“Hush little unit, don’t you cry... Daddy’s going to keep you safe inside...” SCENE 4: THE WARPED INSTRUCTIONAL Visual: A cut to a 90s-style infomercial. A cheerful, faceless host points to a chalkboard.

The Beta-Father’s eyes turn into spirals. It places a hand on the child’s head. The hand melts through the child’s silhouette like tar.

“Say yes.” SCENE 5: THE ORIGIN – BETA- Visual: Deep underground. The “Beta-” model is the prototype. It is chained to a wall. It has no face—just a smooth, wooden egg for a head. Cracks are forming.

The Beta-Father enters. It walks on reverse-jointed legs. Its shadow moves before it does.

“Lonely. LONELY. L O N E L Y.”

A Beta-Father weeping black crude oil onto a child’s blanket. The child tries to wipe it. The child’s hand dissolves.