Trigger warning for mention of suicide. All characters are over eighteen years of age.
***
Session 1 (timestamp 16.03.2023 starts 15.45 ends 17.32)
The camera shows a well-appointed living room. There is a table with several chairs. Various college textbooks and an open laptop lie scattered across the surface of the table.
A hispanic male of approximately 18-21 years of age steps into the screen. He is small, with thick glasses and a plain face. He stares directly at the camera for a few seconds.
TERRY: My name is Terry Gomez. This is... I guess this is session one.
He adjusts the camera (assumed from inference to be a small portable webcam) for a half-minute or so.
TERRY: She won't be able to see this...there we go.
Apparently satisfied that the camera is hidden, the boy sits down at the table. He opens a textbook and closes it again before pulling out a small leatherbound book from under the table. He reads the book intently for a few moments before hiding it back underneath the table.
TERRY: Make me a coffee.
Terry frowns and repeats the phrase eight times, changing the pitch and timbre of his voice each time. During the seventh and eighth repetitions his voice becomes deeper and oddly distorted. The boy nods to himself and then busies himself with reviewing the college textbooks.
At approximately 15.57 there is a knock on the door. The boy walks off camera and there is the sound of a door opening, followed by muffled, unintelligible voices. At 15.58 the Terry re-enters the camera shot, accompanied by an attractive Caucasian woman with red hair of similar age to Terry. The girl exhibits clear confusion, annoyance and nervousness.
TERRY: Seriously, Janet? They didn't tell you I was your tutor?
JANET: I wouldn't have come if they had.
TERRY: You can leave. I'm not the one failing chemistry.
Janet looks at the setup on the table, clearly uncomfortable.
JANET: It's just that it's...
TERRY: Why would it be weird? What is there to be weird about?
Janet continues to stare at Terry for a few moments. She opens her mouth to speak but then shuts it again. Her attitude visibly changes, shifting from uncomfortable to confident and arrogant.
JANET: Fine. It's not like I did anything wrong.
Both sit at the table and begin to sort through the textbooks. Janet opens up a laptop and activates it. Terry proceeds to tutor Janet in chemistry. They both exhibit highly guarded body language, avoiding close contact or any personal discussions. The tutoring session continues for thirty-seven minutes before Terry changes the topic at 16:35.
TERRY: Do you want a coffee?
JANET: Sure.
TERRY:
(Clearly nervous)
Fetch me a coffee.
JANET: What?
TERRY: I- I mean- (
distorted
) make me a coffee.
JANET: Make your own goddamn coffee.
TERRY:
(confused
) Sure. Um, how do you take your coffee?
JANET: Cream, one sugar. And without any bullshit.
Terry rises and walks off-camera. Sounds of movement can be heard off-screen, while Janet alternates between looking at the source of the noises and the direction of the door. At around 16:40 Terry returns with two coffees.
TERRY: Here you go.
JANET: Thanks.
The two return to studying, with Janet growing repeatedly annoyed at what she refers to as 'bullshit' problems with the source material. At approximately 16.48, Terry makes another attempt:
TERRY: (
Distorted
) Give me that book.
JANET: What? (
Few seconds of confusion
). This one?
TERRY: Yes.
Janet hands book to Terry. Janet blinks as she hands the book over, as though confused.
JANET: Here you go.
TERRY: Thank you.
JANET: No...no problem.
Five minutes later Terry repeats the process of requesting a pen from Janet. Janet complies, exhibiting less confusion than before.
The process repeats another five times over the course of the next half hour. In each instance Terry makes an innocuous request, coupled with the distortion effect; with each instance, Janet obeys the request. By the fifth request she no longer exhibits any signs of confusion, performing the requested actions readily and without complaint or question. Over time her body language shifts dramatically, changing from tense and angry to relaxed and happy. Her cheeks appear to be flushed and she is rubbing her thighs together under the table.
At 17.28 Terry closes the laptop.
TERRY: I think that's our time for today.
JANET: That was...actually, that was pretty good.
TERRY: Good?
JANET: Yeah. That felt- I mean, it was- it was okay.
TERRY: So next week?
JANET: Um. Maybe? Look, this wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but...
TERRY: Okay. Look, you decide.
JANET: Let me just- I dunno.
(Expression turns angry, body language shifts back to haughty.)
You got to remember my reputation, after all.
TERRY: Yeah. Yeah, I remember.
JANET: Look, I'll come or I don't. Just don't- I mean, don't get any funny ideas.
TERRY: Oh, I won't.
Janet collects her books and then departs off camera. Terry watches her leave from the table. There is the muffled sound of a door closing. Terry waits for approximately thirty seconds before rising and walking over to the camera. He moves objects out of the way and then picks up the camera, staring directly into the screen.
TERRY: I think...I think that worked. I made a mistake at the start, aiming too big, making it too obvious. The effect should build up with each use, so...
(Expression turns angry)
'Did nothing wrong'. Fuck h-
Session ends.
***
Session 2 (timestamp 23.03.2023 starts 15:55 to 16.52).
Camera activates to reveal the same living room scene as before. The table is once again set with books and an open laptop. Terry takes the time to hide the camera once more.
TERRY: Session two. I guess I'm going to take things easy today, you know? Build things up. No point on taking any pointless risks... I mean if she actually shows up again.
He retreats to the table and sits in the same chair as last time. He closes his eyes and takes long, deep breaths. At 16.01 there is the sound of a knock. He rises and walks over to the door. There are muffled noises of conversation before he returns with Janet in tow.
JANET:...So yeah. I'm back.
TERRY: Okay.
JANET: Got anything to say?
TERRY: No. I mean, fine. I agreed to this last week, remember?
JANET: Yeah. So, um, I thought we could cover new ground today.
TERRY: Sure.
They both sit down and commence studying. At 16.04, Terry issues his first command, ordering Janet to try a question in a distorted voice. She responds quickly, shivering as she does so.
Over the course of the next forty-five minutes Terry issues another eight distorted commands. All are disguised as tutoring prompts or innocuous requests for items or information. Janet follows all commands without hesitation. Within fifteen minutes her body language has shifted, facing Terry more often and leaning closer to him while talking. Her skin appears flushed and she has begun to display signs (playing with her hair, pupil dilation, etc.) of sexual arousal.
At 15.46, the following exchange begins:
TERRY: (
Distorted
) Make me a coffee.
Janet pauses for a few seconds.
JANET: That... I mean...sure. Um, where's your filters?
TERRY: Everything should already be out.
JANET: Okay.
Janet rises and walks offscreen in the direction of the kitchen.
JANET: (Indistinct audio, presumably too far away from camera)
TERRY: Cream, no sugar.
JANET: (Indistinct audio).
TERRY: Good idea. Yeah, grab some cookies from the pantry as well, okay?
JANET: (Indistinct audio).
TERRY: Why? I guess... I wanted to see you again.
JANET
: (Indistinct audio).
TERRY: Because... (
turns away, face twists into expression of pain and anger
) I guess I don't want to hold on to the past.
Janet returns with two coffees in hand. She heads back into the kitchen and comes back out with a plate of cookies. The two eat in silence for two minutes.
JANET: I'm kind of surprised that you managed to make the course this year. I mean- I guess I shouldn't be surprised. It's just I figured... you know.
TERRY: You figured I'd be in the hospital for a while longer.
JANET: I mean, it's really cool that you got out and got everything sorted, right? It's been two years later and here you are, all normal and shit. Like it never happened. I guess-
TERRY: You think it was easy?
JANET: No. No, that's not what I'm saying. I'm just saying... fuck. I dunno. I was really worried when I heard what happened.
TERRY: I heard you laughed about it.
JANET: Well. I mean, I did but only because- look, I did feel shitty. I mean, it wasn't like it was a celebration or anything. I guess I just- I didn't process it well.
TERRY: You don't say.
JANET: Hey- look. How about we call this one early, okay? I should probably go and get some shit sorted out.
TERRY: okay.
JANET: See you next week, alright?
TERRY: Sure.
JANET: We- we're definitely on for next week?
TERRY: Wouldn't miss it.
JANET: Okay then.
Janet gathers her laptop and books and departs. Terry escorts her off screen and returns a half minute later to sit down on the table. He stares into space for approximately three minutes before getting up and walking over to the camera. He picks up the camera and turns it off.
Session ends.
***
Session 3 (timestamp 30.03.2023 starts 15.50 ends 17.36)
Camera activates to reveal the now familiar dining table strewn with books. Terry moves away from the camera, looking visibly nervous.
TERRY: Session three. Um, didn't think this would actually work. I'm going to... I'm going to, you know. Push her.
Terry sits down and fiddles with his books in an agitated manner.
TERRY: Um, I've been using it around a bit. The power. Just a little. On, um, people in coffee shops or in class. Just to see what happened. I got a free muffin! I mean, the waitress might be into me anyway. Most of the time it doesn't work. So... you need to built it up a bit before you can really use it. Like I'm going to today. I think that-
There is the sound of a muffled knock. Terry rising quickly and walks off camera towards the front door. There are muffled sounds of conversation. Half a minute later (15:52) Terry walks back on screen, followed by Janet. She is dressed differently to previous sessions, wearing a tight red shirt and tight jeans. Furthermore she has applied makeup for the first time. She is smiling and her manner is flirtatious.
TERRY: Didn't expect you to be early.
JANET: Well I'm kind of eager to start. You're a good tutor.
TERRY: Cool.
TERRY: (
Distorted
) Make me a coffee.
JANET: Sure.
(Smiles wider).
Janet walks hurriedly off-screen in the direction of the kitchen. She returns at 15:55 with two coffees.
JANET: I couldn't find any cookies. Sorry.
TERRY: It's okay. I can go and get them later.
JANET: I can bring some next time. Home-made.
TERRY: That's...um. That's...
JANET: It's the least I can do.
