the manchurian candidate.
From: Issac.Holloway@Parasol.com
To: Elizabeth.Birkin@Parasol.com
Date: November 11, 2020, 10:37AM
Subject: Sombria
Elizabeth, we need to talk… it appears our worst-case scenario that only affected 0.01% of all test subjects of Sombria is coming to fruition. Have you seen the news lately? I mean he just declared war with Albania. Albania… a member state of NATO. That’s insane. You don’t think it’s a bit of a coincidence that these weird occurrences started up when he switched his nightly sleeping aid to Sombria? What was once a PR dream has become a global nightmare.
I’m not trying to hit the panic button early, but we owe it to the American public, and quite possibly the entire world, to just run some more trials on this. If this takes too long, it might be best just to issue a recall. Anything to get Sombria off the shelves until we can figure out what’s going on.
From: Elizabeth.Birkin@Parasol.com
To: Issac.Holloway@Parasol.com
Date: November 11, 2020, 10:42AM
Subject: Sombria
Thank you, Issac. I’ll take a look at this.
From: parallex42@protonmail.com
To: otacon69@protonmail.com
Date: November 11, 2020, 8:42PM
Subject: ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME
Don’t you EVER EVER EVER message that shit to my work e-mail again! I can’t stress that enough. You do realize they comb through all our e-mails religiously??? You know I care about these matters a lot, but I’m also the fuckin’ head of R&D at Parasol these days. I care about doing the right thing as much as you do, but the higher-ups can do more than just fire us. They can make or break our careers for the rest of our lives... or worse. I’m very thankful Elise never mentioned our involvement with the press leak eight years ago, but she still hasn’t been able to find work in the industry. She literally has been blackballed from every major pharmaceutical company. Right now she’s working with Progentis, which is basically more a sales company than anything else. I mean they don’t even have an R&D department…
I know you meant well, but they scare me Otacon. I mean, we’ve all heard the rumors about the occasional employee who DISAPPEARS. Please tell me you didn’t send that to my work e-mail on purpose. PLEASE tell me it was just a momentary lapse in judgment.
From: otacon69@protonmail.com
To: parallax42@protonmail.com
Date: November 11, 2020, 8:49PM
Subject: ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME
I swear, I didn’t think that would put you at harm. I’m sorry for even making you think that. I just figured that it was a matter of time before the public found out anyway. Wouldn’t it be better just to address this publically before it spirals out of hand? Either way, clandestine or not, are you with me?
From: otacon69@protonmail.com
To: parallax42@protonmail.com
Date: November 11, 2020, 11:11PM
Subject: ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME
If I have to do this alone, I will.
From: parallax42@protonmail.com
To: otacon69@protonmail.com
Date: November 12, 2020, 12:51AM
Subject: ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME
You know I’m with you, but it’s not going to be easy…
Though we recognized the risk of psychosis in preclinical research, it was scrubbed from Phase III to increase the chances of FDA approval.
All cases of psychosis were officially reported as “cluster migraines”. It was further stated that these cluster migraines might negatively impact decision-making. This was the loophole they set up to both downplay the risks of Sombria as well as cover their asses legally. The only other alternative was to go back to Phase II of the drug approval process but this was quickly shot down as further delays in Sombria would only negatively impact Parasol’s stock price.
I can check my old e-mails to see if I have any incriminating e-mails, but at that point, it’s going to be nearly impossible to stay anonymous. That’s a risk I’m NOT willing to take. Also, you know that the company’s internal audit team does their yearly off-the-books e-mail scrubbing, so I wouldn’t be surprised if those e-mails miraculously “disappeared”.
I’ll help you, but I’m going to need some time. I realize time is of the essence, but if we raise some red flags, then Parasol is going to shut us down ASAP. There is a lot of data to sift through and with the strict USB protocols in place, I’ll only be able to access them on my terminal onsite. I don’t trust anyone on my team to help me out, and I have a pretty busy schedule, so I’ll have to just work on it here and there. Also, before you say it, no, you cannot help me look at the data. I’d prefer Parasol to not even know we are friends. Trust me, it’s for both our safeties.
Remember, all it takes is one slip up on our part, and security will be on our ass. I’ll be in touch. Don’t contact me again until then. Stay safe.
From: parallex42@protonmail.com
To: otacon69@protonmail.com
Date: November 19, 2020, 10:26AM
Subject: Let’s meet for lunch
I don’t want to get into it too much over e-mail, but I have the list of all the test subjects who had “cluster migraines”. Their NDAs will prevent them from talking about it to the media directly, but you’re a smart guy, I’m sure you can find an aperture somewhere in the agreement. Meet me at Guigino’s at 1 PM. You’re paying.
From: otacon69@protonmail.com
To: parallex42@protonmail.com
Date: November 19, 2020, 10:31AM
Subject: Let’s meet for lunch
YOU’RE THE BEST! I have a meeting at 12 PM, but it usually finishes early. If I get there a few minutes late, try not to fill up on bread. That’s how they get ya! See you soon and I’m eager to discuss the plan!
P.S. On a serious note, I was beginning to think you were having second guesses about all of this, especially since you’ve risen the ranks so much lately. Glad to know you’re still one of the “good guys” regardless of your position in the company. Ok, see you soon.
From: otacon69@protonmail.com
To: parallex42@protonmail.com
Date: November 23, 2020, 11:23PM
Subject: URGENT
Three of the five test subjects who had “cluster migraines” died this month… all after that first e-mail I sent you. You don’t think… no, there is no way. It’s just a coincidence, right? Please tell me it’s just a giant coincidence. I’m freaking out. Should we warn the remaining two?
From: otacon69@protonmail.com
To: parallex42@protonmail.com
Date: November 23, 2020, 11:24PM
Subject: URGENT
No, don’t do that. Just hold off on doing anything. I’ll think of something. I’ll contact you on this shortly. Just give me some more time to think about what the best course of action for us is.
From: Elizabeth.Birkin@Parasol.com
To: Issac.Holloway@Parasol.com
Date: November 24, 2020, 7:37AM
Subject: Sombria
I double-checked the test data… I didn’t see anything unusual that wasn’t recorded and reported to the FDA. I’m not disagreeing that the President’s behavior is rather bizarre, but I’m confident when I say that this has nothing to do with Sombria.
With that being said, I’m going to mark this issue as officially closed. Also, Issac, feel free to take off a few extra days after the Thanksgiving holiday. You’ve been working pretty hard lately… you don’t want to work yourself to death.
As always, the company appreciates your efforts.
From: otacon69@protonmail.com
To: parallex42@protonmail.com
Date: November 24, 2020, 7:42AM
Subject: No Subject
They got to you, didn’t they?
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To: otacon69@protonmail.com
Date: November 24, 2020, 7:43AM
Subject: Undelivered Mail Returned to Sender
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