The Mysteries of the Q Files #2: Screens are Cursed Windows

Prologue

Brandon Jackson precariously balanced his bucket of popcorn, cup of Red Vines, and Coke as he edged his way down the row of seats. He hated that the local theater had returned to a system of assigned seating for movies. The early birds got the best seats, and he was notoriously a late lark. At least he had gotten the coveted midway row, with the best view of the movie. The best place from which to watch Jurassic Park.

For a week, three classic favorites would be shown to pull in more patrons. Brandon was more than willing to oblige; he loved the theater and he loved a good dinosaur flick. And what better dinosaur flick could there be than the first Jurassic Park after all? Brandon happily settled in his seat, butt wiggling to find that point of optimum comfort. A few rows in front of him, there were some college aged guys teasing some poor, bespectacled nerds. Brandon thought he might even know some of them from his high school. He hoped that they would shut up by the time the movie began.

Unfortunately it was not to be.

Brandon still enjoyed the movie. Jurassic Park was just too good for some jerkwads to ruin with their incessant talking, texting, and pelting others with popcorn. Brandon allowed himself to be swept away by the music, laugh and cry with Dr. Grant as he sees the dinos wandering the park, cringe at the despicable Dennis, and cower before the might of the T-Rex. He stuffed his face with popcorn like a man gasping for air after diving after each epic moment. As the body count began, he knew that Dennis' undignified and well-deserved death was fast approaching.

As the Dilophosaurus cornered Dennis and let loose its first spray of venom, black goo flew through the screen and hit the pack of nerds. Brandon dropped his popcorn in disbelief. No! It can't be happening here! I thought it was safe to come! The victims finally began screaming as the Dilophosaurus screeched its victory and Dennis screamed his death throes. Pandemonium ensued.

An hour later, the paramedics had a total of seven victims carted off to the hospital to deal with their injuries. They were all in great pain, suffering loss of sight, and found it difficult to move. The police had taken into custody all five of the college bros for attacking people with the unidentified venom. Brandon had already given his statement to the police of what had happened. He had been yelled and laughed at before being asked to leave the premises. He knew it sounded unbelievable, but it was all true! The dinosaur had come to life and attacked through the screen. He had seen stuff like this before. He had lived with it for over a month now. By now he and his family were pros to surviving this kind thing.

He shakily got into his car and drove home. He wondered if his life would ever be normal again. What would happen to the victims and the falsely accused attackers? What about the theater? There were no answers.

Two days later in Washington DC, Agent Conturbatio addressed his partners Agent Miles and Agent Brown in their corner office, where the Q Files were sequestered from the rest of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He handed them a small briefing and some official reports.

"We will be heading to Provo Utah. A most wondrous land of religious conspiracies and upheavals. And in the midst of the Mormon question, near the heart of their seat of power, there has been a most unusual attack."

"I heard about this," Agent Brown said crisply. "This is being labeled at a domestic terrorist attack. Five college students attacked their fellow movie goers with an unknown bio-chemical substance. The victims are still in various critical conditions in the hospital. This is a case presided over by Homeland Security. They basically have their case made out for them. Why would you want to look into this?"

"Look a little more closely at what I have handed you," Conturbatio responded, pointing incessantly.

Agent Miles hummed and then said skeptically, "You have given us a number of complaints from one Jackson household. Complaints to their cable company. They say that all the shows they've been getting are not correct."

"You also gave us... Facebook posts," Agent Brown raised an eyebrow.

"Read them!" Conturbatio smiled his Sphinx smile as he sipped his coffee.

"This kid is complaining that all of his books and shows have changed. This makes no sense. And he comes across as super whiny," Agent Brown said.

"I prefer at the moment to think of him as frustrated and unsure of what to do. He's at wit's end," Conturbatio said. "It all makes more sense once you read the statement recorded by the police and written by the kid Brandon himself. Though, it was not included in the official report filed by Homeland Security."

The other agents took their time reading through it, before Agent Miles said, "So this kid claims that what happened at the theater is the exact same thing that happens at his house. He thinks he is cursed and the one to blame for the attack? I'm sorry Conturbatio, but this does seem a weak lead. Especially considering what we have recently lived through."

Conturbatio sighed and then said, "There's even more. Did you miss the medical report?"

"Looking at it," Agent Brown muttered. After a minute she said slowly, "The doctors are reporting that this poison used at the theater is unknown to them? They say it is similar to certain insect toxins, but it does have... reptilian elements. Like an odd compound of Gila monster and Komodo dragon bites. They wonder if the compound was inspired by the film Jurassic Park... They even think the incident is not a terrorist attack, but an isolated deadly prank."

"Some prank if that's the case," Miles rolled her eyes. "So Conturbatio, if I am understanding your hints correctly, the venom that is afflicting the theater victims actually came from a dinosaur-"

"A Dilophosaurus," the Sphinx interrupted.

"Yes, that. This dinosaur was brought to life by a curse that is affecting this kid, Brandon Jackson. You want to investigate this alleged curse and see where it leads the official inquiry."

"Yes, it might save the futures of some innocent, though misguided, college town kids. It could be a step closer to solving the bigger mystery we uncovered just last month," Conturbatio began excitedly.

"Let me cut you off right there," Agent Brown said with a sharp gesture. "This is a case that is being led by the Department of Homeland Security. They won't involve the Bureau. And if they did, it would be minimal and they won't allow the Q Files to touch it; it would discredit their findings in both political and public spheres."

"Ah, there we have a loophole," the Sphinx replied over his cup. "Brandon's statement was rejected by Homeland Security. He is not a part of their investigation at the moment. Also, we will be looking into the troubles at his house. That way, it is an entirely different job, and the Department cannot say anything about it. Also, after wrapping the Halloween Party Kidnapper case, the Director is eager to get us out of the office right now. He thinks we'll attract too much attention to an odd case. Shake things up in the office. Well, I would like to the shake things up more with another solid case like the last one. I want to know what those monsters meant by the Doors. I want truth and justice! So, what do you think?"

"Honestly, Conturbatio? This is just before Thanksgiving! And Homeland Security might still think we are invading on their turf. It might take longer than expected. Plus, this Brandon reads like a real piece of work. It'll be rough I think. Why not take it easy and get back the Director by not doing what he wants us to do," Agent Brown listed off and argued. "If we even consider this case, let it rest until after the holidays."

"Oh, I've already considered it, Susan. I have a game plan already laid out, and I know how we'll handle Brandon." He gave another signature grin. "We're recruiting your son and his little friend Naomi once again." He could have choked on the look Agent Brown threw his way.