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[Tape# 21156]
[D45]
Monsieur Boynton. Monsieur Boynton. You need to wake up now. We need to continue our conversation.
[Subject 3253]
Oh please. God please. Let me die. I can’t face the water again.
[D45]
No. Not water this time, Mr. Boynton. We don’t have time for such pleasantries.
Electric crackling noise.
[Subject 3253]
Aiighhhhhhhhh
[Subject 3253]
Arrrghhhh. Oh god noooooooooooo.
78 seconds of silence.
[D45]
Mr. Boynton. You need to wake up now Mr. Boynton.
[Subject 3253]
Oh god please. I’ll tell you but please just know that what I’m going to tell you is the truth. I have nothing left. I can’t even begin to think of lying. You have won just please let me tell you what I saw and then just let me die.
[D45]
I’m waiting.
[Subject 3253]
He first appeared over a year ago. He made contact through a bartender at the La Newbarium. Three of our operatives tailed him for a while in the bar. We joked that they were the Alky Trio since they enjoyed their assignment so much. They were the one’s who came and told me that he was a real monkey. He was discreet. Sat quietly in the corner and I’m sure most of the patrons thought he was an act or something. But after four nights of surveillance he ambushed my three men – put two in the hospital and told the third that he would meet me or there would be bloodshed.
[D45]
A real monkey. Is that your story? Do I need to have my friend bring his machine back in?
[Subject 3253]
This is why I hesitated, is it not? I knew you would not believe and that you would inflict more punishment. But I have nothing left. I can only tell you what happened. You will decide but my hands are clean.
[D45]
OK. We’ve heard reports but let me get this straight. This is a small person who is hairy? Or someone wearing a costume? Or some code name?
[Subject 3253]
Oh if it were so I would feel better and if only the rest had not happened. But, no. He is not a codename, he is a real monkey. Red hair, long tail, and hateful glowing eyes. He is as real as you or I, though I think perhaps even crueler than you.
[D45]
Spare me the editorial comments and get back to the story.
[Subject 3253]
It is like this: a little over one year ago he arrived in our small town looking for the Bunker, this is what we call our little operation in the cliffs of Eze sur mer. He wanted to store some things he had procured and he had a great deal of cash. He used Rupees, which seemed odd to me but was fine all the same. He purchased a locker in our facility and had some men bring in several crates.
[D45]
What was in the crates?
[Subject 3253]
Well, I didn’t know at the time. And I didn’t look. There may be no honor among thieves but in my business honor is the highest currency. But I found out.
[D45]
He came back?
[Subject 3253]
Yes. Just a few weeks ago. I forget the date but he arrived with another crate – almost ten feet long and easily weighing a ton. The truck that began bringing it up to our little villa broke an axle and the monkey was hysterical that the crate not be left exposed. We found another truck and got the crate up to our drive in entrance, I’m assuming you’ve seen that one as well?
[D45]
Through the abandoned swimming pool on Sentier Saint-Grati.
[Subject 3253]
Yes. We brought it in and my men carted it all the way to his locker area but then two of them collapsed. At first I thought it was the smell. Not a regular smell. Like burning metal and bleach and something horrible organic. We have stored many corpses in our facility – trophies mostly – but this was something different. My concern was mainly that it was hot – blistering heat resonated from the crate and even I felt nauseous. I told him there was no way I would allow this thing into my facility.
[D45]
So what happened?
[Subject 3253]
The monkey became furious and that’s when we found out what was in his locker. He was faster than anyone gave him credit for. He slipped past my men in a second and then emerged with some kind of weapon in his paws. I wish I could tell you more but all I know is that I ran. I ran like my life depended on it. I left Eze sur Mer and headed to my chateau outside Strasburg, which is where your men found me.
[D45]
I’m having trouble believing that you just ran from your Bunker.
[Subject 3253]
The weapon he brought out wasn’t normal. It looked like something out of Il était une fois... l'espace . He blasted white hot beams of light at my men and they just disintegrated. I felt something incredibly hot fly past me and destroy a concrete wall. So, I ran.
[D45]
I refuse to believe you haven’t gone back to check on your precious Bunker.
[Subject 3253]
Well, I can tell you that I have not. But you are correct, I sent one of my men. Having a break in to the Bunker ruins me, you see, but the prospect of things being stolen would put my life in danger. I sent one of my most loyal and capable men, we call him the Ferret.
[D45]
A real ferret?
[Subject 3253]
Mais, non. He is only a man but skillful nonetheless. He called me just a day before your men picked me up, though I cannot recall how long I have been here. He told me the monkey and his crate were gone as were all the contents of his locker and three others. Ferret estimated that the monkey left with more than 200 million American dollars, perhaps more. So, I assure you I am a dead man whether here or elsewhere. The owners of those other lockers are not men to be trifled with.
[D45]
So, if the monkey was as dangerous as you seem to suggest, why refuse him storage?
[Subject 3253]
Radiation, isn’t it? This thing he brought must have been radioactive and I have long held that I will not store such things. North Koreans came to me a few years back asking to store plutonium and I refused – not out of loyalty to be sure but out of fear. Such things are too unstable.
[D45]
OK. Monsieur Boynton, I have only one more question. Where do you think this monkey and his cargo went to?
[Subject 3253]
I had hoped you would not ask. Of course I had Ferret seek such information but I had held on to one last hope that I might find the monkey first and return the stolen goods and perhaps salvage my name and honor and business. But, no. My last hope is gone and I will not hide things from you. As I said, I have nothing left.
Ferret told me that three disreputable captains were known to have been hired with great piles of money to take an illicit cargo away from Nice. One was supposed to head towards London. Another heading to Indian on some kind of “mission of revenge for a short hairy man with glowing eyes.” The third was said to be booked to Los Angeles to meet with a crab, or perhaps deliver crabs. I must tell you sir I cannot remember and I am feeling most horribly tired. I have nothing left inside to give you.
[D45]
I understand, Monsieur Boynton. You’ve done well. I think we are finished here.
Single gunshot.
[D45]
Agent D forty-five reporting. Subject 3253 interrogation terminated.
[End tape]
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