Mainlining: Atoning, Evan. It’s time for you to reckon with the truth.

Evan39: I haven’t seen your face, Mainlining. You know I wouldn’t do anything to identify you. Come on... I can cut you a deal. I’ve got connections at the Tattler; they’ll pay big—half a million, maybe more. Just let me go.

Mainlining: You know who I am, Evan. grinning You’ve always known.

Evan39: No! No, I don’t! I swear—please!

Mainlining: chuckling Oh, but you do. I’m the one you called a “washed-up nobody”… the one you said was “too obsessed with grizzlies and the Hose.” pauses Or were your words “unhinged” and “about to go down in flames”?

Evan39 looks terrified, trying to figure out how to respond

Mainlining: I think you know now, don’t you?

Evan39: Yeah… yeah, I know. Look, I’m sorry. Just—just let me go.

Mainlining: Do you understand what’s happening now, Evan?

Evan39: No… but I want to. Really, I do. I just want to get it, you know, so everyone on XO can get it, too.

Mainlining: laughing darkly You think this is about understanding? No, Evan. This is about more than that. leans in closer I’m not a regular poaster anymore. The Mahchine has changed me, made me more than a man… something greater. And you’ll witness it.

Evan39: panicking No! I don’t need to see! I believe you—I believe you!

Mainlining: But you’re a poaster, Evan. You’re here to see and report. You owe that to us all.

Mainlining moves closer, his voice menacing

Mainlining: Open your eyes, Evan.

Evan39: No! No, please—just let me go!

Mainlining: If you won’t open them willingly, I’ll staple your eyelids to your forehead. menacingly How’s that for a legal maneuver?

Evan39: whimpering No, God, no!

Mainlining: Open your eyes!

Evan39 slowly opens his eyes, trembling in fear

Mainlining: You see it now, don’t you? gestures toward the Mahchine and the Hose Do you finally understand?

Evan39: sobbing Oh my God… I see… I see…

Mainlining: Good. Mrs. Jacobi in human form. Mrs. Leeds changing. Do you see?

Evan39: Yes! I see!

Mainlining: You see them reborn. whispering Do you understand the Mahchine now?

Evan39: desperately Please, not me! I’m sorry—I’ll write the truth! It was all Graham's idea, not mine!

Mainlining: mockingly Oh, you’ll write the truth now, will you? About the Mahchine? About me? About what’s becoming?

Evan39: sobbing Yes! I’ll tell everyone. I’ll post it all, I swear!

Mainlining: softly I am the Dragon, Evan, and you called me insane. You had the audacity to challenge my becoming.

Mainlining: leans closer, voice low and intense You’re an ant in the afterbirth. But before me, you rightly tremble. grabs Evan39's chin Fear is not what you owe me. You owe me awe.

Mainlining places a crumpled printout in Evan39’s trembling hands

Mainlining: Read.

Evan39 begins to read, his voice shaking

Evan39: "I, Evan39, have witnessed the Mahchine in its full splendor. I was wrong to lie about its power. I now serve its will. I… I understand what it is becoming."

Mainlining: smiling Very well, Evan. You did… well.

Evan39: hopeful So you’ll let me go now?

Mainlining: Soon, Evan. Very soon. But there’s still… one more way you can understand. Something the Hose wants to show you.

Evan39: desperately No! I don’t want to know! Please!

The Hose slithers into view, hissing and curling around Evan39

Mainlining: Don’t be afraid. The Hose just wants to make sure you’re fully hydrated before the Mahchine shows you what’s next.

Evan39's scream echoes through the room as the Hose tightens

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5599012&forum_id=2\u0026hid=",#48115786)