Chapter Text
[TAPE CLICKS ON]
JON:
State-
(He is interrupted by a door)
What do you need, Martin?
MARTIN:
I w-wanted to see how you were. Seen any wor-
JON:
Please get out.
MARTIN:
Ri-Right. Sorry
[THE DOOR SHUTS]
JON:
Statement of Elliot Short, regarding a possible possession. Original statement given May 7th, 2008. Audio recording by Jonathan Sims, Head Archivist at the Magnus Institute, London. Statement begins.
[PAGES TURNING]
JON:
I'm sure you hear this, or rather read this, all the time. But I never believed in the paranormal before this. I've been in theater for quite some time now. I quite enjoy the stage. The spotlight, the applauds, though I love the costumes the most. Becoming whoever I want.
Now I'm scared to perform.
I'm sorry, let me start from the beginning. The school I attend is a college specifically for performance, so the majority of my education focuses on acting, specifically theater.
Not to brag, but I nail lead almost every damn year. This year was no different. It's my third year and my sixth role. We're putting on Phantom of the Opera, as ironic as it is.
I am the phantom.
I am the phantom and I was amazing. We went on for the first time two days ago. I've performed three times and I remember every time, as I went to deliver my first line, I sort of lost myself. My thoughts were not my own, they were those of the Phantom. I believed each line I was told, my responses were of true emotion.
Whenever the show ends, I feel confused as everyone comes on stage to bow. I'm always the last to walk on because it takes me a moment to remember I am not the Phantom. I'm supposed to be the first to bow and I've been reprimanded thrice for missing my cue.
Of course, this is terrifying. Losing control of my body, not being myself. But I think what scares me most is the ecstasy. I feel a sense of relief when I no longer am myself. To be another person is freeing. I don't like to be truthful about myself. I hate everything about myself. I like playing the Phantom, but I certainly am not him. It scares me how much I enjoy it.
To tell you the truth, I don't really think it's possession. It's pretending. It's just my entire body pretending to be the Phantom, not just my actions. I don't know how to explain it. I am not the Phantom, I am no one. Of course, as my forms suggest, I am Elliot Short. That is one thing I am sure of. I just don't know who that is.
Statement ends.
Comments,
A simple Google search will tell you a local acting college put on Phantom of the Opera the week this statement was given. Elliot Short played the lead of the Phantom, but that is where the evidence ends. To start, we cannot prove what he was thinking or feeling at the moment, and it seems after this statement was given he went missing for two years, upon his return he admentally avoided the institute so a follow up has proven very difficult. He had no social media and seemed to live a quiet, “off grid” life, until yesterday, when an Instagram account was created under his name. I think that-
[THE DOOR OPENS]
MARTIN:
Jon?
JON:
What is it?
MARTIN:
Someone wants to see you.
JON:
Can it wait? I am recordi-
MARTIN:
Elias sent him. He wants you to give him some work.
JON:
(With exasperation)
A new hire?
MARTIN:
Yes, an Elliot Short. Did Elias not tell you-
JON:
(Urgently)
Send him in.
MARTIN:
Oh! Alright. C'mon then, Mr. Short.
ELLIOT:
Elliot is fine. Eli, even. I'm not one for formalities.
JON:
(Sarcastically)
Then you are in the wrong place.
ELLIOT:
Oh, am I now?
(He gives a light chuckle)
Elliot Shor-
JON:
(Interrupting)
I'm familiar.
ELLIOT:
(Elliot chuckles nervously)
Are you?
(There’s a short pause, then a sharp breath)
Found my statement, have you?
[JON SHUFFLES PAPERS]
JON:
Yes, I have. I suppose your acting career has gone poorly if you’re working here.
ELLIOT:
Disappearing for two years without telling almost anyone will do that.
MARTIN:
You gave a statement?
ELLIOT:
During a manic fit, yes.
JON:
So your two year disappearance was…
ELLIOT:
I had gone to find this long dead Russian circus. It sounds silly but I was convinced they would understand me. All I really needed was a good long time in the hospital. Believe me, I'm much better now.
JON:
(Jon takes a long pause, thinking.)
Before I hand you work, could we do a follow up on your statement?
ELLIOT:
Oh, sure!
JON:
Martin, please excuse us.
MARTIN:
Of course.
[THE DOOR OPENS AND SHUTS]
JON:
Follow up statement of Elliot Short regarding possible possession. Statement given September 8th, 2016. Statement begins… So, you claim you were having a manic fit at the time of your previous statement.
ELLIOT:
Yes. I was convinced I had experienced possession, and after our shows had ended I found a flier for a Russian Circus. The, erm, Tsirk Drugogo. Another Circus-
JON:
(once again interrupting)
Circus of the Other.
ELLIOT:
Another Circus.
JON:
A more direct translation, I suppose.
ELLIOT:
I had obsessively researched what little I could. There wasn't much, since the circus hadn't been seen in quite some while. I felt called there, something told me there were like minded people.
JON:
Like minded?
ELLIOT:
Fellow crazy people, I suppose. I'm not sure what I thought I would find, but I backpacked to the last known location they'd been and I was greeted with great hostility upon asking locals.
JON:
Elaborate.
ELLIOT:
I’m sorry?
JON:
Please elaborate on your journey.
ELLIOT:
Well, I hopped a train to… Er, the Netherlands I believe. Then I think I went through Germany? (He pauses to think) Ah! Yes, Germany. I spent the night there, then there was this nice man with a red Volkswagen that drove me about halfway and gave me money for the train to Poland.
JON:
Did he have a name?
ELLIOT:
Obviously. But it was nearly ten years ago, I hardly remember.
JON:
Seven.
ELLIOT:
Right, seven years ago. Regardless, I hopped a train to Poland and I stayed two nights there before I could afford the next one.
JON:
What did you do for money in this time?
ELLIOT:
Prostitution, mostly.
[JON COUGHS]
ELLIOT:
Like I said, I was desperate to get to the circus. I wouldn’t do that today, I was very unwell… Not to say sex workers are unwell! Sex work can be a very healthy and good job. Just not for me, *I* Wouldn’t do sex work when I’m-
JON:
Mr. Short, Poland?
ELLIOT:
Right, I stayed in Poland for two nights. Spent those two nights sleeping with strangers. Then I spent a day in the Ukraine before entering Russia. I was able to get a ride from a kind man, who’s name I do not remember, to the village where the circus was seen.
JON:
Did you find anything?
ELLIOT:
Just your typical angry locals, muttering about tourists and refusing to talk. I managed to get enough money so I could book a plane home… Upon returning, I'd been reported missing by my family. When I tried to explain, they saw how unwell I was and got me help. I decided to stay off the internet for a few years.
I was in hospital for about a year and a half. When I had healed enough, I worked in a library for a few years. Then I saw the open application for the institute and figured... What better place to work? It's nice, private, good pay, and I get to sort just as I have been.
JON:
You truly believe you were crazy at the time?
ELLIOT:
Sane people don't think they're the Phantom of the Opera or backpack to Russia to find a circus that hasn't been seen in almost 60 years.
JON:
Well, don't worry. You're likely the most sane person here. Is that all?
ELLIOT:
All what?
JON:
Does that conclude your statement?
ELLIOT:
Oh, yes. That's all.
JON:
Statement ends. (Sigh) Well, welcome to the institute, Elliot.
ELLIOT:
Blessed to be here. Mr. Bouchard said to go to you for my first assignments, is there anything you need me to do?
JON:
Good question. Typically we have too many cooks in the kitchen, so work can be sparse for new hires. Could you... Put in an order for blank tapes?
ELLIOT:
Why do you record on tapes?
JON:
Some statements don't work on computers.
ELLIOT:
Ah, what a tragedy. Well then, I'll get that order right in, Mr. Sims!
[ELLIOT PUSHES HIS CHAIR BACK AND LEAVES THE ROOM]
JON:
Alright Then... End recording.
[TAPE CLICKS OFF]