Crimson Azure
CHAPTER 2
PREVIOUSLY... Azure meets with Crimson in an effort to forces in order to eliminate the vigilante known as “Lincoln”. Shortly after they agreed on the of his disposal, they were attacked.
- CRIMSON:
Well, that’s another press conference I gotta hold tomorrow... Damn assassins.
- AZURE:
Indeed. I had the same happen to me last week. In fact, come to think of it... He was wearing the exact same getup.
- CRIMSON:
Think it could be Lincoln?
- AZURE:
Well, let’s not write it off as a coincidence yet... Even though I happen to be thinking the same thing. I’ll have some of my robots investigate the matter.
- CRIMSON:
Good idea. In the meantime I’ll make arrangements to hold that press conference.
- CRIMSON:
Hey, Leo. I gotta set up another press conference for tomorrow. Another assassination attempt.... Yeah, I know, they’re getting way outta hand... Okay, thanks.
- CRIMSON:
I swear, this crap is bad for business. Well, since you came all the way from the other side of town, how about I treat you to dinner?
- AZURE:
Shouldn’t you be reporting to the police?
- CRIMSON:
Please. The police are useless these days. They take forever to do anything.
- AZURE:
....What do you have in mind?
- CRIMSON:
What kinda food do you like?
- AZURE:
...I guess I feel like having some Asian food... Maybe Chinese?
- CRIMSON:
Alrighty, I’ll see about getting some Chinese, then.
- CRIMSON:
Careful. I’m her master, so only I can keep my hand after touching her.
- AZURE:
...Oh... right...
- CRIMSON:
Alright, I got you some orange chicken. Hope you don’t mind.
- AZURE:
Are you kidding? That’s, like, one of my favorites!
- CRIMSON:
I guess I made the right call, then. While we’re waiting for it, how about I give you a tour of the place?
- AZURE:
Uhm... are you sure that’s wise?
- CRIMSON:
Probably not. But then, we agreed to a ceasefire.
- AZURE:
True.
- JANITOR:
Uh, Mister Crimson, I was told there was a body that needs to be dumped?
- CRIMSON:
Ah, yes, go ahead. This one right here.
- AZURE:
How did he—?
- CRIMSON:
The janitors here watch the security tapes too, so they know where to clean up. Anyway, how ‘bout that tour?
- AZURE:
Uhm, okay. Let’s go, Aphrodite.
- APHRODITE:
Yes, sir.
- CRIMSON:
While we’re at it, I’ll see to it that we bring Miss Rhodes back to her quarters. Vanessa, would you kindly watch over my office for a while?
- VANESSA:
Yes, Master.
- CRIMSON:
It’s getting late, Miss Rhodes. We should get you back to your room.
- BANSHEE:
Okey-doke.
- AZURE:
Uh... That’s a lot of doors...
- CRIMSON:
Well, this is what some of my employees call the Asylum Sector.
- AZURE:
Asylum Sector? How’d it get that name?
- CRIMSON:
This is where we keep the nutjobs that other shrinks would consider a lost cause. Severe trauma or drug abuse, these are people who literally let their minds wander and never come back.
- CRIMSON:
Miss Rhodes, could you remind me again, which one is your room?
- BANSHEE:
My room is 24601.
- CRIMSON:
Ah, I thought so, that’s right at the end of this corridor.
- CRIMSON:
We have a lot of people here in the Sector, but we give each subject a unique set of hypnotic inductions and suggestions. Y’know, since everyone is different.
- AZURE:
What do you mean?
- CRIMSON:
Inductions are what take people into a deep trance. Anything they can focus on as intensely as possible, like a pocketwatch or spiral disc, or even a laser pointer. Suggestions are what those people are made to do, once put under hypnosis. Like in those cartoons? Someone gets hypnotized into thinking they’re a dog, getting on their hands and knees and barking... or a chicken, dancing around and clucking.... Or as I did with Vanessa, as well as Miss Rhodes here, brainwashing them into mindless drones.
- AZURE:
....I see.
- CRIMSON:
But sometimes it gets more detailed than that. In fact, let me show you a good example.
- CRIMSON:
Miss Rhodes, when I snap my fingers, you will be a mannequin. Completely unaware of what is going on around you, you cannot move on your own.
- CRIMSON:
Okay... now, try to touch her.
- AZURE:
That’s amazing...
- CRIMSON:
That... is what is called a post-hypnotic suggestion. It is an action that she is subconsciously programmed with while in a hypnotic state. They usually come with a trigger that makes them perform that action at anytime, without thinking.
- AZURE:
...So when you snapped your fingers...
- CRIMSON:
She is forced to obey her programming, yes. And that’s just one of countless possible hypnotic triggers you could use. Maybe a certain catchphrase or a secret message, those will work too.
- AZURE:
Impressive.
- CRIMSON:
And I gotta it, making them think they’re mannequins is pretty fun. You can do whatever the hell you want with ‘em and they won’t even flinch. Watch.
- AZURE:
....Fascinating.
- CRIMSON:
I know, right? And the best part is you can erase their memory so they’re none the wiser.
- AZURE:
You can do that?
- CRIMSON:
Yeah. Watch.
- AZURE:
What the hell?! She can speak Greek??
- CRIMSON:
You know Greek, right? Try and talk to her.
- APHRODITE:
Mister Crimson, do you understand what they’re saying?
- CRIMSON:
It’s all Greek to me...literally.
- CRIMSON:
Alright, I think that’s enough for now...
- BANSHEE:
....Strange... I feel like I know you...but I can’t even what I was just doing...
- CRIMSON:
Love how that works...
- BANSHEE:
Huh? What’re you—?
- CRIMSON:
I think it’s time for you to take a nap and think about your exercises from this afternoon.
- BANSHEE:
Yes, master.
- CRIMSON:
You two seemed to have been having a good conversation.
- AZURE:
Oh yeah... She was telling me about all the places she’d visited as a kid. Mexico, Zimbabwe, Holland, Moscow... Amazing. Do you realize what you’ve done, though?
- CRIMSON:
....Uhh.... created the perfect hooker?
- AZURE:
You’ve done something no-one in the robotics industry, good or bad, could EVER hope to achieve.... You’ve forged the ultimate assassin.