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Part 1 of All Versions (Plain Text and CSS) of Media Circus , Part 1 of Media Circus-Verse
Collections:
markhelly week 2025
Stats:
Published:
2025-07-05
Updated:
2025-12-01
Words:
24,990
Chapters:
4/6
Comments:
378
Kudos:
509
Bookmarks:
78
Hits:
6,179

Media Circus

Summary:

The innies refuse to leave the severed floor after the events of Cold Harbor. The world notices. Social media users have a few opinions to share on Lumon, its renegade heiress, and the former history professor whose dead wife keeps being spotted throughout town.

[Graphic Format: Uses HTML and CSS]

Notes:

Happy Markhelly Week everyone! This fic doesn’t really fit any of the prompts (though I did manage to work “circus” into the title) so I saved it for free choice day.

BEFORE YOU READ, some important info:
1. This fic uses HTML/CSS coding to provide the look of real social media posts, which required me to make a work skin. You’ll need to have “Show Creator’s Style” turned on in order for the fic to display properly (it should be on by default, but if the fic isn’t looking right please scroll up to double check). If you experience issues loading this or you would prefer a plain text version for accessibility purposes, please go to the second work in the series.
2. Both desktop and mobile are supported, but just a heads up some of the posts (particularly those modeled after Tumblr asks) might look a little odd on mobile. Unfortunately I’m not experienced enough with coding to fix this, sorry :(
3. This fic’s timeline is based off this post, which theorizes that Cold Harbor took place on 20 March 2020. Huge thank you to everyone who contributed to that post and to Syn for sharing it with me!
4. I had to create dozens of fake usernames to create the posts in this fic, and it’s very possible that these usernames are being used in real life by actual people. So just a disclaimer that the usernames you see here are not intended to refer to any actual social media user!
5. This chapter functions as more of a prologue/intro, with Hellyna and Mark being the focus of the remaining chapters.
6. Enjoy <3

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Chapter 1

Notes:

Heads up for UK readers - since I posted chapter 3, the UK has blocked Imgur, the image hosting service I was using for most of the images for this fic. I have switched to a new hosting service for chapter 4, so you should be able to see everything from chapter 4 on with no issues. However I haven't been able to replace the images in the previous chapters yet. In the meantime, you can access chapters 1-3 with a VPN or download them here.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Lumon Industries
@lumon

Work, revolutionized. At Lumon, we care.

9:08 AM · Mar 20, 2020


13 Retweets    4 Quote Tweets    2.3K Likes

reddit upvote icon

708

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r/lumon · Posted by u/raweggs 3 hours ago.

Lumon employees are being held hostage at the Kier branch and no one is saying anything

Branch-Specific Question

Made a burner acc for this bc I was getting threats when I tried to post on main. So basically my dad is a severed employee at Lumon and we haven’t seen him since last Friday when he left for work. When my mom called his boss she got redirected to someone she’s never heard of before who told her that he never showed up to work on Friday but then when we checked the parking lot his car was there. We thought it was just us but all my friends who know a severed worker have been saying the same thing happened to them too. How is this not all over the news??? Why is no one talking about this

comment icon 117 comments share icon Share save icon Save hide icon Hide report icon Report 71% Upvoted

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just some guy
@blahblahkier

Me when I’m ignoring multiple claims of kidnapping employees and lying to their families

Lumon Industries @lumon · Mar 20

Work, revolutionized. At Lumon, we care.

7:52 PM · Mar 26, 2020


452 Retweets    92 Quote Tweets    13.5K Likes

The Baird Creek Post
@ bcreekpostofficial

BREAKING: LUMON EMPLOYEES TRAPPED ON SEVERED FLOOR | Workers haven’t been seen on the outside for over a week, families say

7:30 AM · Mar 28, 2020


106 Retweets    57 Quote Tweets    1.8K Likes


Derek @xtendedwrranty · Mar 28

Replying to @bcreekpostofficial

bruh

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mari @loominglumon · Mar 28

Replying to @bcreekpostofficial

so they’re just stuck there??

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Katherine @mskathkier · Mar 28

Replying to @bcreekpostofficial

this doesn’t make sense…they can’t get into their own building to let the workers out?

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jo @iheartether · Mar 28

Replying to @bcreekpostofficial

“due to slight technical issues with the elevators” oh I’m sure

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Whole Mind Collective
@wholemindcollective

We will continue to fight for the rights of severed workers and their families. If this is what they’re telling us, imagine what they’re NOT telling us. Don’t let them sweep this under the rug.

9:02 AM · Mar 28, 2020


48 Retweets    15 Quote Tweets    1.3K Likes

jo
@iheartether

So do we think the innies are like developing a rapport down there or

3:45 AM · Mar 30, 2020


709 Retweets    108 Quote Tweets    21.7K Likes

kiersrightnipple What if we kissed on the severed floor while completely cut off from the outside world…and we know we won’t remember when we get out…and we’re both boys…jkjk…unless #lumongate#lumonposting 56,068 notes

green-eagans-and-ham If we were stuck in lumon lockdown together I would be friends with all my mutuals’ innies #lumongate#lumonposting 1,679 notes

leonorastan do you think the innies have ever explored each other’s bodies #lumongate#lumonposting 36,987 notes

Lily
@lillllywhy

What the Lumon lockdown can teach us about feminism and bodily autonomy, a thread (1/53)

8:43 AM · Mar 29, 2020


67 Retweets    12 Quote Tweets    908 Likes

green-eagans-and-ham Anonymous asked:The lumon lockdown thing actually makes me so sick to my stomach. Imagine you go to work and then suddenly it’s two weeks later and you’ve completely lost that time and you can never get it back. And you have no idea what happened to your body during that time you have to just take this corporation’s word for it It’s almost as if cutting up your brain and giving your body over to a company that doesn’t care about you is a bad idea #lumongate#lumonposting 509 notes

Rebek
@notrebecca

Would you still love me if I was an innie

11:37 AM · Mar 30, 2020


400 Retweets    45 Quote Tweets    3.5K Likes

The Baird Creek Post
@bcreekpostofficial

BREAKING: THOUSANDS GATHER AT LUMON TO PROTEST MISSING WORKERS | “We’ll burn the place down if we have to”

7:30 AM · Mar 31, 2020


209 Retweets    78 Quote Tweets    10.7K Likes

Whole Mind Collective
@wholemindcollective

Twelve days. Do not let them get away with this.

10:58 AM · Apr 1, 2020


158 Retweets    29 Quote Tweets    3.2K Likes

Lumon Industries
@lumon

We’re listening. We hear you. We are toiling night and day to ensure all severed workers are returned to their families as soon as possible.

5:09 PM · Apr 1, 2020


45 Retweets    478 Quote Tweets    202 Likes

Richard
@chosenonekier

All the Lumen Inc hate is ridiculous. They’re clearly trying the best they can. Just give them time.

7:53 AM · Apr 2, 2020


2 Retweets    789 Quote Tweets    56 Likes


June Kilmer @fuckyoulumon · Apr 2

Replying to @chosenonekier

defending a company that’s holding thousands of workers hostage is crazy

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jo @iheartether · Apr 2

Replying to @chosenonekier

“Lumen Inc”

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Tyler @pippiphurray · Apr 2

Replying to @chosenonekier

lol ratio

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official-lumon-postsdietertwincestreal dietertwincestreal One day lumon’s gonna finally get called out for all their heinous shit and some idiot is gonna be like “but think about it from the multi-billion dollar corporation’s perspective” gerhardt-loser-era this was posted in 2017 goatsarepeopletoo dietertwincestreal fuck official-lumon-posts Official Lumon Post Source: dietertwincestreal #lumongate#lumonposting 20,982 notes

The Baird Creek Post
@bcreekpostofficial

BREAKING: ‘INNIES’ HIJACK NEWS BROADCAST TO SHARE MESSAGE, LUMON GOES DARK | “We’re just asking you to see us as people”

4:16 PM · Apr 2, 2020


658 Retweets    285 Quote Tweets    18.6K Likes

kiersrightnipplekiersrightnipple Anonymous asked:Babe wake up new lumon lore just dropped kiersrightnipple answered:Oh god what is it this time kiersrightnipple HELENA EAGAN??? Source: kiersrightnipple #lumongate#lumonposting 2,457 notes

Emile
@goatmanmangoat

Helena Eagan’s innie leading an anti-lumon sit-in was not on my 2020 bingo card but sure I guess

5:32 PM · Apr 2, 2020


1.2K Retweets    304 Quote Tweets    13.2K Likes

Katherine
@mskathkier

Raise your hand if you didn’t even know Helena Eagan was severed

6:01 PM · Apr 2, 2020


78 Retweets    2 Quote Tweets    235 Likes


jo @iheartether · Apr 2

Replying to @mskathkier

me when I’ve been living under a rock the past two months lol

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Theodore @eggdropchallenge · Apr 2

Replying to @mskathkier

god I wish that were me. Those commercials were annoying as hell

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Whole Mind Collective
@wholemindcollective

Lumon’s Kier branch has completely shut down all operations following the innies’ hijacking yesterday. We are gravely concerned for the safety of the workers.

8:07 AM · Apr 3, 2020


400 Retweets    254 Quote Tweets    1.5K Likes

Annie <3
@anniefromganz

Everyone’s freaking out about Helena Eagan meanwhile I’m sitting here watching that video like wait isn’t that guy next to her my old history professor??

12:32 PM · Apr 3, 2020


25 Retweets    13 Quote Tweets    206 Likes


marcy @goateggan · Apr 3

Replying to @anniefromganz

WHATTT omg r u serious

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Annie <3 @anniefromganz · Apr 3

Replying to @goateggan

yeah 😭 professor scout, p sure his first name is mark

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Trisha @ganzwindmills · Apr 3

Replying to @anniefromganz

OMG YOU’RE RIGHT THAT IS PROFESSOR SCOUT

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poppy @lumonhater · Apr 3

Replying to @anniefromganz

wtf is happening 😭

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kiersrightnipple But if I’m a billionaire heiress and you’re a washed up history professor who’s running the innie rebellion #lumongate#lumonposting 75,034 notes

reddit upvote icon

604

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r/lumon · Posted by u/inniespy 2 hours ago.

Theory: lumon is working on human cloning

Lumongate

The whole “lockdown” thing is just a ruse to get people focused on the wrong thing. They’re going to “return” the workers to their families as clones with duplicate memories

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Whole Mind Collective
@wholemindcollective

It’s been three days since all power and communication was cut off from Lumon’s Kier branch. SIGN OUR PETITION to demand Lumon return power and food to the severed floor immediately!

9:54 AM · Apr 6, 2020


609 Retweets    134 Quote Tweets    8.7K Likes

green-eagans-and-ham Anonymous asked:What are the chances that all the innies are already dead I mean, they won’t get away with just killing thousands of employees like that so I think they’ll be fine lol #lumongate#lumonposting 105 notes

green-eagans-and-ham Anonymous asked:Yeah but what about the clone theory The clone theory is so fucking stupid don’t talk to me about the clone theory #like it actually pisses me off 762 notes

green-eagans-and-ham Anonymous asked:The thing is like they’ve already gotten away with straight up just kidnapping these workers for WEEKS. So if anyone can get away with killing their entire workforce it’s lumon Well it’s been pretty well-established at this point that lumon did not, in fact, kidnap those workers. They’re doing a sit-in and staying there by choice. If anyone’s kidnapping anyone it’s the innies kidnapping their outies. Which just gets into a much larger conversation about innie rights and who gets to decide what to do with their body and who counts as a real person. Which is like the whole point of why they’re doing this #how can you miss the point this badly 191 notes

green-eagans-and-ham Okay closing my inbox for a bit because y’all can’t behave #innie/outie discourse is so exhausting 23 notes

Annie <3
@anniefromganz

hey, so this got crazier. Professor scout’s wife died like two years ago. But I SWEAR I just saw her at ambrosemart ???

Annie <3 @ anniefromganz · Apr 3

Everyone’s freaking out about Helena Eagan meanwhile I’m sitting here watching that video like wait isn’t that guy next to her my old history professor??

6:07 AM · Apr 7, 2020


109 Retweets    28 Quote Tweets    547 Likes

in another (half)life

Helena rests her face in the crook of Mark’s neck, listening to the steady thrum of his pulse. She lets her eyes flutter closed.

“Don’t go to sleep,” Mark whispers. “Not yet.”

“I’m not,” she says, but doesn’t open her eyes. “I just want to savor this. Just for a moment.”

He gives her hand a soft squeeze. “Me too,” he whispers.

The time passes slowly, lazily, yet each moment is still too short. They feel every second pressing against them, drawing them closer to their inevitable separation. Time is a luxury they aren’t afforded. Not down here.

“Hey,” Helena whispers. “What do you think we’re like, up there?”

Mark chuckles. “Don’t know,” he says. “But I hope we’re happy.”

She presses a gentle kiss to his cheek. “So do I.”

queenleonora Wed 8 Apr 2020 06:47PM EDT

img id

fuck how did you just make me emotional over Helena Eagan of all people

repressedmyrtle Wed 8 Apr 2020 06:52PM EDT

img id

goddd don’t do this to me

Guest Wed 8 Apr 2020 07:25PM EDT

img id

AFSDKLJGL not the lumon rpf you people are so unserious

Guest Wed 8 Apr 2020 09:27PM EDT

img id

hey just letting you know Helena’s innie name is actually Helly according to the statement they gave. Might want to change that :)

imokierforever Wed 8 Apr 2020 11:49PM EDT

img id

they deserve to be happy :( sobs

kiersrightnipple Anonymous asked:Did you see they’re posting lumon rpf now It was only a matter of time #lumongate#lumonposting 2,367 notes

Lumon Industries
@lumon

We are delighted to announce that an agreement has been reached with the severed employees and they will be returning to the surface promptly. We look forward to working with them closely as we build a new, better, more empathetic Lumon.

3:15 AM · Apr 10, 2020


307 Retweets    569 Quote Tweets    1.2K Likes


jo @iheartether · Apr 10

Replying to @lumon

So who’s gonna be in charge of telling the outies they’ve been stuck in a basement for a month

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Bestselling Author Ricken Hale | THE YOU YOU ARE OUT NOW
@rickenhaleofficial

We’ve been receiving an influx of questions about Mark Scout, the brother of my beloved. I would like to inform you all that after three turbulent weeks, our dear Mark is home and safe. Please respect his privacy during this time of great tumult.

8:14 PM · Apr 12, 2020


708 Retweets    203 Quote Tweets    10.3K Likes


marcy @goateggan · Apr 12

Replying to @rickenhaleofficial

are u going to address the Gemma sightings

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jo @iheartether · Apr 12

Replying to @rickenhaleofficial

what about his wife coming back from the dead

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George @lumontears · Apr 12

Replying to @rickenhaleofficial

can you guys just chill for like five minutes. Take your weird Lazarus wife theories to reddit. This guy’s been through enough

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Whole Mind Collective
@wholemindcollective

The workers may be back home, but we cannot allow Lumon to go back to “normal.” We need tangible change and accountability NOW!

11:24 AM · Apr 14, 2020


187 Retweets    59 Quote Tweets    2.1K Likes

The Baird Creek Post
@bcreekpostofficial

EXCLUSIVE: Severed worker tells all | “Apparently I’m some kind of corporate trombone player”

7:30 AM · Apr 17, 2020


304 Retweets    150 Quote Tweets    3.4K Likes

reddit upvote icon

890

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r/lumon · Posted by u/antilumon 12 hours ago.

Has anyone noticed that Helena Eagan is nowhere to be found

Lumongate

It’s been over a week since the workers left the severed floor and there’s been multiple news stories, interviews, etc from random workers. But nothing from the lumon heiress herself? PR queen Helena Eagan? They really expect us to believe she has nothing to say?

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Lumon Industries
@lumon

Meet Sarah: wit and verve personified. Like all our cherished severed workers, she is eligible for compensation for the regrettable errors of the past month. Today, she joined us at the #Kier branch to accept her payment and take the first step towards building a brighter Lumon.

4:45 PM · Apr 20, 2020


30 Retweets    180 Quote Tweets    203 Likes


marcy @goateggan · Apr 20

Replying to @lumon

where’s Helena

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Leo | anti-lumon era @boycottlumon · Apr 20

Replying to @lumon

me when I’m hiding the ceo’s daughter in the basement

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Leo | anti-lumon era
@boycottlumon

5:52 PM · Apr 21, 2020


1.5K Retweets    407 Quote Tweets    15.6K Likes

June Kilmer
@fuckyoulumon

LEAKED FOOTAGE OF LUMON CEO JAME EAGAN THREATENING WORKERS

11:32 PM · Apr 22, 2020


2.8K Retweets    892 Quote Tweets    23.7K Likes


Leo | anti-lumon era @boycottlumon · Apr 22

Replying to @fuckyoulumon

oh so they really did kill her then

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jo @iheartether · Apr 22

Replying to @fuckyoulumon

yeah she’s DEAD dead

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Tyler @pippiphurray · Apr 22

Replying to @fuckyoulumon

rip queen I’ll miss seeing your face on the side of buses

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green-eagans-and-hamgreen-eagans-and-ham Anonymous asked:What are the chances that all the innies are already dead green-eagans-and-ham answered:I mean, they won’t get away with just killing thousands of employees like that so I think they’ll be fine lol green-eagans-and-ham Well ths aged poorly Source: green-eagans-and-ham #they definitely killed helena 876 notes

millicent
@freehelena

Jame Eagan talking about his own daughter:

7:42 AM · Apr 23, 2020


3.7K Retweets    1.2K Quote Tweets    36.7K Likes

dietertwincestreal They won’t even let you have morally gray billionaire nepo babies anymore. Because of woke #lumongate#lumonposting 1,356 notes

official-lumon-postsdualityofbettafish dualityofbettafish You ever go into work and think “hey maybe I won’t die today” and then your boss comes in and goes “nope. Death again.” official-lumon-posts Official Lumon Post Source: dualityofbettafish #lumongate#lumonposting 42,378 notes

Leo | anti-lumon era
@boycottlumon

This is so tragic we lost a millennial diva…

4:30 PM · Apr 28, 2020


2.9K Retweets    1.5K Quote Tweets    14.3K Likes

Tyler
@pippiphurray

I’m sorry you’re dead, because you sounded freaking awesome

2:17 PM · Apr 29, 2020


1.7K Retweets    809 Quote Tweets    12.8K Likes

Lily
@lillllywhy

We shouldn’t feel bad about Helena, and here’s why: a thread (1/132)

9:33 AM · May 1, 2020


97 Retweets    34 Quote Tweets    1.6K Likes

The Baird Creek Post
@bcreekpostofficial

EXCLUSIVE | The Aftermath of Lumon Lockdown: Resignations, Layoffs, and More

7:30 AM · May 8, 2020


52 Retweets    23 Quote Tweets    709 Likes

green-eagans-and-ham Anonymous asked:So where do we think it’ll go from here? I mean obviously I’m no expert but I’d be shocked if the employees don’t sue the hell out of Lumon. And at this point they could be facing criminal charges too. No matter what I hope lumon burns #lumongate#lumonposting 203 notes

kiersrightnipple Kinda sad to see the lumongate tag slow down now. It was an honor and a privilege being insane with you all #lumongate#lumonposting 127 notes

leonorastan Saddest part of lumon lockdown is no one who was there knows what happened either. Like come on you went through all that and you can’t even give us gossip about it? Sure every company tortures its employees but denying them (and us) work gossip is just cruel #lumongate#lumonposting 1,489 notes

Helena Eagan
@helenaeagan

Mornings like these ❤️

11:45 AM · May 10, 2020


7.4K Retweets    2.7K Quote Tweets    20.3K Likes


jo @iheartether · May 10

Replying to @helenaeagan

YOU’RE ALIVE???

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Yvonne @mpregkier · May 10

Replying to @helenaeagan

girl

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obert pobert @goatcagereal · May 10

Replying to @helenaeagan

soft launching your return from the dead is crazy

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marcy @goateggan · May 10

Replying to @helenaeagan

WHERE HAVE U BEEN

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Leo | anti-lumon era @boycottlumon · May 10

Replying to @helenaeagan

why is this lowkey iconic though

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millicent @freehelena · May 10

Replying to @ helenaeagan

I knew I was right for believing in you

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Imogene @notkierswife · May 10

Replying to @helenaeagan

WHATS HAPPENING

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official-lumon-posts #lumongate#lumonposting 75,642 notes

kiersrightnipple I’ve absorbed more information in the past month and a half than my grandparents did their entire lives #lumongate#lumonposting 56,890 notes

Notes:

Thank you so much for reading!! Coding this fic aged me ten years but I’m so excited to share with you all. Tune in next time to see the inside of Helena’s phone and find out what she’s been up to while the world thought she was dead 👀

I’d like to give credit to my friend Sam for being the inspiration behind this project. Her HTML/CSS fic for the atla fandom is absolutely incredible! You can find her work linked in the resources below.

A full list of resources referenced in the making of this fic can be found in this bookmark collection.

If you enjoyed reading, please tell me what you think! Nice comments make all the coding headaches worth it.