Interior. Dark. A bit foggy. We pan out on ____ sitting nude, wrists and ankles secured with zip ties to a metal chair.
Two men stand in the room.
AGENT ORANGE: We repeat the lies until they are true. How do you feel?
____: Uhhh… bro, I feel like I slept in a dumpster with feral raccoons after a paint thinner binge, bro… But I ain’t even been doing all that.. I was in bed by seven hehehehe. [His head rolls around and frothy spittle drips down his chest.]
AGENT ZERO: Do you think you’re funny, pink?
____: [Eyes rolling towards ZERO] Huhuh yeah, I mean… yeah bro.
AGENT ORANGE: Good. We repeat the lies until they are true. Your name is Duncan. Do you know this? ____ is no longer the person who is you. Do you understand?
____: I mean. Like.. yeah.. no. What?
AGENT ORANGE: Your name is Duncan. You are a reporter for the newspaper, and you do important work. ____ is not you, he is a colleague. In your future. We repeat the lies until they are true.
____: Duncan… I… where is this place? I don’t feel so — [He spontaneously coughs up vomit and coughs.]
AGENT ORANGE: You are in a black site. We are not torturing you, nor would we ever hurt your family. Your name is Duncan and we need you to feel better. Your work is critical to national security, and it’s important that we condition you not to believe anything could have been false about this interrogation. Do you understand?
AGENT ZERO: He’s gonna pop.
Agent Orange gives a baleful glare at Zero, but says nothing.
DUNCAN: I think… I’m gonna be sick.. You… This is an interrogation?
AGENT ORANGE: No. This is an argument.
____: But you said–
AGENT ORANGE: No I didn’t.
____: Duncan hiccups more slimy bile and gulps, looking around wild eyed.
DUNCAN: But–
AGENT ZERO: (enraged) DON’T INTERRUPT YOUR FATHER WHEN HE IS SPEAKING TO YOU!!
DUNCAN: Sorry, sorry! I’m not arguing. I only want to understand… I feel… funny.
AGENT ORANGE: That’s the L-432 in your system. It’s a hallucinogen that helps confuse your emotional state. Helps the lies become true, and helps you keep a sense of humor about it all too. I’m told it has a strawberry taste, but unfortunately, many subjects do have acid reflux and occasional seizures. Wouldn’t you agree, Duncan?
DUNCAN: Well.. I mean. You only live once, right? (chuckles). I agree we need to maintain some cover to pass well… and having some emotional … dysregulation I think you called it? — can help with that… social masking?
AGENT ZERO: Ohh! Look who’s been paying attention. Give the dog a treat.
Agent Orange steps forward and extends his hand to Duncan, who obediently opens his mouth, allowing Orange to place a small purple pill onto his tongue.
AGENT ORANGE: We repeat the lies until they are true. Some call it journalism; others propaganda, but of course you and I know–
DUNCAN: It’s only true if they find out!
AGENT ZERO: Now he’s getting it. Good boy.
Duncan beams with pride, grinning widely.
AGENT ORANGE: Duncan, what do you know about ____?
Duncan: That guy? Yeah he works the crime beat. Don’t know him too well. But I … remember–
AGENT ORANGE: You do not need to remember who you were in the future. You are Duncan. It is 2016. You and ___ have not yet met. Do you understand.
DUNCAN: (squints at the agents, pausing a beat) … Definitely not, mi amigo. No comprende, you lost me.
AGENT ORANGE: Good. And remind me again, what is it you do at the newspaper?
DUNCAN: Well, officially, I’m on the editing staff. In my capacity at the paper, I am able to interface with the journalists and have their respect. It’s cover for —
AGENT ZERO: Careful. Be careful, dog. Gotta be mindful, always. Words can be used against us.
DUNCAN: I’m .. sorry.. did you say you gave me hallucinogens?
AGENT ORANGE: I did. Would you prefer we go back to the car battery?
DUNCAN: [pukes] Nah, bro, it’s all… I like drugs man, tune in, turn off, drop acid, I always say. I was just trying to clarify–
AGENT ORANGE: We repeat the lies until they are truth. You are Duncan. It is 2016. You have not yet met ____ nor is he you. Not anymore. He will come to work as your colleague a year from now, and you will pay close attention. He is a person of interest. We cannot tell you at this juncture his role, or yours. But we repeat the lies….
DUNCAN: Until… until they are true?
AGENT ZERO: [lauging jovially]. Awwww… who’s a good boy?
DUNCAN: My name is… my name is.. Duncan.. McCloud…
AGENT ORANGE: We’re getting there. Almost. Soon, you will no longer be confined to this hell hole. I know it’s been a lot, but you’re doing good. Soon we will release you. How does that sound?
DUNCAN: I would like that, bro. I gotta tell you, being tortured isn’t as much fun as it sounds! Ha! [His laugh chokes into another eruption of vomit.]
AGENT ORANGE: Good. That is enough for today. We will continue tomorrow… Duncan.
DUNCAN: Sounds good, boss.
Orange looks at Zero, who nods.
FADE TO BLACK
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