AHS: Asylum - Delphinium

04 - The Reporter

Arthur is thrown back into his cell. Dr. Arden had taken blood from Arthur for scientific research or whatever. After that, he injected what he called a "supplement" into Arthur. Arthur, although still groggy, had to admit that the "supplement" seemed to make him think a bit sharper. Surprisingly, things felt a bit clearer.

Arthur sat up from the dirty floor he had been tossed on and noticed he was in a cell. It looked more like a dungeon prison, similar to the ones his mother would describe in his storybooks.

As he puzzled over his surroundings, Arthur's thoughts drifted to his parents, specifically his mother. He couldn't help but think of them, even though he had always hated both of them. This was new for him; he had never felt hate before. Regret maybe, but never hate. Was this the result of his recent actions? Was this some kind of post-murder clarity he had read about? It was perplexing.

'Is this when murders realize their actions and consequences after they commit a crime,' Arthur thought to himself, contemplating the strange emotions.

'Certainly not! Arthur felt no regret!'

Reflecting on his short time at Briarcliff, he had to admit that he felt happy.

Happy? Arthur questioned himself.

"Yes," he said aloud. "I'm happy."

With a smirk on his face, Arthur contemplated his newfound emotions and the strange twists his life had taken.

---

Later, Arthur found himself in the common room, his thoughts still lingering on his recent revelations. The loud music in the room was grating on his ears, and he considered breaking the record to end the noise.

Looking around, he realized he hadn't seen Grace or Kit. He hasn't seen Kit since they were taken away by Dr. Arden. Last time he saw Grace was when she visited them in solitary.

Deciding to wait for them, Arthur looks around for something to keep him busy. His gaze fell upon a woman at a chess table, calmly smoking a cigarette.

Figuring she might be the only person here capable of a decent conversation, Arthur approached her.

"Hello there," he said, trying to be polite. "Name's Arthur Barclay. Do you play?"

"Arthur Barclay?" The woman asked confused.

'Oh great,' Arthur thought, 'She's just as messed up in the head as the others.'

He began to apologize and get up, but she grabbed his hand and asked, "Arthur Barclay? As in Carnage?"

Arthur sat back down, intrigued. "Ah, so you know me?"

"Of course I do," she replied. "I know about you and your savage killings, poisoning your victims with flowers-,"

"Delphiniums," Arthur corrected. "It wasn't just any flower; it was delphiniums."

"Why does it matter?"

"Because delphiniums don't get as much care as regular normal flowers," Arthur explained.

"So, all of a sudden, you care more about flowers than people?"

Arthur shrugged and started the game, playing against himself.

"You're sick."

"Not really. The courts say I'm just a teen who suffered at the hands of my family."

"I doubt it," the woman replied, clearly unimpressed.

"Say what you want, but no one's gonna believe you. You're in here for a reason."

"I'm being kept here against my will!"

"That's not surprising. I had a feeling I'd see you in here. Sister Jude would've put someone like you in here."

"Someone like me?"

"Yeah, a reporter. A lesbian reporter." Arthur says boredly.

Arthur moves another piece on the board

Lana appeared flustered as she asked, "How do you know me?"

Arthur maintained his calm demeanor as he replied, "Well, you ask intrusive questions like a reporter, asking questions without a care in the world about what will happen to you. But seeing as you were desperate to come here by yourself. And that you're a woman, I'm guessing you did the writing in the clothes column? Gardening Column?"

He locked eyes with her, probing for any reaction.

"Ahh, the cooking column is what you were in charge of. Did you come here looking for the story that would make your career? Fending off against your boss who doesn't believe in you and maybe even win yourself a Pulitzer?" Arthur continued, watching her closely. He noticed her mind seemed distracted, as if it were focused on something else. On someone else.

"Was it your lover who encouraged you?" he asked, sensing her annoyance.

"Shut your mouth," Lana snapped angrily.

Arthur, sensing the tension, returned to his chess game. "Apologies, I tend to lose myself sometimes when I start reading a person. My parents told me that."

The woman, taken aback by his apology, took another puff of her cigarette, composing herself.

"No, how did you know about me being..."

"Preferring women?" Arthur interrupted her with a knowing nod.

She nodded in response.

Arthur moved another piece on the chessboard. "You know, I've always found that playing chess is like deciphering someone's mind. The way our decisions impact our game reveals a lot about us."

Clearly irritated, Lana asked, "What's that got to do with anything, Arthur?"

He maintained his calm posture and continued, "It's not just about the game; it's about the choices we make off the board."

Confused, Lana questioned, "What are you getting at?"

"Off the board," Arthur replied, "You're here looking to find a story to make or break your career."

Lana glanced at the chessboard, noticing that there were few pieces left.

"Well," Arthur continued, "Sister Jude wouldn't be able to keep you here for lying or trespassing. So what else could she get you for?"

Arthur continued to remove pieces from the board. "You're not married, no ring. The way you dress is not how most married women dress. They dress more modest and humble. You dress confidently, like you have something to say and prove."

Lana realized that all that remained on the board was her king, Arthur's queen, and a few pawns.

"Then it hit me," Arthur said calmly, "What could Sister Jude do to keep you, an unmarried woman, here? How could she keep you here without someone's permission? Then it hit me."

"Your lover must've met Sister Jude, and Sister Jude being the way she is probably blackmailed her to sign you into Briarcliff under the condition that she didn't expose her. And your treatment involves curing your homosexuality. If you take a quick look to the burn marks on the sides of your temple. "

With a final move, Arthur placed Lana's king in checkmate. He looked at her and asked, "Is that correct, Ms. Winters?"

Lana, trying not to break her composure, asked something to change the subject,
"How'd you know my name?"

Arthur looked up, set up the game again, and replied, "I remember I saw you one time trying to interview my family on one of their biggest cases, where they represented a corrupt politician. All the men were shoving you to the back as they swarmed my family."

"That was five years ago."

"What could I say? I've got a good memory."

Before Arthur could say anymore, he saw Kit and Grace walked into the common room, Arthur stood up to meet them.

He looked to Lana one more time.

"It was nice talking with you, Ms. Winters. Don't hesitate to talk to me again."