TRANSCRIPT 6
The following is a text message transcript from the cell phone of Ms. Pamela Chance and her father Walter Everett Chance. The message thread started on June 22, four months after the Bloomington Blast.
(BEGIN TRANSCRIPT.)
DAD
You there?
Hello? Pam?
I’ve tried calling five times!
PAM
In a meeting. Will call after.
DAD
Not after. NOW!
911!
PAM
This meeting is a 911! Don’t screw this up for me!
DAD
I need your help!
911!
PAM
You always need my help.
DAD
This is the last time!
It is important!
PAM
Turning off my phone. Will call when meeting’s over.
DAD
Hello?
Call me immediately!
(Thread resumes approximately two hours later.)
PAM
I tried calling. Why aren’t you picking up?
Hello?
This is it, Dad.
I mean it.
I’m not doing this anymore. You always contact me at the worst time, and then you bail.
I’m done.
DAD
You should have more respect for your father.
PAM
I knew it!
Dad, I don’t have time for your bullshit!
DAD
I was a father once. My daughter would never speak to me like that.
PAM
What are you talking about?
DAD
I am not your father.
PAM
Hilarious. Stop screwing with me and just tell me how much you owe!
(Picture transmitted.)
(Picture received.)
DAD
Do you believe me now?
Yes or no?
PAM
Yes.
DAD
You will do exactly as I instruct, or the next picture I send will display a lot more blood.
Do you understand?
PAM
Yes.
DAD
Good. I’ll keep this simple.
PAM
Do you?
DAD
Do I what?
PAM
Do you understand?
DAD
I’ll play. Understand what?
PAM
Do you understand what will happen if you don’t release my father right now?
DAD
Leave threats to the pros.
PAM
Your gun.
DAD
What?
PAM
The one in the photo you sent.
DAD
The gun I’m about to shoot your father in the mouth with?
PAM
Ever have a misfire?
DAD
Never. I’ll shoot him in the kneecaps next.
PAM
Not once—ever?
DAD
Then I’ll shoot his dick clean off. For fun.
Bloody mess.
PAM
Try it.
DAD
Daddy issues, huh?
PAM
You’d better be sure it’s not going to backfire.
DAD
Stall all you want.
PAM
Shoot him.
DAD
No cop is going to trace this line.
PAM
I don’t need cops.
DAD
When I’m done shooting holes in your dad, I’m going to find you.
I’m going to take my gun, beat you with it, and hold it to your head.
You will cry and scream and beg me to stop as I violate you in every way.
You will give me everything. All the money you owe, your body, your dignity, your life.
I will own you.
PAM
Fire the gun.
(Two minutes pass.)
PAM
I’m waiting . . .
(END TRANSCRIPT.)
(Copyright 2014. Dave Cravens.)