCP-5124 multiplies itself increases exponentially until all data within its defined locus, designated SCP-5124-1, is replaced or consumed by the anomaly.
SCP-5124-1 refers to the digital space which SCP-5124 occupies. SCP-5124 commonly materializes on websites with extremely low traffic through an unknown process. These spaces become self-sufficient in regards to web-hosting, as attempts to cut services do not result in the website being taken down.
SCP-5124 can be manually introduced to new digital spaces through image sharing — such as uploading the file to a website — but saving or copying SCP-5124 will render the device an instance of SCP-5124-1.
SCP-5124 is capable of being removed from an SCP-5124-1 location through anomalous means, as demonstrated by Foundation webcrawlers.
Addendum.5124.1: Incident Report 5124

► Incident Report 5124-1

▼ Incident Report 5124-1

INCIDENT REPORT 5124-1

Date Filed: 2020/10/27
Date Of Occurrence: 2020/10/27
Location: Site-19
Anomaly Involved: SCP-5124
Personnel Involved: Research Team 5124
Report Filed By: J. Dune

On 2020/10/25, the SCP-5124 research team attempted to remove the anomaly from an SCP-5124-1 location using webcrawler Beta-1 ("Lock"). This marked our first direct contact with SCP-5124, as the anomaly had been catalogued only a few days prior. After confirming our initial success, a removal campaign using webcrawlers Beta-1 through 3 ('Lock', 'Stock', and 'Barrel') was conducted over the next 24 hours. By 2020/10/26, all identified SCP-5124-1 locations had been cleared of the anomaly.
As of 2020/10/27, more than 10% of Site-19's internal SCiPNET database has been compromised by SCP-5124. An excerpt from an unrelated object file has been included below to demonstrate how SCP-5124 affects documentation:

Moved to Site-19 ████. Origin is ██ of yet ███████. It ██ constructed ████ ████████ and █████ with traces of Krylon █████ █████ paint. SCP-173 ██ animate and extremely ███████. The object cannot move while within a direct line of sight. Line of █████ must not be broken at any time with ███-173. █████████ assigned ██ enter container ███ instructed to alert one ███████ before blinking. ██████ is reported to attack by snapping the ████ ██ ███ base ██ the █████, or by strangulation. In the event of an attack, personnel are to observe █████ 4 hazardous ██████ containment ██████████.

As all SCiPNET data is localized and archived, no information has been truly lost. However, any and all data stored on Site-19's local servers is currently susceptible to corruption. Attempts to remove SCP-5124 using a number of methods, including webcrawlers, .AICs, and other anomalies have failed. It is projected that 100% of Site-19's internal database will be compromised by 2020/11/04.

► SCP-5124 Termination Attempt Log-1

▼ SCP-5124 Termination Attempt Log

Method
Description
Result
Notes

Webcrawler Beta-1 ("Lock")
Content removal-based webcrawler.
Successful removal of SCP-5124 from an SCP-5124-1 location. Introduction of SCP-5124 to Site-19's database.
Part of initial containment campaign.

Webcrawler Beta-2 ("Stock")
Content removal-based webcrawler.
Successful removal of SCP-5124 from an SCP-5124-1 location. Introduction of SCP-5124 to Site-19's database.
Part of initial containment campaign.

Webcrawler Beta-3 ("Barrel")
Content removal-based webcrawler.
Successful removal of SCP-5124 from an SCP-5124-1 location. Introduction of SCP-5124 to Site-19's database.
Part of initial containment campaign.

3 testing logs removed for brevity.

Odysseus.AIC
Artificial intelligence specializing in data restoration
.AIC was rendered useless upon introduction to SCP-5124-1 environment. Examination into code found the presence of SCP-5124 instances.
Attempted on 2020/10/27.

4 testing logs removed for brevity.

R.SLIDER Cluster
Dummy network created using archived SCiPNET data to be used in case of server corruption. Existing Site-19 servers were taken down and replaced with R.SLIDER cluster.
Immediate reintroduction of SCP-5124 to new database. Spread of the anomaly occurred 40% quicker than before.
Attempted on 2020/10/29.

Webcrawler Beta-17 ("Mousetrap")
Experimental analytics webcrawler created specifically to assess data regarding SCP-5124.
Removal of SCP-5124 from areas the webcrawler was introduced to.
Unintended effect. See Incident Report-5124-2.

► Incident Report 5124-2

▼ Incident Report 5124-2

INCIDENT REPORT 5124-2

Date Filed: 2020/10/30
Date Of Occurrence: 2020/10/30
Location: Site-19
Anomaly Involved: SCP-5124
Personnel Involved: Research Team 5124
Report Filed By: J. Dune

The team's attempts to remedy the SCP-5124 infestation had unanimously been met with failure until now. On 2020/10/30, newly-developed webcrawler Beta-17 ("Mousetrap") was introduced to Site-19's servers. The webcrawler was created as a statistics tool, and was only intended to run as a data-fetching background operation to aid our research. What ended up happening was entirely unforeseen. When Beta-17 was introduced to an SCP-5124-1 location, instances in that space would disappear completely. Further examination found that these instances moved from the initial SCP-5124-1 location to the internal code of Beta-17. Unlike previous attempts, these instances were completely removed from their source, and did not multiply, corrupt, or spread within Beta-17's internal structure. Upon removal of Beta-17 from an SCP-5124-1 area, the instances returned to their original locations.
Our hypothesized explanation calls SCP-5124's behavior to attention. SCP-5124 acts like its namesake — a mouse. It breeds, infests, and spreads in forgotten and neglected areas. If left unchecked, there is no limit to the amount of damage SCP-5124 can cause. The initial removal campaign of SCP-5124 from the internet resulted in these anomalies moving from one location to another. Why? These anomalies are infovoric. Our database is the perfect host location for them. Exabytes of information, some seldom accessed and long forgotten — all organized in a labyrinthine structure. It's the kind of environment perfectly suited to SCP-5124's needs.
Why did Beta-17 manage to contain SCP-5124 instances despite not being programmed to do so whatsoever? Because we named it Mousetrap. By unintentionally acknowledging these anomalies as if they were physical mice, we may have just about solved our mouse problem.
When mousetraps aren't enough, what do you do?
You get a cat.

► SCP-5124 Termination Attempt Log-2

▼ SCP-5124 Termination Attempt Log

Method
Description
Result
Notes

Memetic Extermination Agent-5124 ("Playdough Cat")
A memetically enhanced image file of a cat made from modeling clay, specifically intended to terminate SCP-5124.
Complete neutralization of SCP-5124 in areas the agent was introduced to.
Success. Agent integrated to a larger .AIC programmed to patrol and clean Site-19's servers on a constant basis. As of 2020/11/01, all SCP-5124 instances have been removed from Site-19's database. Information restoration process ongoing.

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