Item #: SCP-XXXX
Object Class: Euclid Safe.
Special Containment Procedures: A lead lined, double
thickness plywood hinged screen in two halves will be maintained, over the
surface of SCP-XXXX so as to prevent light reaching its surface. The screen
join will be sealed with red-sealing wax and marked with a sigil selected from
the Little Albert grimoire[1]. Opening of the seal for experimental purposes
will be made with a small silver knife[2],
and SCP-XXXX resealed after an experimental cycle. The same sigil will not be used sequentially.
Experiments are not to exceed a duration of 1 hr per any
single D-subject within any 24 hr period.
Experimental time unsealed is not
to exceed 4 hours in total within any 24 hr period. SCP-XXXX will be kept on a laboratory (or
other) table whose surface is raised by blocks so as to present SCP-XXXX at
head height to a seated subject. Room
containing table is not required to have specific dimensions/constriction but
should be lockable and secure. Video and
audio feeds from the room should run to a lockable lab and no data be exported
from there or held on networked equipment. Experimenters must be certified by 04-level or
above. No 04 or above personnel will be present at experimentation.
Note: following incident SCP-XXXX-2-2 no experimentation
will be carried out when the history of the D-subject is known to involve any
performing arts, including amateur dramatics involving performance(s) to
non-family members.
Description: SCP-XXXX is a make-up mirror of the
kind found in theatre dressing rooms circa 1975, it is wood-mounted and can be
tilted to within 0-25 degrees of its vertical position. Three small electrical lights are mounted in
the upper arch of the frame, and a further three each side. The lights work when the mirror is observed
even though no electrical cabling remains.
Attempts to remove the lights have proved impossible and they and the
mirror are impervious to damage. The mirror is marked with a small brass plate
on the reverse, reading: Beautifully Reclaimed
Items: Repurposed for A Cleaner World. There is no further slogan, logo,
marker’s marks, or distinguishing feature. While seemingly affixed with normal screws, the
plate cannot be removed.
When a subject sits in the chair in front of
the mirror and applies theatrical make up[3]
for more than 1 minute, the mirror begins to show not them, but a specific
actor or actress, also applying make-up but in a different location. The image becomes clearer over time and
within 1-10 minutes, sounds of the location in which the make-up is being
applied, including theatrical gossip, and anecdotes will begin to be heard by
the subject.
Tests show this experience to be one of two kinds:
SCP-XXXX-1, the sound is objectively present, exterior to the subject and can
be recorded by normal equipment. It is hypothesized that this represents a
direct feed from the ‘observed’ events of remarks made with the surface of the
mirror acting as parallel wormhole conduits permitting one-way light
transmission and molecular buffering by sound waves. Identified cases are set out in experimental
logs. It has been determined that in
every case the production shown is one known to the subject, either as a member
of the audience or because the production was sufficiently famous as to be
generally memorable. In the case of
subjects with no interest in theatre, make-up trailers or rooms from film sets
have been accessed by the subject.
Attempts to find a D-subject with no interest/memory in popular culture
has proved difficult. A proposal to use selective amnesiacs in order to
determine responses in such a case by removing such memories pre-activation of
SCP-XXXX is before the Ethics Committee.
For recursive reasons set out below: it is impossible to
fully detail SCP-XXXX-2 for experimenters on SCP-XXXX-1. A portion of the briefing below is therefore
sealed.
In instance SCP-XXXX-2, the sound is subjective, ie interior to the D-subject’s
psyche, and cannot be heard by others nor recorded by normal equipment[4].
If this experience is not hallucinatory it may resent
thoughts/stream of consciousness experience translated from the ‘observed’ actor. However, while initially benign, or at least
merely prurient, consisting of tittle-tattle and catty remarks about rival
actors, the state of the production, and the quality of the dressing-rooms,
after approx 30 min, there is 33.3% probability that the audio stream will begin to
change. The precise nature of that
change is set out below and is not to be accessed unless any qualitative
change is observed in the subject’s descriptions, such as the observed material
moving to a depiction of a taking part in a rehearsal or an actual performance.
SEALED BRIEFING
If the subject or any observing experimenter present has any
knowledge of SCP-701, the material received by the subject will begin to form an
impromptu rehearsal of SCP-701 believed to be that of University production of 1964. Note this is to date the only identified
transmission/reception from the mirror pre-dating circa January 1975.
Should this occur, the D-subject should be removed and
terminated, and all experimentation cease for not less than 48 hrs. As the experience is subjective, trigger
points for this cut off will be a) the appearance in voluntary /involuntary
vocalisation of any of the following lines/words (Incident Report SCP-701-19██-1), b) any attempt by the
subject to write or transcribe their experiences, except in accordance with
direct instructions, and any appearance in such transcripts of the lines or
words contained in the above documentation.
This interaction with another SCP comprises the reason for the Euclid
designation only occurs when observers having knowledge of SCP-701 is/are present either in the room with the subject or in the lab in which data is
received. Ironically knowledge of this
precludes experimentation on SCP-XXXX-2, and no way has yet been determined
to advise of the danger without directly causing it. It is presumed that other mimetic SCPs that
involve performances which require make-up could be accessed in the same way,
but because of the difficulties in interpreting/accessing the subjective
experiences of the D-subject, this has not yet been verified.
OPEN BRIEFING RESUMES
If SCP-XXXX-1 is prolonged (no safe point has been determined), the subject
SCP-XXXX-1 will begin (depending on their sexual orientation, and their
knowledge or otherwise of the ‘objects’ gender[5])
to fantasise that they are hearing not the recordable audio which may or may not remain
mundane, but instead a profession of love for them, delivered by the actor in
question. Subjects experiencing this will require class-B amnesia treatments and/or psychotherapy to remove feelings
of loss, unrequited love, and despair, on being made to relinquish their seat
before the mirror. Subjects experiencing
greater than 1hr[6]
will become functionally obsessed with a) observing their ‘love’ in the mirror
and where this is impossible with ‘attaining’ their ‘loves’’ favour in real
life to the exclusion of all other goals.
In the case of D-subjects whose field of action is naturally limited
this can be merely an irritant, and is not in itself grounds for termination, but
the circumstances of the mirrors retrieval by the Foundation suggests that
outside of a controlled environment, matters can rapidly escalate.
Circumstances of Acquisition/History.
The mirror was acquired by the Foundation after the kidnap
of actor Miranda Gallin (stagename Gallowglass) 2018. While Ms Gallin
was recovered intact and unharmed, by police – her kidnapper Peter StCloud (a
formerly reputable ex-fireman, and antique dealer) was shot during the siege of
his house. The mirror together with a
room filled with Miranda Gallowglass memorabilia and photographs was found in
the attic of the kidnapper. Its anomalous
properties were reported to the Foundation by detective Maries Salome who
experienced a partial SCP-XXXX-1 while adjusting her lipstick at the crime
scene before conducting an onsite tv-interview with New York journalists see Experimental
Logs for detail.
The mirror’s history has been traced to the activities
of Bethold Abrahams (1955-1989) an occultist and writer of a gossip column for the New York
Herald, whose scandalous dissection of the New York theatre set, and the film
world ended suddenly in 1989 when he was shot by the husband of Joan Fairbourne
whose performance in Thoroughly Modern Millie on Boardway he had
interrupted the week before with an unexpected and unlooked for profession of
love for the performer during the second act. Having no
heir his possessions were auctioned, and the mirror (who’s provenance before
his ownership is uncertain) was purchased by an antiques dealer, Carlos Van
Buren, owner of Fitzgerald & Van Buren Antiques – from 1990: The Julián Soler – Exhibit and Museum. It is suspected that the change in function
may be connected with Carlos experiencing an SCP-XXXX-1 event involving his
‘childhood’ idol the Mexican actor and film maker Julián Soler
(1907-1977). In his published
introduction to the Museum, he describes the event that inspired him to
dedicate his life to Julián’s memory, as a spiritual epiphany in which he
experienced the final film of his idol: Las cinco máscaras y sus maestras.
(1975). This film appears to have no
substantive existence with the final known film of Soler as director being: El Jibarito
Rafael (1969). The fire of 1990 which
destroyed the museum and lead to Carlo’s own death, also revealed the body of
his partner Alphonse Fitzgerald dead from five stab wounds and concealed in the
cellar. Unburned and undamaged in the
fire SCP-XXXX was again sold, and acquired by Peter StCloud, who had attended
the blaze as a member of the fire-crew dispatched. It is unclear whether or not other disappearances
between 1990 and 2018 may have resulted from usage of SCP-XXXX by Peter
StCloud, and the source of the funding that enabled him to move from his manual
position as a fireman to a realtively wealthy antiques dealer, is also
unexplained.
SCP-XXXX-1-0
Not a formal experimention. Account
of Detective Maries Salome. I sat
down to adjust my lipstick right? I was damned if I was going to have those
make-up powder-puff girls from the news do me over. The recovery of Miranda Gallin safe was a
triumph, the shooting of the perp a potential downside, I was playing out in my
head how to deal, and I got distracted so I might have sat in the chair in
front of the mirror for a minute or two, you know? Then the room got all weird
and chilly[7]and
I heard voices and smelt tobacco smoke, and the mirror showed not me but Chris
Evans dressed as a police officer. I recognised him from the films easily
enough but also because I’d got two tickets for the show he was in ‘Lobby Hero’[8]
and I was going to see it with ████ on the weekend
coming. As he was having his make-up done, I
distinctly heard him say to the make-up girl doing it “I don’t know how real
cops do this stuff, it must be awful to know you’ve got the power of life and
death in your hands. Thank Christ I only have to act like I have.” It was either conclude that I was going mad,
or that this was some sort of SCP-shit.[9]
SCP-XXXX-1-1 01-07-2018 (Total duration of effect 35:27)
D-subject 8765 (F, lesbian) was first questioned under iris-dilation
technology to identify from self-selected list of film actresses which were
most attractive to her.[10] Having completed questionnaire, and
observation of selected images, she was requested to sit in the chair and make
herself up. Encouragement to take as
much time as necessary was given.
After 1 min, 27 seconds – the mirror changed to show Jodie Foster
being made-up. Internal exidence and
sound recorded identified make-up session as early in shooting of Panic Room
(2002). D-8765 expressed great excitement
as ‘Wow she’s great, you know, I really had a crush on her in my teens, that’s
such a fine film.’ When Jodie Foster[11] bitched
about Nichole Kidman’s misfortune being her gain, D-8765 joined in calling
Nichole a wimp for dropping out of the production and praising Foster for her dedication
and commiserating with her for the end of her directoral time with Egg Pictures.[12]
At 5 min, 38 seconds, the observed Jodie Foster began to respond to D-8765’s
remarks confiding that Egg Pictures had been ‘just a really thankless, bad job’. By 35 min, Jodie was
encouraging D-8765 to confess her crimes and to make a clean break with her
past, and implying that she would exert her influence to persuade the
Foundation to let D-8765 return to society.
At this point as a possible security breach was in play[13]
the experiment was discontinued. D-8765
was disturbed for some weeks, and made a number of applications to resume experimentation/’talks
with my pumpkin’.
SCP-XXXXXX-1-2 01-07-2018
(Total duration of effect 40:11)
D-subject 8766 (M, [self-identified] hetero) was first questioned
under iris-dilation technology to identify from self-selected list of film
actresses which were most attractive to him.
Having completed questionnaire, and observation of selected images, he
was requested to sit in the chair and make himself up. Encouragement to take as much time as
necessary was given. Subject was resistant to idea of make-up but was advised
that the materials were harmless, and that all actors, news-men, and politicians
used such products. To which D-8766 replied ‘Damn pansies’.
After 58 seconds – the mirror changed to show Neil Patrick Harris,
being fitted with a long blonde wig and substantial make-up.[14]
D-8766 appeared embarrassed and ill at ease, and would have vacated
the make-up chair except for the automatic restraints which were activated at
this point. D-8766 – ‘Hey, just ‘cause
I aint got no rights no more because I killed those faggots doesn’t mean I got
to watch this crap. What are youse bastards
makin’ out, that I like this stuff – I thought I was going to see some great
women doing their stuff.’
For approx 37 minutes the audible dialogue between Neil and the
make-up technicians was amiable and general in tone, with Neil being effusive
in praise of both the Director and his co-stars. At 37.02 however Neil
addressed D-8766 directly: ‘You know I can tell you’re hurting. That’s why
you did it you know. You weren’t angry with them not really. You were angry
with yourself for what they made you think of, what they made you feel. No one will ever love you until you realise
that. I can’t love you. No one will be able to. So, you saw the show five times, what did you
think? I mean you thought I was hot, right?’
At this point D-8766 broke his restraints and inserted the handle
end of a make-up brush into his right-eye, causing non-fatal damage to his
frontal lobe. D-8766 was later
terminated.
SCP-XXXX-2-1 01-07-2018
(Total duration of effect 55:00)
D-subject
8767 (F, bi) was first questioned under iris-dilation technology to identify
from self-selected list of film actor/actresses which were most attractive to
her. Having completed questionnaire,
and observation of selected images, she was requested to sit in the chair and
make herself up. Encouragement to take
as much time as necessary was given.
After 20
min, no apparent change had come over mirror, but D-8787 was happily making-up
and adjusting her image, and laughing softly to herself while doing so. After 22 min, Experimenter asked D-8767 to
explain why she seemed so happy. ‘Oh,
Ellen is just so funny,’ she said, ‘I mean listen to her.’ D-8767 was persuaded to recount what she was
hearing. A number of showbiz annecdotes were transcribed which have been
sourced to several interviews with Ellen Degeneres. After 45 min D-subject refused to comment
further on her apparent subjective state, but capillary responses suggested
happiness and arousal. Experiment
terminated following an apparent orgasm on D-8767’s part.
SCP-XXXX-1-3
01-07-2018 (Total duration of
effect 1:24)
D-subject 8768 (M, asexual) was first questioned under
iris-dilation technology to identify from self-selected list of film
actor/actresses which were most familiar to him. Having completed the questionnaire, and
observation of selected images, he was requested to sit in the chair and make himself
up. Encouragement to take as much time
as necessary was given.
After 3 min, 11 seconds during which D-8768, chatted with
experimenters about the make-up taking him back to amateur performances[15]
the mirror shifted to show a younger version of D-8768 making himself up. A time check on a radio news bulletin heard
in the background identified the mirror image as occurring 3 years and 2 months
previously. D-8768’s records to the extent they can now be accessed achronistically
show him to have an IQ in the 159-161 range. He seems to have made deductions
from the observations and entered at 4 min, 7 seconds into a long set of
instructions to the mirror-self. These
related to a number of matters including:
1.
Stocks and shares to invest in between
2015-2018.
2.
A person (X) that the mirror-self was not to interact
with under any circumstances.
3.
An explanation of the idea of asexuality and
how D-8768 wished he’d known
that earlier
before everything got so complicated.
At approximately 15 min into the effect the mirror-D8768 began to
make notes on the opposite side of the mirror using eye-brow pencil. Read backwards these summarised the
instructions given by D-8768
At 1.11 the mirror D-8768 began to audibly interact with
Subject-D-8768, and among other things promised to reject any overtures of
friendship with the person named at 2.[16] Mirror-D-8768
‘thanked its poor, poor shadow from its horrible future’, for its warnings,
and ‘professed sorrow for the pain he had evidently endured.’ It was then noted by Experimenters that D-8768
was becoming transparent, and that the make-up which he had applied was flaking
off and falling to the ground around the chair. At 1.24 D-8768 completely vanished. The experiment was terminated. An account of the incident was transcribed to
acausal records. At 1.37 a check on records held
in ‘normal’ space-time indicated that the experimental cycle had ceased for
approximately 2 hrs and that D-8768 had not yet reported due to a minor
incident. On arrival D-8768 proved to be
a different D-subject to that referred to in the acausal record. The trial, incarceration, and acquisition of
the former D-8768 appear now to no longer have ever occurred. Observation of the person designated D-8768-null
(that is the person who now did not in fact murder person X) has been
requested, but is awaiting budgetry considerations.
SCP-XXXX-2-2
01-07-2018 (Total duration of
effect 39:04)
D-subject 8768(2) (Genderfluid, pan) was first questioned under
iris-dilation technology to identify from self-selected list of film
actor/actresses which were most familiar to them. Having completed the questionnaire, and
observation of selected images, they were requested to sit in the chair and
make themselves up. Encouragement to
take as much time as necessary was given.
No change was observed in the mirror. After 2 min, 08 seconds, D-8768(2) began to
complain of hearing voices, as if there was ‘a crossed line in his head’. He was re-assured that this was an actual
exterior effect understudy and not a psychosis, and requested to record/transcribe
the conversation. Internal evidence suggested that he was ‘hearing’ dressing
room conversation referring to the Belarus Free Theaters’ production of Burning
Doors (2017) which D-8768(2) professed to have seen. He was effusive about the importance of the
production, which dealt with the history of resistance in Eastern Europe. At around 32min. however, he began to explain
that the actor was being made-up into the character of [Data Expunged], who
would redress the wrongs visited by the state, but seemed confused as he could
not recall such a character in the production of Burning Doors. At this point experimenter Dr D████ who was aware of SCP-███ ordered the experiment ceased. D-8768(2) was given B-class amnesiacs to
assist in removal of memory of [Data Expunged]
[1] Testing has shown the precise sigil used makes no difference but attempts to substitute symbology from other grimoires
results in a 73% melting failure of the wax seal within 0-3 hrs, rising to 95%
after 6hrs, and 100% after 24. The
continued use of the same sigil shows a similar effect, but rotation of any 3 seems safe.
[2] No special form of knife is needed
but use of non-silver blades have resulted in [DATA EXPUNGED]
[3]
The brand or quality, and indeed the artistry of application appears irrelevant
to the effect.
[4] Experiments using telepathy inducing
SCPs await authorization.
[5] A heterosexual subject will respond
to an actor they believe to be of the opposite gender, a homosexual subject
will respond to an actor they believe to be of the same gender. Bi,
pan-identifying subjects will respond to any actor. Asexual (ace) subjects will
respond to the actor as if they were in a special protégé relationship with
them that while non-sexual was nevertheless of intense importance to them.
[6] This effect may occur earlier, but
it has never failed to occur experimentally beyond this duration as of present
experiments. Experimentation beyond this point is prohibited except at 04 level
authorization.
[7]
This effect has not been reported by D-subjects, but this maybe because they have
not shot someone immediately prior to experimentation. Requests to test this hypothesis have been
denied.
[8]
Evans plays a bellicose, corrupt cop, abusing his position to take advantage of
his rookie partner Dawn.
[9]
Salome had been involved earlier with SCP-████
and had been permitted
to retain generalised memories to prompt her to contact us in the event of any
unusual events.
[10]
Antique gendered term used in experimental testing to facilitate f/m
identification.
[11]
It must be remembered that it can not be determined that the remarks made by
objects in the mirror are undistorted or correct even in the early stages of
the effect.
[12]
In this initial experiment researchers neglected to attempt to discover the
degree of knowledge held by the subject as to film/theatre actors before commencement
so it is impossible to say if D-8765 began in possession of this degree of
knowledge or whether it was somehow enhanced by SCP-XXXX-1 effects.
[13]
Reference to SCP-Foundation was made by object spontaneously, not by D-subject.
[14]
Internal evidence suggests broadway production of Headwig and the Angry Inch
(2014)
[15] Previous
to his trial, incarceration, and move to SCP custody.
[16]
This name has vanished from the remaining records, as part of the following
events.
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