Project-5061-Telephone.5/12/2020 Video Log Transcript

Date: 5/12/2020

Subject: Entity-5061-1

Interviewer: Dr. Edward Dune- Senior Researcher, Area-179

<Begin Recording>

<The image of Entity-5061-1 is projected onto the screen>

Dr. Dune: Elizabeth?

Entity-5061-1: Right on time.

Dr. Dune: Hm. Do you remember what time we talked yesterday?

Entity-5061-1: Around eight?

Dr. Dune: What time is it now? Exactly?

Entity-5061-1: <glancing to the right> 7:55.

Dr. Dune: Interesting.

<Dune writes on his notepad>

Entity-5061-1: Why?

Dr. Dune: Observations. More for me than you.

Entity-5061-1: Why are you studying me, Doctor?

Dr. Dune: I said before, we're studying the means of communication between us. You just happen to be on the other end.

Entity-5061-1: But you're still studying me- taking notes and all.

Dr. Dune: What kind of researcher would I be if I didn't?

Entity-5061-1: Who are you?

Dr. Dune: Doctor E-

Entity-5061-1: Edward Dune, right. You work for the government, the military- something of the sort?

Dr. Dune: You could say that. I work for an organization that investigates things that aren't…normal. Right now, it's the way we're communicating. We study these things, keep them out of the wrong hands- allow the masses to spend their time watching films, or enjoy a day in the park. There's a veil of normalcy that has to be kept, and we're the ones in charge of keeping it.

Entity-5061-1: Well, you're quite important.

Dr. Dune: Very.

<Dune writes on his notepad>

Entity-5061-1: No time for film, or a day in the park, or being kind when you're responsible for protecting the world from God knows what, right?

Dr. Dune: Not really. Anyways, can you tell me a bit about your everyday routine?

Entity-5061-1: What is wrong with you? It's like you've never talked to another person before! You're rude, sir.

Dr. Dune: Alright, fine. I'll…I'll stop. I need to know about the nature of your world.

Entity-5061-1: The nature of my world? How about the nature of yours, sir? I'm not quite sure what you want from me. You're from the future, right? Just go look up 1942 in an encyclopedia if you're so curious about the nature of my world!

Dr. Dune: It isn't like that-

Entity-5061-1: Well, what is it like? Keeping secrets doesn't help anyone.

Dr. Dune: Fine- I have to figure out whether your 1942 and my 1942 are the same, or if we're looking at something more complex.

Entity-5061-1: What do you mean, "my" 1942? What kind of talk is that?

Dr. Dune: The kind of talk we specialize in, Elizabeth. Why don't you list off some significant events that have happened recently?

Entity-5061-1: Well, I'm not one for politics- but even I know the United States just entered the war.

Dr. Dune: I assumed from the accent, but you are in the United States- right?

Entity-5061-1: Burbank, California.

Dr. Dune: Do you know what prompted the entry into the war?

Entity-5061-1: Why, of course! Everyone knows that. The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor just last month.

Dr. Dune: That's good, Elizabeth. Means there's a possibility that we're operating on the same timeline, or a similar one, at least.

Entity-5061-1: Oh, right. Good.

<Dune writes on his notepad>

Entity-5061-1: Look, I understand that conversation isn't exactly your thing, so why don't I take the wheel?

Dr. Dune: It's not th-

Entity-5061-1: Just relax. Forget about the paperwork, or whatever you have to do after this. Let's just talk. If you're from the future, and- well, if we're on the same brainwave, or whatever you said- can you tell me what happens? With, uh, the war and all.

Dr. Dune: Well, It's not exactly protocol for interacting with time anomalies, but I think you can keep a secret, right?

Entity-5061-1: I never kiss and tell, sir.

Dr. Dune: I'm speaking English, aren't I?

<Entity-5061-1 smiles and holds its hands to its mouth>

Entity-5061-1: No. I didn't even thi-

Dr. Dune: Mhm.

Entity-5061-1: That's wonderful! I- I felt guilty about doing all of this, when the world's in chaos, and people are struggling- and I'm just here- dancing, singing, smiling. There's a war out there, and all I can do is play pretend.

Dr. Dune: Rosie the Riveter a thing yet?

Entity-5061-1: Who?

Dr. Dune: Oh, you just wait. No, Elizabeth- don't feel guilty. There's a saying where I'm from- about dying in the darkness, so others can live in the light. You're living in the light, Elizabeth. There's nothing wrong with that. World needs a little light sometimes.

Entity-5061-1: <sighing> Right. I suppose making people smile is a noble goal.

Dr. Dune: You're taking their minds off of what's going on out there. What you're doing is important. People like you- they're needed.

Entity-5061-1: Thank you, sir. I just felt-

Dr. Dune: Don't. Look, I'm sorry. In my line of work, I deal with a lot of inhumanity, literally and emotionally. Usually when I'm communicating with something- it's planting a memetic trigger in my cornea, or lashing out at me. I just wasn't sure-

Entity-5061-1: It's okay, sir. You didn't know if I was safe to talk to, or if I was a real person. I understand.

Dr. Dune: It's the reality of the job. I should've approached you more humanely. I realize you have hopes, fears, and you're undoubtedly living a life of your own.

Entity-5061-1: You're fine. Why don't we just talk? You can get your information, and I can have someone to talk to this late at night.

Dr. Dune: That'd be su- that'd be fine.

<pause>

Dr. Dune: You said you're on a movie set, right?

Entity-5061-1: Mhm, a Warner Brothers production. If that means anything to you.

Dr. Dune: Warner Brothers? Oh, Elizabeth- it does. They're still as big of a studio now as they were back then.

Entity-5061-1: Heavens! Really?

Dr. Dune: Of course. What's the movie? One of those gangster ones?

Entity-5061-1: Oh, it's not a crime film. It's a musical- Yankee Doodle Dandy.

Dr. Dune: Yankee Doodle? I think I've heard of that one before. I don't really have time for-

Entity-5061-1: <gasping> Really? I'm in a popular musical in the future!

Dr. Dune: Well, I wouldn't say popular.

Entity-5061-1: You've heard of it.

Dr. Dune: I've heard of a lot of movies, doesn't mean I've seen them.

Entity-5061-1: <laughing> You are so bitter.

Dr. Dune: Hard not to be when you're in my position.

Entity-5061-1: Oh please, I have to deal with Mr. Curtiz on a daily basis. You're just like him! You're on a deadline to get something done, so everyone else has to suffer.

Dr. Dune: I do not make people suffe-

Entity-5061-1: Why'd you get so short with me back there, hm, Mr. Curtiz?

Dr. Dune: I already apologized! It wasn't right.

Entity-5061-1: Mmm, I'm not convinced.

Dr. Dune: <laughing> I apologize, Elizabeth. I deal with my fair share of assholes above me, too. I don't want to be another asshole above you.

Entity-5061-1: <laughing> He is a bit of an- uh-

Dr. Dune: A what?

Entity-5061-1: An asshole. <laughing> I'm so sorry, I just- <laughing> I try not to talk like that.

Dr. Dune: If the man's an asshole, the man's an asshole- simple as that.

Entity-5061-1: <laughing> That's so bad! It's true though. We've been reshooting the same scene for the past week or so. A dance number. You'd think we'd have never danced in our lives from the way he talks to us. And don't even ask me about Joan- that bitch- the Prima Donna herself.

Dr. Dune: 'That bitch'? <laughing> You'll have to tell me about her.

Entity-5061-1: Oh, I think I will, sir. Tomorrow night. We're doing another shoot at 10 o'clock sharp, and it's one of her scenes. But, I think I'll be getting to bed now, if you don't mind.

Dr. Dune: No problem at all, Elizabeth- we got some good info from this one.

Entity-5061-1: And?

Dr. Dune: And?

Entity-5061-1: You had a pleasant conversation.

Dr. Dune: Yeah. I did. Thank you. Sorry about being a dick to you, yeah?

Entity-5061-1: It's okay. You're kind, when you want to be.

Dr. Dune: Now, don't say that. <laughing> Get some rest.

<Dune gets out of his seat to turn off the projector>

Entity-5061-1: Wait, sir. I have another question.

Dr. Dune: <Dune steps away from the projector and gestures> Shoot.

Entity-5061-1: Is it all worth it? This, I mean- Elizabeth Connors. Does that name mean anything to you?

<pause>

Dr. Dune: Yes, it does.

<Entity-5061-1 smiles and nods. Dune stops the projector and faces the camera.>

Dr. Dune: Elizabeth Connors.

<End Recording>