Mark Tanner stared at his superior. His superior had not said much since he put in the tape. Now it was over and he stared forward without a word.
"Rewind that last part," his superior finally ordered.
Mark rewinded the tape. He pushed play. The scene on the television screen was like a scene from one of the TV cop shows his wife loved to watch. The jet-black hair woman sat in a chair. He sat behind his desk. He stared without any emotion showing. Eve Albright glared at him.
Eve: Where are the others?
Tanner: I think you forget, Miss Albright. I ask the questions here. First of which..you do know wearing so much leather is a crime by the Conservative Act of 1994?
Eve (shakes her head): No, I did not. As I said, I am not from around here.
Tanner (looking through papers): Oh, yes...this idea of yours that you are from a parallel world.
Eve (stands): It is not an idea. It is a-
Tanner watched again as he held up his remote. He pushed a button and watched. Eve screamed. She fought with the metal collar around her neck. She lost and fell to the ground. Tanner watched himself and wondered if he was too cold.
Tanner: I have an idea, Miss Albright. I think that the death of your husband and the IRS stripping your estate of all of its assets has left you...dangerously unstable.
Eve: I am from a parallel world. Look up my name here. There will be an alternate version of me.
Tanner (holds up a hand): Done.
Eve (smiles): Then I can go.
Tanner: No. You see...you are the only Eve Albright that exist.
"Pause it," Mark's superior ordered.
Mark pushed the pause button. The hidden camera in the office had chosen to focus on Eve at that moment. Her jaw had dropped at Mark's revelation.
Mark looked at his superior. He actually smiled at Albright's shock.
"Perfect," the superior commented. "One down...four to go."
WHAT IF YOU DISCOVERED NEW WORLDS WITHOUT LEAVING EARTH? YOU'RE THE SAME PERSON AND IT'S THE SAME YEAR, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS DIFFERENT? MY FRIENDS AND I FOUND A WAY! NOW WE'RE TRYING TO FIND THE WAY HOME!
SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN-SEASON 2
EPISODE 15: PROBE
"Heading on home, Tanner?"
Mark opened his locker. He took out his white lab coat and shut the locker. He looked at the speaker.
"Getting off break, Cameron," Mark said. "You?"
"Heading on out," Cameron replied. He scratched his dark brown hair. "I think it's good thing, too. These new arrivals are driving me crazy."
Mark put on his lab coat. "Really? In what way?"
"It took five shots to put Brown down," Cameron revealed.
Mark started over at Cameron. Cameron's eyes held no humor. "He's still alive?"
Cameron nodded. "Sleeping like a baby."
Mark headed for the door. "Good."
"So do you believe what they're saying?" Cameron asked behind him. "Parallel worlds and aliens and all that?"
Mark stopped in the hall. "Doesn't matter. What does is that you're gossiping. You wouldn't want-"
"Is there a problem?"
Cameron's eyes widened. He stepped away from Mark. Mark turned to face his superior. He kept his face blank.
"No, sir," Mark said.
His superior stared past Mark. He was focused on Cameron. Cameron bowed and hurried down the hall.
Mark headed down the hall. "I better check on those patients."
"Yes," the superior said coldly. "You better."
"Your words make little sense, Mr. Hall," Mark said from behind his desk.
Richard Hall sat in a ball in the chair. His eyes dotted all over the room. Mark noted it in his mind. Hall's drug dosage should be reduced.
"True," Richard mumbled. "Not safe."
"You are safe here, Mr. Hall," Mark said.
"Crap!" Richard spit out. "Everyone wants me dead!"
Mark sighed sadly. "Who wants you dead?"
"Brown. Egghead. Icelady. You."
"I want to help you," Mark said. "You and your friends seem to be sharing the same delusion."
"Not a delusion," Richard replied. "Not my Earth."
"So what now?" Mark challenged. "You're going to say you have an...alternative here?"
"Don't I?"
"No."
Richard stirred in his seat. "Impossible."
Mark held up a folder up in his hand. He slid it across the desk to Richard.
"Take it," Mark instructed.
Richard shook his head. "Lies."
"No lies, Mr. Hall," Mark said. "Truth. What are you afraid of? Have something to hide?"
Richard's eyes focused on Mark for the first time. They grew dark.
"I have nothing to hide anymore," Richard said coldly. "Everyone knows now. That's why they want me dead."
Richard snatched up the folder. He opened it and read. His eyes widened.
"Crap!" Richard yelled.
"So you did not kill Laura Carmichael in a hit-and-run?" Mark asked.
"Yes, but-"
"Good!" Mark cut Richard. He sighted to control his emotions. "I mean...good start. You acknowledge that. Perhaps you can reveal how you escaped jail?"
"I was never in jail," Richard said.
Mark shook his head sadly. "Come on, Mr. Hall. The documents on your trial stand before you. A witness saw you-"
"Bufford did see me...on another Earth."
"That again? Do I have to pull out the tape of your trial? It all happened here."
Richard shook his head. "No need. This is crap."
"Mr. Hall," Mark said. "I suggest that if you're going to get out of here, you admit to the truth. Then maybe...my organization might find a way to make you a productive member of society."
"Doubt it," Richard mumbled.
"I think it is time for you to return to your room and get a new dosage," Mark said. "I suggest you do not cut yourself this time."
Richard's eyes narrowed on Mark. "I never cut myself the first time."
"I'm going to try something," Mark suggested. "Tell me what you think of your friends when I say their name."
Randy Heim sat across from him. "Okay."
"Darnell Brown."
"Tragic."
"Why?"
"He used to be my professor."
"I find that hard to believe."
"Why? Because of the fact he is so...unstable."
"That...and the fact that according to our records he dropped out of high school when his father died. Got mixed up in a lot of bad situations. Killed quite a few people."
"Maybe the one of this world did."
"The Brown here is the only one."
"Oh, yeah...right."
"Why are you assuming I am lying?"
"Why are you assuming that I am?"
"The documents speak for themselves."
"Documents can be faked."
"Your parents did say you would be difficult."
Randy's eyes widened. "My parents?"
Mark nodded. "Yes. They put you in here after your...brother's...accident."
"That's not how I got in here!" Randy protested.
"Melissa Clark."
"What?"
"How do you feel about her?"
Randy smiled. "I love her."
"Really? She put a restraining order on you."
Randy almost fell out of his chair.
"Yes," Mark said. "She had been married to Ben Loveland for two years. You hounded her to the point she lost it and...died."
Randy stood up. "I don't know what game you're playing, but you're sick."
"I am not the one sitting in front of the desk, Mr. Heim," Mark said. "I am here to help you."
"Give me my timer back and my friends can-"
"Richard Hall."
"Huh?" Randy said surprised.
"Friend or foe?"
"I do not trust him," Randy admitted. "He hid what he did for so long who knows what else he's hiding. Besides he's tried to kill me twice."
"Really?"
"Yes. I know he's been trying to be...nice over the last few days. I gave him a chance, but I still wonder about his motives. For all I know, he wants Melissa again."
"Unlikely. She loves Ben."
"No, she does not."
"Eve Albright."
"Surprisingly...I do trust her. She has give me no reason to though."
"Why?"
"She keeps having...she has a lot of respect for my doubles. It might be that she loves my double."
"Doubles?" Mark said. "This parallel world of yours is really far-fetched, Mr. Heim. Maybe if you had proof-"
"Shouldn't my timer be enough proof?" Randy asked.
"It could be a bomb or a clever clock," Mark said.
"I'm telling the truth!" Randy yelled.
Mark's eyes narrowed on Randy. "Prove it."
Mark watched his superior as he watched over the tapes of the last few days. His superior betrayed no emotion as he watched them. He leaned back in his seat. His hands sat in his lap. His eyes were like a wolf.
"You showed emotion," the superior said.
"What do you mean, Sir?" Mark asked.
"I do not like ignorance, Tanner," his superior said. He held up the remote to the screen. Seconds later, Mark watched his conversation with Hall again. He saw himself shoot up when Richard admitted to his crime.
Tanner: Good! (sighs) I mean...good start.
Mark's image froze on the screen.
"Any other complaints?" Mark's superior challenged.
"I apologize, Sir," Mark said. "I will not lose control again."
The screen went blank.
"See that you do not," his superior said. "Also...continue to break through their delusions. You have three days."
"Three days?" Mark muttered.
His superior's gray eyes grew colder. "Will that be a problem?"
"No...not at all," Mark said. He managed a smile. "It will be a challenge."
She sat in front of Mark's desk. Her legs were crossed as she read her folder. Her long black hair fell over her face covering it like a shawl.
"Might I say you look lovely for a corpse," Mark commented.
Melissa Clark looked up at the comment. Her hair fell back to reveal eyes. They betrayed shock.
"I'm not dead," Melissa said. She threw the folder at Mark's desk. Papers flew everywhere. Mark made no attempt to pick them up.
"Oh, yes, Miss...Clark," Mark said. "You are. You saw the death certificate." He leaned back in his chair. His elbows posed on his desk. "One has to ask why you are pretending to be her."
"I am Melissa Clark," Melissa protested.
"Nice try. Who are you really?"
"I just said-"
"And I doubt your claim," Mark said calmly since he knew the cameras watched them.
"You could believe what I said," Melissa said.
"Or I could assume you are a Canadian spy," Mark said. "Your government sent you here to observe our habits...to get ready for invasion. Bad enough they run everything north of the equator except the United States."
Melissa glared at Mark. "I'm not a spy."
"Prove it."
"Prove that I am one."
Mark gestured to the papers on the floor. "I think I got enough proof there to have you killed tomorrow. Level with me."
Melissa stood up. She leaned over the desk.
"Go to-" Melissa started.
"Do you want to get out of here?" Mark cut Melissa off.
"Yes," Melissa said.
"Admit what you are," Mark suggested. "My organization might make a deal with the government. Send you back to Canada."
Melissa started down at Mark. He held his icy stare. Melissa gave him one in turn.
"You're wrong," Melissa said.
"And you...have two days," Mark said coldly.
"Honey! I'm home!" Mark yelled out.
"I'm in the dining room, dear!"
Mark followed the sweet smell of lasagna into the kitchen. A slender red-haired woman entered from the other side. She smiled at Mark.
"I said I was in the dining room," she said.
Mark walked over to the pot. He stuck a finger in the steaming pot. He licked the red sauce off as he grinned at his wife.
"I was on my way," Mark said as he walked over to her, "but the lovely smell got my attention."
"What? More important than me?"
Mark grabbed his wife in his arms. She was petite in them, but it did not matter. She was as beautiful as when they first married.
"Nothing is more important than you, Sharon," Mark said as he kissed her. He smiled. "You know that."
Sharon blushed. "Oh, stop it!"
Mark walked past her. "Why?" He hit her on the butt. "It's true."
"Ow!" Sharon said. "Very funny, Mark. You know I bruise easily."
Mark sat down at the dining room table. He frowned.
"I thought you would be used to it," Mark said. "You work at St. Beth's. We hear you have some real characters over there."
Sharon's smile left her face. "You're one to talk."
"What do you mean?"
Sharon's face wrinkled up. "I think I'll get the plates."
Mark did not know what to say. He knew it was wrong to discuss different cases. It did not stop him from a good sly remark from time to time.
Sharon returned with plates. She headed back to the kitchen.
"Sharon, what's wrong?" Mark asked. "What did I say?"
Sharon stared at Mark like she did not know him. She went back into the kitchen without a word. She brought out the pot. As she poured lasagna into Mark's plate, Sharon did not look at him.
"You know our anniversary is in two days, right?" Sharon asked as she sat down.
"Yes," Mark answered. "Five years. Any hints on a gift?"
Sharon looked down at her plate. The lasagna's steam floated to her face. She finally looked at Mark.
"You know what I want for my gift?" Sharon asked.
Mark smiled. "No. What?"
Sharon stared at Mark. "For you to leave that evil job of yours. I've heard the tales and you're next."
Mark sat at his desk. He tapped his pencil on the front of it. He was suppose to be writing a report to his superior. Instead, Sharon's words haunted him.
Their facility ahd fallen under new management six months ago. The only difference that Mark noticed was his co-workers became more efficient. They were almost like worker bees. He also noticed that everyone feared the new superior.
Mark wondered...
His office door fell open. Two guards dragged in Darnell Brown. Even though he was in a straitjacket, Brown still was a match for the guards. Mark felt his head wrinkle up.
"I thought he was sedated," Mark said.
One of the guards matched his glare. "We did." They threw Brown into a chair. "He's all yours."
"I bet," Mark said. The guards left without another word. He stared at Brown in curiosity. If the guard was correct, then Brown was a dangerous man. It matched up with his folder. Assuming it was real...
Mark caught himself. He could not think that way. "And how are we, Mr. Brown?"
Brown glared at Mark. "WE...want to rip your head off and feed it to your 'superior.'"
"Cute," Mark said. "Those drugs causing you to be more...subdue should keep you from ripping anything. If not...that collar around your neck should take care of your hostileness."
Brown laughed. "A society where you have to use all kinds of means to restrain an intelligent man."
"Intelligent?" Mark said in confusion. "I have not seen you show any sign of brilliance. What I see is a wildman."
Brown leaned back in his chair. "Oh, really? A wildman would not be award of his surroundings. I am very aware of that. In fact, I see more than you know."
Mark leaned back in his chair. "Really? Like?"
"The fact that this world seems to be very stern with your parents," Brown said. "Most of whom seem to suffer from depression or some mental disorder. Most are also from Canada...which seem to be a superpower here."
"Is that it?"
"Do you really think we are Canadians?"
"I will ask the questions, Mr. Brown."
"You sound like your superior."
"You talk as if you have seen him."
"And why do you think that is?"
Mark tapped his pencil against his desktop. He thought about the question. The only logical reason would be...
"I do not believe you," Mark said. "While the superior does run day-to-day operations of this facility, he does not deal directly with patients."
Brown grinned. "So ask yourself why? Why talk to us instead of treating us as insane as his orderlies?"
"Tell me about the day your father died," Mark said firmly.
Brown's face flickered. Mark suppressed his smile for the camera. He was not going to let some loon make him look like he was not in control.
"Well, Brown?" Mark continued. "Tell me about your father's death?"
Brown grew silent. He looked down at his feet.
"Brown."
"As much as I would like him to be, my 'father' is not dead," Brown said lowly. "He is probably back on Earth Prime playing deadbeat dad."
"Oh, yes," Mark said. "The parallel world theory." He leaned forward. "You know what? I have a theory about you. You got a disease from a Canadian spy that makes you think this way. All part of their strategy: germ warfare."
"Sounds like too much Tom Clancy to me," Brown remarked. "Would you like to hear a theory of mine? Five people entered your world through the Einstein-Rosen-Polosky Bridge. They are quickly assaulted and put in an asylum. They are probed and tortured like animals. Made to believe they are insane. The reality? The superior believes them completely."
"Why would he do that?"
"Because he is also from a different world."
"Your theory is far-fetched."
"Is it?" Brown challenged. "Then tell me...what do you really know about your superior? Where is he from? Does he have a wife? Can you even access his personal files? I am willing to bet that everyone avoids him. He's hiding something."
Mark said nothing.
"You're in the dark," Brown continued. "When you do learn too much, you're be the next one to have a collar on."
Mark dropped his pencil. Brown's words matched Sharon's words from last night.
"Did I touch a nerve?" Brown asked.
"Guards," Mark yelled to the door.
"I touched a nerve," Brown said. "You have to believe me. I am not-"
"Guards!" Mark yelled again.
The guards were on Brown quickly. They dragged him from the office. Brown struggled every step of the way.
Mark sat back in his chair. The camera surely got his reactions. His superior would be very angry.
'You're next.'
Sharon's words cut into his thoughts. Brown's comments also were in his mind.
Could Brown be right? Could his superior be from another world? was he visiting the patients?
Mark sighed in defeat. He had been at this laptop at the library for six hours. It was simple to find anyone on the internet. Anyone. After six hours, he had found nothing on his superior.
"What's going on, Tanner?"
Mark nearly jumped out of his chair. He turned around. Cameron grinned at him.
"You sure do have the jeeper creepers," Cameron said. "Find anything bad?"
Mark shook his head. "Nothing of what I was looking for."
"Which was?"
"A special gift for Sharon," Mark lied. He managed a smile. "How was the freaks? Did they get any visitors?"
Cameron frowned. "Why are you asking?"
Mark shrugged his shoulders. "Just curious. I do not want them causing any problems on my anniversary."
"I think you're focused too much on them," Cameron said. "How about we head for lunch?"
"Yeah...sure."
Mark headed out of the library with Cameron. He had hoped that he would get some information about the patients. Anything he might have missed. He was left with no other option.
Mark walked down the shelves. The facility kept everything they had on tape in their tape library. He turned the corner. The tape of the visitors' arrivals would be on them.
"What the-" Mark mumbled.
A large section of the shelf was gone. The tapes were not anywhere. Mark walked over to the shelf. He made out one tape.
Where could the tape have gone?
Mark pushed PLAY. The television screen came to life. All he saw was the various workers. He fast-forwarded through most of it. Something caught his attention. He pushed PLAY on his remote.
Guards dragged in various people. Eve Albright. Melissa Clark. Randall Heim. Richard Hall. Darnell Brown. They were all together.
Melissa: I don't understand! What's going on?
Brown: Someone saw us.
Eve: Let me go!
Randy: We were in an alley. There was no one there. Maybe this is one of the worlds with trackers.
Richard: I'm innocent!
Eve: Ignore him.
Richard: Bite me, Icelady!
Eve: You couldn't take it.
Richard: You'll be surprised.
Melissa: Shut up, you two!
The guards kept the group in place in the hall. A figure came into view now. Melissa, Richard, and Randy's faces went into shock. Richard's face also had a little bit of fear. Brown's face was full of rage. He lunged at the new person only to find the guards held him firm.
Brown (angry): You! I'll kill you! And this time, I-
Voice: Sedate him.
A doctor appeared from somewhere. He poked a need into Brown. He glared at the new person.
Brown: You will...not...(passes out)
Melissa: Brown!
Voice: He will live...for now.
Eve: I hate to sound lost, but who are you? Why is Darnell angry at you? And-
Eve fell to the floor screaming. She clawed at the collar around her neck. It did not give way.
Voice: I will be asking the questions.
Mark knew the voice. It was the voice of his superior. He had been told they had been brought in by their families or other institutions...separately. It was obvious they knew each other more than Mark had thought.
Richard: I'm with Brown! He has to die!
Voice: Take them to their new rooms...except for Mr. Hall. He will follow me.
Melissa: No! Randy!
The guards dragged everyone off. Mark's superior finally came into view. He whispered something to Richard. Then Richard was dragged away.
Mark fast-forwarded the tape. All he got was static. He stopped the tape.
His superior had lied. Sharon's words barked at him. So did Brown's warning. Just from that one tape, it was obvious his superior had met these people. If that was true, maybe it was true about parallel worlds and...
Mark had to get to the bottom of this. He needed the other tapes. They could only be in one place.
His superior usually took an hour break. He had left a few minutes ago to start on it. Mark went into his office without anyone seeing him.
He moved over to the cabinet that stood behind his superior's desk. It had no locks on it. Mark figured that he was sure no one would be in his office. He would be right.
Mark opened the first drawer. A list of folders stared back at him. He closed it quickly. He opened the next one. more folders stared at him. He closed it. Maybe he was just being really paranoid. He had to be sure. He opened the last drawer. A line of tapes stared at him.
He picked up one that was marked HALL, RICHARD. He walked to the VCR in the room and pushed it in. The television immediately came to life. Mark stared at the screen.
Richard sat in his paddled room. He laid on the bed. His eyes focused in on the camera that watched him. He glared at it.
Light shined into his room as the door opened. Richard shot up from the bed. His glare became a frightened stare.
Richard: I knew you had to show up some time. Where are my friends?
Voice: You use humor, Mr. Hall. You have no friends.
Mark's jaw dropped. It was his superior. The one who just ran day-to-day operations. He was now in a patient's room.
Richard: Cut the crap! Where are they?
Voice: That, Mr. Hall, is none of your concern. Just know that I look forward to showing off my new techniques.
A knife appeared in front of the camera. At the same time, Richard screamed as his collar came to life. He fell off the bed. He hit the floor like bricks.
Voice: You will see that it has...changed somewhat.
Mark shut off the television. He pulled out the tape. What he witnessed was a violation of protocol. His superior not only would get in trouble. The whole facility could be fired. Besides Mark knew they did not deserve this kind of treatment.
Mark closed the cabinet. He had to set them free. He had to get them back to their world.
"Well, this is NOT a surprise."
Mark turned to the door. His superior stood in the door. He shut it behind him.
"What is going on, Sir?" Mark demanded. He held up the tape. "What you did on here was wrong."
"He deserved it," his superior said calmly. "I saw your tape today with Mr. Brown. I was very disappointed."
"I feel the same way," Mark replied.
"They are very dangerous people," his superior said. "They are...and will be...responsible for a lot of chaos. That displeases my superiors."
"So you had to torture them?"
"It is all part of the assignment. I need to know their strengths and weaknesses. It will be useful very soon."
"And if they die?"
"Then they die," the superior said. "My superiors will be displeased...but will understand."
"I will not be a part of this!" Mark declared. "They are here under false pretenses and probably against their will. I am going to set them free."
Mark's superior moved from in front of the door. He waved his hand toward it. "Be my guest."
Mark looked at his superior's face. It betrayed no emotion. Mark knew it could not be that easy.
"What's the catch?" Mark asked.
"None," his superior said.
Mark headed for the door. The tape was firm in his hand as he passed his superior. A foot was out the door before his superior spoke again.
"Sharon said hello."
Mark stopped walking. No one talked to their superior about their lives. He never asked. Mark turned around.
"Who's Sharon?" Mark asked.
"I do not think you want me to call your bluff, Tanner," his superior said. "Your wife would not live long. Now give me the tape."
Mark shook all over. Sharon might be in danger. He cared about these people's flight, but his wife was his true love. If she died...
Mark held out the tape. His superior took it from him. He managed a smile.
"Thank you, Tanner," he said. "Now shut the door."
Mark did as he was told. He finished closing the door to find his superior sat behind his desk.
"Now what?" Mark asked. "You hold all the cards."
"I always do," his superior said. His eyes narrowed on Mark. "You will finish your job. I want those four broken. You will not leave until they are."
"But my anniversary is tomorrow night!" Mark protested.
"Then you better get cracking," his superior said coldly.
Randy sat down with very little protest. Mark stared at him. Of the five, Randy was the one he enjoyed talking to. He was very well-rounded. Mark also knew he was the key.
"How are you today, Mr. Heim?" Mark asked.
"Well," Randy said flatly.
"Still holding on to your delusions of parallel worlds?"
"They are not delusions."
"So you say."
"So I know."
"I have someone who would feel differently."
Mark pushed a button on his desk. He looked behind Randy. The door opened. Randy turned to look. Mark saw the color go out of Randy's face.
Brian Heim stood in the door. Teresa Heim stood behind him. Randy stood up in surprise.
"What the-" Randy started.
"Son...Mr. Tanner called us," Brian Heim explained. "He thought that seeing us might have a calming effect on you."
"Oh, Randy," Teresa shrieked. Before Mark could stop her, she hugged Randy. "We don't blame you at all, honey. Just snap out of it, and we can go home."
Mark looked at Randy. He shook in his mother's arms. Tears wet his eyes. He stared at her now.
"I...I'm sorry," Randy said. "I'm not your son...at least...not on this Earth."
"Now son-" Brian Heim started.
"I'm not!" Randy snapped. "Do you know how much I want to be with my real parents? To be in my mother's arms!" He glared at Mark. "How could you do this? Are you sick?"
"Randy, how dare you!" Teresa yelled. "Mr. Tanner is trying to help you and-"
"Get away from me!" Randy shouted as he pushed Teresa away. "You're not my mother!"
Teresa fell on the floor. She looked up at Randy. Her eyes filled with tears.
"How can you say that?" Teresa demanded. "I gave you birth. I nurtured you. I am your mother."
Brian helped his wife up. "It's okay, honey. It's obvious he is still under his delusion of a world where Jared is still alive."
Mark watched Randy's face. It crumbled at that comment. He fell to his chair. His hands were over his face. His father walked over to the chair. He put a hand on Randy's shoulder.
"We understand, Son," Brian said. "We loved your brother to death. Yes, you drove the car when it happened. We didn't want you to take him along to your gig. Yes, we blamed you. We forgive you though."
"That will be all, Mr. and Mrs.. Heim," Mark said. "I think...there is a breakthrough going on."
"We love you, Son," Teresa said. "We know you can beat this. Jared would have wanted that."
"Son...I hope to see you at home soon," Brian said.
The Heims left the room without another word. Mark watched them go. He was sad to use them on Randy, but it had to be done.
Mark looked at Randy. He still sat in his chair. His hands covered his face.
"Randy, how do you feel?" Mark asked.
"Leave me alone," Randy said quietly.
"I can't. You need help."
"Bull!"
"I am correct. You stalked Melissa Clark. You-"
"Lies!"
"Maybe the lie is that you are deluding yourself."
"No."
"If you never admit, Mr. Heim, you might be in here forever. Do you want that?"
"...no."
"How about you admit that you delude yourself? There are no parallel worlds. Say it."
Randy said nothing.
"Do you want to stay here or live a happy life with your parents? Say it. There are no parallel worlds."
Randy looked up at Mark. Tears had run down his face. He resembled a lost child.
"There are no parallel worlds," Randy said.
"I've been told that you got some of your will back," Mark said.
Eve crossed her legs. "Let us just say that this has been a...fun distraction."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. Obviously someone has gone to a lot of trouble to brainwash us."
"Still acting deluded, I see."
"I am not crazy."
"You must be. Why all the leather?"
"Good question. Given my husband's reputation, why would I do something our society would frown on?"
"Maybe to get back at him for an affair?"
Eve laughed. "I'm so used to him doing that I'm not surprised." She smirked at Mark. "I have a few of my own."
Eve continued to grin as she slowly unzipped her top. Mark saw the curves of her breasts. His face remained blank while Eve's smile grew bigger.
"Would you like to have one, Doctor?" Eve purred.
"Put your clothes on," Mark said coldly.
"Touch a nerve, did I?"
"I happen to love my wife...something you seem to not know."
Eve's smile left her face. "Oh, I know love. I'm not closed off to the possibilities beyond it."
"Name someone you love then."
Eve gave no reply.
"Perhaps you love Randall Heim?"
Eve zipped her clothes back up. She headed for the door. Mark pushed his remote. Eve screamed and fell to the floor. She glared at Mark.
"I think you forget who's in charge here," Mark said.
Eve's eyes narrowed. "And I think you underestimate me."
"Really?"
Eve stood up. Her eyes focused on him. "I have crossed for many months. When I first started, I was not this way. I changed. I embraced hidden parts of me. Parts that I liked." She sat back down. "All that I want is to go home."
"Simple enough. Say that there are no parallel worlds."
Eve grinned. "There are no parallel worlds."
A smile actually crossed Mark's superior's face. Mark stood in front of him. He resisted the urge to knock the smile off his bald head.
"I thought she would be more resistant," Mark's superior said. "Pity." He stared at Mark. "Now kill Melissa Clark."
"Not until I know my wife is okay," Mark said.
"Now, Tanner," his superior said. "We know who's in charge here."
"It's our anniversary!" Mark protested.
"Two down. Three to go. If you hurry, you can be home to surprise her."
Mark headed out of the door. It was no use. His superior was not going to let him off the hook. He thought of Eve's words now. It was about time he showed his superior who was in charge.
"I thought you would be heading home," Cameron said as Mark walked past him in the hall. "Tonight is the big night."
"Oh, I am going to be a little late," Mark said.
"Did you find Sharon a gift?"
"Oh, yeah. I got a great gift for her."
Mark opened the door. Randy was balled up in a corner. His eyes looked like they saw something. As Mark approached, he realized Randy did not see him at all.
"What do you want?" Randy asked coldly.
"To see you free," Mark replied.
"I can go home to my parents then?"
Mark kneeled down next to Randy. He grabbed his hand. Randy did not resist. Mark put Randy's...timer in his hand. Randy stared at him in confusion.
"What are you doing?" Randy asked.
"Helping you go home...to YOUR world," Mark answered. "Listen...I have to go or my superior will wonder about me. Your friend Mr. Hall will be with me. The others are still in their cells along this wall. Good luck."
Mark turned around. He headed for the door feeling like a lot of weight had been lifted.
"Thanks," Randy muttered.
Mark smiled as he left the cell. He left the door open as well so Randy could just walk out. He felt really good.
"Any new cuts today?" Mark asked Richard.
"A few," Richard replied. "Big surprise there."
"You should really stop cutting yourself."
"I told you...I didn't cut myself."
"Then who did?"
Richard looked at Mark. His eyes grew darker. "Your organization is screwed up."
"Perhaps. Let's assume it was someone that wasn't you. Why would they do it?"
"Revenge. I'm the one who got away."
"Got away? From what?"
"What he had in store for me."
"Which was?"
"Breaking my spirit with torture. Then killing me after I admitted he did."
Richard glared at the camera. "Not happening!"
"He must really hate you," Mark commented.
"Part of my charm," Richard said with a shrug of his shoulders. "A lot of people want me dead." He grinned. "I'll show them. I've survived a lot in my life. I'll survive this."
"I'm sure you will," Mark said. "Now how about-"
The door shot open. Mark faked surprise as Randy ran in with Melissa, Eve, and Brown. Brown aimed his gun at the camera and fired. It exploded into little pieces of wires and sparks.
"Yes!" Richard yelled.
"Are you sure we couldn't have left him?" Eve asked.
"No," Randy said. "I would not leave my worst enemy here."
"Hey!" Richard yelled. "I thought that was me."
Randy looked at Richard. "Things change." He looked at the timer. "It's time."
Mark watched Randy aim the timer at the nearest wall. Light shot from it and hit the wall. The wall dissolved before Mark's eyes. A circle of blue light took its place. Wind shot from it and blew his papers and folders to the floor. Mark's jaw dropped.
"Oh my God," Mark muttered.
"Told you!" Richard yelled.
Richard ran for the circle. He jumped into it and vanished from Mark's sight. The circle whirred in response.
Eve jumped in next. Melissa was after her. Mark barely registered their leaving. The impossible was happening. People were on their way to a parallel world.
Brown vanished next. Randy stared at Mark. Then he vanished into the circle. It shrunk after he left. The wall formed back into place as if nothing happened.
Mark headed for the door. He did not want to take anything from this evil place. The guards stormed into the room. Mark ignored them as he walked past.
"What happened?" a guard asked.
"What happened," Mark said with a smile, "is that I quit."
Mark walked through the door of his house. The living room was surprisingly dark.
"Sharon, are you here?" Mark asked, worried about his superior's threat. He had found his office empty. He also found Richard's tape and gave it to the authorities.
"I'm in the dining room, dear!" Sharon's voice called.
Mark breathed a sigh of relief. He headed for the dining room. A smile crept over his face.
"How is this for an anniversary gift?" Mark asked as he walked into the dining room. "I quit my evil-"
Mark stopped in the door. A tape recorder played on the table. Sharon was next to it. Her red hair was mixed in with a deeper red.
"Sharon!" Mark screamed.
"Hello, Tanner."
Mark stared at the kitchen door. His superior stood in the door.
"You son of a-" Mark started.
"You did not hold up your end of the bargain, Mr. Tanner," his superior said as he approached the table. He looked down at Sharon. "Someone had to pay the price."
"You sicko!" Mark yelled. He started for him. "I'll kill you."
"No," his superior said as he held up a silencer, "you won't."
Mark heard a soft click. He screamed as he flew back into the dark living room. He reached for his right arm. It felt warm and wet. A shadow eclipsed the light. Mark looked up at his superior.
"Thank you though," his superior said. "I believe that my superiors have enough information on Mr. Heim's group that when our organization...makes itself known...they will pay for their crime." He aimed at Mark. "You however will pay right now."
A whir shot through the air. Mark looked past him. A green circle lit up the living room.
"Oh, I have to go," his superior said. He looked at Mark. "I guess I should leave you with this then: they were right. I am not from this world. There is no information on me at all." He aimed for Mark's head. "And my name is...you mall call me...Mr. Stone. Good night, Mr. Tanner. We appreciate your help."
Mark knew not what to say. He had no time to pray as he heard a click from the silencer. Then everything went back.
THE-END
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