Un-fisico

Item #: SCP-3XXX

Object Class: Safe

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-3XXX is stored in a dedicated double-lock case in Site-21. The Ethics Committee has, as of 1/19/2022, placed a moratorium on any further playbacks.

Any powered electronic or analog system capable of playing back VCRs and DVDs can be used in conjunction with SCP-3XXX. However, Site-21 researchers have set aside one (1) Panasonic PV-V4250, one (1) Toshiba SD7300, one (1) DVD-VCR converter, and one (1) 4k Ultra-HD capable television monitor for exclusive use during playbacks.

Description: SCP-3XXX is a multimedia record, in either DVD or VHS format, within a corresponding case adorned with a standard cover. Precise chemical and atomic analysis of the case, disc, and cover art pigments has revealed no abnormalities. Anomalous properties only manifest when a human being solely, and knowingly, possesses SCP-3XXX: from that point onward they will be considered to be handling it.

Afterward, SCP-3XXX will radically shift in cover content, art, listed information, and in a few cases format. Handlers have invariably reported this process being almost unnoticeable to the touch, even in cases where the size of the outer case (or box) shifted.

Without exception, SCP-3XXX cover art and disc/tape art are of animated movies and episodes of television serials in a variety of ranges and art styles, often resembling but never matching existing ones. Descriptions, content warnings, running times, and other box notes are accurate and written in whatever language the handler is most familiar with. Even minor and obscure languages will be represented, with perfect observation of any grammar rules where such exist. The scenes, actions, and characters depicted are all representative of the footage that will appear should a playback be carried out with that handler.

Attempting to play back SCP-3XXX is only successful when one human handler retains sole possession of its DVD disc or VCR tape, throughout the process of inserting it into a multimedia player. Once inside, anyone can initiate a playback by selecting the DVD menu item, or pressing "Play" as appropriate.

211 milliseconds after a playback begins, the handler becomes unconscious. Brain scans at this time reveal a similarity to persistent vegetative state or coma. At no point during any playback has any handler been observed to recover.

Each playback presents a distinct animated film, or a series of episodes, ranging in length from 22 minutes to over 11 hours on one recorded occasion. The conventions employed in the media, such as openings, endings, and commercial transitions/'eyecatches', appear in SCP-3XXX playbacks as well. The opening and ending themes, as well as soundtracks, are entirely original songs credited to non-existent artists and composers.

The main character of the story taking place in playbacks is extremely similar to the handler. To the limits imposed by the setting, appearance, temperament, and major details of life history will be identical. Their interactions with other characters, scene composition, and cinematography parallel even minor events that occurred in the handler's life, and express emotions that have been empirically demonstrated to correlate with the handler's personality.

Within three milliseconds of end credits ceasing movement on-screen, the handler's nervous system instantly ceases all electrical activity.

The narratives that have been observed during SCP-3XXX playbacks are extremely diverse. Nearly all of the major genres that are represented on television and film appear, and on occasion playbacks can become akin to experimental art. Production quality varies, but tends to be very high.

During a playback, any scrubbing or buffering manipulation functions on devices will temporarily cease to function. While it is possible to record playbacks, attempting to produce a copy before one has commenced will only create static or unreadable, corrupt data.

Discovery: SCP-3XXX was initially recovered on 5/25/2021 after MTF Omicron-101 "Threefold Law" carried out a raid on suspected anartist elements in Paradise, Nevada. Over the past week, Foundation intelligence networks in the southwestern US became aware that a large-scale working would be performed imminently.

After a six-day period of investigation, the location was narrowed down to somewhere in Las Vegas. With time running short, Model 9 low-visibility drones were launched into the airspace above the city. Thaumaturgical sensors immediately pointed to an abandoned storefront property in Paradise. Their readings suggested the working was of such high energy as to threaten human life and the Veil.

Thus, the decision was made to scramble Omicron-101 from Site-21. Elements of the MTF gained access to the storefront, immediately discovering SCP-3XXX and the two individuals. One, an elderly Caucasian male, was shot in the aorta as he tried to complete the working. The second fled the scene by apporting into the Las Vegas Strip. Omicron-101 initiated pursuit, but were unable to apprehend him before he fled the city.

The second individual, since designated PoI-3XXX, is a White Hispanic male, apparent age in the twenties; capture is a research priority. The few details of his description available have been publicized within many anomalous circles in the United States, but no sighting has been reported as of 4/30/2022. Passive surveillance efforts continue.

After abandoning pursuit, Omicron-101 returned to Site-21 with SCP-3XXX. Several days after registration into the database, its description was first detailed after Researcher Reeves began a playback in ignorance of said properties. (Further details in Addenda.) Afterward, researchers established containment protocols, restricting handling and playbacks to D-Class personnel.