Chapter Text
[tape recorder clicks on]
Michael
Come on Gerry, you need to come to work with me today.
Gerard
[he grumbles sleepily]
5 more minutes Mikey
Michael
No, I’m sorry you’ve got to get out now, I’ve let you sleep in and packed your bag and got your clothes out and even made you breakfast in bed now get moving!
Gerard
Fine, fine. It was worth a shot. You know I’m not a morning person.
[there was a kerfuffle as the two sorted themselves out]
Michael
I’m aware, however Gertrude said she needed your expertise. It’s book-hunting time my love.
Gerard
I know. Just wish Gertie wouldn’t decide that at ridiculous hours of the morning.
Michael
Gerry, love, it's only 7:30 in the morning. I need to be in for 8:30. Pretty normal hours. So, come along before I’m late.
Gerard
I’m coming darling, I’m coming. I would wake up at 5 am for you darling.
Michael
No, you wouldn’t.
Gerard
You’re right… but I would try.
Michael
I know you would. Now grab your stuff and let’s go.
Gerard
I’m so lucky to have you.
Michael
That you are love now hurry up we will miss the necessary transport.
Gerard
Right you are Shelley let’s move!
[there are sounds of the bus and London underground followed by coffee shop chatter before they enter the institute heading straight for the archives]
Michael
See I told you!
Gerard
Yes, darling you were right-
Gertrude
Hello, you two. How’s life in paradise?
[she chuckled and the two giggled joining her]
Gerard
We’re ok Gertie. How’s your life treating you? Anything exciting I ought to know about? I mean I hear you’ve been leaving early a lot recently!
[his smirk is audible]
Gertrude
I’ve just been visiting a sick friend is all. Now I’m sure Michael has told you why I need you here.
Gerard
Yeah, yeah, I figured. Evil book?
Gertrude
Bingo! Now-
Michael
You have to be kidding me!
Gertrude
Everything okay Michael?
Michael
Yeah, it's fine. Stupid tape recorder-
[the tape recorder clicks off]
Mikey (my love)
Hey darling. I’m hunting
down that book Gertrude got
word of. Wondering if you
fancied takeout tonight? Xx
That sounds amazing love! x
Great. I was thinking maybe
Chinese? Also, from my search so
far how would you fancy a
holiday? x
Holiday? Where? X
A completely fabled polar island? x
Sounds creepy, it wouldn’t happen
to be Sannikov land, would it? x
It would be. Why? x
It’s on Gertrude's list of possible
ritual sites x
I might inform her then. We can
go after the book and stop the ritual
at the same time. Plus, I can finish
early now x
Sounds good, I’ll see you soon x
See you soon x
READ 14:37
Call begins
Gertrude
Gerry? What is it?
Gerard
I was messaging Michael on some info I found on this book you sent me after. Long story short I don’t think we will be getting our hands on it anytime soon
Gertrude
And why is that?
Gerard
Well apparently, it’s on one of your potential ritual sites
Gertrude
Oh, right? Which one?
Gerard
That one fabled polar island
Gertrude
Ah, the Spiral’s ritual
Gerard
Ah right. I’m gonna come back to the archives if that’s ok? You can update me on everything when I’m back
Gertrude
Sounds good. I’ll see you soon
Gerard
See you in a bit Gertie
Call ends
Gerry’s journal
Growing up with my mother, further on in my teen years
So, as you can imagine my teen years were less than normal. I never got to have what most people my age had; romances, parties, stress about passing my exams. Instead, I had dropped out by the time I was 15. I never finished high school, never did my exams, never experienced prom or a teenage romance. Of course, I likely would’ve failed the exams as all my time outside of school by then was spent tracking down those books my mother loved more than she had ever loved me.
It was around my 16th birthday when my first life-threatening altercation came on the hunt for one of Leitner’s lost books. I was becoming cocky, thought I was invincible, as I imagine many teenagers do. But for them, it's not as dangerous. Their cockiness may impact their grades, but a responsible adult would intervene, and guide them, something I didn’t have. Instead, I became complacent and nearly lost my life for the pleasure of one of Leitner’s finest. I escaped but my mother would barely notice the blood running down my face, dripping onto her beloved artefact, no, she only cared for the book, not me. She barely noticed as I sagged into the couch recovering from the pain, clutching at my wounds. I didn’t dare cry out to her, why bother? It's not like she would’ve cared about my physical state. At that point, I’m convinced she thought I could look after myself as if that wasn’t what I'd been doing my whole life since my father died.
The later teenage years were when I grew to resent Jurgen Leitner and my mother's obsession with the fury of 1000 suns. I had tried to run away many times but it never stuck, and I had no friends so I just continued to work on finding the books. Becoming part of her world seemed like my only option.
[tape recorder clicks on]
[there’s knocking that goes ignored]
Gertrude
So, from what I can tell of the research we have acquired the statement on this tape is most likely fraudulent. An attempt to distract me, likely made by Nikola Orsinov herself, I am not fooled nor impressed by the foolish attempt. Still, at least it can be put to rest.
Gerard
Heya Gertie. Wanna tell me about this potentially devastating location that you think may just lay host to the spirally little ritual that could end the world?
Gertrude
Gerard, I thought I told you to knock.
Gerard
I did… you seemed to be on another planet. So, you gonna tell me or not?
Gertrude
Right, yes. I think now more than ever that it is to be the location of the great twisting.
Gerard
The spirally ritual.
Gertrude
Yes. I don’t think it is upon us just yet, but I do think it may be wise to watch our backs and keep an eye out. When it does occur, we must stop it, or else a greater evil than we could imagine will take hold of the earth. The fear ruling will be our end.
Gerard
And for the time being?
Gertrude
We wait, we plan and most importantly of all we keep our eyes open.
[the tape recorder clicks off]