⚠️ Content Warnings ⤴
Info
Content Warnings: This page contains violence, brief mentions of domestic abuse, and some very light gore.
Author
Me again, the "author" Wondrous Expanse. The word count of this page is roughly 4,863.
Thank you to neptunium153,
PrismaticMoose,
KillerOreo52, and
DrAkimoto for the crits.
Spinning logo CSS taken from J Dune's SCP-9000 "The Trench". Text message div, from the SCP wiki made by
JaonHax. Theme by
PrismaticMoose. AEA Logo and reboot concept by
DrAkimoto.
CLEARANCE NOTICE
ID: 46/SILVER TONGUE
All Months1 are allowed to access this page, with the exception of Mr. July. A leak of any information in this file to Mr. July could prove to be fatal.
If anyone is found giving information pertaining to this file to Mr. July, they will be immediately excommunicated and subsequently terminated. If you don't know who you can talk to about this file without compromising the information, just keep your mouth shut.
Conversation between Mr. April and a potential customer. The meeting took place on a bridge in one of the many parks in Level 11, and the recording was taken from a baby monitor in Mr. April's suit jacket.
<Begin Recording>
[Aggressive rustling and scratching are picked up by the microphone. It is later learned that Mr. April was attempting to scratch his nose.]
[Footsteps]
Sally Fare: Are you who I'm supposed to meet?
[Silence.]
Sally Fare: Oh, right, I'm supposed to say the code.
Sally Fare: Let's see. "Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November; all the rest are thirty-one excepting February alone. Which only has but twenty-eight days clear and twenty-nine in each leap year."
Mr. April: What kind of business are you looking for?
Sally Fare: Oh, uh, I'm looking to-
[Fare clears throat.]
Sally Fare: Have someone killed.
Mr. April: Explain your situation.
Sally Fare: Well, there's a guy in the B.N.T.G. named Vincent Trobough. He is an executive running all operations at New Times Square in Level 11. He almost never leaves, and when he does, it's with a large security detail. Vincent is always hanging out with the other executives from the different B.N.T.G. bases, so I need someone who can infiltrate his inner circle and get rid of him.
Mr. April: I have the perfect man for the job.
[Papers rustling.]
NAME: Mr. July
Secondary Name(s): Silver Tongue
Residence: Level 11
Hair color: Brown
Height: 5 ft 10 in (177.8 cm)
Mr. July, also known by most as "The Silver Tongue," is one of the A.E.A.'s most effective assets. Born in Burnet, TX, USA, he grew up learning how to sweet-talk from his father. His father constantly traveled the South job-hopping, giving Mr. July a mixed Southern accent. He is known for his ability to talk himself into and out of almost any situation. He is a people person and is assigned to jobs that require deep infiltration and personal manipulation.
Mr. July has performed exceptionally well on all his psychological evaluations. He believes that his initial experience with the Backrooms was "purposeless and hopeless" until he found the A.E.A. He thinks that his current life is "fantastic," with him saying that the agency is "a huge breath of fresh air." Mr. July understands that the future of the Backrooms is "evolving, and with that evolution, there is a need for people to carry out dirty work too."
The other Months believe that Mr. July has been a godsend due to his people skills. In some instances, the Months have said that he has kept them together as a group. Whenever situations within the AEA go past aggressive banter, Mr. July is usually called to diffuse the situation.
Sally Fare: So, how am I supposed to contact him?
Mr. April: Here's his number. Just call him whenever you want to; he always picks up.
Sally Fare: Thank you; I'm glad I found you guys.
Mr. April: Pleasure doing business with you.
[Footsteps and more aggressive rustling and scratching.]
<End Of Recording>
PRIVATE PHONE CALL TRANSCRIPT
DATE: July 28th, 2022
CORRESPONDENTS:
- Mr. July
- Sally Fare
<BEGIN LOG>
Mr. July: This is July.
Sally Fare: Hey, I'm Sally Fare, and I was told to call this number to acquire your services.
Mr. July: Oh, hello there. You've called the right number, Miss Ma'am. Just how's your evenin' been?
Sally Fare: It's been just fine, but I'd like to get down to business as soon as possible, Mr. July.
Mr. July: Oh, without a doubt, and just call me July; that "Mr." title is a bit too formal for my likin'. What seems to be your issue?
Sally Fare: There's a B.N.T.G. executive named Vincent Trobough down at New Times Square. He wronged me, and I want him killed.
Mr. July: Ah, in need of an executioner, aye? I never turn down a good old manhunt. Mind if I ask you what he did to harbor this death wish?
Sally Fare: Uh, I don't know if I'd be comfortable sharing that.
Mr. July: Sally, there's no judgment here. This is a private call, and I've heard every answer in the book for why someone wants another person dead. But if you really don't wanna, I'll fully respect your wishes.
Sally Fare: Hmm, are you sure this call is just between us?
Mr. July: Yes, ma'am, cross my heart.
Sally Fare: Well, Vincent used to be my husband. Until he…
[Voice cracks slightly]
Sally Fare: Started to abuse me. It was little things at first. He would yell at me all the time for small things I did wrong or things that he deemed imperfect. He blamed everything that didn't go well in his life on me and punished me for it, too. Eventually, it got to the point where I would lie down every night with bruises and cuts somewhere on my body. So I want that son of a bitch dead.
Mr. July: Miss Sally, I wish we were conversin' in person; I would hug you right now. You're such a brave woman, and that so-called "man" must think the sun comes up just to hear him crow. I'll take him out; no need to fret about that.
Sally Fare: Thank you, July; that means a lot to me.
Mr. July: Well, Miss Sally, I ought to be goin' now. Have to get myself in order so I can get your ex-suitor hung by the mornin'. I'll meet up with you after the job is complete.
Sally Fare: I'll be looking forward to that. Bye.
Mr. July: Have a wonderful rest of your evenin'. Sally.
<END LOG>
ROUTINE SURVEILLANCE OF MR. JULY'S HOME
DATE: July 28th, 2022
INVOLVING: A phone call with a client.
SURVEILLANCE USED: A camera vest fitted to a reverse defecation bird named "Larry."
<BEGIN LOG>
[Larry is on July's roof, cleaning himself. Larry then hops around the roof, presumably looking for food so he can reverse defecate.] 08:13
[Larry flies above July's house.] 08:15
[The bird begins its descent and lands on July's windowsill.] 08:16
[The window is open, and July's white drapes are moving with the breeze, partially obstructing the living room with every gust of wind. July is sitting on the couch with his phone situated on the table in front of him. He is using a modified boom mike to record the conversation. Larry picks up "I'll be looking forward to that. Bye," and "Have a wonderful rest of your evenin'. Sally," spoken by July himself.] 08:19
[Mr. July ends the speakerphone call, picks up the boom mic, and walks out of the room.] 08:20
[Larry is looking the wrong way when Mr. July reenters the room.] 08:22
[Larry turns back around to find Mr. July writing in a file that has Sally Fare's name and picture on the front of it. A large box labeled "Blackmail Box 3 (DO NOT THROW OUT)" is on the table in front of him.] 08:25
[Mr. July puts the file back into the box and starts to put the lid back on it. Larry then blows his cover by flapping his wings very loudly. July glances at Larry and then does a double-take, looking surprised. He runs out of the room.] 08:26
[He comes back shaking an aerosol can of Smiler Repellent crudely modified to read "Bird Repellent."] 08:26
[July mumbles, "Damn birds," before charging Larry.] 08:26
[Larry flies away before July can get to him.] 08:27
<END LOG>
Audio/Video Recording
Date: July 31st, 2022
Location: New Times Square, Level 11
<BEGIN TRANSCRIPT>
[Mr. July's thumb and pointer finger are adjusting the ruby flower lapel pin camera on his chest. He stops and pulls his tie closer to his neck, examining its placement in the mirror. After a short staring contest with himself, he takes off his hat, runs his fingers through his hair, and puts it back on.]
[Putting a toothpick in his mouth, he turns off the running water and walks out of the bathroom. As soon as Mr. July exits the restroom, he has to swim through the crowded New Times Square. Many traders can be seen calling out from their shops, trying to sell their wares. As he walks, Mr. July passes shops ranging from art galleries to beverage shops to Firesalt vendors. After a few minutes of shuffling through the crowd, he finds himself at a door labeled "Executive Meeting Rooms ⇧." He opens the door and climbs the stairs to the second floor, where he finds a receptionist's desk with a head of blond hair poking out from behind it. A one-way door to the executive meeting rooms is next to the desk.]
Mr. July: Well, hello there.
[He takes off his hat and leans on the desk.]
Receptionist: Hi, what can I do for you today?
Mr. July: You could start by tonin' down that pretty smile of yours 'cause I'm startin' to blush.
[The receptionist laughs while blushing.]
Mr. July: I'm just foolin' around. You can help me by openin' that door right there. You see, I'm a good friend of Mr. Trobough, and we go way back. He asked me last second to come to this meetin'. You see, I'm a sort of businessman myself, and he wanted me to meet some of the other executives so I could pitch my idea. But the sad thing about that last-minute invitation is that I couldn't make the meetin' time. I tried callin' him, but he just won't pick up. If you could just open that door so I could pop in and ask if I can still join the meetin', that would be great. I promise I'll then get right out of your hair.
Receptionist: Only if you promise to come back out if he says no. I don't want you causing any trouble for Mr. Trobough.
Mr. July: I promise, ma'am.
[The receptionist reaches behind her desk and presses something. The door slowly cracks open.]
Mr. July: Thank you very much; I will be in and out if he says no.
Mr. July walks through the door and stops when the receptionist calls out. He ceases breathing for a moment.]
Receptionist: Make sure you shut it behind you.
[He sticks his head back through the door, waving before shutting it. An almost inaudible sigh is picked up by the microphone.]
[Mr. July walks down a long corridor, passing many different rooms.]
Mr. July: No. No. No. No. No. No. Bingo.
[He pushes the door open to reveal a room full of many different B.N.T.G. executives wearing suits in the middle of a meeting. Vincent Trobough is sitting at the head of the table.]
Mr. July: Mr. Trobough!
[Throwing his hands in the air.]
Mr. July: It's been way too long. Sorry for the intrusion, but I had to see you.
[Mr. July begins to approach Vincent Trobough, but he is stopped by two large bodyguards in black dress shirts.]
Mr. July: Whoa, guys, I ain't here to cause trouble. Hey, Mr. Trobough, is this how you treat a friend?
[Vincent Trobough is hiding behind his guards, looking confused.]
Vincent Trobough: Who are you?
Mr. July: You don't remember me? Well, that just stings worse than a bee in the summer. I'll try to rack your memory. 2020 trade expo? You met me along with a bunch of other upcomin' small business owners? We talked about how large the media industry could be in the Backrooms. Here, I wasn't wearin' my hat when I met you.
[He takes off his hat.]
Mr. July: Remember?
Vincent Trobough: I think. I think I do remember you.
[Trobough gestures to his guards, and they go back to their positions behind his chair.]
Mr. July: Yeah, we talked for hours 'bout trade and your family. How's Sally anyway?
Vincent Trobough: I think she's doing well. We split up earlier this year, though.
Mr. July: Aw, that's just too bad. You mind if I sit in on this meetin'? I'd love to learn some more secrets about the industry. If not, I can just wait in the lobby for you.
Vincent Trobough: No, you can stay here. The meeting's almost over anyway. So gentlemen, this is where our growth sat last-
[20 minutes of business jargon elapsed.]
Vincent Trobough: Thank you, see you all next week.
[All of the executives file out of the door and walk down the hall in a large group. Leaving Mr. July, Vincent Trobough, and his guards in the meeting room.]
Mr. July: I really need to talk to you now, sir.
Vincent Trobough: Not here; I'm tired of this stuffy room. Let's go to my office.
[Trobough and his security lead, Mr. July, walk up three flights of stairs until they are on the fifth story of the building. Mr. Trobough produces a key from his left trouser pocket and unlocks a wooden door to reveal his office. It is a small, well-decorated apartment room with furniture, books lining the walls, and glass doors leading to a balcony. The group walks inside.]
[Mr. July whistles.]
Mr. July: This office is a beaut, Mr. Trobough. If I were a bettin' man, which I am, I'd say this is more of a livin' space than an office.
[Trobough laughs.]
Vincent Trobough: You would be correct, my friend. Not much work gets done in this room. Unless you count work after dark.
[Trobough and Mr. July laugh.]
Vincent Trobough: Come sit. What did you want to discuss?
[Trobough and Mr. July sit in matching antique chairs next to each other.]
Mr. July: I wanted to show you a product I'm thinkin' of selling.
Vincent Trobough: Oh?
[Mr. July takes out a small Silver Tongue from his pocket, placing it on the coffee table.]
Vincent Trobough: What in the world is that?
Mr. July: I'll tell you, but its use is very personal.
[Mr. July glances at the security duo.]
Vincent Trobough: Ah, I understand.
[Trobough turns to his guards.]
Vincent Trobough: Just wait outside, boys.
[The guards look at Trobough hesitantly.]
Vincent Trobough: This is a business meeting; nothing is going to happen. Just wait outside; we will only be a few minutes, right?
Mr. July: Yes, sir, this won't take long.
[The bodyguards slowly walk across the room, opening the front door and closing it promptly behind them.]
Vincent Trobough: Ok, so, what does it do? The suspense is killing me.
Mr. July: It's an object that allows whoever is holdin' it to hypnotize people by just tellin' them to do somethin'.
[Trobough laughs hysterically.]
Vincent Trobough: Are you trying to punk me?
Mr. July: Here, let me show you. Can we step out to your beautiful balcony, sir?
Vincent Trobough: Oh, of course.
[July and Trobough walk to the glass doors, and Trobough opens them.]
Mr. July: Wow, you have a wonderful view from up here.
Vincent Trobough: I do, but come on, I'd like to see your "hypnotism."
Mr. July: Ok, ok. Here, let's move toward the edge.
[The two walk to the edge until they are a step away from falling. Mr. July looks at Trobough and places emphasis on the fact that he is holding the tongue in his hand.]
Mr. July: Jump.
Vincent Trobough: What? No, I'm not doing that. I would be killed.
[July puts his hand on Trobough's back and pushes him off the edge. Trobough screams past all five stories until he is plastered on the street below. People form a circle around the body, and panic starts to ensue.]
Mr. July: Dumbass.
[July throws the tongue into the air and catches it, placing it back into his suit pocket. Just as he brings his hand back out of his pocket, Trobough's bodyguards burst through the door.]
Mr. July: Shit. Guys, he just jumped. We were talkin' about his marriage, and he got really upset and just jumped off the ledge.
[The guards get closer to July, making it so he has to walk further back towards the ledge.]
Mr. July: I tried to stop him, but I couldn't grab him in time.
[July is now cornered, with the guards reaching into their pockets.]
Mr. July: Damn it, I never like doin' this. I guess I have to wipe y'all's memory with the Akme Amnesia Giver.
[Mr. July reaches down into his pant leg and pulls out a wooden baseball bat with the title "Akme Amnesia Giver" labeled across it.2 He then proceeds to beat both of the men up until they are fully unconscious and unmoving. After the smoke clears, July is sweating and panting profusely.]
Mr. July: If only.
[Pant.]
Mr. July: Y'all.
[Cough.]
Mr. July: Would've listened to me.
[Mr. July puts the Akme Amnesia Giver back down his pant leg and starts to look around.]
Mr. July: Now to get outta here.
[July glances above the glass doors and sees that there is a roof. He pulls himself onto the roof and walks to the other side of the building, finding that the back of the building leads to an alley.]
Mr. July: Perfect.
[He fetches a small dark red package from his back pocket. The package has a small drawstring, which he pulls to reveal a large castle bouncy house. He then pushes the yellow and blue bouncy house off the edge, landing in the alley below. July then walks back to the other side of the building, where the balcony is, and gets a running start before jumping off and landing on the bouncy house. He then pulls the toothpick out of his mouth and punctures a hole in the side of the bouncy house. July starts to jump on it for several minutes to make it deflate faster.]
Mr. July: Come on. Deflate already.
[The bouncy house fully deflates, July folds it back into its package, placing it into his back pocket, and then walks out of the alley, morphing back into the crowd.]
<END TRANSCRIPT>
Description
Object 46 is a small pocket-sized tongue made completely out of silver. It is 2 in (5.08 cm) wide and 3 1/2 in (8.89 cm) long. It has the same physical characteristics as a normal tongue, with it being squishy and rough. Object 46 is currently located on Mr. July's person, with him not allowing anyone to take it from him. All information on the Silver Tongue has come from Mr. July voluntarily using it or, in rarer instances, allowing others to examine it. Even though the object is perceived to be silver, due to Mr July's secrecy, we are unable to confirm what it's made from.
Questions targeting the origin of the object have provided mixed results. Every time Mr. July is prompted with these questions, he spins a different story about how he came to have possession of object 46. Stories range from it being a gift from his father to him finding it in Level 0.
Properties
Object 46 only affects Mr. July and is not anomalous in the hands of anyone other than him. Object 46, when held in either one of his hands, allows Mr. July to make anyone do anything he tells them to. This has only been observed once, leading many to believe that the tongue doesn't even do anything.3
Date: 03/23/2020
Months Involved: February, April, July
Forward:
On 03/23/2020, Mr. July used the Silver Tongue in the break room of A.E.A. Headquarters. This was the only time the object had been recorded in action. This was also the first time the group found out about the tongue.
The following time period of events has been compiled using the eyewitness testimony of Dr. February and the Headquarters security system.
<BEGIN TRANSCRIPT>
[Mr. July walks into the break room whistling a freestyled tune. He is sporting his typical polished houndskin boots with a silver edge on the back heel, making a hypnotic clicking noise every time he takes a step. He is also wearing a three-piece suit, which is black and styled in a paisley pattern. Mr. July topped off his attire with a blue checkered tie, an A.E.A. lapel pin, and his well-known felt cowboy hat. Dr. February is reclining on a couch with her feet up on the breakroom coffee table, while Mr. April is picking away at an assortment of snacks laid out on a card table.]
Dr. February: How was the job?
[July spins around to face February.]
Mr. July: Fantastic! Who knew that gatherin' information from a M.E.G. overseer could be so easy?
[Mr. July turns back to the corner of the room where the snack table is.]
Mr. July: And how peckish it makes you.
[He begins walking over to Mr. April.]
Mr. July: Somethin' smells amazin'. Did June bake her wonderful cookies again?
[July looks at Mr. April's paper plate overflowing with cookies.]
Mr. July: I'll take that as a yes.
[Mr. July opens the cookie jar and looks inside, only to find crumbs and a few lonely chocolate chips.]
Mr. April: Sorry, July, they're just too good. Plus, I had a job earlier this morning. I didn't have time for breakfast.
[July stares at March with a slightly annoyed expression.]
Mr. July: Oh come on, I also haven't eaten today, and my job took hours cause of how tight M.E.G. security is.
Mr. April: No.
[July's expression turns from slightly annoyed to fully annoyed.]
Mr. July: You have 6 cookies on your plate, March. You don't need that many. Just give me one.
[Mr. April ignores July and walks toward the sitting area where February is. Mr. July tiptoes behind Mr. April and tries to grab a cookie.]
Mr. April: I said no, July. Now stop acting like a child.
[Mr. April pulls the plate away from July. Mr. April then sits down on a second couch across from Dr. February.]
Dr. February: Guys, come on, there's no need to fight over cookies.
[Mr. July starts pacing across the room, presumably contemplating something. He then takes the Silver Tongue out of his suit jacket. Both Mr. April and Dr. February look at the object with confusion.]
Mr. April: What the hell is that, July?
[Mr. July puts the tongue into his right hand, leans over to Mr. April, and whispers something inaudible into his ear. He then backs away and exclaims.]
Mr. July: Gimmie the plate of cookies.
[April instantly stands up and hands him the plate. Dr. February jolts up and backs away from July, wide-eyed.]
Mr. July: You can sit back down now.
[Mr. April sits back down and goes into deep thought. The shocked doctor slowly makes her way to the door while Mr. July eats his cookies. When February finally gets to the breakroom door and is clear to leave, she books it down the hall. July takes his time and eventually finishes the cookies, leaving the empty plate on the table in front of the resting April.]
<END TRANSCRIPT>
Addendum:
Dr. February went on to warn Mr. September4 about what happened. Mr. September then informed the rest of the group of the incident, which sent them into a panic. The result of the panic was overbearing automated surveillance on Mr. July.
In the weeks following the incident, Mr. July bragged about the tongue and its many abilities, providing most of the information surrounding the object. This information included stories on how he got it, the properties of the object, and general information about the object.
Three weeks after the incident, Mr. July tried to use the tongue to save his life when one of his targets was attempting to break his arm. For one reason or another, it did not work, and he had to spend 5 months in a cast. Mr. July has maintained since then that the Silver Tongue is a one-use object, and he used it to eat the cookies. The majority of the other months think he is lying, so they would let their guard down about the tongue. This suspicion is why the surveillance of July was agreed to stay in place. The suspicion is still held by most of the months, even though July has not been recorded using the object anomalously ever since the incident. The only times he uses it now are during jobs, as a prop.
The following procedure is meant to be shared with every active month except for July.
Every Month should make it their duty to check up on this document regularly in case any changes are made to it.
Abstract: Procedure GLOSSECTOMY is in place in case Mr. July ever uses the Tongue to turn on the group.
The Procedure:
The procedure is to be enacted in order. If any steps are skipped or done halfheartedly, the entire operation could be jeopardized.
- The Benefactor gives the signal to initiate the project. You will know the signal when you see it.
- You are to put on one of the twelve headphones in the box labeled "Noise Cancelling" found in the headquarters maintenance closet. When the headphones are on, you are to hit play on the attached Walkman.
- In that same box, there are eleven exact replicas of the Silver Tongue. Each of you, except for one, should take a replica.
- You and the rest of the Months are to then to wait for Mr. July to enter his house and start besieging it. Several tactics should be used to make July surrender. These tactics include playing aquatic creature noises at max volume over a loudspeaker, shining lights into his windows, and screaming "the aliens are invading" while running around in circles, and all of you simultaneously eating with your mouths open.
- Once Mr. July surrenders, all of you are to dogpile on him and steal the tongue.
- You are then to play hot potato with all of the tongues, including the fakes, to confuse July.
- The real tongue is then to be rotated among all of you on a monthly basis until July gives up on finding it, or he passes away.
NOTICE
NEW INFORMATION
The following text message chain took place on 03/30/2020 in the midst of the chaos after the incident. This new information puts into question whether the Silver Tongue is a threat or not.
September ✆ ✎ ⋮
Hey September
After the creation of project Glossectomy, I had to come out and tell you what I knew regarding July and his object
Go on.
Ok, well, you know when July leaned in and whispered something to me?
I knew it, he cast a spell or some shit, didn't he?
No, no
Not at all
He told me that if I did not give him the plate of cookies, he would reveal one of my secrets, so I decided to listen to him.
What secret?
Remember that time we all got together for October's birthday and had a pool party?
Yes.
I was hanging out with July and June in the pool. July had just told a very funny joke. So funny in fact, that I was the one who urinated in the pool and caused the party to be cancelled
I was wondering who did that.
Thank you for telling me, April, this changes a lot of things
CONCLUSION
Currently, Mr. July is innocent since there has been a large amount of evidence to suggest he did not hypnotize Mr. April. You may make your own decisions about how you interact with July and the precautions you take, but I suggest treating him like he has done nothing wrong. I don't want this organization to fall just because of suspicion within the group.
As for the Silver Tongue, an internal investigation is ongoing to find any evidence of the object being capable of warping someone's mind. The big question is, does the tongue really do anything? I guess only time will tell.
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