“Roger, you don’t have to save them! Get out of here while you can!
See?!? THAT’S the face! How do these people keep falling for this shit?
You’re gonna get us kicked out, Thom!
Hey! If you don’t like it, either shut up or get out!
Why don’t you make me!
Did I just make that guy leave with by threatening him? I hope I didn’t. I think he’s forgotten his family, too.
You two. Leave now, please.
“Sometimes, Linda, we all have to stand up to evil.”
sorry ... i didn’t want that to happen, you know i didn’t!
Tell you what. I’m gonna find some way of getting some money together and you know what we’re gonna do next week? we’re going to watch a film. a good one. with a good actor in.
c’mon, i love you! i wouldn’t take you to see a bad actor would i?
You can be hard work sometimes, thomas. love you too
Just this?
Yep. That’s 40p then, please!
Hmm... There must be a half decent way to earn some quick cash in here...
There we go!
“You have one unread message.”
“Hi Thom, what are we doing today? Ring me when you’re awake! Megan x”
Doctor LaMonaco? Hi, my name is Thom.
"You should do fine. Could you come to my research facility? It’s door ‘2’ once you get here." "Will there be any tests beforehand, anything of that sort?"
"We’ll see when you get here. Probably not. You sound okay."
"Err... Right. I’m on my way."
Ah. Yes, you’ll do. Come in! Who is it?
I’m Thom, I rang earlier about the clinical testing?
Thanks!
No problem, Thom. Please take a seat.
What we’re about to discuss, Thom, is very simple, and potentially revolutionary. I’ve been researching sensory deprivation, and the belief that as one sense shuts down, other senses will heighten.
Can I just stop you there? I’m certainly not being deprived of one of my senses, for however much money!
I have two thousand pounds in my jacket pocket. All you have to do is agree to this. The pill is in the drawer of my desk -- Years of work, Thom! You can be the culmination of it all! And we will reap the benefits!
Au contraire, Thom! You misunderstand me. What if I said to you that I could unlock a part of your mind that would intensify all five of your senses? Would you like that?
"But, of course, it’s your choice to make. I can’t convince you. Thom?"
Thom, thank you. The money is yours! Do you feel anything?!
*Sigh* I'll do it.
Not yet. Should it affect me that quickly?
I feel quite excited that I've got two grand for putting a pill in my mouth...
I'm not sure. But you have my number - as soon as it hits you, I want you to call me, okay?
No! I mean, do you feel any immediate change?
And here is your two thousand pounds.
That's amazing! Thank you so much I'll be sure to call as soon as I feel something!
Yes, do. For now though, you should go home, rest. And when you wake up, you'll be a new person!
Thanks again, doctor!
Don't mention it.
"Two grand? That's amazing! My little superhero. Are you out later, to celebrate? x"
"Actually, I'm feeling pretty queasy, and the doctor said I should get some sleep. But I'll be out tomorrow, and I'll take you to see a film, like I promised! I'll come over for dinner at 12! x"
Oh God.
"I'll make something nice! Goodnight Thom x"
I feel like shit. Need to get out of here. Go for a walk. Yeah. Go for a walk to Clarence Road. 32, Clarence Road.
Why number thirty two? Why so specific? I'll feel better. It makes no sense though.
Not long now. Nearly there. Why am I even walking this far? I feel so totally awful. Head isn't straight. Can't focus. Senses don't feel heightened.
Oh God, I'm overthinking things. This isn't what the pill has done to me, is it?
Right, made it. And I feel a little better, thank God! I might be able to get a little more sleep when I get back.
"You always come home drunk! Always!"
"Fucking kids fault. They stress me out."
“Is that any reason to break the window?"
"Don't tell me what to do. It's my house."
"It's OUR house, Jeremy!"
"I'm sick of this fucking family. This is the last time."
"The last time for wha-- DON'T POINT THAT GUN AT ME, JEREMY!"
BANG BANG BANG
Seriously! What was that? Did someone just get shot? Why am I even here!
C'mon, pick up...
I've really got to ring Doctor Lamonaco.
Your call can not be connected right now. Please leave a message after the tone.
Answer your fucking phone, Doctor! I don't know what's happening to me... I think I just saw a murder. In a house. I felt queasy, so I went for a walk and the feeling didn't go away until I got to the house, and then, it... happened. Call me right now, I don't know what's going on!
"Gotta get home. Get some sleep or something."
"At least it's over."
"Phew... That was crazy!"
"Jesus, I'm gonna be asleep all day! I hope I don't miss the doctor's call."
Urgh...
Oh no! That'll be the doctor!
"Oh no! Megan, I completely forgot! Wait, no! I didn't forget! You invited me over for dinner, right? At twelve? Wait, I'm late! Dammit! Sorry, I, uh, overslept. I'll be right over!"
Hello?
Thom, where have you been!?
You overslept? Whatever... Okay, whatever you're up to, I'm not going to allow you to keep letting me down like this. I deserve more. Get over here now, and we'll talk.
But I love you Megan! And I won't keep letting you dow -- ARGH, I can't believe she hung up! Who really does that?
Taxi right away, please...
Wesley Close, please.
Where to, my friend?
I hate my life.
Oh no, not again!
My friend, are you okay? You want me to pull over?
Gotta make it to Megan's! But I can barely breathe, I feel awful! And why hasn't Doctor Lamonaco got in touch yet? I need to get away from everything, somewhere like 43 Higherbank Drive.... NO!! I musn't! Think...
What was all that about? What's happening? Were you in on it?
No mate, keep driving please. Wesley Close, as quick as possible. Hello, police? I think there is something bad happening at 43 Higherbank Drive. I know there is. Get there, as soon as you can! Urgh...
I can't think with all those bloody questions! So sick... I have to get better. Shit, Megan, please understand!
No.
Sorry mate, turn around, please. Drop me off just before Higherbank Drive.
No problem, my friend. To the scene of the crime!
Here we are!
Ththanks...
Oh, you've got to be kidding.
Officer Whittaker, police. Were you in this house, sir?
No sir! I acutally called the police about it...
Hmm.
Did it not occur to you that this is a not a police matter? Did you not think that the fire and rescue service would be more appropriate?
Wait. One more second. What's your name?
I'm always watching, Robin. Don't forget that.
Well, er, you see, I wasn't aware of the nature of , y'know, what was happening. I mean, I'm in shock! This is insane. I can't be here. my girlfriend is expecting me, I've really got to go!
My name? ...My name is Robin. Robin Kennedy.
Megan! Megan! I'm so, so sorry I'm late again! You have no idea!
No, you know what? Cut the shit. I'm sick and tired of doing everything I can for you, and yet every day, it's a new let down. Time and time again. You keep saying you're going to stop, but where's the change in you? I don't even want to know what you were up to last night. No, not any more. I'm done. This is the last straw.
Megan, please! You don't understand, I'm changing as a person...
Yeah, whatever. Goodbye.
You know that fire we got called in for on Higherbank?
"Well here's the thing. The guy who reported it, he was there at the scene - and he claims that he didn't know there was a fire. Robin Kennedy, his name."
Yeah, why did you even go to that, again?
Sounds weird.
Hurm. Sounds guilty.
"We've got nothing on him... But he seemed very suspicious. Like an alterior motive, y'know? I told him, I'll be keeping an eye out."
Get this! The fire? It turned out to be arson. Two dead.
Whittaker, we're getting reports of a disturbance over at Doom Records on Selway. Quick!
Fuck this. Why me? I'm never coming back here. Need to get away. Need to go to Selway Street. Doom Records. Quick.
I'm a mess... An anomaly. But selfless? We'll see if I'm selfless...
Whatever is happening in there... I'm going to stop it. I'm tired of running.
NO! Stop this, now!
Where did he go?
Oh, shit!
There's a gun, right outside the place. Someone inside must be dead.
Hurm. I'll bag it up and get forensics on it right away.
Just this? Yep.
You can't be serious.
40p then, please!
"How do I start this? Dear diary, I guess. I've never written a diary before."
THOM SIX MONTHS LATER
"I don't really have anyone to talk to, that's why. I haven't spoken to Megan since that day."
"And my parents kicked me out, but that was a long time coming. Turns out that me being a serial killer was the final straw. Who'da thunk?"
"But I never did find out who the real killer was. Or if he had a motive."
"I don't sleep much any more. The crime that surrounds me dictates my sleeping hours."
"And now, I find that whenever I leave my tiny bloody room, I have to assume anonymity. And I do."
"I'm not going to lie, that two grand helped! I bought myself some nice toys, and of course, some new clothes. Reinvented myself, if you like. After all, if you're by yourself, might as well make yourself a little more interesting."
"But the biggest change? I don't run away from that feeling anymore. No. I run towards the danger. And when I show up, I'm prepared."
"But don't worry. Through all of this?"
"I'm still Thom. I always was."