An Experiment - Impulsive Lines

Dr. Soles: “There, there… take it easy. The effects of the sedative should wear off pretty quickly.”

Where are we?

Dr. Soles: “Yes, that is what you are being paid to be a part of. Each of you willingly signed up to participate, and today is the day!”

What kind of experiment is this?

Dr. Soles: “…attribute that best describes you.”

Courageous: Cool.

I’m impulsive!

Dr. Soles: “Yes, you are.”

I don’t feel impulsive.

Devious: “That I don’t have to be devious.”

Alrighty then, let’s go ahead and get started!

Dr. Soles: “I was just about to get to that! First, I now need each of you to repeat after me. I am…”

I am.

Dr. Soles: “It will be quite painful, so please follow the rules. Now repeat after me… I am…”

I am impulsive.

Devious: “I am NOT devious.” (shock) “I’m not devious"”

Can I trade with Devious? I don’t mind. I’ll be devious as hell.

Dr. Soles: “Exactly. Follow the rules and everything will be fine. So now… repeat after me. I am…”

I am impulsive.

Dr. Soles: “It is who I am and what I am”

It is who I am and what I am.

Dr. Soles: “Again.”

I am impulsive. It is who I am and what I am.

Dr. Soles: “One more time.”

I am impulsive. It is who I am and what I am.

Dr. Soles: "…Any time the bell chimes you are to say that phrase immediately.” (bell chimes)

I am impulsive. It is who I am and what I am.

Dr. Soles: “The rules for each stage are sitting under each chair, waiting to be read at the appropriate time.”

Good. Let’s get started.

Dr. Soles: “…When you awaken, stage one will begin. But please remember the bell…” (bell chimes)

I am impulsive. It is who I am and what I am.

Dr. Soles: “…And when but four still grace this room, then all the rules will change!” (bell chimes)

I am impulsive. It is who I am and what I am.

Orderly: “The note… the note under your chair.”

Oh yeah. It says: “Five minutes for each stage you have, and now a decision must be made. One must die or all will die, that’s the way this game is played.” What??

Courageous: “It can’t mean that.” (bell chimes)

I am impulsive. It is who I am and what I am.

Devious: “…For all we know, we could have been abducted, or could be prisoners of war, or-” (bell chimes)

I am impulsive. It is who I am and what I am.

Courageous: “We still could have done something.”

Maybe we still can? Hey! You people watching us! Send that doctor back in right now! We could try to kick down the door!

Orderly: “No.. don’t. I am sure they’ve thought of that and I am sure if they don’t want you kicking the door, we are all going to get hurt.”

Then what do we do?

Orderly: “The rules. It was on the sheet.”

That’s right! “Five minutes for each stage you have..”

Orderly: “Less than five minutes.”

Devious: “You know what I mean.” (bell chimes)

I am impulsive. It is who I am and what I am.

Compassionate: “This can’t be happening.”

Saying that over and over won’t make it true. I say we go with kicking down the door.

Devious: “Collars.”

Well, I’m not just going to wait here for someone to try and kill me.

(impulsive tries to kick door, collars shock, bell chimes)

I am impulsive. It is who I am and what I am.

Courageous: “We must be under a minute by now. Any suggestions?”

Maybe we can all rush the door?

Courageous: “Do you think they’ll listen?”

Orderly: “We can try!”

Do it!

Courageous: “It’s small.. right over the door there.”

We’re almost out of time!

(courageous kills orderly. bell chimes)

I am impulsive. It is who I am and what I am.

Courageous: “Something had to be done! I didn’t want to do it.. I just did it.”

Impulsiveness is my gig.

Devious: “It happened when you dropped the knife.”

Just read the note!

Compassionate: “This isn’t fair!”

Should have read the note first, I guess.

Courageous: “Those notes are pretty important.. from now on we touch nothing and read them first.”

Good idea. If I don’t get stabbed this round, I’ll try to remember that.

Courageous: “…How does it feel to have everyone staring at you?” (bell chimes)

I am impulsive. It is who I am and what I am.

Devious: “No one touched the door, did they?”

Not me! I’ve learned my lesson there.

Courageous: “Then what rule did we break? What rule did we break?” (bell chimes)

I am impulsive. It is who I am and what I am.

Compassionate: “I’m not going to stab anyone!”

And Courageous wasn’t going to Kill anyone, but you know… things happen.

Compassionate: “They can’t make me kill someone. What will happen if I just refuse?”

Then I’m pretty sure we’re all going to die. That’s what the first note said, isn’t it?

Courageous: “Does that even apply here?”

Has to.

Impulsive: “Has to.” (compassionate begins pacing)

Stay out of my area with that… I’m serious. If you come over here again, I’m gonna totally spaz out on you. Got me?

Compassionate: “I don’t know what to do! Someone help me!” (bell chimes)

I am impulsive. It is who I am and what I am.

Compassionate: “What if I give the knife to one of you? I can’t do it!”

As soon as you drop it, we’re going to get hit again and I don’t think anyone is going to trust you enough for a handoff.

Courageous: “I don’t know.. but you need to do something!”

Compassionate: “What should I do?”

Stab one of us!

Compassionate: “This is not who I am.. this isn’t supposed to happen..” (bell chimes)

I am impulsive. It is who I am and what I am.

(compassionate kills self)

Well that was stupid.

Devious: “Oh joy, we have swords.”

I wonder what we are supposed to do with them?

Courageous: “Don’t touch it yet, you moron! We haven’t read the card.

No shock.. well that’s good, I guess. Who has the card?

Courageous: “It’s under Orderly’s chair.”

Oh yeah, Orderly’s dead. I’ll get it. Here goes.. “And three remain with swords to slay before this stage is through. So, guard yourself and perhaps you’ll be among the final two.” They really put some effort into these rhymes.

Courageous: “It’s not funny.”

Didn’t say it was.

Impulsive: “Didn’t say it was.” (devious doesn’t pick up his sword)

Might want to pick up that shiny thing in front of you… makes it harder for one of us to kill you.

Devious: “I’m not playing their game, I’m done.” (bell chimes)

I am impulsive. It is who I am and what I am. I see you’re still playing that part of the game.

Devious: “Want me to stop?”

If you do, it sure will make figuring out which one of you I’m going to kill first a lot easier. So, you’re really going to stand there and let me kill you.

Devious: “If you’re comfortable killing an unarmed person, I guess so.”

I’m going to have to either now or later, but you know what? This sword feels really good in my hand. I wonder if I’m a soldier or something.

Courageous: “You? No way. I’m pretty sure I am though.”

Not all soldiers are courageous.

Courageous: “Most living soldiers aren’t impulsive.”

Maybe I should save the pacifist over there for the finals…

Courageous: “You’re assuming you’ll reach the finals.” (bell chimes)

I am impulsive. It is who I am and what I am. You hear that, Devious? Sneaky Pete here thinks I’m not going to make the finals.

Devious: “Good for him.”

You’re not stupid enough to believe that, are you?

Devious: “Considering the fact that I’m not going to play their game, I think your chances of advancing are pretty good.”

You’re really not going to pick up your sword?

Devious: “Nope.”

Even if it means you’re going to die?

Devious: “I’m not who they say I am.”

Whatever.

Courageous: “Really?”

Really.

Courageous: “Why not go for the easy target?”

Because this sword feels really good in my hand and I think I can take you now. I don’t know what’s coming in the next round, but if not-so-devious over there isn’t going to play, I think the smart move is to take out the competition now.

Courageous: “This sword feels really comfortable to me as well. I think you’re making a mistake.”

Maybe we served together… if so, I was undoubtedly the better fighter.

Courageous: “If you say so.” (courageous and impulsive sword fight)

I told you.

Courageous: “Are you serious? You move like a grandma.” (bell chimes)

I am impulsive. It is who I am and what I am.

Courageous: “Ready to change targets yet, grandma?”

And kill the conscientious objector? Nah, I’m having too much fun.

Courageous: “This isn’t going to end the way you think it will.”

I guess we’ll see.

(Impulsive and Courageous sword fight again, Impulsive takes advantage over Courageous)

You may be courageous, but you’re no soldier. That was even easier than I thought it would be. I would have really preferred not to do this and I would feel bad if I hadn’t watched you choke out poor Orderly. I guess this is goodbye, Courageous.

(Courageous stabs Impulsive)

Wow… You were right.

Courageous: “I was?”

Yeah… this didn’t end the way I thought it would.