DESIGNATION TS/SCI
Date: 23 January 2018
Location:
Facility:
Transcript ordered by ,
Subject: Gregg Hurwitz interview of Orphan X, aka the Nowhere Man, aka Evan
GH: Evan, good to see you in this context. Easier to interact when I’m not typing.
[inaudible]
GH: Um, we need to talk about it. Hellbent.
[nervous laugh]
GH: I mean, we’re a week away from the book launch and—
[sound of chair scraping, additional commotion]
GH: Dude, X, what the f—
[sound of fabric ripping]
GH: I’m not wearing a wire. There’s a digital recorder right there. I told you up front this was being recorded.
X: Just checking there’s not a hidden agenda.
GH: There’s no hidden agenda. I mean, come on. We’ve known each other—what? Almost five years?
X: Five years, two months, seven days.
GH: Well, I’d think that in that time we’d have established a bit of trust.
[inaudible]
GH: I mean, we’ve been through a lot together.
X: This time’s different.
GH: Right. ’Cuz of Jack. Meaning … Jack’s in trouble.
X: And my gut tells me you had something to do with it.
GH: Me? Wait—why me?
X: You’ve been behind everything else, haven’t you? I mean, think about it.
GH: That’s Van Sciver. That’s not me.
X: I’m not convinced you’re not the one behind Charles Van Sciver.
GH: Only as much as I’m the one behind you, too. But I can promise you this: By the time you get to the end of Hellbent, you’re gonna find out who’s really behind Charles Van Sciver. You’re gonna find out who’s been behind everything.
X: Why don’t I just beat it out of you now?
GH: Um … agent? Agent? Agent!?
X: There’s no field agent out there.
[inaudible]
GH: What do you mean there’s no agent out there?
X: He’s otherwise disposed.
GH: How … how is that possible? I came in after you. He showed me in. He locked the door behind me.
X: I made arrangements.
GH: Okay. Listen—
X: Where’s Jack? Who has Jack?
GH: Look, sit down. Just … chill for a sec, okay?
X: I’m not interested in sitting. I’m not interested in chilling. I’m interested in finding Jack. And you’d better pray nothing happens to him.
[inaudible]
X: What’s that?
[inaudible]
X: You’re mumbling. Use your words. You’re supposed to have some facility with the language. Being a typist and all.
GH: A typist?
X: Answer me.
GH: I can’t just announce where Jack is—if I knew, I mean.
X: Why not?
GH: That … well, it kind of gives it away. … How do I explain this? It’s not the way plot works, to just come out and—OKAY, OKAY! Just sit down, okay? We can talk this out.
[sound of chair scraping]
GH: Okay, look, it’s like this. I can’t give everything away. But I can put you on the trail, right? I can give you a clue, and then you can follow it, and you can see if you can get to Jack before … before … I mean, I’m just saying you can figure out who’s behind everything on your own. I’ll give you a fair shot. And you can run them down.
X: I’ll run them down. Every single person who had anything to do with it.
GH: Why are you looking at me like that?
[prolonged silence]
GH: Listen, maybe we should both rethink this. I mean, what’s that line from Confucius? “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.”
X: Oh, I’m gonna dig a lot more than that.
[sound of an unspecified explosive charge.*] [*Later facility log indicates a full power outage.]
GH: What the holy f—?
[various noises of distress and shrieking subsequently attributed to GH] [electronic humming indicating backup generator coming online] [clanking dead bolts]
Field Agent : Hands! Hands!
GH: It’s just me! Jesus Christ! Thank God you’re here. Where is he?
Field Agent : Where’s who?
GH: Orphan X. The guy who was just here. The guy I was interviewing. Or who was interrogating me. Or whatever the hell just happened.
Field Agent : Calm down, sir. I don’t see anyone. The door was locked the whole time.
GH: ! This is ridiculous. I want to talk to the special agent in charge. Pull the goddamned video.
Field Agent : The video feed for this room just glitched out. There is no video. That’s why I came in. That and your shrieking.
GH: I wasn’t shrieking. If we can—The audio will be intact at least, and—Why am I still here? I want to talk to the SAC. I was assured that my safety would be guaranteed if I was willing to—for stupid promotional materials—[inaudible, inaudible]—goddamned book tours—[inaudible]—like to see Franzen risk his ass for—[inaudible]—Well? Where’s the SAC?
Field Agent : I’m happy to run your request up the chain. But, sir, I’d advise that you remain calm.
GH: I am calm! Look, I have to go on a book tour, like, next week, and you left me unattended in here, and things almost got out of hand. Very badly. And he’s out there now, and things are going to get very, very dangerous. Do you understand me? I know the guy, at least as well as anyone can know him. And let me tell you, I’ve never seen him like this. This shit is personal. He’s—
Field Agent : Hellbent?
GH: You think that’s funny? You think this is some kind of joke?
Field Agent : No, sir.
GH: You need to find him. As in immediately. This could get very bad for people.
Field Agent : You mean for you?
GH: No, not for—Well, maybe if—That’s not the point. I’m concerned for other people more than I am for—Look, this is getting stupid. You need to track him down.
Field Agent : If he is who you’re intimating he is, do you have any idea how stupid your request is?
[protracted silence]
GH: Yes.
End audio.
/
cc:
, Esq.
Comment below for a chance to win a copy of Hellbent by Gregg Hurwitz!
To enter, make sure you're a registered member of the site and simply leave a comment below.
TIP: Since only comments from registered users will be tabulated, if your username appears in red above your comment—STOP—go log in, then try commenting again. If your username appears in black above your comment, You’re In!
Hellbent Comment Sweepstakes: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A purchase does not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of 50 United States, D.C., and Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 18 years or older as of the date of entry. To enter, complete the “Post a Comment” entry at https://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2018/01/transcript-audio-recording-of-interview-with-orphan-x-comment-sweepstakes beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) January 30, 2018. Sweepstakes ends 2:59 p.m. ET February 13, 2018. Void outside the United States and Canada and where prohibited by law. Please see full details and official rules here. Sponsor: Macmillan, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010.
To learn more or order a copy, visit:
opens in a new window
opens in a new window
Gregg Hurwitz is the New York Times bestselling author of 19 novels, including The Nowhere Man. His novels have been shortlisted for numerous literary awards, graced top ten lists, and have been published in 30 languages. He is also a New York Times bestselling comic book writer, having penned stories for Marvel (Wolverine, Punisher) and DC (Batman, Penguin). Additionally, he’s written screenplays for or sold spec scripts to many of the major studios (The Book of Henry), and written, developed, and produced television for various networks. Gregg resides in Los Angeles.
I would love to read the book.
Sounds pretty good….
Oh, too funny! I love this series and I can’t wait to get my hands on this new one.
I want to read this.
Please enter me in this sweepstakes.
Thanks!
Sounds good.
Sounds great!
Sounds like a good one.
I can’t wait to find out who’s behind Charles Van Sciver.
I can’t wait to find out who’s behind Charles Van Sciver.
I’ve always loved mysteries. Would like to try yours. Thanks!
It’s time to read some new mysteries…Thanks.
I love the black-outs! Sounds very interesting.
Looking forward to reading this book!
Looks interesting!
Looks interesting!
looks like a great read .
I’ve read them all and cannot wait for the next one!
Would love to win!
I would love to read this story! Sounds like a great one!! It has a great plot for sure! Love to win!
Oh my. I think many of us are programmed to be more curious when any information (factual or not) is redacted. Can’t help but be interested.
interesting
Intriguing.
Unique.
can’t wait to read it – sounds fascinating. thanks
Loved the first two, and would like to be entered to win the third. Thanks!
Would love to win this great book!
very cool…
Sounds good
Intriguing….thanks for the chance!
My head is spinning from the cover! It definitely says “thriller”!
This is a new author for me, and I’d like to read this book.
This looks like a book I’d really enjoy.
I’ve enjoyed a few Gregg Hurwitz books. I’m sure I’ll like this one too.
I have the first two books in this series. You can make me very happy by giving me a copy of this one.
I agree with Susan. I’ve read and loved the first two and am very excited to read the third!
This sounds like the kind of book I enjoy reading.
count me in, please!
count me in, please!
I must have this book! Yes!
Mystery, comedy, thriller
The first two books were so good, can’t wait to read the third!
love to win thanks
I really want this
Thanks for the fun interview, I’d love to win a copy of Hellbent!
Hurwitz – gotta be good.
This “transcript” blends the book’s universe and the real world so perfectly – the snarkiness about book tours and Franzen were spot on!
I can’t wait for this book!
I’m In!
I’m In!
Looks extremely interesting. I gotta have this one!
I would love this one! Thanks.
I really really want to win this one.
looks like a fun one
This looks like a good read. Thanks for the chance to win.
This will be a heart pounder for sure!!
Loved when X called you a typist. Shows you have a sense of humor abut yourself.
Loved when X called you a typist. Shows you have a sense of humor about yourself.
Loved the interview, made me smile. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of your latest “HellBent”.
Haha! This is why Gregg is my favorite author!
Love the cover.
I read Orphan X, loved it and can’t wait to read the rest of the series. The excerpt was funny and unique.