CALHOUN HOUR - BINGO II

[vivariummods]

Early in the morning of Day 84, an announcement booms from the warehouse speakers: "All test subjects report to the first floor lobby immediately for your next experiment." Zero's unmistakable garbled voice goes silent afterwards. Once everyone gathers downstairs, they'll be treated to an unexpected sight: Zero standing in front of them in the flesh. Standing tall (at 5'4"...), they're donned in the same piece of clothing everyone remembers them in: a black raincoat (large and long enough that it covers their entire body, leaving no distinguishable features), a full facial gas mask, and matching black gloves. It seems as if Zero really dislikes showing skin... "Today, you will be participating in a game of, what you may call, 'Bingo'. I believe most of you have participated in this before. The rules and explanations are on the back of the cards." An arm is raised to motion towards the paper cards scattered on the nearby table, then it falls again. "Due to some... unfortunate events, I will monitor you in person. However, do not underestimate what will happen to you should you decide to cheat, escape, attack, or do anything that will break my rules. Your bracelets are still very functional and my cameras will continue to record every move you take, so I suggest that you refrain from doing anything foolish." "Now begin." BASIC INFO ✖ LET'S PLAY BINGO ✖ TURN-IN ✖ POST-EVENT

Comments

[formicarium]

[ Ema, you brave soul... Zero remains in spot, unmoving. ]

Subject 6, of course you would need something.

[skyentificmethod]

That's the reason you're here, isn't it? There's no need to come down from your ivory tower just to watch us play elementary school games unless you're just that lonely. Don't tell me you're trapped in here just as much as we are.

[formicarium]

You are more than free to believe in whatever made-up fantasy you've come up with. I clearly cannot stop you and your "wild" imagination.

[ Zero almost sounds amused as they say this. How... out of character. ]

[skyentificmethod]

I'm not really into fantasy. I'd really rather prefer some facts. Why are we here, what do you want from us?

[formicarium]

Must I repeat myself?

You were all gathered here to participate in an experiment and to produce data. Surely being called "test subjects" would be enough to tip you off on that fact.

[skyentificmethod]

An inmate by any other name. And don't be obtuse, I meant why us in particular, what sort of data are you supposedly looking for in this alleged experiment? I can't imagine you're getting the results you're after. Is that pushing back the end date? Or was there even going to be one in the first place?

[formicarium]

I wasn't aware that it was Question Hour already.

[ Zero is being rather cheeky today. ]

I see no reason why I should answer any of these. There is nothing to gain for either you or me if I disclose any piece of information.

[skyentificmethod]

You get to cackle over your superiority, and I get to wallow further in my powerlessness. How is that not a win-win?

[formicarium]

If this is your way of convincing me, I will say that you're doing a terribly awful job at it. I will say that I'm not surprised at this display of a failure though.

[skyentificmethod]

Well, you'd certainly know something about doing a terrible job. Can't even enjoy yourself when you've supposedly got all of our lives in your hands. Or is it because you've been burning through too many of those lives after all?