AUDIO LOG

DATE: 10/28/2017

SUBJECT: Sean Mulligan

INTERVIEWER: Dr. McLaughlin

NOTE: Subject had been in Foundation custody for three days prior to interview.

[BEGIN LOG]

Door opening. Dull scraping sound as Dr. McLaughlin seats himself.

MCLAUGHLIN: Mr. Mulligan. I trust you've been kept in good comfort?

SUBJECT: Wasn't expecting the Ritz, but it did an alright job. Good food. Not like what you see in the movies.

MCLAUGHLIN: Well, this isn't a prison, per se- consider it a- ah, a necessary measure towards your own safety. Safety being something you appear to pay little attention to.

Silence. McLaughlin clears his throat.

MCLAUGHLIN: The salamanders, Mr. Mulligan. We'd very much appreciate an explanation. Why do the things you did, rather than- for example- contact the authorities?

SUBJECT: Money. Fame, perhaps. What, you want a sob story or something? I did it because God gave me the fuckin' opportunity to do so.

Thumping. Subject apparently hit the table with his fist for emphasis.

SUBJECT: I could have gone all the way to Broadway with an act like that.

MCLAUGHLIN: I don't doubt it. They are remarkable creatures- you claim to have, ah- (shuffling) 'seen them moving towards the bank, and shot'- in self-defense?

SUBJECT: Sounds about right. What of it?

Shuffling.

MCLAUGHLIN: This is what frightened you? (A pause.) Not to be a cynic, Sean- but this was apparently in broad daylight. And our research has determined your creatures to be no quicker than a standard member of their species.

Silence.

MCLAUGHLIN: Would you like to tell me what really happened?

SUBJECT: (Laughing.) Yeah, yeah- you got me. I shot it, alright? Is that what you wanted to hear? Aimed square at its dopey little melon and pulled the trigger, and it just healed right over.

Creaking.

SUBJECT: Well, I'd planned on stringing it up on my porch and flogging it off to the highest bidder before- but now, now I had a bloody goldmine on my hands. Ever heard of a flea circus, lad? Little automated thing, round and round it goes, make you believe there were these tiny little bugs living in their own little world. Loved them to bits when I was a boy.

MCLAUGHLIN: So?

SUBJECT: So, I made my own. With a bit of a twist. See, people love performing animals- but you know what else they love, doctor? They love gore. They love crunchin' bones and spewing blood. They love beheadings. They can't help but look away from their goggleboxes when some poor, dumb fuck gets stabbed in broad daylight, or when an old lady gets splattered by a train. So, I fit my product to that demand. I guide my little beauties-

MCLAUGHLIN: (Interrupting.) You blame- what- an audience, on your actions?

SUBJECT: Oi, didn't say that. Nothin' to blame anything on. I did what any bloke worth his salt would do if he stumbled upon a bunch of disposable stuntmen.

MCLAUGHLIN: Then what about the ones who don't perform at all? 'Purple' and 'Cream'?

SUBJECT: (Laughing.) All for the show, doctor. All for the show.

Silence for a few seconds. Papers shuffling.

MCLAUGHLIN: Right. I think we're done here.

SUBJECT: I can go home now?

MCLAUGHLIN: That's not my decision to make. I'll contact my superiors as soon as possible. For now, you'll stay under our custody.

[END LOG]

NOTE: PoI-5591 promptly returned to his designated chamber. Further interviews are currently pending approval. Concerns regarding staff composure and professionalism have led to Dr. McLaughlin being permanently removed from the subject's interview rota.