field evaluation - episode 8: the palace motel & suites

INTRUDER

[IN AN  UNSTEADY PATCHWORK OF DIFFERENT VOICES] 

The voice is always the hardest part. Keep talking. I’ve almost got it. I’ve almost got it. I’ve almost got it…

JOSEPH

You’re a shapeshifter, then, are you?

INTRUDER

Don’t be silly. I’m you. What’s our name?

JOSEPH

Where did you come from? Did you follow me here?

INTRUDER

We’re staying at the hotel. This is our room. We are frowning. We were frowning earlier. Do we always frown?

JOSEPH

What do you want from me?

INTRUDER

We don’t like eye contact, do we? We wouldn’t look the lady at the desk in the eye, even when we smiled at us. Do we not like to smile, either? Lots of people like to smile. Or they pretend to. We don’t often pretend, though, do we?

JOSEPH

No, I suppose not.

INTRUDER

Are we pretending right now? Pretending not to be afraid?

JOSEPH

[WHISPERED]…Yes. 

INTRUDER

[COPYING] 

Yes. Yes… I think I’ve almost got it. 

[IN A PERFECT IMITATION OF JOSEPH] 

I think I’ve almost got it. Yes. 

JOSEPH

How do you do it? Copy forms? 

INTRUDER

We have lots of talents. 

JOSEPH

Show me. 

INTRUDER

But we just got looking so perfectly like myself. I would hate to waste all that work.

JOSEPH

So it takes effort, then? You decide who to copy and expend effort to do so, is that right?

INTRUDER

You ask a lot of questions. I must be very interesting. 

JOSEPH

Oh, yes, you are. You’re…fascinating. 

INTRUDER

You seem clever, just like me, but compliments won’t work. 

JOSEPH

Work?

INTRUDER

Yes. You’re afraid. You want me to let you go. But I can’t do that. There can’t be two of me.

JOSEPH

Is this what you do, then? Assume a form as, what, as camouflage? Kill the original, use their form to hunt your next prey?

INTRUDER

You are clever. 

JOSEPH

Aggressive mimicry. Okay. So why me, then? How do you choose your prey?

INTRUDER

So many questions. And you're recording me. Am I a reporter?

JOSEPH

Sort of. 

INTRUDER

I’ve never been a reporter before. This will be fun. Now, let’s sort out all this silly confusion—

[LAMP CLICK AND FUMBLING]

INTRUDER

[LAUGHING WILDLY, VOICE BREAKING A LITTLE] 

Come back here, Mr. Reporter! There’s been a terrible mix-up! Come back! 

[DOOR SLIDES OPEN AND FOOTSTEPS RETREAT, VOICE FADING IN THE BACKGROUND. JOE RUNS AND PANTS, AUDIO CUTS OUT]