Ch.93

# Chapter 7

‘Elegy for Reason’

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# Arkham Times Newspaper Clipping

“Series of Fires in Abandoned Houses in Innsmouth… Fire Department Investigating”

Authorities have launched an investigation into a series of fires occurring in abandoned houses in Innsmouth. The Innsmouth City Hall issued an official statement noting that “fires of unknown origin are occurring in empty houses,” suggesting they may be the work of “homeless individuals, outsiders, or others with unclear residency status.”

Innsmouth, a small town of 300 residents, lost its vitality after the large-scale arrest operation last February, but has returned to the spotlight with the lifting of the curfew coinciding with the election campaign period. Meanwhile, police authorities officially denied any connection between the fires and “cult” rituals, stating they believe the incidents were likely caused by vagrants or outsiders.

# Pollard Times Newspaper Clipping

“House Representative Election Campaign Opens… Progressive Party, the Second Party, Holds Slight Lead Over Patriot Party, the First Party”

With the House representative election just two months away, the official election schedule has begun today. A poll of Massachusetts residents shows the Progressive Party slightly ahead of the Patriot Party. Senator Annette Cole of the Patriot Party, who hails from Pollard Island, stated that “elections are unpredictable until the very end,” while expressing that she “expects the wise judgment of voters.”

Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Progressive Party issued an official statement claiming that “the extreme wealth gap in Massachusetts is causing severe social conflict,” and that “particularly cities and towns on the eastern coast, excluding Boston, are in dire straits.” The Progressive Party announced a policy to actively support eastern coastal cities through their “New Frontier” project.

# Arkham Times Newspaper Clipping

“Sudden Ground Subsidence in Innsmouth… About 10 Houses Collapsed, No Casualties”

Following a series of fire incidents that have disturbed Innsmouth, a ground subsidence accident has now occurred. The location is reportedly near the “Dagon Chapel,” known as a gathering place for cultists, where about 10 houses have fallen approximately 10 meters below ground level. As these were abandoned houses, no casualties were reported, but compensation proceedings cannot begin as the owners of the properties cannot be contacted.

# Boston Central Newspaper Clipping

“Special Feature: Innsmouth, Face of America”

Innsmouth first came to Americans’ attention through the large-scale arson, violent protests, and organized arrests of February 1928. The town, which had been experiencing continuous population decline even before then, is again drawing attention due to a series of incidents and accidents.

The issue is that what’s happening in the destruction of this small fishing village cannot be read simply as a change in industrial structure. Most Innsmouth people possess genetic traits characterized by “protruding eyes, broad foreheads, thin facial skin that reveals blood vessels, and wide-open mouths.” The reason why the 1928 Innsmouth incident, which was clearly an excessive crackdown by authorities, received little attention was simply because the victims “didn’t look like Americans.”

In the 20th century, an age of science, reason, and civilization, where it’s believed that we can elevate our society through self-imposed prohibition laws—racial discrimination? And merely because their appearance is “repulsive.” If the same thing happened in Providence, Boston, or Washington, people wouldn’t stand idle. The arrested Innsmouth residents are still denied visitation, and the Federal Security Bureau remains silent about why they were arrested and on what grounds.

This is violence perpetrated in the name of the state, and I cannot help but point out how this violence differs from the fascist waves occurring in the Old Continent. Would they claim that a police state is not fascist? (…)

# Boston Central Newspaper Clipping

“Progressive Party Forms Special Audit Committee for Innsmouth City… Patriot Party Proposes Joint Committee”

The Progressive Party has announced its intention to form a special committee for Innsmouth City. A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Progressive Party, citing the article “Special Feature: Innsmouth, Face of America” published in this newspaper last week, stated that “discrimination based on appearance existing even now in the 20th century is a national disgrace” and announced plans to form a special committee “to understand the exact situation in Innsmouth.”

Senator Annette Cole described the Progressive Party’s behavior as that of “a quack doctor rushing to treat a patient who isn’t ill,” and urged them to “immediately stop making innocent Innsmouth citizens sacrificial lambs for political gain.”

Meanwhile, the Patriot Party, to which Senator Annette Cole belongs, is reported to have recently established an “Innsmouth Redevelopment Promotion Committee” centered around Innsmouth Mayor Isaac Allen. (…)

# Arkham Times Newspaper Clipping

“Massive Cavity Discovered Under Innsmouth… Cause of Fires and Ground Weakening?”

The discovery of a vast cave beneath Innsmouth has caused shock. The “House Special Investigation Team” and “Innsmouth Redevelopment Promotion Committee” issued a joint statement saying that “a large cave has been discovered under Innsmouth and is currently under investigation.” The cave is reportedly connected to the basement of the “Dagon Chapel” and shows signs of very ancient human habitation. Bibles and ledgers from Salem Church near Boston, Massachusetts were found at the site, identified as documents from the 1692 Salem witch trials.

According to the joint statement from the investigation team and committee, “the underground was filled with toxic gas and anthracite,” and “gas pressurized from below is believed to have found thin crevices to rise to the surface,” explaining that this process weakened the ground, causing the collapse of houses near the Dagon Chapel.

The investigation team also explained “the possibility that this unknown gas caused sparks with electrical facilities in empty houses, resulting in fires,” and announced plans to “conduct electrical safety inspections of abandoned houses to reduce fire risk.” However, the team refused to answer questions about “how electrical short circuits could cause fires in abandoned houses where electricity would have been cut off long ago.”

# Massachusetts Express Newspaper Clipping

“Unknown Gas Rising from Beneath Innsmouth… Harbinger of a Major Earthquake?”

As gas continues to emit from beneath Innsmouth, an interpretation suggesting signs of a major earthquake in the area is drawing attention.

Dr. Jonathan Morris of MIT explained in an interview with this newspaper that “gas emissions in coastal cities like Innsmouth mean that ‘plates’ beneath the Earth’s surface are moving, and when ‘plates’ move, it signifies an imminent earthquake.”

The “plate tectonics theory” introduced by Dr. Morris is a relatively recent theory, expanded from Alfred Wegener’s “continental drift theory” published in 1912. According to this theory, the Earth is “a place where hard stone shells float on a vast sea of magma,” and these “stone shells” move, gather, and tear apart for various reasons.

Dr. Morris emphatically stated that “the Devil’s Reef filled with black sand on the Innsmouth coast is irrefutable evidence of major tectonic activity near Innsmouth.”

# Arkham General Hospital Psychiatric Department, Bill Ed’s Record.

Interview with Innsmouth City Councilor Anna Ram.

Good. Councilor. How are you feeling?

– Well. I feel a bit dazed. As I told you on the phone, I haven’t slept for over a month.

Can you tell me in detail why you can’t sleep?

– (hesitating) Ah, do I have to tell that story again? I explained everything over the phone. Perhaps the nurse didn’t relay it properly?

No, no. That’s not it. It’s just that over the phone, I couldn’t read your expressions, atmosphere, gestures, and such. Those things are quite important. Above all, doesn’t it feel more comfortable to talk face-to-face like this?

– Ha! People say Dr. Bill Ed is worth his high price, and they’re right. Look, doctor. Can you really say that after seeing my “face”? As you know, I have the typical “Innsmouth” face.

Well, Councilor. (*sighs*) As you can see, I’m white. But I’m not a typical Anglo-Saxon Protestant. My bloodline includes people from the Old Continent. During my student days, I was unusually skinny and was teased as a “scarecrow.” My adolescence was quite difficult because of that.

– But now you’re a middle-aged man with a belly. Hmm? Your suffering was brief in your youth, but I’ve had this face all my life. Still, I don’t intend to blame my parents. I’m still proud of Innsmouth, regardless of what others say. It may be an unremarkable town, but it’s my “hometown.”

Then I’m even more curious. Innsmouth is your hometown. You grew up there. And now you’re a proud member of the local community. So why can’t you sleep properly?

– I dream of the land sinking. Innsmouth drifts out to sea. It slides beyond the Devil’s Reef and then just sinks. I’ve been having the same dream for a month, and I can’t sleep.

That’s the same story you told the nurse. But this alone is insufficient. Where are you in the dream? Are you standing somewhere safe? Or are you in the midst of danger?

– What? Why should I answer that?

Your problem is that “you’re having such frightening dreams that you’re afraid to fall asleep.” You keep having the same dream repeatedly. But from what you’ve told me so far, I can’t determine which part makes you afraid to fall asleep.

– Look, doctor. What I want is a prescription for sleeping pills that I can only get from a pharmacy with a doctor’s note, and a warm word saying “it’s just a bad dream, so sleep well.” Is that so hard to say?

Now, now, Councilor. Look. I’m on your side. I just want to help you get back to your council activities in good health.

– Oh my. Let’s stop this. Dream talk. I don’t want dream interpretation; I want a medical certificate. I simply can’t believe in dream interpretation or psychoanalysis.

Then let me change the question. When did you start having this dream? Are you under a lot of pressure lately, either professionally or in your relationships?

– It’s just annoying that I have to solve problems I’ve never dealt with before. Innsmouth currently has about 300 to 400 residents, but nearly 100 outsiders have flocked in. We’re not even a tourist city.

What kind of problems are they causing? Enough to upset you?

– They set up appointments as they please for interviews or investigations, which is upsetting. Even when they claim to be journalists, they don’t print my words as they are. They’re like cheese molds. They mercilessly cut out anything that doesn’t fit their preconceived notions. And on top of that, oh my, all sorts of riffraff are clinging on.

Riffraff?

– Even civic groups and human rights organizations have come! You know those remora-like people who follow political figures! People who said nothing during last year’s arrest incident are now saying this kind of discrimination is unacceptable, which is infuriating. And to make matters worse, white people are making a fuss, claiming that giving such benefits only to Innsmouth is excessive favoritism. Advocates for poor whites? That’s all fine, but why come to Innsmouth and cause this commotion? That’s what I mean.

That does sound exhausting, but it doesn’t seem like the kind of pressure that would make you fearful or unable to sleep.

– You’re incredibly persistent, really. Damn it… Alright, alright. If I tell you, will you give me the medication? I don’t know if you read the newspapers, but things are really tough these days. If I had known redevelopment promotion would be this difficult…

I will. If you answer my question. Where exactly are you when the island drifts away?

– Don’t laugh. Don’t turn your back. Ha. I’m placed on an altar with my head cut off. It’s like a pyramid altar, with the heads of Innsmouth people neatly arranged around me. Below, fish-people are performing strange dances and bowing. These fish-people are holding the island like a rubber boat and pushing it away. Are you listening to me?

…Yes. Yes. Please continue.

– And then, from beyond the hill, a woman in white plays a strange melody. Such a chilling violin music! From the sky, headless angels descend and kill everything on earth. My goodness, everything on earth. One of them flies toward me, and I wake up. That’s how it is, every time!

Councilor.

– What now?

Councilor. You said this started a month ago?

– What did you hear from what I said?

You haven’t discussed this with others?

– Am I crazy?

That’s strange. Other Innsmouth councilors also told me they haven’t been able to sleep for a month. But the content is all the same. I… well. I’m a doctor, not a civil servant. But is redevelopment such a significant event that it affects the collective unconscious to this extent?

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