SCP Draft - Working title: Truthpen

SCP-XXXX

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Euclid

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-XXXX is to be kept in a passcode-protected laboratory room within an anaerobic glove box.

SCP-XXXX must never be handled with bare skin. When in the vicinity of SCP-XXXX, personnel must always wear full-body hazardous material protection gear as defined in Protocol HM-XXXX.

Despite the adverse [REDACTED] effects attributed to SCP-XXXX, no psychological screening for personnel is required prior to assignment at this time, as there is no evidence of correlation to [REDACTED].

Description: SCP-XXXX appears at first look to be a standard ballpoint pen with blue ink. Branding and composition are consistent with a commercial Uni-ball Rollerball Micro Point 0.5mm pen.

SCP-XXXX is inanimate and non-aggressive, and was classified as "Safe" until [REDACTED], otherwise known as Incident-XXXX-2. The initial 2 incidents evaluated together led researchers to no longer regard [REDACTED] as coincidence [see Addendum-XXXX-a and Addendum-XXXX-b].

L3 clearance eyes-only beyond this point.

+ Addendum-XXXX-a:

The below is the transcription of an audio journal¹ retrieved during evidence collection from Dr. ██████’s office following her death:

<BEGIN LOG>
—

██/██/███ - this is Dr. ████████ ██████ beginning empirical log of incidents involving SCP-XXXX and other relevant observations. I received the specimen today at 2:18pm and have been keeping it under tight observation.

Frankly, I feel a bit ridiculous observing a pen, and I’m almost suspicious that this is some sort of joke. All Dr. ██████ did was give me the pen and say “it’s harmless and it’s not going anywhere. Just keep an eye on it and wait for our instructions.” So… by his own description, it’s a harmless pen with no risk of breaching containment. Best. Assignment. Ever.

—

██/██/███ - I have an update regarding SCP-XXXX! Dr. ██████ has just informed me of the anomalous nature of the “dreaded” pen. According to him, when using this pen, the subject can “only write the truth.”

He said the pen was brought to the Foundation’s attention when one of our FBI plants, Agent █████, attempted a cover-up for SCP-███’s case, using the pen as the means to complete related paperwork.

Every time he tried to lie on paper, the words came out wrong. Not only wrong, but detailed accounts of [REDACTED], completely exposing what he was specifically trying to hide and leaving the Foundation vulnerable to discovery.

It’s a good thing █████ proofread before he submitted his paperwork. He had to redo his entire report, but was able to get the thing to us within an hour, mitigating any remaining risk of exposure due to this bizarre truth-pen.

—

██/██/███ - Now that I know the anomalous nature of the thing, it’s become a much more interesting assignment - even fun! I’ve been closing my eyes and writing statements that are irrefutably false, like “the sky is green” or “Nickelback is the greatest band ever.” When I look down I see my handwriting, but the wording has been altered to reflect the truth.

The scientist in me sees the potential in this seemingly relatively mundane object… we could use it to learn more about the other specimens in Foundation custody!

We could write “SCP-███ is containable by locking it in a cage” and see what the “true” version of that sentence is! The implications are boundless!

I’m too excited with anticipation of this huge advancement! I’m going straight to the O5s with this. Will report back!

—

Well, my excitement was short-lived. As soon as I left the lab to share my ideas for useage of SCP-XXXX, I ran into Dr. Gillon who informed me that our FBI plant, Agent ███, was just found dead in his home. He’s committed suicide.

According to Gillon, Agent ███ left immediately for home after delivering the specimen to us. He went straight to his wife and admitted that he’s been having an affair with her sister for the past 6 years! She sat crying in their living room for about 20 minutes before hearing a gunshot.

She ran into her husband’s room and found him dead with a gunshot wound to the head.

My guess is this had been eating away at him for a long time, and today’s near-exposure of the Foundation by his own hand must have tipped him over the edge.

I still want to pursue a discussion with O5-█ regarding the groundbreaking nature of this specimen, but my excitement has dwindled since losing one of our men.

—

██/██/███ - I just heard an update regarding the late Agent ███ …next to his body laid what would normally be described as a suicide note, but its only contents were a collection of confessions to what looked like every lie he’s ever told. Talk about a guilty conscience.

Other than the necessary secrecy required by the Foundation, I have a strong distaste for dishonesty. It’s been ingrained in me since childhood. I even have a hard time talking to my kid about Santa Claus during Christmas time.

I can’t imagine the guilt Agent ███ was feeling, or how many lies he must have told that he chose petty confessions as the sole theme of his suicide note.

—

How… could…. I…

My own flesh and blood. My daughter. She trusts me wholeheartedly and I betrayed her! What kind of mother…

I need to call CPS on myself. I’ll have to resign.

I need to see her NOW. I need to tell her the truth.

I can’t - I can’t wait… I won’t make it home in time. She needs to know NOW! I need to call her. HELP! SOMEONE PLEASE GET ME A….

<END LOG>

+ Addendum-XXXX-b:

The following is a transcription of the audio from the security cameras wired to Dr. ██████’s office:

(sounds of a struggle; inaudible mumbling and crying with occasional screams)

GUARD: Dr. ██████, you appear to be having a nervous breakdown. We want to enter the lab to help you, but you need to put down your weapon. We see you through the cameras, we know you took out your firearm. You know that is for emergency defense situations onl-

Dr. ██████: SHUT UP JUST SHUT YOUR FUCKING MOUTH! This is DEFENSE! I am DEFENDING the WORLD from my own heinous nature! (erratic breathing and sobbing)

(a single gunshot is fired into the camera. Video feed is lost but audio remains intact)

GUARD: I know you, Dr. ██████! What “heinous nature?” That’s just ludicious. You’re sharp as a tack, a well-respected member of the foundation, and above all else, you’re a terrific mother-

Dr. ██████: NO! That’s just it! You don’t understand what I’ve done! You’re right, I’ll put away my firearm - I don’t even deserve the swift mercy of a pistol.

GUARD: Well, whatever it is I am sure it’s not as bad as you’re making it out to be. At least we’re making progress. As soon as you’ve finished putting away your weapon, open the door and I will come help you. Just say the word.

(several seconds of silence)

GUARD: Dr. ██████? ████████? Are you alright?

(silence)

GUARD: Alright, Dr. ██████, you’ve given me no choice. We’re breaking in on 3. 2…1….

—

After entering the room, the body of Dr. ████████ ██████ was found lifeless in the corner. SCP-XXXX was jammed through her eye into her brain, only about 3 centimeters remained visible. Two words were repeatedly carved throughout her entire body: "Santa Claus."

Autopsy revealed the carvings contained traces of blue ink.

Footnotes

1. Dr. ██████ was known to take notes via her personal tape recorder (logged in evidence as E-XXXX-1)