THE DARK ROOMS

CLASSIFICATION: █████████

LOCATION: UNKNOWN

SUBJECT: ELLAVENZ KHRYSOSTOMO

STATUS: UNDER REVIEW

Three figures sit around a long table. No windows. No clocks. A single file rests in the center.

DIRECTOR:

Let’s begin with the obvious question.

ANALYST:

Who exactly is Ellavenz Khrysostomo?

DIRECTOR:

That’s what we’ve been trying to determine.

ANALYST:

We have his name. We have his history. We have records.

DIRECTOR:

Records tell us what someone has done. They don’t tell us what they’re capable of.

Silence.

ANALYST:

You think there’s more to him?

DIRECTOR:

I think we’ve underestimated him.

SECOND ANALYST:

Based on what?

DIRECTOR:

Pattern.

SECOND ANALYST:

Explain.

DIRECTOR:

He doesn’t seem interested in simply being noticed. He builds things. Ideas. Symbols. Brands. Stories. He keeps reinventing himself.

ANALYST:

So?

DIRECTOR:

So most people reveal themselves when they’re trying to become somebody.

The Director slowly opens the file.

DIRECTOR:

Ellavenz appears to be doing the opposite.

ANALYST:

Hiding?

DIRECTOR:

Controlling what people see.

Another silence.

SECOND ANALYST:

Then what are we looking for?

DIRECTOR:

The person behind the image.

ANALYST:

And if we find him?

DIRECTOR:

We determine what happens next.

ANALYST:

What if we can’t determine what he’s capable of?

The Director looks up.

DIRECTOR:

Then that’s the problem.

SECOND ANALYST:

You actually believe he’s dangerous?

DIRECTOR:

Not necessarily.

ANALYST:

Then why are we here?

DIRECTOR:

Because potential doesn’t need to be dangerous to be powerful.

The room falls silent again.

SECOND ANALYST:

There’s one more thing.

DIRECTOR:

What?

SECOND ANALYST:

He keeps leaving the same message behind.

DIRECTOR:

What message?

The analyst slides a photograph across the table.

ANALYST:

“Better find me before I do it again!”

The Director stares at it.

DIRECTOR:

No.

ANALYST:

No?

DIRECTOR:

That’s not the disturbing part.

SECOND ANALYST:

Then what is?

DIRECTOR:

The disturbing part is that he might be right.

The lights flicker.

DIRECTOR:

End the session.

ANALYST:

What do we put on the file?

The Director closes the folder.

DIRECTOR:

Nothing yet.

ANALYST:

Why?

DIRECTOR:

Because we’re still trying to figure out whether we’re investigating Ellavenz…

He pauses at the door.

DIRECTOR:

…or whether Ellavenz is investigating us.

END OF TRANSCRIPT