I12DT: Machine Were Men and Men Were Lions

[Mallory Davis]

"And metal minds?"

[Narrator]

Jack smiles, "There is a room in the center. All the doors are locked from the outside. There are four keys. Pass the tests, earn the keys, and you'll meet her. The mother with the mind of a machine."

[Samantha McManus]

Mindful of the construct, the headmistress began a controlled withdrawal from the man's mind.

[Narrator]

Jack shrugs, "It's out of your control now."

[Mallory Davis]

"What do you think?" she asks Sam.

[Samantha McManus]

"It's a defense mechanism."

[Mallory Davis]

"That's pretty severe for a reflexive dissociative state."

[Samantha McManus]

"It's not reflexive. It's created."

[Mallory Davis]

"But what for? Why scramble someone's mind just to protect it."

[Samantha McManus]

"Because if you went deep enough in the false memories, you would run into the surprisingly powerful guardian construct that's preventing you from seeing what's behind them."

[Mallory Davis]

"It seems like it's preventing him from seeing what's behind it as well."

[Samantha McManus]

"Would you believe this is what he intended?"

[Mallory Davis]

"You think he saw something he doesn't want to remember? That's a little bit pathetic."

[Samantha McManus]

"He knows something he doesn't want anyone else to find out."

[Mallory Davis]

"No... I think he does want someone to know. Just a very specific someone."

[Samantha McManus]

"The false memories keep out any casual gawkers, and the construct can dissuade the more determined."

[Mallory Davis]

"But why? What would be so important inside a homeless man's head?"

[Samantha McManus]

"I don't think he was in this state when he started."

[Mallory Davis]

"You think someone's using him as a mental puzzle-box?"

[Samantha McManus]

"I think he might've been someone important."

[Mallory Davis]

"So the question is did he hide himself away or did someone else want him gone."

[Samantha McManus]

"The construct at least is convinced this was his decision."

[Mallory Davis]

"That doesn't have to say much."

[Samantha McManus]

"It's certainly a more potent construct than I expected."

[Mallory Davis]

"Now what do we do with him?"

[Samantha McManus]

"Strictly speaking, that's up to him. As he is right now, he's not doing anyone any harm. We don't really have the authority to just take him."

[Narrator]

"This is my home," Jack say, sounding suspicious.

[Mallory Davis]

"Yes. How cozy."

[Samantha McManus]

"You see though, aye? Ethical issues."

[Mallory Davis]

"It's November. How long do you think until the first snow?"

[Samantha McManus]

"I'm not saying we can't have a few X-Corporation workers get in touch with the local social workers to make sure he'll be alright."

[Mallory Davis]

"That's probably the best course of action." she nods. No need to overdo it.