Backlot 2: Rise of the Tropes, Resurrection

Item #: SCP-4652	Level 2/4652
Object Class: Safe Euclid	Classified

SCP-4652.

Special Containment Procedures: A high-security fence has been constructed around SCP-4652 under the guise of ongoing construction. The perimeter of SCP-4652 must be patrolled daily.

The interior of SCP-4652 is to be monitored by a closed-circuit security network.¹ The interior of SCP-4652 must be patrolled twice per week by approved security staff. External communication or video recording/broadcasting while inside SCP-4652 is forbidden.

All personnel assigned to SCP-4652 must pass a monthly "Lodeman Exam" with a 90% success rate.² Failure shall result in re-assignment. Anyone who has come into contact with SCP-4652 must undergo a full psychological evaluation before being released back into the general population. For those assigned to SCP-4652, these evaluations must be carried out on a monthly basis.

Access to SCP-4652 is forbidden outside of approved testing.

Description: SCP-4652 is an abandoned film studio “backlot” building located in the suburbs of Benton, Arkansas. The building measures 6093m2, and is composed of aluminum sheeting, concrete, insulation, and steel rebar. SCP-4652 is theoretically destructible, as proven by its partial demolition in 1984, but all attempts to fully demolish SCP-4652 by past owners have been hampered by it’s anomalous nature.

SCP-4652's interior space alters the laws of physics, probability, and biochemistry so they conform to "movie logic". The actual effects of SCP-4652 are numerous, and not fully documented, but are somewhat predictable based on tropes and cliche found in popular media.

While inside SCP-4652, test subjects have described a "dream like" state where unusual behavior/occurrences are perceived as normal. Testing has revealed that a understanding the nature of SCP-4652, coupled with a broad knowledge of pop culture tropes increases resistance to it's psychological effects. Those with a background in media studies, media production, or media criticism appear the most resistant. Adversely, those prone to immersion, daydreaming, and self-insert fantasy are more susceptible to SCP-4652. Ongoing therapy, and the use of amnestics has proven partially successful in counter-acting these effects.

Addendum SCP-4652-A

From the desk of Dr. Howard Lodeman, Senior Researcher on SCP-4652

Since its acquisition in October of last year, SCP-4652 has claimed the lives of four Foundation personnel. I mean no disrespect to his memory, but Researcher Govinden might still be with us had he known the consequences of saying aloud "what's the worst that could happen?"

As of now, all personnel assigned to SCP-4562 must complete a bi-monthly exam on general-knowledge popular media. The Foundation will also be reaching out to new institutions to recruit Film and Media Studies graduates who are currently unemployed. We don’t expect the search will be difficult.

> TEST LOG <

All tests are performed inside SCP-4652 under laboratory standards. Full laboratory conditions have proven impossible to create, despite adequate space. Any “laboratory” like construction inside SCP-4652 has invariably resulted in the creation of non-periodic elements, toxic or radioactive exposure, or the unintended imbuing of abnormal abilities on research staff.³

SCP-4652-T1
TEST LEAD(S)	Dr. Rutherford
SUBJECT(S)	Dr. Rutherford
OBJECT(S)	One (1) braided leather Bullwhip.
PARAMETERS	Using the bullwhip, Dr. Rutherford strikes a hanging strut inside SCP-4652.
RESULTS	The bullwhip coils perfectly around the strut, making an irregularly strong, stable hold that can support a full man’s weight. When used to swing across a set distance, the whip perfectly unravels.

SCP-4652-T2
TEST LEAD(S)	Dr. Rutherford
SUBJECT(S)	D-4981, D-4584
OBJECT(S)	None.
PARAMETERS	D-4981 is instructed to punch D-4584 across the face.
RESULTS	D-4981 punches D-4584 across the face. D-4584 appears dazed and mute for roughly 1.5 seconds before crumpling to the ground. EKG and EEG readings remain stable. Despite this, D-4584 remains “unconscious” for 30 minutes, coinciding with D-4981 being dismissed from testing.
ADDENDUM	This test has been repeated 5 times with 10 different D-class personnel. Results are identical, with only time spent “unconscious” varying. When the “Attacker” is given a task to complete, say pushing a button, and the “Defender” is charged with preventing the completion of that task, invariably the “Defender”, once struck, remains unconscious for the exact duration needed for the “Attacker” to complete the task, and safely leave the area.

SCP-4652-T3
TEST LEAD(S)	Dr. Torrez
SUBJECT(S)	Level 2 Researcher Leonard Kowalski
OBJECT(S)	One (1) Wide brimmed sunhat, One (1) pair of black sunglasses, One (1) blue scarf.
PARAMETERS	Researcher Kowalski is instructed to don a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and a scarf.
RESULTS	Researcher Kowalski, wearing a standard white lab coat and slacks, is presented to 4 members of the research staff. Kowalski then enters a secondary chamber, where he dons a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and a scarf. Upon re-entering the first chamber, all 4 staff members seem unaware of Researcher Kowalski’s presence, still waiting patiently for him to exit the second chamber. Researcher Kowalski then deliberately attracts their attention. Once alerted, no members of staff are able to discern Researcher Kowalski's identity. Only after 3 minutes of intense scrutiny does one member of staff exclaim “Wait, is that Leo!?”

SCP-4652-T1
TEST LEAD(S)	Dr. Torrez
SUBJECT(S)	Level 2 Researcher Megan Harris
OBJECT(S)	One (1) hair elastic. One (1) pair of prescription glasses.
PARAMETERS	Researcher Harris is instructed to remove her glasses and remove any elastics or clips from her hair.
RESULTS	Researcher Harris removes her glasses and one purple “scrunchie” elastic before shaking out her hair. Directly following, the lighting inside SCP-4652 dims by 23%. Researcher Harris eyes, cheek bones, and lips appear more pronounced, and take on a richer hue. Researcher Harris skin seems to become more clear, while her hair, which she admitted had not been washed in two days, takes on a thick, wavy volume. All present research staff and security staff appear entranced by Researcher Harris. Replacing the glasses and hair elastic has no effect in reversing this allure. Dr. West, Sr. Researcher who had been observing remotely from site-██ traveled to SCP-4652, and entered the testing area unauthorized. He proceeded to profess his adoration for Researcher Harris, claiming “It’s you. It’s always been you!” It should be noted Dr. West has been happily married for over 23 years.
ADDENDUM	Dr. West is currently in ongoing psychological counselling.
ADDENDUM	Dr. West has been reprimanded for sending "love letters" to Researcher Harris through the Foundation intranet.
ADDENDUM	Dr. West's security clearance has been revoked after using the Foundation database to access secure personal information, travel to Researcher Harris residence, and play "Africa" by Toto by her bedroom window.
ADDENDUM	Dr. West is restricted to the site-██ psychiatric ward, and will only continue his work for the Foundation under direct supervision after attempting to sabotage Researcher Harris' wedding.

> LEVEL 3 SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIRED - PLEASE ENTER YOUR ID AND CREDENTIALS <

> CREDENTIALS ACCEPTED <

ADDENDUM: Three months after it's classification upgrade, Dr. Amelia Torrez attempted to "weaponize" SCP-4652. If this act was self-motivated, or a result of their exposure to SCP-4652 is still unknown.

Agent Vihan Batra, a long-time colleague of Dr. Torrez, was sent a falsified transfer order citing a "staffing shortage" and "increased security needs" on SCP-4652. At the time, Agent Batra was the head of MTF-Delta-M "Whackin' Day", a task force primarily focused on routing the activities of the GOI The Serpents Hand.

Upon arrival, Agent Batra performed two exterior patrols, and one interior sweep. He then retired to a "break room" Dr. Torrez had set up inside SCP-4652, consisting of a couch, and a television set with local cable access.

Half-way through his bagged lunch, Agent Batra turned on the television set. The broadcast was mid-way through a mundane news report on the local Cub Scout group when a ████ ██████, a known POI affiliate of the Serpents Hand walked in, and out of frame. This POI was then observed entering a derelict house. Agent Batra contacted the other members of MTF-Delta-M "Whackin' Day" for an unauthorized extraction OP.

██████ was retrieved, and brought back to SCP-4652 for interrogation. ██████ at one point managed to disarm Agent Batra, and critically incapacitate MTF-Delta-M-2 and MTF-Delta-M-5. At gunpoint, Agent Batra asked ██████ to give up information on the Serpents Hand. Specifically, Agent Batra claimed "You're going to kill me anyway, what's the harm?"

██████ proceeded to give elaborate details on his role within the organization, their current plans in the greater United States, and his personal affiliation with the "Black Queen". During this lengthy exposition, Agent Batra disarmed ██████ in turn. MTF-Delta-M-2 and MTF-Delta-M-5 were unharmed, even superficially, despite the heavy bruising that would usually result from being shot in a Kevlar-covered area of the body.

Roughly an hour after the interrogation of ████ ██████, SCP-4652 was attacked by a heavily armed Serpents Hand “breach-team”. MTF-Delta-M "Wackin' Day" exchanged fire with the breach-team for 20 minutes before calling for Foundation back-up.

During this exchange, 8 members of the Serpents Hand were killed, along with MTF-Delta-M-2 and 4.

Upon the arrival of Foundation forces, the remaining breach-team assailants retreated while extracting ████ ██████.

Agent Batra pursued and was subsequently caught in a secondary gunfight near the south-east exit of SCP-4652. Before exiting the perimeter, ████ ██████ attempted one last time to shoot Agent Batra.

At the same time, Dr. Torrez leaped in the way of the bullet, saving Agent Batra’s life. It should be noted that, had this occurred anywhere but within SCP-4652, leaping in the way of a bullet would very likely not have worked.

SCP-4652 south-east exit

████ ██████ and two other members of the Serpents Hand fled the area in an unmarked vehicle. Agent Batra, loudly and passionately calling for the medical team, cradled Dr. Torrez in his arms. No less than 20 seconds before doctors arrived, Dr. Torrez expired due to blood loss.

Agent Batra is currently remanded to the site-██ psychiatric ward, having developed an obsessive preoccupation with apprehending members of the Serpents Hand, especially ████ ██████.

ADDENDUM The 05 Council has decided, at a vote of 7-5 against, one abstaining, that Dr. Torrez will been post-humorously awarded the Foundation Medal of Bravery.

It has also been noted, for future testing, that no Foundation personnel may enter SCP-4652 if they are within 1 month of retirement.

SCP Sandbox III

Sandbox III: Revenge of the Sandbox