𝕀𝕟𝕤𝕦𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕡𝕠𝕝𝕚𝕔𝕪
A/N: This is my first time writing and posting for another actor that isn't Hayden Christensen on this page. I am truly enamoured by this character, and I was surprised to see that there isn't much about him on Tumblr.
Movie: The Island (2005) Sci-fi, action thriller
Working for Tom Lincoln typically went like this, he would unapologetically flirt with you unless he's in one of those foul moods that prompted him to lock himself in his office and only call for you when he needed something. Usually tea and a snack. One could say that you developed a trained eye to tell when he was being genuine or not, he was the type of man that would pretend to be this perfect picture of a gentleman in order to gain something from people, but in reality he had a couple of ugly traits under the mask. The man was selfish and arrogant in many ways, pretty to stare at but nothing you'd want in your life if you didn't want constant chaos served with a headache. Nothing romantic or sexual ever happened between the two, aware of his condition and reputation. You also know he's in some sort of transplant program to save his life when his liver unavoidably shuts down. So you offer polite smiles, easy conversations and do your work as a pretty and competent assistant. At least he pays enough... And sometimes, although rarely, he was an interesting person to converse with.
But even then, your calm demeanor and ability to deal with stressful situations did not stop you from being monumentally shocked when things changed one day. You were organizing the files in your desk when you hear footsteps.
“Mr. Lincoln, how was your meeting— What the hell happened to you?!” Your eyes quickly studied his appearance, grime and tattered clothes like he just came back from a fight. You also notice his companion, both of them stood there with wide eyes, like they truly went through some hardships and couldn't believe they made it there. It springs you into action. “Were you attacked?! We need to call the police and inform this!” You get up from your desk, quickly fussing over them before he gently stops you.
“I am Lincoln Six Echo, Tom Lincoln's insurance policy...” He replied, staring back just as confused as you were when you begin wiping his forehead with a handkerchief. “Is Tom here?”
You let out a stressed sigh.
“You're bleeding and talking nonsense, I wouldn't be surprised if you're concussed.” You look at the woman. “Are you alright sweetheart? You can sit down.”
That's the exact moment when Tom enters the room. You all have a brief pause of bewilderment where you look at each other quietly, processing the freaky fact that your boss is standing right at the door, but you're cleaning blood and grime off his... what was it he said? Insurance policy? Right... So he must have an identical sibling you never heard about.
You blinked, confused and concerned for the people in front of you. It doesn't matter, these two were clearly attacked and in need of help. “Sir, I wasn't aware that you have a twin brother—”
Tom finally opens his mouth to speak, his Scottish accent strong and present. He takes off his glasses, as if the action would help him see better. “I fucking don't?”
Six Echo and Jordan Two-Delta which you learn is a clone of a Calvin Klein model explained everything to the best of their capabilities. You are horrified to learn that Merrick Biotech bioengineers and raises living, breathing, humans for organ harvesting. The wealthy folk who pay for these services are not aware of it and they do not ask questions. As far as they are concerned, Merrick Biotech grows organs fit for recipients on labs, organs that will not reject because it's from their own DNA.
It is truly barbaric, unethical and inhumane! Clones or not, they are clearly alive and well developed. It makes your blood boil. The soulless monsters that work there refer to them as simple agnates. Like they're things instead of humans... Were they human? They were made of real human DNA, organic matter. As far as you are aware they do not have any "synthetic components", but would that make a difference?
They are alive.
You sit there with a permanent frown, watching the two clones as they look around with wonder, drinking hot chocolate, apparently a comfort drink they've never had before.
“My head's about to explode,” you mumble, making the two of them look up with concern. “It means my head hurts, it's not actually gonna— just a figure of speech, I am fine.” You dismiss quickly. Watching them settle back down. “So they tell you in that horrible place, that the world is unhabitable and that you're survivors?”
They nod.
“There is a lottery,” Echo Six explained. “When a resident is called they make it sound like the prize is a spot on The Island... A lie to keep us in our best behavior.” He swallows.
Jordan finishes the story for him, looking down at her mug. “It's a cover story, so nobody wonders why people go missing. When someone wins the lottery what it really means is that they... That they were killed, used for parts.”
“Jesus Christ...” You whispered, rubbing your face.
“I won the lottery,” she adds bitterly. “I was so happy, so trusting... Thinking I would go to a paradise. If it wasn't for Lincoln I wouldn't be here.”
Your throat tightens with empathy. You can't imagine what it's like. “And now they're after you.”
“Yes.” Lincoln nods, he already established that he prefers being called that instead of Echo Six. “It is why we are here. I know that with Tom's help we can tell people the truth.” His eyes widen with hope, and you really try not to shatter his desires by scoffing.
“Tom's help? Tom's?” You repeat, doubt clear on your tone. “This is wild. People won't believe it, I hardly do and you're standing right in front of me, Lincoln.” You say. “People around here are skeptical. They tend to reject what they can't understand.”
“Then we go to the news, make them believe. Show them they can trust us!”
Oh bless his innocent heart. He might've been created with the same genetic material as Tom, but they are clearly not the same.
It's when Tom enters the room once again, ending a secretive phone call. You can't help but feel worry for these people, they hardly know anything of how the real world works, it makes them susceptible and vulnerable. Lincoln has been alive for three years, for fucks sake! Jordan four.
“... A dying man will almost always do anything to survive, Lincoln. Do not trust Tom.” You walk away with their empty mugs, leaving them puzzled by your words.
You cannot help but worry tremendously by the possible outcome. It's the kind of plot you'd expect in a movie, and you are certain someone's going to die. Like the man who initially helped them get here, killed during the day and in a crowded place with no regard of others. It is obvious that whoever is moving the strings does not care about the casualties, and will not stop until he has them under his custody once again. Dead or alive.
After a few moments of both Lincolns speaking they reach an agreement. They will expose the truth about the cloning program and organ harvesting, but Jordan will stay behind under your supervision. It makes you sick with worry. Frankly, you felt more empathy towards Lincoln Six Echo than the original Tom.
Does it make you a horrible person? You don't hate Tom, but you're not sure if you'd miss him if he's gone. You already knew you were working for a dying man, and he's not exactly your friend.
“Come on Jordan, let's go upstairs. Do you like reading?” You asked, giving the men one last look before leaving with her.
Hours later when only one comes back, you knew almost instantly what went down. You felt it in your gut the moment Tom went away with Lincoln. He tried to turn him in.
Jordan was on edge, pointing a gun at him and demanding answers.
“That's not Tom,” you said, locking eyes with Lincoln who's standing there with his palms up.
And you were right. Tom had tried to turn Lincoln in, but they were caught by the mercenaries hired by Dr. Merrick. Men equipped with orders to retrieve or dispose of Lincoln Six Echo and the thrill of a hunt. In the end, Lincoln was smart and put his ID bracelet on Tom who got shot. The outcome was grim but expected.
“I didn't want him to die... But he tried to get me killed,” he retells, shook by the recent events.
You stand there, arms crossed and a pondering expression. You're not happy that your boss is gone, he was an asshole but sometimes had his moments. Tom wasn't a horrible person.
“He was a dying man,” you exhaled. “But to give you life just to take it away for him to live a little bit longer is not right. You're here too, both of you. You're not imitations, genetically you may be the same but you're all different in mind and soul. You have the right for life just as much as someone born of a mother.”
Lincoln gives you a puzzled expression, as does Jordan.
“What is a soul?” He asked.
It makes you smile a little, those two made a lot of questions and it's not wonder. “I'm not sure, everybody has a different interpretation of it. To me it is what makes a person human. It's that shine behind one's eyes, that only exists when living... That gives you the ability to dream. It's consciousness, what's inside your mind, heart and body.”
“I feel like I am real.” Jordan mumbles. “Does it mean we have one too?”
“Yes, of course you do.” You frowned. “You surely do.”
“Do we have a good soul?” Lincoln speaks. The question doesn't surprise you, but it sure warms up your heart.
“Yes, Lincoln. You both do.”
After a few moments of silence, you get them settled in Tom's mansion, well, technically now it belongs to Lincoln. The whole thing is confusing, everything changed in less than 24 hours and a part of you is still convinced that it is some sort of bad dream.
But in hindsight it wasn't that crazy, not with how advanced the world is. Was it that hard to believe that humans were playing God once again? That human greed ruled over morals?
Sleep alluded you that night, it's why you found yourself getting a snack at 3AM. When you're about to go back to your room something caught your eye, someone was in the living room.
Quietly you approach, noticing Lincoln.
It was fascinating how similar he was to Tom, at least visually. But then you'd glance at his eyes and immediately have this feeling that you're with someone entirely different. Because you are. Genetically they're the same, even the sound of their voice is identical and yet... there's this gentleness to Lincoln that you never saw from Tom.
Tom's eyes were lusty most of the time, but Lincoln's are filled with something akin to reverence.
“What are you doing up so late?” You asked softly, sitting next to him but not too close, the last thing you'd want is for Lincoln to feel uncomfortable. God knows he's had enough of that. “Aren't you tired?”
Lincoln offers you a small smile, eyes shining with curiosity and hunger for knowledge.
“I am, but there is so much to see still. Did you know you can type anything on this device and it will give you all sorts of answers?”
“Ah. You have found the internet.” You chuckled softly. There is a long pause where all you can hear are Lincoln's whispered words to himself as he comes up with new questions to type. Only when he addresses you suddenly, you notice yourself staring at him.
“I wanted to thank you.” He begins.
“For what?”
“All that you've done for us of course.”
You shook your head, a bit stunned by his gratitude. “I haven't really done much when you think of it. Besides, this isn't my home so it's not like the hospitality counts.” You joked, however he remains with that soft expression in his eyes.
“Perhaps. But you believed in us when you had every reason to be scared and turn us in.”
“Now why would I do that?” You frowned, turning a bit to face him properly. It takes you a while to notice you're touching his knee. There isn't any malice behind your touch, just comfort and compassion. Unbeknownst to you, you're the first person who truly treated Lincoln and Jordan like human beings. Caring. Full of empathy. “You've been through enough. I want to help as much as I can. I've been thinking of this all night and it feels wrong to say it out loud, but you have the chance to keep Tom's lifestyle. They're technically yours now. All his assets and money. You can put Merrick Biotech behind you, Jordan can do it too.”
Lincoln sighs, looking away for a moment. A part of him wanted to but... it didn't feel right.
“I can't do that,” he admits. “There are more people like us back there, hundreds of innocents who still think there's an island and just... Waiting until they serve their ''purpose'' and get discarded. I need to help them, to get them free.”
You swallowed a lump in your throat, filled with worry and dread.
“You could die.”
He smiles again, trying to be reassuring. “But I have to try.”
You take a deep breath, shifting on the couch. There isn't much that you can do to help. “And then what? If you're successful I mean.”
He considers his options. “I honestly don't know... I've had dreams before, of living on a boat. Maybe I could travel the world in on... Ah, maybe it's too silly.”
“Not at all, I like it.” This time you're the one giving the reassuring smile. “If there is space for a third I wouldn't mind joining you guys. I could be like a tour guide.”
“Have you travelled then world?” Lincoln's eyes widen and for the first time in 24 hours you have to hold back a snort.
“I wish.” You shake your head. “But I'm familiar with how things work, I'm sure you and Jordan are fast learners but until then, I'd like to lend a hand.”
“I would like that.” Lincoln stares into your eyes, practically daydreaming.
And suddenly, you can't help but ask.
“Are Jordan and you...”
He tilts his head a little, the confused expression on his face makes you want to crawl in a hole and hide from embarrassment. “Are we what?”
“You know... A thing. Together. Partners.” You move your hand. “Lovers?” You cringed.
“Like boyfriend and girlfriend?” He asked, hardly familir with the terms. Apparently it's one of the things that were prohibited on the facilities, clones were "programmed" without the desire of sex or companionship, but you can't really go against nature that much. “No. We're friends... I do think she's pretty.” He admits shyly.
“Ah. Of course... She is very pretty, isn't she?” You chuckled.
“You're pretty too.” His words made your heart ache with warmth. So far you've noticed that he is not someone who lies, if anything he innocently vocalizes his thoughts and the idea of Lincoln thinking you're pretty is enough to make you blush. “Were you and Tom together?” He asks you this time.
“No, he was my boss. He was big flirt, drank himself until he blacked out and did many other things that I would never want in a partner.” You rubbed your arms, a small flicker of guilt appearing on your face. “I guess he was a bit of a friend sometimes, rarely but it did happen.”
“I am sorry...”
“Don't be. He wasn't always that nice, a bit handsy sometimes, come to think of it.” You huffed.
“Handsy...?”
You blinked a few times, how to explain it? “His behavior was inappropriate, had a hard time with boundaries and made unsolicited advances.”
“Oh.” Lincoln nods. “Yes, that's rather inappropriate. What a twat.”
“Yes, I agree.” His little insult made you laugh, no doubt he picked it up from the internet. Probably some video. “You should get some rest, it's been a tremendously long day.” You got up on your feet, only stopping when he grabbed your hand. A bit unsure since he's still learning the ropes, but he gently kisses the back of it before letting go.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you. For everything.” He said again.
You smiled, heart beating fast and hard after such a tender display of gratitude. “Goodnight, Lincoln.” You touch his cheek. “Go rest.”
“I will.” He smiled.
