Scene 1
[Fade into college classroom sounds]
[Some other guy finishing his presentation for like 2 seconds, the sound of paper shuffling and a recorder starting]
Preston:
[footsteps walking to the front of the room sound of a tape recorder being set down] As usual, I'll be recording this presentation for notes. (clears throat) I have been thinking about this project for the last four years. The more I see the way interactions on the internet go and the way society tends to swing...the more I feel that we need something...groundbreaking.
I think that we need an examination of the humanity of fear. The proposal for my thesis is that I am going to hide a camera on my person. (goading almost condescending, the voice men use on women all the time) I’m not (slight emphasis) super threatening. I’m just a really average…(say like winking) maybe a little above average guy. What I’m going to do is follow...a person around.
I’m going to show up at their classes, on the street behind them, maybe even in the bars. I’m going to see how far I can go to note how this person handles being followed. Possibly, evaluating the fear of a presence. (heavy pause)
I want to see the way a human breaks down before the perceived notion of a threat. For the editing, [start to fade] I will be presenting it as nearly raw footage spliced together with light narration. [faded out with him speaking]
[class sounds in the back] (In a whisper) I think I found the one I'm going to follow. I don't know her name. She's in my Chem survey course, she's the one that sits upfront. I changed my seat for the day, but I don't think she has noticed. I think in the [start to fade] future I will need to be closer. Starting now, I will be doing weekly updates along with as-needed updates to allow for proper development...[fade out]
Eloise:
[typing sound]Hey, where are you in chem today? I didn't see you. [send]
[typing sound] I'll send you the notes over email. Class was easy, we just spent most of it reviewing…[fade]
Scene 2
Preston:
I have been following her for just over 2 weeks now. Her name is Eloise. She is a sophomore, some kind of science major I think. She takes a lot of science classes anyway. It doesn't even matter, there are more important things to think about. I'm not sure if she's noticed me yet. She hasn't reacted at all to seeing me appear in her classes, you think she would, you know? It’s kinda late to pick up 6 Stem courses...Currently, I’m sitting 1 row back and 10 seats to the left of her.
Sometimes, I see her looking over with concern, like my seat should be filled by someone else. I think I took the seat one of her friends used to sit in. I notice her texting when she sees me sitting here...probably messaging the person whose seat I took?
Chemistry survey is the class where I’ve gotten the closest to her. I think that I need to move forward in the other classes, and maybe in this one? I’m going to try and sit next to her. That seat has been empty all week...maybe longer. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone in it ever and it’s a 3 credit hour class.
Following her between classes has been a little tricky too, she goes everywhere with people. It’s usually the same two girls. Sometimes I see her friends look over and they look like through me, she looks right through me. It's like... she just…. it's like that bitch doesn't even see me?? Can't she tell she's ruining my thesis???? The nerve of some people.
[Tape off]
[Tape On] I heard her in class today and she said she's going downtown with some of her friends. I think tonight's the night that we're going to try following her to the bar. I'll update you when I’m there. [Tape off]
Eloise:
[typing sound] Hey are we going out tonight? Or is that tomorrow? I need to know so I know if I need to take my meds earlier in the day, ya know? Also, are we dressing up or like dressing UP ya know? [send]
[typing sound] Oh also what bars are we going to? I'm not going to dd tonight though, so let’s plan for that. [send]
Monica:
Vic said we are going to the Pub! I think it's a dress-up dress-up kinda night, break out the heels babe.
Scene 3
Preston:
[bar sounds] OK, can you hear me? Perfect! I am at the bar downtown. I have my eyes on Eloise and her friends. They’re at the table directly across from me. They've yet to notice me. I think that I need to move closer so I'm going to move up to the actual bar and see if that helps. They aren't even ordering drinks, they just fucken talk? It's starting to get really annoying that they spend all this time talking about how “this person did this” or “oh my god my boyfriend is so hot oh my god blah blah blah” [bar sounds-bar song]
It's about 1:00 a.m. now. {Eloise laughing distantly talking} We have been here for a few hours now and they haven't seemed to see me. The girl that sits next to her in her English class does keep glancing over though so perhaps they can feel my eyes on them. [song change to indicate time passing] It looks like they're getting ready to leave-- shit I wasn't prepared. It's fine, it's fine...ugh... I will just follow them now and I will come back and get all of my supplies. I can see her, [moving sounds, city ambiance] and it looks like they called an Uber. I'm not gonna be quick enough to be able to follow them home. THERE YES! Did you see that her friend pointed at me? They've seen me. This is so perfect. Now they know I'm here. (pause) She knows I'm here. [Tape off]
Monica:
Was there a guy checking us out last night? lol [send]
Eloise:
[typing sound] Monica do you know who that guy was? He was staring at you all night?? [send]
Monica:
[typing sound] I don’t know who he is, just a fucking townie I think?[send]
Eloise:
[typing sound] Actually, thinking about it, he's in the chem class Vic and I share. I wonder why he was staring at you. Do you have classes with him?[send]
Scene 4
Preston:
Week 3 update: she definitely knows that I'm around now. She started looking for me in classes. I can see it on her face. She looks uncomfortable when she notices me in a new seat near her. I found her favorite place to eat this week. The third time I went with her, she definitely noticed me. Her eyes went wide and she started breathing just a little faster. It's fascinating. I think that is the first time we got to see any real fear. Before now, it has almost seemed like an annoyance. She hasn't been out with her friends since last week, but I heard that they're planning to go downtown again this weekend. You know she sure talks loud in the cafeteria or when she is on the phone. I got a hold of some sugar pills off the internet last week, so I'm going to try and fake roofie her when we all go out on Saturday. Obviously, they won't hurt her but hopefully, she notices the pill floating in her drink. (thinks for a second) I find myself spending a lot of time thinking about this when I'm at home alone. [ambient noise for 3 sec Tape off]
[Later that night] I keep thinking about the way I can't wait to see her eyes become wide with fear. I can't wait to see the sweat drip down her face as she is running. Isn't it just beautiful the way fear can affect someone so deeply that we can see it on the outside? Anyway, I think that's it for the week 3 update until Saturday. I'm in all of her classes, I followed her downtown, and spent a long time with her in the library the other day, so we'll see. [Tape off]
It looks like I need to be a little more aggressive at the bar. I couldn't even get close to her drink. Maybe her friends were just watching out...maybe her friends noticed me? Do they know they're ruining my thesis? I don't think they get it. Don't any of them understand how important the work I'm doing is?? Don't they understand what it means? How badly we all need to know what it looks like when someone just breaks? When someone shatters? [Tape off]
Scene 5
Preston:
Week 4 update: I followed her to her apartment last week. She lives about a block away from downtown on the 3rd floor of this really old brick building. I followed her right up to her floor. Weird that this building doesn't have any locks on the windows...or on the front door of the building...and no deadlocks on the doors.. Nothing.
I think it will be really easy for me to start befriending her neighbors. One of them is a guy who tried to rush for my frat.. not last year, but the year before. He didn't make it but that was because of his grades, not him. The neighbor on the other side seems to be a (mockingly) "sweet old" woman. She waved at Eloise when I followed her home, but she also waved at me! It shouldn't be too hard...I'll just tell her I'm volunteering….. and that a local church has asked me to bring her groceries. That will be a good way to get into her house and then I'll be right next door to Eloise. [Tape off]
Week 5 update: It’s getting warmer now! Since it's still winter, the sun's going down pretty early, making it really easy to follow her home. I think she started to notice me again. She walks a little bit faster...she’s started carrying her keys in her hands instead of her purse. I wonder if she is as exhilarated as I am. I wonder if she feels like she's coming alive every time I follow her...off campus...along walnut...onto 4th street... down main...into her building…..(extended pause) Yesterday I got close, so close I could hear her breathe. You can hear it on the camera too. Short panicked, like an animal being hunted, like a tiny injured bird. It’s beautiful! She’s also changing the path she uses to walk home.
I wonder if she recognizes me yet?
Does she recognize my face? My footsteps..my breath on her soft neck... Could she tell it was me if I touched her? Would she know if I grabbed her hand on the street? Or does she just recognize a person following her….I want her to know it's me.
I wonder if she can hear my heart beating like hers? I wonder if she can hear the blood rushing to her ears the way I can? I wonder if she can hear my breathing like I hear hers? Her breathing gets so shaky and fast and shallow it's simply intoxicating. It's, it's fucking amazing! [Tape off]
Scene 6
Eloise:
[typing sound] Hey Monica, can I get notes from you? Vic said I could borrow hers for chem already.
[typing sound] I don’t know what’s wrong. I'm just super nauseous and have a super bad headache. If I didn't know better, I’d think I have the flu but it’s not flu season, it's only January.
[typing sound] I should be back in class by next week though [send]
Preston:
Eloise wasn't in her classes today. Where did she go. (cold then growing angry) Doesn't she know I need her to be here? (pause) It is so fucking selfish of her not to consider that? I bet she’s hiding from me. (Get more unhinged) she- she's just trying to ruin my thesis. (slightly distant like he's yelling away from the tape recorder) That bitch! Fucking fuck that bitch. (UP close to mic, fervent) she's doing it on purpose. You know..you know what? I'm going to her house today. (faster) There's a tree on the side of the apartment building. If I climb it, I bet I can see in her window. Later I can use the fire escape, but that can't be the first time. (forced calm) I have to hold back for now. I have to show some restraint. [Tape off]
I need to have tangible results before next week. I have a meeting with my advisor and I need to be able to show him some of the footage. It needs to contain something. I need to be able to see her fear on tape before then. [Tape off]
Scene 7
Eloise:
Hey vic! Could I spend the night? I know it sounds crazy but I think I saw someone on the fire escape and I'm like really freaking out?
Preston:
Thesis advisor meeting one: the date is February 14th, 2020. I am with my advisor, Professor Jones, reviewing my thesis concept and my use of the concept in acquiring footage thus far.
(Clear throat) Professor Jones, if I can have you turn your attention to the assembled footage I have for you. Additionally, this folder contains all of my documentation of contract, ethics paperwork, and plans so you can keep that for the files.
[faint sounds of both of them speaking as though playing off a computer] As you can see, I have footage from classes and in the dining hall. I have footage at a bar and maybe most spectacularly from outside her apartment door, and window. As you can see by watching the footage with her in it, she is not only aware of my presence, but she is beginning to fear it...um toward the end of this is a section [muffled tape sounds 5 sec no speaking] There! If you look here when I step out from behind that corner? And you see her jump? Yeah like that, yes yes that..that's perfect.
Here is some footage from when she last went out with her friends. This was at Finnagan's Pub downtown. As you can see the group seems aware in some capacity of my presence. You can see an almost creeping uneasiness the longer the night goes on.
OK now, this section is where stuff gets fun. This footage is taken from outside her window on the fire escape. As you can see, this is the newest footage, taken 2 days ago in the afternoon. She skipped class that day so I had to find out where she was. Right there...do you see it? Her face? She saw me I think. I think she saw me. She looked over to where I was and then she did that, do you see how she shifts in her seat, almost imperceptibly away? The sweat on her brows and the way her breathing picks up. It goes a little faster like she's panicking. That, that's what I'm after! She's starting to look around herself more when she's out on the streets too.
Professor Jones:
This footage is very interesting, I'm assuming you have the proper paperwork to back up your claims of participant safety, and consent?
Preston:
Yes of course she's agreed to this! As you can see in the document folder, she signed up for a film experiment! Per the terms, it is random and she is not informed of it. So yes, she signed the contract and everything.
Professor Jones:
[filler talk to fade out to] [Tape off]
Scene 8
Preston:
Week 6 update: I’m getting frustrated. I feel like I’m not making enough progress. I am following her every night, she sees me in her classes, I know she is scared of me. I know it! I can see her frantically texting when she sees me, like that would keep her safe. I think our next step needs to be escalating even further. I just don’t know if she realizes that I could do whatever I want to her. I am not sure how yet though... so more updates to come. [Tape off]
Eloise:
(on phone call) Maybe I should consider breaking my lease? I swear there's some wild animal or something living on my fire escape but every time I call the landlord he says he can't find anything. I am just really freaked out and kinda scared. I swear I think I saw someone… [muffled mom talk] I just, I think I'm being followed by a guy. I swear! I know, maybe he's just in my classes but I swear I've seen him downtown. I swear I've seen him with my neighbors!!
Scene 9
Preston:
Week 7 update: I think the next step is breaking into her home while she's there. I just think that's what has to happen now. You know, she's not scared of me like she was anymore. Her eyes just gloss over me in the crowd again because I haven't been escalating it properly. She’s gotten used to being followed. I'll update after I do it. I have to do it within the next week because spring break is coming and I can’t risk her leaving before I get enough footage. Go big or go home. I don't think that just being on her fire escape is enough..[Tape off]
I almost did it today. I had the hammer in my hand. I was ready to break the window but I just couldn't. Every time she saw my shadow fall past those panes of crystalline glass, she flinched and flew to another room. I could hear the door slam shut and lock. I just don’t know what’s stopping me. [turn off tape]
[on tape] I’m going to do it. It’s just past 11. I’m going to do it! [tape off]
[tape on] Why the fuck can’t I just do this? (get louder and more distraught) Why why why, this bitch she deserves this, she has this coming. (draw this out) So why can't you just do it? (faster) Why can’t I just break it and go in there!?
Fuck fuck fuck [heavy breathing] [glass-shattering sounds] [sharp scream followed by a slamming door-sounds to indicate him running away] Fuck fuck fuck (get happy and excited) I did it! Whoo I fucking did it! [sirens fading] [footsteps quieter] (more sinister) I'll do more to her next time. [sharp click of a recorder turning off]
Week 9 update, I have to push further than ever before. [Tape off]
Scene 10: Spring break
Eloise:
hey can I call? (Send)
I know its late (send)
I think that guy is following me again, I swear I just saw him (send)
I'm just really freaked out (send)
I'm getting in my car he is so close behind me I can hear him breathing I'm so scared (send)
Preston:
She’s calling someone.
Eloise:
(Phone call) come on Vic pick up please pick up….[slamming sound on window]
Preston:
Look at me you bitch. Look at me, I’m what you fucking fear. I'm here for you, you bitch.
Eloise:
[phone drop sound] (Eloise gets distant but still very audibly scared) (scream in surprise) [over phone] VIC PLEASE PICK UP, fuck fuck fuck… oh my god he’s going to break the window he has a knife fuck holy fuck please don’t please
Preston:
(angry yelling)
Eloise:
[sound of an engine revving, garbled audio from both Preston and Eloise probable swear heavy as she runs him over and hits a stop sign] oh my god Vic I hit him fuck I think he’s…[fade]
Preston:
(hurt, struggling) That bitch..fuck, (pain sounds) that bitch hit me, [cop and ambulance sounds] that fucking bitch…[incoherant mumbles as he is implied to be loaded on to a stretcher]
Outro
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