"It's always a different dream, but always kind of the same.
I stand in a hallway and knock on a door for a joke, but I can't turn and run when the doorknob starts turning.
I stand up mockingly in class while the teacher's back is turned, but can't seem to sit back down as they turn back to look at me.
I dive into the beautiful, clear ocean, but freeze in place just below the surface as something rises from below to meet me."
"Do you feel any guilt about the work you do here, Jason?"
"You know I'm not allowed to talk about any specifics."
"Of course, but I haven't asked what you're doing, I asked how you feel about it."
"I don't feel like we're doing anything wrong here.
On the contrary, I think leaving the work undone would be a thing to feel guilty about.
The untapped potential, the understanding we're building… it will change how we think of the world.
That has to be a good thing, right?"
"And yet, in your dreams you feel like a kid caught with their hands in the cookie jar."
"I'd rather we drop this line of discussion, Doctor."
"Naturally, Jason.
Or would "Chief Investigator" make you feel more in control?"
I stand in a hallway and knock on a door for a joke, but I can't turn and run when the doorknob starts turning.
I stand up mockingly in class while the teacher's back is turned, but can't seem to sit back down as they turn back to look at me.
I dive into the beautiful, clear ocean, but freeze in place just below the surface as something rises from below to meet me."
"Do you feel any guilt about the work you do here, Jason?"
"You know I'm not allowed to talk about any specifics."
"Of course, but I haven't asked what you're doing, I asked how you feel about it."
"I don't feel like we're doing anything wrong here.
On the contrary, I think leaving the work undone would be a thing to feel guilty about.
The untapped potential, the understanding we're building… it will change how we think of the world.
That has to be a good thing, right?"
"And yet, in your dreams you feel like a kid caught with their hands in the cookie jar."
"I'd rather we drop this line of discussion, Doctor."
"Naturally, Jason.
Or would "Chief Investigator" make you feel more in control?"