[INT. THE MAGNUS INSTITUTE, ARCHIVES, 2015]
[TAPE CLICKS ON.]
[Clothes rustle.]
MARTIN
Careful!
TIM
Sh-hh!
[A door opens.]
TIM, SASHA, MARTIN
SURPRISE!
[Someone blows a party horn.]
ARCHIVIST
(overlapping) Jesus!
TIM
Happy birthday, boss.
SASHA
Happy – Oh, (laughing, a bit) are you okay?
ARCHIVIST
No, I! – Christ, one second.
MARTIN
Sorry, sorry; Tim wanted to surprise you, and –
TIM
Snitch.
[Some papers have been rustling in the background over this.]
ARCHIVIST
No, no, it’s fine, thank you. Just a – shock.
TIM
(duh) Well, that’s the idea.
[Someone flips a page. Probably the Archivist.]
ARCHIVIST
Indeed. Though, uh, honestly, the bottle of wine was just fine.
[He pulls out a chair as he talks.]
TIM
Pfft, yeah, as a decoy.
ARCHIVIST
Yes, well, thank you. This is very – (rapid page flipping) elaborate of you.
SASHA
Plus, it was kind of fun, giving you a heart attack.
ARCHIVIST
Mm, I’m sure. I notice you didn’t jump out at Martin when he had a birthday.
TIM
(can hear his smile) No, he’s way too jumpy as it is.
[Martin lets out a sound of singular offense.]
TIM
We were worried he might damage himself!
MARTIN
(higher) Hey!
[Clothing sounds, as if he’s folding his arms.]
MARTIN
(hmph) Well – I preferred going out for ice cream anyway.
ARCHIVIST
You went for ice cream?
SASHA
Yes, you were there!
MARTIN
You had – rum and raisin, and taught us all about emulsifiers.
ARCHIVIST
Oh. Right, yes, (unconvincing) I – I remember.
TIM
(smiling) Liar.
ARCHIVIST
Well, thank you anyway. This is all – very touching.
TIM
We just wanted to do something to lighten the mood, you know?
ARCHIVIST
Yes, I’m – (inhale) aware it’s been a – rough start.
[He exhales.]
SASHA
(*really?*) That’s not what this was about; we just thought you could use a chance to unwind.
ARCHIVIST
(exhale) I… suppose it couldn’t hurt.
[A soft knock on the door.]
JONAH MAGNUS (AS ELIAS)
Knock knock.
TIM
Double boss!
SASHA
Elias?
MAGNUS
I’m not too late for cake, am I?
ARCHIVIST
There’s a cake?
TIM
How did y– Martin! That was a secret!
MARTIN
(high) I didn’t say anything!
MAGNUS
He didn’t have to. Nothing escapes my notice, and I like to keep an eye out for this sort of thing.
TIM
Well – it’s – good to see you.
ARCHIVIST
Yes – Y,yes! Come in?
MAGNUS
So, how old is the birthday boy?
ARCHIVIST
Uh – thirty-eight.
[There’s a sound that can be interpreted as Sasha either tch-ing or flicking him.]
SASHA
Liar.
[Everyone laughs.]
ARCHIVIST
(petulant) How would you know.
TIM
What, does someone need to change their password again?
ARCHIVIST
I – what?
[Tim laughs.]
ARCHIVIST
Sasha, have you been going through my computer –
SASHA
(overlapping, definitely yes) Definitely not; No idea what he’s talking about.
TIM
‘Course not!
[They both keep laughing in the background.]
ARCHIVIST
(mostly under his breath) That’s really not appropriate.
[He sighs, unheard.]
MARTIN
Oh, come on, guys!
MAGNUS
Anyways. Somebody mentioned cake.
TIM
Uh, yeah. You did.
MAGNUS
(inhale of mock surprise) Yes, I did, didn’t I.
[Tim sighs.]
TIM
Alright, alright. Well, I guess the cat’s out of the bag now, anyway, look – just give me a second.
[Someone sighs. Again, probably the Archivist.]
[We hear some ceramic-type sounds as Tim gets out the cake.]
TIM
(singing) Happy birthday –
[Everyone else joins in.]
EVERYONE
– to you.
ARCHIVIST
(dear god this is happening) Oh, okay.
MARTIN
Mhm!
EVERYONE
Happy birthday to you.
ARCHIVIST
Right!
EVERYONE
Happy birth–
ARCHIVIST
(please cease) Yes!
[He sighs. No one listens.]
EVERYONE
day, dear –
TIM, SASHA, MARTIN
– Jo-on.
MAGNUS
(simultaneous) – Archivist.
EVERYONE
Happy birthday to you.
ARCHIVIST
I –
TIM
(overlapping, laughing) Yay!
ARCHIVIST
Alright, yes – thank you. I do hope you’re not planning to light those candles.
TIM
(who, me?) Oh, goodness.
[He shakes a box of matches.]
TIM
A source of ignition? In the Archives?
[Sasha laughs.]
TIM
Uh-oh.
ARCHIVIST
Tim.
TIM
(overlapping) Mmm.
Oh. Whoops! (strikes a match) Sorry. My hand slipped.
[The flame crackles and burns into being.]
TIM
And again –
[A slight crackle as he lights a candle.]
TIM
And again –
[The same crackle.]
TIM
And a couple more times – here, I’m so clumsy today; that is a lot of fire.
[The candles continue to crackle in the background.]
ARCHIVIST
I’m really not comfortable –
SASHA
So blow them out, then.
ARCHIVIST
Oh. (slight pause) Right, yeah –
MAGNUS
And make a wish.
ARCHIVIST
If I wish for you all to go away, do you think it’ll work?
TIM
He’s so grumpy today, isn’t he Martin?
MARTIN
Uh – oh! Well, um –
TIM
(cutting him off) Do you think it’s his looming sense of mortality?
[Martin splutters.]
MARTIN
Uh – I, I don’t think –
ARCHIVIST
Fine.
[He blows out the candles. Everyone cheers, someone claps.]
TIM
So, what did you wish for?
ARCHIVIST
I can’t tell you.
MAGNUS
He wished for a little bit of peace and quiet.
ARCHIVIST
(small inhale) Was it that obvious?
[Small exhale.]
MAGNUS
Oh, I wouldn’t worry, John. It’s an Archive. Quiet is very much the course du jour.
TIM
Well, after the party, at least. Wine, anyone?
ARCHIVIST
Tim, it’s eleven in the morning.
[The cork pops.]
TIM
Pfft, yeah, at your birthday party.
[He begins pouring.]
ARCHIVIST
I really don’t think it’s appropriate –
MAGNUS
(overlapping) I’ll allow it. In fact! I’ll join you.
ARCHIVIST
(surprise) Oh! O-kay, um, a-al, alright then?
[Sounds of continued pouring behind all this.]
SASHA
Martin?
MARTIN
Oh! Uh, (slight strained laugh) I mean – I don’t – normally – drink wine, you know – t-tannins are a proven headache trigger, and so –
SASHA
Martin.
[More pouring sounds.]
MARTIN
W-, uh – (more stuttering) – yeah, sure, maybe, just uh, a drop. Heh.
ARCHIVIST
(more statement than question) You know that there’s a lot of tannin in tea as well?
MARTIN
What?
ARCHIVIST
Hang on, have you been recording this?
[Clothing rustling.]
TIM
Oh! Yeah! I – just thought it might be nice, you know, something to look back on when we’re all old and sick of each other.
SASHA
You probably should have told us, Tim.
TIM
(laughing) What, are you afraid we’re going to get sued over the Happy Birthday song?
MARTIN
(slightly higher) Oh, oh, well I am now!
[Tim sighs.]
SASHA
It’s just a bit of a privacy thing.
[ARCHIVIST]
(under his breath, hmph) Oh, hypocrite.
TIM
(overlapping) Alright, alright, fine, look. I’m turning it off. Any last words for your future selves?
ARCHIVIST
Yes. (to the tape) Fire Tim.
[Tim laughs.]
[INT. SCOTLAND, A DAISY TONNER SAFEHOUSE, PRESENT DAY]
[We hear the strange howling background designating our fearful new world.]
[The Archivist exhales, somewhat shakily.]
[Something creaks.]
[He breathes again.]
[More creaking.]
[There’s a soft knock-knock-knock at the door.]
[Footsteps.]
MARTIN
(gentle) Hey.
ARCHIVIST
Hi.
[His voice is rough, weary – a stark contrast to the younger version of himself we just heard on the tape.]
[More footsteps as Martin gets closer.]
MARTIN
You, uh, listening to the tapes again?
[Some rustling sounds as he situates himself.]
MARTIN
How many times is that, now?
ARCHIVIST
They were sent to me, Martin. (inhale) There’s got to be some reason –
MARTIN
(sigh) Gloating, John. Elias won, and there were some tapes he’d kept for himself, and he wanted to gloat. So he sent them. I, I don’t see-
ARCHIVIST
(overlapping) He’s not. Elias.
MARTIN
Jonah, then. I don’t know; I find it hard to think of him as – (pause, inhale) I don’t really like to think of him.
[Silence.]
[Martin sighs.]
MARTIN
You should get some sleep.
ARCHIVIST
(exhale) I – (sigh) Can’t. I, I can’t. I, I don’t think I do anymore. Sleep. (shaky sort of laugh) How long’s it been, now?
MARTIN
I don’t know. It’s not like there are days to count, anymore, (sigh) all the clocks are stopped, and…
[He trails off, somewhat shakily.]
ARCHIVIST
Well, I haven’t yet. I get – tired, but it doesn’t feel the same.
[The safehouse creaks.]
ARCHIVIST
Probably for the best. Sleep doesn’t look… pleasant.
MARTIN
…No, it’s. (unsteady inhale) It’s. Not.
ARCHIVIST
I couldn’t wake you.
MARTIN
I’m sorry.
ARCHIVIST
It’s not –
[He sniffs, and then lets out a sound that’s somewhat wheezy, almost strangled. It’s unclear if it’s a humorless laugh, or him near tears. Possibly both.]
ARCHIVIST
You’re not the one who ended the world.
[The background howls. The safehouse creaks. Martin holds back a sigh.]
MARTIN
(somewhat forced brightness) Well, just as well I don’t remember my dream.
ARCHIVIST
I do.
MARTIN
What?
ARCHIVIST
(inhale) I see most of the suffering around here. When it’s quiet, it just – It’s like… I can… see it, like I’m watching all of it.
MARTIN
You haven’t been opening the curtains.
ARCHIVIST
No, I don’t need to.
It can see us here, and… and I can see out as well.
MARTIN
O-kay, we’ll just file that under – ominous for now.
[A sigh.]
[More creaking.]
MARTIN
We seem safe enough in here, at least.
ARCHIVIST
I suppose so.
MARTIN
(trying) Bit of a hideaway?
ARCHIVIST
Or a prison.
MARTIN
..Yes. Still, better than outside.
[More creaking. There’s now a musical component of the outside. It sounds… full of iron. It sounds like a certain portion of The Magnus Archives’ theme, though it’s not entirely recognizable as such.]
MARTIN
It sounds bad.
[The Archivist laughs that strange, humorless laugh.]
ARCHIVIST
It is.
[Brief silence.]
MARTIN
Are we still safe?
ARCHIVIST
Y-Yes. It – It doesn’t want to harm me.
MARTIN
And me?
ARCHIVIST
I won’t let it.
[More creaking.]
MARTIN
Um. (uh) Thanks.
[More silence. More creaking.]
[A breath.]
[Clothes rustling.]
MARTIN
John, it’s not your fault.
ARCHIVIST
(sharp) Martin, can we not do this again?
MARTIN
Sorry.
ARCHIVIST
I’m just – I’m mourning a world I killed –
MARTIN
(overlapping, placating) I know –
ARCHIVIST
(increasingly fervent) and we’re all trapped in its rotting corpse!–
MARTIN
Enough, John.
[The Archivist starts taking out a tape.]
ARCHIVIST
Have you heard the Gertrude one?
MARTIN
What?
ARCHIVIST
The Gertrude one; there are a few of them, but this is my favorite.
[Over their conversation, he gets the tape ready.]
MARTIN
(sigh) I don’t –
ARCHIVIST
Just. Listen.
[He puts the tape in.]
[INT. THE MAGNUS INSTITUTE, ARCHIVES, GERTRUDE’S OFFICE, MARCH 20TH, 2015]
[TAPE CLICKS ON.]
GERTRUDE
Right. If you’re listening to this, then it is likely that – (she breaks off, sighs) No. Let’s not beat around the bush. If you’re listening to this, it means I’m dead. And you have been chosen to be my replacement as Head Archivist.
Hopefully, this means you, Sasha, but if someone else is hearing this, and Elias has made a different choice for some reason, then these words are still very much intended for you.
Before I continue: It is very important to be absolutely clear this is not a joke. Nor is it any sort of prank, or game. Your colleagues have not convinced me to record this as an attempt to… haze you. This is completely serious. And very, very important for you to know.
If it is you I’m talking to, Sasha, hopefully your background in Artefact Storage will lend a certain degree of… credence to my words. But others may have to take it on trust.
All I can do is assure you I am deadly serious. (sigh) So. The first thing you have to do is accept that you are in great danger, and will be for the rest of your life. There are now things that will actively be trying to kill you, due to your new role as Archivist, and Elias has plans for you that are little better.
You will also be unable to relinquish the position or quit the Institute, finding you are supernaturally compelled to remain.
In fact, it occurs to me that attempting to do so is probably the quickest and easiest way to establish the truth of what I am telling you, so I suggest you do so at the earliest possible opportunity.
Things you need to be aware of:
There exists in our world supernatural entities of incredible power that reflect and feed on the fears of all living creatures, but most commonly humans. Many consider them gods, and while I believe that is far too simplistic a comparison, for our purposes here it is perhaps the most useful shorthand.
They do not rule our world, but they do exercise considerable power, which they generally manifest in the form of monstrous beings that spread further fear – or, incarnations, those humans who have willingly, though not always knowingly, chosen to take on the power of these entities.
You, unfortunately, have unwittingly made the decision to become one of those incarnations. For the Institute serves a being variously known as: The Eye, It Knows You, The Beholding, The Ceaseless Watcher. It is the fear of being watched, and judged, and having all your secrets known. The Institute serves as a way for it to harvest the fears of the other entities, dragging out the suffering of those who come to give statements and – claiming their terror.
But, there is another part of being the Archivist. These… beings, these… gods of fear – their followers believe that they have… rituals. Grand projects which, if successful, would allow them to enter our world, reshaping it in – unthinkable ways. Molding it into a dimension where terror is as natural as gravity.
You are now one such ritual.
I do not know the exact details of it, but be wary of whatever Elias asks you to do.
Oh, yes. On the subject of Elias: Trust nothing he says. He was originally known as Jonah Magnus, the founder of this Institute, and I have known him also as James Wright, the previous head of this Institute.
He has certain… abilities of clairvoyance, which allow him to perceive out of any eye, real or symbolic, so be wary. Play ignorant as long as you can while you expand your own research.
I’ve managed to keep the Archives in a state of chaos for decades, as I believe his plan would benefit from their organization. But I leave that to your judgement. Certainly, the longer he is ignorant of how much you know, the better.
Above all else: be ready. There are many things out there loyal to other powers which know your importance to the Eye, and will want. You. Dead.
You are entering a new world, a place I’ve lived for most of my life. A place… (she sighs) A place that will often demand a high price from you. Pay it without hesitation, because one way or another, the world is now on your shoulders. (sigh)
I wish I had more time to explain it to you. But time is short, and hopefully my actions tonight will ensure that this tape never needs to see the light of day.
But if you are hearing it, then – good luck. Do what you have to do.
[She sighs, heavily.]
[The door opens.]
JURGEN LEITNER
Are you finished?
GERTRUDE
Jurgen! I told you to stay in the tunnels.
[Leitner walks in and pulls himself out a chair.]
LEITNER
Your message also told me it was urgent.
GERTRUDE
(sharper) If Elias is watching right now –
LEITNER
Then your recording all that was meaningless anyway. Besides, I’m not afraid of him.
GERTRUDE
Bravado. (heh/hm) Really?
LEITNER
Mmmmm – it’s not bravado –
GERTRUDE
We’re wasting time. Do you still have the Ruskin book?
LEITNER
I do, though I don’t relish the thought of using it. Makes it rather hard to breathe, like your chest is being –
GERTRUDE
(overlapping) Do you know the gas main, a little way out in the tunnel?
LEITNER
I do.
GERTRUDE
I need you to move it.
LEITNER
(hem-and-haw) Iiiii, ummmm. That’s. I mean it’s not just earth; there’s pipework, and all sorts of –
GERTRUDE
Find a way. I need it to be directly under the Institute, or at least closer.
LEITNER
I’m more likely to rupture it, and fill the place with gas.
GERTRUDE
(heh) Hm, that would also be acceptable.
LEITNER
Mmm. I’ll do what I can. (sigh) When do you need it?
GERTRUDE
If my guess is right, the Church’s ritual should be collapsing any time now, so – immediately.
LEITNER
And if you’re wrong?
GERTRUDE
Then a bit of gas will be the least of our worries.
LEITNER
…Right. What are you going to do?
GERTRUDE
Paper burns well.
[She holds up a container of liquid – it sloshes.]
GERTRUDE
Petrol burns better.
[It sloshes again. Leitner laughs.]
[The container sloshes again as Gertrude sets it down.]
LEITNER
I always forget your pyromaniac streak.
GERTRUDE
Mm. Remind me to tell you about Agnes sometime.
LEITNER
Right. (brief pause) Did you mean to leave the tape running?
GERTRUDE
Oh, good grief. Forty years I’ve been using them, and I swear, I’ll nev–
[TAPE CLICKS OFF.]
[INT. SCOTLAND, A DAISY TONNER SAFEHOUSE, PRESENT DAY]
[Back to the howling world.]
ARCHIVIST
Can you imagine? If we’d had this?
MARTIN
But we didn’t, did we.
ARCHIVIST
No –
MARTIN
So there’s no point in dwelling. (heavy breath) John, I – This isn’t healthy.
ARCHIVIST
Healthy? I am an Avatar of voyeuristic terror, who unquestioned craving for knowledge has condemned the entire world to an eternity of torment; healthy i-isn’t – i,it’s not –
MARTIN
Fine, fine. I get it.
ARCHIVIST
Besides. G- (shaky) Grief… is healthy. I,If nothing else, it pushes away the other feelings that that – thing wants me to experience.
MARTIN
It just – It hurts me to see you wallowing like this.
ARCHIVIST
(snapping) Well, some of us weren’t able to cut ourselves off from the world before it ended.
[The safehouse creaks.]
MARTIN
That’s not fair.
ARCHIVIST
No, it’s not; I’m – I’m sorry, I just – (large shaky breath) It hurts.
MARTIN
I know.
ARCHIVIST
I need time.
MARTIN
I know. But we can’t stay in this cabin forever.
ARCHIVIST
Why not? It – It’s quiet, here, and I have you.
[It’s Martin’s turn for a humorless sound- half laugh, half exasperated sigh.]
MARTIN
What about food?
ARCHIVIST
What about it? When’s the last time you thought to eat, or even felt hungry?
MARTIN
(quietly) What? (louder, a revelation) Uh – I don’t know.
ARCHIVIST
No. Whatever is sustaining us now doesn’t need us to eat.
MARTIN
That – That can’t be possible.
ARCHIVIST
It’s a new world, Martin; the natural laws are whatever they want them to be. And I suspect they don’t much care to keep humanity fed and watered.
MARTIN
(inhale) Well, that as may be, we can’t just stay here forever.
ARCHIVIST
What could possibly be out there that you want to see?
MARTIN
A way to stop this, a way to turn the world back!
ARCHIVIST
(softer) Do you really think there is one?
MARTIN
Well, if there is, it’s not in here, is it?
ARCHIVIST
It’s so – (shaky breath) It’s so… loud, out there? The agony, the, the terror, I can see it all so much more clearly.
MARTIN
I’m sorry.
ARCHIVIST
No, it’s – (sigh) I love you, I just – (inhale) I need more time.
[Pause.]
MARTIN
It’s alright.
[Movement. Creaking. An exhale.]
MARTIN
It’s alright; I’m good at waiting.
ARCHIVIST
(near whisper) Thank you. (more normal) I just wish it didn’t feel like whatever’s out there was waiting, too.
MARTIN
…Yeah.
[Brief silence, then-]
[Clothes rustling.]
MARTIN
Hey – Hey, when did you start recording?
[The safehouse creaks.]
ARCHIVIST
(confusion) I – didn’t. I only brought one, and I’ve been using it to play the tapes.
MARTIN
Oh. (sigh) That’s not a great sign.
ARCHIVIST
No. No, it’s not.