[Somewhere, wherever Alan is, a TV turns on by itself. The familiar opening music plays, the familiar narration begins, all very much expected. Except, instead of poorly acted skits following, a very unwanted face appears on screen.]
Hey, long time no see buddy.
[A big smile here, like they’re the best of friends. Except as always, it’s wrong. Not so hidden darkness and malice worn on Alan’s face, an ill-fitting forced grin, like the muscles are being made to smile against their will. Unpleasant stuff, but he’s an unpleasant person. A fun person, sure, or at least he has fun, but that doesn’t really make him pleasant company.]
Bet you’d thought you saw the last of me, right? The champion of light vanquishing the darkness with some clever special effects and camera work! But wait! We’re a franchise now, and a hack like you knows that kind of thing means somebody like me’s almost guaranteed to come back. Gotta give the people what they want, and that’s more of me!
[Yeah this is the worst thing ever, but it’s the kind of plot twist that happens...in Night Springs. Unfortunately though, unlike a Night Springs episode, there's no fade out here, the TV doesn't turn off, it's just Scratch mugging for the camera on every channel.]
[Click goes the TV -- No. Wait. That's just the tapping of Alan's keyboard; he doesn't even hear the TV at first. Ever since he escaped The Dark Place and reunited with Alice and Barry, he's been on a writing spree. Odd, considering what the Darkness had put him through, but the idea had almost taken control of him -- Bad choice of words, Alice had told him the first time he said it. He hadn't even realised, too caught up in finally having a fresh idea.
The veritable kaleidoscope of pills Alice had convinced him to take might have something to do with it, admittedly.]
No.
[Click goes the TV when Scratch's voice manages to cut through Alan's daze and get to him. It's not the first time he's heard Scratch's voice since he escaped, and that definitely has something to do with him finally agreeing to see a doctor. It is the first time he's heard it since he started the pills, though.
The TV turns back on. Scratch is still there.]
Shit.
[He mutters to himself, slamming the lid of the laptop down. Scratch's babble gets through to him but he's trying not to acknowledge it, choosing instead to grab the small bottle of pills next to him and dry swallow a couple. He even tries changing the channel, but there Scratch is, being... Scratch.]
There's no franchise. [Said in a tone of voice Scratch might be familiar with; the "I'm done with your shit" one.] One point five stories isn't enough to qualify. I wouldn't even call what happened in Night Springs a sequel.
[Alan, don't talk to the hallucination. He can feel the pills doing their work, calming his nerves... and Scratch is still there, as in your - his? their? face as ever.]
Whoa, now he’s popping pills! It’s a real party! Uppers, right? You’re already a downer.
[Snickering now, if he weren’t commenting on Alan’s current behavior, it’d be easy to mistake for a pre-recorded video given the lack of response to Alan shooting down that franchise idea.]
Do you really think those can get rid of me? Come on! You know better than that! One point five stories aren’t enough he says, guess we’ll have to write a couple more! But you’ve already been doing that, haven’t you? A fresh idea, you said. It’s like the idea had taken control of you!
[Big dramatic hand gestures and emphasis on words there, it’s like he knows. Or well, something knows. Something that’s been watching Alan for a while. Most people wouldn’t think darkness could watch but those present know better.]
[If he didn't already know better, he would take the comment to mean it's nothing more than another hallucination. But there's just something about the way Scratch says it that gives him pause.]
Is this where you give me the spiel about how you're too popular an antagonist to kill off for real? [He gives the TV his full attention now - God he hopes Alice doesn't come home and catch him talking to a TV that's not even on. Or worse, showing some shitty talk show.] Because so far? I've had nothing but bad reviews about you. Especially from Emma and Serena.
[Alice too, but he's not going to give Scratch any room to talk about his wife. Not now, not ever.]
[Loud disapproval directed at Alan, if the TV is on, anyone listening would probably yell at Alan to turn it down. Or wonder why Alan is yelling at..Alan. Having the same voice is fun, or at least Scratch thinks so.]
That’s like Alex Casey leaving a one star review for some hack writer on Amazon. Subjected me to terrible things, would not be in the next book if I had a say in it!
[After that, Scratch calms down a little, looking briefly apologetic. Sorry not sorry.]
Besides, I was just having a little fun.
[A sheepish smile breaks out on his face, definitely not sorry.]
[Alan barely suppresses an eye roll. Can't let Scratch think he's getting to him more than he already has.]
None of this counts. You're not here.
[Alan, don't admit you're probably crazy to the TV Man. His fingers itch, missing the weight of a flashlight.]
You can't be here.
[Smooth amendment, writer man. His eyes dart to the closet where they've stockpiled what is probably half the city's supply of light bulbs, flashlights and candles. They dart back to the TV. Their emergency supply of lights was big enough before Bright Falls. Now? Now they have to make sure nobody ever opens that closet.]
So now you've got two possibilities, either I'm not here and you're having a complete breakdown! Famous writer loses last marble he didn't know he still had. Or! I am here, and you're wondering if all those lights you've stockpiled aren't enough. Suddenly thinking about heading down to the nearest big box store and buying them out of house and home!
[Which...would probably make people think Alan has lost his mind too. That or gone full doomsday prepper, not that the two are mutually exclusive.]
Don't worry though, fun as it would be to leave you in the dark, you'll get to find out which one it is soon enough. You, Alice, hell if I feel like it, I might even pay Barry a visit just for the hell of it. Get some real answers real quick then, wouldn't you?
[He did not miss the way Scratch was able to immediately know what to say to get to him. His face contorts into what could only generously be called a snarl.]
Stay away from them! [As much as he abhors the idea of playing whatever game Scratch clearly has planned, he'd much rather do that than subject Alice or Barry to his whims.] This is between you and me, going after them is just lazy writing.
That’s right, this is between me and you! Besides, don’t tell me about lazy writing when you know as well as I do that collateral damage is a great way to spice things up!
[He’s not saying it’s not lazy though…]
But if you really want me all to yourself like that, I'm sure we can work something out.
Hey, I'd like you out of my life too. You're like one annoying roadblock keeping me from really tearing up the highway and seeing what this baby can do.
[Though he does also enjoy tormenting Alan, so maybe that comparison doesn't entirely work that well.]
Alan is honestly tempted to just... walk away. As long as he stays away from the TV, Scratch can't do anything to him. Right now, anyway. If he's really back, then it's only a matter of time before he makes a personal visit.]
[Except he's got that same unpleasant grin he usually has.]
But that's fine, you don't want to talk right now, I get it. You're a busy guy, and hey, so am I. So I'll let you get back to your writing or pretending you haven't lost your fucking mind. We'll talk again soon. Some conversations are better had face to face anyways.
[Equally unpleasant laughter follows before the screen switches off.]
[Scratch signs off and the temperature in the room might as well have dropped sixty degrees from the way a chill runs down Alan's spine. Sucking in a breath, Alan begins to set up the contingency plans he and Alice had come up with.
Cynthia Weaver would be proud, even if Alan fucking hates the fact they know how to turn their apartment into the Well-Lit Room 2.0 as quickly as possible. Granted, it takes longer without Alice here to help, but Alan is nothing if not determined.
Whether he finishes before Scratch makes true on his threat is another thing. ]
[Honestly, it’d be a pretty effective revenge to just do nothing and watch the Wakes bankrupt themselves investing in lightbulbs and batteries and electric bills. Slowly going insane as the wattage goes up and up and up.
But Scratch is a petty bitch egotistical and just has to have that hands on touch, that screentime, that face to face confrontation. So while Alan does whatever, probably scurrying around with the aforementioned lights and batteries, a voice echoes from in the apartment. From a suddenly dark corner that surely wasn’t there before. That’s not good, but…]
Can you hurry it up a little? I’m dying of boredom over here. And sure, I get creative when I’m bored, but we’ve seen this before! You put up a bunch of lights and the darkness can’t get in and then what a surprise! They go out!
[That darkened corner appears to be spreading now, definitely not good.]
[Joke's on you, Alan's a hack and people will eat up the crap he publishes for years to come.
Alan doesn't even jump when Scratch appears because like Scratch says, they've done this before and the exact same thing always happens. It's all very formulaic. Though, he's tempted to fire a flaregun directly at the asshole. Instead he just raises a remote so Scratch can see it, and presses the button.
Alan might be a hack, but he's not stupid. The corner Scratch is in is instantly flooded with light from what might just be miniature suns with how fucking bright they are. They were the first thing the Wakes had installed, a cursory inspection revealing every room in the apartment's ceiling to be lined with the obnoxiously, painfully bright lights.
Will it solve the problem? Doubtful. But if it hurts Scratch, it's all worth it.]
[There’s a pained yell and that sizzle noise that accompanies the darkness burning out. But the corner of darkness just respawns in another area of the apartment. Seems like it’ll take a bit more to get rid of him.]
Speaking of repetitive, here’s a light show! Too cheap to provide a soundtrack this time though.
[Scratch is entirely expecting to get blasted against given all the lights. Not really his idea of a good time, but it can’t be helped. He’ll let Alan pingpong him around the apartment with these light traps for a while and then...well, then the real fun begins.]
Is it a licensing thing? If so, would've thought your buddy Barry could cut you a deal.
[Alan... does not actually blast him with the lights again. Honestly, that measure was more for the garden variety Taken. He knew it wouldn't be enough to take Scratch out permanently, so honestly... It was just to hurt the bastard.]
And if I'd given the moment a soundtrack, you'd have something to say about running out of ideas, right?
[Remedy did the same thing in Control, so he knows how Scratch would react.]
[He was expecting another blast, so having a breather is a bit of a surprise. Sure it'd take more than that to get rid of him, but he still expected Alan to try.]
Speaking of ideas though, what are you thinking here? You know I'm not like the others, you can shine a light on me all day and hey, it sucks, not saying it doesn't, but I'm not gonna burn up like the rest of them. I'm just built different, one of a kind you might say!
And while he asks that, the darkness starts to creep across the wall towards that switch, like Alan's got some real structural issues here...or he's picked out a house from Resident Evil 7.]
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no subject
Hey, long time no see buddy.
[A big smile here, like they’re the best of friends. Except as always, it’s wrong. Not so hidden darkness and malice worn on Alan’s face, an ill-fitting forced grin, like the muscles are being made to smile against their will. Unpleasant stuff, but he’s an unpleasant person. A fun person, sure, or at least he has fun, but that doesn’t really make him pleasant company.]
Bet you’d thought you saw the last of me, right? The champion of light vanquishing the darkness with some clever special effects and camera work! But wait! We’re a franchise now, and a hack like you knows that kind of thing means somebody like me’s almost guaranteed to come back. Gotta give the people what they want, and that’s more of me!
[Yeah this is the worst thing ever, but it’s the kind of plot twist that happens...in Night Springs. Unfortunately though, unlike a Night Springs episode, there's no fade out here, the TV doesn't turn off, it's just Scratch mugging for the camera on every channel.]
no subject
The veritable kaleidoscope of pills Alice had convinced him to take might have something to do with it, admittedly.]
No.
[Click goes the TV when Scratch's voice manages to cut through Alan's daze and get to him. It's not the first time he's heard Scratch's voice since he escaped, and that definitely has something to do with him finally agreeing to see a doctor. It is the first time he's heard it since he started the pills, though.
The TV turns back on. Scratch is still there.]
Shit.
[He mutters to himself, slamming the lid of the laptop down. Scratch's babble gets through to him but he's trying not to acknowledge it, choosing instead to grab the small bottle of pills next to him and dry swallow a couple. He even tries changing the channel, but there Scratch is, being... Scratch.]
There's no franchise. [Said in a tone of voice Scratch might be familiar with; the "I'm done with your shit" one.] One point five stories isn't enough to qualify. I wouldn't even call what happened in Night Springs a sequel.
[Alan, don't talk to the hallucination. He can feel the pills doing their work, calming his nerves... and Scratch is still there, as in your - his? their? face as ever.]
no subject
[Snickering now, if he weren’t commenting on Alan’s current behavior, it’d be easy to mistake for a pre-recorded video given the lack of response to Alan shooting down that franchise idea.]
Do you really think those can get rid of me? Come on! You know better than that! One point five stories aren’t enough he says, guess we’ll have to write a couple more! But you’ve already been doing that, haven’t you? A fresh idea, you said. It’s like the idea had taken control of you!
[Big dramatic hand gestures and emphasis on words there, it’s like he knows. Or well, something knows. Something that’s been watching Alan for a while. Most people wouldn’t think darkness could watch but those present know better.]
no subject
Is this where you give me the spiel about how you're too popular an antagonist to kill off for real? [He gives the TV his full attention now - God he hopes Alice doesn't come home and catch him talking to a TV that's not even on. Or worse, showing some shitty talk show.] Because so far? I've had nothing but bad reviews about you. Especially from Emma and Serena.
[Alice too, but he's not going to give Scratch any room to talk about his wife. Not now, not ever.]
no subject
[Loud disapproval directed at Alan, if the TV is on, anyone listening would probably yell at Alan to turn it down. Or wonder why Alan is yelling at..Alan. Having the same voice is fun, or at least Scratch thinks so.]
That’s like Alex Casey leaving a one star review for some hack writer on Amazon. Subjected me to terrible things, would not be in the next book if I had a say in it!
[After that, Scratch calms down a little, looking briefly apologetic. Sorry not sorry.]
Besides, I was just having a little fun.
[A sheepish smile breaks out on his face, definitely not sorry.]
Maybe more than a little.
no subject
None of this counts. You're not here.
[Alan, don't admit you're probably crazy to the TV Man. His fingers itch, missing the weight of a flashlight.]
You can't be here.
[Smooth amendment, writer man. His eyes dart to the closet where they've stockpiled what is probably half the city's supply of light bulbs, flashlights and candles. They dart back to the TV. Their emergency supply of lights was big enough before Bright Falls. Now? Now they have to make sure nobody ever opens that closet.]
no subject
[Which...would probably make people think Alan has lost his mind too. That or gone full doomsday prepper, not that the two are mutually exclusive.]
Don't worry though, fun as it would be to leave you in the dark, you'll get to find out which one it is soon enough. You, Alice, hell if I feel like it, I might even pay Barry a visit just for the hell of it. Get some real answers real quick then, wouldn't you?
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Stay away from them! [As much as he abhors the idea of playing whatever game Scratch clearly has planned, he'd much rather do that than subject Alice or Barry to his whims.] This is between you and me, going after them is just lazy writing.
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[He’s not saying it’s not lazy though…]
But if you really want me all to yourself like that, I'm sure we can work something out.
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What I want is you gone from my life forever. [Don't sugarcoat it, Alan.] I'm not making any deals with you.
[He sucks in a breath.]
And you're not going to hurt Alice or Barry, either.
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[Though he does also enjoy tormenting Alan, so maybe that comparison doesn't entirely work that well.]
Feeling's mutual, that's what I'm saying.
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[Scratch, you fucking liar.]
The fact we're talking right now says otherwise.
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[Probably not the answer Alan wanted.]
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[Gross?
Alan is honestly tempted to just... walk away. As long as he stays away from the TV, Scratch can't do anything to him. Right now, anyway. If he's really back, then it's only a matter of time before he makes a personal visit.]
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[Except he's got that same unpleasant grin he usually has.]
But that's fine, you don't want to talk right now, I get it. You're a busy guy, and hey, so am I. So I'll let you get back to your writing or pretending you haven't lost your fucking mind. We'll talk again soon. Some conversations are better had face to face anyways.
[Equally unpleasant laughter follows before the screen switches off.]
no subject
Cynthia Weaver would be proud, even if Alan fucking hates the fact they know how to turn their apartment into the Well-Lit Room 2.0 as quickly as possible. Granted, it takes longer without Alice here to help, but Alan is nothing if not determined.
Whether he finishes before Scratch makes true on his threat is another thing. ]
no subject
But Scratch is
a petty bitchegotistical and just has to have that hands on touch, that screentime, that face to face confrontation. So while Alan does whatever, probably scurrying around with the aforementioned lights and batteries, a voice echoes from in the apartment. From a suddenly dark corner that surely wasn’t there before. That’s not good, but…]Can you hurry it up a little? I’m dying of boredom over here. And sure, I get creative when I’m bored, but we’ve seen this before! You put up a bunch of lights and the darkness can’t get in and then what a surprise! They go out!
[That darkened corner appears to be spreading now, definitely not good.]
no subject
Alan doesn't even jump when Scratch appears because like Scratch says, they've done this before and the exact same thing always happens. It's all very formulaic. Though, he's tempted to fire a flaregun directly at the asshole. Instead he just raises a remote so Scratch can see it, and presses the button.
Alan might be a hack, but he's not stupid. The corner Scratch is in is instantly flooded with light from what might just be miniature suns with how fucking bright they are. They were the first thing the Wakes had installed, a cursory inspection revealing every room in the apartment's ceiling to be lined with the obnoxiously, painfully bright lights.
Will it solve the problem? Doubtful. But if it hurts Scratch, it's all worth it.]
no subject
Speaking of repetitive, here’s a light show! Too cheap to provide a soundtrack this time though.
[Scratch is entirely expecting to get blasted against given all the lights. Not really his idea of a good time, but it can’t be helped. He’ll let Alan pingpong him around the apartment with these light traps for a while and then...well, then the real fun begins.]
Is it a licensing thing? If so, would've thought your buddy Barry could cut you a deal.
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And if I'd given the moment a soundtrack, you'd have something to say about running out of ideas, right?
[Remedy did the same thing in Control, so he knows how Scratch would react.]
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[He was expecting another blast, so having a breather is a bit of a surprise. Sure it'd take more than that to get rid of him, but he still expected Alan to try.]
Speaking of ideas though, what are you thinking here? You know I'm not like the others, you can shine a light on me all day and hey, it sucks, not saying it doesn't, but I'm not gonna burn up like the rest of them. I'm just built different, one of a kind you might say!
[Or Alan might not, Scratch doesn't really care.]
no subject
[So dry it's almost the Sahara.]
I knew it wasn't going to be enough to get rid of you, but after everything you've done, you deserve it.
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[And it sure isn't Alan, actually he'll say that part out loud.]
And hate to break it to you, but it's not you.
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So that's why you're here? To be petty?
[Alan rolls his eyes, fingers idly playing with the switch in his hand.]
Sounds like I'm not the one running out of ideas.
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[Yes, yes it does.
And while he asks that, the darkness starts to creep across the wall towards that switch, like Alan's got some real structural issues here...or he's picked out a house from Resident Evil 7.]
I can do so much better than petty.
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