Dr. Harley Sawyer

Aliases

Harley Sawyer Dr. H. Sawyer (in Report) Dr. Sawyer (by Dr. Bruno White) Experiment 1354 "The Doctor" Sawyer Harley (both by Leith Pierre) The Big Mean Doctor (by Doey the Doughman) "The Doctor" (Experiment Designation; Nickname)

Affilation

Playtime Co. (Formerly) Head of Special Projects at Playtime Co.[1] Originator of the Bigger Bodies Initiative Bigger Bodies (Creations) The Prototype (Ally) Yarnaby (Subordinate) Nightmare Critters (Subordinates) The Doctor's Bodies (Reserve Bodies) The Player (Enemy)

Species

Cyborg Human (Formerly)

Appearance

Sawyer's human appearance is unknown. After becoming The Doctor, known as Experiment 1354. he was reduced to organs (lungs, liver, and brain) stored and kept alive within Vital System Centers scattered around the factory. When he looks through a television, an eye surrounded by static will appear on the screen. The Doctor can also take control of mechanical vessels around the room his brain is located in. When they activate, a yellow eye with fingers around it will appear until it turns into a larger, chaotic, red eye when it starts to attack. When The Doctor possesses his mind to one of the vessels, its screen will show the exact same eye from the television when he is looking through it.

Personalitty

Harley Sawyer was a cruel, merciless, narcissistic, apathetic scientist who cared little about anyone or anything other than himself and his goals. With his Bigger Bodies Initiatives, he sealed the fate of countless orphans and unfortunate employees by resuscitating them into living toys, the experience of which is universally negative, and pioneered an era of what could essentially be said as mass murder and suffering. Few of his personality traits listed below can be considered positive, and it is heavily implied that he was already troubled and problematic as a young child, carrying his distinctive trait of complete focus on himself and little of others. While his "normal" personality appeared to be one of staidness combined with a gentle voice and general politeness, this personality broken (which can be done easily as shown numerous times) reveals that he was, in reality, an angry, violent, and irritable person who could hardly tolerate anyone, even his co-workers, and frequently yelled at people when his temper got the best of him. In the tape Your gift has finally arrived., Sawyer found out someone was recording him and ferociously yelled that the camera be turned off immediately, starkly contrasting with his gentle voice. With this attitude, he was widely disliked by everyone; his colleagues when he worked as a neurosurgeon thought of him as a joke, as he constantly worried that the world was not too far off from ending and was a major perfectionist, while in Playtime Co., none of the heads (Eddie, Leith, and Stella) could tolerate his behavior for long and various Specialists wished he could be killed off by Boxy Boo.

Personalitty

Sawyer was well-known for his lack of empathy or really any kind of positive feeling towards others; in Chapter 4 tape "The Doctor", Eddie complained that Sawyer had absolutely no regard for the safety of the Playtime Co. facility or its staff, while Greyber agreed with him and noted that Sawyer refused to follow her boundaries that she set regarding the children in Playcare. In Prisoner Profile, he found it disgusting that the few security staff Yarnaby showed loyalty to had some form of sympathy for him. Sawyer also appeared to be notoriously picky; in the Sandwich Note, the writer tells their friend that Sawyer resented sweet pickles, telling them that if they take his order, they mustn't pick out sweet pickles lest they get punished severely. Even though the writer admits this was merely a joke, it provides a good insight of his personality and implies he is very childish despite his age. In the tape reporting about Kevin Barnes, Scientist #4 bemoaned Sawyer's choice of continuing to include Kevin Barnes with the other two children despite his aggressive behavior that could render Doey as a dangerous asset; considering the dangers of this, it is probable that the scientists warned against this choice numerous times which he refused to listen to. In the Experiment 1188 Bigger Bodies Proposal, the person writing the proposal states that "Dr. Sawyer insists he handle the extraction himself.", indicating that Sawyer was very much dedicated to the Bigger Bodies Initiative and/or wanted to be credited for the extraction, either as an honor for his dedication to research or an arrogant way to gain recognition.

Personalitty

In the Prisoner Profile for Yarnaby, Sawyer notes that it should be kept isolated, having only contact with him, saying: "By the time I'm done...I'll be its whole world. It'll know nothing else." This shows Sawyer to be manipulative and apathetic to the plight of his experiments, not caring for them in the least. It also shows him to be very merciless and cruel, as what Sawyer implies is him having total control over Yarnaby, which no doubt would involve torture in various ways. After Yarnaby’s death, Sawyer shows no feeling for his pet, merely stating that he had more on hand, further supporting the idea. In the Chapter 4 Gameplay Trailer: Doey the Doughman, Sawyer (in one of his bodies) states that he wishes to make a game out of The Player and, before The Player is dropped down an unknown shaft, he sarcastically waves at them, showing that he can be extremely sadistic and that he likes to toy with people who are at his mercy.

Backstory

In his youth, Harley Sawyer joined and participated in the Young Geniuses Program, as indicated by Leith Pierre, which is presumably where Sawyer got his start in Playtime Co. However, Ludwig became concerned at his lack of humility and willingness to experiment simply for the sake of progress rather than for the "benefit of humanity". He tried to instill that humility in Sawyer, which only served to anger him. Seeing no other choice in the face of this, Elliot Ludwig regretfully ejected him from the Young Geniuses Program. Sawyer saw this as a betrayal, coming to see Elliot Ludwig as "soft", "small-minded" and a "backstabber".[2] Later on January 15, 1990, Harley Sawyer was hired by Leith Pierre to work as a neurosurgeon at Playtime Co. and eventually became the Head of Special Projects, a secret division within the company. During his employment, he learned about the company's failed experiments and realized they would go bankrupt if they got sued, which seemed to be an eventuality. Determined to prevent this, Sawyer strove to find a solution for the toy company.

Can you hear us? Can you see this?

Harley Sawyer approached the Playtime Co. executives with a solution for the company's ongoing problems. Incidents of lower-level employees witnessing confidential experiments and decreased profits were causing Playtime Co. to crumble. Sawyer proposed the development of large toys to increase the workforce and cut costs as a potential solution. He called this solution the Bigger Bodies Initiative and requested that he oversee and lead the project.

Archive 5B00 transcript

Sawyer takes an interest in Quinn Navidson, upon noticing that Quinn appears to be holding back during tests. He personally promises to oversee Quinn's next test after telling him that he knew Quinn could achieve a good result.

Prisoner profile

Following Quinn's transformation into Experiment 1166, Sawyer notes that 1166 lacks higher cognitive function, but he also observes that 1166 also displays an 'odd loyalty' to the security staff, something he finds "nauseating", comparing it to the manner in which domesticated cats behave. Realising this means that 1166 could be "bent", Sawyer orders 1166 to be isolated, coming into contact with only Sawyer himself. He expresses that he needs "protection" because of his importance to the Bigger Bodies Initiative, and that he might "get a good laugh" at the "pathetic" noises 1166 makes.

Cross-department report

In the Cross-Department Report released on February 20, 1991, Harley Sawyer on behalf of Research talks about the difficulties of CatNap's procedure, and how he is extremely pleased about CatNap's behavior, even considering him to rival Experiment 1170.

your gift has finally arrived

Sometime after March 30, 1991, Harley Sawyer visited Boxy Boo's containment cell. The angry hunter roared as the doctor revelled in his success, proclaiming the creature to be "the first of many" and its very existence opening many possibilities- some presumably leading to immortality. Sawyer then decided the creature's appetite must be attuned to human flesh. He asked a nearby doctor for an update on Rowan Stoll. When a phone started ringing, Sawyer noticed that someone was recording him, and yelled for them to turn off their camera.

log 24459

In a log documenting the Prototype, Sawyer mentions that although the experiment was still stubborn and silent, he was able to make new discoveries about the Prototype. Before he could mention what he discovered, the Prototype makes an unintelligible noise that gets the attention of Sawyer. He ends the log but the conversation is still heard, with the Prototype asking a question while changing his voice. The Prototype asks Sawyer if he feels anything, although Sawyer does not understand the question. The Prototype clarifies by saying he harms the toys, asking if he feels it. Sawyer merely says there's a secret inside the Prototype that is "valuable beyond all measure". He states he harms him to find it, and makes more progress every session. He dares the Prototype to "speak, or don't. Fight, or give in", as regardless for Sawyer, he always learns new things of the Prototype, which he laughs about and says excites him. The Prototype thanks him, which Sawyer is surprised about. The Prototype then replays Sawyer's voice and cunningly restates his sentence about learning new things.

incident aftermath

Following the theater incident, which resulted in the death of an unknown number of people, Gerad Lockehart investigated its cause and informed Leith Pierre, Stella Greyber and Eddie M.N. Ritterman that Sawyer was responsible.

"the doctor" vhs type

Following the revelation that Sawyer was responsible for the theater incident, which was the most recent in a long-running line of incidents for which he was responsible, Leith Pierre, Stella Greyber and Eddie M.N. Ritterman discuss what to do with him. Eddie suggests killing Sawyer, an idea that Leith shot down because they still needed Sawyer's mind. Despite not being able to deal with Sawyer in a more permanent manner, Leith says that he has an idea on how to deal with him.

"experiment 1354" vhs type

Sawyer was subjected to his own procedures and turned into an experiment himself, now as The Doctor, with Dr. Bruno White performing the procedure. The Doctor awakens in a state of disorientation, before realizing what has happened, referring to the higher-ups as "backstabbing traitors". The Doctor remarks how he feels like something has gone wrong, that Dr. White must have done something wrong. When Dr. White tries to calm him, The Doctor demands to know who gave the order. Leith Pierre confirms he gave the order, and The Doctor tells him that he has no idea what kind of mistake he had just made. Leith retorts, berating The Doctor for having so many chances to fix his mistakes but being unable to. The Doctor scoffs at the idea that Leith could do better than him, replying angrily that they needed his intellect, to which Leith tells him that's why he was converted into an experiment rather than being fed to Boxy Boo. Leith tells The Doctor what will happen from then on: he is to give the other scientists answers when they need them, and to perform procedures as directed. The Doctor furiously tells Leith that he will die for what he has done, that when he gets his hands on Leith, he's a dead man.

catnap check-in

In a recording made in 1994, Leith Pierre mentions Sawyer and says he would normally be there to check up on CatNap but that he's "out" and needs to do his work until they find a replacement for him. This is due to Harley Sawyer having been turned into The Doctor.

EXPERIMENT 1166 WEEKLY CHECK-UP

In a report made in October 1994, Dr. Carmine McKabe notes that 1166 had formed an attachment to Sawyer despite Sawyer's apathy towards him, and that with Sawyer's removal from his presence, 1166 has lost his motivation.

"Time" vhs type

Sometime after the Hour of Joy, The Doctor is heard meeting with the Prototype, who deliberately spared him during the event. 1006 tells the Doctor that his suggestions have so far failed, and questions whether or not it was a good idea to spare him. The Doctor replies that more time is needed, but the Prototype angrily states that they do not have any time. The Doctor suggests he finds some more or give him lab access, yet the Prototype denies his request, telling him to “stay put”. The Doctor says that what he is trying to accomplish cannot be done quickly, leading the Prototype to ask him what his use is in that case. The Doctor replies that he is the Prototype’s “best shot”, which satisfies 1006. He tells the Doctor that he will try again, but warns him that if he is “stalling... or worse”, he should remember that his usefulness is the only reason he wasn’t “stripped for meat and spare parts”.

CHAPTER 4 ICEPICK ARG

During Chapter 4's ARG, which took place in 2002, The Doctor took back the company's IT email so an unknown group (the Poppy Playtime community in real life) would use the email address to send questions to The Doctor who responded to a lot of them. One of the questions asked was "Did you kill Elliot Ludwig for your greed and experiments?", to which he responded with "... (stay quiet)" highly implying that he was indeed responsible for Ludwig's demise. Eventually, The Doctor would take over the Playtime Co. account who had previously been guiding the unknown group so they could work through the terminal featured in the ARG. He left a warning to them, simply stating "stay out." They ignored the warning and found a maze of sorts with dozens of cryptic messages left by The Doctor himself about things such as the experiments, the emails and innovation being “key”. He would eventually disconnect the group's connection to the terminal with a mysterious image featuring the text: "You were warned."

CHAPTER 4: "SAFE HAVEN"

As The Player climbs aboard a train to enter the Prison, a TV turns on. The Doctor looks at The Player, calling them a "little germ". He then states that he wants to make a game of them, and that they cannot hide from him. Once The Player arrives, The Doctor introduces them to the Nightmare Critters and the Mini Huggies, only to order them to attack The Player afterwards for his entertainment, calling off the attack after being satisfied. The Player enters the Prison's main lobby, and soon enters one of the cell blocks, where The Doctor releases Red Smoke upon them. Afterwards, in experiment testing room, The Doctor contacts them again, commenting on their defeat of Experiments 1170, 1188 and 1222, before releasing Yarnaby, who attempts to break the glass separating him from The Player. Yarnaby then escapes from the cell and proceeds to search for The Player in the nearby rooms. The Doctor makes no more contact with The Player until after Yarnaby’s death, as the ex-employee is approaching his home in No Man’s Land, talking to The Player and questioning them about the reason they have entered the factory as they get closer and closer to him, destroying his liver and lungs. Eventually, The Doctor deactivates The Player’s Purple Hand, causing them to drop into an area full of cages. The Doctor states that “poor Yarnaby” was not his “only pet”, before The Player is attacked by an enlarged Baba Chops. The Doctor tells The Player to not get completely eaten, as he would like to have something to “use” from their remains. The Player manages to take shelter behind a locked door, and The Doctor presents them with a choice: kill the Simon Smoke toy trapped inside a container in the room- and open the door or die in there without a way out, stating that both Poppy Playtime and “that brutish glob of clay” (Doey the Doughman) would do it. If The Player kills the toy, and the door opens as The Doctor congratulates them on understanding.

CHAPTER 4 ICEPICK ARG

If The Player escapes the room without killing the toy, The Doctor will sound annoyed and allow The Player to "see The Doctor now". The Player then takes an elevator to The Doctor’s lair, while The Doctor asks them if they hear “a bell” tolling for someone in a “far-off place”. The Player enters The Doctor's room, revealing him as a mere brain inside a machine, but before they can proceed, The Doctor, controlling one of his reserve bodies, grabs them from next to the door and throws them onto a trapdoor, which then opens as the Doctor sarcastically waves at them. The Player lands in an area full of The Doctor’s reserve bodies and tries their best to avoid them and turn on the power. As they do so, The Doctor talks to them about Elliot Ludwig and his fantasies, before saying that he will bury himself “so far down” that nobody would ever find him and lamenting about how his discovery was taken away from him. The Player, however, powers on the terminals and rushes back into The Doctor’s room. The Doctor desperately turns on all of his robots and has them chase down The Player, but The Player manages to overload the system, destroying what is left of The Doctor’s body and killing him. As he dies, The Doctor weakly tells The Player that they “saved no one”. During her conversation with The Prototype, Poppy brings up The Doctor as an example of him having no more allies.

Abilities and Anatomy

Unlike the other experiments that he created, Harley Sawyer was not transformed into a living toy, but instead had his consciousness transferred into the factory’s computer system, while his human brain was put into a type of life support machine in order to keep him alive. As a digital entity named The Doctor, he could control all technology within the factory, as well as take possession of android bodies he created in order to interact with the real world and attack The Player during their final encounter.

Quotes

"Mortality is the curse of the weak, the fire that incinerates the flesh. I strive to snuff that flame. Call me a monster, but I am simply a man who escaped incineration, and embraced the infinite!" ~ Harley Sawyer about his desire for immortality in the trailer for Phase 2: Incineration for Project: Playtime. "There are no shadows here that would be of use to you. Not even the ground beneath your feet is yours. There are no places you can hide. Not from me." ~ The Doctor after encountering the Intruder. "Our understanding of neuronal reactivation is- in part or whole- wrong, use of systematic tissues seemed initially promising but yielded no results. Subject showed minor brain activity of any kind; another failure. I've assured Innovation that this is norm. After all, we are dealing with a field so new it has no name, much less a clear path." ~ Harley's Abridged Testing Notes referring to a failed experiment "Subject was alive for a total of 45 minutes, of which only 3 were in anything resembling a conscious state. Upon first signs of awakening, 1026 sat upright as if startled by something. They stared blankly at the other end of the observation room. Of course, assisting staff members rushed in, checking the equipment and asking them a variety of questions. 1026 answered none of them, but directed their gaze at whoever was talking, and was even able to track a moving object (a staff member's index finger) when prompted. Subject then slowly laid back down and closed their eyes. After a few minutes, blood pressure began falling extremely rapidly and 1026 expired. Attempts to resuscitate were not successful." ~ Harley's report referring to the failure of Experiment 1026. "And here you are. They said it was impossible, yet you, you... defied all odds." ~ Harley Sawyer upon seeing Boxy Boo.

Quotes

"The first of many. Naturally. You have proven my Bigger Bodies Initiative a success. Many doors have opened today, thanks to you. Now - We need to start tailoring that appetite of yours to flesh. Where to start..." ~ Harley Sawyer to Boxy Boo. "No longer must we be tied to the size or morphology of our test subjects. 1160 represents an entirely new approach to the project, and is proof that it can be done. He will be the first of this initiative, the first of these "bigger bodies". If we continue to improve our procedures, there'll be another benefit as well: Leith and his money men will be placated. They will have their investments and see money saved and I will be able to continue on with my work. Promising. Very promising indeed." ~ Harley talking about the vast potential and possibilities of the Bigger Bodies Initiative "It has been 3 months since 1188's procedure, and one month since his introduction to Playcare. I'm pleased to say he's taken to his tasks like a fish to water, meeting virtually every one of the objectives we set out for him. The initial procedure had its challenges, taking 4 hours longer than we had hoped, followed by a rather tumultuous adjustment period. Still, his mental test metrics were virtually unchanged from pre-op. Now that he's "on the job" as it were, we can say for certain that the outcome has been a resounding success, rivaling that of even 1170." Sawyer's note in the Cross-Department Report.

Quotes

"Dr. Sawyer: Quinn? Might I ask what it is you're doing? Quinn: Making my toys prettier, Doctor Sawyer. Dr. Sawyer: And you think they'd be prettier without heads? Quinn: I think so. Their heads get in the way of their bodies. But if you put dolly's head from... this body over here... onto THIS one... See? He moves all better now. Dr. Sawyer: I DO see... I'm sure this is no surprise to you Quinn, but your Counselors are concerned. They perceive your behavior, what you're doing right now, to be troublesome. Quinn: Oh... I'm sorry... Dr. Sawyer: Do you agree with their assessment? Quinn: I don't know that word... I just want to make things prettier. Dr. Sawyer: Yes, don't we all... You want to know what I think, Quinn? Quinn: What's that? Dr. Sawyer: I think you hold back a lot of yourself. I think you mess up to make others have lesser expectations of you. And I think this, your behavior, is just a result of seeing the world a little differently. There's nothing wrong with that. I think you're smart. I think you're capable. And I think in your next test, you will give all of yourself to achieve a good result... Do you know why? Quinn: Why? Dr. Sawyer: Because I see you, and not the version of you others want to. I see the real Quinn Navidson... And believe me this: I want the same prettier world you see. So next week, when you have another go at the Game Station, I'll be watching, and I want to see all of the real Quinn on display. Do we have a deal? Quinn: Okay. Dr. Sawyer: Good. Don't disappoint me." ~ A transcript of Sawyer manipulating Quinn Navidson

Quotes

Characteristic for these early ilk, 1166 demonstrates an acute lack of higher cognitive function. Complex reasoning, speech, problem-solving, and greater introspection all appear either severely limited or altogether nonfunctional. Physically, it's what it needs to be. Strong. Agile. Swift. And yet I'd hoped for a greater mind behind it. However, 1166 displays an odd sense of loyalty to a select few security staff, who nauseatingly feel some kind of sympathy for it, indicative of domesticated dogs and cats. This means its will can be bent. It feels. It fears. I believe this is our first sign of progression. That our processes, while admittedly still rudimentary, are showing us where more work need be done, and that improvements ARE possible. Still, 1166, "Yarnaby," is an odd, funny little creature. The way it sits in the corner and watches me, playing its funny little music (I'm glad this request was taken seriously. I got a good laugh out of it). It amuses me." ~ Dr. Sawyer's prisoner assessment on Experiment 1166, aka Yarnaby. "I'm going to isolate it. It'll have contact with no one but me. Considering my importance to the project, it's doubly important that I'm properly protected at all times. And besides, I might get a good laugh or two at the pathetic little sounds it makes. By the time I'm done with it, I'll be its entire world. It'll know nothing else." ~ Harley revealing his plans to isolate and groom Yarnaby. "Log-code 24459. In relation, Experiment 1006, the Prototype. Stubborn as he is, and always silent at each passing session, I'm still uncovering fresh data nonetheless. Today's discovery?-- Hmph. End of log." ~ Harley in the tape in the third chapter.

Quotes

"Harley Sawyer: Ready to talk now, are you? The Prototype: I... possess... a question. Harley Sawyer: Go ahead... The Prototype: Do you... feel... anything? Harley Sawyer: This question referring to what exactly? The Prototype: You stick us. Beat us. Tear at flesh. Do you feel it? Harley Sawyer: There is a secret inside you, 1006. Valuable beyond all measure. I cut and prod and burn at it, and I get closer with each session... So speak, or don't. Fight, or give in. Regardless, I learn something new about you every day... It excites me! The Prototype: Thank you. Harley Sawyer: You... thank me? The Prototype: Absolutely! I learn something new about you every day." ~ Harley Sawyer to Prototype's inquiry about if he feels anything when he conducts his experiments "Yes. Yes, I can hear it. Mmm. They've staged quite the rebellion. (Chuckling) Remarkable, 1006." ~ The Doctor impressed with The Prototype organizing The Hour of Joy. "You know, I never thought I'd see another like you. A human. Certainly not an employee like you. But something makes you different... I can tell that much. Though I can't say what exactly that something is. Not yet. The others you've faced. 1170, 1188, 1222... been there, done that. Let's try out hand at something a little different. Oh Yarnaby... Please, do keep making this enjoyable for me. I'll be taking notes." ~ The Doctor releasing Yarnaby to hunt the Intruder " It was going to be mine! It was ALL going to be MINE! MY discovery! MY recognition! I WAS THE ONE WHO PAVED THE GOLDEN PATH!" ~ The Doctor's angered villainous breakdown before the Player strikes the final blow on him. "You've... saved... no one." ~ The Doctor's last words before his death.

Quotes

What's a dozen children - a thousand - next to this? What would they have been otherwise? Another drooling automaton out in the world, blindly accepting the offerings of better men!? I gave them purpose! I made their lives matter! „ ~ Harley in a secret recording unsuccessfully attempting to justify his crimes.