Despite frequent explanations and demonstrations, SCP-8428 cannot seem to grasp how to correctly put the blocks in the box.
Item #: SCP-8428
Object class: Euclid
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-8428 testing and observation is primarily conducted by its parents, Dr. Maria Kovacs and Dr. Paul Kovacs.
Img 1.: Example of a toy affected by SCP-8428.
SCP-8428 is to be closely attended to while trying to solve puzzles affected by the anomaly and prevented from attempting incorrect, unintended solutions.
As SCP-8428’s condition is minor and does not affect its surroundings, no other containment measures have been deemed necessary.
Description: SCP-8428 is Alexander Kovacs, a 3-year-old boy living in Bunbury, WA, Australia.
SCP-8428 is anomalously unable to solve any traditional shape-sorter puzzles (see Img 1.) despite such toys not posing problems for most children its age.
Most common shape-sorters involve a box, a lid with variously shaped holes and a matching set of shaped blocks. The goal is to place a block in the container by inserting it through the correctly shaped hole in the lid.1
SCP-8428’s anomaly manifests when it attempts to match a block to the right hole. In any situation where the block’s shape fits the hole that SCP-8428 measures it up to, the block appears to become stuck on the lid, never crossing its plane and never making its way into the box, as if the hole was not present or was ill-matching.
Despite frequent explanations and demonstrations, SCP-8428 cannot seem to grasp how to correctly put the blocks in the box.
Addendum I: SCP-8428 testing
Test 001 — 19/12/2002
Present: SCP-8428, Dr. P. Kovacs
Summary: SCP-8428 was placed before a shape-sorter puzzle and was instructed verbally by Dr. Kovacs to pick up a block and place it inside the box. SCP-8428 picked up the square-shaped peg and attempted to insert it through the square-shaped hole. Despite a correct match, the peg would not go through after several seconds of pushing by SCP-8428.
SCP-8428 attempted again with the triangle-shaped and circle-shaped pegs, yielding the same result. After failure with the circle-shaped block, SCP-8428 threw it to the ground while exhibiting other signs of frustration. Testing was concluded shortly thereafter.
Comments: First officialised test of SCP-8428. Test 001 represents a typical example of SCP-8428’s behaviour and condition — Dr. P. Kovacs
Test 013 — 03/01/2003
Present: SCP-8428, Dr. M. Kovacs
Summary: SCP-8428 was brought before the shape-sorter puzzle used in previous testing. It protested verbally, stating "but it doesn’t work" before being reaffirmed by Dr. Kovacs on the importance of examining its condition. Dr. Kovacs demonstrated the intended result by picking up the star-shaped peg and successfully inserting it through the correct, star-shaped hole, leading to it being dropped inside the container.
Dr. Kovacs gave SCP-8428 the trapezoid-shaped peg and pointed to the trapezoid-shaped hole, encouraging it to attempt to insert the block. SCP-8428 expectedly failed despite correctly lining up the block, leading to SCP-8428 slapping the container with its other hand repeatedly in anger.
SCP-8428 proceeded to then, uninstructed, attempt to open the lid of the box and place the peg in the box that way — the containment breach in-progress had to quickly be stopped by Dr. Kovacs. SCP-8428 was verbally reprimanded, and the correct method of inserting pegs was explained to it once again. SCP-8428 shortly began sobbing, forcing testing to be concluded.
Comments: SCP-8428 has proven capable of executing a containment breach. Although the intense reaction to failure is at times expected and had been observed before official testing, it is very much excessive in the face of the experienced distress. The shape-sorter’s lid has been taped shut, preventing further breaches. Testing remains inconclusive as to the condition’s origins — Dr. M. Kovacs
Addendum II: Containment breach
On 14/01/2003, SCP-8428 was left unattended in the Kovacs family house living room for 16 minutes. In this time, it made its way to the shape-sorter puzzle left in the room and breached containment. A recording of the events has been captured by a nearby house security camera.
Begin log
[09:34] Dr. M. Kovacs leaves the living room. SCP-8428 is left alone.
[09:39] SCP-8428 walks up to a nearby shelf and picks up the relevant shape-sorter puzzle along with its blocks. It sets it down on the ground and sits down next to it.
[09:40] SCP-8428 examines the triangle-shaped block. It first attempts to insert it into the triangle-shaped hole, but after a few seconds of struggle it expectedly fails. It becomes visibly frustrated and drops the peg to the ground.
[09:42] After having sat unmoving for several seconds, SCP-8428 grabs the circle-shaped peg and attempts to insert it into the circle-shaped hole slowly. It leans towards the box and examines its own actions, watching the peg become stuck despite the hole’s matching shape.
[09:43] The circle-shaped peg is then instead inserted at an angle into the triangle-shaped hole, through which it does not fit. SCP-8428 seems to try to put as much of the block as possible through the hole.
[09:44] Upon noticing a portion of the peg to have crossed the plane of the lid into the container, something that had not been possible when the hole had matched the peg, SCP-8428 takes the block back and sits idle.
[09:46] SCP-8428 examines the circle-shaped block and measures it up to the square-shaped hole, which is larger than the block. Slowly, it lowers the peg towards the opening until it notices a portion to have crossed inside the container.
[09:47] SCP-8428 lets go of the circle-shaped peg, which falls inside the box.
[09:48] SCP-8428 is seen shaking its arms and vocalising in triumph.
End log
