Chapter Text
“Okay. I’m going down to my office to read some papers.” She tilts up a corner of her mouth. “I’ll come by in a few hours and we’ll talk then. Happy reading – this one’s a trip.”
The door closes softly.
I.
[The following documents were inside a standard green hanging file-folder. The folder was taped down to the lid of a box full of files]:
January 12, 2015
Dear Casper,
I know telling a person like you to not be curious is like telling a baby not to cry. It’s normal to ask why. I would know – my life’s been more complicated than I’d like. But that’s not why I’m writing.
I’m writing, more as a concerned friend than as your direct supervisor, to ask you to stop . I know the circumstances of your promotion to Head of Research were a little unusual. I know this particular bug bites you every five years or so, and I know it’s easy for that to happen given the secretive nature of our agency. But right now, I’m concerned by the sheer depth of your preoccupation with something that just didn’t happen . The Directorial archive access requests, the bulletin board in your office, and these whispers of a conspiracy - your tenacity is always astounding and admirable, but there’s nothing to be tenacious over this time. My concern is sincere, so trust me: there is no conspiracy behind anything that happened in March of 1994, there is no “lost Altered item”, and I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t waste any more time or Bureau resources on this matter.
Zachariah Trench
▼
[The text messages below were exchanged between Darling and Trench the evening of January 12th, 2015.]
▼
From: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
To: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
Date: Jan 13th, 2015, 12:15 AM.
Subject: Let’s talk here
Hi Mandy,
I hope you don’t mind me using your personal e-mail address after hours, but our discussion of the incident from ‘94 and the missing Altered item needs to get out of the mail tubes and go below board for now. I got another letter from the Director today. Well, it was really more of a warning, I think.
Casper
--
From: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
To: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
Date: Jan 13th, 2015, 12:42 AM.
Shit. Sorry, Cas! Didn’t realise that. Yes, write here any time (I’ll turn on the “confidential mode” and check my firewall settings). God, what’s Trench on about now?
MH
--
From: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
To: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
Date: Jan 13th, 2015, 1:06 AM.
He just dismisses everything, and I don’t like it. Why am I being gaslit about what I saw? I know it was almost twenty years ago, but I was there. I wasn’t hallucinating. I’ve told you the story a dozen times: the file I saw on Dr. Ash’s desk was redacted, but I’d recognize the supplement that goes in an Altered item dossier anywhere, and I don’t know what Item it goes with! And regarding Dr. Ash…Mandy, I swear, it’s like he dropped off the face of the earth. I was his assistant, and he was my boss and my mentor, and we were friends; why would he just do that? The Bureau claims that Dr. Ash resigned because of some personal emergency (and they cite that same emergency for his lack of communication), but it makes no sense. I can add, so why am I being told that two and two make five?
Casper
--
From: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
To: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
Date: Jan 13th, 2015, 1:31 AM.
I was thinking about your last bit most of today, honestly, and I’m skeptical of the “emergency” story too. They wouldn’t re-inform a Head of Research, would they? I’m going to hit the hay here, but we’ll talk in the morning – see you soon. Back to analog communication – it’s like we exist in two different worlds sometimes!
MH
PS – Forgot to tell you, but Raya rang this morning, and she sends her regards.
--
From: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
To: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
Date: Jan 13th, 2015, 1:06 AM.
Re-informing a Head of Research? God, for my sake, I sure hope they wouldn’t do that.
Casper
PS – Send mine back. Haven’t heard from her in ages.
▼
January 13th, 2015
Zach,
Message received; following up. You’re right, and I apologize. Don’t worry about your “tone.” As you know, I’m prone to getting carried away sometimes. Some days, it’s hard to tell what’s paranatural, and what’s just a little odd. When you’re a hammer, everything looks like a nail. But you’re right. It was 19 years ago, and my memory of those events must be deceiving me – ah, what a fun quirk of getting older.
Dr. Heller and I will take down the bulletin board immediately. It’s become a bit of an eyesore, I’ll admit. It was also wrong to drag our visiting paranatural researcher from England into my nonsense, even if she and I are old grad school friends. She probably sees enough wild goose-chase nonsense working with MI5! Please accept my apology.
Casper
▼
FEDERAL BUREAU OF CONTROL
January 13th, 2015
To All Dimensional Research Staff,
Please remember to wear your booties with the rest of your personal protective equipment, and please, please, please remember to put them in your locker before exiting toward the inner firebreak! The sand is a restricted extradimensional substance that must stay in the RESTRICTED area. We don’t fully understand its properties, and I’ve received a few reports that it’s getting tracked all the way to the outer firebreak. Dimensional Research, to run the risk of using an iconic idiom, is like Las Vegas. What happens there needs to stay there. I don’t want to see a single red grain anywhere near Central Research!
Dr. Darling
▼
January 13th, 2015
Dear Casper,
Thank you for your letter. I’m relieved to hear we’ve come to an agreement on this. I know they’re not your favorite sort of meeting, but I’m extending an invitation to you to attend our monthly, Sector-wide security briefing at 4 PM today, if you’re free. We’re making a few changes to our protocol for some high-clearance areas in Executive and Maintenance. If you can’t make it, I’ll send a tube with a summary down your way later so you can read it before you head out.
Zachariah Trench
▼
[The text messages below were exchanged between Darling and Trench the evening of January 13th, 2015.]
▼
--
From: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
To: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
Date: Jan 13th, 2015, 9:48 PM.
Cas, what on earth was in that mail tube? I’ve known you for years and I’ve never seen you just storm out like that! It’s like you got word that someone died! Is there anything I can do?
MH
--
From: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
To: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
Date: Jan 13th, 2015, 10:12 PM.
Mandy,
It was a summary of that security briefing I told you about. The one I couldn’t attend because we went to Dr. Bartlett’s lecture. Short version: Trench is upgrading the Directorial archive to Clearance Level 9, and re-keying/replacing the ID card readers in some parts of Communications as well (and Maintenance, but that was expected). Locking down the Directorial archive? Really? Just two days after I submitted two access requests? Even though that’s where Trench keeps most of his private documents, he usually just rubber-stamps those requests because that area was Level 7; my Clearance Level, like all Bureau Heads, is Level 8. This cannot be a coincidence, and it feels…passive-aggressive, even for him.
Casper
--
From: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
To: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
Date: Jan 13th, 2015, 10:40 PM.
Agreed on passive-aggressive - sheesh! He tries to tell you there’s no conspiracy with this ‘94 thing, but he sure isn’t acting like it. I swear, I’ve never had a boss that wasn’t loony somehow, and I feel like they’re even loonier on this side of the pond. Who would even be Level 9, anyway? Here I thought it was quite an achievement to get to Level 4 as a visitor!
MH
--
From: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
To: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
Date: Jan 13th, 2015, 11:11 PM.
It IS an achievement! Level 9 would be the Director and probably Marshall too. Maybe Salvador and DC Childs? I think Tommasi is only Level 8 like me. But really, am I going crazy here and overreacting?
Casper
--
From: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
To: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
Date: Jan 14th, 2015, 12:02 AM.
I don’t think so. Your behaviour doesn’t seem terribly odd to me (and as a parapsychologist, I’d tell you, haha!) - I think it’s more likely there’s something in the Directorial archive that Trench doesn’t want you to see. I’m going to give this some more thought if I can’t sleep - see you in the AM.
MH
▼
January 14th, 2015
Dr. Darling,
Following up on my last report from two days ago. We’re sensing those strange vibrations from the Slide Projector again. I’ve started recording on the scopes and the seismometer so I can have a deeper look back at my own workstation tomorrow. It’s almost like something in this slide has a resonant frequency? Will follow up again shortly.
Dr. Lorenzo Dunne
Senior Investigator
Dimensional Research
▼
January 14th, 2015
BUREAU ALERT
To All Employees of the Federal Bureau of Control:
Please avoid the area around the Executive Affairs break room until approximately 3 PM today. The microwave is misbehaving again. Witnesses report buzzing and arcing, and a mug of coffee (that had previously been uneventfully reheating inside) was later found shattered across the room. As witnesses also say the microwave door was never opened, a paranatural threat assessment team will be coming by around noon to investigate. Thank you for your patience.
Randall Childs
Deputy Chief
Executive Sector
▼
Cas, this microwave incident seems totally bonkers! I’m bored to tears running statistics for the Acoustics Lab, and you know I can’t resist a good paranatural oopsie. I bet the goss in Executive is spectacular. I’m going to grab a coffee with Yujie from Ritual and we’re going to walk our keen ears up there around four. Will let you know if I hear (or see) anything good! I might get dragged into resonance waveform deconvolution after, so if you don’t get another note, I’ll e-mail tonight.
Mandy
▼
[The text messages below were exchanged between Darling and Trench the evening of January 14th, 2015.]
▼
--
From: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
To: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
Date: Jan 14th, 2015, 8:27 PM.
Mandy,
An executive decision: from now on, if we need to refer to anything regarding Dr. Ash, the lost Altered item, or the incident in ‘94 while we are at the Oldest House, just mention “statistics.” What do you think?
Haven’t heard from you, so asking now: what happened with the microwave?
Casper
--
From: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
To: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
Date: Jan 14th, 2015, 8:44 PM.
Oh, a code word - I feel like a real secret agent on a secret mission! Works for me! Well, the paranatural assessment people had cleared out by the time Yujie and I got there. Childs was just pacing round in the hallway around the corner from his office in Central Executive. Yujie asked him what was up with the microwave, and he really gave her the stink-eye. He’s a very severe sort of fellow, isn’t he? Something unusual: when I went past his office, I noticed that he left his keycard and badge just sitting out on his desk. His door was wide open! If Trench is concerned about security, perhaps he should look right under his nose, first!
MH
--
From: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
To: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
Date: Jan 14th, 2015, 9:01 PM.
I think we’d know if the microwave incident was serious by now…but very odd re: Childs’ keycard. If you find yourself in Central Executive again any time soon, let me know if you see that again. (I’m serious).
Casper
--
From: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
To: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
Date: Jan 14th, 2015, 9:08 PM.
Cas, are you plotting some sinister “statistical analysis”?
MH
▼
FEDERAL BUREAU OF CONTROL
January 15th, 2015
To All Personnel of the Research Sector,
A file box of assorted junk was left on the counter in the break room near Parapsychology sometime this morning. This box contains some protocols on time-to-frequency-domain conversions and post-hoc tests for analysis of variance, a stapler, a batik-patterned shawl or scarf, a copy of the novel Gone Girl, a cracked carafe for a coffee maker, a souvenir silver spoon from Connecticut, and a small wooden carving of a bird (a robin?) Several of these items could count on the Yellow Quadrant on the Iconic Items and Concepts list – I’m ESPECIALLY concerned about the souvenir spoon! If these are your belongings, please remove or relocate them ASAP.
Dr. Darling
▼
Shit! Sorry about the box! Those things are all Yujie’s. She moved flats a few days ago. She had some stuff in her office that she wanted to take to her new place eventually - I took a box to my office for safe keeping. I must’ve gotten distracted and left it in the break room by mistake. By the time you get this tube, they’ll be gone, so no worries. Did a lap around Central Exec, and you’ll never believe it - Childs left his keycard on his desk again, and the door was open! I asked his receptionist next door where he had gone. She said he had “stepped out” for a bit. Chat about statistics later.
Mandy
▼
FEDERAL BUREAU OF CONTROL
January 15th, 2015
To All Dimensional Research Staff,
This is a reminder to mind your language outside of Dimensional Research. As this area is Top Secret, so should references to anything that we study there. Please avoid talking or writing about ‘Ordinary, Maine,’ the ‘Ordinary AWE’, ‘OOP15-UE’, ‘Slidescape-36’ (or anything that has been observed in inside that dimension!), or the ‘Faden siblings’ a) outside of proper research contexts, or b) unless you are communicating with people who are appropriately cleared. Please watch what you are saying in your cafeteria and break room conversations, keep your research records secured, and if you must leave documentation out, make sure things are redacted! Don’t make me call Communications over this. I won’t like it, and you won’t either.
Dr. Darling
▼
--
From: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
To: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
Date: Jan 15th, 2015, 8:25 PM.
Statistics! So I’ve had several glasses of wine (finally had some friends over for a proper English roast dinner!) and maybe this is out of left field, but if one of us could nick Childs’ keycard while he was out, we’d have immediate Clearance Level 9 access and nobody would suspect anything. You could get into the Directorial archive, or anywhere else you suspect there’s information about Dr. Ash or ‘94. Please tell me I’m mad!
MH
--
From: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
To: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
Date: Jan 15th, 2015, 9:08 PM.
I’ve had a glass of whiskey myself, but I’m sober enough to say it: you’re mad. It’s a tempting proposition, but it would be disastrous for you if you were caught. You’d not only be dismissed from the Bureau, but you could be banned from working in the US again or even arrested. Espionage charges stick better to foreign nationals, you know!
--
From: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
To: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
Date: Jan 15th, 2015, 9:24 PM.
Come on, I wouldn’t steal anything. I’m not a kid taking a sweet from mum’s secret jar. I’m talking about just making off with some files long enough to make some copies, and then putting it all right back, like nothing ever happened.
(I may be just a science nerd, but I AM still a MI5 agent, you know!)
MH
PS – Espionage charges? What is this, the CIA?
--
From: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
To: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
Date: Jan 15th, 2015, 9:37 PM.
Okay, humor me, then. We’re just two friends drinking on our own time. What exactly would you do?
--
From: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
To: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
Date: Jan 15th, 2015, 10:01 PM.
Create a diversion somewhere to keep Childs occupied, probably during lunch while there aren’t many people in Executive. Take his keycard if he’s left it in his open office, and go to the Directorial archives. You mentioned once that Trench sorts and labels everything really well, and that special events or cases have their own file boxes. I’d find the one labeled “1994” or “Dr. Ash,” or something referring to the supposed “missing” Altered item (The number was AI-15 or something, right?) and replace it with the box of junk from the break room so nothing looks iffy in case someone comes in while it’s gone (you know, the same box that you suspected of being “too Iconic” today!) Then I’d take it down to Research, copy everything in an hour, and run it right back up while Childs is still occupied. I could even bring the box round to your flat!
(I’m joking. Sort of. Maybe, not really? But you might want to delete this e-mail anyway.)
MH
--
From: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
To: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
Date: Jan 15th, 2015, 10:12 PM.
Joking or not, you’d seriously do that, for me? (And yes, I believe the missing designator would be AI-15, but I don’t know which two-letter code would apply because I don’t know what the Altered effect would be. Let’s guess “UE”).
--
From: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
To: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
Date: Jan 15th, 2015, 10:23 PM.
Of course I would, Cas! You really saved my ass during that whole cock-up at King’s College a few years back. You introduced me to Raya, who I love like a big sister, and that’s not even mentioning everything we went through in grad school. I owe you one. Plus, I want to get to the bottom of all of this too before I head home to London in June. A mysterious disappearance and a lost Altered item – what an utterly barmy tale! There’s really just one thing I’d like in return…
MH
--
From: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
To: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
Date: Jan 15th, 2015, 10:30 PM.
Please tell me you don’t want me to get another shark!
--
From: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
To: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
Date: Jan 15th, 2015, 10:41 PM.
No. I’d like permission to visit this restricted “Dimensional Research” area of yours. I’ve been hearing something about a slide-show and a lot of sand?
MH
--
From: Dr. Casper Darling ([email protected])
To: Dr. Amanda Heller ([email protected])
Date: Jan 15th, 2015, 10:45 PM.
It’s a fair enough compromise, but it would be very logistically complicated, to say the least. We’d have to talk more about it in person after I give it some thought, so I’ll see you tomorrow. Looks like I have some more grumbling letters to send to my staff though…
▼
Doing some hardcore statistical analysis at lunch today. The kind where I take my lab coat off so I don’t look too conspicuous in public! I WILL share the results shortly!
Mandy
▼
January 16th, 2015
BUREAU ALERT
To All Employees of the Federal Bureau of Control:
During a high use period in the Executive Affairs break room, we unfortunately had yet another incident with the microwave. This time, sparks and unsettling noises were caused by what appears to be a small silver spoon, the type that someone might pick up as a memento from a vacation. Please note that metallic objects should never be used in a microwave! In addition to the direct fire and electrical damage this caused, something (a power surge) has now affected the nearby toaster, which is now burning cryptic Viking runes (?) into everyone’s toast. The same paranatural threat assessment team that was here on Wednesday will be coming by around this afternoon to investigate that as well. Thank you for your patience.
Please steer clear of the area, and please direct all inquiries to Miriam, my receptionist. I will be only sporadically available this afternoon.
Randall Childs
Deputy Chief
Executive Sector
▼
Dr. Darling,
I know you’re awaiting an update on what we’re picking up from the Object of Power, but we’ve got a bigger issue now that was just brought to my attention: Dr. Pierse left suddenly three hours ago. She was feeling unwell. Trish called her husband and finally managed to get him on the phone. She’s gone into early labor and is at the hospital. She’s only six weeks pre-term so the baby will likely be fine, but her maternity leave will be starting earlier than we expected, and with Dr. Kumar’s departure, we’re going to be horribly short-staffed. Thoughts?
Dr. Lorenzo Dunne
Senior Investigator
Dimensional Research
▼
Got my analysis finished. Everything was nice and tidy, and I can bring Yujie her box back now (I hope she wasn’t too fond of that little spoon!) Took an hour and a half to copy everything, as there were 9 folders to get through, but fortunately it was all sorted by date, with the oldest documents at the top (yes, before you ask, I even put more paper in the copier!).
Will bring this box of statistical goodies by your place at eight. We can have a proper look together!
Mandy
▼
Lorenzo,
I’ll get it resolved, don’t worry. I think I’ve got just the person to fill in. Give Edna and Rob my congratulations and best wishes for a safe delivery. What’s your bet: boy or girl? I’m guessing a girl. Just my hunch.
Dr. Darling
▼
To the Department of Unhuman Affairs
To be routed to Payroll
To Whom This May Concern:
I wish to promote Visiting Research Technician Amanda J. Heller (FBC personnel ID: 68-TU-77b) to the role of Junior Dimensional Research Fellow, effective as of January 19th, 2015, with an end date of June 12th, 2015 (her last day at the FBC). We will need to update her Clearance Level – could you send those forms to my office as soon as (un)humanly possible?
Dr. Darling
▼
[The text below was sent from Trench to Darling the evening of January 16th, 2015.]
Chapter Text
II.
[The following files, arranged into nine separate folders and all stacked on top of one another, were inside the extensively duct-taped, white, bankers’-type box that came with the hanging file-folder. The word “STATISTICS” is written in permanent marker across the side of the box.]
[An old note is taped to the inside of the first folder. It reads: "Amishi: most of these documents were directly from Dr. Ash’s files, but some of them were collected from other Bureau sources too. I just put them in chronological order the best I could. The oldest documents are in the top folders, newer ones are toward the bottom. I’ll explain more when we meet.– ZT”]
[The contents of the topmost folder are as follows:]
Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #48 (July 2nd, 1980):
I’ve decided I’m going to start recording these tapes again. Not because it’s practical to record all my research observations this way now that things are considerably more established, but more as a personal record. So, I guess you could say that these are a sort of diary. This is day five-thousand-eight-hundred-and-ten since we first started our expedition into the Oldest House. It took me a minute to calculate that! [short pause] That old Nazi, Wagner, finally kicked the bucket last night. He was eighty-five, although it’s funny to think the war ended just thirty-five years ago. I was only nine years old, and my father came home a few months later…thinking too much about history seems to almost distort my sense of time. Of course, these days, it’s a bit difficult to think too much, period, with Northmoor in my inbox about something every ten minutes. Some things change, and other things stay the same, even after sixteen years here. But maybe now is truly my first time without a babysitter hovering around behind me. Maybe I should make some mischief?
▼
Dr. Ash,
I am following up on your letter. It’s nothing but utmost disrespect to refer to Dr. Wagner as a Nazi, considering he defected and came to the United States before the start of the war! I am sure your father had many esteemed colleagues who were in Dr. Wagner’s exact position; what does it accomplish to speak ill of the dead? You would have known Dr. Wagner’s circumstances had you listened to me sixteen years ago. Which you would have, had you not chosen to view me with nothing but such abject contempt. Such behavior is not only unbecoming of a Bureau employee, but it flagrantly defies the Board. While I wait to hear about our colleague’s funeral arrangements, I’ve received a message from Lawton in Investigations. They’ve got a report of a minor incident in Washington, DC, and may be contacting you. I sure hope they can resolve it safely without relying too much on your employ.
Director Broderick Northmoor
▼
Director,
Spare me your cheap shots. The last time you went to DC, rumor has it that in your meeting with the head of the CIA, you referred to former Sec. of State Henry Kissinger as “Harry”. You wouldn’t know how to diffuse a “minor incident” in Washington DC if someone stirred it into your coffee.
T. Ash
▼
July 3rd, 1980
Dear Dr. Ash,
I’m writing to inform you of a suspicious event that may be paranatural in origin. Two mornings ago, the Bureau received a strange account from the FBI, passed along from officials at the Smithsonian Institution (in Washington, DC). The Bureau’s Atlantic-Capital Regional Field Office (ACRFO) will be interviewing folks at the National Museum of History and Technology about their findings within the next few days and will be in contact. I’ll be your point of contact on this, so sit tight and enjoy the upcoming holiday.
Tom
Thomas Lawton
Head, Investigations Sector
▼
Dr. Ash,
I’d argue your shot was much cheaper. You know I don’t like any of this: your tone, the insinuation that I am stupid/unqualified/unprepared for my position, or the potentially dangerous consequences that angering me like this could have. You should be well-aware by now.
Director Broderick Northmoor
[There is a yellowed partial handprint across the bottom half of the page, as if the paper has been briefly subjected to high temperatures]
▼
[A sticky note photocopied to the top of this transcript reads: “first report of musket from 1980 – ZT”]
TRANSCRIPT A1: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION INCIDENT
AGENT GARCIA: This is Field Agent Isabel Garcia, Badge Number 24-ACR-U12, from the Atlantic-Capital Regional Field Office (ACRFO) of the Federal Bureau of Control. Today is July 5th, 1980. I’m at the Smithsonian in Washington DC with a witness we requested to interview at the history museum. Can you tell me your name, sir?
MALE VOICE (identified as Bill Edwards): William Andrew Edwards III. You can call me Bill.
AGENT GARCIA: Can you tell me about your job, Bill? How long have you worked here?
BILL EDWARDS: I’m a museum guard for the Smithsonian institution. I’ve worked here at the National Museum of History and Technology since it opened in ‘64. I work nights, typically doing security, and, uh, I sometimes watch or help the folks set up the exhibits. That’s fun, because I’m a big history fan, you know? I studied it at the University of Virginia. Are you with the FBI, miss?
AGENT GARCIA: Not quite, but we do work with the FBI sometimes. Thanks for your answers, Mr. Edwards.
BILL EDWARDS: Really, Bill is fine. And your name is…Garcia, you said?
AGENT GARCIA [laughing pleasantly]: Yes. Bill. I will make a note of that! I’m Isabel. Izzy works too. Now, in our information here in my file, it says you observed something unusual in part of an exhibit. Could you describe that to me?
BILL EDWARDS: Yeah. It’s one of the guns.
AGENT GARCIA: What gun? What happened with it?
BILL EDWARDS: The musket. We have a Revolutionary War musket from 1775. It’s over two-hundred years old and it’s been here since the 1940s. And I swear, something really strange happened a few nights back. It has an old leather case displayed with it - probably also belonged to the gun’s original owner, you know? It’s got these cartridges in it. They used to make paper cartridges that had the, uh, you know, the musket ball and the shot and powder in them. The case was open and there were seven of those cartridges in it. I walk past it every night, so I’d know – and then a couple days ago, that would’ve been, hm, the first of July, I noticed that there were only six cartridges.
AGENT GARCIA: Couldn’t someone at the museum have just taken one out to study or photograph or something?
BILL EDWARDS: Sure. And I didn’t think much of it, until I did my rounds in the storage room behind that exhibit a little while later.
AGENT GARCIA: Did you see something there?
BILL EDWARDS: Yes. When you walk in, there are some storage crates, and immediately there’s uh, a big wall in front of you. And I saw there was a hole in it, as if something made an impact with the concrete block. Like a larger projectile. It was almost like someone had shot it wi–
AGENT GARCIA [interrupting]: Do you suspect someone had fired the musket? The one on display?
BILL EDWARDS: Yes. There was a gunpowder smell in that room, and the holes were consistent with that sort of buck and ball cartridge, as they call it. Um, but here’s the thing: the musket was still in its display case. I asked around and nobody’s opened it in months. My supervisor even showed me the log of when each case was opened, and the last time someone did anything there was last November. And on the floor, underneath the damaged wall, I found what looked like splinters. Like bark, from a tree. None of us could explain where that came from, either. Don’t you think that’s weird, miss…Izzy, was it?
▼
July 5th, 1980
To All Employees of the Federal Bureau of Control:
Please do not smoke in the Emergency Shelter or in any restrooms. Two days ago, a small fire started in the Executive Sector because of a lit cigarette which was improperly disposed of. Fortunately, the fire was contained with minimal damage.
Smoke breaks should be limited to break rooms, individual offices, or taken outside, and lit cigarettes should be properly extinguished in ashtrays and never be thrown into wastepaper baskets, mail carts, or any other receptacle containing potentially flammable material!
Thank you for your compliance. I hope everyone had a happy Fourth of July.
Bill Powers
Communications Chief
Federal Bureau of Control
▼
July 6th, 1980
Dr. Ash,
You probably already inferred as much, but you KNOW what it means when we get those bulletins from Communications. There was an incident in Executive on the 3rd, and not something involving an intern smoking in the mail room, or whatever nonsense Mr. Powers and his spin doctors have deemed the appropriate cover. You also know that you can’t just send the Director random insulting letters, regardless of what he said to you, as stress can trigger…unpredictable responses from his powers, which is exactly what happened. He’s been having daily appointments in the Medical Wing ever since. Long ago, we agreed to certain things as a condition of you having knowledge of the Director’s paranatural powers in the first place. The situation is under control, but please exercise discretion in the future. Maybe even come up to Medical this afternoon, visit him when he’s here, and be diplomatic. It won’t kill you.
Dr. Frank Rosen
Head Staff Physician
Federal Bureau of Control
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July 7th, 1980
Dear Dr. Ash,
As promised, I’m following up on the incident in DC. Although there were some unusual occurrences, our agents were unable to discern any immediate paranatural occurrence at the National Museum of History and Technology. After review, we (and the ACRFO’s agents) believe this to be classifiable as “Class 6: Simple Confusion over Human Action.” We are downgrading this incident to Category Green (follow up in six months) unless we receive additional reports. We think the FBI got involved mistakenly: they believed there was a theft of some artifact from the Museum, heard a slightly-off-the-wall story from a witness, and called us. Sorry to get you worked up for nothing, Ted! It was nice to see you at the briefing yesterday.
Tom
Thomas Lawton
Head, Investigations Sector
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Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #49 (July 8h, 1980):
It’s day five-thousand-eight-hundred-and-fifteen, and honestly, at least five thousand of the proceeding days were better than this one. It’s hot and muggy outside. I’ve had a million requests for supplies to order today, and this Museum incident was a false alarm. At lunch, two of my scientists nearly killed one other over a miscalculation, and it appears I’ve offended Northmoor’s delicate sensitivities. My flippant little letter drove him into a full-on meltdown. I thought his powers were under control! How was I supposed to know he was having a bad day? He’s always frustrated and tactless like that! Of course, I was Rosen’s nice little trained monkey and went to visit Northmoor up in Medical and apologize. That wasn’t as disastrous as it could have been, in that we had an actual conversation that wasn’t just nastiness for its own sake. But it’s the principle of the thing that irritates me so much. Dr. Rosen tells me I need to show more discretion, but I think Northmoor ought to grow a thicker skin, or maybe a fireproof one, if he wants to keep being Director.
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Dr. Ash,
Per procedure, I am sending a version of this notice to all Bureau Heads. If you need to discuss Bureau affairs, please leave all correspondence with my secretary, as I am ill and will be working at home for the next few days. As I hope you realize fully by now that the Board’s blessings sometimes are double-edged weapons.
I’m not one for compliments, as you know, but I did appreciate your visit during my brief convalescence in Medical - whether you came fully by your own free will or not!
Director Broderick Northmoor
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Director,
…Compliments? I’d make a joke that you’re obviously still convalescing, but in the interest of the Oldest House not burning down, I will try and listen to the Doctor.
T. Ash
PS - In case I wasn’t obvious enough: that was all a joke! Get well soon?
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July 11th, 1980
Dear Dr. Ash,
I may have spoken prematurely. The ACRFO has reached out to us again re: the Smithsonian and I just got a call today. As this letter is routing through the tubes, the same Bureau’s agents from the ACRFO are again en route to investigate. Apparently, there has now been an unusual break-in (?) in the same area of the Museum as the first incident. Stay tuned.
Tom
Thomas Lawton
Head, Investigations Sector
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Hey Ted!
It’s been a minute since I sent a note. You were right – setting up a new Sector takes so much time. Of course, now that things have slowed down in Containment, I find myself wishing something would happen. Can’t we apprehend a wanted paracriminal? Or find an Altered item that turns people into toads? (I’m sure you’ve got just the person to use it on, too!) Would you like to have coffee on Thursday, if you’ve got time? Or maybe a drink? I’ve got a ten-year-old bottle of Longmorn in my office that my boredom is just urging me to crack.
Barry
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[Taped to this transcript is a copy of a handwritten sticky note reading “Second documentation of unusual event with gun from 1980. - ZT”]
TRANSCRIPT B1: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION INCIDENT
AGENT GARCIA: This is Field Agent Isabel Garcia, Badge Number 24-ACR-U12, from the Atlantic-Capital Regional Field Office (ACRFO) of the Federal Bureau of Control. Today is July 11th, 1980. This is a follow-up to the incident first described in tape A1. With me is Agent Clayton, and we are interviewing Mr. Bill Edwards from the Smithsonian again. Agent Clayton, could you provide your details too?
AGENT CLAYTON: Jeffrey Clayton, Badge Number 22-ACR-U43. Like Agent Garcia, I’m with the Atlantic-Capital Regional Field Office (ACRFO) of the Federal Bureau of Control.
BILL EDWARDS: It’s good to talk to you again, Izzy. And it’s nice to meet you too, Jeffrey. May I call you Jeff? I’m guessing this is about the break-in.
AGENT CLAYTON: Sure. Tell us about the break-in. When did it occur?
BILL EDWARDS: Last night. I was doing my usual security tasks. You know, checking doors, and uh, talking to another guard.
AGENT CLAYTON: Who was the other guard?
BILL EDWARDS: Carl. Carl Jackson. Carl and I heard some sort of noise in that back room, the same one I was telling you about, miss – so we head back there, and there’s a man stumbling around in the storage room. This was well after closing and the doors had been locked for hours. So we couldn’t figure out how he got in, unless he was back there when the museum closed. I mean, it’s possible, but that area is restricted to museum staff only.
AGENT GARCIA: Can you describe this man for us?
BILL EDWARDS: This is where it gets strange. He was almost wearing…what seemed like a costume. Old wool suit and vest, suspenders, and a cap. Not the way anyone dresses nowadays for sure, so I thought maybe the museum was doing a historical re-enactment somewhere. Asked around the next day, and there aren’t any more re-enactments here until September.
AGENT GARCIA: You mentioned in our last interview that you studied history. What period would you say his costume was from?
BILL EDWARDS: Hmm. 1920s, maybe? 1910s? Hard to say for sure. This guy was also pretty old, maybe around eighty. When Carl and I confronted him, he seemed disoriented. He wouldn’t stop shouting at us. He kept shouting even when the police handcuffed him and took him out.
AGENT CLAYTON: What was he shouting?
BILL EDWARDS: Something about how we were the ones who took his gun, about how it was his great-great grandfather’s. He screamed something about the police capturing his brother. Our best guess is he was drunk. It wouldn’t be the first time someone’s come to the museum after really tying one on, you know? I’d imagine he’ll sober up after a night in jail though.
▼
Barry,
Thursday sounds good. 3 PM? Do your folks still have that little coffee cart outside Security? I could use a few minutes away from this nuthouse. Careful what you wish for - when your Sector’s hopping with toads and you accidentally squish your boss, you’ll wish for the sweet, whiskey-sipping silence of boredom!
Ted
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TRANSCRIPT B2: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION INCIDENT
MALE VOICE #1: [Unidentified, Unintelligible]
[Loud scraping noise, followed by heavy-sounding breathing.]
AGENT GARCIA: Oh, this might be a little rough. Looks like he drank half a brewery.
AGENT CLAYTON: Well, he matches our witness’ description, at least. Look at the suit.
MALE VOICE #2 (Identified as Metro PD Officer Grimsley): Sir, the Feds are here to talk to you. Is that tape recorder okay?
AGENT CLAYTON: Yes, it should be fine.
METRO PD OFFICER GRIMSLEY: Let me know if you need anything, I’ll be right outside.
[Sound of door closing.]
AGENT GARCIA: The officer here tells me your name is George, but that you didn’t have any ID on you. Is that your name?
MALE VOICE #3 (Identified as George Quincy Owens): Why am I here? Where’s my gun? The war is over, but you must be Huns. You’ve got to be, I’ve-I’ve never seen a place like this before. I’m not telling you anything until you take me to my brother.
AGENT GARCIA: Huns? Like…Attila the Hun? Sir, you’re badly hung over. How much did you drink last night?
AGENT CLAYTON: Wasn’t that an old term for Germans, too?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: I haven’t had a drop in weeks! I’m sober enough to know a Hun when I see one-
AGENT CLAYTON: [interrupting] Sir, we’re not German, if that’s what you mean. We’re Americans. Do you hear our accents? We’re with the American government. The go-vern-ment. The one here in Washington, DC. Today’s the Eleventh of July. Do you know where you are?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: …Washington DC?
AGENT GARCIA: Yes, our nation’s capital. Is this your first time here?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: I’m…I’m from there. I was born there. This doesn’t look like Washington. My-my house, where’s my house?
AGENT CLAYTON: Sir? What are you staring at? Sir? [Sound of fingers snapping]
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: The lights. I’ve never seen…what are they made of?
AGENT GARCIA: They’re fluorescents. There’s a tube behind that plastic cover. I can have the policeman show you. But first, will you tell me your name?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: I want my gun back. That was my great-great grandfather’s. And I want you to tell me where my brother is.
AGENT CLAYTON: Is your brother missing? We can ask the police for information. Can you tell me more about your gun? What does it look-
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS [angrily interrupting]: Don’t take me for a fool, you know you have him! And my gun! My musket! This is a trick! An illusion! I didn’t get shot in France to have you Krauts trick me like this, you, you-
AGENT GARCIA: Sir, we need you to stay calm.
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Where’s Henry?!
AGENT CLAYTON: Sir-
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Where’s Henry, you scoundrel?!
[Scraping and banging noises, a door opening]
AGENT CLAYTON: [Unintelligible] more than a hangover here. This guy’s psycho.
METRO PD OFFICER GRIMSLEY: We’ll call some folks at Providence. Order a drug test, and then we’ll-
[The tape cuts out with a loud scratch]
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July 14th, 1980
Dear Dr. Ash,
I heard from Mr. Cohen (the director of the ACRFO) this morning re: the Smithsonian (his letter is enclosed in this tube). His agents are still following up, but this still looks like a “once is random and twice is coincidence” occurrence at this point. Two points don’t quite make a line, or something. We’re moving this into Category Yellow (intermittent active surveillance) in case there’s more to it, but I’m pretty skeptical.
Tom
Thomas Lawton
Head, Investigations Sector
PS – if anything happens over the next several days, you may be slow to hear about it. My oldest, Catherine, is home visiting from college, so I will be spending time with her until Tuesday.
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[Stapled to Lawton's letter is this one:]
Thomas Lawton
Federal Bureau of Control, Investigations Sector
34 Thomas St.
New York, New York,
July 12th, 1980
Dear Mr. Lawton,
Here is a brief update on where things stand with the Smithsonian investigation. Agents Garcia and Clayton have been dispatched to gather more information: both have spoken to the same witness we interviewed on 7/5, as well as to the DC Metro police and the break-in suspect. It appears an elderly, very mentally unsound gentleman somehow wandered into the National Museum of History and Technology sometime on the evening of 7/10. It’s quite a sad situation: he appears to be a veteran of the first World War who was disoriented, aggressive, and clearly very traumatized by something he experienced. There were some unusual patterns to the suspect’s speech (for example, he referred to a “musket”, which the museum guard also referred to), but these patterns are still very much within the realm of coincidence. As of today (7/12), the suspect has been transferred to Providence, where he is receiving psychiatric care. I will keep you briefed on the situation.
Regards,
PDC
P. Daniel Cohen
Director
Atlantic-Capital Regional Field Office (ACRFO-FBC)
Federal Bureau of Control
▼
Dr. Ash,
As I was out a significant portion of last week, it seems I’ve missed a few updates and more than a few mail tubes. I have been unable to reach Lawton today – something about his kid visiting, I hear? I also hear there’s been a change in the status of the investigation in Washington, DC. I am wondering if you could update me on the latest on this situation. Provided you can abide by my company, I can grit my teeth and tolerate yours. If this works, please report to my office Wednesday morning (7/16) at 8 AM.
Director Broderick Northmoor
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Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #50 (July 14th, 1980):
It’s day five-thousand-eight-hundred-and-twenty-two. Jeez, eventually I’m going to lose track of these. It hasn’t been a half-bad Monday, though: a little light rain, a little light research, and half a glass of Barry’s Longmorn to wind it all down. Business continues as usual. Science and bureaucracy both march on. Maybe this Museum thing is something, or maybe it’s just some sad, kooky old guy in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’m only forty-four, but I’ve seen enough craziness and crackpottery in this place to last five lifetimes. Speaking of crazy, Northmoor actually wants me to meet with him over this whole DC situation. Why me, when he could just wrangle up one of Lawton’s lackeys to tell him everything? Hell, he could easily just let himself into Lawton’s office and read it all himself. I think his powers have cooked his brain.
▼
Hey Ted!
Checking in on a slow Wednesday. I was thinking of you when I got in, after what you told me a couple days back about being called to the Director’s office this morning. I stepped off the elevator in Executive around ten to run an errand for Jones - and get this: Northmoor was getting into the elevator, and he was smiling. It was slight, but I didn’t know he could smile. I’ve seen something rare! I ought to buy a lottery ticket! What exactly happened in that meeting you had? I take it was somehow not as disastrous as you predicted?
Barry
Chapter Text
III.
[The second folder in the “STATISTICS” box contains the following:]
TRANSCRIPT B3: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION INCIDENT
AGENT GARCIA: Before we go in, could you state your name and occupation for me, Sir? And then tell myself and Agent Clayton briefly about your interactions with the suspect, if you would.
MALE VOICE #1: (identified as Dr. Michael Cole): Mike Cole, resident psychiatrist at Providence Hospital. Well, I met Mr. Owens a couple of days ago after the police brought him here. My assessment so far is that this looks like a psychotic episode brought upon by mental trauma sustained long ago during the war. We’re talking sixty years of untreated combat neurosis, you know? Although they’re calling it “post-traumatic stress disorder” nowadays. But I’d like to keep him here for a couple of days just to make sure. He’s gotten something for the anxiety, so I hope he’s ready to talk to you.
[Sound of a cart wheel or gurney wheel squeaking, followed by a door latching closed and unintelligible speech]
DR. COLE: We’ve got some nice folks from the government here to visit. How are you feeling now, George? Do you think you can talk to them?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: A bit sleepy, but sure. All right. What medicine did you give me? It’s rather pleasant.
DR. COLE: A tranquilizer called valium. It’ll help with your nerves. I’d like to ask you a few questions, just to get a baseline for my chart.
AGENT CLAYTON: Is it okay if we keep recording?
DR. COLE: I don’t see why not, if George is okay with it. Okay, George, can you tell me your name?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: George Quincy Owens.
DR. COLE: What is the date today?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: I don’t know. I keep hearing that it’s 1980. But how can it be 1980? I was just standing in my backyard, and I swear it was July 1st, 1919! And then it was night, and I was outside, and then I lost track of time. Finally, I was in a museum, in-in this form! And then these gentlemen who called themselves policemen put me in irons!
DR. COLE: Today is July 17th. Can you tell me who the President of the United States is?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Woodrow Wilson. At least he was. If it really is 1980, I have no idea! [clearing throat] Who is the President, young man?
AGENT CLAYTON: Jimmy Carter. I voted for him.
AGENT GARCIA: Oh! I did too, Jeff.
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: You can vote, miss? So, all the states voted for it after all. Huh.
AGENT GARCIA [nervously laughing]: Of course I can vote. Why wouldn’t I be able to?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Because you’re a woman.
DR. COLE: Not to break up talking politics here, Izzy, but I do have a few more questions. George, do you ever hear voices when nobody else is around? Or see things that other people can’t see?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: No, never.
DR. COLE: Do you ever have any thoughts that you’re being followed, or that someone is out to get you?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: During the war, yes. It was nothing but fear for the whole First Infantry Division in St. Mihiel. But not since.
DR. COLE: Do you ever feel like you’re not in control of your own thoughts, George?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: No. No. I just…I’d like to know why I’m here, and why I’m so old and tired! And what happened to my house, my gun, and my brother.
DR. COLE: Before we talk about that, let’s take a short break here. I’m going to use the restroom. Would you like a glass of water? Maybe a snack? Any of you?
[Recording ends.]
▼
[The following document appears to be misfiled. There are no notes as to where it came from or in what file it belongs:]
February 25th, 1993
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Trench,
We discussed them earlier, but the results of Susanna’s labs from her recent hospital stay are enclosed and summarized here for your records: Her bloodwork is basically normal other than a slightly elevated white blood cell count. This could indicate a recent infection, but fortunately her blood cultures and spinal tap cultures were all negative, so her fever and seizures aren’t from meningitis or anything like that. She was also negative for syphilis and tuberculosis; we are looking into antibody testing for Lyme disease (we don’t believe she was ever exposed to those pathogens at any point, but we are just covering our bases). We did not test for malaria or other “tropical” pathogens, as you had indicated no history of travel outside the country. We’ll keep digging into this; it is okay to keep giving her the children’s Tylenol for now if her fever spikes.
Sincerely,
AK
Dr. Amishi A. Kaur
[Stapled to this document is a report from a clinical laboratory with a series of numbers and ranges – the results of blood tests.]
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Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #51 (July 18th, 1980):
Some days I wonder if something about the Oldest House alters our perceptions of reality while we’re in it. Or maybe I’m going crazy from too many long nights in the lab. Either way, I can’t stop thinking about what happened at that meeting: Northmoor thanked me, and then he invited me back this morning to brief him on the DC investigation again, even though Lawton’s been back since Tuesday! He’s not going to get anything from me that he hasn’t gotten from Investigations. His secretary even brought us coffee. Who is this man and what has he done with the Director? Did he really think I visited him in Medical as a gesture of goodwill? Or maybe his little episode of Board-sanctioned overheating made him suddenly confront the realities of his own rude, miserable life. God, maybe I should send him a snappy letter more often!
▼
[Taped to the below transcript is a handwritten sticky note reading “Continuation of Transcript B3.-ZT”]
DR. COLE: Agent Clayton, are you recording? Where were we?
AGENT CLAYTON: Yes. We were asking Mr. Owens about his gun, his house, and his brother.
DR. COLE: Right. George, why don’t you tell us about your house?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: My house is downtown, north of the White House. Maybe by a mile or so, I’m not sure what the street is called anymore. It’s a little townhouse, with a narrow yard. I lived there with my father when I returned from the war. There’s a whitewashed fence and a big, old apple tree in the back. When I was just a boy, my father taught me and Henry how to shoot a pistol by aiming it at the trunk. That would’ve been years before the war started. That’s where I fired my gun the night I [unintelligible] I came here.
AGENT GARCIA: There aren’t many houses up there anymore. Now it’s mostly apartment blocks and parks and federal buildings.
DR. COLE: What were you saying about a gun? Tell us about it.
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Right. My father would take us outside to shoot at that tree sometimes, whenever we would feel angry or upset, because he said that it would steady our nerves and help us focus. Sometimes, he would leave the pistol unloaded, and Henry and I would just play soldier. Pointing the gun, hollering, pretending we were marching into battle or leading a cavalry charge. It was just a game, of course. That was ten years before we both were at St. Mihiel. Before he was captured by the Germans and never came back.
DR. COLE: Henry is your brother?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Yes. Henry James Owens. The night I came here, I was upset. I was quite upset. I was thinking about Henry and how we used to play together, and how I’d never see him again, and I think I wanted to shoot a gun to steady my nerves. My father no longer had his old pistol, so I…took the musket instead. I always wanted to shoot it as a child, but my father forbade me from even touching it. So we kept it above the fireplace. It was easy for me to reach up and grab it as a grown man.
AGENT CLAYTON: You had a musket?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Yes. My great-great grandfather, Samuel Owens, fought in the American Revolution. It was his musket, as was the little case with the ammunition and the cleaning tools. They were passed to his son, and eventually to my father.
AGENT GARCIA: So you took the musket outside, and what, shot it at the apple tree? To blow off steam, or because you were upset because you missed your brother?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Yes. That’s right. I was talking to myself as I loaded it. I held up the gun, and I remember saying something, as if Henry and I were still playing. I aimed, pulled the trigger, heard the shot, and then I…woke up. Here, and like…this.
AGENT GARCIA: Dr. Cole, I’m so sorry to interrupt, but I think we’re approaching the end of this tape. Jeff’s got another cassette in his briefcase. Let’s change it before we continue recording.
DR. COLE: All right.
[The tape stops]
▼
Dr. Ash,
Thank you again for the update. It’s an interesting case that certainly merits a little monitoring, and your explanations are clearer than Lawton’s. He rambles incessantly and always seems like he’s ready to soil himself in my presence! Let’s make this briefing a standing meeting every Thursday, if you don’t mind.
Does 9 AM work?
Director Broderick Northmoor
PS. I didn’t imagine a scientist like you to be the type to like black coffee that strong. That’s how jokes work, correct?
▼
Director,
That’s because you never went to graduate school - and you don’t see me in my office at night. My friend Barry from Containment (you may know him personally as he works directly under Jones), has something much stronger and much better than black coffee, believe me.
9 AM is fine.
T. Ash
▼
July 21st, 1980
Dear Dr. Ash,
I got a call from Cohen at our ACRFO again this morning. The elderly break-in suspect, a Mr. George Owens, is being transferred to long-term care at St. Elizabeth’s in DC, as neither our agents nor the police could locate his next of kin (they are continuing to search). It appears that he may be schizophrenic and has been prescribed Haldol. So far, not paranatural, just plausibly insane, but Cohen wants to keep an eye on him. We’re standing by until we hear more.
Tom
Thomas Lawton
Head, Investigations Sector
▼
FROM THE DESK OF DIRECTOR NORTHMOOR
Dr. Ash,
Drinking at work - I’ll have to make an immediate note of this in your personnel file! However, I can also guarantee that whatever Barry has is toilet water compared to what I have in my office. Perhaps someday we will have a late-evening meeting and I will properly acquaint you.
Director Broderick Northmoor
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Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #52 (July 24th, 1980):
I don’t even know why we’re meeting. If I’m believing what Lawton is saying, there’s barely anything here to even meet about. But Northmoor and I had that standing meeting again, and I…rather enjoyed it. This makes no sense. Either I’ve come under paranatural influence somehow, or Northmoor has. Maybe the Board’s playing a trick on me, and testing my resolve, or…maybe I should talk to Dr. Rosen? Because the other shoe’s going to drop here eventually. I feel like I must be playing in a bear trap, and any second now, there’s going to be a lot of blood and even more pain. Because that’s how it goes with Northmoor.
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July 25th, 1980
To All Employees of the Federal Bureau of Control:
Please avoid the main lobby of Executive Affairs for the remainder of today (July 25th). There’s been an incident with a defective disposable butane lighter(?) in the men’s restroom located off this lobby. Fortunately, nobody was injured in the resulting fire, but Investigations and Containment have both been notified of the potential that this is a minor paranatural event. As a lighter is smoking paraphernalia, my previous bulletin about not smoking still applies; please also be mindful to not transport any objects in and out of the Oldest House on your person!
Thank you for your attention.
Bill Powers
Communications Chief
Federal Bureau of Control
▼
July 28th, 1980
Dr. Ash,
I’d presume you got Mr. Powers’ latest bulletin on Friday and have already deduced what happened. But I’m not writing to admonish you this time - it’s not your fault. The Director is unwell, and I am concerned by two such “paranatural episodes” in less than a month, when we thought things were very well-controlled. We are keeping him in Medical this time and running some tests to ascertain the cause of his sudden, anomalously high body temperature. I am disclosing these confidential details to you because the Director wished for me to do so. I will inform you once it is safe to visit (presuming you’d want to). Have a pleasant day – they are predicting a cooler week than last, at least.
Dr. Frank Rosen
Head Staff Physician
Federal Bureau of Control
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[Taped to this letter is a handwritten sticky note reading “Not sure which ‘Barry from Containment’ this is, but he’s a significant player in this story: Barry Wentz? Barry Wilson? Barry Strickland?-ZT”]
Ted,
What’s going on? I’m hearing guys up here talking about something happening at some sort of museum. Was that the same museum you were telling me about last week, or are museums just paranatural hot spots now? Have you heard anything?
…Or is this a prank? Aren’t most of those banned at the Bureau because of their archetypal potential?
Coffee later?
Barry
▼
August 4th, 1980
Dear Dr. Ash,
Replying to your inquiry. I’m not sure what sort of gossip has reached Containment, but we may be upgrading the situation in DC to Category Orange based on what I received last night. Pardon my brevity – I’m flying out of LaGuardia to DC later this afternoon to meet with Cohen to assess this situation myself. Will brief you when I get back, but stick around your office during the afternoons in case I call you earlier.
Tom
Thomas Lawton
Head, Investigations Sector
▼
TRANSCRIPT C1: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION INCIDENT
[Sound of shuffling papers]
AGENT GARCIA: And we’re back, live, from the Smithsonian!
AGENT CLAYTON: What is this, Izzy, a news program? Going all John Chancellor on me?
AGENT GARCIA: Nah, I’m much more of a field reporter than an anchor, you know. [unintelligible] Bill, nice to see you again. I’m glad you brought your colleague too. Sir, could we get your name for our records?
MALE VOICE (identified as Carl Jackson): I’m Carl Jackson.
AGENT GARCIA: And you work here at the museum with Bill, correct? Where’re you from?
CARL JACKSON: Yes ma’am. Been here four years this September. Moved here from Charleston, South Carolina.
AGENT CLAYTON: So, one of you tell me what happened on Saturday afternoon. The first of the month.
BILL EDWARDS: There’s another cartridge missing from the musket display! That same musket I told you about last month. There were six of them, and now there are only five. I’m not nuts, I can-
CARL JACKSON [interrupting]: Man, there’s something going on with this gun. I hear scraping under my shoe, and the next thing I see, there’s a lead shot pellet stuck in there. Like buckshot, you know? Stuck in my shoe.
[Sound of a small metallic object rolling or sliding across a table]
BILL EDWARDS: Here. We saved it. This is just like what you’d find in one of those cartridges!
CARL JACKSON: And then we had that crazy old drunk guy, and then about two hours after I find the pellet, that girl comes in.
AGENT GARCIA: Girl? Mr. Jackson, what girl are you talking about?
CARL JACKSON: The girl taking pictures of the musket with that…that thing! Bill got a better look.
AGENT CLAYTON: What did she look like?
BILL EDWARDS: She was young, maybe high school-age. Asian, I think? Wearing black jeans and a leather jacket, a white blouse, and a necklace with little green stone beads, and, um, had a ponytail. She seemed real nervous but she wasn’t standing out. She looked like any other girl, really. What was strange was what she was holding. It was almost like a little tablet. It–it had a lens, and based on how she was holding it, I think it was some kind of camera that she was using to take photos of the musket. But when I walked around to have a better look, I saw that it had a screen on it, almost like a small television. And she was touching the picture and moving it around with her hands!
CARL JACKSON: Like some spy shit. You’re both with the government, you ever see anything like that before? The Soviets have anything like that? Bill, I’m telling you, maybe she was a Chinese spy.
AGENT GARCIA: No. I’ve never heard of anything like that, but it could be some type of new covert technology. Did either of you approach this girl or speak with her at all?
CARL JACKSON: Naw, Bill got a bit too close, and she spooked and ran.
BILL EDWARDS: As I said, she was nervous. Don’t listen to him, a spy wouldn’t be nervous. They train them not to be.
AGENT CLAYTON: Have you seen her since?
BILL EDWARDS: No. But my supervisor, Mr. Brown, said he saw a girl that matched her description just this morning, so I wonder if she’s still around and might come back for another visit. If we see her again, should we call you?
AGENT CLAYTON: Yes, please do. Today, tomorrow, next week. We’re never far away from here.
▼
Dr. Ash,
Thank you for the get-well card and that nice little bottle of rum. It was a surprise to receive a gift. Unfortunately, I’ve been advised to not consume alcoholic beverages for a while (I know the Board would not mind, but it’s the humans in Medical that do).
I am starting to think you and I just got off on the wrong foot, if one can stand on the wrong foot for sixteen years. I am sorry for how things have transpired at times. Perhaps now we can both find our true footing going forward, if this infernal fever ever subsides. Dr. Rosen is concerned, but I view this simply as the awakening of my true power/talent/authority.
Director Broderick Northmoor
▼
Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #54 (August 5th, 1980):
Wow. Lawton called me and things are getting interesting. A hallucinating veteran and now a teenage girl with an unusual device? Three separate events at the Smithsonian can’t be just luck, can it? I filled out our scoring forms for suspected paranatural events, and this one’s in the moderate chance category now, presuming I didn’t bias it somehow. It’s like everything accelerated all at once. [short pause] I know, I probably talk too much about Northmoor, like I’m some eager stock trader whose tyrannical boss occupies way too much room in his frontal cortex, but the truth is, I’m…concerned about him. Wow, there’s something I never thought I’d be caught dead saying just two months ago.
▼
TRANSCRIPT C2: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION INCIDENT
AGENT CLAYTON: This is Jeffrey Clayton, Badge Number 22-ACR-U43. We got a call from Timothy Brown at the National Museum of History and Technology. We are now interviewing Katie Choi, the subject identified for us by the two guards, Carl Jackson and Bill Edwards.
FEMALE VOICE (identified as Katie Choi): Am I in trouble? Why are you taping me?
AGENT GARCIA: The recording is just for our records. You’re not under arrest or anything.
KATIE CHOI: Arrest? Are you guys cops?
AGENT GARCIA: No. We’re not police. But we do solve mysteries, sort of like the cops.
KATIE CHOI: Good, because this is a pretty good one, and I have a lot of questions. Why do the cars look funny here? Why do I look funny here? Why does my little museum brochure say that it’s 1980 when it’s clearly 2013?
AGENT GARCIA: That’s what we’re trying to get to the bottom of, Katie. That’s why we’re asking questions too. First, can you tell us where you’re from, and why you’re here?
KATIE CHOI: I’m from Sacramento, California. I was here visiting the Capital with my two sisters.
AGENT CLAYTON: What are their names?
KATIE CHOI: Lucy Choi and Iris Choi-Langford. They’re both doctors. Lucy is 52 and Iris is 48. I’m 50, so the middle child.
AGENT CLAYTON: You don’t look 50. When were you born?
KATIE CHOI: February 1st, 1963.
AGENT CLAYTON: That would make you 17.
KATIE CHOI: I know I look young, but I swear, I’m actually 50! I, I, um, I don’t know what’s going on, but here, let me prove it. Let me show you a picture of me and my sisters.
AGENT GARCIA: What is that thing that you’re holding?
KATIE CHOI: This? It’s my phone.
AGENT GARCIA: That’s a phone? Like a telephone?
KATIE CHOI: Yeah. It’s an iPhone. You don’t have one?
AGENT GARCIA: No. I’ve never seen anything like that before! Where did you get this? Did someone give this to you and ask you to use it in some specific way? Is someone coercing you to-
KATIE CHOI [interrupting]: No, I got it at the Apple Store back in California. Here, look. [long pause] It’s a phone, but it’s also got a camera, maps, an app that plays music, and you can use it to get on the Internet. Look things up or, um, check your e-mail. It’s like a little computer. [long pause] That’s Iris on the right, and Lucy on the left. That’s me in the middle. We were at an art show here. Yes, just swipe with your finger like that.
AGENT GARCIA: It responds to you touching the screen. Jeff, look at this!
AGENT CLAYTON: Izzy, go find Mr. Brown again and ask him if you can make a call. I’d like Cohen to pass the word to Bureau HQ about this device.
AGENT GARCIA: Now?
AGENT CLAYTON: Yes. I’ll keep talking to her here. Should be too long.
[Footsteps, sound of door opening and closing.]
KATIE CHOI: I can’t believe neither of you have seen a phone like this before. They’re everywhere. They’re one of the interesting new technologies of the 2010s. Like, you could record us with this too, you wouldn’t need to use an old tape recorder like that.
AGENT CLAYTON: You keep saying 2010s. It’s 1980. Today is August 6th, 1980. The 2010s, they’re, um, thirty years from now.
KATIE CHOI: But how is it 1980? I was just visiting the museum! My sisters and I were at some Revolutionary War weapons demonstration. I fainted, because I probably was just light-headed from walking all day in the heat, and now you’re telling me it’s magically 1980 and I’m in high school? I slept at the train station for three days before I found a hotel, I’m running out of money because I’ve been eating nothing but McDonalds for almost a week and my credit card doesn’t work. What the hell happened? Am I crazy, or having a stroke, or did someone drug me, or-
AGENT CLAYTON [interrupting]: Okay, slow down a minute. Did you say a weapons demonstration? Like with guns?
▼▼▼
Chapter Text
IV.
[The third folder in the “STATISTICS” box, labeled: “MORE FILES FROM 1980” contains the following documents:]
TRANSCRIPT S1C: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION INCIDENT SUPPLEMENT.
[Some nondescript noise, possibly traffic in the distance, is audible in the background.]
AGENT GARCIA: Have you ever kept a journal? Because we can use this almost like a journal. Imagine this as a blank page where you can just share your thoughts and observations. Right now, it’s just you and me, sitting at my kitchen table, drinking lemonade.
KATIE CHOI: What’s the date today? Isn’t that the first thing you write in a journal? The date?
AGENT GARCIA: You’re right. It’s August 9th today. Saturday.
KATIE CHOI: Where’s your friend, that other agent guy? Is he coming over?
AGENT GARCIA: Jeff? No, he’s at St. Elizabeth’s today. Do you know where that is? St. Elizabeth’s?
KATIE CHOI: No. Is that some sort of church?
AGENT GARCIA: No, it’s a government hospital for people who are mentally ill. He’s visiting a patient there.
KATIE CHOI: I hope you don’t send me there. I like it better here at your place. Did you know that you can just see the Capitol building around the corner if you poke your head out the window? You could probably throw a rock and hit Congress if you wanted!
AGENT GARCIA: Well, these days, who doesn’t want to throw rocks at Congress? And no, you can stay here as long as you’d like. The Bureau doesn’t want unaccompanied minors being alone in the city. But I’m going to be real curious about that gun!
KATIE CHOI: Well, what do you want to know about it?
AGENT GARCIA: What happened just before you fainted at the museum?
KATIE CHOI: I was outside where they were having the demonstration. I was holding that gun, the one in the display case that I took pictures of with my phone. Iris took a picture of me, and then right as I handed it back to the tour guide, who was a historical weapons expert, it went off. Either his finger or mine would’ve been near the trigger when it fired. It was an accident, and it shot toward the targets, fortunately toward the area, um, where nobody was supposed to walk. The gunshot was really loud. It startled me. I remember feeling dizzy and making a joke to my sisters.
AGENT GARCIA: Do you remember the joke?
KATIE CHOI: Something like “well, if I shoot like that in the battle, we might as well all just retreat.” The weapons guy laughed. And then everything went black, and I passed out.
AGENT GARCIA: That’s a pretty good joke, though. Oh. I need to change the tape here, I’m so bad with this since our office switched to these cassettes. [Frustrated noise, unintelligible speech], I’m so absent-minded, I swear. I think I need another cup of coffee. Do you want to see a movie later?
KATIE CHOI: Sure! What movie?
AGENT GARCIA: Let’s take the bus to the theater and see what’s playing. I hear that golf movie, “Caddyshack”, is pretty funn-
[The tape cuts out.]
▼
[There is another misfiled document stuck to the back of the transcript:]
August 12th, 1993
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Trench,
I called several times and received no answer, so have decided to write again instead. Good news: we reviewed your daughter Susanna’s CT and MRI scans this morning and they are all unremarkable. There are no signs of tumors, lesions, infarcts, or congenital abnormalities in her brain. I’d like to increase the dose of the valproate just to see if anything can resolve these seizures, but we’re already getting into the range of a very high dose for a four-year-old. Please call my office at your earliest convenience and we can discuss things further – I’d like to know if her fever is down or if that rash has improved.
Sincerely,
AK
Dr. Amishi A. Kaur
▼
August 11th, 1980
Dear Dr. Ash,
It was nice to talk on the phone for a while while I was in DC. I’m back in the City now, and in this mail tube are more documents from Mr. Cohen that summarize the current status of the investigation. This is intriguing, and you’ll want to read for yourself. Call me as soon as you do, and we’ll discuss the next steps regarding the “device” and both subjects. Category Orange for sure, which means per procedure we’ll have to file our initial paranatural threat assessment report and an Altered item Probability Checklist by Friday - this got real in a hurry.
Tom
Thomas Lawton
Head, Investigations Sector
[Clipped to the document enclosed with Lawton’s letter is a brief note:]
Tom,
Our visit was productive, thank you for coming. Per your request, a preliminary executive summary of the incidents is attached. We believe these three incidents are linked, with the musket being the common feature to all three of them. The device mentioned should arrive at your HQ by September 1st at the latest. Let me know how we should proceed here.
Dan Cohen
REPORT #1 – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION INCIDENT
On July 1st, 1980, a security guard at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of History and Technology observed several unusual occurrences related to an American Revolution-era musket (from 1775) that is currently on display in the museum. The guard, Mr. Bill Edwards, reported to Bureau agents that a cartridge displayed with the gun “went missing”, and that evening, a damage pattern consistent with a projectile from such a firearm was observed in a restricted storage area in the museum, along with broken tree bark. The characteristic odor of gunpowder was also noted in the area. Museum logs revealed that nobody had accessed the musket’s display case for eight months prior to the incident.
Nine days later, on July 10th, Mr. Edwards and another guard, Mr. Carl Jackson, alerted law enforcement to the presence of a potentially intoxicated intruder in the museum after its closing. DC Metro Police arrived on scene and arrested an elderly WWI veteran, Mr. George Quincy Owens, who appeared to be in WWI “period costume.” Displaying disorientation, delusions, and aggression, Mr. Owens was taken to Providence Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation the next day. He seemed poorly oriented to place and time, believing that the police were “Germans” who had captured his brother during the war, and that it was 1919 when he fired a “musket” at his Washington, DC residence the previous week. The attending psychiatrist at Providence diagnosed him with long-term combat neurosis, psychosis potentially related to schizophrenia, and possible senility; he has been remitted to St. Elizabeth’s hospital where he remains in inpatient care while police and Bureau agents attempt to locate his next of kin.
On August 3rd, Messrs. Edwards and Jackson again reported strange observances concerning the musket to Bureau agents. Another one of its cartridges was gone, stray shot pellets were found on the floor, and a teenage girl was discovered taking photographs (assumedly) of the musket with an unusual tablet-like device. The seventeen-year-old girl, Ms. Katherine (Katie) Choi, like Mr. Owens, was confused and anxious upon questioning by Bureau agents. She believed herself to be fifty years of age, spoke repeatedly about the year “2013” and used words like “e-mail” and “the Internet.” She described attending a historic weapons demonstration at the National Museum of History and Technology that was co-sponsored by the National Firearms Museum in Fairfax. At this demonstration, an American Revolution-era musket was fired or discharged shortly after she had held or touched it. As a possible result of this incident, she fainted. As Ms. Choi is a minor and is not under investigation for any crime the Bureau has allowed her to temporarily stay with ACRFO Agent Isabel Garcia, as she did not have the money for accomodations.
Per Agent Garcia’s persuasion, Ms. Choi’s device was surrendered to the agents, where it is now under joint investigation by the FBC, FBI, and CIA. Current theories, as well as Ms. Choi’s background, do not align with the assumption that this device was being used for espionage purposes. As soon as it is released from CIA custody, the device will be sent to FBC Headquarters in New York for analysis.
▼
Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #55 (August 14th, 1980):
Wow. It’s day five-thousand-eight-hundred-and-fifty-three, and it looks like we might actually have an Altered item. These incidents in DC seem to all point at a two-hundred-and-five-year-old gun. It might be spontaneously firing, and two people have now showed up at the history museum confused about what year it is. My first hypothesis here, which, well, isn’t much, considering I’m going off a one-page summary that Lawton sent, is that the item’s got some kind of unusual energy field. Well, all Altered items do, if our instruments are to be believed, but this one seems to be bending people’s perception, inducing hallucinations, and maybe even changing their memories. It might be something similar to our re-informing protocols, but I probably shouldn’t talk about that too loudly on tape. Eventually, we’re supposed to get sent some sort of strange device that was brought in as part of the investigation, and of course, there will be a lot of paperwork. I’m going to have a meeting of my department heads tomorrow and get their thoughts. While I’m on the topic of meetings, today was my first time meeting with Northmoor since he was allowed to leave Medical. And…he thanked me again and even shook my hand and…I’ve never seen him look at me like that before. I-I still don’t know how it makes me feel. It’s all just so new, and so different, and maybe I’m not supposed to know. I’m going to try not to think about it.
▼
Hey Ted!
Another day of paperwork, and boy, is it a slow one! I feel like I’ve spent more time staring at the clock than working today. Do you remember that time back in ’72 (I think) where you came over to my apartment and we went into the basement? And after a couple of beers, you tripped on the edge of the table and accidentally put your foot through that cheapo wall paneling, and it turned out there was a secret compartment back there? I know, I know, it’s probably just a coal chute, but I was talking to a friend of my landlord over the weekend, and his dad thinks the basement may have been a pinball arcade in the 1930s, way back even before pinball was illegal in the city! It makes me wonder if some Mafioso ever hid a briefcase of money in there. Coffee tomorrow at 4? If not, brunch Monday?
Barry
▼
DATE: August 15th, 1980
ASSESSOR: T. Lawton
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE OBJECT OR INCIDENT UNDER INVESTIGATION: Paranatural incidents linked to musket from 1775 used in the American Revolution
Please check the entries below.
1. Does the suspected paranatural incident associate with or link to an object? (if NO, please refer to form IS-7030)
X Yes No
2. Is the object one that most average people would readily recognize?
X Yes No
3. Is the object used in a holiday or other ritual, or can it be associated with a certain place (e.g., city, region, country), religious or cultural phenomenon, or historical event?
X Yes No
4. Does exposure to or interaction with the object cause (or has it caused) abnormal sensory input or emotional states, hallucinations or psychosis, a scientifically inexplicable illness, disfigurement, or death of a human or animal, destruction of property, or does it allow any form of “communication” with an alien or occult entity? (If yes, proceed to question #5).
X Yes No
5. Have these experiences or occurrences (question #4) persisted in the absence of external substances (e.g., intoxicants), medical conditions, or psychological trauma in the observers?
X Yes No [someone has written “Maybe”]
6. Does the object possess any unusual physical properties (e.g., strange or unexpected functions, spontaneous duplication, translocation, levitation, speech, or otherwise any property which alters the perception of, or causes direct manipulation of, time or space?)
X Yes No [someone has written “perception of time, yes?”]
7. Have there been multiple incidents associated with this object?
X Yes No
8. Is this object, even if unaltered, potentially dangerous to others (e.g., is it a vehicle, large or heavy machine or appliance, weapon, or hazardous substance?)
X Yes No
▼
Barry,
You ARE bored. I do remember that incident though. It feels like it was an entire epoch ago! Did you ever replace that ugly paneling, or are you enjoying having your own little makeshift coal dust-covered safe in the wall to stash your girlie magazines in? And don’t mobsters hide their money in violin cases? Or is that where they keep their tommy guns? I always forget, and probably for the best, lest something archetypal like that creep in too much at work. The tubes seem slow today, and I got your note just now, so brunch Monday it is. How about that newer little Italian place a couple blocks north?
Ted
▼
Dr. Ash,
Thank you for your inquiry about my welfare. My apologies for the delayed response: my recovery has, again, been slower than I like. I feel woozy today and thus have delegated some responsibilities to my Deputy Chief and Chief of Staff. While I wait for contact from the Board, I could use a distraction. Dr. Rosen keeps obnoxiously insisting that I eat regularly, so I am wondering - would you like to have lunch today after our regular meeting? Send me a letter at your earliest convenience.
Director Broderick Northmoor
▼
TRANSCRIPT S1O: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION SUPPLEMENT
AGENT CLAYTON: This is Agent Jeffrey Clayton, badge Number 22-ACR-U43. Today is August 19th, 1980. This is my second interview with George Quincy Owens, and I’ve got a nurse here too. Ma’am, do you think you could say a few words for my records?
FEMALE VOICE (identified as Christine Lawrence): I’m Chrissy. I’m just here to take notes for the doctor. You know, in case we need to adjust Mr. Owens’ medication or something.
AGENT CLAYTON: George, how are things with you today?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Oh, I’m quite tired. And the food here is unpalatable! Miss Lawrence, I simply can’t tolerate any more applesauce, or Jell-O, or-
AGENT CLAYTON: I talked with your doctor. Dr. Hawkins, was it?
CHRISTINE LAWRENCE: That’s right.
AGENT CLAYTON: He’s wondering whether the Haldol is working, and he’s also pretty concerned about your memory loss. And we’re also interested in what you remember, for our investigation. I made a little list of [unintelligible] and events. This will help both us and Dr. Hawkins.
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Haven’t you got any beef hash? Or maybe a nice Waldorf salad?
CHRISTINE LAWRENCE: I’ll talk to the kitchen if you talk to Agent Clayton.
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: You’ve got a deal.
AGENT CLAYTON: Ok. Do you remember in what decade the television was invented?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Television? Is that that box with the people inside? I-I have no idea. The first time I ever saw that contraption in my life was here.
AGENT CLAYTON: Okay, next question. In what year did Richard Nixon resign?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Who?
AGENT CLAYTON: Richard Nixon. President Richard Nixon? Watergate? Does that ring a bell?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Never heard of him, or any Watergate.
AGENT CLAYTON [sighing]: Okay, um, what year did the stock market crash and cause the Great Depression? [there’s a long pause; Mr. Owens does not answer.] How about when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and got us involved in the Second World War? Do you remember what year that was, George?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: There was a second war? When?
AGENT CLAYTON: Yes. There was. It started in 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. I know you’ve heard of Germany.
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: 1939. I’d have been 42 years old. I could never imagine being in my forties when all I know is being 22. It’s rough enough for a young man these days without going to war, you know?
AGENT CLAYTON: I’m sorry. I lost my train of thought for a second there. Did you say that you’re 22 years old?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Yes. Or I should be, at least.
CHRISTINE LAWRENCE: [short pause] Should I find Dr. Hawkins, Sir?
AGENT CLAYTON: That might be a good idea. Let’s stop here.
[Recording ends.]
▼
Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #56 (August 21st, 1980):
Northmoor and I had lunch yesterday, and we’re going to file that under “more things that I thought would never happen.” I could barely eat because my hands were shaking so badly. I couldn’t make eye contact. It’s like I was nervous, but at the same time I wasn’t, and it kept getting worse, and now I can’t even think about Northmoor without feeling like there’s something in me that’s feeding off my embarrassment. It’s growing. What next, it eventually develops sentience? I still don’t understand it. Why am I like this? Shit, why is he like this? It’s been a good forty days since he tore my head off for a minor indiscretion, which is some sort of odd Bureau record, if we’re keeping track. [short pause] Anyway, Northmoor pointed out something interesting. The DC case is the second case of firearms having paranatural properties, and we’ve never had two of the same item before like this. I think when things calm down that I’d like to interview him about the Service Weapon. See if anything might overlap.
▼
[This transcript is missing a title and date, but there is a yellow sticky note on the corner which reads: “Likely Late August 1980, so filed here – ZT"]
THEODORE ASH JR.: So, um, when’s the last time you got interviewed on tape?
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Oh, there are always interviews whenever there’s an episode with my powers. At least this is different from the endless questions about my temperature or my bathroom habits.
THEODORE ASH JR.: I’d imagine that those do get tiresome, Director.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: They do. And Broderick is fine.
THEODORE ASH JR: [short pause] Right, um-
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: I never asked you what you prefer. More than a decade-and-a-half of working together, and I never asked, Board forgive me. Is this official record? Should I call your Dr. Ash, or?
THEODORE ASH JR: I mean, Ted is okay. Just not Theo. That was what my father called me, but maybe that’s bygones being bygones. [short pause] And no, this is just for my notes. I’ll just transcribe it and stick it in a drawer somewhere.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Okay, then, Ted. You had some questions for me? Something related to this musket case?
THEODORE ASH JR: Yeah. About your pistol. The Service Weapon. I’m interested in how its paranatural properties influence your perceptions of things, mostly regarding time and place. So, tell me how you’ve interacted with it lately. I know you’ve fired it down in the training range.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Yes, of course I have. Dr. Rosen usually monitors me to look for any unusual paranatural observations. Or one of his folks does, at least. Surprised you don’t have those reports by now.
THEODORE ASH JR: When you shoot it, do you ever feel like you are in the wrong year? Or like you exist outside of time, or do you ever feel that you were suddenly in a place that you didn’t recognize or understand?
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: No. Everything is either normal reality or under the usual influence of the Board.
THEODORE ASH JR: And none of what I mentioned is within the scope of the Board’s normal influence, correct?
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: That’s correct.
THEODORE ASH JR: And have you ever felt, when you’ve held the gun, like your memory’s gotten changed? Like something doesn’t seem quite right, where you remember something wrong, or someone else says “no, it didn’t go like that?” Are there any gaps in your memory where you don’t remember anything at all?
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: No, never. Although I wish I could forget my recent illness.
THEODORE ASH JR: I understand. That sounded- is there- is there anything I can do?
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Ah, thanks, it pains me to say it some days [laughing], but right now your company is enough. Just keep doing what you’re doing, I guess. Sorry I’m not more help here. It just looks like your gun isn’t quite like mine.
THEODORE ASH JR: It’s all right, thanks for coming down.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Didn’t Carl Jung say something about how sometimes a gun is just a gun?
THEODORE ASH JR: Oh, that was Sigmund Freud. It was a cigar. Well, it wasn’t a bad place to start, but sometimes you guess wrong, Dir - Broderick. Okay, that’s going to take some time to get used to!
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Ted. Ted. It will, Ted.
THEODORE ASH JR.: Broderick. Are you named after anyone?
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: I don’t think so. But I know you are.
THEODORE ASH JR.: I’ve, uh, got some-some bourbon. Do you want a drink, or is Medical still-
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Oh, why not. I’ve got nowhere to be for a while.
▼
August 22nd, 1980
Dear Dr. Ash,
Cohen saw the perfect 8/8 on the Form IS-7040, and he’s decided that we’re taking the musket into custody. It should be here by the middle of next week sometime. Information Control efforts might be tricky given the condition of some the affected subjects. We’re playing it by ear; more for you next week, I hope. ACRFO says they’re going to work on transcribing some of the interviews with the subjects so they can send those our way. We are also still waiting for the delivery of the “device” that Ms. Choi had. Should be any day now!
Tom
Thomas Lawton
Head, Investigations Sector
▼
August 25th, 1980
To All Employees of the Federal Bureau of Control:
Please avoid the security booth area of the main ground floor lobby. A package delivered to the Bureau several hours ago exploded in a small fireball shortly after a courier dropped it off just inside the front door. Investigations and Containment are on-site to assist; although the investigation is ongoing, we do not believe there is any current threat to Bureau Personnel. This also serves as a reminder to please follow all Bureau protocols for shipping hazardous material.
Bill Powers
Communications Chief
Federal Bureau of Control
▼
Ted,
What the hell? Did you get that bulletin about something blowing up in the lobby? A whole squad of Rangers rushed out of here about forty minutes ago. Was that a bomb? Could this be the work of that Unabomber guy?
Barry
▼▼▼
Chapter Text
V.
[The fourth folder in the “STATISTICS” box, labeled “More files from 1980 and gun investigation” contains the following: ]
Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #57 (August 26th, 1980):
I panicked. As soon as I got Powers’ letter, I panicked. I got right into the elevator, hit the button to Executive, and just ran into the Director’s office, and then I realized that whatever happened wasn’t him. I’m standing there hyperventilating and Northmoor’s laughing at me, and I realized that I never got a letter from Dr. Rosen. I was so worked up, that when I got back down to my office, I had to pour myself two fingers of whiskey at ten o’clock in the god damn morning. [short pause] I played the tape of our interview again. That calmed me down too. It’s almost like I wanted to hear his voice. It’s silly, but maybe it’s in case someday I can’t. Of course, what really blew up was that package we were expecting, the device that the Atlantic-Capital agents got from that young girl. There was barely anything left to study, just a few bits of metal and plastic, but I had Dr. Harrison get some elemental composition readings as soon as he could. Whatever was in there had a high concentration of lithium. Harrison claims that NASA did some experiments with lithium batteries, but he thought that using one in a little device like that would be far too advanced for our time. So it remains a mystery. The Oldest House has had some adverse reactions to modern technology before, but things just usually just vibrate or stop functioning. So, whatever this thing was, the House really didn’t like it.
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TRANSCRIPT S2C: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION INCIDENT SUPPLEMENT.
[Distant, unintelligible speech, followed by the sound of quick footsteps and what may be a chair sliding.]
AGENT GARCIA: Okay, there. Sorry. I had to get that, just an update from work. Are you ready?
KATIE CHOI: Yeah. The date is August 28th…Who was that?
AGENT GARCIA: Oh, just my boss.
KATIE CHOI: Why were you talking about the gun? The Revolutionary War one? What’s going on with it, are you taking it from the museum, or?
AGENT GARCIA: [sighing] Katie, you can’t just eavesdrop like that, it’s important work for the government. I could get in serious trouble with the Bureau.
KATIE CHOI: You never told me what you do. I’ve been staying with you three weeks, and I still don’t know what your job is, Izzy. You mentioned the Bureau. What Bureau? You’re not the FBI.
[Sound of a window opening, and what may be the flicking of a cigarette lighter.]
AGENT GARCIA: Do you want one?
KATIE CHOI: Ah, no thanks, I don’t smoke.
AGENT GARCIA: Well, we study strange things and strange events. Things the other Bureaus don’t.
KATIE CHOI: Like what? Alien abductions? Conspiracy theories? Who killed JFK, that sort of thing?
AGENT GARCIA: Sure. If we think they’re interesting. JFK’s not very interesting, though. That was just an angry communist sympathizer with a rifle that got lucky.
KATIE CHOI: If your Bureau is taking the gun, and the gun explains any of this, does that mean there’s a chance I’m stuck here in 1980? Because I’m an attorney, and my clients are going to be wondering where I-and my sisters too, of course, but-
AGENT GARCIA [interrupting]: That’s part of what my Bureau’s trying to figure out. They’re going to take it to a special building in New York City to find out more. In Manhattan. Have you ever been to Manhattan?
KATIE CHOI: No. I’ve been to New Jersey though. Why is it special?
AGENT GARCIA: Oh, let’s just say it’s a little tricky to get to. Even I wouldn’t know how to find it. [Short pause] Okay, now that I told you a little secret about me, can you tell me one about you?
KATIE CHOI: Sure. Can I…tell you about 2013?
AGENT GARCIA: Do you have flying cars?
KATIE CHOI: No. But we have electric ones, and they’re real sleek and aerodynamic, not like the boxy things you have here. You can plug them in, just like we plug in phones or laptops. Do you know what a laptop is? It’s like a, uh, computer that you can open or set in your lap. You can even take it on a train or plane and get on the Internet or work or play video games anywhere. People play games on their phones all the time too.
AGENT GARCIA: Video games? Like Space Invaders? On a phone?
KATIE CHOI: Sort of. And we have an African-American president, and a woman was Secretary of State until earlier this year, but we’ve had several women in that position now. Oh, and the Soviet Union collapsed, so it’s just Russia and a bunch of independent countries now, like Ukraine and Lithuania, you know? The Cold War’s been over for decades. But nobody’s nuked anyone, so that’s always a good thing.
AGENT GARCIA: [laughing] Wow.
KATIE CHOI: Why are you laughing? I’m not crazy, I swear. I’m not crazy, am I?
[Sound of a smoke alarm going off loudly.]
AGENT GARCIA: Damn it, that’s why I opened the window!
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[The following looks to be a photocopy of some typed research notes. A note on the top reads: “first official FBC research record I could find on this item - ZT”]
Date: 9/3/80
Examiner(s): P. Harrison, A. Marconi, F. DeJong
Recorder: F. DeJong
Subject: AI15-UE (musket) investigation
Physical Observations: Very old gun, consistent with stated age of 205 years, but kept in very good condition by the Smithsonian. Various textbooks consulted suggest a “Brown Bess long land pattern” flintlock musket. Likely made in England – a common weapon used by both sides in the American Revolution. Brought to HQ along with a case (leather with wooden block inside) that contains five paper-wrapped ammunition cartridges and a metal tool (for cleaning barrel?)
Paranatural Observations: None outwardly noted. All examiners reported normal emotions, thought patterns, senses, and physical status at distances down to 0.5-1 m from item, does not appear to have any proximity-based effects; no change in examiners was observed upon handling the gun with normal protective gloves. We especially paid attention to memory per Dr. Ash’s request; none of the examiners reported psychosis, unusual memories, or amnesia, even eighteen hours post-exposure. Item does not respond to ordinary speech. Oscilloscopic energy field monitoring is positive and low-frequency, potentially UE-class; much weaker signal than AI11-UE or AI7-KE; could be dormant or tied to historic AWE? Conclusions: Low risk of active threat but keep in storage crate in Examination Hall. Will try the following: Formulaic speech, additional handling, playing music, exposure to other historical artifacts.
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Ted,
Thank you for your report - so your best guess is that it IS Altered! What is the descriptor number and class you’ve assigned it, for my references?
I have a little bit more energy this week than last, so would you like to join me for dinner tomorrow evening? If so, I can make reservations. Perhaps we can even have that after-dinner meeting I keep referencing, we can have a drink, and you can share your theories about the gun. I will listen. I didn’t always before. I will now.
Broderick
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Broderick,
AI15-UE is what we’re using, but keep in mind we’re in the embryonic stages of our investigation. There’s not much to share but half-baked conjecture!
I’d love to join you, regardless.
T. Ash
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TRANSCRIPT S2O: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION SUPPLEMENT
AGENT CLAYTON: Agent Jeffrey Clayton speaking. My badge number is 22-ACR-U43. Today is September 4th, 1980. This is my third interview with George Quincy Owens. Nurse Christine Lawrence is here too. I’m following up on some more thoughts that HQ in New York’s having about the gun and its potential effect on memories, especially because the subject seems to have some retrograde amnesia, as assessed by-
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS [interrupting]: -I do not. I remember everything about my life quite clearly, young man! You just keep coming here and asking about people and events and inventions that I’ve never heard of!
AGENT CLAYTON: Okay, so let’s try something a little different, George. I want you to focus on a memory and describe it to me in as much detail as possible. I have a transcript of another one of our interviews here. And you, um, mentioned your house here in town. Could you tell me what street your house was on? And here, um, take my pen and write that address down too.
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: [unintelligible] strange-looking pen. And yes, I live on [squeaking of chair, unintelligible] street.
AGENT CLAYTON: Huh. I think I’ve been there. They tore down those row-houses a long time ago, and that land’s part of a park now, I think. And you – you mentioned that you had an apple tree in the backyard, that you and your father and brother used for target practice. Tell me more about the tree. Describe it to me.
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Oh, it was a big tree, probably a good fifty years old, with broken bits of bark where we shot at it. My father described it as being just a sapling when he was a boy. I think my grandfather must have planted it when he was young. The flowers were quite beautiful in the spring. White and very fragrant, and they’d attract so many bees. The backyard would be buzzing for weeks. Henry got stung once playing there one May, probably when he was six or seven years old.
AGENT CLAYTON: And did it make apples too? What did they look like?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Of course. They’d come in August and September. Oh, they were hard little green things. You couldn’t eat too many because they were so sour, but with enough sugar you could bake them into a fair enough pie. Henry and I would mostly throw them over the fence into the alley. One time, we-
AGENT CLAYTON [interrupting]: Oh, hello Dr. Hawkins. I didn’t see you out there in the hall!
Male Voice (identified as John Hawkins): Hi Jeff. Could I talk to you for just a moment out here? You too, Chrissy.
CHRISTINE LAWRENCE: George, why don’t you go watch TV for a little while?
[Sound of footsteps, voices grow distant]
JOHN HAWKINS: Okay, based on [unintelligible] and our observations, we’re not seeing much response to the Haldol. [unintelligible] think this is dementia either, just based on what I’m hearing.
CHRISTINE LAWRENCE: [unintelligible] thinking now?
[Sound of people talking, likely from a television].
JOHN HAWKINS: Well, first I’d like to [unintelligible]. Then we should do more tests.
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September 5th, 1980
Dear Dr. Ash,
Just giving you an update from Cohen and his team at ACRFO. The musket display at the Smithsonian has been rebuilt with an identical, period-appropriate model on loan from another museum in Virginia. Investigations has authorized the re-informing of the two museum guards, Edwards and Jackson. We are using a “light” version of protocol X1-200. We don’t want a complete annihilation of memory; we just don’t want them to remember us!
I hope the investigation is going well. Still waiting for those transcripts. Now they’re saying October.
Tom
Thomas Lawton
Head, Investigations Sector
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Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #58 (September 5th, 1980):
[Dr. Ash is slurring his words in this tape, as if he’s obviously drunk].
Today is day five-thousand-eight-hundred…oh, who cares. I don’t know what the hell’s gotten into me. We got back from dinner and had a few drinks in Northmoor’s office. I couldn’t stop myself from just looking at him, and somewhere in there, I realized that I…I appreciate him. I appreciate him so much, that it’s almost like…[there’s a pause of about five seconds, and what sounds like a glass or bottle clinking]. They say familiarity breeds contempt, but what the hell is it breeding now? What? Ah, thanks, Barry, for the liquid courage. For just allowing me to admit this all on tape. Shit, I’ll have to erase this, maybe.
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Hey Ted!
I’m going to come right out and say it: you didn’t see me, but I saw you on your way in, and you look like a real mess today. Coffee? Or maybe the hair of the dog that bit you? Jeez, I sure hope there’s some left in the bottle for me.
Barry
PS – You mentioned some sort of dinner engagement? You gonna tell me her name or what?
[Some handwriting on the bottom reads: “adding more potential candidates from old personnel file search. Could also be Barry Hallett, Barry Weakman, or Barry Gonzales – were all men here in the 80s named Barry? - ZT”]
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[Caught between the staples of the documents in this folder is the following letter:]
October 15th, 1993
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Trench,
I’m writing to provide an update. Sorry you could not reach me two days ago.
Here’s the truth: we’re starting to run out of options here. If this isn’t an infection, an autoimmune disorder, or cancer, what does that leave us with? These newer skin issues which she has developed almost look like low-grade radiation poisoning, but I can’t imagine what could mimic that (that isn’t radiation). We will keep trying, for Susanna’s sake. I’m committed to solving this, so I’m going to seek some second opinions from the PICU at Presbyterian while the folks here at Sinai keep your daughter as comfortable as possible. She really loves the pink teddy bear that Nurse Jamie gave her!
Sincerely,
AK
Dr. Amishi A. Kaur
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[The following is another copy of research notes:]
Date: 9/12/80
Examiner(s): P. Harrison, A. Marconi, F. DeJong
Recorder: F. DeJong
Subject: AI15-UE (musket) investigation
Observation Protocol: Continued monitoring Item’s energy field (See protocol FD-76-II-4a, still resembles UE class, blocked by Black Rock) while testing. Every thirty minutes, all examiners filled out a short series of questions designed to check their physical state, mental state, and memories (forms RS-P10, A through C).
Observations: Item still not responding, by either metric (oscilloscope or examiner questionnaire), to presence of people, ordinary speech or handling (including manipulating trigger and firing mechanism). Item also did not respond to:
-Music (including rock, jazz, and classical)
-Clapping, cheering, whistling, stomping, or banging on laboratory bench
-Formulaic speech (including words related to the American Revolution such as “minutemen”, “redcoat”, “Bunker Hill”, “1776”, “Paul Revere”, and “George Washington”, a small set of firearm-related words, and others that have been flagged as “hot” for other Items, e.g., for AI14-AE)
-Presence of history textbooks, museum pamphlets, or other “Revolutionary War” paraphernalia
-Speaking in a “British” accent (it was Anna’s idea, but a valid one!)
Conclusions: Item still appears inert. Other ideas: “fife and drum” music? Maybe the effect is tied to a specific location (Museum? Location of battle? Where the original owner lived?) Solicit others for potentially archetypal words? Will confer with Dr. Ash.
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[A note on top reads: “September 1980?? Late September probably–ZT”]
THEODORE ASH JR.: Thanks so much for coming back. I know you’re busy.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: I’ll help any way I can. Hey, I have a magical gun, so I suppose it’s only fair that you have one too.
THEODORE ASH JR.: Well, presuming we ever figure out what it responds to. My guys are down there singing “Yankee Doodle” and parading around in American Revolution costumes. They even have those silly hats with three corners. It’s gotten quite ludicrous.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR [laughing]: So, you want some words or concepts that have to do with a gun? You probably have all of these already, but how about: muzzle, recoil, shooting range, semi-automatic, powder burn. Ramrod? Don’t muskets use ramrods? You could even try “Board”, although I doubt there’s any connection between it and the Board. Unless the House is deactivating it somehow?
THEODORE ASH JR.: Well, that’s one hypothesis we’ve had. That the effect seems to be tied to geography, or to the museum itself somehow – and thanks. I had all those words except for “recoil.”
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: What about the cartridges? Lawton’s report said that they were disappearing?
THEODORE ASH JR.: Well, the gun’s energy field increases by a couple percent in magnitude when the cartridges are nearby, but we think they’re pretty ordinary.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: What happens if you put one in the gun?
THEODORE ASH JR.: We don’t want to damage any of-
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: I’m serious, Ted. Didn’t the executive summary say something about it being fired? Why not go down to the training range, load it, and shoot it?
THEODORE ASH JR.: Because it’s a priceless historical artifact from the Smithsonian, Sir. You wouldn’t take a fifty-thousand-year-old prehistoric arrowhead and shoot a deer with it.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Why not? The worst that happens is that you find out it doesn’t shoot anymore.
THEODORE ASH JR.: I’d argue the worst that happens is that one of my scientists gets blown up by an Altered musket, but…it’s so old…Gosh, I wonder if it would even fire still. We’ll try the words first and go from there, I think.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: [After a few seconds]. Right. I do have a meeting at four. I have to go for my monthly paranatural stress testing. But we should have dinner again soon. Last time was fun, wasn’t it? We…could make that a standing meeting too, if you’d like.
THEODORE ASH JR: It was. And I’d like that, thanks. [Short pause] Whoa. Your-your hand is really warm.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: [nervous laughing]
THEODORE ASH JR: Are you feeling okay? Just a [short pause] -Jesus, Broderick, your pulse is really fast.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: [sniffling] I’m all right. I’m all right, Ted.
THEODORE ASH JR: Seriously, should we call Dr. Rosen?
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September 17th, 1980
Dear Dr. Ash,
I finally have some dates. Transcripts of ACRFO agents interviewing the subjects (George Quincy Owens and Katie Choi) will be arriving here on 10/1, barring any delays with the mail. Nothing new to report from Cohen at the Smithsonian – all information control efforts have been successful, and our covert monitoring hasn’t found anything else of note.
Tom
Thomas Lawton
Head, Investigations Sector
PS – I got your note about words and music. I heard a very catchy song on the radio this morning, something brand new, I think. A lady singer, maybe Pat Benatar? The words were “hit me with your best shot – fire away!” Sounded very archetypal of a gun? You might want to check in with your Acoustics folks to see if they have this record yet!
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Hey Ted!
Five things I thought of in the weapons check room: holster, ammo clip, scope (like a sniper scope), James Bond (he has a gun with a silencer – you could try “silencer” too), and Glock – is a brand too archetypal? Maybe you could try “submachine gun?” One of those ones with a “drum magazine” that gangsters used in old movies (Oh, this makes me think more about the potentially sordid history of my apartment building!)
Let me know if any of these helps. An Altered gun! Who’d have thought?!
Barry
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September 18th, 1980
To All Employees of the Federal Bureau of Control
Please stay away from the kitchenette in Central Executive for the rest of the morning. The coffee maker burst into flames around 7:30 AM this morning, which then both spread to the litter basket and incinerated a pile of mail which someone had left on the counter! As the heat was high enough to crack both the granite counter and part of the wall behind it, it will take several hours for a damage assessment and repair. If you are uncertain about proper operation of coffee makers, please follow the placards posted in every break room or consult with a more knowledgeable colleague!
Bill Powers
Communications Chief
Federal Bureau of Control
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September 18th, 1980
Dr. Ash,
I tried to visit you in Research, but your secretary said that you had already gone up to Executive to investigate. So excuse me for writing so late on a Friday night. It’s as you’ve probably guessed, because it’s hard to light a coffee maker on fire even from inexperience: there’s unfortunately been another episode of the Director losing control of his powers. We are concerned due to the especially high temperature of this incident; Powers wasn’t lying about that. The Director is currently being treated for severe hyperthermia. He had a seizure. He’s not conscious yet. This isn’t good. We’re doing all we can; I’ll call down to your office when I have an update.
Dr. Frank Rosen
Head Staff Physician
Federal Bureau of Control
[A note on the bottom reads: “I heard this happened a lot in 1980. Makes me glad I came in 1983!–ZT”]
▼▼▼
Chapter Text
VI.
[The fifth folder in the “STATISTICS” box, labeled “MISC AI15-UE” contains the following]:
OFFICIAL RESEARCH SECTOR TRANSCRIPT – TRANSCRIBED 9/30/1980
Research subject: AI15-UE
Date of experiment: 9/26/1980
MALE VOICE #1 (Identified as Philip Harrison): Okay. We’re on and rolling. This is AI15-UE firing test number one, and we’re almost [unintelligible].
FEMALE VOICE (identified as Anna Marconi): You’ll have to speak a bit louder, Phil. The tape recorder stays up-range.
PHILIP HARRISON: Affirmative, Doc M! How we looking, Fred?
MALE VOICE #2 (identified as Fred DeJong): Just a few minutes more. The little hammer on the flintlock mechanism was pretty stuck, but I think I got it now. Think it’s called the cock, or something? Well, the flint still looks good, but the cock is old.
ANNA MARCONI: [low, laughing]: Story of my life.
MALE VOICE #3 (Identified as Theodore Ash, Jr.): No, you need to actually tear the cartridge open. The bottom part here, that’s where the powder is, that’s your main charge.
FRED DEJONG: Wow, never actually seen a musket ball before. It’s heavy.
[sounds of metal clinking]
THEODORE ASH JR.: Okay. Earmuffs on. Let’s clear the range! Anna, make sure the parabolic dishes are pointed toward Fred.
[More clinking, footsteps]
PHILIP HARRISON: What’s the status of your readouts there?
ANNA MARCONI: Everything looks good.
PHILIP HARRISON: Okay. Fire!
[Loud sound of a gunshot, followed by a short pause.]
FRED DEJONG [yelling]: Whoo-ey, my shoulder’s going to feel that tomorrow. It’s got some kick!
PHILIP HARRISON: Anna, how do we look?
ANNA MARCONI: Got a little spike for sure, probably eleven, um, no, twelve percent? Thirteen?
THEODORE ASH JR.: Is everyone feeling okay?
FRED DEJONG: [unintelligible] shoulder will be the size of a watermelon in the morning, but okay otherwise.
ANNA MARCONI: I feel fine.
PHILIP HARRISON: All good.
THEODORE ASH JR.: Okay. Questionnaires? Who has them? Let’s get those RS-P10s and get this in writing!
[indistinct chatter, tape cuts out.]
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October 2nd, 1980
Dear Dr. Ash,
Interview transcripts are in the attached interdepartmental envelope. I took a look this morning: pretty interesting stuff. Cohen tells me that if they do additional interviews, they’ll send them in another bunch. I heard you fired the gun – hope all is well.
Tom
Thomas Lawton
Head, Investigations Sector
[A pink sticky note on the bottom of the letter reads “Amishi: they were received here 10/1/1980; I put all the transcripts in order by date. What you read is the order in which events occurred. -ZT”]
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Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #59 (October 2nd, 1980):
It’s day five-thousand-nine-hundred and two, and we have yet to get any concrete paranatural response out of this musket, other than a slight increase in its psychic energy when we fired it. We sang to it, swore at it, and even played a Pat Benatar record. We tried plausible Formulas, dressed in costume, and even read history books to it, and it’s still just nothing but an old gun. No brainwashing, no hallucinations or false memories, no bizarre devices appearing out of thin air. If firing really is part of the way to activate its Altered effect, something’s missing. I’ve been thinking, after reading the transcripts that Lawton sent down, that I want to talk to the affected subjects eventually myself, but there’s one other thing I really want to try first. Anyway, Northmoor is finally out of Medical thanks to some breakthrough with some drug Rosen’s studying, but everyone’s pretty nervous after his last episode. He’s getting sicker, and…I’m nervous too, but I’m also weirdly calm. Maybe worrying like this is liberating, because it means maybe I don’t have to suffer. Maybe I never did. Maybe what I’ve learned, that- that you’re supposed to go to work and get cursed at and brow-beaten into submission, is just…all wrong. He’s my friend. Yes, I’m saying that sober, and for-for once, I don’t feel like an animal trapped in a cage. Do you know what it feels like to be caged for more than five-thousand days?
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[A note on top is hastily written: “Why didn’t he date these transcripts? You’d think research folks would be better at that! October 1980? – ZT”]
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: [Unintelligible] Much better. Thanks for the coffee.
THEODORE ASH JR.: Oh. You’re quite welcome. I’m just glad you’re hanging in there.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: So, you want me to fire the musket, then?
THEODORE ASH JR.: Unfortunately not. We can’t fire it all the time, as now there are only four cartridges left in the case. It’s a shame that we can’t do more experiments. So I just want you to hold it. None of my scientists on that team are Parautilitarians, and you’re…well, you’re the most powerful one this place has ever seen. I’d be interested in seeing if it responds to you. Or to the Service Weapon, or the Board by proxy, I guess.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: I can do that, Ted. Where is it?
THEODORE ASH JR.: Ah, in its crate down in the Examination Hall. We can walk down there now, just let me – turn off the-
[The recording stops, and then resumes on the same tape.]
THEODORE ASH JR.: Okay. Crate is open. Just pick it up, hold it for a while, and let me know if you hear or see anything abnormal, or if you feel strange.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: [brief pause] Wow. Is it really 200 years old?
THEODORE ASH JR.: Yes. Pretty amazing, huh?
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: I’ve never held a gun like this before. The Service Weapon’s changed forms, but it’s always been a pistol or a handgun.
THEODORE ASH JR.: Do you feel anything? Any reaction from your abilities, or confusion about where you are? Anything in your head that feels like it shouldn’t be there?
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: No, not at all. So if I were going to shoot it, I’d stand like this, then?
THEODORE ASH JR.: No, more like – yeah, get the butt away from your face, you should’ve seen what the recoil did to Harrison’s shoulder.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: [laughing] Like this?
THEODORE ASH JR.: Sort of, let me – [short pause] here, um, put your hand more here. [Another pause] Sorry. Didn’t mean to just…grab you like that.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: It’s okay. It feels…nice. Your – your hands are soft. It’s nice to feel something that isn’t rubber medical gloves for once, you know?
THEODORE ASH JR.: I, uh-that’s not quite how Dr. DeJong aimed it, but, um, let me-
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Just put your hands wherever they’re comfortable.
THEODORE ASH JR.: Okay. Are you feeling anything unusual?
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Well, not from the gun.
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Hey Ted!
I was also thinking: what if the archetypal words or concepts we are looking for aren’t related to the musket itself, but what the musket stands for? Maybe we should think about rebellion, freedom, independence, sovereignty, patriotism, and things like that? It also struck me as unusual that the first incident was right before the 4th of July – could all this be related to the holiday?
I’m reading my old college American history textbook to see if it jars anything else loose. Coffee tomorrow?
Barry
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Barry,
Wow, it looks like we’re both doing a historical deep dive because of this item. Your thoughts are very interesting! I’ll pass them on to my team. Unfortunately, I can’t meet up tomorrow, as I’ll be on my way to Washington DC to visit one of the affected subjects. I should be back by the 13th.
Ted
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Ted,
Thanks for informing me of your travel plans; Lawton had updated me as well. I hope your visit to the Atlantic-Capital Regional Field Office proves fruitful and safe and we can get to the bottom of this musket mystery. When you return, we should talk. Sit down, have a nice meal and drinks (somewhere gentlemanly, like the Ambassador or Le Cirque, perhaps) and just talk. Nothing sinister; I’m just thinking a lot during these idle times between meetings and the endless doctor’s appointments.
Please know you are frequently in my thoughts. I have no doubt you will still inhabit them during your brief time away.
Broderick
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TRANSCRIPT S3O: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION SUPPLEMENT
AGENT CLAYTON: This is Agent Jeffrey Clayton, uh, the date is October 9th, 1980. I’m here at St. Elizabeth’s with Dr. Theodore Ash Jr. He’s the Head of Research at Bureau headquarters in New York. He’s here to talk to Mr. Owens about his musket.
THEODORE ASH JR.: Thanks, Jeff. And Mr. Owens, I really appreciate your willingness to sit down and talk to me, and to allow Dr. Hawkins to share your chart. I’ve been looking over the transcripts from your interviews with the agents, and-
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: What does any of this have to do with my gun?
THEODORE ASH JR.: Well, um, at the Bureau, we study objects that have unusual properties. We think your gun is one of these objects. We’re trying to figure out just what happened at the Smithsonian two months ago. You shot it, and something happened, right?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Yes.
THEODORE ASH JR.: Could you tell me what? Walk me through the events of that night, from the beginning. What were you doing before you fired it?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: I had just finished supper. My father was out for the evening, so I had sat down in front of the fire to read the newspaper. There was an article about German prisoners of war, and it made me think about my brother.
AGENT CLAYTON: Henry. He was captured in the war. By the Germans.
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Yes, that’s right. And I always get quite sad when I think of him. Of how we were boys together, in that very house. As I sat there, I grew quite upset, really. That brooding, very frustrated way young men do sometimes.
AGENT CLAYTON: You read about the house, right, Dr. Ash?
THEODORE ASH JR.: Yes, I think so. There was an apple tree that you used for target practice in the yard when you were growing up?
AGENT CLAYTON: I don’t think the house exists anymore. It’s a park now. There’s a playground, and, um, some basketball courts next door, and a church across the street, and-
THEODORE ASH JR. [interrupting]: Go on, please, Mr. Owens.
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: I took the musket and the ammunition case down from above the fireplace, went into the yard, and shot at the apple tree, just like Henry and I used to. I was taking out my frustrations, I believe, and trying to steady my nerves by firing that gun. It’s like I wanted things to be back the way they were, long before the war. Before Henry was taken from us.
THEODORE ASH JR.: Tell me what it felt like to fire it. Details might be useful. Anything you can remember.
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Well, it was just like shooting my rifle, my Springfield infantry rifle, from the war. The musket was heavier and longer, though. I knew how to load it from an old book of my father’s. I stood around five paces from the back door, and the apple tree was around, oh, say fifteen yards away.
THEODORE ASH JR.: Did you feel anything strange when you fired it?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: No, not at first. I closed my eyes. My hands were shaky, and it’s a wonder I could aim. In a way, I imagined Henry was there with me. I was talking out loud, and I whispered something. [Short pause] Yes, I believe I whispered “Charge!” Then I heard the shot, and then the crack of musket ball hitting the trunk, and then-
THEODORE ASH JR.: Wait, you whispered something when you fired it? “Charge?”
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Yes, like a cavalry charge. Or an infantry charge. It was the kind of thing Henry and I would shout when we played soldier.
THEODORE ASH JR.: And then what?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: It was like I blacked out. I can’t remember a thing. I came to in the middle of the road, and when I saw what looked like an automobile coming, I ran. I just kept running until I saw something, anything, that I knew. I was in a haze. I slept on a park bench for several days, and-and that’s how I ended up wandering into a museum. That’s why I’m here, in 1980, and I’m eighty-three years old and they keep doing these tests to find out if I’m senile, or crazy, or-or- just last week they put me in some machine claiming it could see my brain!
THEODORE ASH JR.: I don’t think you’re crazy.
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: You don’t?
THEODORE ASH JR.: Not at all. I looked over the chart that Dr. Hawkins gave me, and I agree with him. I do think what happened in the war hurt you, and that you’re deeply upset by your brother getting captured, but I think if you had a psychiatric condition that caused you to hallucinate, you’d have responded to one of the drugs they’ve given you by now. And I don’t suspect you’re particularly senile, either. Even at your age, you’re remarkably lucid in your descriptions and, um, you don’t seem confused. And you’re having no problems communicating with me.
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Then why do the doctors and nurses keep doing tests and whispering in the hallway like something is wrong with me?
THEODORE ASH JR.: Because they don’t know what I know. They don’t know about Altered items.
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Altered…what?
AGENT CLAYTON: Dr. Ash, can we step outside for just a moment?
[Recording ends].
▼
Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #60 (October 14th, 1980):
It seems there actually is a word involved with unlocking the musket’s Altered effect. But before I do any more experiments, I need to formulate some sort of “unified field theory” of how the Item works. I’ve been thinking about the old veteran, George, ever since I got back. Sure, he’s in a mental institution, but he isn’t some crackpot. It-it sounds ridiculous, but I think I believe his story. That he was twenty-two years old one minute, in 1919, and the next, he’s an old man in the present. But how? We know that paranatural translocation is possible through space, but is it possible through time as well? Time and space are two sides of the same coin, after all [there’s a long pause]. God, listen to me! I’m proposing that this gun is a time machine!
▼
[Another misfiled document has ended up in this folder:]
November 1st, 1993
Dear Mr. Trench,
I spoke to your wife, and she told me to write to you at work as she said you are often difficult to reach by phone. As you are aware, your daughter’s condition has declined over the last week. Her breathing became difficult, and we had to intubate her last night. In the meantime, we’ve done every test we can, I’ve consulted with six different pediatric medicine experts, and have read many research articles – and unfortunately, I’m quite stumped. I have two questions for you, which are both grasping at straws. The first: are there any histories of very rare inborn errors of metabolism in either your or Kate’s family (thus giving us the chance that this could be genetic)? The second: think hard and try to jog your memory any way you can, but is there anything unusual that Susanna could’ve been exposed to early in this year – outside, at a relative’s home, or from either of your workplaces? Please call me as soon as possible.
AK
Dr. Amishi Kaur
▼
Ted,
Glad you made it back in one piece. If I may be candid, I called the ACRFO headquarters last Friday hoping to catch you, but Mr. Cohen said that you had already returned to your hotel. You’ll have to update me later.
I’ve made a reservation for us for tomorrow night at Le Cirque. I look forward to seeing you. I have all day. I swear, our meetings are the only ones I look forward to some days.
I’ve missed you, and that is the sincerest truth.
Broderick
PS. The restaurant in question isn’t a place where you can wear your lab coat and a sweater. So put down your chemistry set and dress accordingly!
▼
Broderick,
Maybe it’s late at night, and maybe I’ve had (more than) a few drops of whiskey, but the feeling is mutual. God, you have no idea how much I missed you. Six days felt like a god damn decade. I missed you so much that I’m going to save this letter for myself in my desk drawer and not even send it because I’m embarrassing myself. I’m just typing it to get it out of my system because otherwise, I might explode.
You can’t possibly know how I feel, can you?
T. Ash
▼
TRANSCRIPT S3C: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION INCIDENT SUPPLEMENT
AGENT GARCIA: [unintelligible] October 17th. Whoa. Katie. Katie, what’s wrong? Why’re you crying?
KATIE CHOI: I’m still just [sniffling] so confused. I’m [unintelligible]. I still don’t know how I got here. It…scares me sometimes. I don’t like when things don’t make sense like this.
AGENT GARCIA: Aww, don’t be scared. Agent Clayton told me that a scientist from Bureau headquarters is investigating this case. This…thing with the gun and the museum. You’re not the only person who was affected.
KATIE CHOI: I’m not?
AGENT GARCIA: No. I’m not cleared to talk about it, but…you’re not. You’re not the only one who’s scared. Who’s wondering what happened, and who’s worried about their family.
[Sound of Katie crying quietly.]
AGENT GARCIA: Shh. Here. Give me a hug. [brief pause] I promise, the Bureau’s going to fix this, one way or another. Maybe we’ll take a trip to New York, and…we’ll figure out how to get you back home.
KATIE CHOI [still sounding tearful]: But-but that’s the thing. I don’t know what’s happening at home. My sisters have probably gone to the police. There are probably missing persons reports filed. Maybe my face is on the news. Maybe the cops are looking at one of my clients at the firm, or maybe people suspect that Iris and Lucy hurt me. Two doctors with access to all sorts of weird drugs, you know? Maybe they’re dredging Folsom Lake looking for my body right now.
AGENT GARCIA: No, don’t think like that.
KATIE CHOI: But I do. And I just get…overwhelmed. It makes me want to stay in 1980 and just…not have to face any of it. At least, not yet. I don’t think I’m ready yet.
AGENT GARCIA: We’ll just see what we can do. [Shuffling, sound of a cupboard or refrigerator closing]. Want some ice cream? Ice cream always helps me when I’m feeling crappy.
KATIE CHOI: Sure.
AGENT GARCIA: I’ll get you a spoon. We can split the rest of the tub. It’s strawberry.
KATIE CHOI: But do you ever wonder what it would be like, though? To grow up differently than you did? To get a second chance?
[Sound of silverware rattling]
AGENT GARCIA: Of course. I mean, everyone does.
KATIE CHOI: Maybe in my second chance I’m a famous scientist. Maybe I have a husband and a son, and two cats named Darwin and Einstein. Maybe I play tennis every weekend and go to art galleries and plays.
AGENT GARCIA: Hm. Maybe I’m an actress, and I have a yacht [laughing]. I don’t know. I suppose it’s just as likely that I’d be a single mom from Newark who chain-smokes and watches soaps all day.
KATIE CHOI: Hey, maybe in 2013 you’ll be the head of your Bureau.
AGENT GARCIA: I doubt it. But I hope it’s as nice as you say it is. Even without the flying cars.
KATIE CHOI: Hey, Izzy?
AGENT GARCIA: Yeah?
KATIE CHOI: You believe me, don’t you?
▼
Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #61 (October 21st, 1980):
I don’t even know how to start this story, really. At the beginning, I guess. It was day five-thousand-nine-hundred and eighteen. We had dinner. We talked. We had a drink. Then we took a cab back to his apartment. We had another drink. He told me he thought about me all the time, and that he had become convinced that the Board wanted us to be together. I don’t even remember what I said back. But one thing led to another, and…it - it wasn’t supposed to happen, any of it. But it did. It did, and [short pause]…I liked it. I didn’t care that it was completely unethical, and - and wrong, and honestly, just defies all logic. I just got lost in the moment, and…oh, God, Broderick, what the fuck am I doing?
▼▼▼
Chapter Text
VII.
[The sixth folder in the “STATISTICS” box is unlabeled. The following documents are inside; they all skip ahead several years from the previous folders:]
December 19th, 1983
Dear Dr. Ash,
It was a real pleasure to meet you at the Christmas party yesterday (although it was a little strange seeing everyone outside the Oldest House, I understand the risks that come with anything archetypal of a holiday). It was also fun that you drew me for “Secret Santa”! How did you know I needed a new lighter and had been eyeing a little gold-plated one just like that? Even my wife wouldn’t have figured that out! Anyway, I just wanted to get it in writing that if you ever need any help from my division of Investigations, I’ll gladly serve as your contact.
Happy Holidays again,
Zachariah Trench
Spc. Field Agent
Paranatural Anomalies Group
Investigations Sector
[A sticky note on the lower half reads: “It feels like this was just yesterday. Bittersweet memories for sure. -ZT”]
▼
Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #67 (January 6th, 1984):
Well, it’s me again. It’s been a while since I sat down to record one of these. Today’s day seven-thousand-and-ninety-three. We’ve cleared seven thousand…wow, it’s hard to believe I’ve been here almost twenty years now. It’s been a busy couple of years. Between the new expansion of the Luck and Probability lab, the TV breaking containment every other month, and the disaster with AI-19 in June, I’ve barely had enough time to even breathe, let alone breathe into a microphone. Of course, I still think about AI-15, but right now, it’s collecting dust up in a cell in Containment. I think about my hypothesis for how it might work from time to time, when I have a minute or two. This morning, I started reading a paper about wormholes in the space-time continuum, and it got me thinking more, especially after I told Broderick about it. Of course, I’m spending a lot of time with him too…so maybe the TV and the swan boat and the roulette wheel don’t count, and I’m really just a schoolgirl who stopped pouring her angst out into her diary as soon as she got a boyfriend.
▼
Teddy,
I’ve just accepted an invitation to the 7th International Conference on Paranatural Observances. If my fatigue improves, I’ll be going, of course. You should send them one of your little abstracts and come with me. It starts on 2/14.
Broderick
PS – It’s in Paris. They say Paris is the city of love, and I can’t imagine what it must be like on Valentine’s day. I sure as hell don’t want to imagine that without you, so consider this a Directorial order.
▼
TRANSCRIPT S7C: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION INCIDENT SUPPLEMENT
AGENT GARCIA: Hold on just [unintelligible, sound of chair moving across floor]. Okay. [She begins singing] Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Katie, Happy Birthday to you!
KATIE CHOI: Really, you’re recording this? [Laughter].
AGENT GARCIA: Yeah, because it’s February 1st, 1984! it’s not every day you have a birthday. Blow it out and make a wish!
[Sound of Katie blowing out a candle, and Agent Garcia clapping].
KATIE CHOI: And strawberry ice cream too? My favorite. Seriously, you’re way too kind to me, Izzy.
AGENT GARCIA: Hope you like chocolate cake. [short pause] Look, there’s even a strawberry filling.
KATIE CHOI: Hell yeah!
[Around fifteen seconds pass]
KATIE CHOI: You know, I’ve been thinking about getting a job. Now that I’m 21, I should try to be a better roommate, you know? And then maybe I could buy you something for your birthday in June, instead of just sitting in this apartment reading all the time.
AGENT GARCIA: Well, have you read anything good today?
KATIE CHOI: I got another textbook from the library.
AGENT GARCIA: Let me guess…biology again? You’ve got quite a stack checked out now.
KATIE CHOI: Yeah. I…in my first life, I always liked microbiology. You know, bacteria and fungi and viruses, stuff like that. I did okay in biology in high school, but not as well as my sisters. But I remember the first time my teacher let me look into a microscope, and it was…well, it was unbelievable. My parents, who were paying for college, thought I’d be much better off as a lawyer though. I liked legal dramas, and...with the economy the way it was, well, is, now, I didn’t need much convincing, apparently. That’s why Iris and Lucy, with their A’s in biology, are both doctors. Iris is a radiologist, and Lucy became an infectious disease specialist. I was always so jealous of her, even all the way through law school. But maybe now…
AGENT GARCIA: Maybe what? [yawning]
KATIE CHOI: Well, I could, um, look into getting my GED, and then take the SAT. It’s not like I lost my whole life’s worth of knowledge when I appeared in 1980. Georgetown’s got a pretty good biology program, don’t they?
AGENT GARCIA: I wouldn’t know. Chemistry was more my thing. At least, I liked the one chemistry class I had to take as a criminal justice major. So, did you not like being a lawyer?
KATIE CHOI: Well, it paid the bills. But I always felt there could be more, you know?
AGENT GARCIA: Yeah. I do know. But hey, I say go for it! Maybe the Bureau could use a microbiologist someday!
KATIE CHOI: Really? I could…work with you?
AGENT GARCIA: [yawning again] Maybe. I mean, I won’t rule it out. I’m going to turn off the tape though. Long day, all I’m recording is me yawning. Want to watch “Night Court?” Think there’s a new one tonight.
KATIE CHOI: Sure. It’s a lot funnier than real court.
[Recording ends.]
▼
Hey Ted!
It was nice to grab a bite to eat with you yesterday. Paris! I’m still so envious. You’ll be at the Eiffel Tower, and I’ll be stuck sorting incident logs with Jones until I’m blue in the face. Have a safe flight on Monday afternoon. You’d better bring me back something fancy and French!
Barry
[A note on the bottom says: “My secretary, Barbara, suggested this was Barry Talbot – his father, Marcus, worked for the Bureau in the 1960s, but I couldn’t find much on either of them.– ZT”]
▼
February 13th, 1984
To All Employees of the Federal Bureau of Control:
The main hallway of the Communications Department in the Executive Sector is currently off-limits. We had a small electrical fire behind the copy machine, probably due to some faulty wiring in the wall. Unfortunately, the Oldest House did not respond well to this event, and a small House Shift resulted in the destruction of the copier and the paper shredder, as well as the recycling bin and two desks. These items will be replaced. Please report any suspected electrical problems you observe to your supervisor immediately.
Bill Powers
Communications Chief
Federal Bureau of Control
▼
February 13th, 1984
Dr. Ash,
Re: Powers’ bulletin - the news isn’t good. When the Director went to visit the Communications Department this morning, he simply lost control of his abilities without any provocation. The fire was a predictable result, but we didn’t think his powers could trigger a House Shift. This is a new and very troubling development. Mr. Powers has had to re-inform three people, and the Director’s fever was so high that his heart stopped for around forty seconds - thank heavens for the AED. We’re trying a new combination of drugs again, per Protocol XSP, to control this. Obviously, the Director will not be traveling to France for the conference today. Wish us luck – we’ll need it.
Dr. Frank Rosen
Head Staff Physician
Federal Bureau of Control
▼
OFFICIAL RESEARCH SECTOR TRANSCRIPT – TRANSCRIBED 2/17/84
Research subject: AI15-UE
Date of experiment: Meeting on 2/15/84
THEODORE ASH JR.: Okay. I’m going to record this and we’ll file it with the rest of the gun transcripts.
FRED DEJONG: I’m surprised we’re having a meeting at all, Ted.
ANNA MARCONI: Yeah, we thought you were going to France. You sound pretty tired. Is everything all right?
THEODORE ASH JR.: Y-yeah. It’s been a rough couple of days. Had to cancel my trip because of a personal emergency. A friend of mine is…well, he’s really sick. Something with his heart, they’re saying.
PHILIP HARRISON: Shit, I’m sorry to hear that. Hope things work out for the best.
ANNA MARCONI: Me too. So you wanted to talk about the musket? A new development?
THEODORE ASH JR.: Yeah. I was reading some papers over the past few weeks, and I think that somehow this item might trigger the opening of a wormhole.
PHILIP HARRISON: Like in those theories about faster-than-light travel across the universe? Those sort of wormholes? Because don’t those just connect the space dimension of space-time?
THEODORE ASH JR.: But who says they can’t connect the time dimension as well? Like, imagine a wormhole is a garden hose, and you have two points, located some set distance away from one another. One point is 1980, or 1984, or what we’d call present, and then the other is, um, some time in the future or time in the past. Like 1919, or 2013. Now, if I tie a loop in the hose to bring those points together, I’ve joined all the dimensions – space and time – in the same place. Time and space all overlap, and that knot, that junction, should be usable for time travel between those two exact points within the same place in space, say, Washington DC. If this theory holds, I think that might mean that one point is always where that knot is tied. If you come from 1919, you go back to 1919. You’d need to get some sort of wormhole shape distortion for that to happen, though. That is, assuming the Item obeys general rel–
FRED DEJONG: Sorry to interrupt, Ted, but who says the item obeys general relativity at all? Who says it even has to? How many things in our world just…fly in the face of physics every day?
THEODORE ASH JR.: Oh, nobody’s saying anything. This is just conjecture.
PHILIP HARRISON: And obviously, something doesn’t add up perfectly in your time dimension, because
If George Owens traveled through time, why did he age? Why did the girl get younger? Time still passed or reversed. Like, somehow there is a limit to how far ahead or back in time one can travel.
FRED DEJONG: And the “knot” is also tied to the person who fires the gun.
ANNA MARCONI: Sounds like a real leaky garden hose!
THEODORE ASH JR.: That’s not a bad way of putting it, Anna. something about the system is obviously imperfect or inefficient. Perhaps there’s even quantum superposition, or-or parallel universes at play here somewhere. And this is where the paranatural fuzziness around the edges takes over. A wormhole that responds to the collective subconscious. A certain person, firing the gun, and saying a certain word.
FRED DEJONG: “Charge,” was it?
PHILIP HARRISON: Yeah. And it makes sense. Owens fires the musket, he says “charge”, thinking it’s just something of sentimental value to him, but it really means “forward”, and therefore, he travels forward in time through this leaky wormhole between 1919 and 1980.
ANNA MARCONI: And the reverse would be what? “Fall back?” “Run?” “Crap, we’re gonna die?”
THEODORE ASH JR.: I think the girl, Katie, may’ve made a joke about “Retreating”. It was in the transcripts. I’ll double-check, but “Retreat” might be the word for traveling in reverse.
ANNA MARCONI: And the ammo obviously must travel with the time traveler. Hence the shot or shot damage being seen in the museum.
FRED DEJONG: And the disappearing cartridges.
PHILIP HARRISON: [unintelligible] wish there were some way to test all of this.
THEODORE ASH JR.: And that’s our problem. It would be such a hard thing to do safely. So, it all just stays conjecture and allegory!
ANNA MARCONI: Yeah. Huh. [short pause] Fred, if you could go back in time, where would you go?
FRED DEJONG: Well, isn’t the obvious time travel answer always something about killing Hitler?
PHILIP HARRISON: Would that even work with the musket? And weren’t you born in 1946, after he was already dead?
▼
Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #69 (February 20th, 1984):
Everything’s in a holding pattern. There’s no reasonable way to experiment with this musket without potentially endangering the life of my scientists, and plus, we don’t even know whether we’ll have money to investigate anything, if the Bureau’s budget for the new quarter isn’t approved soon. Broderick’s still in Medical, and whatever Executive Deputies are in charge now are slower than the second coming. Even the article I’m reading now I can’t ever seem to finish, like it obeys some kind of perverse asymptotic function. So I’m just waiting. Sitting here. Worrying. Waiting for the phone to ring. The silence is unsettling. I find myself wishing I could do something other than badgering the Rangers in Medical to let me in every six hours. I keep saying it’s essential to my research, but I wonder if they’d be more forgiving if I just told them the truth. The truth is: I think I’m sincerely in love with him. God, it’s like it’s a grand, cosmic joke. The first time in my life that I actually fall in love, and it’s a mess like this. It’s my boss! And every few months, he lights on fire! [Short pause] Well…my life has always been strange.
▼
February 23rd, 1984
Dear Dr. Ash,
I heard through the grapevine that you and your folks have been chatting a bit more these days about AI15-UE, so I suppose it’s pertinent that I have an update for you on that subject myself! I heard from Mr. Cohen at the ACRFO this morning. He informs me that Mr. Owens, the elderly veteran who was the subject of one of their investigations, is in very poor health. He is now nearly eighty-eight years old, is very weak, and needs an oxygen tank. The doctors at St. Elizabeth’s aren’t entirely sure what more can be done for him. It could just be that the time has come for nature to take her course. I’m not sure if this affects your research at all, but I thought you should know. Let me know if you have anything to pass along to Cohen’s agents.
Tom
Thomas Lawton
Head, Investigations Sector
▼
[Another misfiled document seems to be stuck, this one caught in a paper clip]:
November 15th, 1993
Dr. Kaur,
I did this. This is my fault. This is all my fault, and I wouldn’t even know how to explain it if I tried. Please just help my little girl as best as you can, but only I can atone for this, and only I can try and talk some sense into Kate. I know you heard us arguing.
Zachariah Trench
[Some handwriting on the bottom, as if the letter were sent back, reads:]
Zachariah, what are you talking about? I know Susanna’s illness has been extremely difficult for you and your wife, but you have nothing to blame yourself for. You did not deliberately harm your daughter at all, and I know that. Sometimes things, awful things like this, just happen and we don’t even know why. Please stay strong. We are doing our best. I can recommend a counselor if you’d like assistance. -Amishi
▼
February 26th, 1984
Dear Dr. Ash,
Let me get this straight, before I draft a request to send out to DC: you would like the ACRFO agent whom you met with there (Agent Clayton) to escort Mr. Owens to the Oldest House as soon as possible (preferably within forty-eight hours) because you have “a potential remedy for his situation?”
Please call my office immediately upon receipt of this letter to make sure the details are correct, and then I’ll forward what I have to Executive for authorization to get a visitor pass for Mr. Owen.
If you think you can help a dying man, you obviously have my support. Talk with you soon.
Tom
Thomas Lawton
Head, Investigations Sector
PS – I did hear this morning that the Director is feeling more like himself and might attend our briefing in a few days. Sorry for the hangup in scheduling!
▼
[A note at the top says: “No date here, but must be within two days of Lawton’s request – maybe March 1st or 2nd? -ZT”]
TRANSCRIPT S7O: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION SUPPLEMENT
[Sound of a heavy door creaking open].
THEODORE ASH JR.: Here, let me get the door. I think his wheelchair will fit just fine. You got the little oxygen cart? [unintelligible]. Yes, let’s talk here for a while before we meet the rest of my scientists.
AGENT CLAYTON: Hey, good to see you again. [brief pause] George, do you remember Dr. Ash?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS [tiredly]: Why yes. You-you came to visit me.
THEODORE ASH JR.: I did. How was the train here?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: It was remarkably fast! And this-this building. This Oldest House, as I heard it called. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. This building must be half a mile high, and everything looks so new. [Pause] I do wonder, though, if this is the last truly wondrous thing that I’ll see before I die.
THEODORE ASH JR.: You’re not going to die. At least, I’d really like to avoid it if-
AGENT CLAYTON: Maybe you should listen to him, George. He’s a doctor of some type. Right?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: [Laughing]. Oh, young man, you are kind - but I very much will die. It’s only a matter of time.
[A few seconds pass]
THEODORE ASH JR.: George, we’d like to try and send you back to 1919. Back to your original time, where you’re just twenty-two years old. You can’t die if you’re suddenly young again.
[Pause, sound of coughing]
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: What the – how?
THEODORE ASH JR: The same way you got here in the first place. With the musket.
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: My-my gun. It’s here? Do you have it?
THEODORE ASH JR: Yes. It’s what let you travel through time. It’s why my people are studying it. Remember what I told you?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: [gasping] That’s incredible. It’s just like something I read about in a book when I was young. A-a time machine. Wells, the author’s name was. Have you heard of him?
THEODORE ASH JR: Yes. H.G. Wells. I’ve read it too. It’s a pretty good book.
AGENT CLAYTON: Um, so how does it work exactly, Sir?
THEODORE ASH JR: We think the effect is activated by firing the gun and saying a certain word. George here said “charge”, which triggers forward motion in time. And our current guess is that “retreat” sends people in the reverse direction. We think the original times traveled from are the boundaries of this whole system. I can’t guarantee that it’ll work, but would you like to try?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Yes. I would, of course! And if it doesn’t work, well, I think I’d much rather die in this interesting place than in a lunatic asylum.
THEODORE ASH JR: So, should we go downstairs and meet my friends? Or would you like to get some rest?
AGENT CLAYTON: I think we all could use some rest.
[Tape stops.]
▼
OFFICIAL RESEARCH SECTOR TRANSCRIPT – TRANSCRIBED 3/7/1984
Research subject: AI15-UE
Date of experiment: 3/5/1984
ANNA MARCONI: [scraping sound, unintelligible] Okay. We’re all set up. Are you excited, Fred?
FRED DEJONG: Nervous as hell. What if we-
THEODORE ASH JR.: Everyone, this is Jeff Clayton from DC, and this is Mr. George Quincy Owens. George, Jeff, this is the AI15-UE team: Anna, Phil, and Fred. They’ve been studying the properties of your gun.
PHILIP HARRISON: Nice to meet you both. Love the period-appropriate suit, Mr. Owens.
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Yes [muffled speech], how do you do?
ANNA MARCONI: Pleasure.
AGENT CLAYTON: So, this is your shooting range, huh? Bit more than our gross little basement up in DC.
THEODORE ASH, JR.: Yeah. Okay, everyone. Our goal here is to make sure George fires the musket successfully. [pause] Okay, do you think you can stand up? [brief pause]. Mhm. Careful with that oxygen tank there, Jeff.
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Oh! There’s my gun!
THEODORE ASH, JR.: Yes, we’ve been keeping safe here, like we do all Altered items.
AGENT CLAYTON: How do you know if it works? Does he just…disappear?
THEODORE ASH, JR.: We need to do something in the past that will alter the present, in a measurable, but not catastrophic way. Phil, did you bring the maps of New York and DC?
PHILIP HARRISON: Yeah. Had to go to the library to find them. If he comes out in 1919, the Oldest House likely won’t be here. Thomas Street was all just shops and textile firms. Nothing but brick and cast iron. Odds are our traversal point is in the basement right about…[short pause] here. He’ll have to get himself to Grand Central and take the train to DC. There were several back then.
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: I think I can do that. Won’t need the wheelchair if I’m twenty-two again..
THEODORE ASH, JR.: Okay. Get on the train, and once you get back to Washington DC, I want you to go to your house, George. And I want you to take an apple from that tree in your yard, and take the seeds, and plant them.
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Where should I do that?
[Sound of paper crinkling]
PHILIP HARRISON: So, if we look at this bit here, based on his description, his house would’ve been on the corner right here. All of this was demolished around 1950, but this block around the church next to the park is original and has been untouched since the early 1900s. The yard next to the church is our spot.
THEODORE ASH, JR.: The yard next to the church. Plant the seeds in the yard next to the church, okay?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Yes, I-I know that church! Methodist, I think!
FRED DEJONG: Are we ready to load the musket? George, are you ready?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Yes.
FRED DEJONG: Here. Let me get a cartridge-
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: I haven’t held it in sixty-five years. Isn’t that something?
AGENT CLAYTON: How does it feel to know you’re a time traveler?
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: I-I don’t know what to say. [Pause] Thank you. To all of you. For helping me. If nothing else, for trying.
THEODORE ASH, JR.: Here. Let’s get you up.
FRED DEJONG: Do you think he’ll remember the 1980s? Remember us?
[Sound of metal clinking as the musket is loaded, followed by footsteps and a computer beeping.]
THEODORE ASH, JR.: I don’t see why not, considering he remembers 1919.
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Of course I’ll remember you. I have no doubt.
THEODORE ASH, JR.: Anna, can I get a sit-rep on the instruments?
ANNA MARCONI: We’re all zeroed and ready to record.
THEODORE ASH, JR.: Okay. Let’s get everyone up-range, and don’t forget the earmuffs! George, remember, the word is “retreat”, okay?
AGENT CLAYTON [quietly]: Godspeed, George.
THEODORE ASH, JR.: Safe travels.
PHILIP HARRISON: Okay. Fire!
GEORGE QUINCY OWENS: Retreat!
[Loud sound of a gunshot, followed by an explosion-like boom that over-modulates the tape recorder, a computer beeping, and general commotion].
ANNA MARCONI: [unintelligible, tape crackling] instruments are going crazy!
THEODORE ASH, JR.: Turn the attenuator knob, it’s distorting!
PHILIP HARRISON: Was that just me [unintelligible] lights flicker?
AGENT CLAYTON: Holy shit, he’s gone!
[On the bottom of the transcript, a note has been hastily added: “Right here! This is proof that it works!-ZT”]
▼
March 12th, 1984
Dear Dr. Ash,
I’m not entirely sure what the significance of your request was, but I figured it must be something relevant to the AI15-UE investigation, so I forwarded it to Mr. Cohen. I received his response this morning on the phone. To summarize for you: yes, there is a large, very old apple tree next to the Methodist church; no, according to bystanders who know the area, it was not there several days ago, and yes, appropriate information control measures are being taken.
I sure hope your mad science experiments are working!
Tom
Thomas Lawton
Head, Investigations Sector
▼▼▼
Chapter Text
VIII.
[The seventh folder in the “STATISTICS” box is unlabeled. These documents are further ahead in time still, and seem more random and sparse than in the previous folder.]
July 11th, 1986
Dear Dr. Ash,
It’s been a while since I’ve been down to Research’s cafeteria, so I suppose it was lucky that I bumped into you yesterday. There was something I forgot to ask yesterday, so I had a minute to do so now. Maybe I’m out of my clearance level here, but why are there always fires in Executive? We keep getting these bulletins from Communications about combusting toaster ovens and shoddy wiring. Is that just a quirk of that part of the House?
Have a pleasant Tuesday,
Zachariah Trench
Spc. Field Agent
Paranatural Anomalies Group
Investigations Sector
▼
[A note on the top reads: “1986? I’m just guessing, because, again, no date. Was their relationship common knowledge? Because I did not know about it until 1995.”-ZT]
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: God, I hate drinking this stuff. It tastes bad, and it’s uncomfortably cold.
THEODORE ASH JR.: I know. I’d imagine emulsified Black Rock particles and thermal dampening compounds really don’t taste too good…but it’s for the best. Dr. Rosen’s orders, and all. We wouldn’t want a House Shift in my office, with the last one being as nasty as it was.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: I know [coughing]. Not so sure I want my gripes about my medications recorded, though.
THEODORE ASH JR.: I’m recording only because I was talking about the musket. You know, I save everything for research records.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Well, you got your proof two years ago, and I’d argue the first time-travel-inducing Altered item is pretty significant. What’s there to research now?
THEODORE ASH JR.: One of the two affected subjects is still out there. The girl. I wonder if I should be trying to find her to get her story for our records, but I haven’t heard anything from the Atlantic-Capital people in months. We still have three cartridges left if she’d ever need to- [short pause]. Um, what’re you looking at, Broderick?
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: You. I’m just glad I could see you today, Teddy. I thought about you every god damn minute I was in Medical.
THEODORE ASH JR.: Every minute you were conscious, at least.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: [low, teasing] Oh, c’mere, you insufferable bastard.
THEODORE ASH JR.: Well, I guess talking shop can wait–
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Yes. It can.
[Short pause, sharp inhale of breath]
THEODORE ASH JR.: Oh. Wow. You’re-you’re much cooler now. Almost the same temperature as me. Hey, I think I like that new formulation. Um, Broderick. Broderick, we’re in my office, ah–
[Distant sound of a deadbolt locking, what sounds like a belt buckle clinking and Dr. Ash cursing, and then a loud moan.]
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Yes. I don’t care. Here. Need you right here, ah-!
THEODORE ASH JR.: Just, uh, let go of the-mmm, yes. Like that.
[Brief pause]
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Shit. Teddy. The tape. Shit, shit, let me-
THEODORE ASH JR.: No. Let it go.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: [Laughing] What, going to have your secretary transcribe it?
THEODORE ASH JR.: No. I will. So I can enjoy it some late night when you’re away. And I’ll save the tape so I can listen to us.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Maybe I’ll have to be loud just for you then.
THEODORE ASH JR.: Oh, be my guest, Director.
[Indistinct gasping and moaning, a pause of about thirty seconds, and then the sound of the desk creaking rhythmically before the recording eventually stops.]
▼
TRANSCRIPT E1: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION INCIDENT
AGENT CLAYTON: Are you ready, Izzy?
AGENT GARCIA: Yeah. This is Field Agent Isabel Garcia. My Badge Number is 24-ACR-U12, and I’m from the Atlantic-Capital Regional Field Office (ACRFO) of the Federal Bureau of Control. Today is August 1st, 1986. We’re just checking in as our supervisor wants at least a semi-regular update on the Smithsonian investigation. Okay, all yours, Jeff.
AGENT CLAYTON: Jeffrey Clayton. Badge Number 22-ACR-U43. I work with Agent Garcia, and I’m going to be interviewing her today on her interactions with one of our subjects, Katherine Choi. Just standard protocol.
AGENT GARCIA: Gosh, it’s…it’s hard to believe it’s been six years since we first met Katie.
AGENT CLAYTON: Almost as hard to believe as the part where I turned 40 two weeks ago. So, let’s do the little checklist. Tell me what Katie’s up to these days?
AGENT GARCIA: Well, obviously, we’re not roommates anymore, because, as you know, she wanted to live in the dorms. Wanted a real college experience, or something. Apparently, she lived at home when she went to school in California. But she’s, uh, she’s doing great at Georgetown. She and some friends found a place for the summer, and she’s got a car now, so she stops by some weekends. We get takeout or ice cream. Go to the movies, stuff like that.
AGENT CLAYTON: What’s she studying?
AGENT GARCIA: Microbiology. The girl’s just crazy about her microscopes. She’s getting really good grades and is even part of a research program this summer. Some professor got a grant so Katie could work in the lab. Some NIH thing, probably.
AGENT CLAYTON: Has she ever talked about what happened six years ago?
AGENT GARCIA: No. I mean, she talks about her sisters, or other memories sometimes, but she hasn’t mentioned the event itself in years.
AGENT CLAYTON: And no mention of the Altered item?
AGENT GARCIA: No.
AGENT CLAYTON: Okay. Has she experienced any other paranatural events since then?
AGENT GARCIA: No. At least, I don’t think so. There’s certainly nothing she’s mentioned to me.
AGENT CLAYTON: And have you had a chance to observe her lately for any suspected paranatural influence?
AGENT GARCIA: What’s with the questions on this sheet?
AGENT CLAYTON: Just trying to be thorough. It’s not every day a time traveler hangs around for six years, you know. Any observations?
AGENT GARCIA: No, not at all. I’ve barely had any chance to observe her at all. She’s really pretty busy, Jeff. Sometime later in the fall she’s going to a conference. Some microbe thing in Philadelphia, where they’re presenting their research. Starts the first of October, I think.
AGENT CLAYTON: Oh boy. That sounds like fun. Hope she likes cheesesteaks!
AGENT GARCIA: Speaking of, have you had lunch yet?
▼
Hey Ted!
Remember that story about my building being an arcade that was run by the mob? We talked about it a couple years ago. I got curious again and talked to my landlord’s friend about the history of my apartment building. We went to visit his father over the weekend, and he said that in the 1940s, the whole block was turf of the Bonanno family. Restaurants and poker halls and lounges – must’ve been one big protection racket! So I went back down into the basement, moved the Led Zeppelin poster I put in front of the coal chute (no, I never did replace that God-awful paneling!) and took a look inside. My flashlight reflected off something white, so I reached in, nearly all the way to my shoulder, to grab it. It was a little flipper from a pinball machine. Isn’t that something? Got time for coffee tomorrow or Wednesday? We can step out and walk a few blocks around 3, if you’d like (I, for one, am enjoying the pleasant cool of late September.)
Barry
[A note under the text reads: “Wish I knew the address of the apartment he refers to. I’ve tried to find the neighborhood, but no luck. -ZT”]
▼
Barry,
I love your stories! I wonder what year that little part is from? Wishful thinking, but did anything interesting happen when you touched it? Wednesday at 3 works for me, but I’ll have to leave by 3:45 for a Parapsychology lecture. It’ll probably be the 10,000th presentation about Jungian archetypes and metaphysical essentialism that I’ve heard in my career.
Ted
▼
September 30th, 1986
To All Employees of the Federal Bureau of Control:
Central Executive is currently off-limits to all personnel. This morning, there was a House Shift involving multiple adjacent offices on the upper level. This caused numerous items to behave erratically and even levitate, and several lightbulbs and outlets exploded from paranatural energy overload. The resulting fire has been extinguished, but the area is still hazardous. Several injured parties are being treated. Communications officials will be visiting all potentially affected personnel while we determine the cause. House Shifts are normally not this violent; our current working theory is a destabilized Control Point, which we are working on rectifying.
Thank you for your compliance and apologies for any inconvenience.
Bill Powers
Communications Chief
Federal Bureau of Control
▼
Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #78 (October 1st, 1986):
[Dr. Ash’s tone is unusually somber].
It’s day eight-thousand and ninety-two, and…it’s not good. This whole House Shift thing was, of course, another one of Broderick’s episodes. Dr. Rosen says it’s going to be a while before he wakes up this time. He’s got burns, and they’ve got him under ice packs to cool his core temperature. They won’t let me see him. Some nonsense about having to follow protocol because of how severe the incident was. I actually lost my temper at the guards up in Medical. Protocol? It’s–it’s getting worse. Broderick’s getting worse, and a-a woman was injured in the house shift. She’s in the hospital with a serious concussion, and they’re worried about god damn protocol? [There’s a long pause. Dr. Ash exhales and tries to compose himself]. I suppose it makes you appreciate the little things, when you don’t have them. Waking up together. Getting sarcastic mail tubes from him at lunch. The way he entertains every outlandish hypothesis I have. He’s-he’s so important to me, and I could have never imagined just how much. I hated him for sixteen years, and then he proved me wrong. He proved me wrong, and I’ve never been so glad to be wrong before. And he’s got my entire headspace right now. There’s no room for Altered items, or budget justifications, or even a proper dinner. It’s all just him. Honestly, I’m pretty scared, I-
[Dr. Ash’s monologue is interrupted by the sound of someone rushing into his office. The other person cannot be easily understood, but Dr. Ash says, “Okay, slow down, Anna. What’s going on in Containment now?” before the tape ends.]
▼
OFFICIAL RESEARCH SECTOR TRANSCRIPT – TRANSCRIBED 10/5/86
Research subject: AI15-UE
Date of experiment: Meeting on 10/2/86
THEODORE ASH JR.: Okay. Now that we’re all in front of the microphone, Anna, could you explain exactly what happened last night?
ANNA MARCONI: All right. Around seven o’ clock, I went up to Containment to visit my friend. Emma, her name is, if we need that information. Emma Flaherty. She works in the Logistics center. As soon as I got off the elevator, one of the new Altered item holding area supervisors was running around shouting about an alarm in one of the containment cells. He wasn’t sure how to shut it off. He came up to me, and I told him that I was an Altered item researcher and might be able to help. I asked him what cell, and he said C-76.
THEODORE ASH JR.: That’s the cell for AI15-UE, correct?
ANNA MARCONI: Correct. So I asked the guy to take me up there and he scanned me through the security checkpoint.
PHILIP HARRISON: What kind of alarm are we talking about? Like, a security breach? Or monitoring warning?
ANNA MARCONI: Monitoring. As soon as I got to the cell, I saw that every one of our instruments was reading off scale. You know that little warning beep they make when they max out? Imagine six of them doing that all at once.
FRED DEJONG: So there was some sort of deluge or shockwave of paranatural energy?
ANNA MARCONI: Yes. From the musket, I’d presume.
THEODORE ASH JR.: Were there still three cartridges in the case?
ANNA MARCONI: Yes. And the item was just in its crate. There was no sign of anyone firing it or handling it inappropriately. No strange entries in the access logs either.
THEODORE ASH JR.: And what’s the status of those six detectors?
ANNA MARCONI: Two are damaged from the excess energy. I powered down and unplugged the other four as fast as I could. The closest dish passed that recording threshold really fast, so that’s one of the two that’s fried, but I did get a partial chart of this event. Here.
PHILIP HARRISON: Jesus, it’s like a bomb went off.
THEODORE ASH JR.: How long did this last?
ANNA MARCONI: A minute? Maybe eighty seconds at most? I could feel it. The energy. The hairs on my arm were standing up. It felt cold.
FRED DEJONG: Do we need to give you the questionnaire we used for the firing tests, or?
PHILIP HARRISON: That’s not a bad plan, Fred.
THEODORE ASH JR.: I don’t quite understand what happened, though. It’s almost like the item was reacting to something.
PHILIP HARRISON: What would it react to?
THEODORE ASH JR.: I don’t know.
▼
TRANSCRIPT S9C: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION INCIDENT SUPPLEMENT.
[There are sounds of furniture shifting and loud sniffling.]
AGENT GARCIA: Okay. The date is October 3rd, 1986. [Unintelligible] No, it’s okay, Katie. I know you’re confused. I’m confused too.
KATIE CHOI: This is-well, it’s a little hard to talk about, I’m still just in shock.
AGENT GARCIA: Take your time. We just need to get it on tape, even if it’s a little messy. Can I get you something to drink? I’ve got apple cider, Sprite, and a couple cans of Coors.
KATIE CHOI: God, give me the beer.
AGENT GARCIA: Okay. One beer, coming right up.
[Some commotion, followed by the gentle crack-and-hiss of a beer can opening.]
KATIE CHOI: Thanks. Okay. I just…she was there, Izzy. At the poster session at the conference.
AGENT GARCIA: Who was?
KATIE CHOI: My sister, Lucy. At first, I thought she was a friend. You know the way you feel that sense of familiarity when you see someone you know? It was like that, but it was somehow…deeper. I’d know her anywhere. Her dimples. The barrette she used to wear in her hair. The bright blue blazer she was fond of – she used to wear that at Christmas sometimes, when we’d both go home, and our mom would joke that blue wasn’t really a Christmas color.
AGENT GARCIA: And how did you react to this?
KATIE CHOI: I thought maybe someone had drugged my soda! But no, I looked in the conference program, and I saw her name. She was presenting research there too. Lucy Choi, from the University of California Davis School of Medicine. I had no idea she ever went to a conference in Philadelphia.
AGENT GARCIA: Wow, that would’ve given me a shock too.
KATIE CHOI: [Sniffling and tearful] She-she walked by my poster, for just a moment, and I froze. I just froze. We made eye contact, and I felt this…this tingling sensation. Like pins and needles. My vision was blurry, like my eyes were crossing. It gave me a headache and I-I just ran. The next day I told my lab-mates I wasn’t feeling well and was going to leave a couple days early. So yesterday morning, I got back on the train to DC and I…God, what if I’ve broken time, somehow? I– [Katie stops to calm herself].
AGENT GARCIA: Shhhh. It’s all right. You don’t have to say anymore. This was really helpful. Just reach over and hit stop when you’re ready. I’ll get you another beer whenever you want, or-
[Recording ends].
▼
[A note on top says: “I couldn’t find any other correspondence from Lawton about this incident. Maybe it was lost.”-ZT]
Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #78 (October 8th, 1986):
It must be some sort of singularity. Where the knot was severed, and the points in time re-superimposed. Based on the transcript that Lawton sent yesterday, that has to be what happened. The subject, Katie, saw someone from her original timeline, and both her and the Musket had a paranatural reaction. To say that’s a liability is an understatement. If that’s what happens from her just seeing her sister, what could happen if an interaction between the timelines was more substantial? What if it altered both timelines? It’s chaos theory - the Lorenz attractor on a grand scale. The butterfly effect. I’m waiting for an update from Atlantic-Capital, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they want to bring the girl here too.
[There’s some unspecified noise in the background, followed by a creaking door. The voice, identified as Director Northmoor’s, says “Hey, Teddy.” Ash replies, “You’re awake. Thought you’d sleep all day.” Before the recording ends.]
▼
[Two misfiled documents are stuck together by a coffee stain in this folder]:
December 17th, 1993
Mr. Trench,
I am summarizing this week’s developments in writing per your request over the phone. Susanna is on hemodialysis as her kidneys are failing. We have submitted her name as a possible candidate for a kidney transplant, but we’re worried about her poor overall status and ambiguous diagnosis disqualifying her from the process. Things are touch-and-go, but her prognosis remains guarded. Nurse Jamie reads to her every night – “Goodnight Moon” always lowers her heart rate. She is such a brave girl. It breaks my heart that she cannot be with you for the holidays.
Please call when you are able. I hope speaking to the counselor I recommended is helping.
AK
Dr. Amishi A. Kaur
December 19th, 1993
Dr. Kaur,
I keep telling you, this is my fault. It’s my fault, our daughter is dying, and Kate doesn’t know what to do. I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place. I’d tell you everything, but I swear, it would violate government confidentiality if I did!
Zachariah Trench
▼
[A note at the top says: “I couldn’t find the first page of this document. Probably ended up in the same place as Lawton’s missing letter.-ZT”]
KATIE CHOI: I know the consequences of what happened, Sir. Or, um, the potential consequences, really. I just-I’ve been here six years. I’ve invested six years in this version of me. If this works as you say, where the start point is fixed, and I come out in 2013, I’ll be 50. I’ll have my established career – won’t it be too late to start over?
AGENT GARCIA: Of course not. It’s never too late to start over, Katie. Who says you can’t throw it all out the window and go back to school even if you’re 50?
THEODORE ASH, JR.: It’s a lot easier to start over than risk staying where you are and triggering some sort of paranatural singularity.
ANNA MARCONI: Yeah, when I hear singularity, I think of black holes, and those are…pretty scary.
AGENT GARCIA: Wait, what happened with her sister could cause a black hole?
THEODORE ASH, JR.: Not exactly, but as black holes and wormholes are both perturbations of space-time, the math of general relativity doesn’t entirely rule it out. We can’t be too careful.
ANNA MARCONI: Dr. Ash also might be reading too many papers.
KATIE CHOI [laughing]: So, what, I just fire the gun and say a magic word?
THEODORE ASH, JR.: Yes. You said “retreat!” to move back in time, so to move forward, you need to say “charge!” The words activate the Item.
KATIE CHOI: And I’ll just pop out of a wormhole inside this giant skyscraper that the world outside of your Bureau doesn’t know exists. Got it.
THEODORE ASH, JR.: I’d imagine it’ll still be here in 2013, especially if there weren’t any major catastrophic events, as your transcripts suggested. What we’re going to do is set up our firing range in the lobby. I’ll have the Investigations Sector Head get the area cleared. We’ll do it tonight, around midnight, so there’s less drama. If you meet anyone in the lobby in 2013, just tell them you’re lost, walk right out the front door, and flag down a cab.
ANNA MARCONI: And if you can, try not to talk too much about what happened here. Assuming your little jaunt through time doesn’t mix up your memories a bit. Do you think you can do that?
KATIE CHOI: Yes. Understood. Izzy told me this already. I’ll do what she says, I promise.
AGENT GARCIA: And we’ll have to make sure you’ve got some money to get you back to California, too, and-
THEODORE ASH, JR.: But leave everything else from the 1980s. We wouldn’t want to risk making this worse somehow. Only take what you came with. I’m sorry we can’t give you back the device you came with.
KATIE CHOI: My phone? You had it here?
ANNA MARCONI: “Had” was the operative word. Let’s just say the Oldest House wasn’t too happy about technology from 2013 coming through the door, and it, uh-
KATIE CHOI: Got it. I do have one more question though.
THEODORE ASH, JR.: Yes?
KATIE CHOI: Izzy told me you’re all scientists. What kinds of microscopes do you have here?
THEODORE ASH, JR.: Well, as we’ve got a few hours before midnight, how about I give you a tour of our Research Sector?
KATIE CHOI: Hell yeah!
[A note is penned in the left margin: “So this is why those four lead buckshot pellets were found in a corner of the lobby in October 2013!” The author of the note is unknown.]
▼
Hey Ted!
I took another look behind the poster, and it turns out there were other things back there too. I reached in with a broom handle and under the dust there was a newspaper from 1947! And what looks like a gold cufflink. I wonder who it belonged to? I should show you next time you come over – I don’t want to risk bringing anything funky to work!
In other news, I’ve recently acquired a bottle of Macallan Sherry Oak. Come have a sip after work today?
Barry
▼
TRANSCRIPT S11C: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION INCIDENT SUPPLEMENT.
AGENT CLAYTON: What’s the date today, Izzy? Need to get it for our last tape before Cohen mothballs everything.
[Sound of a cigarette lighter flicking, and what may be a train in the distance]
AGENT GARCIA: I don’t know. October 19th, maybe?
AGENT CLAYTON: Wait, wasn’t the 19th yesterday? Jeez, I’m as bad as you are.
AGENT GARCIA: Okay. Fine. The 20th, then.
[Brief pause]
AGENT CLAYTON: Are you okay? You seem kind of-
AGENT GARCIA: Yeah, I’m fine. I just…Katie and I used to walk this way when we’d go to get ice cream. We sat to rest here and eat it, once or twice. I miss her, that’s all.
AGENT CLAYTON: I understand. I also understand why the Bureau wanted to do what it did, but…I understand. She was your friend. Six years is a long time, even if it doesn’t seem like much on a time travel scale.
AGENT GARCIA: Strawberry was her favorite flavor. The place a couple blocks down that way made a decent strawberry milkshake, you know?
AGENT CLAYTON: Why don’t we go get one? Honor her memory, or whatever they say? My treat?
AGENT GARCIA: Sure, Jeff. That’s a nice idea.
AGENT CLAYTON: I just have one question left for you. More of a curiosity thing than anything for the investigation, but…back in New York. Before she pulled the trigger. You said something to her, but I couldn’t quite make it out. What was it?
AGENT GARCIA [laughing]: Oh. Well, I told her that when I finally make it to 2013, that I’ll fly out to California and look her up.
AGENT CLAYTON: Will you really?
AGENT GARCIA: Absolutely. I mean, you can come too if you want.
AGENT CLAYTON: Heh. Maybe. We’ll see. [Short pause] Well, I guess that’s it, then. This is Agent Jeffrey Clayton, Badge Number 22-ACR-U43, with the Atlantic-Capital Regional Field Office (ACRFO) of the Federal Bureau of Control, signing off.
▼▼▼
Chapter Text
IX.
[The eighth folder in the “STATISTICS” box has a sheet on top of the files which reads: “More 1980s and 1990s records, re: Dr. Ash, Director Northmoor, and a few more mentions of AI15-UE”.]
July 17th, 1989
Dear Dr. Ash,
I hope you’re well today. I’m still a little uncertain about what my new security clearance allows me to disclose to whom, but I thought I’d pass along the word from Medical to give Dr. Rosen a break – he’s a little busy with every unpredictable change in the Director’s condition. As it turns out, it appears the spontaneous translocation events that happened in Executive ARE another new manifestation of Director Northmoor’s abilities. Just giving you advance warning: Powers and his guys have their underwear in a real twist over this, so you might get a letter explaining this away as the result of an experiment from your Sector gone awry, as it’s understood some of your folks are researching paranatural translocations and related phenomenon.
Zachariah Trench
Deputy Operations Coordinator
Executive Sector
▼
July 18th, 1989
To All Employees of the Federal Bureau of Control:
If you visited the Executive Sector any time toward the end of last week, you may have witnessed spontaneously appearing office supplies, and in one instance, a desk chair. These events were the result of a paranatural teleportation experiment that escaped the bounds of the Research Sector. The experiment has since ended, the objects have been retrieved by the appropriate personnel, and there is no cause for alarm.
Thank you for your cooperation,
Bill Powers
Communications Chief
Federal Bureau of Control
▼
August 3rd, 1989
Dear Dr. Ash,
I called down three hours ago and got your secretary. She said you were in a series of meetings today so I figured it would be quicker to send you a letter. I got a call from Cohen at ACRFO this morning. As it is the nine-year(!) anniversary of the Smithsonian incident, he’s checking in for a regular surveillance update. Has anything interesting or notable happened with AI15-UE lately?
Tom
Thomas Lawton
Head, Investigations Sector
▼
August 7th, 1989
Tom,
Feel free to send this letter directly to Mr. Cohen. No, there is nothing to report on the musket at this time. The Item’s energy readings are very stable and have been for several years; Drs. Marconi, Harrison, and DeJong (the original investigating team) have since been largely re-assigned to other projects; their intermittent updates on AI15-UE are unremarkable. Please tell Mr. Cohen to give my regards to Agents Garcia and Clayton, who worked hard on the investigation. Hope you and Carolyn had a nice vacation.
Ted
▼
January 22nd, 1990
Dear Dr. Ash,
I hope you are well. I’m writing with two updates.
First, with the recent reports of the newest decline in the Director’s health, the management team up here is truthfully starting to grow concerned about his long-term status as Director. We’ll be having a briefing on the first of February. You, like the rest of the Bureau heads, are invited, and encouraged to attend.
Second – I have a friend from NYU, Dr. Casper Darling. He finishes his post-doctoral fellowship there in around 18-19 months. He is trained as a physicist, but his work has recently crossed over toward the metaphysical/occult, which has caught the Bureau’s attention. He’s approaching a bit close to the edges of our territory for comfort, and I’m thinking he might be able to help us out, long-term. Would you mind if I put him in touch with you?
Zachariah Trench
Deputy Operations Coordinator
Executive Sector
▼
[Note on the top corner: “The ages mentioned would likely make this early 1990? Likely February, possibly after the briefing mentioned in my letter.-ZT”]
[Gentle sound of heart monitor and a man clearing his throat.]
THEODORE ASH JR.: You didn’t have to go to that meeting. You shouldn’t overexert yourself when it’s stressful, you know that things can happ-
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: [His voice sounds tired and raspy]: I know. But I had to go. Trench. Trench is up to something. I should’ve never let him get promoted to such a high rank in Executive, I swear-
THEODORE ASH JR.: Shhh. No, he isn’t. That’s your fever talking. They’re just talking about retirement. I mean, you retiring wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe I could retire too. I’ve had a good 26 years.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: It’d be more of a resignation than a retirement, Ted. You’re only 54.
THEODORE ASH JR.: So are you.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: You’re not the one who’s locked in here because you accidentally lit someone on fire after an ordinary meeting. You’re not the liability in this room, the one who-
THEODORE ASH JR.: Where would you go?
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Pardon me?
THEODORE ASH JR.: For your retirement. Most people in this city move somewhere else when they retire, right?
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Well, in my family, everyone usually goes to Florida. What do you say? Would you move to Fort Lauderdale with me?
THEODORE ASH JR.: I don’t know. Don’t think I want to spend my last years in a tourist-infested sprawl. Why don’t we go to Phoenix instead? Some nice neighborhoods there.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Too hot. [Weak laugh]: What’s so funny?
THEODORE ASH JR.: Oh, the irony that is you, of all people, complaining about the heat.
[Some shuffling noises, coughing, yawning, followed by the bed creaking]
THEODORE ASH JR.: [Unintelligible] you want to try and sleep again?
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: I should [unintelligible] Hey, not too close. Doctor’s orders. They’re really concerned about my temperature today.
THEODORE ASH JR.: Okay, I’ll sit over here. Want me to read? [More shuffling, sound of a chair dragging, unintelligible speech] helped you with sleep last time.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Shakespeare, again? What is this, high school English?
THEODORE ASH JR: Well, would you rather have Steven Hawking talking about black holes? I’ve got “A Brief History of Time” down in my office.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: …Fine. Where were we?
THEODORE ASH JR: Act 1, Scene 5. The nurse says, “His name is Romeo, and a Montague. The only son of your great enemy.” Juliet then says, “My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late. Prodigious birth of love it is to me, that I must love a loathed enemy.” And the nurse is confused, going “What’s this? What’s this?” Juliet replies, “A rhyme I learned even now, of one–"
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: [interrupting, laughing]
THEODORE ASH JR: What?
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Oh, just more god damn irony, Ted.
THEODORE ASH JR: …huh. Never noticed that before with that passage. Or never thought about it, I guess.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Probably because you haven’t read it since high school English.
▼
Hey Ted!
I keep seeing you walking across the Central Containment lobby. Going somewhere, and then going back to the elevator several hours later. I waved this morning, but you did not see me. Jones said he saw you headed toward Medical yesterday. He said you looked “morose”, and for him, a word like that seems hyperbolic. He also told me that there’s a bit of an increased Ranger presence up there lately. What’s going on? I mean, if you can’t tell me, you can’t tell me, but I’m a bit worried about all this. I never got a response to my last invitation for coffee that I sent last week. Did you get it, or did it get lost in the tubes? You’re welcome to join me this Friday around 11 AM…
Barry
[On the bottom, a note reads: “Seriously, who was this guy? Is Barry a nickname or an alias? A middle name? Will look into all 1980s Containment employees with B middle initials.-ZT”]
▼
[Another misfiled letter is tucked between the notes].
December 30th, 1993
Mr. and Mrs. Trench,
I regret to inform you that Susanna’s request for a kidney transplant has been denied. It’s just too risky with her condition, and “we don’t really know” isn’t an acceptable diagnosis for the organ transplant folks. We could appeal the decision, but I’m not optimistic. Let me know how we should proceed - I am sorry to be the bearer of more bad news.
AK
Dr. Amishi A. Kaur
▼
Barry,
I think your boss IS being hyperbolic. My visits to Medical are just to check in on a research technician who was injured in a laboratory accident last week. I do not mean to appear secretive! I did receive your last letter, it just ended up buried in a huge pile of my mail. Apologies – it’s hard to keep up some days. Friday at 11 works.
Ted
▼
Ted,
Please come to my office. I need help. The Board has forsaken me, they must have. My head is killing me and it’s hard to stand up. I’m sick to my stomach. My vision is going red, and everything hurts, I have a meeting down with lawton’s people soon so just took the new pills but it’s like i’m igniting inside it hurts, it hurts so gggggdgshdgk;;;
[The bottom half of the document is partially burned.]
▼
Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #91 (November 25th, 1991):
It’s day nine-thousand nine-hundred-and-seventy-four. I got four separate mail tubes, from Lawton and Powers both this time. The latest episode was in Investigations. Broderick was visiting for some meeting, and it’s-it’s bad. They said it was like a bomb had detonated. A fireball melted through a metal door, and there was a quake that cracked straight through the wall. So many things were translocating and flying and breaking. It’s a million bucks in damage, easily - I’ve never heard of a building shift that cracked the Black Rock cladding in an emergency shelter. There are more injuries. Burns. A bunch of broken limbs. Two people are in comas, and [Dr. Ash pauses, and his voice cracks] – and Broderick is too. At this rate he won’t come home until February unless they can get his temperature stable. God, I hate this.
▼
[A note on top says: “I believe this transcript goes with the episode Dr. Ash discussed in transcript #91 – the timeline fits, and this is likely very late November or December of 1991.–ZT”]
[Gentle beeping of a heart monitor, followed by indecipherable speech and a door closing]
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Wh-why the hell do you have a tape recorder?
THEODORE ASH JR.: Because I thought I’d never hear your voice again. Because I…I thought I should record this because what-what if I never do again? What if this is the last time I-
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: [Sighing]. Teddy. C’mere.
THEODORE ASH JR.: [Sniffling, barely audible]: I’m serious. When I got your letter I…God, how are you feeling?
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: I’m tired. I’m just so tired. You’d think I wouldn’t be after being unconscious for four god damn days with all these wires and tubes keeping me alive. They’re saying it’s a miracle that I woke up.
THEODORE ASH JR.: Shit, I’m just glad you’re still here.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Me too. Everyone’s frustrated. Rosen doesn’t know anything. Nobody here knows anything. I don’t know anything either. Some days I-I wonder if the Board is punishing me. If I’m just bad at my job and this is the result, or I’m just some sick experiment of theirs. Maybe they saved me to torture me even more. Who knows.
THEODORE ASH JR.: Broderick, come on. Nobody’s punishing you for anything. Sometimes people just get sick, and we never know why. Some things just…are.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Well, maybe the course of my life is just nothing but bad luck, then. Except for you, if that counts for anything.
THEODORE ASH JR.: Well, if luck brought you to me, it can’t be all bad, right?
[The beeping continues, followed by a chair or bed creaking]
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Wait, are you leaving already?
THEODORE ASH JR.: No. Never. [short pause] You know what? Screw all the meetings and notes, I’m staying here until you’re better. Don’t care if it’s two weeks, my Sector won’t die without me. I’ll finish my annual reports in that little room next door here.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: [laughing wearily] Ted-
THEODORE ASH JR.: And then I’m taking you home for Christmas. Where it’ll be quiet, and you can rest. Away from here.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Just you and me?
THEODORE ASH JR.: Yes. Always. Just you and me. I’ll put up the Christmas tree and we’ll, I don’t know, roast a big ham or something, and I’ll take care of you. You know I will, no matter what happens. I love you.
BRODERICK NORTHMOOR: Oh, I love you too. [short pause, sound of coughing, beeping rate increases]. God, I really don’t deserve you sometimes, Teddy.
THEODORE ASH JR.: Of course you do. You just don’t deserve this. Well, nobody deserves this, really, But especially you. And I mean that.
[There is more coughing, and the sound of what sounds like something crackling or sparking, followed by some profanities and Dr. Ash calling out, “Frank, can we get a little help in here?”]
▼
December 13th, 1991.
Dear Dr. Ash,
It was nice to attend your seminar yesterday and hear about the latest research on Altered items and their pacifying rituals! I was unsure exactly how Formulas worked, and on which Items they had been used. Even if nothing on AI15-UE can be declassified for at least two more years per your Sector’s rules (what would that be, anyway, the end of 1993? Early 1994?), it was a great talk! I’ve always found old weapons to be just fascinating and I’d love to read more about this item’s case.
And thanks for the congratulations. I need to admit, getting a promotion because of someone’s retirement feels a bit like cheating, but I do appreciate both the good words and my new office!
I’m sorry to hear that things in your personal life are a bit of a mess – a sick family member always complicates things. When I next schedule a management briefing, I will fill you in on some of my plans. We are brainstorming on how to effectively transition to new Bureau leadership during this time of great turbulence in Executive, and we may have had a breakthrough on how to do just that, and reap some benefits for the Oldest House too. I cannot put it in writing as it is of a highly sensitive nature.
Zachariah Trench
Deputy Chief
Executive Sector
PS – Has Casper contacted you yet?
▼
[There are four more misfiled letters, folded up together in quarters and tucked inside an old sympathy card signed by multiple people:]
January 11th, 1994
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Trench,
I am writing to express my sincerest condolences over the passing of your daughter Susanna. Even though it was expected and she was not in any pain, me and the rest of her care team at Mt. Sinai Children’s are just heartbroken. She was a beautiful, smart, and cheerful little girl and a model pediatric patient, and she touched the lives of so many of us here during her stay. We share in your immense grief during this time. Please keep me updated on any memorial services, I wish to pay my respects if possible.
I am so, so sorry that I could not do more.
Sincerely,
AK
Dr. Amishi A. Kaur
January 19th, 1994
Dr. Kaur,
I’m afraid you don’t quite understand. Susanna’s case was never anything you would’ve figured out. Nobody there at the hospital would have. She needed special intervention, but Kate wouldn’t let me take matters into my own hands. She and I were miles apart on the whole thing, the whole time. I wish I could tell you just what happened, Amishi. I really do. I wish there were some way to right this terrible wrong.
I’m going to try. Believe me. I’m going to do everything in my power. Perhaps someone or something at work can help me.
Zachariah Trench
January 28th, 1994
Zachariah,
After receiving your recent letters, I admit that I’m growing increasingly concerned about your mental state. I know the funeral was extremely difficult for you, and grief can manifest in unusual ways, but I believe I’m sensing some strange thought patterns in your writing, and I am uncertain what you keep referencing “at work.” I know you are in the legal profession – are you seeking legal counsel or filing a lawsuit? Do you need to speak with the hospital’s lawyers about something? Other than lending a supportive ear, there isn’t much I can do about anything of that sort as a pediatric ICU doctor. I highly recommend you make another appointment with Dr. Goldberg. She’s very experienced with all types of grief and trauma, including those that come with the loss of a child. Again, I am sorry for your loss.
AK
Dr. Amishi A. Kaur
February 12th, 1994
Dr. Kaur,
Please don’t hang up the phone on me again. Just hear me out: I’ve been digging into some files from work. Doing some reading. Our R & D department recently declassified some important information that I just obtained. I’m still just guessing, and it’ll take me a while to read through it all, but based on what I know, I’m convinced the answer may be in these very files! I’m not paranoid. I’m not delusional, and, grieving or not, I don’t need a therapist. I just need this to be fixed.
Mark my words. I will fix it.
Zachariah Trench
▼
Hey Ted!
I called down to your office five times and got no response, which has never happened before, so I’m a little worried. If you have time this weekend (and they don’t predict too much snow) you should come over. Seriously, just jump on the bus and head south! We can order pizza, have a Star Wars night, and just forget about work for a minute. I think you could use it.
Barry
[On the bottom is written: “South could mean Staten Island? Brooklyn? – I found a J. Barry McCartney from Park Slope listed in an old Bureau directory, but he passed away in 1991.-ZT]
▼
Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #94, (January 3rd, 1992).
Another year’s come and gone. Agent Garcia sent me a Christmas Card. Apparently she and that other agent from the musket investigation just got engaged and will get married sometime next year. Speaking of, we moved the musket into long-term storage upstairs. Nobody cares about it now, because investigations got a report of some funny business at a video arcade in Michigan, and the Great Lakes Office just sent a dozen agents to Detroit to poke around. And of course, Trench keeps talking cryptic nonsense about “solutions” and “turning bad situations into good situations” but he never explains anything beyond waving his hands and hinting at inviting me to meetings that never come. He's become a walking enigma since his promotion. And now they’re starting some construction in Maintenance. Some sort of power system upgrade? Even though we’re multiple stories above it all, the floor on the ground level of Research rumbled this morning. What the hell are they doing down there?
▼
March 3rd, 1992
Dear Dr. Ash,
As you didn’t leave me a return address, I left this letter with Zach, and I hope it makes it to you (he tends to be very thorough, so I am not worried). I was very excited to receive your call yesterday morning! Yes, I would love to join you as a Research Associate at the Federal Bureau of Control in May! The position sounds perfect, and my fellowship ends April 30th, so the timeline works.
You mentioned a visit to your headquarters the third week in April. I’ll be back in town the Tuesday after Easter. Give me a call and we’ll arrange something. I am eagerly awaiting my paperwork. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I cannot thank you enough.
Cordially,
Dr. Casper Darling
▼▼▼
Chapter 10
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
X.
[The ninth and final folder in the “STATISTICS” box says: “Last collected records before 1994 event.”]
March 1st, 1993
To All Employees of the Federal Bureau of Control:
Beginning on Monday, 3/8/1993, part of the lobby (as well as the Containment Sector’s lower subway/turntable entrance) will be inaccessible as they will be used to store/move equipment required for the Maintenance Sector renovation and the next phase of our power system update. We apologize for the continued inconvenience, but we all look forward to replacing our very old boilers with a clean-burning natural gas power generating system! Any questions should be addressed to the project coordinator, Deputy Chief Zachariah Trench, at Executive extension 9-224.
As some of you may also know, I am retiring from the Bureau in June after nearly thirty years of service. My chief assistant, Mr. Alberto Tommasi, will be promoted to Communications Chief, effective 4/1/1993. It’s been an honor to clog up your inboxes (and contribute heartily to the Bureau’s recycling efforts!) for these many years!
Bill Powers
Communications Chief
Federal Bureau of Control
▼
[The following note is inside of a thank-you card with a tropical-themed design on the front:]
May 8th, 1993
Dear Dr. Ash,
Thank you for the wedding gift!! It was very kind of you, your research team, and Mr. Lawton to think of us on our big day! The ceremony was beautiful, and we honeymooned in San Juan, PR (where Izzy’s grandmother is from). We enjoyed our time working together with you on the Smithsonian investigation and remember our visits to your headquarters fondly. Hope the musket is safe and not giving you too much time-traveling trouble! Keep in touch.
Love,
Jeff and Isabel
▼
July 7th, 1993
Deputy Chief Trench:
Pardon the curtness of my tone, but I have now written six times this calendar year after you promised multiple times to hold a briefing about your “plans” and “breakthroughs”, and your “benefits to the Oldest House” and “Executive transition plans” - yet I’ve never received any reply, let alone a date, time, or agenda. What exactly are you getting at? Are you avoiding me? I heard a rumor from a friend in Investigations recently that this “power system upgrade” that you’re the “coordinator” of has some type of Top Secret component? What is Top Secret about natural gas? I’m quite certain there’s a misunderstanding here somewhere, and you may want to schedule something simply to stop these wild rumors!
Research has been nothing but transparent with you and your staff. Remember that I agreed to personally send you copies of the unredacted AI15-UE documentation once the files are officially declassified on February 1st, 1994. I would hope I’d be afforded the same consideration.
Cordially,
T. Ash
▼
August 19th, 1993
Ted,
Someone named Barry (I think he said he was from Containment) keeps coming to my office looking for you. The third time today was around 2 PM. He seems worried about you. Even though I’ve only been here a little over a year and, as your lowly assistant, may be out of turn here, but I’m worried about you too. I’ve seen very little of you over the past ten days. Parapsychology is frustrated that you won’t respond to the instrument acquisition proposals that they submitted in June. Investigations is blowing up my phone about something potentially paranatural in California. Lawton wants to talk to you too. Please, just come by my office when you can.
A bunch of us from the Threshold group are going to open mic comedy night tonight. Maybe a few laughs are what you need, if you’d like to join us.
I sincerely hope everything is alright.
Casper
▼
Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #99, (November 4th, 1993).
[Dr. Ash is sniffling and subdued, as if he’s been crying].
It’s escalating. It’s escalating and he’s dying. The episode. [Short pause] The episode was in Medical this time. Even with the drugs and with all their control measures, he destroyed half the wing and escaped the secure facility. Thr-three people are dead, and they estimate they’ve got to re-inform a fifth of the Sector’s staff. The new guy, Tommasi, doesn’t even know where to start. [Short pause] They said he was engulfed in fire. Like a demon from Hell. At least, that’s what Rosen supposedly said, right before he lost consciousness. They found Broderick in some office in Containment, and he had burned the whole room down to nothing more than concrete block. And now they’ve got him in a cell, in a cage like an animal, because he burns everything he touches when he’s awake. I can’t get near him, but the doctors say that when he’s not asleep, he’s incoherent. They say he doesn’t know who they are. [Dr. Ash’s voice is raw with emotion, and he stops speaking for a few seconds.] I wonder if he’d even know who I was anymore. According to Rosen, nothing’s working. Not drugs, not ice baths, not unbinding his Objects of Power, not science, not prayer. It’s just us versus fate – whatever that fate may be.
▼
[The paper of this note is badly scorched and discolored]:
I had to beg them for paper and a pen but I have to tell you – this thing they’re building downstairs. It’s not a natural-gas powered turbine system or whatever bullshit they’re claiming. It’s an energy-converting reactor. Theyre going to entomb me in it and use me as a power source – and my own deputy chief is doing this! You can’t let them do this to me, ted, you can’t.
[The passages below are mostly nonsensical combinations of words and illegible scribbles, but “stop this”, “Teddy” “please” and “my only love from my only hate” are repeated several times.]
▼
[A note on the top reads: “How could I have known about Northmoor and Dr. Ash? How could I have known any of it?–ZT”]
November 14th, 1993
Dear Dr. Ash,
I apologize for the delay, as I have had to attend to a personal matter outside of the Bureau. Thank you for your report, which I have filed as a formal objection to our plan. Here is my reply:
First, while I understand that you have some concerns, the time to object to this is over. This project was approved by the Director’s management team nearly two years ago, and considerable resources – time, money, and labor, have already been invested. In fact, construction will likely conclude in March 1994, followed by initial system setup shortly thereafter. This endeavor will allow for an effective transition to new leadership, ensure the safety of the Bureau, and provide a clean source of energy that will ensure the Oldest House’s independence from the city power grid. I know the Research Sector is in favor of all three of these points, so I am unsure from where your objection originates. I will be forwarding more details about the project to you in early December; perhaps you will find them more convincing than this letter.
Second, please do not tell Casper about any of this. While he’s a good friend and an excellent Bureau employee, he has neither the clearance nor the constitution to be privy to these facts.
Regards,
Zachariah Trench
Deputy Chief
Executive Sector
▼
Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #101, (January 10th, 1994).
[Sound of a glass or mug setting down on a table, and what may be liquid pouring. Dr. Ash is angry and almost inconsolable.]
No. I read Trench’s files and - they can’t. They can’t! They can’t do this without the approval of all the Bureau heads, can they? They’re building this thing, they’ve been building this thing for years, and they didn’t even tell him? How can you have something like this be approved by the Director’s management team but not the Director?! And now the construction is supposed to be finished in March, and nobody thought to even get his permission? Do they have no sense of respect, or loyalty, or-or even basic dignity? What they’re proposing is – it’s torture. It’s cruel. They’re going to bury him alive under the guise of fixing some problem and erase all trace of him. Of course I’m going to object, even if I wasn’t – God, there has to be another way. I can’t live with this. I can’t even live with the knowledge of this. I’ll have to have myself re-informed, because I – how can I live with it otherwise? There has to be something I can do. [tense pause] And I’ve been good about my feelings on all this. I’ve kept it in, and kept it in and, well, I’m not an impulsive person but I swear it, I-[sound of glass breaking] Heaven forbid I do something drastic-! [the tape cuts out abruptly.]
▼
[Another series of misfiled letters with the dates out of order. Maybe these misfilings are deliberate?]
February 16th, 1994
Dr. Kaur,
I know how to fix this now. I can start over, alter the course of things, and bring Susanna back. I am continuing my investigation and still need to strategize how to best do things, but my plan is to gather all the relevant files in a big box, and bring this to your office, sit down with you, and explain everything. It is my hope you’ll finally be convinced. I know what I’m doing.
Zachariah Trench
February 21st, 1994
Zachariah,
I hesitated writing back to your letter at all, but I think you need to know my opinion. Part of me is glad that you’re finding some comfort in something at work, and part of me is alarmed. It’s well-known that the “bargaining” stage of grief can be especially difficult for some people, but whatever you’re talking about does not make any sense. Nothing can bring back the dead, and no fantasy or conspiracy will help. I’m sorry that this has been so hard, but I don’t know what else to tell you beyond please seek some professional help if you aren’t already.
Sincerely,
AK
Dr. Amishi A. Kaur
▼
Transcript of the recordings of Dr. Theodore Ash Jr, #102 (February 28th, 1994).
[This tape, and its transcript, were both left in a small case; a sticky note on the case read “Please Deliver to Director Northmoor”]
Broderick, if you’re listening to this, it means I’m already gone. It's day ten-thousand-eight-hundred-and-three. I'm taking the musket. I’m taking AI15-UE to the training range in the basement, and I’m using it. I’ve got two cartridges left. One to get, well, wherever I’m going, and one to get me back here. I’ve thought long and hard about this, and I-I know there’s got to be a better way than what the Bureau’s planning to do, and someone, somewhere in the future must know how to fix your condition. So, like Katie Choi and George Owens before me, I guess it’s my turn. My whole Sector, my life as I know it, the past fourteen years…I’m grateful, but I don’t care what might happen. It’s a risk I’m willing to take. It’s a risk I’m willing to take for you, because I can’t live with the alternative. It’s time to “charge,” I guess. [Long pause]. We fit together, you know? Like the top of the nail and the inverted pyramid, maybe. Perhaps we always did. Wait for me. Wait for me in whatever way you’re able. I will come back, and we will solve this, and I will love you – love you forever, the way I was always meant to.
▼
Barry,
I need to be away from work for a while. In the meantime, I have a request, because I know you’ll be willing to help out.
Tomorrow night (that would be Friday, March 4th), around 8 PM, I want you to go down to the firearms training range off Central Maintenance. There, probably on the floor, you will find the musket (AI15-AE). Take it, along with the case containing the remaining cartridge, with you, and immediately remove them from the Oldest House as quickly and secretly as you can. Hide them somewhere. Make sure they’re somewhere well-concealed that only the two of us would be able to find.
There are probably going to be a lot of questions from the Bureau, but someday I will explain. You will see me again, maybe far in the future, and then I will retrieve the Altered item in question. I promise (I still owe you that Star Wars night, too.)
Your friend always,
Theodore Ash Jr.
PS - I know you and Casper talk sometimes. Don’t say anything about any of this to him; I’ll also explain everything to him when I return, presuming he doesn’t figure it all out on his own anyway in the interim.
▼
March 7th, 1994
Dr. Kaur,
To be succinct, this “item” in question will indeed let me travel back in time and find Susanna the appropriate treatment. I know that listening to Kate instead of my heart and instincts was the wrong choice. While I regret the course of things every day, this item will give me a second chance to make the right one. There is just one complication: there’s been an incident at work. Some kind of freak accident, most likely, and the item is missing, along with its chief researcher. I just need to find out where it is or who has it, and then we will set up our meeting.
Zachariah Trench
March 11th, 1994
Mr. Trench,
You have now sent six letters this week, and called both my office and the ICU desk more than a dozen times. There is nothing I can do for you. I beg you, please speak with a mental health professional. I am not interested in reading your “declassified files,” hearing about “time machines,” “magic guns,” or this “Dr. Ash” person, or meeting to discuss anything that is not within the realm of accepted medical science. I am sorry for my harsh tone, but please do not contact me anymore. I am sorry that your poor daughter is gone, and that your marriage and your faculties have apparently both disintegrated, but your behavior is inappropriate and bordering on harassment. I do not want to be forced to take legal action, but I may have no choice if this continues.
Sincerely,
AK
Dr. Amishi A. Kaur
▼
March 12th, 1994
To All Employees of the Federal Bureau of Control:
I know there have been a lot of questions about the management turnover in Research lately, so I’m hoping this bulletin will set the record straight.
Theodore Ash Jr., the Bureau’s Head of Research, resigned on March 5th, 1994, due to a serious personal emergency. The presence of several Rangers in the Research Sector was only to guarantee the secure collection of Dr. Ash’s belongings; there has been no actionable incident in Research or anywhere else to the best of our knowledge.
Dr. Ash’s principal assistant, Dr. Casper Darling, has been promoted to Head of Research. While we regret the circumstances of Dr. Ash’s departure, we appreciate his thirty years of service to the Bureau and wish Dr. Darling the best in his new role. All further inquiries of this matter should be directed to the Communications Department.
Thank you,
Alberto Tommasi
Communications Chief
Federal Bureau of Control
▼
[A note on top of these papers, the last two in the folder, says: “These were found on top of Dr. Ash’s desk the morning after he disappeared.-ZT”]
BACKGROUND:
The item was obtained following several incidents at the ███████████ ██████ in which two subjects from “other time periods” suddenly appeared in the ██████. Bureau Agents contacted two guards, who observed evidence of the gun being fired, including missing cartridges, shot pellets, potential impact damage, and a gunpowder smell. Shortly afterwards the guards met both subjects: a World War I veteran from the year ██████ (whose family were the original owners of the musket), and a seventeen-year-old girl who possessed a ██████, claiming to be from the year ██████ . Both subjects were severely confused but eventually confessed to firing the musket (which caused them to ██████ ██████ ██████ ██████. The item was taken into custody by the Bureau’s Atlantic-Capital Regional Field office, and the two subjects were eventually returned to their original time periods.
CONTAINMENT PROCEDURE:
Item (along with its cartridges and cleaning tool) should be kept in a protective storage crate (because of its age) in a standard containment cell. Item is a functional firearm and can be safely shot presuming appropriate firearms handling safeguards are in place, but care must be taken to never say the words █████████ or ███████ while doing so.
DESCRIPTION/ALTERED EFFECT
Item is a “Brown Bess” long land pattern flintlock musket, likely of English make, manufactured in 1775 and subsequently used in the American Revolution. It was acquired from the ███████████ ██████ along with several paper-wrapped “buck-and-ball” cartridges and a cleaning tool, both kept in a leather ammunition case. The item is inert unless one of its cartridges is fired; the word █████████ sends the shooter forward in time, while the word ███████ sends the shooter backwards in time, potentially through the opening of a localized ███████.
▼▼▼
While an early March blizzard gusts away outside, four hours seem to pass in a wink. When Jesse finally closes the last folder, sets it down on top of the other eight, and looks up, Emily is loitering in the doorway.
“Geez, I was wondering when you’d finish. It’s almost nine.” The Head of Research grins. “But isn’t it nice when you get a whole story in a box like that? If this was just hiding in Dr. Darling’s old junk, it makes me wonder just how many of these are around the Oldest House.”
“And this was everything related to the musket?” Jesse asks.
Emily pushes herself out of the doorframe and walks into the office. “Yeah. At least, that’s what Dr. Heller said when I e-mailed her. She said she copied everything for Dr. Darling and returned the original box to the Directorial archives. My guess is it’s still in there – nobody’s gone through anything in there for ages, apparently.”
“Shit, Trench probably didn’t touch it after the doctor shot him down.” Jesse exhales. “Okay. Now that I’m finally caught up, you said you tried to follow up with some of these people in this case and had an update?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, what’ve you got?”
Emily unclips something from her clipboard and sets it on Jesse’s desk. “Take a look.”
It’s a recent newspaper article printed off from a news website; a photo displays two older women and a man smiling broadly while sitting together at a table. The caption beneath reads “Katherine Choi (62) and her best friends Isabel Garcia-Clayton (78) and Jeff Clayton (79) play bingo together at the Hart Senior Center in Sacramento on Monday, February 3, 2025.”
“Huh.” Jesse smiles. “That’s really sweet. I guess Izzy made it out to California after all.”
“I also talked to an Agent Suzuki at the Atlantic-Capital office earlier today. He said Isabel and Jeff both retired from the Bureau in 2011.” Emily shifts her eyes down to the floor. “Unfortunately, I didn’t get much from them about George Quincy Owens, beyond that he died sometime toward the end of 1986, and he’s probably buried at Arlington. I’m going to keep looking.”
“Did you find Dr. Kaur?”
“No luck there, either. When I called the Children’s Hospital at Mt. Sinai, they said nobody by the name ‘Amishi Kaur’ worked in the ICU. At least, not right now. My guess is she’s retired somewhere too.”
“And what about this Barry guy?” Jesse asks, “If he’s got an Altered item in his apartment or something, don’t you think we should try to find him?”
“On it. I got stuck just like Trench did, so I went to see Deputy Teske in Containment. She said that they were going to look through their personnel records, but she also said that in the ‘80s and ‘90s, a lot of Containment Agents had aliases for fieldwork, and these guys used them as inside jokes around the Bureau. So there’s a very good chance that Barry wasn’t his real name.”
“Thanks, Em. I guess we’ll wait and see.”
“I guess.” Emily flops herself down on the couch. “Although the whole story’s kind of sad, you know?”
“What is?” Jesse asks.
“That Trench lost his daughter. And what really happened with Northmoor. And that Dr. Darling never found out what actually happened to Ash before he too disappeared to-” Emily gestures weakly with her hands, “-well, wherever. I mean, even I’ve wondered from time to time about it all, based on what Darling told me.”
Jesse’s lingering on Emily’s words when the phone rings loudly on her desk, suspending further thought.
The man on the other end is panicked, and Jesse can barely parse out what happened. “Whoa.” She tries to slow him down. “Yeah. Yeah. She’s here. We’re both on our way. Sit tight.”
Emily sits up. “What’s going on?”
“Maintenance. There’s been an explosion.”
▼
As soon as Jesse and Emily step off the Sector elevator, the same nervous young man from the phone greets them, and, still talking a mile-a-minute, jogs them through Central Maintenance and toward the training range.
Apparently, just a few minutes earlier, a dozen evening-shift Maintenance workers had been scared out of their boots by a noise which the man described as a “something like a sonic boom.”
Jesse and Emily nudge their way through the small crowd that’s gathered behind the firing targets to find a man lying on the floor – seemingly unconscious. He’s very elderly: his long, white, thinning hair is tangled in the frames of his glasses, and he’s wearing a dirty lab coat over a baggy grey sweater – both of which do little to hide how frail he is.
“Sir. Sir.” A woman (whom Jesse recognizes as one of Research’s technicians assigned to monitor paranatural activity in Maintenance) repeats as she hunches worriedly over the old man. “Sir, are you all right?
“Look at his pocket.” Emily points. “That almost looks like a Bureau ID badge!”
“Stand back.” Jesse orders the crowd. “Let’s clear out now, just stand back.”
“…Can you hear me?” The technician pleads.
“Oh, yes.” The old man groans and creaks onto his side. “I believe I can.” With a satisfied smirk, he opens his eyes to find Jesse and Emily peering down at him. His voice is little more than a gravelly squeak. “Oh …who are you ladies?”
Jesse is the first to speak. “I’m Jesse Faden. Director of the Federal Bureau of Control.”
“Emily Pope. Head of Research at that same Bureau.”
“Head…of Research?” The old man says slowly. “Ma’am, I believe that’s my job.”
Emily kneels next to him. “Uh…just who are you, Sir?”
“I’m Theodore. Theodore Ash, Jr. Call me Ted.”
Emily’s mouth falls open; Jesse laughs awkwardly before she calls to the Rangers who have now arrived: “Clear the room!”
“If you wouldn’t mind,” Ash continues over the commotion, “would one of you tell me date?”
“M-march. It’s March Fourth.”
“And what year is it?”
“2025.” Emily keeps gawking, her reply addressed more to the corner of the room: “It’s 2025. How did you-the gun. You shot the gun, didn’t you. Like you said you were going to in those tape trans-”
“Well yes.” Ash interrupts. “That’s why I asked you for the date. I’m afraid you never quite know when you travel by musket.”
After a brief pause, Jesse helps Dr. Ash to his feet. “…How can we help you?”
▼
It’s 8:36 AM. A tired-looking Emily sets down her breakfast tray across the table from Jesse’s. The cafeteria is crowded - with people all unaware of what paranatural, time-warping miracle transpired the previous night.
“Well, I’m not sure what’ll come from it, but Dr. Ash is up with Containment this morning.” Emily stops, downs her entire mug of coffee in three gulps, and continues. “He’s visiting the Paranatural Illnesses and Afflictions Subdivision, and then I think he’s coming to see me in my office around eleven.”
“Wait until he hears about computers and artificial intelligence. And electric cars, and new vaccines, and wi-fi, and-” Jesse cuts herself off. “Seriously, the poor man’s head is going to explode .”
“Maybe so,” Emily laughs, “But you know, you just can’t beat old technology sometimes. Especially in the Oldest House. Look what I found downstairs. In the training range.”
She reaches into her pocket and rolls a slightly deformed musket ball across the table. Jesse catches it with her palm and smiles. “Cool. A souvenir from my first ‘lost’ Altered item.”
“So, what’s the next one we’ve got missing records for?”
“When things calm down a bit, let’s try AI59.” Jesse says. “Rumor has it, it’s a carved animal totem with some sort of extraordinarily powerful healing properties.”
“Well, as long as we stay in 2025,” Emily says, “I think we can handle it.”
▼▼▼
Notes:
Thanks to everyone who's been reading!
This was largely inspired by two sources: Janice Hallett's fabulous epistolary mystery novels, and Sylibane's very interesting Letters From The Dead: https://archiveofourown.info/works/55304737/chapters/140301097