Rusty Fears 6 - Canned Lights by Autumn Olson

Summary

The Magnus Archives: Rusty Fears 6 - "Canned Lights" by Autumn Olson

Introduction

In the sixth installment of the "Rusty Fears" series, titled "Canned Lights," Autumn Olson delves into the psyche of a beleaguered office worker who becomes entangled with a mysterious and malevolent darkness. This episode, released on January 2, 2025, continues The Magnus Archives' tradition of exploring the eerie and the inexplicable through rich storytelling and compelling character narratives.

Plot Summary

"Canned Lights" centers on an unnamed protagonist working tirelessly in a monotonous, windowless office environment. The oppressive atmosphere, characterized by incessant fluorescent lighting and the relentless presence of cockroaches, serves as the backdrop for his descent into darkness—both literal and metaphorical.

The narrative begins with the protagonist expressing his disdain for miracles, labeling himself a monster despite his actions to "save" his coworkers by extinguishing the office lights. He reveals that turning off the lights causes the cockroaches to vanish, an act he perceives as a supernatural miracle. This act, however, comes at a cost: his coworkers disappear without a trace, leading others to vilify him as a murderer.

As the story unfolds, the protagonist grapples with his identity and the morality of his actions. He questions whether his ability to manipulate the darkness is a gift or a curse, ultimately viewing himself as a savior who liberates his colleagues from the dehumanizing grind of their work lives. His inner turmoil intensifies as he confronts the isolation his actions have imposed upon him, culminating in a chilling acceptance of his role as a harbinger of darkness.

Key Themes

1. Isolation and Monotony: The protagonist's confined workspace symbolizes the dehumanizing effects of modern office culture. The relentless routine and lack of natural light contribute to his psychological deterioration.

2. Morality and Sacrifice: The ethical ambiguity of the protagonist's actions—saving others by annihilating them—raises questions about the cost of salvation and the nature of heroism.

3. Supernatural Control: The manipulation of darkness and light serves as a metaphor for control and power, illustrating how the protagonist wields his supernatural abilities as both a weapon and a shield.

4. Identity and Humanity: The protagonist's internal conflict about his humanity emphasizes the struggle between remaining human in a soulless environment versus embracing monstrous actions for a perceived greater good.

Character Analysis

• Protagonist: A deeply conflicted individual who oscillates between seeing himself as a monster and a savior. His narrative voice conveys profound loneliness and a desperate need for connection, which paradoxically leads him to commit acts that further isolate him.

• Coworkers: Though not deeply developed, the coworkers epitomize the faceless, expendable nature of corporate life. Their emotional detachment highlights the protagonist's sense of helplessness and fuels his justification for his drastic actions.

Notable Quotes

1. "You want a bed that feels firm but they want soft. Sleep number does that."

   • [00:00] (Note: This is part of an advertisement and not part of the episode's narrative.)

2. "You people can't stand miracles, can you? You call me a monster, yet you sit there ripping the mysteries of this world down to nothing but mere molecules."

   • [03:55]
   • Analysis: This opening line sets the tone for the protagonist's antagonistic relationship with society, framing his actions as misunderstood miracles.

3. "If I'm feeling merciful, then maybe. Maybe I'll come to save you too."

   • [17:36]
   • Analysis: This quote encapsulates the protagonist's delusional sense of benevolence, highlighting his belief in his own moral superiority despite his monstrous deeds.

4. "How long did you say those lights were out? 8 minutes and 37 seconds."

   • [16:XX]
   • Analysis: This precise measurement of time underscores the calculated nature of his actions, suggesting a methodical approach to his 'miracles.'

Insights and Discussions

"Canned Lights" serves as a poignant exploration of mental health issues exacerbated by oppressive work environments. The protagonist's transformation into a self-styled savior reflects a breakdown of moral boundaries, driven by the dehumanizing effects of his surroundings. The use of darkness as both a literal and symbolic force emphasizes the struggle between light (clarity, order) and darkness (chaos, power).

Autumn Olson masterfully uses atmospheric details—such as the relentless fluorescent lights and the omnipresent cockroaches—to create a sense of entrapment and imminent dread. The protagonist's fixation on light and darkness becomes a central motif, representing his internal conflict and the blurring lines between right and wrong.

The episode also invites listeners to ponder the ethics of intervention. Is the protagonist justified in his actions to save others from their drudgery, even if it means destroying them? This moral quandary adds depth to the horror narrative, making "Canned Lights" not just a story of supernatural terror but also a commentary on the human condition within modern society.

Conclusion

"Canned Lights" is a compelling addition to The Magnus Archives, blending psychological horror with supernatural elements to explore themes of isolation, morality, and identity. Autumn Olson's storytelling prowess shines through in the protagonist's complex characterization and the richly constructed ambiance of his oppressive world. For listeners seeking a thought-provoking horror experience that delves beneath surface scares to examine deeper existential fears, "Canned Lights" is a must-listen episode that resonates long after the final moments.

Additional Information

For more captivating horror tales and to stay updated on upcoming episodes, visit The Magnus Institutes' official website or follow them on social media platforms.

Transcript

[Sleep Number Advertiser]

They say opposites attract. That's why the Sleep number smart bed is the best bed for couples. You can each choose what's right for you whenever you like. You like a bed that feels firm but they want soft. Sleep number does that. You want to sleep cooler while they like to feel warm. Sleep number does that too. Why choose a sleep number smart bed so you can choose your ideal comfort on either side. And now it's the lowest price of the season on the top selling i8 smart bed your best savings plus special financing limited time shop a sleep number store near you. See store or sleepnumber.com for details.

[DSW Advertiser]

DSW's Semi Annual Sale is back and it's bigger than ever. Save 50% on all clearance styles at your DSW store for a limited time. Plus find even more great [e-mail] don't sleep on these seriously amazing deals. Score super low prices on sneakers, boots and more for the entire family when you shop the DSW semiannual sale. Save today at your DSW store or dsw.com exclusions apply.

[Billy]

Hi everyone, it's Billy, the voice of Alice in the Magnus Protocol here. Today I'm here to advertise Hai Nai, a supernatural horror podcast on the RQ Network. Hai Nai is an atmospheric, analog style horror audio drama featuring folk horror mythology and chilling supernatural terrors in an urban setting. Follow Mari, a Filipina immigrant in Toronto who casually handles supernatural threats like it's just another Tuesday, using her lived experience raised by her Babylon mother to save the city from unimaginable horrors. Haine is currently running a mini fundraiser to finish and release Act 3 of the show. Funding includes rewards such as unique art, insights into the creation of the story, dedications and more. Plus if certain stretch goals are reached, there will be bonus episodes released onto the feed. If you want to support Hai Nai and its creators until January 31st, head to rustyquill.com fundraiser.

[Sucrobe Advertiser]

Hi, we are here to talk to you about Sucrobe, a perfumery we love so much. They have not one but two official the Magnus Archives perfumes, one inspired by John and Martin and another inspired by the mysterious Ex Altiora, a book from the library of Jurgen Leitner. Sucrobay also make official perfumes for our friends over at Old Gods of Appalachia, including Blood and Bone and Unknown Roads. You should check them out. Sucrobe is a women owned and operated perfumery that is vegan and cruelty free, witchy and sometimes irreverent. Expect perfumes like you're in a cult. Call your dad or vodka and swearing the ever popular Chloroform or Papa's Waffles. Sucrobe do a range of exciting and unique fragrances you won't find anywhere else. They broadly fit into the following five classic scents that pass the test of time. Goth scents for those who like it, dark and mysterious, witchy scents that are mysterious and potiony, nerdy scents for all the self professed nerds out there and femme scents, the classically floral and sweet scents, but we recommend them for anyone of any gender. Sucro based small batch perfumes are not like any other. You can find out more by going to www.rustedquill.com that's rustyquill.com P E R F U M E. Also, you can join the supportive and kind Sucrobay community with over 18,000 members on [e-mail] groups Sucrobay that's s U C R E A B E I L L E.

[Canned by Autumn Olson]

Canned by Autumn Olson. You people can't stand miracles, can you? You call me a monster, yet you you sit there ripping the mysteries of this world down to nothing but mere molecules. You call me a murderer. As if you wouldn't split an atom just to see how far those nuclear fireworks have fallout spread. You so called scientists and government bureaucrats are all the same. If anything, I should be congratulated. How many others could have survived year after year working in that windowless cubicle? Who else could have maintained their humanity as their soul was crushed beneath the weight of those blinking bleached fluorescents? But you don't care about context, do you? Nah. You people never ask why I did what I did. You just want to know how it was done. You want to know how I made 17 of my co workers disappear? I'll tell you. Of course I will. Because you need to know how little you know. To be blunt, it was never my intention to save my co workers like that. Not at first. It's not that I didn't care for them. No, no, I'm sure I did. But how could anyone be expected to feel anything while crammed into those tiny windowless cubes? Was I supposed to be their friend just because we were forced to work the same seven day weeks to be soothed by their dulcet monotones as they took call after call from neighbouring desks? Or perhaps you think we should have gone to lunch together instead of eating with our noses pressed against computer screens from dawn till dusk. Dawn till dusk. You already know how rarely I saw the sun up hours before it rose and in bed hours after it set. Not that I missed the damn thing anyways. Even in that sunless state, I couldn't escape those canned lights wherever I went. The burning of my television, the ceaseless glare of sodium street lamps, the phones, computers, fluorescents. That foul, jaundiced tungsten of my cockroach riddled apartment. Oh, I wish I knew which I hated more. That yellow light of the awful, crawling, clinging cockroaches that scuttled over my feet even as I tried to sleep. Only the damn tungsten kept them from coming out. But I could hear them. I swear this. I could hear them from any spot in the apartment. In the walls, the pipes, the floor. Lurking on the periphery. What a torture to want to rest, to sleep, to simply close my eyes. Yet to know that that moment I turned off the lights would be the moment they came creeping out. I learned how meaningless time was back then. We give time a face and hands, build it in our likeness to make ourselves its master. Yet show me a body of time. Show me a hair or fingernail or any fistful of physical fragments you think you can conjure. Nah. When you live an existence like that, you learn how pointless the concept really is. Seven day work, weeks, sleepless nights, seasons without sun render seconds obsolete. So of course I couldn't tell you when exactly I performed my first miracle. I know that I had only just arrived at my apartment and flipped on the switch to find those filthy cockroaches had inched back further across the counters and floor than ever before. As the light flooded the room, they turned to find their way back to their drains and hiding places to wait at the edge of my consciousness. I'm not entirely sure what triggered it. I think it might have been that I was finally more disgusted with myself than the cockroaches. I was nothing more than an automaton at work and lived at the leisure of insects at home. You asked me earlier if I was human. I asked myself the same thing at that moment. If I was human, then why was I worth less than a handful of insects? If I was human, why did my pencil pushing jaw burn through more bodies than an abattoir? But honestly, I think I just wanted to claim something as my own. So what if those cockroaches swarmed my apartment? Even if they infested everything around me, at least I'd have myself again. So yeah, maybe I'm not human. Maybe no one is. Maybe what makes us human is not our mastery of light, but our free will to deny it. And I'm guessing you know what choice I made. I still remember the relief I felt as I turned off the switch. That giddy roller coaster drop of anticipation as I plunged into the pitch. That was when the miracle first occurred. That was when the darkness breathed. Did you know cockroaches can scream? They don't have vocal cords, so I suppose technically it's not a scream. But heard the shrieks they made. If you heard the pops of their bodies as that pressure pushed inwards, then you would know some things do not need vocal cords to scream. I'm ashamed to say I panicked that first time. You have to understand, I had never encountered a miracle like that before. I flipped the switch to see what had happened. And the screaming stopped. There was nothing left of the vermin but their track marks, which had come to dead ends as though they had suddenly evaporated. And the blissful, absolute silence they left. In their absence, your colleagues who were beforehand, the ones in the lab coats, they asked me why the windows of my apartment were boarded up. Now do you understand? How could I risk the street lamps or stars polluting my darkness? I spent my nights light proof in my apartment, preparing for the return of that miraculous dark. And I waited. Yet as the weeks went on, I began to question my miracle. Not whether or not it happened. I knew it did. The cockroaches never returned. But I wondered, why had it taken them, those disgusting, horrible things, and not me? Why had they been carried from this awful world while I had been passed over? I'd sat there in that mundane black of my apartment, night after night, waiting, wondering, asking for the living darkness to come back for me. But I didn't. And I wouldn't. Not until I went out into the streets and searched till I found a cockroach scuttling on the sidewalk. A cockroach that tickled my palm and pressed against my fingers as I returned to my apartment. A cockroach that screamed when I turned off the lights. I'd never planned to introduce my miracle to another human. At the time, I was content to feed it the filth I could and to bask in its brief embrace. It was a solace I longed for in those terrible, eternal days of work. I'm still not sure if that dark was something I summoned or a manifestation of my feelings within it. But I don't think it matters. I was convinced I was the only person who could ever understand it. That I had been chosen, blessed somehow, and that to share it would be to condemn myself to the investigations of people like You I know now that was arrogance. To keep this gift to myself required the degree of selfishness I simply wasn't capable of. All I needed was a final push to see that. A push that came in the form of my boss. It was another sunless day, same as all the others, when my boss announced that we would have to work yet another crunch week, that despite our days, months, years of overtime, we had still not hit our quota, that we were behind on deadlines, that time was money, and that if we had weekend plans, then we better take a few minutes to cancel them. He didn't even look when the woman next to me, Jen, I think her name was, broke down sobbing right then and there. I think she missed her son's birthday. How can you just sit there staring? How can you feel nothing? You look at me like I'm the monster. When I saved them from their suffering. Do you know what it's like to be a gear screaming and screeching as the machine goes faster and faster, knowing that the moment that you are ground to dust, you'll simply be replaced with a newer, quieter cog? Then for what? Hmm? I may be a monster, but at least I'm not a machine. I saved them. I saved them all from being crushed in the cogs of a world that couldn't care less about them anyways. None of them even gave a damn when I hit the first light switch or the second. They were all so sapped of life from the constant monotony of those screens, only when I hit the third did someone shout that they needed it to keep working. And by the fourth, I heard the click, click, click of a switch as someone tried to wrestle the light back into the room. The nun came by the fifth. I was grateful for the first time ever that that place had no windows. Still, no one really seemed to care. Not till the first breath of darkness snuffed the computer screams out like candles. Not till the sounds of popping began. I'm not sure where they were pulled to or if they properly fit, but they stopped screaming after a while. I didn't understand. I knew they were suffering as much as me, so why were they afraid? If they just stayed calm, they wouldn't have needed to be dragged away like that. They had been chosen to go to a place that I could only dream of, a place I longed to follow them to. But nah, I know now that that is not my job to follow or to understand. It is my job to lead, to help others reach the salvation I desire, and to join them when my task is complete. How long did you say those lights were out? 8 minutes and 37 seconds. How strange it is to confine a miracle to the mere ticking of a clock. But that was all the time I needed. Despite their fear, they finally let themselves be saved. There was no trace of them when the lights came back. Only those scratches in the walls and floors where they had been dragged, and bits of blood where their fingernails broke. So, no, to answer your earlier question, no bodies were found because there was nothing to find. No one was ever in any danger. Why are you so angry? What did I do wrong? I only ever wanted to help. To save others from this life that causes nothing but pain. Why can't I make any of you see that? Why are you making that face? Even if I fed them to that breathing darkness, as you say, is that really any worse than feeding them to the cold, lifeless machine that you call progress? Is that what humanity is to you? I'd rather be a monster with a heart than a human with none. You hate me? Fine. But know this. I will turn the other cheek, even if you do not understand me. Maybe one day you'll learn that understanding is all irrelevant anyways. Miracles can only ever occur in the dark. And one day, if you accept that, if you repent, then make sure to shutter your windows and turn off the lights. If I'm feeling merciful, then maybe. Maybe I'll come to save you too.

[Sucrobe Advertiser]

The Magnus Protocol is a podcast distributed by Rusty Quill and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non commercial share alike 4.0 international license to subscribe, View associated materials or join our Patreon visit rustyquill.com Rate and review us online. Tweet us therustyquill, visit us on Facebook or email us via mail rustyquill.com thanks for listening. Hi, we are here to talk to you about Sucrobe, a perfumery we love so much. They have not one, but two official the Magnus Archives perfumes. One inspired by John and Martin and another inspired by the mysterious Ex Altiora, a book from the library of Jurgen Leitner. Sucrobae Also make official perfumes for our friends over at Old Gods of Appalachia, including Blood and Bone and Unknown Roads. You should check them out. Sucrobe is a women owned and operated perfumery that is vegan and cruelty free, witchy and sometimes irreverent. Expect perfumes like you're in a cult. Call your dad or Vodka and swearing the ever popular Chloroform or Papa's Waffles. Sucrobe do a range of exciting and unique fragrances you won't find anywhere else. They broadly fit into the following five classic scents that pass the test of time. Goth scents for those who like it dark and mysterious, witchy scents that are mysterious and potiony Nerdy scents for all the self professed nerds out there and femme scents, the classically floral and sweet scents, but we recommend them for anyone of any gender. Sucrobe Small batch perfumes are not like any other. You can find out more by going to www.rusticwill.com. that's rusticwill.com P E R F U M E Also, you can join the supportive and kind Sucrobay community with over 18,000 members on [e-mail] groups Sucrobae that's s U C R E A B E I L L E.

[Sleep Number Advertiser]

They say opposites attract. That's why the Sleep Number Smart Bed is the best bed for couples. You can each choose what's right for you whenever you like. You like a bed that feels firm but they want soft. Sleep Number does that. You want to sleep cooler while they like to feel warm. Sleep Number does that too. Why choose a Sleep Number Smart Bed so you can choose your ideal comfort on either side. And now it's the lowest price of the season on the top selling i8 smart bed your best savings plus special financing limited time shop a sleep number store near you. See storerorsleepnumber.com for details.

[DSW Advertiser]

Where'd you get those shoes? Easy. They're from dsw. Because DSW has the exact right shoes for whatever you're into right now. You know, like the sneakers that make office hours feel like happy hour, the boots that turn grocery aisles into runways, and all the styles that show off the many sides of you, from daydreamer to multitasker, and everything in between. Because you do it all in really great shoes. Find a shoe for every you at your DSW store or dsw.com hi everyone.

[Billy]

It'S Billy, the voice of Alice in the Magnus Protocol here today I'm here to advertise Hai Nai, a supernatural horror podcast on the RQ Network. Hai Nai is an atmospheric analog style horror audio drama featuring folk horror mythology and and chilling supernatural terrors in an urban setting. Follow Mari, a Filipina immigrant in Toronto who casually handles supernatural threats like it's just another Tuesday, using her lived experience raised by her Babylon mother to save the city from unimaginable horrors. Haina is currently running a mini fundraiser to finish and release Act 3 of the show. Funding includes rewards such as unique art, insights into the creation of the story, dedications and more. Plus, if certain stretch goals are reached, there will be bonus episodes released onto the feed. If you want to support Hai Nai and its creators until January 31st, head to rustyquill.com fundraiser.