PRE-EPISODE ANNOUNCEMENT
[VICTOR STARK]
An important announcement before today's episode. Please be aware that this episode contains an onscreen suicide attempt. Due to the sensative subject matter, you will not miss any plot-altering details if you skip this episode, and this one will be shorter than most. Everyone involved in this episode was contacted prior to writing to ensure that they are comfortable with the subject. I thought long and hard about whether or not to include this and decided that, not only is it am important subject to me for several personal reasons, it was necessary to fully convey Victor's mental and emotional decline, which will, in time, help shape his recovery. Upon release, I'll also be donating from my personal funds to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. There are also resources available in the descrption of this episode. Please take care of yourself.
—
[A bridge in Marksbury. Night. Cars can be heard passing behind, and the faint sound of water below. Victor stands there for a long few seconds, silent, save his frightened, shaking breaths]
BYSTANDER
You know, I’m fairly certain you’re supposed to be on the other side of the guard rail.
VICTOR
Wh--
BYSTANDER
Though I could be wrong. That’d be a first.
VICTOR
I--
BYSTANDER
Hmm. That’s a long drop.
VICTOR
I-- Yeah, that’s kind of the point.
BYSTANDER
Water’s probably cold at this time of night, too. I’d wait until tomorrow afternoon, if I were you. Let the sun warm it up a bit. If you’re going to die, you might as well be comfortable when you do it. And maybe put on a suit or something, have some style.
VICTOR
What are-- Can you leave, please?!
BYSTANDER
Tell me your name first.
VICTOR
No, can you just--
[He takes a breath]
...Victor.
BYSTANDER
Now Victor, would I be correct in assuming that you don’t want to tell me why you’re about to take a swan dive off of this bridge?
VICTOR
Yes, you would.
BYSTANDER
Well, that’s all right. I understand.
VICTOR
No, you don’t.
BYSTANDER
I understand more than you’d think. You may not want to discuss the exact circumstances that led to all of this, but I know the results. You’re hurting, you're afraid, you feel alone--
VICTOR
I am alone! I-- Look around you! How many people have driven by just since you got here?! And no one stopped! No one cares! And no one is ever going to care! I have nothing!
BYSTANDER
You and I both know that’s not true.
VICTOR
Yes it is! I--
BYSTANDER
What about that, then?
VICTOR
What about what?
BYSTANDER
Your phone. It’s on. Recording, left on the ledge. So someone would find it, no doubt. You were going to leave a note, weren’t you?
VICTOR
Well yeah, I--
BYSTANDER
People who have no one to miss them don’t leave notes, Victor. And a recording? Well, that’s personal. Near intimate. That’s a man who knows that he will be mourned, and who is desperate not to be forgotten.
VICTOR
Look, you don’t know me!
BYSTANDER
I don’t need to. I just want to understand you, Victor. So let me. Who were you hoping to have listen to that recording?
VICTOR
...My friends. My sister.
BYSTANDER
Tell me their names.
VICTOR
Christine. Henry.
BYSTANDER
And your sister?
VICTOR
Evelynn.
BYSTANDER
You care about them.
VICTOR
Of course I do.
BYSTANDER
And they care about you, too.
VICTOR
I…. I guess….
BYSTANDER
And there’s someone else out there who made you feel that this is the answer.
VICTOR
How-- I guess, yeah.
BYSTANDER
And you’re so willing to let him win?
VICTOR
What?
BYSTANDER
He’s pushed you to this point, yes? In one way or another. Are you so willing to give him the satisfaction?
VICTOR
I….
BYSTANDER
If you truly can’t think of another reason to do so, Victor, wouldn’t it be something to live purely out of spite? To prove that you are not so easily manipulated? That you’re stronger, smarter than he gives you credit for?
VICTOR
But I’m not, I--
BYSTANDER
Then pretend. Convince yourself that you have the world wrapped around your finger, and someday it will be. Convince yourself that things will be okay. And eventually….
[Victor is silent]
I’m going to come a little closer now, okay? You’ve lost someone, am I correct? Someone very close to you, someone you loved dearly. Perhaps more than one person. I have, as well. And… a very long time ago, I stood in a position very similar to the one you’re in now. Mourning. Afraid. Alone. So susceptible to the lies brought upon by the alcohol.
VICTOR
How do you--
BYSTANDER
I’m no stranger to vices, Victor. How much did you drink tonight?
VICTOR
Not enough to deal with this shit.
BYSTANDER
I can tell that you’re a good man, Victor. You’ve just been given a lot of challenges all at once. Tell me. Are you under the impression that your death will make the world a better place?
VICTOR
I… I know it will, I…. Look, you don't get it.
BYSTANDER
Oh, but I do. The world would be better off without you? Don't flatter yourself. The world has always had problems, and it will have problems long after you're gone. You're a man, Victor, not a god. You can't change fate, alive or dead.
VICTOR
But--
BYSTANDER
Prometheus may have brought fire to mankind, but Pandora was still sent down with her box, regardless. And humanity got on just fine in the end. [Beat.] Take my hand, Victor. Let's get you back on this side.
VICTOR
[Half whispered]
...Okay.
BYSTANDER
You’re getting help, yes?
VICTOR
...Yeah.
BYSTANDER
Promise you’ll tell your therapist about this. Go from there.
VICTOR
...I will.
BYSTANDER
Now go home, Victor. Get some rest. Don’t be alone for any longer than you have to. You have someone you can call if need be?
VICTOR
I-- Yeah, I do.
BYSTANDER
Good. I’ll be seeing you, Mr. Frankenstein.
VICTOR
Wait, how do--
[He stops as he looks around. The Bystander is gone. There are several seconds of silence before he dials his phone]
WALTON
[Half asleep]
Hello…? Victor, is everything all right…?
VICTOR
Hey, um-- Yeah, I-- Or no I guess, just…. Dr Walton? I-- I know it’s late, I’m sorry, I just…. Can… can we talk for a minute…?