"Well, it clears up some things - firmly establishing Humperdinck not just as the rival for the love interest but as an outright villain," Rae says, as the scene opens on Westley strapped to a cart, being wheeled over to the machine by the albino as Count Rugen watches. "And it's kind of interesting to see two guys who both know they're evil, recognize each other as evil, and are completely unapologetic and comfortable with it. It's so matter-of-fact."
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Rugen looks up at the machine as Westley is hooked up to it. "Took me half a lifetime to invent it. I'm sure you've discovered my deep and abiding interest in pain. At present, I'm writing the definitive work on the subject, so I want you to be totally honest with me on how The Machine makes you feel. This being our first try, I'll use the lowest setting."
"...Are all of the people who have been tortured with the machine and surveyed about the experience going to be listed in some sort of ghastly Acknowledgements or Credits when he publishes?" Rae snorts.
On the screen, Rugen moves one of the machine's levers from zero to one. Water starts flowing, powering the machine. Gears and waterwheels turn, as Westley writhes in pain. Rugen moves the dial back to zero, and Westley goes limp.
"As you know," says Rugen, stepping over to sit at the desk, "the concept of the suction pump is centuries old. Really that's all this is except that instead of sucking water, I'm sucking life."
"Every good story needs a vampire, apparently," Rae remarks, dry, as Rugen keeps talking. "And this one really sucks."
"...your life away. I might one day go as high as five, but... I really don't know what that would do to you, so let's just start with what we have. What did this do to you? Tell me. And remember, this is for posterity, so be honest. How do you feel?" Westley whimpers, crying softly. "Interesting," Rugen remarks, moving to begin taking notes.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2015-11-24 05:35 am (UTC)"Beautiful, isn't it?" Rugen looks up at the machine as Westley is hooked up to it. "Took me half a lifetime to invent it. I'm sure you've discovered my deep and abiding interest in pain. At present, I'm writing the definitive work on the subject, so I want you to be totally honest with me on how The Machine makes you feel. This being our first try, I'll use the lowest setting."
"...Are all of the people who have been tortured with the machine and surveyed about the experience going to be listed in some sort of ghastly Acknowledgements or Credits when he publishes?" Rae snorts.
On the screen, Rugen moves one of the machine's levers from zero to one. Water starts flowing, powering the machine. Gears and waterwheels turn, as Westley writhes in pain. Rugen moves the dial back to zero, and Westley goes limp.
"As you know," says Rugen, stepping over to sit at the desk, "the concept of the suction pump is centuries old. Really that's all this is except that instead of sucking water, I'm sucking life."
"Every good story needs a vampire, apparently," Rae remarks, dry, as Rugen keeps talking. "And this one really sucks."
"...your life away. I might one day go as high as five, but... I really don't know what that would do to you, so let's just start with what we have. What did this do to you? Tell me. And remember, this is for posterity, so be honest. How do you feel?"
Westley whimpers, crying softly.
"Interesting," Rugen remarks, moving to begin taking notes.