vivarium | THE HEART OF THE MATTER

Sometime early in the morning (or at least what feels like it, considering that there aren’t any clocks around), Calhoun will scream into a megaphone to wake everyone up. He won’t explain what’s going on, but he will say that he has a surprise for everyone. What is it? Well, they won’t know until they get up! So, everyone line up by the hallway’s door!

He’ll be calling everyone into a “☆ SECRET ROOM ☆” one by one, and spending a few minutes with them. In this room, it’ll be nothing but a table, two chairs, a metal cabinet, and a lone lightbulb hanging from the ceiling. Anyone who’s seen enough cop shows will notice that this is an interrogation room. Granted, there’s a sleeping pod in the corner of the room (rather similar to the same device that returns memories) and this room is a pretty fictional interrogation room as the real things aren't so hardboiled, but Calhoun is a fan of cop dramas and he only has so much power, so this is what he went for.

Anyway, in here, Calhoun will do one of two things:

1) Reveal an unpleasant secret about them. Of course, it might sound fictional at first, but then he’ll go into his little cabinet and pull out a folder to back up his claims. These reports don’t look fake, and well, just think of what the others might think if they heard of this. Sure, you can deny it all you want, but what about your fellow test subjects? How can they ever see you in the same light again? Even if you attempt to convince them otherwise, this will forever linger in the back of their minds. They might even start turning against you, and while Calhoun’s a pretty nice mouse, he can’t do anything to stop you silly test subjects from doing something dramatic.

2) Grant them the fragment of a memory. What a kind mouse Calhoun is being, giving you a freebie! They’ll be placed in a pod, as per the usual, and given part of a memory. The problem is this freebie cuts off at the worst possible time, and any begging, threats or inquiries into the matter are only going to be met by Calhoun’s snickers. It would be awful if something happened and you could never find out if your dear friend Timmy ever got out of that well, right? A real tragedy. Oh well, too bad for you, buddy.

Once Calhoun has called everyone one by one into this “☆ SECRET ROOM ☆” of his, he will gather all the test subjects up, stand on counter of Calhoun’s Corner and make an announcement.

“Listen up, test subjects! While yesterday’s round of Bingo was all fun and games, it’s time to spice things up around here! This is starting to get really bland, like oatmeal bland, and my Master has given me the go ahead to shake things up.”

“Some of you, I've told you a dark, spooky secret, while for the rest, I've shown you a little memory! Who got what, though, no one knows! But you know who you are and you know what you have to lose.”

“So what was the point of all this? Welllllll, like I've said, it’s so boring here, that I’m giving you the chance to redeem yourselves of this sinful dullness. How, you wonder?”

“Give me a show.”

“I think you all know me well by now, what entertains me and what I like to see. So, give me the performance of a lifetime by the end of the next AB Voting round! Of course sooner is better, because you never know if I’m gonna like these plans of yours, but go ahead, take your time! I mean it’s not like there’s much I can do, excepppppt…”

“I can just reveal those little secrets of yours to everyone! Don’t think you can just shrug it off as something I've made up too. I’ll spread out those reports and all the evidence for everyone to see, and we’ll see how long it takes for them to turn on you.”

“And those with a memory, don’t sigh in relief, because you’re not safe either! I’ll ensure that you will never get the rest of that memory I showed you. You can wonder for the rest of your lives what really happened. If you think it’ll be as simple as just asking around when you get out, think again. You’ll never know the whole truth unless you remember it yourself, since this mouse can get his paws in the outside world’s evidence.”

“What if one of you manages to entertain me? Well, not only will you get your full memory back, but everyone’s memories and secrets will be safe! They won’t be getting anything back, but maybe one day, and you’re the one who did all the work, those ungrateful cads!”

“Well, I think that’s about it. Toodles! You know where to find me if you have any questions or love letters for me.”

He winks at the crowd (looking at you, Zelos), then hops off the counter, back into the safety of his shop.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He crosses his arms.]

I already knew it was a flimsy plan, so fine, I suppose I'll accept this punishment. Let's see just how much longer you'll last.

[He doubts this will take any longer than a few minutes.]

Well, I'm not fond on holding you like the kid you are, so here.

[ Going over to an elevator and just... putting Clive on top of it. :) ]

[WAIT WHAT, THIS WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. And now he'll start freaking out a little.]

Wait, Jake, don't--!

[And up he goes onto the elevator. Well shit.]

How long are you planning on keeping me up here?

[ Just standing in front of the elevator and looking up, hands on his hip. ]

Why? Got some place to go?

Anywhere but here.

[He clearly does not enjoy being stuck on top of this elevator. If only jumping off wouldn't possibly break a bone, or worse...]

[ Haha, sucks to be you. ]

Well, you can stay up there and think about what you did for a bit.

It better only be "for a bit."

[He doesn't even have anything to do up here, at least bring him a shitty magazine or something...]

[ He shrugs. ]

Maybe when I remember after a nap, so you better make yourself comfortable up there.

Fine then, go take your nap. I'll just ask someone else to help me down.

Good luck trying to find someone tall enough to help.

[ Just looking up at him and proud of his work. ]

[Just walking by to do whatever does every day, nothing to see here.

Except what the fuck. He stops, stares, looks between Clive and Jake, then sighs.]

Jake.

[ Turning and oh, hi, Hershel. ]

Hershel.

[ Just leaving it at that with the 'I did nothing wrong, I don't know what you're talking about' tone (': ]

[Wow, look, it's Clive's best friend in the whole wide world! Actually offering him a bright smile for once.]

Hershel! You'll help me down from here, won't you?

[Hershel gives Jake a look that a dog owner may give when their pet chewed up some sneakers.]

Should I even ask why or just go straight to calling you a prat. [Friendship. He doesn't even need to hear how this happened, it's clearly Jake's fault.

Wait Clive was smiling??? at him??? He loses some of his sass and just looks a bit nervous ok Hershel maybe this is it maybe this will make Clive hate you less don't fuck it up.] Of course, Clive. [And walking over to help seriously what were you two doing.]

[ Call him a prat or pighead, he totally doesn't care. Call him a pigprat, that's even better, but before Hershel can get close enough to the elevator, Jake will put a hand on his shoulder to try and stop him. ]

Forget it. He's staying up there for at least a couple of hours.

[And now he's going to glare at Jake.]

I most certainly am not.

[That's a couple hours too long, son.]

[He gives Jake an exasperated look.]

Jake, what on earth could he have done that constitutes you giving him a time out of all things?

[ He didn't think of it as a time out, but that totally works. It makes the whole thing a lot more amusing. ]

It'll teach him not to try and pickpocket me again.

[Clive rolls his eyes.]

I've already learned my lesson, Father, so please allow me to leave now.

Pickpocket? [He frowns- ah, the show probably. Clive didn't really seem the type to pick pockets otherwise. It was actually a clever idea, he had to admit.] Ah, I see.

Jake, I think you've made your point. You're being ridiculous now. [Again.]

[Heading over to help Clive again, shaking his head.]

[ Ignoring you, Clive, you don't deserve attention. Instead, Jake will attempt to stop Hershel, by keeping his grip on the other's shoulder. ]

He's been barely up there than a few minutes. He can handle at least an hour.

[ So, stop trying to help him!! ]

[Wow, super rude. But since Jake is ignoring him and Hershel is being useless, Clive will just stare down at the ground below the elevator for a moment before deciding you know what, he's gonna go for it. He'll get down on his own, just you watch him!!!

He sits down near the edge of the elevator and grabs onto it as tightly as he can before beginning to cautiously move himself over the edge...]

[And he's too busy looking at Jake like he's the weirdest challenge to notice Clive's stealthy escape.]

Oh for goodness's sake Jake, don't you owe him after that second round? You can't just... put people on the lifts! That's ridiculous!

[ Jake notices, and Hershel doesn't seem like he's going to stop arguing, so you know what? Do you know what Jake is going to do? ]

[ He's just going to let go of Hershel's shoulder to grab him on either side of his body to pick him up, and gladly put him on top of the elevator as well. He'll also attempt to push Clive back onto the elevator, before he drops over the edge. ]

[ Here, maybe you two can stay up there together. ]

THE HEART OF THE MATTER

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