SCP-8686
rating: +51+x

Welcome to Love.




Item#: 8686
Level2
Containment Class:
euclid
Secondary Class:
Agare
Disruption Class:
keneq
Risk Class:
caution

Special Containment Procedures: Due to the unpredictable nature of SCP-8686 appearances, Foundation Web-Crawlers are to monitor for any listings of the anomaly on resale or auction websites. If a listing is found, efforts are to be made to remove it. Purchasing the copy is the preferred option, though taking down the listing is a valid alternative.

In the event that a copy of SCP-8686 is purchased, MTF Upsilon-33 ("Rushing Critics"), is to obtain the SCP-8686 instance, and administer B-Class amnestics to the exposed individuals. Agents are to maintain the belief that SCP-8686 is no more than a memory of an existing play, as established by the memetic properties of the anomaly.1

Description: SCP-8686 is an anomalous theatre experience known as "The Best Days Of Our Lives". SCP-8686 is attributed to "Pseudogenesis Productions", alternatively known as GOI-478. The first page contains information on those involved in the production of SCP-8686.2 Instances will appear on various auction websites, including eBay, Etsy, and Craigslist, priced five to ten dollars.

The cover contains a memetic effect, compelling someone to open the playbill, but opening it will invariably cause the subject to be affected by more of SCP-8686's memetics and cognitohazardous effects. The various memetics that make up SCP-8686 seem to be able to exert power on the environment around the subject for the duration of the performance, manifesting furniture and entities collectively known as SCP-8686-A.

SCP-8686's story is in three acts, each corresponding to a unique heuristic3 effect in the subject. Amnestic testing has shown that the show cannot be removed from the memory of any subjects.

  • The first act elicits euphoric emotions towards the SCP-8686-A instance representing the viewer's romantic partner within SCP-8686.
  • The second act induces paranoia in the viewer, specifically regarding perceived potential flaws or character faults. The viewer is inevitably unable to determine the root cause of their conflict.
  • The third act forces the viewer to confront their flaws, resulting in a major conflict between the viewer and the SCP-8686-A instance representing their partner. This conflict inevitably leads to a moment of self-realization.

An SCP-8686 performance will always follow the same act structure, and is always set within the same location, a cottage home. While the narrative varies between instances, the subject is never able to leave the set.

An image of an SCP-8686 listing is included below for reference.


Addendum 8686.1: Experiment Log

Preface: D-2231, a Class-D personnel, was given an instance of SCP-8686. The show was recorded as to understand the true nature of SCP-8686 performances. Only portions of the recording were recoverable, separated by glitches. It is believed a portion of each act was captured.


(The environment begins to shift into the cottage set of SCP-8686 as Act One opens. D-2231 is standing in the front door, holding a bag of groceries.)

D-2231: Woah— Oh. Did I go to the store?

(D-2231 walks through the halls, before coming face to face with an instance of SCP-8686-A. D-2231 shifts awkwardly.)

D-2231: … Carol? They took you in too?

SCP-8686-A: Dear, are you feeling alright? Oh, you got the groceries! Did you make sure to pick up some eggs? We're out.

D-2231: I—

(D-2231 looks at the bag, nodding to SCP-8686-A.)

D-2231: Yeah. It looks like I did.

SCP-8686-A: Are you hungry, then? I could go for an omelet, and I know how much you like them.

(D-2231 pauses for a moment, staring at the instance of SCP-8686-A. There is a pause, before tears can be seen in the footage.)

D-2231: I missed you. So much.

SCP-8686-A: It's okay now. It's okay.

D-2231: You said you would never leave me, and here we are.

SCP-8686-A: I remember when I said that. You came home and I was drunk on the couch.

(D-2231 chuckles and gets closer to SCP-8686-A, hugging it.)

D-2231: I missed you. So much, Carol.

(D-2231's chuckles turn slowly into sobs, hugging the instance closer.)

SCP-8686-A: I missed you too, Ash.

(D-2231 looks down at SCP-8686-A while in an embrace, tears flowing. SCP-8686-A wipes away some of her tears, smiling warmly.)

D-2231: I couldn't ask for anyone better.

(They kiss.)

Vhs_Glitch-cropped-flipped.gif

SCP-8686-A: You said you wouldn't do that anymore.

(D-2231 takes a sip from a green glass bottle.)

SCP-8686-A: Seriously? I quit. I quit drinking for you.

D-2231: Let's just enjoy the moment. Want a sip?

(SCP-8686-A makes a disgusted face at D-2231.)

SCP-8686-A: You'd better be wasted.

D-2231: I actually think I'm rather insightful. Are you sure?

SCP-8686-A: Ash. I've been sober for five months now. Are you fucking kidding me?

(SCP-8686-A clenches its jaw, brushing its hair to the side and glaring at D-2231.)

SCP-8686-A: I'm going to get some fresh air. Feel free to join me when you're thinking again.

D-2231: Carol, I don't see the problem. I'm not a drunkard like you were—

(SCP-8686-A glares at D-2231 as tears form.)

SCP-8686-A: Every day, you made me feel bad for drinking. It was a fucking problem, yes, I needed help, but you didn't have to say what you did. You told me I was going to die from it, that I was gonna end up in a fucking gutter.

(SCP-8686-A's lip quivers as they begin to cry.)

SCP-8686-A: Why in Hell would you say that to me, and why in the love of Christ would you keep drinking— No, why are you still drinking?

D-2231: Carol, sweetheart, you just don't get—

SCP-8686-A: No, don't try to talk your way out of this.

(D-2231 visibly sinks lower into her chair, taking a sip from her drink.)

SCP-8686-A: And put down the bottle. I just want you to practice what you preach. Please.

D-2231: Okay. Okay, I promise that I'll quit. I'm sorry. I love you, and I'm going to go sleep off my drinks.

(SCP-8686-A nods, as D-2231 stands up and the scene shifts into a bedroom.)

(D-2231 takes a flask, frowning as she downs the contents. Her body trembles.)

D-2231: Last one… Last one. I promise.

Vhs_Glitch-cropped-flipped.gif

(D-2231 looks to the front door, where SCP-8686-A stands. She has tear-stained eyes and is shaking.)

D-2231: I'm sorry, I don't want you to leave— please darling, come back.

(SCP-8686-A looks back, sniffling as tears flow from its eyes.)

SCP-8686-A: I feel like I don't even know you. You won't quit. You won't go to rehab. You won't go to therapy. It's like you don't even want to change.

D-2231: I love you though, so much, more than anything else in this stupid small world. Please. Don't leave me alone. I don't want to be alone, you're the only thing that keeps going.

SCP-8686-A: I can't do this anymore. You're hurting yourself with your addiction, and then you turn around and hurt me. You—

(SCP-8686-A's voice trembles, choking up.)

SCP-8686-A: You can say you love me all you want, but every time I see you drink it reminds me of a past I had to crawl out of alone. And you have the gall to throw that back at me, after everything you know I've been through? I'm done.

D-2231: Carol, honey—

(SCP-8686-A walks out of the cottage, slamming the door shut.)

(D-2231 sits in the house, making her way onto the couch.)

(She curls up into a ball, covering herself in a blanket and mumbling nothings to herself to try and calm down. The only remaining noises in the recording are D-2231's sobs, and the dull buzz of the stage lights. After ten minutes of crying, she falls asleep.)

(The show ends.)

After the experiment, D-2231 requested Foundation psychiatric services to aid her in mitigating her alcoholism. The request was granted, and D-2231 showed exceptional progress in her recovery.

Efforts are ongoing to identify SCP-8686-A from D-2231's recorded performance. Despite D-2231's insistence, they have never been in a relationship or married to any individuals named 'Carol'. As such, SCP-8686-A's existence as a real individual is pending further investigation.

Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License