My previous post reminded me of one of my favorite bits of recent TV history:
A scene from The X-Files: Jose’ Chung’s ‘From Outer Space’:
(Roky Crikenson is relating his tale to Mulder and Scully. A mysterious visit from a man dressed in black ... Roky turns from his conversation with Scully and Mulder and the scene changes, seemingly in real time. The garage door opens and a large, black, older model sedan pulls in rapidly. The driver’s door opens and a large man in a black suit steps out who looks just like Jessie Ventura)
1st Man In Black: “No other object as been misidentified as a flying saucer more often than the planet Venus.”
Roky Crikenson: “Really? (oddly, we are now in the present, Roky in the same position at his desk, Mulder and Scully back in the room) That was when I realized something was weird.”
Scully: “At which point?”
Roky: “See, normally, if two strangers drive into my garage, I tell them to get the hell off the property. But this time, I didn’t! It was like I was in a trance or something.”
Mulder: “What did these men look like?”
Roky: “Usually, I’m really good with faces, but this time, all I can remember is how they were dressed. They were ...”
Mulder: “All in black?”
(Roky stares at him, looks over at Scully, then slumps in his seat, disappointed, staring at Mulder)
Roky: “How’d you know that?!”
Mulder: “Since the ‘50s, people who have had close encounters have reported subsequent visits by these unearthly men in black.”
(Scully looks as if this is all totally ridiculous. We hear Jose Chung’s voice talking)
Jose Chung: “But you know, myths about men in black garments ... (the scene cuts to the X-Files office, present day) ... have been recorded throughout history in many different cultures. The Celtic legends are filled with trickster men in black and how anyone who encounters them becomes enchanted.”
Scully: “Unfortunately, I’m not sure that modern reconstruction of ancient fairy tales lends any more credence to Roky’s testimony.”
(scene cuts back to Roky’s garage as the MIB steps out of the car and starts to walk slowly towards Roky, very menacing)
1st MIB: “Even the former leader of your United States of America, James Earl Carter Jr., thought he saw a UFO once ... (he looks down at Roky’s document, titled “The Truth About Aliens by Roky Crikenson”) But it’s been proven he only saw the planet Venus.”
(Roky grabs the document, clutching it to his chest and leaning his chair back, as far away from the MIB as he can get)
Roky: “I’m a Republican.”
1st MIB: “Venus was at its peak brilliance last night. You probably thought you saw something up in the sky other than Venus, but I assure you, it was Venus.”
Roky: “I know ... (Roky sits up, the MIB shoves him back down) ... what I saw.” (The MIB leans in towards Roky as he talks, scaring the heck outta him)
1st MIB: “Your scientists have yet to discover how neural networks create self-consciousness, let alone how the human brain processes two-dimensional retinal images into the three-dimensional phenomenon known as perception. (The MIB stands and holds his arms up in disbelief) Yet you somehow brazenly declare seeing is believing? (The 2nd MIB now walks over to Roky, his face shaded from the audience) Mr. Crikenson, your scientific illiteracy makes me shudder, and I wouldn’t flaunt your ignorance by telling anyone that you saw anything last night other than the planet Venus, because if you do, you’re a dead man.” (He gets in the car, somehow the 2nd MIB is already in the passenger seat)
Roky: “You ... can’t threaten me.”
1st MIB: “I just did.”
(He rolls up the car window, the garage door opens and the car whips out of the garage backwards the same way it arrived, far too quickly for a normal car. Roky stares in disbelief. Then, it seems as if no time has passed, but we’re back to Mulder and Scully in Roky’s room. He hands the document to Mulder)
Roky: “This is what they wanted me not to show anyone. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go pack.” (Roky gets up from his chair)
Mulder: “If we have any more questions, where can we find you?”
Roky: “You won’t find me.”
____________________________________________________________
Scully: “In short, Roky showed signs of being what is known as a fantasy-prone personality.”
Chung: “Agent Scully, you are so kind ... He’s a nut! I read his manifesto!”
Scully: “How did you get a copy?” (He pulls out the document)
Chung: “One was sent to my publishers. I don’t know what was more disturbing ... his description of the inner core reincarnated souls sex orgy ... or the fact that the whole thing is written in screenplay format.”
Scully: “It definitely was peculiar.”
Chung: “Well, surely, your partner didn’t believe any of it?”
Scully: “Wh, wh, well, Mulder’s had his share of peculiar notions. He’s not inclined to dismiss anything outright. (cut to the motel room, Scully’s cross-legged on the bed and Mulder’s in the chair) Mulder, you’re nuts!”
