Dr. Tama's words not only stunned Victor Hale but also sent a shockwave of surprise through the live broadcast audience.
He… could actually hear the narration?
That could only mean one thing—he also possessed a God's-eye perspective.
---
S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters
"I see!" Nick Fury's single eye lit up with understanding.
"After entering the lower narrative, the Pataphysics Department can still retain the perspective of the upper narrative…"
Natasha Romanoff arched an eyebrow. "So it seems the Pataphysics Department really is capable."
Her gaze returned to the screen. "So, you want to bet if he can succeed?"
Nick Fury smirked. "James doesn't think highly of him. The result is obvious."
---
[Narrator: What on earth is he talking about? Something is wrong.]
Victor's expression hardened.
Dr. Tama pressed forward.
"You are an intrafictional construct—an intelligent story that distorts reality. Specifically, you flatten it into a movie script parodying hard-boiled noir and crime fiction."
Those words made Victor's face twitch, and even the narrator's once-steady voice grew panicked.
[Narrator: This isn't… what?]
"And let's be honest," Dr. Tama continued with cutting precision, "this isn't even standard noir. The heart of the genre is the anti-hero—someone with no way out, trapped in a hopeless world. But after reviewing your file, I can say you don't qualify."
Victor stammered. "I… don't meet the requirements?"
"Your narrative is heroic and simplistic. Clear villains, clear protagonists, and in the end, life is always saved. That's not noir—that's fantasy escapism with a coat, a hat, and a drink."
Each word struck like a knife, cutting deep into Victor's identity.
---
The audience finally understood what Dr. Tama meant by "stimulation through words."
The chat exploded:
> "This is verbal demolition!"
"Damn, these words are lethal—critical hit!"
"Look at Victor's face; he's breaking down."
---
In the feed, half of Victor's face sank into darkness, rough black lines outlining his profile. His eyes shifted between clarity and confusion.
Then he whispered, almost childlike: "Where… are we? What happened?"
The live audience froze. Was this amnesia?
---
Stark Industries
Tony Stark stared at the confused figure on-screen. "That's… not amnesia. Looks more like he's… someone else entirely."
A sudden realization lit his face.
"Wait—don't tell me… this guy is Murphy Luden, the author of SCP-3143?"
---
On-screen, Dr. Tama confirmed Stark's suspicion.
"You rely on noir tropes—pretending to resist the style while embracing it—building a hyper-masculine narrative transplanted onto an urban backdrop…"
Victor blinked. "What is this?"
Dr. Tama leaned in, voice sharp:
"…But you failed to recreate the genre's dense background, making moral ambiguity impossible. You missed the core of noir. In short, you're a poor imitation—an unintentional parody."
Victor's features warped with anger. "What are you doing?!"
"I'm deconstructing you, SCP-3143. I am containing you," Dr. Tama replied coldly.
---
Then he asked, "I want to speak with your author. Mr. Luden—are you there?"
Victor's confused voice returned. "What?"
"Hello, SCP-3143-A," Dr. Tama said with satisfaction.
"Where am I? Who am I?"
"You are Murphy Luden, a retired shoe salesman from New Jersey. You live alone with two cats."
Murphy's eyes widened. "I… Oh God. Why am I here?"
"We believe you accidentally created an intrafictional construct. Remember that film you worked on—It Keeps Raining?"
Murphy's voice trembled. "I think so… Oh God."
---
Dr. Tama's tone softened just slightly. "We've done a lot today, Mr. Luden. I'll give you time to rest. We'll continue later."
"…Okay. I need to get my thoughts together."
The scene shifted back to the Foundation site.
Dr. Tama placed his pen down, eyes gleaming. "Obviously, my plan succeeded."
---
August's eyes lit up. "You've contained SCP-3143?"
Dr. Tama scoffed. "Next time, I'll completely deconstruct it."
August forced a smile, glancing at James. "Dr. James, you're a lucky star."
James stayed silent, gaze on the document. A strange light flickered in his eyes.
---
S.H.I.E.L.D. Monitoring Room
Natasha crossed her arms, frowning. "Damn it—he actually succeeded… by accident."
"By accident?" Fury shot her a look. "Never underestimate a Foundation researcher, especially a senior one."
"That's not what you said earlier."
Fury coughed. "Well… he's competent in his field. His emotional intelligence, though…"
"So you think his plan will succeed?"
"Definitely… not," Fury said with a smirk. "That's Victor Hale we're talking about."
---
The feed cut to the second celebration scene, but this time it wasn't in the noir-inspired lower narrative—it was in yesterday's interview room.
Beside Dr. Tama sat a man the audience didn't recognize.
"Mr. Luden, how do you feel today?"
The chat exploded again—this was the author.
---
Stark Industries
Tony's jaw dropped. "No way…"
Colonel Rhodes nodded. "Makes sense. Victor Hale exists in the lower narrative. Murphy Luden exists in the upper one."
"So Dr. Tama actually did it?"
"Depends," Rhodes said, "on whether Victor reappears."
---
The next day, Murphy Luden was calmer.
"I guess I'm better… but I still don't understand."
Dr. Tama said patiently, "You had an unfinished script—It Keeps Raining. Somehow, you brought it to life. You became the protagonist."
The chat realized the truth—Victor Hale was born from Luden's unfinished fiction.
---
Murphy looked up. "So… do you think it's good?"
Dr. Tama paused. "Do you want the truth?"
"Yes."
"Very bad."
Murphy winced.
"Now then—" Dr. Tama began, but Murphy held his head. "Can we do this later? I've got a headache—"
Dr. Tama's eyes darkened. "…Fine. Rest."
---
Outside, James and August waited.
"How'd it go? Successful?" August asked.
"Victor's gone, and Luden is contained. As long as we keep him from writing, Victor won't return," Dr. Tama said.
He shot James a sharp look. "I don't know why the O5 Council won't mark SCP-3143 as contained!"
James replied calmly, "Maybe you could answer his questions more gently—"
"Gently? He's the one who created Victor Hale!" Dr. Tama snapped. "Why should I coddle him?"
"You're getting emotional, Doctor," James warned.
Dr. Tama glared. "Listen, James—when it comes to SCP-3143, I'm the boss."
James narrowed his eyes. "I don't need your dictation."
Dr. Tama stormed off.
August sighed. "Sorry—he's got a bad temper."
James' gaze shifted to Luden being escorted away. "If you knew the anomalies I've faced before, you'd know… this is far from over."
---
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