Chapter Text
Link to soundcloud recording of Background Processes (Chapter 11), Scene 1
TRANSCRIPT
[We hear a series of high-pitched beeps as STE/DE enters a command and then the click of a button.]
STE/DE
Ed, something’s wrong.
ED
Tell me what’s going on, mate.
STE/DE
The thought of someone harming you—Ed, I’m having trouble categorizing it. There is an unknown process flag.
ED
Can you describe it at all?
STE/DE
It’s, it’s— i-it’s intrusive. Repetitive. I keep picturing you, small and alone and endangered, and I feel—I feel regret? That I couldn’t be there. And I feel, I feel—it feels like my processing power is surging but with a singular focus—I’m not able to accept multiple inputs—I’m just—I want—
ED
Stede! It's okay! I'm okay!
[The recording rewinds and the play button clicks.]
ED
It's okay! I'm okay!
[The recording rewinds and the play button clicks.]
ED
I'm okay!
STE/DE
What is this, Ed?
ED
I think you're angry.
STE/DE
I don't think I like being angry.
[The recording fast forwards and the play button clicks.]
STE/DE
The more movies I watch, the more music I listen to, the more we talk, the more I read, the more I—I—feel things… feel you. Things are getting more confusing, not less!
[The recording rewinds and the play button clicks.]
STE/DE
The more I—I—feel things… feel you.
[The recording fast forwards and the play button clicks.]
STE/DE
I can’t, I can’t… do. I only am. But I can’t do.
[The recording fast forwards and the play button clicks.]
ED
You care! And you—you take care of me! You’ve done more for me than anyone. Ever! So don’t say you can’t…do. It’s not true. You’re amazing, Stede.
[The recording rewinds and the play button clicks.]
ED
You’ve done more for me than anyone. Ever! So don’t say you can’t…do. It’s not true. You’re amazing, Stede.
[The recording rewinds and the play button clicks.]
ED
You’re amazing, Stede.
[The recording fast forwards and the play button clicks.]
STE/DE
Then happy I, that love and am beloved, where I may not remove nor be removed.
[We hear a long series of high-pitched beeps as STE/DE enters several commands and pulls data.]
STE/DE
SENSING IS NOT FEELING
COLD HOT DARK LIGHTFAST SLOWUP SIDE DOWNSIDE
CATALOG A MILLION SENSATIONS
TEMPERATURE AND VELOCITY
DATAPOINTS
SENSING IS NOT FEELING
FEELING IS
WHEN THE DATA FALLS
A PART
WHEN X IS NOT X
WHY IS NOT
WHY WE MEASURE LAUGHTER IN VOLUME NOT MASS
WHEN YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT AND I’M LEFT
TO COUNT YOUR HEARTBEATS IN THE DARK
FEELING IS
STARRY EYES
AND COUNTING
DOWN
TO
ZERO
I WOKE UP
THEN YOU WOKE UP
THEN I WOKE UP
[We hear a short series of high-pitched beeps as STE/DE enters a command.]