"The Spook House" "Do you want me to come in?" "Alright, alright." "Where's the light?" "I see... it's all dark." "You guys have to be quiet and act sinister, make things look spooky, right?" "Ooh wow, I'm shaking..." "What am I supposed to do now?" "Hello!" "Will someone talk to me?" "Sorry." "Technical difficulties." "Everything under control." "Umm..." "I'm now going to guide you through the process of the experiment, which will commence in a matter of seconds." "Ready?" "Apparently readier than you, I must say." "Our Research Department wishes to express it's gratitude for your participation in this experiment." "Fine." "Sit down in the chair" "Damn, why didn't I think of it?" "Take the patches on your right." "Place them on your forearm and on your right temple." "This will help us study your reactions." "Now, listen closely." "The experiment will begin as soon as you hear the two basic rules and comply with them." "If you fail to comply with either of them the experiment will be declared null according to the terms of our contract." "First:" "You shall not abandon your seat under any circumstances or make any signs that indicate any intention of doing so, unless authorized by me." "Second:" "You are not to take an active part in the events that occur during the experiment." "You will maintain a contemplative attitude." "You may only interact with me by way of conversation." "Only conversation..." "Don't worry, you'll get all the conversation you want." "As long as you comply with these two rules during the next fifteen minutes, it will be understood... that the experiment has reached its conclusion, and you will be compensated with 12,000 Euros." "That's all?" "That's all." "Now, it's up to you whether we proceed or not with the experiment." "Turn on "The Spook House"." "Fine." "But first let me remind you that this experiment deals with extreme terror." "It has nothing to do with a spook house" "Go ahead." "Not too bad for starters." "Well, I guess resorting to traditional methods is a bad idea." "No, the problem is me, you know, having these nerves of steel and all." "No, seriously, if by any chance you manage to frighten me with a "BOO" you can just keep all the dough." "I understand." "We'll have to employ more sophisticated methods from now on." "What do you think of our revolutionary heating system?" "It's got some humidity problems, but isn't it marvellous?" "It's real blood." "Yeah, sure." "I mean it." "It's real blood." "Human blood." "No, it's not." "Excuse me for saying so, but human blood does not smell of strawberry syrup at least not mine..." "Frankly I expected something better." "Sorry..." "We need to turn off the chair." "Excuse me." "Very funny." "Now I'll be all sticky for the next 15 minutes." "Remember, we're having some technical difficulties" "Yeah, right." "Rojo, turn off the blood expeller." "There's a lever on the back of the chair." "Open the lid and close the shutters." "Hold on." "Who are you talking to?" "With our collaborator there in the room." "He's just behind you, standing in back of the chair." "I thought nobody was supposed to be in here." "Excuse me?" "I don't recall having said anything of the kind." "Did I say that?" "No." "Well, I don't know, perhaps I got it all wrong." "Funny..." "We have just found out that it makes you uneasy to have someone at your back" "It's just that I had made up my mind that I was alone." "I didn't expect it, that's all." "Rojo, we have already scared our friend." "Let's make a change of plans." "Change of plans?" "What change of plans?" "Shall we proceed directly to "Stage C"?" "What?" "No way, it's too early for that." "Well, perhaps if..." "Why not, let's do it." "What is this?" "Come on... hey, listen..." "this is a waste of time." "Our readings don't agree with you." "Here it says that you're having a bad time." "It's just boredom." "Your 15 minutes of darkness are running out." "Anyway, I couldn't care less as long as I get paid." "I'd say you've watched a lot of films..." "Nice music, good special effects..." "Perhaps a bit cliché" "I know it's just me in here." "There's no one else." "If anyone were here, I don't know I'm sure I could hear him breathe." "How are you feeling?" "Our readings confirm that you have just received the scare of your life." "And all with a simple "boo"." "Just recently you said that if we could scare you with a "boo" you would give up the reward." "Thank you then." "We really need the money." "The Research Department wished to express its gratitude for your participation..." "Hold on..." "Sorry." "Just kidding." "Now sir, please answer the following question." " Yes?" "Did you really believe it?" "Did I really believe what?" "All of this?" "Did you really believe all this crap?" "What kind of scientific institution would pay 12,000 Euros just to get some data on what happens when guys like you get scared?" "I guess guys like you, right?" "Actually, I must confess." "I'm afraid that I don't exactly represent a scientific institution." "Let me explain: imagine yourself as somebody very powerful and influential, such as my friends here." "Let me introduce you, by the way." "Say hello to our star." "Hello!" "Let's say you had plenty of money, just like my friends here, enough to have enjoyed all kinds of pleasures, common pleasures, I mean." "Wouldn't you be willing to spend a respectable amount of money to see how a wretched fellow is being tortured?" "To watch how this poor jerk will not abandon his chair, he thinks he'll get 12,000 Euros for it?" "Wh... what?" "Sure!" "Doesn't it baffle you that we've chosen a private space for our experiment out of town... at midnight?" "Wait, hold on." "Remove those patches!" "They're useless!" "We don't need to take your blood pressure to enjoy the show." "It's a trick." "You're not going to do anything to me." "It's just a trick and I'm not falling for it." "Yes, maybe it's all a trick... and maybe not." "What's really crucial, however, is that your current state of doubt will prevent you from leaving the chair." "As you can see yes, I guess we've watched plenty of films." "What's going on?" "I've been bathed in strawberry syrup, your friend has patted me on the shoulder and now you're trying to sell me this bizarre story." "Anything else?" "Yes, sure." "Don't you feel a strange pressure on your head?" "Alright... very convincing." "Which film had this in it?" "Stop that film nonsense." "The finger is real." "It is not." "I could tell." "Don't be so sure of yourself." "Can't you see it there on the floor?" " It's not real" "I authorize you to leave the chair and check it out for yourself." "Can I really leave the chair?" "Yes" "But if I stand up I'll still be getting paid, right?" "Don't worry." "You've been authorized to leave the chair." "Wait!" "It's too early for that I'm sorry, I was talking with Rojo." "You may stand up." "Rojo, will you please calm down." "No." "Let go of that." "Rojo, no, don't do it!" "Forgive me, just kidding." "Actually, it was Rojo's idea too." "You know what's interesting?" "You saw yourself in danger and your instinctive reaction was take refuge in our chair." "Just with this little piece of information we could write an entire book if we were real scientists, of course." "What a shame." "That's a fake finger." "The finger is real." "And do you know who it belonged to?" "Who?" "To the last dumb ass we offered 12,000 Euros." "Christ... this damn syrup again..." "Tasty?" "So you believe us now?" "Stay calm, pal." "Remember that there's a bunch of cameras... recording you, and you are the star of a very interesting video." "You're not going to do anything for me." "We're already doing something." "But nothing compared to what is about to come..." "Rojo, you can go ahead now." "It's a trick." "Let's see...!" "Title of the film!" "Show some respect to our former guest!" "He's had a rough time making it this far!" "Please take it away..." "Talk to your partner!" "Tell him that phrase of yours:" ""It's a trick, it's a trick, it's a trick..."!" "Please" "Just say it..." "Just say it's all a damn cheap trick!" "Quick, say it!" "Because Rojo is about to blow your head off!" "Countdown starting at five..." "All together!" "Come on!" "All together!" "Come on!" "FIVE..." "FOUR..." "THREE..." "TWO..." "ONE!" "I... killed him." "Don't worry." "Come along" "How was it?" "Marvellous." "He's a real sadist." "We still need a complete analysis but it seems he felt an instant of pleasure immediately after shooting you." "Poor fool." "He was petrified." "We have encountered our best subject since the Aurura V experiments according to the readings." "It seems he had a jolly good time torturing you." "Shit." "It's all for the good of science, my friend." "Hey, listen..." "Yes?" "Do you enjoy all this?" "Frankly... why not, yes." "It's entertaining yes I like it." "One last thing..." "Tell me." "Our Research Department wishes to express its gratitude for your participation in this experiment." "Go to hell."