The Magnus Archives - The Magnus Protocol 54 – Human Resources

Episode Date: August 27, 2026

CAT2RC2247-03112023-01072024hallucination (cinema) -/- memory (grief)Incident Elements:·  suicide·  grief·  hostile work environment·  altered realityTranscripts available at https://rustyquill.com/transcripts/the-magnus-protocol/You can find a complete list of our Kickstarter backers https://rustyquill.com/the-magnus-protocol-supporter-wall/Created by Jonathan Sims and Alexander J Newall  Directed by Alexander J NewallWritten by Alexander J Newall Script Edited with additional material by Jonathan SimsExecutive Producers April Sumner, Alexander J Newall, Jonathan Sims, Dani McDonough, Linn Ci, and Samantha F.G. Hamilton Associate Producers Jordan L. Hawk, Taylor Michaels, Nicole Perlman, Cetius d’Raven, and Megan Nice Produced by April SumnerFeaturing (in order of appearance) Jon Chew as Harvey LiewAnusia Battersby as Gwen BouchardBillie Hindle as Alice DyerLowri Ann Davies as Celia RipleySasha Sienna as Georgie BarkerAlexander J Newall as NorrisDialogue Editor – Lowri Ann Davies Sound Designer – Tessa VroomMastering Editor - Catherine RinellaMusic by Sam Jones (orchestral mix by Jake Jackson) Art by April Sumner  SFX from Soundly and Freesound: Islabonita, skymary, kiefspoon, killianm97, Vrymaa, Sheyvan, Crovic, Nightflame, runaste, krb21, Yuval, Vrymaa, Carlvus, brunoboselli, Feibel1, petersrin, sturmankin, j1987, hausthechild, MordinSolus, nickmaysoundmusic, madcowzack, squidge316, SpliceSound, vckhaze, HenKonen, ventousawins, macdaddyno1, reconsider59 as well as previously credited artistsSupport Rusty Quill directly by joining our new membership platform at members.rustyquill.com or on Patreon at patreon.com/rustyquillPre-order links for From the Library of Jurgen Leitner: https://rustyquill.com/novelCheck out our merchandise available at https://www.redbubble.com/people/RustyQuill/shop and https://www.teepublic.com/stores/rusty-quillSupport Rusty Quill by purchasing from our Affiliates;DriveThruRPG – DriveThruRPG.comJoin our community:WEBSITE: rustyquill.comFACEBOOK: facebook.com/therustyquillX: @therustyquillEMAIL: [e-mail] The Magnus Protocol is a derivative product of the Magnus Archives, created by Rusty Quill Ltd. and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share alike 4.0 International Licence. For ad-free episodes, bonus content and more, join members.rustyquill.com or our Patreon.Pre-order FROM THE LIBRARY OF JURGEN LEITNER, a Magnus novel releasing October 27th: rustyquill.com/novel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rusty Quill presents The Magnus Protocol. Episode 54. Human Resources. Harvey. I'd like to take a moment to explain a bit about the nature of our work. Wicked. So, as detailed in the job listing, your role here at the OIAR would be focused on the categorization and assessment of incident cases into a digital database. Yep, that's the I, isn't it? Incidents. I looked it up. Right. Yes. But it's worth noting that the incidents themselves mostly focus on unusual circumstances.

Cool? Yes, well, some previous employees have had quite strong negative emotional responses to some of the more extreme elements. Better than it being boring, though, am I right? Sure. I should probably also warn you that there's a non-zero chance of you having to engage in face-tebrose. to face interactions with some of our more colourful external contractors as part of your work duties. Not a problem. I'm a proper people person. A gift of the gab. Everyone say so. Good to know. Right. Sit down and shut up because I've got some news that will blow your teeth.

I'm Harvey. So... As you can see, Alice, I am busy at the moment. So if you could just go outside and wait, I will talk to you once we're finished here. Please, don't mind me I'm happy to wait If... Yeah, that'll be... No, that won't be necessary

I'm sorry, who are you again? Harvey. Harvey Liu, I'm here for the... It's really none of your concern, Alice. Oh, I see. Well, sorry to disappoint you, Harvey, Harvey Liu, but we're all staffed off at the moment. Oh, I'm sorry.

You heard. Just yesterday you were complaining about how difficult the workload was. Yeah, because we're still missing Sam. Remember him? The guy who also works here? What I was saying was that we should be working to get him back, not shoving fresh meat into the grinder.

And remind me, how's that going again? Right. Well, in that case, I'm going to go ahead and keep interviewing for new staff members as I see fit. But I'll tell you what. I'll leave Sam's desk free. That way, if you manage to rustle him up, he can get straight back to work. Sound good? Bite me.

I'm sorry you had to see that. I can assure you that is not how we like to do business here at the OIAR. Hey, I get it. There's always some drama around ex-employees. It's like this guy, Carl, and my old office. Nice guy, but after he retired, he just wouldn't leave, you know. Always had opinions on how things should work and who should be doing what, and eventually Tanya, you'd like Tanya. She was amazing. She was just like, Carl, enough, mate.

We all just need to move on with our lives, yeah? And then there's this whole thing about his old key card. Anyway, he lives in my own canal with his missus, so it just goes to show it all works out in the end. Yes. You know, for his life, it's devils and demons or whatever, and she's got the nerve. The audacity.

To sit there all like, no, no, I can't help because I do busy stabbing everyone in the back, pretending I'm Lena. If it's a leader, to actually do what she was bloody doing. I mean, We do need the help. And it would be nice to have an excuse to clear Sans desk from all that pale. Are you actually serious right now?

I just think you're overreacting. Am I? Wait, I hear it. But I'm serious. I can't trust Gwen. Ergo, we can't trust anyone Gwen hires. You keep saying we can't trust her. But... Look, I'm not saying she didn't have anything to do with Lena leaving.

And she's clearly struggling with the pressure. Struggling is one. One word for it. But I've not seen any evidence she's actively lying to us. Nothing about when, alright? Look, if this is some old drama from years back... Something came up after I got back from Germany. I was telling her about the Schweitzer stuff and, well...

Turns out she knew more than she'd been letting on. What do you mean? She'd seen him before. What? Where? In a video. Oh. Well, that's your greener shooting. guts out. What? Yeah, turns out that's where she used to blackmail Lena out of her jaw.

Jesus. It gets worse. Go on. She, she says Augustus told her to do it. Augustus? What? Is in Freddy's old man voice? Yeah, apparently he's been talking to her, telling her stuff about her family, and I got the impression, let's just say that between us, Freddie, and the externals, I don't know whose side she's on right now. Why didn't you say anything earlier? I... You don't trust me. No, I mean, yes, I do.

It's just... I thought you might fail. What? You have a kid, Celia, a life, friends. I had to push so hard to get you to revisit the Magnus Leeds. And you've got so much guilt over what happened to Sam. All this might be the last straw. You thought I'd just abandoned.

you? I wouldn't blame you. No, but you'd keep a vital information secret to make me stay. I'm sorry. I should get back to work. See, Leah. I'll see you in there. Email from Spokane Yosef at TigerTrapproductions.co.com. Primate. Taylor Natalie at TigerTraproductions.com.uk.

Ray, where the hell is my tech recie? Sent. 11.11. 2023.10.17. p.m. You missed your deadline. Again, I've got the EPs on my ass and legal won't even let us pick our noses without insurance which I can't get, because you apparently can't do your goddamn job and file a basic reckey on time. Stop pissing around and get it done, or I'll use someone who can. Email from Poffolo Levi at tigotrappedproductions.co.uk. To Spokane Yosef at Tigertraproductions.co.com.

C.C. Taylor Natalie at Tigertraproductions.co.uk. Ray, where the hell is my tech reckey? Sent. 12.11. 2023. 09.08 a.m. Hey, Yosef, so I'm guessing you haven't cleared your inbox yet. Sorry to be the one to tell you this, but Natalie passed while you were in L.A.

She was visiting the site on her own, and apparently she just lost it. Started stabbing herself with her pen and by the time they found her she'd already bled out. They're worried it was workplace stress. You might want to make some calls. Email from Spokane Yosef at TigerTrap Productions.co.com. to Pofolo Levi at TigerTraproductions.co.uk. C.C. Taylor Natalie at TigerTraproductions.co.com. UK. Ray. Where the hell is my tech recie?

Sent 12.11. 2023. 9.28 a.m. This is the last thing I need right now. I'm going to need you to dig up that recie and send it over Levi. We cannot afford to miss the booking window. Email from Potholo Levi. at Tiger Trapproductrubctions.co.uk. 2. Spokane Yosef at Tigertraproductions.co.com. U.K. C.C. Taylor Natalie at TigerTrap Productions.com.

R. Ray. Where the hell is my tech recie? Sent. 12.11. 2023. 10.10.47 AM. You're such an utter asshole, Yosef. Attachment reads. Location Scout Report. Camio Pictures. Semi Derellicked B&H Cinemas Outlet. Address. 2.33. Darby Road. Nottingham. NG7-1QN. Production. The Projector. Working title.

Horror feature. Scout. Natalie Taylor. Freelance. Date. 3 November. 2023. General description.

Small, semi-deralic 1930s dual screen independent cinema. Brick building with damaged Art Deco frontage including marquee. Abandoned retail space attached on right side, private driveway on left. Minor defacement on frontage. Significant defacement on driveway. wall. Public spaces, voie, toilets, corridor, etc. retain undamaged period-appropriate furnishings and features. Staff spaces derelict and unfit for usage. Primary auditorium inaccessible, structural damage. Smaller secondary auditorium intact with undamaged furnishings.

Access. Good road access via Derby Road, A6200 with M1 nearest motorway. Private driveway and sufficient on-site parking for secondary production convoy. Frontage includes public access, additional staff entrance on driveway side and goods entrance in rear. Local bus service and Nottingham Central as nearest train station, two miles. No accommodations for special mobility. Hazards. Significant structural damage in inaccessible primary auditorium. Standard historic building fire safety risks.

Note staff and goods entrances both locked during examination. Staff areas unfit for usage. Severe floor and ceiling damage, heavy mold, major trip and slip hazards, non-functioning electrics. Active power supply in public areas and secondary auditorium, but portable generators or batteries recommended. Likely asbestos in public areas, independent assessment advised and PPE recommended when cleaning or set dressing. Minor signs of rodents. Traps visible. Permissions. Grade two listed structure with independent owner. Recommend local council engagement for filming permits, etc. suitability for

filming. It's perfect. Notes. I understand now. The beautiful people. They really are glamorous. glamorous. Glammered and garlanded, and I can finally join you among them, Birdie. The pictures are moving and sweeping me off my feet, and look, Birdie, the carpet. The carpet is so very red. And all it took was one cut to cinema foyer, interior, day. An elderly usher is unlocking the entrance doors. He's hunched from long years of service, but somehow still manages to stand tall with pride as he throws them open. It's what's on the inside that matters, he says. And of course he's right. The outside is tattered, ravaged by relentless time, but inside. It's perfect. Velvet ropes, golden plaster, and a chandelier worthy of the picture palace it once was. A moment of pristine stillness captured as though on film. And why not? What is film but a series of moments stitched together, each one a still life in itself?

They should never have been called movies. After all, they never move, and they never change. The usher smiles at me, and he's behind the counter now, and I'm not sure how he got there. Something is wrong, but he makes such a pretty picture in his bright red coat holding out the popcorn, another perfect frame right down to the butchery smell. It would be rude to refuse, so I'd take a piece and place it in my mouth and then feel it dissolved to a comfy lounge, interior, night. A small girl cuddles up to her grandma as they watch the beautiful people on the tiny curved glass screen together.

An affair to remember. Classic. It's Birdie's favourite. Always Birdie, never Grandma. They've watched it more times than either of them can remember, but every time is the first time for Birdie. After all, anything can happen, don't you think? Little girl cuddles in close. She doesn't really understand it, but that doesn't matter. Birdie is warm and kind,

and one day Birdie will teach Little Nat everything there is to know about movies. But not now. No, now is for cuddles and warm popcorn with butter that dribbles down your chin. But he smiles and reaches out to wipe to cinema auditorium interior day. The usher is talking again and it takes me a moment to remember why I'm here. The screen is surprisingly big and the curtains either side are lustrous and again, it's perfect. But just like before, something is wrong.

For some reason, all I can think is that it's hungry. I can tell it wants to be used and the usher is the same. He's so neat and prudent. and exactly what we need, exactly what I expected, and I can see how glad he is that I'm here, that he's here, but I can't help wondering who he is without this place. If an usher serves an empty screen, are they still an usher? I wonder for a moment if he just disappears. It's a strange thought, a distraction, and we mustn't get distracted.

There's too much to do, and if this place is going to transition to premiere, exterior night, the photographers are all yelling, Miss Elliot, Miss Elliot, and Birdie smiles to each of them like an old friend, even though that's not her name. The cameras love her, and she loves them. She looks so beautiful in her gold dress and her sparkling shoes, but the little girl is distracted. The carpet was meant to be red, not white. She's disappointed. She can't help it.

Birdie promised it would be red, but it isn't. Birdie looks over and sees a little girl with her little frown and makes a little frown of her own. Then she strides over and before the little girl realizes what is happening, she sweeps her up into bare arms that hold her close and warm, and she whispers, Don't worry, it's only pretend. It's all just pretend. Birdie stands like that for a moment, then gently lowers the little girl down, and with a parting smile moves back to join the other beautiful people and their camera-flashing friends. The little girl wants to follow, but she isn't big enough yet.

She has to stay behind. Her eyes fall, dejected, to the stubbornly ivory carpet once more, only to notice a spot of red and another and another leading off. and a speckled trail towards her golden grandma who staggers, and suddenly falls, clutching her head as the light in her eyes fades to projection booth interior day. The usher smiles as he listens to me whilst threading celluloid onto the spools. I tell him about Birdie, about my work in the industry as an intern, then as a scout, laying out a series of moments that run together and then give the illusion of a life lived.

He takes it all in and just smiles and nods in his wrong way. then he asked me how I think the story will end and I don't have an answer. How could I? So he just nods again, smiles again and offers me a ticket. Would you like to find out? I hesitate, then reach out, but my hand freezes for a moment of its own accord, as though it expects the card to be red-hot. It's not hot though, it's heavy, inlaid with gold and filigree and so large that as I take hold of it, it makes my hand seem small, childlike. The letter of it's heavy, inlaid with gold and filigree and so large that as I take hold of it, it makes my hand seem small, childlike. The letter shines in the half-light and I can read an elegant cursive tonight's premiere Natalie Taylor. I look up and he's smiling again, holding the clipper out ready. My hand is shaking as I hold the ticket out to him, but I'm ready. It's time to join Birdie on the red carpet. He nods and whispers, enjoy the show, and the clipper presses down and cuts to cinema foyer, interior, night. The lights are shining and the photographers are calling my name, but I only have eyes for Birdie. She's waiting for me at the doors. She's wearing the golden dress and the glittering shoes,

and she's smiling and holding her arms open for me. I rush to her and we embrace, and it's just like before. I want to tell her everything. How much I love her, how much I've missed her, all those moments that added up from then to now, but she just smiles and nods and whispers. Don't worry. It's only pretend. It's all just pretend. Then she gestures to the carpet, and I see it turn a rich, familiar red, blossoming out from me and into the auditorium. It's beautiful and wonderful, but it fills me with a fear. I don't understand, as though there is something terribly wrong. But the premiere is perfect, and Birdie is waiting for me, and I finally get to join her on the red carpet. And it is so red, so very red.

I stumble for a moment, but Birdie catches me, and as she does, the feel. The fear fades into an afterimage of the flashing bulbs and smiling faces, and all that's left is the wonder of being there with her. We hold hands and step from the bright lights to the darkness inside, together again, in a single, perfect moment that will last forever, and the smiling usher closes the doors behind us as we fade to black. Morning. Hey, everything okay. Oh yeah, he's fine. Something woke him up early, so I had to settle him back down and somewhere along with him. the way I ended up becoming his new bed. You need rescuing?

I'm okay. You take a moment to settle yourself. Unless, maybe Mummy wants a turn? Please. Of course. He missed you. And I must have him feeling in my forearms. Oh! How you doing?

You look exhausted. I'm okay. Just feeling grateful. For him and for you. Oh, shucks. I mean it. I couldn't do this without you too. You don't need to.

Celiet, where's all this coming from? Has something happened? No. I just... I've been thinking a lot about trust. And... Well, if something happened to me, you'd... You'd take care of Jack, wouldn't you, Georgie?

Oh, of course. Is something likely to happen to you? I don't... No. No. I just... I needed to hear it. That's all. Sure. I... This is a pancake morning, I think. You don't have to. Honestly, I'm fine. Glad to hear it, but I'm still making pancakes.

You're too good to us, Georgie. True, but don't worry. I'm yours until I'm swept off my feet by a strapping, cheese-loving lumberjack who shares my stance on Bigfoot. Fair warning though, once that happens, I am out of here. Understood. The Magnus Protocol is a podcast distributed by Rusty Quill and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share-Alike 4.0 international license. The series is created by Jonathan Sims and Alexander Jane Uall and directed by Alexander J. Newell.

This episode was written by Alexander Jane Ull and edited with additional materials by Jonathan Sims. with vocal edits by Lowryan Davis, soundscaping by Tess of Rune, and mastering by Catherine Rinella, with music by Sam Jones. It featured, Billy Hindle as Alistair,

Anusha Batesby as Gwen Bouchard, Lory Ann Davis as Celia Ripley, Sasha Siena as Georgie Barker, with additional voices from Alexander Jane Yaw. The Magnus Protocol is produced by April Sumner, with executive producers, Alexander Jane Yaw, Danny McDonough,

Lynn C, and Samantha F.G. and Associate Producers Jordan L. Hawke, Taylor Michaels, Nicole Perlman, Cetius D'Raven and Megan Nice. To subscribe, explore exclusive extras and enjoy early access ad-free episodes, visit members.rucquill.com or join our Patreon. Rate and reviews online, follow us on social media or email us at mail at rustyquill.com. Thanks for listening. Alex here, founder and CEO of Rusty Quill Limited. In case you haven't heard, there is now a Magnus Archives' news. novel. The Library of Jürgen Leitner is set in the world of the Magnus Archives and written by

Nebula award-winning author, Premi Muhammad, with our very own Jonathan Sims. The story follows Hugh, a university dropout, desperate to find somewhere to belong and his new job at an esoteric library. The books he must investigate for the enigmatic Juergen Leitner are not normal, because the library is not a vault, sealed and silent, but a hive, alive, buzzing and ready to sting. The Library of Jürgen Leitner releases October 27th, 2026, but you can pre-order it right now in the US and UK from your local bookshop, or by using the link in the episode description. If you live outside of the UK or US, you may be able to make an international order for this first publication, but it depends on individual retailers shipping policies.