For those of you previously without clearance to the PETRA project, it was originally conceived in late 1973 as a way to save UIU resources and manpower by assigning field agents to complete documentation on-site. However, following botched reports and multiple additional incidents related to the PETRA project (such as 1974-003, 1974-019, and 1974-028), the project was shut down in mid-1974 with little to no controversy. Due to recent in-bureau FBI and UIU declassifications, these files have been uploaded per the Federal Records Act to the database. Please keep in mind that these files are still of a somewhat sensitive nature to those in the bureau, so proceed with caution.
- Eugene Kittridge, PETRA Head
August 4th, 1993
THIS FILE IS PART OF
PROJECT PETRA
PROCEED AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION
Electronic copy below as per Federal Records Act
UIU File 1974-028: "Life Living Fiction"
Summary: The residents of the town of Rothsville, Pennsylvania, living in a manner reminicent of a fictional construct of a pulp magazine crime story.
After reports from across Pennsylvania of a lack of activity in the town of Rothsville as well as several crimes in the area, several UIU agents were sent to determine the current condition of Rothsville. Positive confirmation of the town acting as if in "pulpy" crime fiction as well as a prime suspect causing the incident allowed several more UIU agents to be sent in under cover.
This file was one of the PETRA test cases and also one of the cornerstones in the dismantling of the project.
Name: "Silvia Kohl"
Irregularity Cross-reference: Human, Hostile
Physical Description:
| Sex | Height | Weight/Build | Race | Hair | Eyes | Identifying Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 54 in. | 130, Thin | White | Blonde | Blue | Usually clothed in a red dress |
Capabilities: Suspect has an anomalous memetic property, causing the residents of Rothsville to believe they are characters in a crime fiction setting. Despite the suspect participating in the "charade", it is believed that the properties incurred are intentionally caused by the suspect.
Purpose/Motive: Unknown, but currently theorized to be for entertainment.
Modus Operandi: Suspect takes a lead role in day-to-day activities and social participation, ensuring both that its anomalous properties are still in effect as well as staying knowledgeable about events happening in Rothsville.
Behavior: Suspect portrays herself as a femme fatale-type character, but will become violent if pressured. Do not approach without taking preparations in advance.
A │ "Untouchable" Silvia Kohl: According to previous surveillance, the suspect is regarded in the town as an "untouchable" character - as in her character is never acted upon by the other characters, even if her character commits an illegal or immoral act.
B │ History Records of Silvia Kohl: The suspect, according to local and state censuses, has only lived in the town of Rothsville for less than five years. No anomalous activity was recorded in Rothsville and the vicinity prior to the arrival of the suspect in the town.
C │ Character Recycling: Despite a high rate of violent crime in Rothsville, the population has not sharply decreased. Prior surveillance recorded that many killed "characters" would become new characters; in addition, townsfolk and themselves would regard the previous character as dead.
D │ Picture of Silvia Kohl:
Silvia Kohl reclining in a chair.
Current Status: In process of apprehending
Crimes: Multiple counts of Unlawful Detention, three counts of Kidnapping
Sentencing: Indefinite Detainment
History of UIU Action:
1969: "Silvia Kohl" immigrates into the town of Rothsville, Pennsylvania. It is unclear what happened exactly when the suspect arrived but the crime rates and gradual lack of communication from the town started approximately when the suspect immigrated.
12-09-73: The FBI receives reports from nearby towns as well as from FBI agents of the complete information blackout from Rothsville. A preliminary UIU scout team was sent for several days to determine the cause of the situation. It was at this time the anomalous fiction effects were discovered, mostly due to the fact that the townsfolk went by different "character" names than their legal birth names.
1-01-74: The UIU quarantine the town of Rothsville for surveillance purposes. The character of Silvia Kohl has been identified as the prime suspect.
1-15-74: A three-man undercover UIU team is sent undercover to apprehend the suspect for interrogation and detainment.
| 1974 - 028 FILE | PETRA: 1979 - 028/1 »» |
THIS FILE IS PART OF
PROJECT PETRA
PROCEED AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION
Field Agent Richard Baedeker:
Age 34, experienced field agent, several years of experience. Personal life confined.
Field Agent Harold Pryor:
Age 29, rookie field agent, one year of experience. Personal life bland. Assigned to document this file.
Field Agent Sarah Whitney:
Age 27, experienced field agent, several years of experience. Personal life average. One child (8 years old).
DAY 1:
Infiltrated the town today. Lot of people didn't seem to care for me all that much. I stopped by the bar, oh maybe around 2:00. Bartender's name was Charlie Gibbons, if I remember correctly. Anyway, I think I was assigned my "character". He asked me what my name was, my profession. I responded right away, "David Hoffman. I'm a private dick." The anomalous effect at work. The bartender seemed startled at my revelation. Hmm. I have got to learn more about my character before I can get close to Kohl. Hopefully Baedeker and Whitney back me up soon. I might already be in over my head.
DAY 2:
Two big things happened today of, uh, note. Thankfully Baedeker and Whitney arrived, but boy did they sure get more of a welcome than I did. Baedeker's character is "John Sojeck", some police detective from the big city investigating a case I have yet to learn about. Whitney's character is "Mary Davies", some pretty broa- oh, whoops. Don't tell her I, uh, said that. She's a pretty lady, supposed to be an actress from Hollywood. The other thing is for certain, for certain, the townspeople are avoiding contact with me. This one lady walked across the street, get that, just to avoid walking next to me. There is something with my character I must understand.
DAY 3:
Baedeker's character Sojeck is investigating the murder of one Anthony Hoffman. My brother. That's why I'm - or rather my character, I should say - is here. Seems like Hoffman was a pretty good cop. I miss him. He was investigating a recent spat of robberies nearby the Kohl estate. It's not a surprise she's the prime suspect. After all, if you're writing the book, why not write yourself in it? Regarding the case, I'm working with Baedeker both in character and out of character to solve this crime. We can't let Kohl know we're on to her if we want to arrest her. Whitney's got some guy as a quasi-boyfriend for now. He's supposed to be some mobster, or something.
DAY 4:
Something about this whole business is off. Sojeck (well, Baedeker, technically) is drawing himself away from solving what happened to Tony. Instead, he's off snooping around the Kohl estate, trying to get some information on her instead. I told Sojeck that we should concentrate on Anthony and that will lead us to Kohl (with information that can bag her, by the way) but he told me I was getting too invested into my character. My character? Really? I think Sojeck has a personal stake with Kohl. I told him to watch it. Thinking about it, I haven't seen Davies in a while. Probably off with her boyfriend.
DAY 5:
It's only been five days, and fucking Baedeker's outta the picture. They found his body in the reservoir today. They're sendin him to a nearby hosptial. The local authorities are letting me take over the case, since I'm related to Tony. I'm going deep into this. I don't care if I have to become my character for this case. I can prove myself for this. Baedeker deserved more. Whitney came back. She's got a whole basically portfolio of who Tony was related to, the murder scene, the body, everything. He was connected indirectly through this bank, the First Natl. Bank, which is owned by you guess who: the Kohl estate. Took a look at the pics of Tony. He really could be my older brother. She told me she had to go through a lot for that information. I believe her. She reeks of you-know-what. She probably loved it, too.
DAY 6:
Snooped around the bank for a while. Tony was investigating a robbery/murder there. A good quarter of a million dollars was stolen. Four men with guns, no alarms set, all quiet. Manager dead. Didn't know the robbery even happened nor the guy dyin 'till the next morn. Tony was set on the case being an inside job. I don't blame him but it ain't feelin right. Silvia's hosting a party tomorrow. Sent one of her thugs, Morricone, to tell me that I'm invited. Could be a trap. Davies is invited too. She's helping in full swing. Great actress in more ways than one.
DAY 7 (1):
Davies woke me up this morning. The more the days go by the less she dresses. I ain't complainin, though. Party's later. I should stop by Tony's grave later, drop some poppies. Imagine this big, tough guy, thinking poppies was his favorite flower. Tony was like that, though. He was a good man. I ain't letting this broad stop me from gettin back at her. She's gonna get the full of it whether she likes it or not. Kohl is my target. I'm after hot blood and Kohl is my target.
DAY 7 (2):
The party was a big town celebration for somethin. Smelled like tuna all the way through the front door. And whoop-de-doo, you know what it was? You know what it was? The money. Turns n' out, they recovered the money back. I did a little snoopin around of my own. That manager? Hot-shot police informant. Someone told Silvia. They gotta little rat on their payroll. I'm tired of doing nothin saying I'm doin somethin. I'm doing a little recon work tomorrow. If I don't make it back, this is to everyone. Sorry for not doin nothing before to ya shitheads. You got my brother down, you got Sojeck, but you ain't gettin me, you son of a bitch.
DAY 8
A night with Davies calmed my senses a bit. No point in rushing what's gonna come get, anyway. She told me she'd rather take me while alive than take me while dead. What a lady. She's a pretty one, as they say. But I have to do my things and she ain't staying forever. Nobody does. Nobody will. One more cigarette, for old time's sake. I kick the habit - and the bucket tomorrow. Tomorrow. There's the fucking rub. Such a faraway word for something so goddamn near near. This sounds pointless, but Davies. I-. Nothing. It's nothing.
DAY 9
I considered not making this. After all, I came to this town to avenge my brother. And that I have done. What is left for me to do now? I should tell someone, anyone. I snuck into her estate. Illegal yes, but that's the least of concerns. This town rots. Silvia Kohl knew her time was up. She looked and laughed. Laughed as I pointed the revolver at her heart. Laughed as I made it personal to her. Laughed as I pulled the trigger. I guess I missed, cause when she fell, the broad started crying. Crying hard. She told me "I was you, once. Exactly like you." Quaint last words for a devil. I left the estate, by the front door. Police were waiting. Sirens, whining a constant droll that echoed like tubular bells. Davies was there. She was crying. Crying as well. All women cry, eventually. I got released me after a few hours. Kohl wasn't making their jobs any easier, apparently. I looked around for Davies. She was gone. I thought so, t'least. She was waiting at my place, just waiting there.
I don't know what to do anymore. I don't have lots to do. This town rots. Everywhere in this stinking town rots. Someone's gotta clean it up. And it might just be me. Me. Me and Davies. Davies. I- I. I think, uh. I think, I think you're the one, Davies. I'm sorry. I have the guts to kill a lady but I can't tell another I care for her. Funny, that. Real funny.
These files were recovered after a separate reconnaissance team was sent in to determine the status of Pryor, Whitney, and Baedeker. Whitney and Baedeker were not able to be located under their character names, but Agent Pryor was positively identified under the David Hoffmann moniker. The audio logs were encapsulated in a cardboard box under an apartment registered to Hoffmann.
THIS FILE (1974 - 028/2) HAS BEEN PREPARED AND REVISED BY UIU PERSONNEL
THIS FILE IS PART OF
PROJECT PETRA
PROCEED AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION
Name: Harold "Hal" Pryor , alias "David Hoffmann"
Irregularity Cross-reference: Human, Fugitive, Hostile, Agent
Physical Description:
| Sex | Height | Weight/Build | Race | Hair | Eyes | Identifying Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 58 in. | 170, Medium | White | Brown | Blue | Clothed in a long, olive trench-coat |
Capabilities: Suspect is theorized to have "inherited" the prior suspect's anomalous properties regarding the town of Rothsville. This ability appears to be unconscious while it is triggered (usu. daily), but reports from before the suspect was affected seem to imply the recognition of the anomalous properties when the host is dying or dead.
Purpose/Motive: Suspect currently believes he is a character in a "pulp fiction" story and thus will behave with the same motivations as his character.
Modus Operandi: Suspect is armed with a standard FBI-Issue Model 19 revolver. Additionally, since the suspect's character is a private investigator, the suspect will pursue such an avenue of involvement with any violent crime committed in the vicinity of Rothsville.
Behavior: Highly delusional under self-inflicted anomalous properties. Do not approach without taking preparations in advance. Suspect will not respond to birth name but will respond to the "David Hoffmann" alias.
A │ Death of "Silvia Kohl": After Agent Pryor's murder of the prior suspect "Silvia Kohl", she did not become a new town 'character', allowing Agent Pryor to effectively replace Kohl in the position she held socially in the town, albeit as a different 'character'.
B │ Agent Pryor's Report: The report sent by Agent Pryor clearly shows a degradation in mental stability and a shift of responsibility and tone from that of a capable UIU agent into one of the protagonists of mystery stories found in the pulp fiction genre.
Current Status: Under Surveillance
Crimes: 2 counts of First Degree murder, Treason
Sentencing: 40 years in a state penitentiary/hospice
History of UIU Action:
3-01-74: Surveillance is kept on high after the failure of the first undercover team. No UIU agents are authorized to enter the town of Rothsville without prior background screening. The Foundation has taken over quarantine and containment of the town. The UIU is still allowed to monitor the town for asset retrieval (the suspect) only.
Current Status: Deceased (d. 1979)
Crimes: N/A
Sentencing: N/A
History of UIU Action:
04-21-79: The suspect was pronounced dead after an altercation with a recent immigrant to the town (under the character of "Nicholas Argosy") of Rothsville led into a lethal fight. Surveillance suggests that the immigrant and Pryor had antagonized each other for several weeks, before the immigrant confronted Pryor in the latter's apartment and shot him point-blank. It is surmised that the immigrant has again replaced Pryor's role in the town, although a lack of resources at this moment and blockading from the Foundation prevents us from confirming this fact.
| «« PETRA: 1979 - 028/1 | END 1974-028 FILE |
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