Chapter Text
[CLICK]
[10th April 2015]
ARCHIVIST
Statement of- oh, Isaac Odon- regarding something that replaced his cousin….Kyle Ordor…in the summer of 2011... (clears throat) Statement taken 9th of August 2013, Audio Recording by Jonathan Sims, Head Archivist of The Magnus Institute, London.
(breath) Statement begins-
[DOOR OPENS]
ARCHIVIST (CONT.D)
Oh- yes, Martin?
MARTIN
Um- Oh! Sorry, am I interrupting?
ARCHIVIST
(slightly irritated) Yes, actually, you are.
MARTIN
Oh! Uh- sorry, it's just uh...there’s someone here looking for The Head Archivist, he’s a former assistant
ARCHIVIST
Former Assistant?
MARTIN
Yes, he uh...disappeared about 6 years ago, I guess he’s still alive
ARCHIVIST
Huh. Well, alright then, bring him here.
[MARTIN LEAVES]
ARCHIVIST
(sigh) Well, I suppose I'll read this statement later. It deserves its own tape.
[DOOR CREAKS OPEN SLIGHTLY]
MICHAEL
(nervously) Uh, Hello…!
ARCHIVIST
Hello. My name is Jonathan Sims, and you are…?
MICHAEL
Oh! Uhm… Michael Shelley [Door creaks open more and closes] I’m looking for Gertrude Robinson?
ARCHIVIST
Ah, of course, you wouldn’t know, would you?
MICHAEL
N-no? Know what?
ARCHIVIST
(Deep breath) Gertrude Robinson went missing fairly recently, her case was ruled as a death.
MICHAEL
…
Oh. Oh that poor woman, I hope she rests well…
ARCHIVIST
Yes, of course. Whatever you needed to tell her, though, you can tell me. I’m the new Head Archivist, after all.
MICHAEL
(Quiet and sadly) Oh...no, it's okay, it's just- (sigh) I just wanted her to know I'm alive. She must’ve been so worried about me…
ARCHIVIST
Mh, I'm sure she came to terms with it eventually.
MICHAEL
U-um, if i may ask, how long have I been gone for?
ARCHIVIST
Well, according to Martin, about 6 years.
MICHAEL
(Surprised Horror) 6 years!? Oh god...Wh-where’s Gerry?
ARCHIVIST
There’s no Gerry in the archival team, unfortunately. By the time Gertrude had passed, all of her assistants had either left, died, or disappeared.
MICHAEL
(Shakily, on the verge of tears) Oh God…
ARCHIVIST
(softer) It- (sigh) Would you like some tea to help calm down? Or cry into, I suppose?
MICHAEL
(sniffle) Y-yes, please...I-I would like that…
ARCHIVIST
Alright then.
[CHAIR MOVES ONCE AS JON GETS UP, AND ANOTHER TIME WHEN MICHAEL SITS DOWN]
ARCHIVIST
I’ll go get some.
MICHAEL
(sniffle) R-right, thank you…
[DOOR CLOSES]
MICHAEL
(tearfully) Oh Gerry...I really hope you just quit...you- we were so young...I-I can’t imagine Gertrude letting you die…
[THERE’S SOFT CRYING BEFORE MICHAEL SNIFFLES AND TRIES TO COMPOSE HIMSELF, RIGHT BEFORE THE DOOR OPENS AND JON ENTERS]
ARCHIVIST
Alright, here you go. (cup is placed down) Martin uh, made one for me as well. (second chair is moved over for Jon to sit in)
[LONG PAUSE, ONLY DISTURBED BY TEA DRINKING SOUNDS AND MICHAEL’S SNIFFLING]
ARCHIVIST
…
If I may, do you know any of my current assistants? Tim, Sasha, Martin..?
MICHAEL
(perks up a bit) Oh! I kno- knew Martin, a bit. He worked in the library, so I'd chat with him while reading up on things a-and during our break. (long sip, followed by a chuckle) His tea tastes as good I remember
ARCHIVIST
Oh? I worked in the research department, I’d say I never saw you around, but I came here in 2011
MICHAEL
(little laugh) You missed me by a few years, then. Last I knew, it was 2009! It’s uh...2015 then, right?
ARCHIVIST
(heh) Yes, it is. Early 2015, spring to be exact, but you made it in time for Easter, I suppose.
[MICHAEL laughs, still shaky]
ARCHIVIST (CONT.D)
Uh, could i ask a question about you and martin?
MICHAEL
Oh? Y-yes, of course
ARCHIVIST
Were you two... together ?
MICHAEL
(splutters) I- uh- w- i- n-no! I mean, i didn’t even really... know him, I-I was far closer to G-Gerry than I was with him, you know?
ARCHIVIST
Right, yes, of course, my apologies. I just- was wondering if- (he pauses, then sighs) Uh- forget it, it- (deep inhale, long exhale) Sorry.
MICHAEL
Its uh, okay. Not the first time someone’s presumed I'm dating my co-worker (chuckle)
ARCHIVIST
Really?
MICHAEL
Yeah, uh, There used to be someone working here when I first joined, we got mistaken for a couple all the time cuz of our ages (he grimaces ) which uh, was weird, considering...certain things. They came out as a trans woman a few months before I- yeah- so I wonder how she’s doing now
ARCHIVIST
Well, if she still works here, you're welcome to try find her. If not, I wish you luck.
MICHAEL
(happy chuckle) Thank you- uh, Jon, was it?
ARCHIVIST
Right, yes
MICHAEL
Then thank you, Jon. I uh, better get out of your hair (papers rustle) You seem awfully busy (heh) good luck sorting through Gertrude’s organization
ARCHIVIST
I’d hardly call this organization, but thanks.
MICHAEL
Right. Um (he gets up) I’ll be going then...i suppose. Not sure where to, but I'll figure it out.
ARCHIVIST
You're welcome to re-join the institute, if you want. I’m sure Elias won’t mind a familiar face around here.
MICHAEL
He’s still the boss, huh? Well, I'll- (takes a second to think) Yeah, actually, i will go talk to him. Thank you, Jon.
[THE DOOR CREEKS EERILY AS IT CLOSES]
ARCHIVIST
Right, that was...interesting. Now, let’s try this again-