FETHER HERE. Another episode of PSYCHO CINEMA is in the air. A brief respite from reality. A journey into a fictitious world where there will be a beginning and and end.
I am wandering through the labyrinth below the Asylum. I started a few days ago. I equipped myself and began the search for Tarr.
I started on the uppermost level, designated Upper Level Three This is where the extreme patients are housed. Caged is a far better word. These are creatures whose sole (soul?) purpose is to destroy all others. Tarr and I have done some interesting experiments with a few of these Inmates. They are quite troublesome, though, as they are far more often sedated than not. We do prefer the ones who seem to be content with reality no matter what that reality is. But I digress. I looked into every cell. No Tarr. (He does often enter a cell and cohabit with that cell's Inmate, sometimes for days at a time.)
Nurse Feratu quickly checked Upper Level Two. This is the Commons. Here is housed seventy-five patients, all deemed non-violent submissives. This is a communal area: dormitory-style sleeping quarters, open area bathing facilities, several restraint cells (yes, even these patients occasionally need to be restrained). No Dr. Tarr.
We checked Level One. This level includes the reception area, the kitchen, and several rooms devoted to either laboratory work or operating rooms. The room with The Chair is located near the back of the building. This is one of Tarr's favorite places to go when he's bored. Okay, me too. We know a good thing when we find one! Nothing. No Tarr.
Next came Sub Level One, or the basement. This is primarily storage for such items that can be used on short notice. It also houses the power plant of the Asylum. I stopped and broke bread with Ted, the Chief Engineer. Ted is a large fellow, quite hirsute, surely and a man of few words. A good leader. Knows how to keep the workers in step with our Program. The Room of Discipline is also on this level.There are thirty-three rooms to search. It takes Nurse Feratu and I several hours to go through this area. Nothing.
Sub Level Two. Nurse Feratu and I part at the steps leading down. She will be in charge of the Asylum above while I search down here. Luckily I have a companion: Socko. Neither of us really wants to venture into the depths below the Asylum. We've both been down here before. After you get so far, it's not very pleasant. There are places where OLD INMATES dwell. And...things that have no semblance to humanity. Animals. Proto-volves, aka Hybrids. Subjects of strange experiments, many of which are considered failures. Some are quite violent and unreasoning. Dangerous. Oddly enough, I find myself in a somewhat exhilarated state. Adreneline courses through me. Oh yes. That feels good. That is a feeling I haven't had in quite some time. The thrill of
THE HUNT comes back to me.
Sub Level Two marks the beginning of the "partially finished" area of the Asylum. It's construction is crude but sturdy, made from stone and mortar. Meant to last forever. It's as if to say "it doesn't matter what happens above this point. All is not lost." This area consists of small rooms that are completely devoid of content. These rooms are made completely out of stone and mortar. Fireproof. Thick enough to withstand indirect explosions with impunity. Very ingenious. Easy to search. No Tarr. Ah, but now the story changes. At the entrance to Sub Level Three, I find a clue. Tarr has scratched his name into the wall along with the date: 1/20/07. Yes. Tarr has ventured down into the depths below the Asylum. This obvious clue is puzzling. I think he has unconsciously realized that this time he's goin to need some help. I continue on.
Sub Level Three consists of a series of roughly carved tunnels and rooms. Each room has a heavy iron door. Each is triple locked. They are unique in that they can only be locked from the outside. I don't have the keys to these rooms. There is no record of these keys and none of the staff knows where they are. Nevertheless, I check every door. They are all locked. There is no way Tarr could be in one of these rooms. I move on to the entrance to Sub Level Four.
Getting into Sub Level Four is a secret process. Head Doctor revealed to us how to get into this level. This is the last level where Head Doctor has eyes and ears. Or so I think, though oftentimes I wonder what transpires in that elecronic brain - and beyond. How far can he truly see? Is this information he has kept hidden from us? Sometimes I think Head Doctor, who is primarily Tarr's creation, has evolved beyond the limits we tried to incorporate in him when he was created. He scares me sometimes. I usually just try to put him out of my mind. I
hope he's not in my mind. This level is comprised of a series of what appear to be natural tunnels and caves, some quite spectacular. A strange glowing fungus graces many of the walls, though not all of them, thus keeping the area in a gloomy state. I consider getting out the lantern but decide that there is enough light for now. Save the lantern in case I come to a really dark area. I wave at one of the known pairs of Head Doctor Eyes. With an almost imperceptible whir, they move to focus directly on me. It would be the last I saw before entering the next level. Oh yes, did I mention the mushrooms start appearing on this level? I do know Tarr has mentioned the mushrooms. Tarr is fond of the mushrooms. I hoped to find him on this level. I did not find Tarr on that level. I found someone else: Eloise and Jacob. Here's how it happened.
I made my way through most of Sub Level Four. Nearing the area where the entrance to the next level resided, I rounded a corner and nearly collided with a woman and a man. They were both in their sixties - or so they appeared. I vaguely recollected they had been much older the last time we met. Anyway, they were in no way remarkable as judged by normal standards. Ah, appearances are such fickle criteria to use as a standard of judgement. Yet we are all susceptible to that most instant of appraisals, aren't we? At any rate, I knew them for what they were: one of the most horrifying homicidal couplings in history. Or so they thought. They did have several heinous deeds attributed to their past conduct, but that was nothing compared to today's standard fare. But that did not make them any the less dangerous. I activated The Shock-Knucks(tm) Dr. Tarr had invented as I smiled most cordially and gave a slight bow to the couple.
"Well, well, well, Martha," said Jacob, "I do believe I remember this fellow. Do you remember him, my dear?"
"Why yes I do, my sweet, I do," the woman said as she gently touched the man's arm. "Professor Fether is it not?"
"Good evening," I said. "I hope you are both feeling well this fine evening?"
They looked pleasantly surprised at my remarks. I have learned how to play this game. I've been through here a few times. Still, though, it is a very delicate game and one must pay strict attention to what is being said and what is being done. The Shock-Knucks(tm) are meant to be used as a last resort. I keep them hidden.
"What brings you to our neighborhood?" Jacob asked.
"I am only passing through," I replied. "I am on my way to pay tribute below."
They looked at each other and nodded knowingly. They looked back at me.
"We understand, Professor Fether," Eloise/Martha said. A glint flashed briefly in her eyes. "We aren't quite what you think we are. You amuse us. We recognise a kindred soul. That is your Grace."
I smiled. It's a cold smile, though. I can't help it. Dominance will out. I held up my left hand. The Shock-Knucks(tm) were quite apparent on my clenched fist.
"Yes," I said, "By your Grace."
Keeping my eye on them, I made my way to the entrance to the next level. I was not surprised to find another clue. One of Tarr's gloves. He would never knowingly leave one of his gloves. He cannot abide the touch of blood on his hands. My suspicions have been confirmed. Tarr ate some mushrooms. He is starting to shed his outter appearance. This will continue for some time as he surely has several more secreted about his person. I must find him soon. He is venturing into very dangerous areas.
Sub Level Five. This is where reality becomes much more ambiguous -- if that's possible. Time to rest, here at the entrance to Sub Level Five. I will need my wits from here on out.
SPIDER BABY. Wish I could settle back and watch a good movie. Not tonight. Tonight Socko and I take turns standing watch. Sub Level Five awaits.
