Item #: SCP-XXXX
Object Class: Keter
Special Containment Procedures: Instances of SCP-XXXX are to be recorded on standard 4.7 gigabyte DVD-RW discs, stored in Foundation archival media storage cases. Original media is to be placed in permanent storage. During testing, discs containing SCP-XXXX instances are to be played through devices known not to possess write capability.
Due to objections raised during Site 11's weekly Ethics Liaison meeting, tests which involve initial viewing of SCP-XXXX, including following any instructions given by SCP-XXXX, will require submission of a complete testing plan to the Ethics Committee Outreach Department.
Description: SCP-XXXX is a loosely-related series of video courses on the subject of couples' sex therapy, and was first brought to the Foundation's attention in 6/27/199█ after an anomalous VHS tape was cited as evidence by the defense in a murder trial.
Instances of SCP-XXXX are thought to materialize spontaneously on retail store shelves near a subject between 18 and [REDACTED] years old, who invariably is having difficulty with intimacy in a long-term relationship. In 8█% of cases, the subject will purchase the DVD immediately, and it will scan at point of sale as if it were another, non-anomalous video available at the location; otherwise, the DVD will dematerialize once the subject moves on. In cases where the subject later changes their mind, the DVD will not appear again.
Though the set design, video title, and production quality of the instances vary, they are always on the same subject, and always hosted by one Dr. Jefferey Mendelsohn, supposedly a faculty member of Ohio State University. Most videos begin with Dr. Mendelsohn introducing himself and explaining what the video will achieve for the viewer, and include an admonition to watch the video with their romantic partner. Though his diction is initially crisp and understandable, his phrasing is often strange or nonsensical. During the course of the viewing, Dr. Mendelsohn displays awareness of the viewer and their actions, pausing narration while the subject follows instructions, or [DATA EXPUNGED]. As the video goes on, Dr. Mendelsohn's professionalism decreases, and his suggestions become less therapeutic in nature, until they become malicious, injurious, and eventually lethal.
Once the first playback of the DVD concludes, its contents are fixed,
In nearly all cases, instructions from Dr. Mendelsohn to the subject or partner during the initial viewing are followed without question.
Transcript of Instance XXXX/6/27/199█/01, 2nd Transcode
As with all contained post-viewing instances, SCP-XXXX includes Dr. Mendelsohn's performance, but no information about the subjects except Mendelsohn's own commentary.
//The set is clean and well lit, although the therapist's chair and half-desk Mendelsohn uses are visibly cheaply constructed, and the check pattern of Mendelsohn's suit creates garish visual banding due to the VHS tape's low resolution.
Dr. Mendelsohn: Hello, and welcome to "Expressive Together", a comprehensive guide to the universe of pleasure and trust within yourselves. I'm your host, Dr. Jefferey Mendelsohn, Ph.D, intimacy expert to stars like C███████ F█████████ and T██ T█████. We'll get down to business soon – ha, or you will! – but first, a thought, from beyond the here and now.
Dr. Mendelsohn: We all build walls around ourselves. They are for our protection, yes, but sometimes they stop the person who loves us most from getting inside, them, you stopping them from hurting the emotional threads that keep us together.
//Mendelsohn takes a pen and notebook from the desk and crosses his legs, drawing as he talks.
Dr. Mendelsohn: I want you go go ahead and get Linda. Go ahead, I'll wait. She'll be happy to know that we're taking this journey of healing and togetherness, together.
Nearly 45 minutes pass. Mendelsohn checks his watch at several points. After 20 minutes he stops drawing, looks at the camera in irritation, and seems to think better of saying something.
Dr. Mendelsohn: Welcome back. Rob, Linda, welcome. Linda, you should know that you're very special to Robert, and your ██████ is too. I just know that you're going to learn so much about each other today. What makes you tick.
Dr. Mendelsohn: Rob, tell Linda what you want. Tell her every detail. Linda, keep an open mind.
Dr. Mendelsohn: Linda, I think you could be more open minded.
Dr. Mendelsohn: I think it took a lot of courage to admit that. I don't even think that's legal. I'm joking.
Mendelsohn smiles.
Dr. Mendelsohn: An important part of intimacy is understanding. You understand each other, but you also understand what they want. They want to see. She wants you to respect her time. She wants you to respect her body. She wants you to watch this video watching her. You should tell her what it wants.
Dr. Mendelsohn: Kiss him. Explore each other, but remember, there's no hurry. There is all the time in the world together. There is nothing forbidden. There are insides which do not belong there, but you can find it together.
Dr. Mendelsohn: Now I'll leave you two kids to it. Act like I'm not even here. Go on.
Dr. Mendelsohn: You don't need to be ashamed of your bodies. Be true to each other. Be naked. Be honest.
Dr. Mendelsohn: Did you like that, Linda?
Dr. Mendelsohn: They're in the drawer by the sink downstairs.
Mendelsohn exhales slowly.
Dr. Mendelsohn: They're very sharp, aren't they.
Dr. Mendelsohn: [Swallows noisily] Mmn.
Dr. Mendelsohn: Hold him close. Do not let the world in. Your heart is an oasis in a desert of flesh. Let him cross the desert and see it. Touch it.
Dr. Mendelsohn: You have never been more beautiful to him. Rob, tell her. Ask her permission.
Dr. Mendelsohn: You understand each other like few do. Listen to her heartbeat. Touch her. Have you ever held it so close? It feels so perfect because you love each other so much.
Dr. Mendelsohn: [DATA EXPUNGED]
Item #: SCP-XXXX
Object Class: Euclid
Special Containment Procedures: The grounds of SCP-XXXX, as well as a roughly circular area █ kilometers around it, have been designated Provisional Area 188. MTF Eta-10 ("See No Evil") is tasked with providing operational security, as well as carrying out the specific procedures outlined in this document.
A perimeter with a diameter of █ meters must be established around SCP-XXXX at all times, with personnel stationed periodically along that perimeter, with no MTF member in visual range of less than two (2) other members. Personnel are to be armed, and are instructed to use lethal force to prevent unauthorized contact with SCP-XXXX.
At midnight on the last day of each Julian calendar month, a MTF member with demonstrated, absolute loyalty to the Foundation and a current psychic resistance certification above 00/WHITELAKE must enter the perimeter, approach SCP-XXXX, and perform Procedure XXXX-TEMPTING-YOKE. Upon completion of the procedure, the performer must be returned to Site 77 for processing, before reassignment to a different anomaly for at least six (6) months.
Any supplicant who approaches closer than one meter from the edge of SCP-XXXX, or attempts to lift or dig through the tiles, is to be shot.
No individual may act as supplicant in more than two implementations (2) XXXX-TEMPTING-YOKE over the course of their life.
In addition, an initiative by Foundation operatives to provide a layer of passive security by enhancing pre-existing folklore has been implemented in the procedure classified IN-XXXX-BLACK-TEMPLE.
*Description:*
SCP-XXXX is the interior courtyard of an anachronistic, but otherwise non-anomalous, temple in ████████████, some ██ from the nearest village, near the east-most point of the former Yugoslavian state. The temple is an example of hellenistic architecture, but with decorative elements common to pre-Columbian construction. No record of a temple exists at this location, though a priory apparently operated there intermittently in the 1680s.
The courtyard is overgrown, choked by numerous species of flora.
The sunken center of the courtyard is covered with an irregular, broken surface of wooden floorboards. Individuals within five meters of the center report a nauseating, putrid odor of decaying plant and animal matter. Individuals within four meters are aware of an intensifying odor, but disgust is moderated by SCP-XXXX's compulsive effect.
Item #: SCP-XXXX
Object Class: Keter
A civilian photograph unwittingly capturing SCP-XXXX, taken on 7/26/2011 prior to a well-publicized abduction.
Special Containment Procedures:
Foundation operatives encountering SCP-XXXX are to refrain from displaying or invoking authority at all times, particularly over civilians. In the event that SCP-XXXX speaks to a Foundation operative, that operative is to be immediately sedated by any means necessary.
Language barring SCP-XXXX from legal entry has been clandestinely inserted into the charters of all hospitals, schools, and national parks in the midwestern United States. Efforts to append similar language to the rules of private schools, daycares, summer camps, and activity centers are ongoing. Since current containment protocols were implemented on 9/01/2000, manifestation frequency has decreased by 87%.
Description: SCP-XXXX is a humanoid resembling an aged male of indeterminate race, with pitted, wrinkled skin, a deep tan, and wavy, thinning hair. SCP-XXXX is capable of manifesting near any human experiencing extreme anxiety or dread while on public property; it has never been observed manifesting on private property, or anywhere that an average citizen would not have the right to appear.
At the time of materialization SCP-XXXX will select a target, hereafter referred to as SCP-XXXX-A. SCP-XXXX-A is invariably a living being which does not possess legal control or responsibility for themselves, and has included children, the mentally ill or intellectually disabled, animals, and (rarely due to SCP-XXXX's inability to enter non-public areas) prisoners.
Any individual present with legal authority over SCP-XXXX-A will be subject to SCP-XXXX's mind-altering effect, and will believe that SCP-XXXX possesses full legal responsibility and control over SCP-XXXX-A for the duration of the manifestation.
Transcript of home video footage recovered from M████ R██████ Regional Hospital on 09/13/1992. Events involve the Keyes family, who are in the hospital with the patriarch, Michael Keyes, Sr., who is in his final illness. The camcorder is placed on a side-table facing the bed.
Michael Keyes, Jr.: You alright, Dad?
[Keyes, Sr. breathes with difficulty. His hand tightens on his son's, but makes no other response. Keyes, Jr. takes a steadying breath.]
Michael Jr.: I'll… I'll bring the kids in. To say goodbye for now. Hold on for a minute longer, Pop.
[The younger Keyes stands, covers his face with his hands, and breathes shakily. Regaining composure, he walks out of frame and the room's door opens audibly.]
Michael Jr.: We're ready. Can we get-
The orderly outside the room replies, unintelligible on the camcorder tape.
Michael Jr.: I don't understand. Who-?
[The orderly repeats herself, voice raising as she becomes more insistent.]
Orderly: -very clear. He is the next of kin. Please step away from the room.
Michael Jr.: Absolutely not. These are my father's last moments. Who is this guy? I've never seen him before in my life.
Orderly: Please step away from the room, Mr. Keyes. This isn't your decision. Security will escort you out.
[Michael Keyes, Jr. bellows as he is removed from the premises. As his voice becomes more distant, footsteps are audible at the door and SCP-XXXX enters the room.]
[SCP-XXXX closes and locks the door, crossing the room to stand at Michael Keyes, Sr.'s bedside. Keyes, Sr.'s eyes open and fix upon SCP-XXXX, and the old man's breathing quickens briefly, becoming more and more irregular. SCP-XXXX reaches toward him, but stops upon noticing the camera.]
SCP-XXXX: No, that won't do.
[SCP-XXXX turns the camera to face the wall. The mattress squeaks.]
[Michael Keyes, Sr. groans quietly, and within fifteen minutes has ceased respiration. For the remainder of the tape, only SCP-XXXX's breathing can be heard. When hospital staff re-enter the room at 3PM, Michael Keyes, Sr. has expired, and SCP-XXXX is no longer present.]
Transcript of security footage recovered from ███████████ Veterinary Hospital on 05/22/1994. Individuals in the tape are Mark Tyler, Ashley Tyler, and veterinarian Charles DeGalt, VMD.
Ashley: Will Sassy be okay?
Mark: She's going to be fine. It's just a hairball or something.
Dr. DeGalt: Yes, it looks that way. I need to check the abdomen for growths before we're sure, but she'll be done soon.
[SCP-XXXX enters from the hall, unnoticed by the human occupants of the room. The cat recoils.]
SCP-XXXX: Doctor, I think the cat has suffered enough.
Dr. DeGalt: What? We're almost done here.
SCP-XXXX: We'd like to put Sassy down.
[Ashley reacts with great alarm. Dr. DeGalt and Mr. Tyler appear nonplussed.]
Ashley: No! Sassy's fine!
Dr. DeGalt: Are you sure? The cat really does appear to be fine. It's almost certainly something we can fix with a petroleum gel supplem-
SCP-XXXX: I am putting the cat down, Doctor. I have made up my mind.
Dr. DeGalt: Alright, I'll… take care of it. Time to say goodbye, everyone.
Ashley: No! Not my cat! She's fine! It's just a stupid hairball!
Mark: I'm sorry, sweetie. It's for the best.
Ashley: No! Please! Please, stop it, I swear I'll do anything! Don't take away my cat!
Dr. DeGalt: Please, dear, your family knows best. I-
Ashley: He's not my family! Daddy, tell him! I don't know who he is!
Mark: Now, that's enough, Ash. Dr. DeGalt, I think I need to take her outside. Can you take care of things here?
Dr. DeGalt: Of course. My condolences to you all.
The Tyler family's cat is euthanized nine minutes later at 9:43 AM, after which point SCP-XXXX leaves the building in possession of the cat's remains. In police interviews acquired after Foundation operatives discovered the case in 1995, Dr. DeGalt recalls that a "friend of Mr. Tyler's" demanded the euthanasia be performed, while Mr. Tyler's recollection was that the veterinarian recommended the procedure.
Transcript of video-only security feed outside Douglas Barnes Elementary School in West Shelby, Louisiana, on 02/19/1996.
[Katie Aardman, 9, stands outside the school. She sways from side to side, apparently very upset. According to the timestamp on the recording, classes had ended approximately 23 minutes prior. Wayne DeKamp, a security guard for the school, makes intermittent conversation with her, appearing to tell jokes. Aardman does not smile.]
[SCP-XXXX walks into frame, approaching Aardman. Aardman shrinks from SCP-XXXX, but the security guard does not immediately notice.]
[SCP-XXXX reaches toward Aardman, who takes a step behind DeKamp. DeKamp raises his hands, attempting to interpose between SCP-XXXX and Aardman.]
[SCP-XXXX's shoulders relax, and it adopts a conciliatory posture. DeKamp looks from SCP-XXXX to Aardman and back as SCP-XXXX talks.]
[Aardman shakes her head, cowering behind DeKamp.]
[DeKamp nods, and pats Aardman on the head. Aardman begins to cry, but allows SCP-XXXX to take her by the hand.]
[DeKamp watches passively as SCP-XXXX leads Aardman out of frame.]
[Four minutes later, Jenna Aardman walks into frame, searching the front of the school, apparently only modestly concerned. Eventually, she speaks with DeKamp.]
[DeKamp nods, and points out of frame. Jenna Aardman, visibly disquieted, appears to seek clarification.]
[Visiby frightened, Aardman runs out of frame, appearing to scream her daughter's name.]
Jenna Aardman was unable to locate SCP-XXXX or her daughter, and notified local law enforcement. After a thorough search of the area, including review of security tapes for all nearby homes and businesses, neither SCP-XXXX nor Katie Aardman can be seen leaving the area. Wayne DeKamp is convicted on charges of criminal negligence and fired from the school.
Due to the lack of outwardly anomalous phenomena in this case, amnestic treatment is determined to be unnecessary. As of 8/1/2018, no trace of Katie Aardman has ever been found.
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