[ WP ] Pain is discovered to be the most efficient form of energy . It is ruled illegal , but secret human pain factories have already begun . You are the owner of one of these factories .

# # # OCT 17 2022 
 
 It is the tenth successful day of operation. We are stationed underneath a small coal power plant in Venezuela, a few dozen miles outside Caracas. The power plant is non-functioning, but acts as a \*smoke screen* to our operations. We bring in a few shipments of coal every now and then to avoid suspicion, and we keep a steady stream of smoke coming from the cooling tower. 
 
 Dr. Howsawitts' theories are working perfectly so far in practice, as evidenced by the growing number of Pain-Energy Factories ( PEF ) that are starting to spread out all around the world. The power source is injected with a neurotoxin derived from Dendrocnide moroides, which causes extreme pain but no permanent damage to the body. A surgically-implanted device then intercepts the neuron activity and redirects it, allowing us to harvest it as electricity. We can achieve a rough 85 % efficiency in the redirection. 
 
 We have ten sources so far, and we have another six on their way to us right now. With those six additional sources, we expect to be generating 7680 MWh per day. Each source has a capacity of 40 MW, but we have a cycle in place that runs them in 12 hour shifts. 12 hours on and off was of course Dr. Howsawitts' prediction of an optimal system that would maximize power generation. 
 
 # # # OCT 29 2022 
 
 We had a source perish today. Rather unfortunate, really, and quite messy. I've instructed the guards to keep a closer watch to prevent this sort of thing from happening again. 
 
 The doctor quit too. Would n't say why, so we had no choice. We'll have to hire a new one. 
 
 # # # NOV 19 2022 
 
 There was a human rights lawyer snooping around today which had us all a little unnerved. However we were able to successfully avoid any suspicion regarding our operations. However, it got me thinking. I had never really seen things up close before, and so I put it on my to-do list. 
 
 # # # DEC 09 2022 
 
 I had the strangest thing happen to me today. I had finally taken a trip to the plant to see it first-hand. I was walking around the inner wall, which acts as a soundproof one-way mirror. And one of the sources, the source, it was a lady. Around 20 years of age. It looked at me, or possibly just over my shoulder, and started murmuring `` help'' over and over again. It should not have been possible, there was no way of knowing that I was standing there. Perhaps just an illusion or some delusion. 
 
 It shook me though, loath as I am to admit it. 85 % efficiency though, that's quite a lot, really. How much pain would they be feeling if it was only 15 % of the actual amount? 
 
 But still, people under-go pain all the time, sometimes even voluntarily. People who donate a kidney, or who run into a burning building to save some other life. Is this really so different? They should be happy about being able to provide power to so many people. 
 
 # # # DEC 25 2022 
 
 It is Christmas, but I am sitting here watching the sources and writing in my journal. I ca n't get them out of my mind. We have twenty now, ten in each shift. That's 9,600 MWh of power. 
 
 I watch them cry, grovel, scream, curse, and whimper. It unnerves me. 
 
 # # # JAN 02 2023 
 
 We had another death today. Upon inspection, I saw that it was the lady from a month ago. She had died from exhaustion, apparently. Her eyes were stretched wide open, and her body was contorted as if she were in a large amount of pain when she passed. 
 
 # # # JAN 09 2023 
 
 I see her eyes, gazing at me. Her soft, whimpering voice saying help again and again. 
 
 ~~I can't~~, I 
 
 # # # JAN 13 2023 
 
 I woke up today with the worst hangover I had ever experienced. I wondered how it would compare to the people at the plant. 
 
 # # # JAN 15 2023 
 
 My hands itch, like they need to do something. I had purchased a gun the other day. Rolling it between my hands was comforting, the solid weight pushing down on my skin. The knowledge of the force and power that it wielded. 
 
 # # # JAN 18 2023 
 
 I fear I am going insane. Part of me wonders if I was insane all this time, and had never realized it until now. 
 
 # # # JAN 19 2023 
 
 I see them as I wander the streets of Caracas. I hear their screams. They follow me relentlessly, and no matter how hard I try I ca n't seem to lose them inside the winding alleys. 
 
 # # # Jan 20 2023 
 
 I give up. ~~I can't~~ They 
 
 \*blood covers the remaining unintelligible scribbles*
