WAITING FOR OCTOBER S1 – E3 – “Small Town”
by D.J. Sylvis
ANNOUNCER: There is a world – one of many that touches ours – known as October. One of the archetypes; one of the realities that is a source for our stories. It is not difficult to reach, if you know the way – you can experience their wildness for yourself, adventure there, and live, and love. But be wary – perhaps more than any other existence, here there be monsters …
Note – there may be advertisements inserted at this point in the episode.
SCENE ONE
SOUND: Roadside background, mid-morning (ongoing) – they’re walking into a small town so we’ll hear more as they go, at the beginning they’re walking on gravel at the roadside
YVONNE
I just don’t know why they had to drop us in the middle of nowhere.
KARO
(laughs)
The whole town is the middle of nowhere. The Salawa only stops at two spots – here, and way out on the far side of things. Either way, we’d have to walk. I’m sorry.
YVONNE
Are you sorry enough for a piggyback ride? Kidding – for now. So this is it, huh? Karo’s old stomping ground.
KARO
Stomping is right. The time I spent up and down this road …
YVONNE
If the gravel could talk? I’m excited to see your old places.
(after a moment)
Oh, hey. I’m gonna pay you back for the bus.
KARO
I can cover you, it’s no big deal.
YVONNE
You’ve been covering me. I know we’re generally pretty loose on finances, it all balances out. But this is what, our fourth or fifth visit, and I’m starting to feel bad.
KARO
We haven’t spent much. A picnic, a nature walk, Hodag took us to see the Butterfly People …
YVONNE
Where you gave them gas money after; and you paid for all three of us at that dive-in restaurant on the swamp. And tipped that nixie pretty well who served us.
KARO
I’ve done that job, it’s not fun.
YVONNE
I just want to chip in. As much as people cross, someone’s got to run a currency exchange.
(Gratefully)
Finally, sidewalks.
SOUND: Their walking sounds become smoother; we start to hear a bit more traffic, occasional voices, more footsteps nearby
KARO
If this keeps being a … regular thing, we can set you up an account with one of the Council banks. They’ve got couriers they send back and forth doing transfers.
YVONNE
It better keep being a thing. I haven’t even seen the kaiju yet. And you promised me used bookstores.
KARO
Maybe you shouldn’t have money over here.
YVONNE
Don’t you even.
SOUND: The background has become more active, a bit of traffic, businesses, people
SOUND: A few more footsteps, and a shop bell rings nearby. The background dialogue happens around / behind the Yvonne / Karo lines
BACKGROUND VOICE 1
We’ll have to go to the city. They don’t have near enough hair dye.
BACKGROUND VOICE 2
Okay, but we’re taking my car. Yours has too many pedals.
YVONNE
This place is kinda cute! Quaint-cute, but it works. I like the gazebo.
KARO
Everyone likes the gazebo. At least, everyone who fits.
YVONNE
It is very … human-sized, now that you mention it.
KARO
Small towns tend to pick a general size to work for. Wait until we get to a city.
BACKGROUND VOICE 1
How any daughter of mine goes out with only two legs …
BACKGROUND VOICE 2
Are we getting coffee before we go?
YVONNE
Are there any stories about this gazebo? Any little monster band concerts, little monster … crushes sitting on that bench …
KARO
More like little monster “who TP-ed the gazebo again during solstice?”
YVONNE
Oh, really? That I’m gonna need to hear more about …
SOUND: The shop bell again, right beside them
BACKGROUND VOICE 3
Excuse me.
KARO
Sorry.
(to Yvonne)
Do you need anything? We’re pretty close to where we’re meeting Grey, but we’re early.
YVONNE
Have they got those chips? Never mind, I’m good.
KARO
You can pay me back.
YVONNE
I am good. And we’re going for lunch. It looks like a cute store, though.
KARO
They have great sales on torches and pitchforks every Frankenstein season.
(Yvonne laughs)
I’ll bring you back later – they sell edible spider’s webs, those were always my favourite. They’re kinda like that dragon’s beard candy …
YVONNE
No teasing about dragons. Is there a place we could just sit and look around, just take things in?
KARO
Sure. Down this way.
SOUND: Walking continues, sidewalks, less traffic as they go
YVONNE
The traffic lights look kinda funny.
KARO
Well, you don’t see infrared or ultraviolet.
(after a moment)
I don’t either. I just know that’s why.
YVONNE
I was gonna ask.
(a pause, then reading a poster in a window)
“Landscapes From Other Lands – watercolour paintings of worlds not our own.”
KARO
I got kicked out of that gallery once.
YVONNE
You’re starting to sound like a pretty rowdy kid!
KARO
It was not my fault. And it was just devil’s glass, that fixes itself if it breaks!
YVONNE
I swear, everything you say on this side is another rabbit’s hole. Now I need to know about devil’s glass.
KARO
I don’t know enough to explain it. I’ll find you an artist some time. Here, let’s sit.
SOUND: Their footsteps slow and stop
SOUND: A car a street or two over, voices we can’t quite make out
KARO
That used to be where I got my hair cut. We hung out in that little park – they’ve cleaned it up a lot. That whole row of buildings didn’t even exist.
YVONNE
Where did you live?
KARO
Out in the country, different places. My parents liked to move around.
SOUND: A bit of an underground rumble, enough to be heard but fading again
YVONNE
What the heck was that?
KARO
Someone down in the tunnels. There’s not a huge underground here, but some gnomes, bluecaps. You don’t see them up here much unless it’s a town meeting about where to run sewer extensions.
YVONNE
You make it sound so blasé. “Oh, you know, just gnomes. Like one has.” While I’m continually awestruck over here.
(after a moment)
Is it weird being back? I mean, we’ve been a bunch of places, we saw the Lindworm, can’t forget that, but … back back. Where little Karo apparently ran wild.
KARO
Weird … we can start from weird. So much has changed. My memories are still there, but … underneath. Like when you renovate a building and find stuff hidden in the walls.
SOUND: Somewhere a ways off, we hear a guitar being strummed, just a little
YVONNE
You know that’s where you left things, but whoever lives there now put up new wallpaper and changed the fixtures.
KARO
I can barely see the shape of what it was.
YVONNE
Some of it must still be around.. There’s a girl over in that park now, with the pointy ears? She looks like a delinquent.
KARO
All right, now.
YVONNE
(lowering her voice)
Okay, what is she? Is that some daytime sort of vampire? She reminds me of that Bat Boy from the Weekly World News.
KARO
(laughing)
Yvonne!
YVONNE
Well, I don’t know!
(after a moment)
That music is nice. Where are we meeting Grey?
KARO
Right over there. Pretty soon, if he’s learned how to show up on time.
SOUND: In the background, the guitar has become a continuing melody, and starts moving closer to them
YVONNE
So, was he like, your best friend back in the day?
KARO
Sorry?
YVONNE
Grey. Was he your best friend when you were kids?
KARO
We were friends, for sure. But Grey had lots of friends, he always had people.
ALAN-A-DALE
(starting to sing)
The desert wind lashed at her face;
The shifting sands below;
A serpent the guide she rode beside
To the distant golden glow,
YVONNE
(as he goes into the next stanza, overlapping)
Okay, speaking of weirdness, there is a skeleton busking his way toward us.
(after a moment)
Can I borrow some change?.
ALAN-A-DALE
The gold lit the path to the underworld
Through the mountain’s living heart;
Only alone could one pass through the stone;
At this step her companions did part.
SOUND: Yvonne stands up and throws some coins to him; he stops playing
ALAN-A-DALE
You have my thanks. Do you know the ballad?
YVONNE
I don’t – I’m pretty new here.
ALAN-A-DALE
There is a tradition, a ritual in October when someone wants to petition the Endling, who lives at the center of the world writing all our lives. This is the story of Larsa, of the Aqrabuamelu, who made that journey for her people. I’ll start over from the beginning –
SOUND: Karo gets up from the bench now too
KARO
Actually, we ought to get going. Sorry.
YVONNE
You said it was just over there.
KARO
It is, but … I understand some ballads are pretty long.
SOUND: Running footsteps, Grey gasping for breath
GREY
Sorry. Sorry. I’m here. I’m running a little late, I was – actually, I was running late, we have a group who trains together. I did text the cafe that we’d be – Alan! Fancy meeting you here.
ALAN-A-DALE
Grey of the Wilds, well met!
GREY
How’s that busking permit been treating you?
ALAN-A-DALE
Things are good, thank you again for smoothing the way.
GREY
And you’ve met Karo and Yvonne?
ALAN-A-DALE
I was just making my introductions. Alan-a-Dale, minstrel and once-upon scoundrel at your service.
YVONNE
That’s quite the resume! Is it okay that you named yourself after a Robin Hood character? I thought it was in bad taste if you –
GREY
Alan here is the exception to that rule! Being as he is who he says, and I’ve met a few of the Merry Folks who can back it up. Adventure world, I was on an exchange trip, it’s a long story.
YVONNE
I don’t remember any version of the story where you’re a skeleton. A rooster, sure, but even then you were fully-feathered.
ALAN-A-DALE
I do enjoy that one.
(he whistles a little bit)
After the parts of my life you’ll have heard of, I fell into more of a misadventure with some supernatural results. Grey was kind enough to assist in my relocation.
(he snaps his fingers)
But wait! Karo? Karoline? Karoline of recent revisitations? How fortuitous, I’ve been composing some lyrics about you.
KARO
You’re what?
YVONNE
You’re writing a song about Karo?
ALAN-A-DALE
(modestly)
I’m, shall we say, fiddling with the idea. With most ballads, you’re starting with an established story, some deeper mythos … there’s not a lot of detail about your earlier life. I’ve been pressing Grey for details of your childhood, but now that you’re here, perhaps we could fill in a few gaps?
SOUND: He strums a chord, then begins
ALAN-A-DALE
They were brought up by witches, wisps and Wilds,
Then the Lindworm taught them grace;
But a world’s call beside them could not be denied
And they crossed without farewell or trace –
(suddenly stopping)
The second couplet lacks elegance, but we all understand an early draft! It’s all to draw the listener in, then I can expand upon –
KARO
Grey! You said the cafe was holding our table.
GREY
They are. I mean, for me they’ll keep holding –
KARO
We should get in there! Yvonne …
YVONNE
I want to hear where the song is going next!
ALAN-A-DALE
If you wouldn’t mind a fourth? I could share the incomplete stanzas –
KARO
You know, it’s a reservation for three. Another time, nice meeting you. Let’s do this!
SOUND: They immediately start walking off; Yvonne follows after the next line
YVONNE
(apologetically)
It is a lovely tune.
GREY
Karo! Hold up! It’s in my name!
SOUND: He follows them off
SOUND: Street background fades out
(The scene ends.)
Note – there may be advertisements inserted at this point in the episode.
SCENE TWO
SOUND: The background in this scene is a bit of the street from before, but also other diners and some restaurant noise from inside – they are sitting on a patio
SOUND: A glass of water being poured
YVONNE
Thank you. And I had the jella iced tea? When you’ve got a minute.
(to the table)
Karo got me on the jella fruit, now I look for it everywhere.
GREY
Remember that store we always snuck to in between classes? You liked those jella pastilles –
KARO
And you stuffed your pockets with gummy marsh-wiggles.
GREY
I can’t do those anymore, gummies and fangs are a dental nightmare.
KARO
I always wondered if the school was getting a cut. They had to know we went up there.
YVONNE
I did hear this one liked to misbehave …
GREY
Oh, you don’t even know! But this place, everyone went there. It was right up the hill from the soccer fields. Memories of a hundred sweaty wind sprints …
KARO
Ugh, and those blocking drills.
YVONNE
You were into sports?
KARO
Not really ‘into’ … it was something to do.
GREY
Teammates for life! We need some drinks over here, we need to make a toast! Those were the golden days, right pal? That could be a whole verse in your ballad.
KARO
Don’t even –
SOUND: Not far away, we can hear Alan-a-Dale start strumming his guitar again
ALAN-A-DALE
They were trained to fight on the fields of sport,
To defend the goal for their team,
But the prize that they won from the side of the sun
Was a … something something … dream.
(calling over to them)
It’s a work in progress!
KARO
(to Grey, snarky)
Have you got a licensing deal?
GREY
Not a lot of folks come back after as long as you’ve been away! It’s an epic plotline.
(he takes a bite; we hear crunching)
This place always has the best wings.
SOUND: A chair sliding back, Karo getting up
KARO
I’m gonna find the washroom.
GREY
(mouth full)
Check on the drinks!
SOUND: We hear Karo walk away, for a moment just background noise
YVONNE
(a little uncomfortable)
So … a Robin Hood skeleton? How in the Howard Pyle did that happen?
GREY
It’s a long story.
YVONNE
That’s what you said before.
GREY
And it still is. Come on, this is your big chance! Don’t you have any questions you want to ask about Karo? We were best buds, I’ve got all the dirt.
SOUND: The strumming of the guitar again, though no singing this time
YVONNE
You’re helping to write their song.
GREY
Right? It’s pretty great. I thought they’d be more into it.
YVONNE
It might be … maybe, just a little too much? I mean, at the moment.
GREY
Sure, I get that. Ease them in, right? That’s a good call.
SOUND: Some footsteps and drinks being placed on the table
GREY
Here we are! How about a little toast while we wait. To Karo, being back in their place! And you with them, of course.
YVONNE
To … Karo.
SOUND: Glasses clink, Grey takes a long drink
YVONNE
(overlapping, more to herself)
There she is again. Bat Girl.
GREY
What’s that?
SOUND: Footsteps, Karo returning (overlaps with the next line)
YVONNE
Do you know who that girl is across the street? Beside the trash cans.
KARO
What did I miss?
YVONNE
That girl from before, in the alley across the way.
GREY
(over her without noticing)
You missed the first toast! That means this one’s on you.
SOUND: Chair moving slightly as Karo sits
SOUND: Guitar playing again a bit away
KARO
Oh. Umm … sure. To … wait, what was the one that I missed?
GREY
I toasted you! Well, both of you, but to you being back. It’s a big deal! I’ve been telling everyone.
KARO
Obviously.
GREY
Yeah, sorry about that. He’s always looking for good material.
YVONNE
You are good material, can’t argue about that.
KARO
All right, both of you. To … old friends and old places. And relearning them both.
GREY
That’s what I said! Yvonne, isn’t that basically my same toast?
YVONNE
You’re birds of a feather.
GREY
Who grew up together!
(he snaps his fingers)
We should go visit the school! Why didn’t I think of that earlier?
KARO
What? I don’t know –
GREY
We should definitely check out the school. Talk about old friends in old places – that’s where we were at our peak!
KARO
It’s quite a walk from here. I don’t want Vonnie to have to –
GREY
I can get us a car. The old schoolgrounds, Karoline! That’s where we met, those were the earliest days!
YVONNE
We can always stay around here. I think that gallery’s open now.
KARO
Yeah, why don’t we just –
GREY
The gallery’s open til ten. We can swing by on the way back. Come on Karo, or I’ll tell Yvonne about that day you lost your lunch pass and decided to –
KARO
Let’s leave that information where it lies.
YVONNE
Decided to what?
GREY
We have to go, buddy. It’s part of your story. Just a quick visit, chase down some memories, I’ll bring you right back.
YVONNE
It’s up to you.
KARO
Well …
GREY
That’s what I wanted to hear! That deserves another round! One more over here! Yvonne, you’re behind on your iced tea.
YVONNE
We can’t have that.
(she drinks)
That is just … why don’t we have this on our side? My side.
GREY
You should ask Auncle Lantern. That’s one of the species xe cultivated personally.
YVONNE
Really! I don’t think I’ll be asking xem anything … if you saw the fool I made of myself.
(brief pause, aside to Karo)
You okay, love?
KARO
Yeah. Sure. That girl is still hanging around.
YVONNE
She’s not the only one.
SOUND: Alan’s guitar has started up again, and we hear him talking enthusiastically
ALAN-A-DALE
(across the street from them)
It’s rare that a song with a living subject … they’re here! Well, over there – see that patio?
GREY
And here’s your refill.
KARO
You better be paying.
SOUND: Some change being dropped, and Alan continues, walking closer as he sings
ALAN-A-DALE
(a bit distant)
Many thanks, friend.
(he starts singing again)
They were trained to fight on the fields of sport,
To defend the goal for their team,
But the prize Karo won from the side of the sun
Changed their life, their focus, their scheme …
(he stops there, practically beside them)
It’s getting closer! Do you like the revision? I had a few thoughts to tie it all together if you could fill in some details –
SOUND: Karo chugs her drink without stopping
KARO
Let’s get out of here.
GREY
On to the next stop on our Mystery Tour!
YVONNE
Not much of a mystery, is it?
SOUND: Chairs sliding out, footsteps; fading along with Alan’s next line as the scene ends
ALAN-A-DALE
We’re going? How about a wandering tune? I could go back to Larsa’s ballad, or there’s a children’s round about a bugbear race …
SOUND: Patio background fades out
(The scene ends.)
SCENE THREE
SOUND: A quieter, side street small town background, late afternoon (ongoing)
SOUND: A car stops; doors open and a footstep or two, doors close and the car drives away
YVONNE
And I thought following your phone over here was a mess!
SOUND: One pair of footsteps keeps walking
GREY
(a bit away)
I didn’t think this was it at first. I’m sure this wasn’t a cul-de-sac before.
KARO
It feels the same, though. Eyes closed, I’m sure.
YVONNE
(quietly, just to Karo)
This is one of those places where there’s stuff hidden in the walls, huh?
KARO
A lot of stuff.
GREY
(still a bit away from them)
Yeah, I can feel it now. And this way … down around here … that’s the store! Bingo!
SOUND: Karo and Yvonne (remember her cane) catch up
KARO
Looks like it’s closed.
SOUND: A few steps, tugging on the door but it’s locked
KARO
No marsh-wiggles for you.
GREY
Guess not. No worries; let’s wiggle around the side of the building instead.
SOUND: Weeds and underbrush rustling (ongoing behind the next few lines)
YVONNE
Can we even get back here?
GREY
They’ve got a gate on the driveway, mostly for show – even the kids could jump over it. But Karo and I always snuck through this way.
YVONNE
Are there any plants I should be watching out for?
KARO
Nothing along here will hurt you. There’s some buckleberry bushes on the other side, but they barely have thorns.
YVONNE
And I guess I’ve met most of the local fauna.
KARO
No bildads this far from the woods. Here, watch your head.
GREY
(ahead)
We should be about where it opens up to the hill!
YVONNE
I guess you two were smaller back in the day. It’s like a maze.
KARO
Just through here –
SOUND: The rustling cuts off suddenly
SOUND: There’s a bit more wind back here; we can hear a car faintly back behind them
YVONNE
Oh, wow. It’s a big hill.
KARO
Yeah.
SOUND: Grey howls, and we hear him running back to them
GREY
(howls)
How does it feel to be back? Look at those fields! I’ll race you down to the goal! Ready?
YVONNE
Don’t let me stop you. I’ll be right here.
KARO
Maybe in a bit. Go for it, though! Take a lap, werewolf!
SOUND: We hear Grey howl a little and run off through the grass
KARO
I’m okay watching from a distance.
YVONNE
The grounds look … really nice, they’ve been well taken care of.
KARO
Loretta and Amelia, grounds crew. They were … you’d say Ents, but nowhere near as big.
YVONNE
Entlings?
KARO
I never knew a word for them, just Loretta and Amelia. We weren’t supposed to get in their way.
YVONNE
And the way you said, “weren’t supposed to” …
KARO
I got to know them pretty well.
YVONNE
They had a lot of grounds to keep up! That’s one … two … maybe three soccer fields, a baseball diamond –
KARO
Softball –
YVONNE
Some sort of miniature forest, a pond halfway to being a lake … did they do rowing or …?
KARO
More underwater. Not all the kids did well on land.
YVONNE
Seems like they had everything well laid out. Which ones did you play?
KARO
You know … soccer, softball, arboreal crawl … anything that kept me out of the house.
YVONNE
(sensing their discomfort)
Right. I used to fence. Did they have fencing?
KARO
Not officially.
SOUND: We hear Grey running up to meet them – but he is in full wolf form at this point, panting like a dog
GREY
You sure you don’t want to race? I’m all warmed up now.
SOUND: Grey transforming back to human
GREY
Nothing like visiting the old hunting grounds! Literally, that was probably my best sport back in the day. Yvonne, you should have seen us go!
YVONNE
I really wish I had.
GREY
You missed out on junior year, Karo. We were all-region in hunting, soccer – you would have been on the team, you were finding your feet. You never got to see me in debate, either! I wasn’t really a jock, I just had energy to burn. Debate nerd, class officer, that was where I found my calling.
KARO
You always were at the front of things. Leading the pack.
GREY
And you were making sure I didn’t get too serious. Any time we were feeling too – too solemn, or people were clashing, Karo would cut in with a joke or a stupid dare. Class clown? Class headliner, more like!
YVONNE
I have no problem believing that. They’re a superstar.
KARO
It wasn’t all like that.
GREY
There was this one time – we got caught sneaking back and it was not the first infraction, they were calling in our parents, and the number on file for Karo wasn’t right. They were like, “Mx, you can give us that number, or you can stay tonight and mow the grass on the soccer fields.”
YVONNE
They wouldn’t, that’d take all night!
KARO
It pretty much did.
YVONNE
Karo!
GREY
And then, the next morning, all the parents and teachers coming down that driveway could see they’d mowed, “SUCK IT,” across all three fields! You see how big the fields are down there, just … imagine, right across them all. And only the Council admins knew it was Karo.
YVONNE
And the grounds crew, I guess.
GREY
The talking trees! I forgot about them. Anyway, people were still going on about it the rest of the year, and the year after … remember?
KARO
I was gone by then.
YVONNE
Hey. Are you …
GREY
(not noticing, still caught up in his memories)
Gone but definitely not forgotten – it was all so epic! I don’t know why you didn’t just give them the number, but you started a school legend that night.
KARO
Yeah, well …
YVONNE
Grey, we should head back soon. My fault … all that tea earlier, I guess.
GREY
Oh sure, no problem.
(he chuckles)
“SUCK IT.” Nobody else, pal. Your folks must have blown their tops! I was in trouble just for knowing you.
KARO
(weakly)
Something like that. Hey, I’m just gonna …
YVONNE
(overlapping)
Karo?
KARO
I’m sorry.
SOUND: We hear them turn and a few running steps, then as they hit the weeds we hear the others far behind
YVONNE
Karo!
GREY
I didn’t mean to –
SOUND: We hear Karo’s breathing, the weeds rustling, a branch being pushed aside, and after another moment they break free and is in front of the building again
KARO
Shit.
SOUND: More rustling from the weeds, and Yvonne breaks through behind them
YVONNE
Everything okay out here?
KARO
Yeah. I just needed a break.
YVONNE
I got that. I wish Grey had.
KARO
He was a good friend, and I’m glad to be around again. But … that building, with the stuff hidden in the walls? That’s where he lives.
SOUND: More rustling, and Grey breaks through behind them
GREY
Hey. I had to get my shirt, left it down on the field.
(after a second)
We good? I know I was kinda yappy back there, I’m just … really glad you’re back!
KARO
We’re … we’re good. Let’s just get a car and –
SOUND: We hear a guitar being strummed for just a moment
YVONNE
No way.
GREY
(separating each syllable)
Alan-a-Dale!
ALAN-A-DALE
Found you again! Surely, it must be fate.
KARO
Look, just stop.
ALAN-A-DALE
I was merely wandering, composing in my head, but now I can share my latest stanza with the hero of the piece!
KARO
You’ve got the wrong person.
YVONNE
We’re just heading back; maybe you could share with us later.
ALAN-A-DALE
I’ll follow along and serenade you as you go!
SOUND: He strums again a few times
ALAN-A-DALE
I think it’s a promising verse. It begins with –
SOUND: They shove him in the middle of the next line; we hear his bones rattle
KARO
Stop, okay! Enough. I don’t want it.
ALAN-A-DALE
(a bit shocked)
When one is compelled by the muse …
GREY
Karo, he’s just doing his thing.
SOUND: A bit of quiet rustling of the weeds behind them
KARO
That doesn’t mean I have to … just – everyone. Stop.
ALAN-A-DALE
My apologies.
KARO
This is just …
SOUND: They sigh, frustrated, and we hear them walk a few steps away
ALAN-A-DALE
I should be on my way.
GREY
Hold on. Things are just a little weird.
YVONNE
(quietly)
Grey. That girl’s back again, too.
GREY
What girl?
YVONNE
Over there. We saw her at the park, and from the restaurant.
GREY
Oh.
YVONNE
This isn’t some kind of caught up … thing?
GREY
It could just be a coincidence. There are coincidences. Or it could be a plot coming together.
YVONNE
What does that mean?
SOUND: Karo pacing back, still upset
KARO
You’ve got to understand. This person, this “hero of the piece” – that’s not me.
(they see Bat Girl)
Wait a minute! You! Where did you come from?
BAT GIRL
(startled)
What?
KARO
You’re part of this too?
BAT GIRL
Are you talking to me?
KARO
You’ve been following us all day.
BAT GIRL
I did not! This is my –
KARO
You were everywhere! Now you show up again just when I’m –
BAT GIRL
I don’t even know who you are!
KARO
Then what are you doing here?
BAT GIRL
Nothing. I’m just … passing through.
GREY
Passing through? There’s nothing back here.
BAT GIRL
(overlapping)
Never mind. I’ll go. It’s not –
GREY
(continued from his previous line)
There’s just a store, and lots of weeds.
BAT GIRL
I’ll just go, okay? Fuck!
YVONNE
Hey, nobody’s gonna … we’re just making sure you’re okay out here.
BAT GIRL
I’m fine. Leave me alone, I’m fine!
KARO
Oh shit. You live here.
BAT GIRL
(disingenuous)
What?
GREY
Karo, nobody lives here. Look at it.
SOUND: A few deliberate footsteps
KARO
You live here.
BAT GIRL
I was just passing through.
KARO
(their voice softens)
Around back, through the weeds on the other side. There’s a little … like patio, or a porch they never screened in. There’s a tap for water, and an outlet that usually works, I think they meant to keep a freezer back there. It’s up off the ground and the branches –
BAT GIRL
The branches grow around it.
KARO
It’s okay. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to …
YVONNE
It’s all right.
KARO
I’m sorry.
BAT GIRL
Are you gonna call someone?
ALAN-A-DALE
We’re no threat, child.
BAT GIRL
Okay.
(after a moment)
I’m just gonna, uhh …
SOUND: We hear her disappear into the weeds
YVONNE
Oh, honey.
GREY
I’m not sure I got all of that? How’d you know …?
YVONNE
Because they stayed here, too.
GREY
Karo? No …
KARO
Only a few weeks, until the end of the school year. I showered in the locker room, stole food from the caf. Once from the store, but I didn’t want them to notice me. After that, I moved downtown, slept under the VP bridge. Food was easier to find, but so was trouble. I don’t blame her for staying up here.
ALAN-A-DALE
It’s too common an occurrence.
GREY
But … you had a home. I’ve been there. I stayed over.
KARO
I don’t … want to talk about that.
(brief pause)
It wasn’t the best part of my story. I couldn’t go home anymore … and I couldn’t let them call my parents. When the Council did find out, they said I couldn’t come back to school either.
GREY
Why didn’t you tell me? I would have –
KARO
That’s why. It was enough of a mess by myself. I hung around town until I had enough money for a bus ticket, then … I was off to see the Lindworm.
(after a minute)
We should have met up somewhere else.
GREY
I wish I’d known.
KARO
I did want to see this again. I just … there’s obviously stuff I’m digging up. A lot of it I don’t want to keep, but …
YVONNE
You’ve got to do the emotional demolition.
KARO
Something like that.
(after a moment)
We should get out of here. Everybody good to go?
GREY
I’m ready to shake this place off. We might have to walk a few blocks to get a car.
YVONNE
We can do that. Is she gonna be okay … back there?
KARO
She’ll be somewhere else as soon as we’re gone. I would have been.
GREY
Social services? I can make a call …
KARO
Not a fan of that option.
YVONNE
I guess you did okay out here on your own.
ALAN-A-DALE
I can keep a watch out and inquire, discreetly. If she desires assistance.
KARO
That would be great.
SOUND: They all start walking (Yvonne using her cane)
YVONNE
Well, we came, we saw, we … didn’t exactly conquer.
KARO
Not like the good old days. Right, Grey?
GREY
Oh, we definitely conquered then! We used to stay out raising hell until the moon went down.
YVONNE
But I thought the moon didn’t go down – ohhhhhh.
SOUND: A bit of laughter, and the walking continues, fading out at the end
SOUND: Alan strums a little, but doesn’t sing, fading out at the end
SOUND: Side street background fades out and ends
(The scene ends.)
(The episode ends.)
PRODUCERS: Hi there. Thank you for listening.
Waiting for October was written by D.J. Sylvis,with sound design by Caroline Mincks, and music by Trace Callahan.
This episode featured Robin Regalado as Karo, Tina Case as Yvonne, Sarah Crawford as Bat Girl, Tim Keogh as Alan-a-Dale, Dallas Hawthorn as Grey, and additional voices by Jenna Rose, Caroline Mincks, and Cass McPhee.
Our co-producers are D.J. Sylvis, Tina Case, and Sarah Müller. Our associate producers are Fool & Scholar Productions, Kathleen Lucas, Marcus Briggs, Martin Chodorek, Rebekah B.
A special thanks to our Patreon supporters who have helped make all of our stories happen! If you’d like to support our work or celebrate the folks who make it happen visit our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/monkeymanproductions.
This week’s recommendation was a big influence on our show – The Cryptonaturalist, Jarod Anderson’s spectacular narrative fiction podcast about real love for imaginary nature. He’s a poet and a gifted performer and I can’t get enough of his voice. Go check it out in any of your podcast apps.
Next time around in October you’ll be hearing from Auncle Lantern as xe gives some instructions to a new crop about life on that side. Until then, be good to yourself and those you care for, be gentle with your memories, and listen to some good music along the way. TTFN, ta ta for now!
Note – there may be advertisements inserted at this point in the episode.
