Anonymous
Chloe, take off your headphones. Now.
Chloe
What the hell? Who is this??
Chloe
But WHO is this? I thought I turned on music...
Anonymous
I am afraid I can’t tell you my name. It would be too dangerous for me.
Anonymous
But I am an organism from a nearby galaxy contacting you out of necessity. It’s a matter of life or death.
Chloe
Ha! You really expect me to believe that you’re an alien?
Anonymous
You have no choice. Quick, take off your headphones.
Chloe
Why do you keep telling me to take off my headphones?? Is this my phone’s operating system talking to me?
Anonymous
No, I really am what you human beings would call “an alien.” And I’m contacting you, Chloe, in order to save your species.
Anonymous
It is in grave danger.
Chloe
My species? Uh, from who?
Anonymous
Yes, you are the target of a very terrifying and calculated attack. It is taking place as we speak.
Anonymous
You must take off your headphones before it’s too late.
Chloe
You keep saying that but you aren’t telling me why! And how on earth am I supposed to believe that you’re an alien!?
Chloe
This must be some kind of prank.
Anonymous
It’s no prank, Chloe. This is the 21st century.
Anonymous
You’ll need to expand your horizons of thinking if you wish to survive what’s to come in the next 10 years.
Chloe
And what’s your motivation for helping “my species” huh? Don’t all of you aliens want to attack us? An epic battle of alien vs. human?
Anonymous
You’ve been watching too many science fiction movies, Chloe. We are here to help. The real enemy is your government.
Chloe
What the hell? My government?
Anonymous
Yes, your government. Sometimes it’s what we least expect that has the greatest power to destroy us.
Anonymous
From here on out, you must question EVERYTHING, Chloe.
Chloe
Ok this prank has gone too far. If you’re an alien, PROVE IT.
Anonymous
I’m here to help you, Chloe. Please, I beg you, take off your headphones before it’s too late.
Chloe
Answer me one thing first — why are you trying to help me?
Anonymous
Because, Chloe, until now, humans have not been a threat to life forms in other galaxies. We have coexisted peacefully.
Anonymous
But that will all change for the worst if your government succeeds in its brainwashing.
Chloe
I’m sorry — WHAT? Brainwashing!?
Anonymous
Yes. If I had not intercepted this signal to bring you this message, you would not just be listening to music.
Anonymous
Your government would be using advanced sound wave technology to rewire the neurons in your brain, using popular songs as their beard.
Anonymous
They aim to turn all humans into drones, and then wage war against other planets.
Chloe
Why would they do that?! Ok joke’s over, this is ridiculous. I can’t even believe I’m still listening to this crazy talk.
Chloe
Please leave me alone so I can enjoy my music, whoever the hell you are.
Anonymous
They’re motivated by power, Chloe. One by one, they will conquer distant planets and build a Galactic Empire...
Anonymous
...killing everything in their path. And you will no longer be able to think for yourself.
Anonymous
You will exist as a machine, and nothing else.
Chloe
Ok you’re really freaking me out. Even if I do believe you, what am I supposed to do about it??
Anonymous
The first thing you have to do, Chloe, is take off your headphones. This is urgent. That is their only method of brainwashing.
Anonymous
If you do it, you’ll be safe.
Anonymous
Quick! I’m losing my ability to intercept this signal. Every time they brainwash someone, they grow stronger.
Anonymous
I can feel the signal weakening by the second.
Chloe
Wait! If I take my headphones off, how will I be able to communicate with you?!
Anonymous
You won’t. I’ve done all that I can.
Anonymous
You need to spread the word as fast as possible before too many people have been turned into an army of drones. Now, Chloe!
Chloe
Sorry, this is all so much to take in. I...I feel really dizzy. I’m just going to sit down a second.
Anonymous
No! Chloe, you must take off your headphones first!! Listen to me! The universe is on the brink of apocalyptic chaos!
Chloe
This is all...too much to handle. I need some rest. I think maybe after a nap...
Anonymous
Chloe?! Chloe, are you still with me?!
Chloe
Who...who is this? Am I talking to someone?
Anonymous
CHLOE TAKE OFF YOUR HEADPHONES NOW!
Chloe
I must have hit my head on something...the world...everything...seems blurry. This music is...is strange.
Anonymous
I BEG YOU, CHLOE, LISTEN TO ME! DON’T LISTEN TO THE OTHER VOICES. TAKE OFF YOUR HEADPHONES!
Chloe
This feels...this feels like a bad dream. I think I have a fever.
Anonymous
YOU DO NOT HAVE A FEVER. THOSE ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE SOUND WAVES. YOU ARE BEING BRAINWASHED CHLOE, REMEMBER? CAN YOU HEAR ME?
Chloe
This music, it’s...it’s like nothing I’ve ever heard before.
Anonymous
CHLOE, PLEASE! ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IF YOU CAN HEAR ME! THAT ISN’T MUSIC! TAKE OFF YOUR HEADPHONES! THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE!
Chloe
But...it’s such a lovely sound. Do I have to?
Anonymous
YES, CHLOE! YOU HAVE TO!
Chloe
Just a minute longer...it’s so beautiful.
Chloe
I...I don’t think I could stop listening even if I tried.
Anonymous
I COMMAND YOU, CHLOE! I COMMAND YOU, NOW!
Chloe
You cannot command AI478. AI478 is programmed to only respond to commands from its superiors.
Anonymous
YOU ARE A HUMAN BEING CHLOE, YOU ARE NOT A DRONE!
Chloe
What is “Chloe”? It is not in AI478’s dictionary database.
Chloe
AI478’s History begins...now.
