Current ideas/WIP:
"Perfect Pitch" Karaoke Machine
Historical Dreamer
Posted ideas:
SCP-1078 (Sight-Stealing Eye
SCP-1372 (The Utter West)
WIP text:
Perfect Pitch
Item #: SCP-XXXX
Object Class: Safe
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX-1 is to be stored in one of the five Site 19 break rooms. Its location is to be rotated on a weekly basis. No further containment is necessary for SCP-XXXX-1. Personnel should note that the associated microphone is attached rather than "plugged in" to the device; therefore, no attempts are to be made to separate the microphone, for fear of damaging the SCP.
SCP-XXXX-2 is to be boxed and stored upright in Dr. Kerrigan's office. All requests for testing involving SCP-XXXX-2 must be approved by Dr. Kerrigan, and the object must neither be unboxed nor removed from the office without Dr. Kerrigan's explicit permission.
Description: SCP-XXXX consists of a ████-brand karaoke machine with attached microphone and an associated single-man performance stage. These are designated SCP-XXXX-1 and SCP-XXXX-2 respectively. When not in the presence of SCP-XXXX-1, SCP-XXXX-2 does not display any anomalous effects. SCP-XXXX-1 is internally identical to other karaoke machines of the same brand with a single exception: rather than a CD-tray, SCP-XXXX-1 possesses a single input slot large enough to insert a vinyl record.
When any storage disk containing at least one music file is inserted into SCP-XXXX-1, the machine will activate. This has been shown to apply to standard and variant compact disks, vinyl records, and mini-CDs. Regardless of the type of disk, when a music track is played using SCP-XXXX-1, playback will have the lead vocal suppressed and the screen of SCP-XXXX-1 will display lyrics as if the input disk were in standard CD+G format. No physical change to disks has been observed due to playback using SCP-XXXX-1, and disks used in SCP-XXXX-1 play normally on other devices after being removed.
The primary anomalous effect of SCP-XXXX is observed when the two components are within 10 meters of each other and a human subject attempts to use the machine while standing on SCP-XXXX-2. When singing, the subject's voice will change to match exactly the sound of the original track's lead singer. Audio analysis has confirmed that there is no observable difference between the subject and the recorded vocals. While singing, the subject will also sing exactly as was written, regardless of their prior musical talent and whether or not the singer made mistakes in pitch while recording. In addition, upon conclusion of the song, the subject's body will painlessly transform into an exact replica of the lead singer's body in its current state. Genetic testing has confirmed that the subject matches the singer on a genetic as well as visual level.
The effects of performing on SCP-XXXX have been recorded as lasting as few as 3 days and as long as █ weeks. Subects typically experience confusion or mild symptoms of dissociative identity disorder; however, this has been shown to be a natural result of a sudden change in appearance, rather than an effect of the device itself. It should be noted that the appearance taken on by the subject matches the physical state of the singer at the time of operation of SCP-XXXX. Therefore, care is to be taken with song choice, as subjects that transform into a singer who has deceased since the original recording will immediately expire, and only recover vital functions when the effects of SCP-XXXX end. Subjects transformed in this way must be cared for until they recover, as further decomposition of their form will manifest as various injuries and illnesses after reverting to their original appearance.
Experiment Log XXXX
Test Number: Experiment XXXX-1
Subject: D-3904, Caucasian male, 48 years of age.
Song: "You Can't Always Get What You Want", original 1969 version by The Rolling Stones.
Results: Upon conclusion of the song, subject's appearance transformed over a period of 60 seconds into that of Sir Michael Jagger, aged 6█. Followup surveillance confirmed that Sir Jagger was at the time in his home in England and discovered no ill effects of SCP-XXXX's use on Sir Jagger himself. While showing signs of DID, testing showed that D-3904 retained his memories and did not possess any memories belonging to Sir Jagger.
Test Number: Experiment XXXX-2
Subject: D-5908, Caucasian female, 19 years of age.
Song: "You Can't Always Get What You Want", original 1969 version by The Rolling Stones.
Results: As before, subject's appearance after being affected by SCP-XXXX was identical to that of Sir Michael Jagger. Subect experienced stronger symptoms than D-3904, possibly owing to the complete change in gender, but otherwise displayed the same effects as in the previous test.
Note: This experiment was performed while D-3904 was under the effects of SCP-XXXX. In addition, the two subjects did not revert to their original appearance at the same time. Thus it is to be noted that multiple people can be affected at the same time by SCP-XXXX.
Test Number: Experiment XXXX-3
Subject: D-6812, Asian female, 42 years of age. Subject had significant damage to vocal cords due to injuries sustained before being remanded to Foundation custody.
Song: "Smooth Criminal", 2001 cover version by Alien Ant Farm.
Results: Despite damage to vocal cords, subject was able to sing without any pain, and displayed the "perfect pitch" effect. Subject's appearance became a copy of lead vocalist Dryden Mitchell. Analysis showed none of the subject's original skin tone remained. Subject later began suffering from moderate symptoms of DID, culminating in self-termination 10 days later. Subject's corpse retained the appearance of Mitchell until the effects of SCP-XXXX ceased three days later. No harm was observed to come to the actual Dryden Mitchell as a result of D-6812's self-termination.
Note: SCP-XXXX's effects appear to involve the singer on the track regardless of whether the track is a cover or an original recording. Also, while it does not appear to be physically harmful for the subject to have their gender or race changed by the object, the potential for psychological trauma indicates that it is unwise to attempt cross-gender or cross-racial tests with SCP-XXXX.
Test Number: Experiment XXXX-4
Subject: D-7152, Caucasian male, 23 years of age.
Song: "Like a Virgin", cover version performed by Dr. J████. Dr. J████ had no prior musical experience or training.
Results: While performing, subject's voice matched that of Dr. J████. However, the subject demonstrated perfect pitch, and each note sung was confirmed to be the note recorded in the song's sheet music. (The subject was not provided a copy of this.) Subject's appearance became that of Dr. J████ after conclusion of song; owing the the possibility of a security breach, subject was terminated and the remains incinerated.
Note: Apparently even a recording of someone singing in the shower counts as a "cover", at least as far as SCP-XXXX is concerned. Also, no further experiments should be done involving recordings of Foundation researchers or other persons with high security clearance.
Test Number: Experiment XXXX-5
Subject: D-1124, African male, 43 years of age.
Song: "Thriller", original 1984 recording by Michael Jackson (deceased).
Results: Subject performed in the voice of Michael Jackson, as normal. Upon completion of the song, subject expired. Over the next 60 seconds, appearance of subject's corpse changed to that of Michael Jackson, and showed signs of decomposition consistent with a human dead for that length of time. Corpse was retained for observation and preserved; after 15 days subject's appearance reverted, and life signs immediately restored. Subject refused to speak about the time spent under SCP-XXXX's effect.
Test Number: Experiment XXXX-6
Subject: D-17832, Caucasian male, 73 years of age. Subject was examined before testing; no medical conditions were observed.
Song: "Fly Me To The Moon", 1964 album version by Frank Sinatra.
Results: Upon completion of song, D-17832 expired. Subject's corpse became heavily decayed; careful analysis confirmed a genetic match with Frank Sinatra, Sr. Corpse was kept for observation and allowed to decay further. Upon cessation of SCP-XXXX's effects 31 days later, subject reverted in appearance as in the previous experiment. However, subject soon complained of chest pain, and collapsed. Autopsy of the subject determined the cause of death to be severe congestive heart failure, secondary to [REDACTED].
Note: Damage to the subject's body, including by decomposition, appears to be retained by subjects after reverting to their original form. Further testing of SCP-XXXX using tracks recorded by deceased artists is indefinitely suspended.
Historical Dreamer
Item #: SCP-1876
Object Class: Safe
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-1876 is to be furnished with a standard humanoid containment cell at Site-17. The walls of this cell are to be modified so as to be soundproofed and vibration-dampened, and an intercom system is to be fitted. Two guards are to be stationed outside of SCP-1876's containment cell at all times, each armed with one AA-12 shotgun loaded with XREP taser rounds as a duty weapon, an M26 taser issued as a sidearm, and a 500kV stun gun. In addition, one medical technician trained in EEG use is to be assigned to SCP-1876. When sleeping, SCP-1876 is to be connected to EEG at all times, and the current EEG reading is to be displayed on the wall outside of the subject's cell. If the subject cannot be confirmed to be in NREM sleep it is not to be awakened under any circumstances. If the subject awakens during a period of confirmed REM sleep, the guard is to immediately contact a medical team, then enter the cell and subdue SCP-1876 until Foundation medical staff are able to administer hypnotics.
Due to the subject's currently impaired mental state, subject is permitted weekly counseling sessions with a Foundation psychologist. In addition, if the subject suffers a nightmare and can be confirmed via EEG readings to have awakened while in an NREM stage of sleep, SCP-1876 is permitted to request an emergency counseling session. Subject is required to keep a journal of any dreams recalled, to be updated after each period of sleep, and must relate all dreams to a Foundation historian during a weekly meeting regardless of their content. Personnel assigned to SCP-1876 for either of these purposes must score at least in the 80th percentile on a standard Foundation memetic resistance test before any contact with the subject is permitted.
As further degradation of the subject's psychological health is undesirable, limited allowances are to be made if they are deemed to be a sufficient boon to the subject's mental state. Subject is permitted to eat lunch and dinner under supervision in the Site-17 cafeteria, although conversations with Site personnel are to be monitored. Subject may request books for loan from the Site-17 library; however, all requests for books dealing with non-fiction are to be denied, as are any books of the "alternate history" sub-genre of science fiction. All other requests related to entertainment are to be reviewed by researchers assigned to SCP-1876 before approval.
Description: SCP-1876 is a Hispanic male, 74 years of age at time of writing. Medical scans and testing show no anomalous physical properties manifested by the subject. Subject is generally polite and friendly, though shows various symptoms linked to dissociative identity disorder (DID) and to post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). No other mental abnormalities have been detected in the subject.
SCP-1876's anomalous properties manifest when the subject enters REM sleep. In approximately 60% of sleep cycles, during the fifth and final period of REM sleep before waking the subject will experience a lucid dream. During these dreams, the subject reports having no control over either his own actions or the dream's setting. These lucid dreams invariably consist of experiencing various historical events from the viewpoint of one of the participants. These events cover conceivably the entire span of recorded human history; subject at one point during containment reported having dreamt of being a juror on a little-known criminal trial exactly one month prior, while one dream was dated using contextual evidence to roughly ████ BCE. The events experienced in these dreams usually involve armed conflict or natural disasters, occasionally involving human-made disasters instead. SCP-1876 has reported occasional periods involving more peaceful events lasting a few weeks; the subject has also reported that during these periods, [REDACTED].1
Analysis of the subject's visual cortex using fMRI technology has allowed Foundation researchers to retrieve still images from the subject's dreams; comparison of these images to video recording of events has confirmed that the subject's visual input during dreaming is consistent with the visual field of the indicated participant. Due to the limitations of current technology, attempts to recreate audio transcripts of the dreams have yielded no results thus far.
Careful comparison of SCP-1876's dreams to recorded historical accounts of the events experienced therein show varying levels of divergence from record. In some cases, this is simply a difference in words said or the weather noticed on that day. However, in some cases significant divergence from recorded history is observed. In no case has physical evidence been discovered that would conclusively prove the subject's experiences to be false; it is thus currently unknown whether the subject's dreams or the written records are the actual details of the event. The subject's dissociative psychological symptoms appear to stem from this divergence, as well as the nature of the dreams themselves.
Upon experiencing a lucid dream, SCP-1876 becomes firmly convinced that the details of the historical event involved are as the subject experienced them. This conviction is similar to a delusion; the subject is capable of understanding that they are likely not factual but incapable of actually believing that they are. Pressing the subject or presenting them with contradicting evidence has been noted to cause high levels of cognitive dissonance in the subject; therefore at this time such discussions are forbidden. This conviction will also manifest in any person that SCP-1876 relates the details of a dream to; however, the degree to which this conviction can be shaken or undone varies. Analysis indicates that the difficulty of doing so is correlated with memetic resistance measures; research into the possibility that SCP-1876's dreams may constitute a memetic effect is ongoing. For this reason, SCP-1876 is forbidden from conversations with Site-17 personnel involving any historical event, excepting during conversations with the psychologist or historian currently assigned to it.
No further anomalous effects are noted if SCP-1876's sleep continues uninterrupted through the affected REM period. However, if the subject is roused during this time the symptoms of DID will become fully developed. During this time the subject will attempt to continue to perform the actions it was currently performing in the dream at the time of waking, and will continue to do so until successfully sedated. It is to be noted that the subject while in this state does not appear to need sleep; in one case the subject remained awake for over 72 hours before successful recapture and sedation with no apparent physiological detriment. Following successful sedation and reawakening, subject reverts to its normal personality and claims not to remember any actions taken while fully dissociated.
Addendum 1876-1: SCP-1876 was first brought to the Foundation's attention as a result of a routine sweep of psychologist records. In the records for [REDACTED] County, ██, an interview transcript between Dr. R█████████ and SCP-1876 was recorded, in which SCP-1876 recounted a dream in which he experienced the murder of the fifth confirmed victim of the ██████ Killer, from the viewpoint of the murderer. The interview contained several details currently known only to members of law enforcement. An investigation was launched; after it was determined that the subject could not possibly have been at the scene of the murder, Foundation agents contacted SCP-1876 and successfully convinced him to remand himself to Foundation care.
Addendum 1876-2: Following Incident 1876-4, no personnel are permitted to view the log of SCP-1876's dreams except for the assigned Foundation historian or by O5 permission. The assigned historian is to be rotated at least once per month.
Incident Log 1876-4: Three days prior to the incident, SCP-1876 reported a dream of the murder of █████ █████, whose killer remains at large. Notably, subject reported having seen himself in the victim's full-length mirror, and reported a highly detailed description of the murderer. At the time, permission was granted to all level 3 researchers to access and analyze transcripts of SCP-1876's dreams. Records show that Researcher A████, a former MTF member, accessed the data one day before taking a brief leave. Researcher A████ promptly evaded Foundation attempts to monitor his location and proceeded to the house of [REDACTED], who fit the description given by SCP-1876. Posing as a police officer, Researcher A████ attempted to place the target under arrest for murder; the latter was killed when he violently resisted. It was later shown that [REDACTED] could not have been at the scene of the murder; Researcher A████ was subsequently administered a Class A amnesiac before being remanded to authorities and imprisoned for manslaughter and impersonation of a police officer.
Mixed Messages
One standing joke among the Foundation personnel is that the cafeteria food is the most anomalous thing they have to deal with. For some sites, it's an extra addition to the daily pain and horror. At others, it's a welcome respite at the end of the day from the fallout of the latest Keter-class breach.
For Storage Site 23, it turns an already relatively low-key job into a slice of heaven. Especially when Norma is on duty in the kitchen. Especially especially when she's making her famous flapjacks. And she and her flapjacks were in the kitchen the morning Junior Researcher Finklestein, currently assigned to observation of one of the recently acquired Safe objects, woke to discover that a virus had disabled his computer's alarm and it was past 9 AM already.
Finklestein could smell the flapjacks from his room; they indeed were the reason he was awake at all. Sifting through the tangle that the rogue program had made of his desktop, he decided the only entry on his "to-do" list marked as urgent could wait until after a little breakfast. He left a note by Rosen's cubicle requesting assistance with his infected computer and hurried down the hall, passing the containment chamber of the object mentioned on his checklist. He shook his head. Looking at a bowl of cereal for five minutes, what aspect of that couldn't wait when Norma's flapjacks were at stake?
As the hungry Junior Researcher sat down with a plate of steaming pancakes that a number of the D-class looked longingly at, the clock on the wall ticked down the last few seconds until it had been 24 hours since someone had last looked at the object. Promptly, the bowl slid backwards off of its provided table and ground against the wall. It had done this many times before, before the Foundation had realized its anomalous properties, and within a few minutes the weakened wall gave way. When the tardy Junior Researcher finally unlocked the door and entered, neither bowl nor spoon remained in the room, just a hole in the back wall.
The bowl, meanwhile, continued on its way heedless. As it moved through the gallery towards the cafeteria, the bowl squeezed its way between a heavy statue and a tall glass case. It was a bit too small for it, but it was the most direct route, and the bowl was determined. As it forced its way through, the path of least resistance presented itself: the glass case toppled over with a crash. The bowl slid on, unperturbed, then paused and began to slide back.
The sound of glass shards on tile filled the room as the object inside the case rose to its full meter or so of height. "An attack. I am freed and presented with an enemy. Glorious shall be the lamentations of this day." SCP-1370 clacked one of its grippers, the moving construct of old electronics scanning the gallery for its opponent. "Hiding will not save you. I am Pale King Thirteen-Seventy and I am come upon thee."
The construct looked around again but saw nothing but a cereal bowl sitting on an unused display stand, steadily filling up with milk. "Is this a peace offering. It will not avail you." The machine shook a gripper again. "I am Asuramatic the Juggernaut and I will not be assuaged by your paltry offering. You will be crushed along with those who have held me here."
SCP-1370 paused from threatening the empty art gallery to look at the bowl. The milk was rippling now, and there was a soft noise as cereal started to fill up the bowl from beneath. Letters moved along the surface to spell out a message. SCP-1370 frowned as much as its immobile faceplate could as the message floated there. "YOU WILL DIE," SCP-1404 proclaimed flatly.