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361 lines
18 KiB
<h3>Synopsis by Matthew Murray (mmurray@cc.wwu.edu)</h3>
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<p>
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In the dark of an empty room, Sheridan is lying on the floor, asleep,
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voices floating through his dreams, reminding him of how he got there.
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Sheridan is rousted from his sleep when the single door to the room
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flies open, and from the light outside steps a man with a briefcase.
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He studies Sheridan as several of his associates bring in and set up a
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chair and a desk. "Do you have any allergies or illnesses I should be
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aware of? Are you currently taking any medication? Have you had any
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trouble with your heart?" Sheridan doesn't respond. "When I ask a
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question, you will respond at once. You will not hesitate, you will
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not consider, you will not lie. Cooperation will be rewarded,
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resistance will be punished. Do you understand?"
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<p>
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Sheridan doesn't
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respond, but gets up and moves toward the man. When he gets fairly
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close, a device around Sheridan's neck causes him great pain, and he
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crumples to the floor. The man explains they are Narn paingivers,
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purchased during the war. The man explains that there is no reason to
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harm him, since he is not the enemy--he has no personal stake in what
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goes on. He is there only to do his job. He further explains that,
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though he has no desire to inflict pain, he will do so if it is
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required. He is not there to negotiate or assist him, but is there to
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ensure Sheridan's cooperation, and will use whatever means he feels are
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appropriate. He asks Sheridan if he understands, but Sheridan doesn't
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respond. The man pushes a button on his table, the door opens again,
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and two guards come in, force Sheridan into the chair, and shackle him
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down. The man asks Sheridan again if he understands, and Sheridan
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nods. "Do you any allergies or ilnesses I should be aware of? Are you
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currently taking any medication? Have you had any problems with your
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heart?"
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<p>
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"No," Sheridan answers.
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<p>
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"Good," the man replies. "Then we can begin."
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<p>
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Sheridan is sitting in the chair, a bright light shining on his face,
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when the Interrogator returns, this time, with the outside shrouded in
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darkness. "Good morning," he tells Sheridan, but Sheridan believes
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that, since it is dark outside, it can't be morning, as it was before.
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The Interrogator walks to the door and demonstrates that it is he who
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controls the lighting, not the time of day. The Interrogator opens his
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briefcase and begins removing his effects when he appears to have
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forgotten something, and retrieves his glasses from the outside. He
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pushes a button on the table, causing Sheridan great pain. "Never
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contradict me," he says. The Interrogator begins looking over
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Sheridan's file, when he looks at his watch. He opens a small package
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in front of him, and removes a sandwich, which he begins to eat. As he
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eats, the Interrogator explains that he finds it interesting that
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Sheridan had never previously shown interest in politics, and Sheridan
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agrees--the Interrogator explains that, in that case, it is unlikely he
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would try to overthrow his own government without outside influence.
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Sheridan insists it's not true, but the Interrogator doesn't believe
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him, and asks if he is that far removed from other people. He says he
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will write that down as Sheridan's "first fabrication."
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<p>
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The Interrogator asks Sheridan if he would like some of his sandwich;
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since they haven't fed Sheridan, and it is lunchtime, he would probably
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like some. Sheridan says that, a few moments ago, the Interrogator
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said it was morning, but the Interrogator insists that you can't have
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cornbeef sandwiches for breakfast. Sheridan concedes that it must be
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lunchtime somewhere, and takes the sandwich. The Interrogator promises
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Sheridan that the sandwich will not kill him, and Sheridan begins
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consuming the sandwich. The Interrogator explains that this proves
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that everything is a matter of perspective, the truth is fluid and
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subjective. "Out there, it doesn't matter what time it is. In here,
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it's lunchtime if you and I decide that it is. The truth is sometimes
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is what you believe it to be and sometimes what you decide it to be.
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My task... is to make you... decide to believe... differently. And
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when that happens, the world will remake itself before your very eyes."
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Sheridan insists it's not true, but, the Interrogator disagrees,
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explaining how the truth changed for Sheridan whenever there was a new
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enemy for him to fight. Sheridan denies this, but the Interrogator
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knows that a solider must accept what is ordered to believe, unless he
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is rejecting everything he claimed to stand for.
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<p>
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Sheridan finishes the
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sandwich, and begins commenting on it, but the Interrogator claims he's
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being evasive. Sheridan says it's better than being dishonest. The
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Interrogator points out that, while Sheridan has changed the truth to
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suit himself, he has never lied to Sheridan. The Interrogator says
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that it's for supper, and he begins to pack up his things. As he does,
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he explains that, if you eat a little poison every day, you will
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gradually become used to it. The contents of the sandwich won't kill
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Sheridan, but the toxins will have their desired effects in a few
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minutes. "I'll be back when they've had a chance to clean up the
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place," the Interrogator tells him as he leaves.
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<p>
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Sheridan is lying on the floor when the Interrogator returns, the next
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"morning." The Interrogator asks how is feeling, but Sheridan is too
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sick to respond. The Interrogator apologizes for poisoning him, but it
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is part of the process. "We have to break you physically before we can
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get to your mind." The Interrogator explains that the room is
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monitored throughout the day, and if Sheridan won't cooperate, he
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cannot be held responsible for what might happen. If Sheridan
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cooperates, the Interrogator promises, they will let him go. He
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removes a small flask and pours a drink for Sheridan, to help him out
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of his dehydration. Sheridan is apprehensive, but the Interrogator
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insists the drink is safe, and that, as Sheridan's only ally, he will
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tell him only the absolute truth. Sheridan begins to drink the
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liquid.
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<p>
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The Interrogator explains that he needs to correct some
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ommissions in Sheridan's files, and begins asking if Susan Ivanova is
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still his second in command. They just want to confirm her name for
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the records, but Sheridan won't tell him, because the Interrogator
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wants it. The Interrogator insists he doesn't care, but his superiors
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want complete information. He asks Sheridan to sit in the chair, now
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that his strength has returned, which he does. As he sits, though, he
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finds himself automatically shackled in again. The Interrogator
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explains it's for Sheridan's own good. "Oh, by the way, I should
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mention your father... He sends his regards." The Interrogator says
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he's being held at another facility, and that he is alive and well. He
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suggests that Sheridan should thank him, which Sheridan does. He
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explains that he believes Sheridan's father will only be held as long
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as Sheridan is, but that they won't let him go if Sheridan continues to
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resist. The Interrogator asks if Sheridan has been interrogated
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before, but Sheridan says he would be surprised. The Interrogator
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finds this odd, as he seems to have forgotten the rules. He holds up a
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piece of paper. "This is your confession. It goes on at some length.
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So, uh, allow me to summarize. You plead guilty to charges of treason,
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mutiny, conspiracy to commit mutiny, sedition, terrorism..."
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<p>
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"That's a lie!" Sheridan insists.
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<p>
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"...conspiracy to overthrow the government, illegal seizure of Earth
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property, assault on fellow officers, sabotage..."
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<p>
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"Now just a minute!"
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<p>
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"...willful destruction of public property, disobeying direct orders of
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superior officers, and the murder of 547 officers and crew onboard the
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E.A.S. Roanoke!"
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<p>
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"I won't sign it!"
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<p>
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"You will sign it! You will sign it and you will read it aloud in full
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view of the public so they'll know we haven't forged your image or your
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signature. You will name your accomplices. You will apologize to the
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families and friends of those who have died fighting you. And in the
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end, you will beg for mercy on the grounds that you're under the
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influence of aliens who are trying subvert the government and undermine
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the authority of the President."
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<p>
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"I demand to see an attorney! I demand the presence of a full military
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tribunal. You have no right..."
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<p>
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"No, YOU have no rights! There's no courtroom here, Captain, no
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tribunals, no attorneys, no justice, no mercy, no fairness, no hope, no
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last-minute escape. You will walk through that door when you confess
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and not one second before!" With that, the Interrogator leaves the
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room.
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<p>
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The door flings open and the Interrogator returns. "Good morning."
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After a few moments, two guards bring in a Drazi and strap him to the
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Interrogator's chair. The guards leave the three of them alone. The
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Interrogator places a recording device in front of the Drazi, and asks
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the Drazi to repeat what he previously told another interrogator. "I
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was one of those who was reponsible for manipulating Captain Sheridan
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into turning against his own government." Sheridan begs him not to
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continue, but the Drazi keeps talking. "I confess to taking part in
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the conspiracy to overturn your government." Sheridan tells the Drazi
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he's giving them exactly what they want, and the Interrogator
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agrees--when he's finished, they will let him go. The Drazi
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continues. "Those who worked with me in this conspiracy were Commander
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Susan Ivanova, Minbari Ambassador Delenn, Senator Ross Fowler..." The
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Interrogator explains that, while the Senator isn't involved, he has
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become a source of annoyance for the President. "I can personally
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verify all of the charges against him. However, Captain Sheridan was
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not responsible for his actions. He was not, uh, mentally
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competent..."
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<p>
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Sheridan tries to convince the Drazi that however much
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they tortued him, he doesn't have to let them win, and begs him again
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not to confess. The Interrogator says he's Sheridan's alibi--the one
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chance he has of avoiding the death penalty, but Sheridan thinks that
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the Drazi are strong, and he shouldn't let them win. The Drazi insists
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there is nothing he can do, but Sheridan says that, if he resists, he
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will eventually win. The Drazi says he is afraid, and never has been
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before, but Sheridan pleads with the Drazi not to give them what they
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want. The Drazi looks at Sheridan for a few moments, and then tells
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the Interrogator he will not cooperate any further. Sheridan smiles
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smugly at the Interrogator.
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<p>
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"Are you sure? You understand that this is your last chance?"
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<p>
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"What are you doing," Sheridan asks.
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<p>
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"Do you understand that this is your very... last... chance?"
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<p>
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"Yes," the Drazi replies.
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<p>
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The Interrogator touches a key on the table, and four guards enter with
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a gurney, which they strap the Drazi to. Sheridan protests, but they
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will not let him go. "Room 17," the Interrogator tells them as they
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wheel the Drazi out. The Interrogator returns to the subject of
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Ivanova, and will not tell Sheridan what they will do with the Drazi,
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despite Sheridan's demands that he do so. The Interrogator explains
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that, while the Drazi was expendable, Sheridan is not--his superiors
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want Sheridan honestly and sincerely broken if someone scans him. The
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apology must be sincere, and that would save them all time and
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trouble. As he is speaking, there is a scream in the background, and
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the lights of the room dim for a moment. The Interrogator begins
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packing up his things, and touches a button on the table. A recording
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of his own voice begins playing. "You will cooperate with the State
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for the good of the State and your own survival. You will confess to
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the crimes of which you have been accused. You will be released and
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returned to society a productive citizen if you cooperate. Resistance
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will be punished, cooperation will be rewarded." The Interrogator
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leaves for the "night," but his voice remains behind. "You will
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cooperate with the State for the good of the State and your own
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survival. You will confess to the crimes of which you have been
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accused. You will be released and returned to society a productive
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citizen if you cooperate..."
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<p>
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The light of "day" streams in as the Interrogator returns. "...You
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will confess to the crimes of which you have been accused. You will be
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released and returned to society a productive citizen if you
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cooperate. Resistance will be punished, cooperation will be
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rewarded." The Interrogator shuts off the recording, and bids Sheridan
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"good morning." He tells Sheridan that, unless he starts cooperating,
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he won't be receiving any more of the intervenous nutrition he had been
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receiving since being taken off solid foods. The Interrogator puts
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Sheridan's "confession" down in front of him, telling him that that,
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and a few recorded words, are all that prevent him from leaving the
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cell. The Interrogator asks Sheridan if he wants to leave, if he wants
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to be free, and Sheridan admits he does. All he has to do is sign the
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confession. The Interrogator says they don't want him dead, but rather
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as a symbol. They will not kill him, though, at least not right
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away--they will wait until Sheridan has been forgotten. But, until
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that time, Sheridan will have his freedom--they will encourage him to
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travel, to spread the message that "you cannot beat the system." "Sign
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and speak," the Interrogator says, "and you can leave here." As
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Sheridan looks at the Interrogator, he sees Delenn standing behind
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him. He smiles at her, as the Interrogator releases his arms from the
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shackles. Sheridan looks at Delenn for the answer, but she says
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nothing to him--she then vanishes as quickly as she appeared. Sheridan
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stares at the confession for a few moments, then spits on it. He turns
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to the Interrogator and utters his response.
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<p>
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"No."
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<p>
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"I... I really wish you hadn't done that, Captain. I really...
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sincerely wish... you hadn't done that." The Interrogator picks up
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the confession and his briefcase, but cannot find words. "I... I... I
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have no control over what will happen next," he explains to Sheridan.
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"It's out of my hands." He walks out of the room, the door slamming
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shut behind him.
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<p>
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The Interrogator bursts in and wakes Sheridan up. He tells Sheridan
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that they are doing this to him because he is a war hero, and he was
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made such in the public eye. People know him and recognize him, but
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when war heroes start believing certain things, the public listens,
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which threatens their credibility. And Sheridan's credibility needs to
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go--he says that the best way out for everyone is for Sheridan to
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confess and lay the blame on the alien governments. Whether it is
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really true or not, they can make the public believe it. They will let
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him live. But, it isn't the only way--they can forge Sheridan's image
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and his voice, after he has died. There will always be doubt that way,
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but the Interrogator explains that it is now an acceptable option. "I
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can save your life," the Interrogator says. "Right now. If you'll let
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me."
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<p>
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Sheridan explains that he has considered the Interrogator's words, that
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you can't fight the system, but, if the truth is fluid and subjective,
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maybe you can, as long as one person refuses to break, or bow down.
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<p>
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"But, can you win?" asks the Interrogator.
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<p>
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"Every time I say no," responds Sheridan.
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<p>
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The Interrogator moves away, back to his table. "Captain John
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Sheridan, will you, or will you not, sign a confession and endorse it
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before a public hearing?"
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<p>
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"No."
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<p>
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The Interrogator hits a key on the table, and four guards enter with a
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gurney, which they force Sheridan onto. He struggles, but can't
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escape. "You understand that this is your last chance?" the
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Interrogator asks as he bends over him. "Do you understand this is
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your very last chance?" Sheridan doesn't respond. "Room seventeen,"
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the Interrogator tells him. The gurney is wheeled down the hall.
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<p>
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As Sheridan moves down the hall, a priest following him, reading him
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his Last Rites, he looks toward his goal--the door at the end of the
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hallway, through which light is streaming. In the middle of the light,
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Delenn is standing. Sheridan is wheeled closer, and closer...
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<p>
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The gurney is placed in one half of the room, the other half obscured
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in shadows. Sheridan is unstrapped, and the guards leave. Sheridan
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sits up weakly, and looks into the other half of the room, where a
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figure in a black mask, black robe, and black gloves is standing before
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a large device, covered in a black cloth. The figure adjusts his glove
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and walks out. Sheridan is alone for a brief moment when four guards
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enter the room and remove him from the gurney. One of the guards
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removes the the cloth from the device in the corner, revealing it to
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be... a chair. An interrogation chair much like the one in the room he
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was in a few moments ago. He is forced into the chair and shackled
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down. The guards move the gurney closer to Sheridan, adjust it in a
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few ways, and it becomes a table exactly like the one in the other
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interrogation room. The guards leave the room, with only Sheridan and
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the shadowy figure remaining behind.
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<p>
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Someone else comes in the room. "Good morning," the man says, placing
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his briefcase on the table. "Now, before we begin your interrogation,
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I'll need some information." Sheridan turns his gaze to the figure
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standing behind the new interrogator. "Do you have any allergies or
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illnesses that I should know about? Are you currently taking any
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medication?" The figure in black steps forward and removes his hood,
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revealing the Drazi that Sheridan had met in the other cell. "Any
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trouble with your heart?" The Drazi bows his head, but Sheridan is too
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stunned to respond to the interrogator's questions. "You will answer
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my questions when they are asked. Resistance will be punished,
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cooperation will be rewarded. Do you have any illnesses or allergies
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that I should know about? Are you currently taking any medication?
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Have you had any trouble with your heart?" Sheridan doesn't respond,
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but lowers his head and continues to listen. "You will answer my
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questions when they are asked. Resistance will be punished,
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cooperation will be rewarded. Do you have any allergies or illnesses
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that I should know about? Are you currently taking any medication?
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Have you had any trouble with your heart? You will answer my questions
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when they are asked. Resistance will be punished. Cooperation will be
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rewarded."
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