WAITING FOR OCTOBER S1 – E7 – “To The Center Of The World”
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: Cave background – fairly dry at the moment but resonant (ongoing)
SOUND: The crossing-between-worlds effect
ENOCH
An’ here we are. Express service from my prettyful bald to the dank an’ dark on this side. Don’t know why the worlds link up like they do.
KARO
I’m glad you had me bring the lantern.
ENOCH
It should be full up an’ good t’ go.
SOUND: Karo strikes a match and lights the lantern
ENOCH
There y’are.
KARO
I guess I better do this, then.
ENOCH
As you will.
KARO
Which way do I …?
ENOCH
If you head up yonder, you’ll get to the cave’s entrance; t’other way goes down and … down.
KARO
Right, but to get where I’m going …
ENOCH
That I cain’t tell you. There’s no set path where you’re headed. You pick a direction and watch for a sign.
KARO
I guess that makes sense. Anyway, you don’t have to wait around while I make a decision. The grandkids are waiting.
ENOCH
That they are, and keep it to you and me, but not a lick o’ sense between ‘em. You sure you’re good?
KARO
Where else do you go for big answers in this world?
ENOCH
That’s what they say. Of course, them that say ain’t necessarily the same ones who’s made the trip.
KARO
You don’t think I’ll get answers?
ENOCH
I wouldn’t build up your expectations, but it’s a way to go. And the askin’ might be of interest.
KARO
Okay. Okay then. Can I get a hug?
ENOCH
Always and everwhen.
SOUND: A bit of reaction from each of them to the hug, some clothing rustles
ENOCH
Safe travels, now.
SOUND: A bit of the crossing-between-worlds effect, but at a distance
KARO
(after a moment)
Okay. It’s just me, now. Pick a direction, watch for a sign. Pick a direction, watch for a sign. Pick a direction …
SOUND: A great flapping of wings and a familiar cawing sound
KARO
Shit!
RAVEN
It took long enough to get rid of that stick-in-the-mud. Now the real adventure can commence.
KARO
What the hell are you doing down here?
RAVEN
Waiting for you, of course. Also, some of the younger orcs use this cavern for … amorous activities; I like to jump out at the most inopportune moment.
KARO
That’s classy.
RAVEN
I am what I am. Now, shall we? I’ve got plans with a pooka later that I don’t want to miss.
KARO
Shall we what? You don’t know where I’m going, and you are not invited.
RAVEN
Au contraire, chuckaboo. Even if I hadn’t been eavesdropping – like I said, I’ve been waiting for you. I’ve got you down for a three-act classic hero’s journey, one discount monomyth straight from here to the center of the world, do not pass Go, do not collect one hundred drachma.
KARO
Ohhhh, no.
RAVEN
Jane Eyre, Psyche, Dorothy Gale, Luke Skywalker … Karo-line my Karoline. Don’t fight the tradition. You answered the call; you’ve crossed the first threshold; your supernatural aid has arrived.
SOUND: A bit of fluttering and feathers being ruffled
RAVEN
I’m supposed to give you a gift … not like I can expense that sort of thing, also not like this body came with pockets. Here, this feather was about to fall off anyway, it’s yours.
KARO
Ugh. Is there any way I can do this whole thing without you?
RAVEN
Are you denying the, “benign, protecting power of destiny?”
KARO
Whatever. I’m going this way – assuming “center of the world” generally means down. I can’t stop you from tagging along.
SOUND: Footsteps on bare rock; after a moment we hear Raven fluttering to join them
RAVEN
That’s the spirit! Onward then to the road of trials! “Tell me, O muse, of that ingenious hero who traveled far and wide …”
KARO
Shut it.
SOUND: The transition music we use to indicate the passage of time
SOUND: The cave background has become a bit less dry – they’re not walking through water, but we hear the occasional dripping in the background, etc.
SOUND: Continued footsteps / flying as before
RAVEN
That’s not fair! It’s against the rules.
KARO
You wanted me to play the game.
RAVEN
You can’t just say, “black!” We’re underground – everything is black. At least say ebony, or charcoal, or onyx …
KARO
(deliberately)
I spy … with my little eye … something black.
RAVEN
Gods-be-damned …
SOUND: More fluttering, and an agitated squawk
RAVEN
I’ve had it! I’ll give you a pass if I can sit on your shoulder. My wings aren’t designed for tunnels.
KARO
You could go back any time.
SOUND: We hear a bit of fluttering, and Karo grunts
KARO
Watch your claws.
RAVEN
Talons, show some respect.
SOUND: Another minor flutter; Karo grunts
RAVEN
I spy, with my little eye –
KARO
You gave me a pass.
RAVEN
That was your turn. With my little eye … something yellow. Ish. Maybe more orange. With a bunch of spiky bits –
KARO
You’re making that up.
SOUND: A little bit of a insect hiss
KARO
You’re not making that up. What is that?
RAVEN
Just a little cave centipede … not little, I suppose, they do grow bigger over here. But a typical Geophilus persephones. You can blame your world for that one.
SOUND: Some more clackity-hissing centipede noises; Karo stops still
KARO
Is it safe?
RAVEN
They are carnivorous. And venomous. But they don’t generally attack anything your size.
SOUND: The centipede gets closer and more menacing; Raven flaps his wings – the struggle continues through the next few lines
RAVEN
My size, however … fuck! Fuck! Back off, bugbrain! A little help here?
KARO
With what? I’ve got a torch, and a bag from Enoch with … cornbread, pepperoni sticks, two apples …
RAVEN
Blazes, just do something! Kick the damned thing!
KARO
You said it’s poisonous! Venomous, whatever!
RAVEN
Kick the other end!
KARO
Is this what you meant by a real adventure?
SOUND: A solid thud as they kick the centipede, a skittering sound as it skids across the room, hissing, and then runs off
RAVEN
Scoooore! That’s one for our team!
SOUND: He flutters back to Karo with another little squawk
KARO
You are the worst animal companion.
RAVEN
What, you’re not gonna rate me five stars? And don’t call me your “animal companion,” we’re not in a Disney movie.
KARO
They wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole. You’re worse than that gorilla in Tarzan.
RAVEN
At least you didn’t say Iago. Let’s get going, I don’t have all day.
SOUND: Karo sighs, and they start walking again
SOUND: Raven hums a bit of the beginning of “A Whole New World”
KARO
What are you humming?
RAVEN
I can’t tell you; you couldn’t afford it. Here, try the passage to the left …
SOUND: A bit more of the transition music to allow time to pass
SOUND: The background is even wetter now, more dripping (not constant or overpowering but it’s there)
SOUND: Footsteps continue, with occasional fluttering of a wing or two
KARO
You don’t know what you’re talking about.
RAVEN
I crafted poetry that flows to this day, “like a ghastly rapid river,” and will continue to do so for all time! I’m allowed to have an opinion.
KARO
It’s not for nothing – she’s re-recording her albums to take them back from the –
RAVEN
Whatever! There was no copyright law in my day. What if I’d gone back and rewritten “The Tell-Tale Heart” every time some periodical –
KARO
Maybe you should have! You just didn’t think of that!
SOUND: The muffled buzzing noise of a phone on vibrate halfway through Raven’s line:
RAVEN
Why not focus on new songs – write about this very – where is that buzzing coming from?
SOUND: The footsteps stop
KARO
That’s … my phone.
RAVEN
You can’t be getting a signal this far underground.
KARO
I’m not. But I just had an alert from Endpapers.
RAVEN
Pshaw. That app is useless at the best of times. I watched it lead a sandwalker to the middle of a lake!
KARO
There’s an alert … and it matches up with where we are. There’s that turn we just took, and the dip in the tunnel before that.
RAVEN
What’s the alert for?
KARO
It points in the direction we’re already going.
RAVEN
Fat lot of good that does, then.
KARO
I guess.
SOUND: They keep on walking
KARO
Are we at least getting closer to … wherever? You’re supposed to be the guide here.
RAVEN
Maybe, possibly? It’s hard to say.
KARO
And you think the app was useless.
RAVEN
You chose the tunnels! I’m only ‘tagging along’. The way to the underworld always changes, it’s a story newly written every time one walks the path. It’s not even necessarily under, despite the eventual destination.
KARO
All things that would have been more helpful had you mentioned them …
SOUND: Their footsteps slow and stop (overlapping a bit with Karo trailing off above)
SOUND: There is a chasm in front of them – we can hear the echoes, maybe a rock or two falling in addition to the background water noises (perhaps far below, an underground stream)
KARO
Oh.
RAVEN
That’s a bit unexpected.
KARO
Again, you’re so useful.
RAVEN
I’m not some sort of medium here! “Ohhhh, I see a sudden chasm in your future! Also, avoid the colour red and the number seventeen.” Does your precious app show a chasm?
KARO
It … does, actually. And it still shows my destination straight ahead.
RAVEN
Perhaps someone should do a bit of scouting straight ahead, just to see. Someone who can easily traverse this sort of obstacle.
SOUND: With a flutter of wings, he flies off; we hear him for a bit crossing the chasm
RAVEN
(distant)
Don’t go anywhere without me!
KARO
Very funny!
(after a moment)
Vonnie, I hope you’re doing better than this. Might as well break out those pepperoni sticks.
SOUND: A bit of rustling and chewing; after a moment, we hear Raven flying back to them
RAVEN
Nice to stretch the wings a bit. If nothing else, I appreciate the tunnel opening up.
SOUND: A bit of a flutter and a step or two closer
RAVEN
(facetiously)
Oh! Right, you were waiting … well, it’s good news! Not much further and we hit an underground lake that I’m sure I’ve seen before.
KARO
And that’s good news because …?
RAVEN
It’s the obvious next step, isn’t it? Passing beneath the waves, the metaphorical death and rebirth before you approach your reward …
KARO
That all sounds like bullshit … but, it is where the app says I’m headed.
RAVEN
I’m so offended.
KARO
And it’s still on the opposite side of an impossible leap.
RAVEN
Of course.
(after a moment, slyly)
Impossible … for a human. There are plenty of monsters who could skip right over this little crack.
KARO
And some that wouldn’t make it halfway.
RAVEN
Of course, of course. But this isn’t their story, is it? You’re the hero on this quest; there ain’t no mountain high enough, so on and so forth, etcetera.
SOUND: A footstep or two; a few stones falling in
KARO
You’re so full of shit.
SOUND: Raven takes to the air again, wings fluttering
RAVEN
Indubitably, but this is something I know. How to approach a twist in the tale; how a crucial plot point is resolved, this is what I do! This is who we are here!
SOUND: Karo takes a few steps back (overlaps with the next line)
KARO
I can’t believe I’m even thinking about doing this –
RAVEN
“You have to let it all go, Neo. Fear… doubt and disbelief.”
KARO
Didn’t he fall that time?
RAVEN
Hells bells, Karo Syrup, are you part of this world or not? Jump! Jump!
KARO
Shut up! I’m doing it!
SOUND: We hear them running and then jumping behind the Raven’s line:
RAVEN
“Down the Valley of the Shadow, Ride, boldly ride!”
KARO
(extended as they jump into the distance)
Ohhhhhhh shiiiiiiiit!
SOUND: Before we can hear if they land or not, everything quickly fades out
(The scene ends.)
Note – there may be advertisements inserted at this point in the episode.
SCENE TWO
SOUND: Cavern background, wet, ongoing
SOUND: Raven flapping his wings wildly
RAVEN
Karo! Damn it, I know you can hear me.
KARO
(groaning)
Did I make it?
RAVEN
Welcome to the other side.
SOUND: Karo groans, we hear them shifting to sit up and look around
KARO
You know you could have said that differently? Asshole.
(after a moment)
I lost my bag.
RAVEN
Oh, no, your priceless apples and cornbread.
KARO
Just shut up.
(they groan, pulling themselves to their feet)
Let’s go see this lake of yours.
SOUND: They stand up, groaning a little; Raven flutters to their shoulder
SOUND: Footsteps, sliding a little bit on wet rock
RAVEN
Watch your step, if we take a tumble –
KARO
We?
SOUND: The dripping has quieted down a lot now; we’re approaching a huge underground lake
SOUND: A few more footsteps, and Karo stops
KARO
Wow. That is … definitely a lake. It seems weird, this far underground.
RAVEN
It does set a mood.
KARO
(after a moment absorbing the place)
Is there a boat, or do we summon some sort of …?
RAVEN
Right. There’s a way these things need to be done. First, here, give me your torch, you’ll need both hands.
SOUND: A bit of a flutter as Karo passes it over
RAVEN
Now, what you do is – see you later, sucker!
SOUND: Raven flying away (continues until it fades with his last line)
KARO
Wait! Hold up!
RAVEN
It’s your quest from here, Karolin-a! I can’t fly underwater.
KARO
What am I supposed to do?
RAVEN
(fading as he goes)
Hell if I know! I’m sure you’ll sort it all out. I’ve got a date with a pooka!
KARO
I’m in the dark down here! Dammit!
(after a moment, more to themselves)
Dammit. I should have seen that one coming. Not now, of course.
SOUND: A bit of a splash
KARO
Well, there’s the lake. Actually, I can see a little now. Not that it helps any.
(they call out)
Hello? Anyone out there? Underground boat for hire? How far across is this thing, anyway?
SOUND: A few rocks knocking against each other, then the sound of Karo picking one up and skipping it across the water; then another; and after a moment another
SOUND: A sudden, larger splash, and the sound of water dripping off someone
SOUND: Any time Xavi is speaking above water, he is signing at the same time – so we occasionally hear quiet, slick sliding and flapping noises along with his words
XAVI
Could you stop doing that? Some of us live here.
KARO
I’m sorry. I didn’t think.
XAVI
More fish than anything else, but they don’t like rocks falling on them either.
KARO
I’m sorry.
XAVI
(more curious than antagonistic)
Why are you down here, anyway? It’s not a big tourist destination.
KARO
I … came through the tunnels, thanks to an annoying bird and a phone app that might be malfunctioning. I’m trying to get to the Endling.
XAVI
You turned your head, I didn’t get most of that. I don’t hear so well in the air.
SOUND: We hear some faint sounds of Karo’s hands moving together during the next line
KARO
Oh. I can sign, if that helps. I’m not great at it, but …
XAVI
Yeah, you’ve got that small-town accent, definitely. We can talk up here, as long as you face me. I’m Xavi, by the way. He/they pronouns.
KARO
Karo, they/them. Nice to meet you.
XAVI
I only heard the part about the Endling. Could you start over?
KARO
Oh, sure. I came through the tunnels, I was guided by the Raven and this map on my phone? I’m on my way to the Endling. I guess you could call it a quest, I’ve got some big …
XAVI
Quest-ions?
KARO
Exactly. It’s hard to explain, I … grew up here, in October, but then I crossed over for a long time and I’m just coming back. I’ve got a human partner and she’s … it’s a big adjustment, for both of us, and I’m not even really sure yet …
(they laugh)
Why I’m telling you all of this! I don’t usually talk this much.
XAVI
I’ve got that kind of face. Friendly gills. That’s a joke.
KARO
I guess anyone who’s off to see the Endling has some baggage.
XAVI
You tell me. Or I guess you just did.
KARO
So yeah. I’ve been following the signs and they lead right through here. Is there a boat, or is it far to swim to the other side, or …?
XAVI
I’m not really from here, but I’ve explored a lot … I’m a spelunker.
KARO
Is that right?
XAVI
There are some really great underwater caves! Which comes to my point – there’s not really another side. I mean, there is, but it’s down. Down down.
KARO
Oh. Are you sure?
XAVI
Pretty sure.
(after a moment)
It’s really beautiful that far below. The water is almost still, there are fire shrimp and jellafish and glassfields that just shimmer … the caves just keep going and going. I’ve never been to the end of them.
KARO
I’m not a great swimmer. And breathing is a thing.
XAVI
I actually have some scuba equipment. I usually come here with … someone who needs it.
KARO
Yeah? But there’s probably places I couldn’t fit through, you’re a lot more streamlined.
XAVI
I think you’d be okay. I could guide you down there …
KARO
Are you sure?
XAVI
Even though you didn’t laugh at my joke about the gills. I’ll be glad for the company.
SOUND: Karo takes a step or two into the water
KARO
How far down is down? I mean, even with scuba gear, what about the pressure?
XAVI
You seem pretty tough. If it gets too hard, I can bring you back. It’s your quest.
KARO
I did say that.
(they sigh)
I guess I’m gonna give it a shot. Lead on, friend.
SOUND: A bit of splashing, fading out with the cave background
SOUND: The transition effect / music we use for the passage of time
SOUND: Underwater background (ongoing)
SOUND: Music cue – “Into the Water” – behind next speech
KARO
(into storytelling mode, narrating their dive)
The water was so cold, diving in was like hitting a wall. I thought my heart stopped. And it was dark – my eyes adjusted again, but that was just shadows on shadows for most of the way. The glassfields radiated this light of their own, and some of the jellafish were luminescent – even Xavi had a faint glow as I followed them – but most of what surrounded us was dark into dark into dark. Every so often, Xavi turned and signed, checking in on me – but I could barely see their hands rippling through the water.
(they pause for a moment; we hear the strain in their voice)
The caves went deeper and deeper – I thought we had to be at the center already. It got harder to move my arms, my legs – the pressure made me want to curl in on myself. I had to force every breath, my eyes hurt from staring into the black. I was cursing the Raven, cursing the Endling, cursing the whole world for leading me on this path. It’d be more romantic to say I was thinking of Vonnie, or my family and the answers I wanted – but that far down, my only thoughts were a constant pulse of “Go – Karo, go – keep on going. Go – Karo, go – keep on going.”
(another pause, breathing heavily, stressed but deliberate)
Go. Karo, go. Keep on going.
SOUND: After a couple more breaths, the background fades out quickly
(The scene ends.)
SCENE THREE
SOUND: Cavern background, lakeside (ongoing)
SOUND: A big splash as Xavi and Karo surface – Karo sputtering, gasping
XAVI
Take it slow. Deep breaths.
KARO
Ow. Ohh, ow owwwww.
XAVI
Work out the cramps.
KARO
That … really sucked.
XAVI
But you made it. We made it, I guess. It wasn’t that bad for me. Here, I can help with the mask … and the tanks …
SOUND: Karo getting the scuba mask off, the tanks clunking to the ground
KARO
(breathing heavily)
Okay. Okay. We made it.
(after a moment, looking around)
This looks just like where we started. How does that make sense?
XAVI
I didn’t catch that.
KARO
This looks just like the edge of the lake where we started. If this is the bottom … we went down, and down … why does the water just stop again?
XAVI
I … don’t really know. That is kinda weird. Huh.
SOUND: Karo gets to their feet, groaning a little
XAVI
One more question you can ask.
KARO
I guess.
(after a moment)
So … down this way?
XAVI
Looks like it.
KARO
Are you gonna … stick around for a while?
XAVI
I can do that. There’s a lot to explore at this end.
KARO
Good. Thank you. I guess I’m going, then.
XAVI
Just throw some rocks when you need me.
SOUND: A decent sized splash as he dives back in
KARO
Wiseass. Alllll right, Karoline Elizabeth, pull yourself together. It’s time to meet your maker.
SOUND: Footsteps deeper into the cave; we lose any sound of the water behind them
SOUND: Bit by bit over the next few lines, we start to hear the Underworld theme weave into the background
KARO
(talking to themselves as they go, nervous)
I mean, not my maker. Right? I was never the true believer type. “What did we teach you about self-determination, class?”
(brief pause)
But … whatever – whoever – the Endling is, they’ve got to know more about the world. If anything is true, they’ve been around for most of it.
SOUND: Footsteps continue, the music is becoming more recognizable
KARO
(fading at the end, walking away from us)
Now I’m stuck on how they did the water thing. This whole cave should be flooded. Where is that music coming from?
SOUND: The cavern background and the music fades out for a moment
SOUND: We hear the music / effect used for transition in time
SOUND: Larger cave background, but some other background to indicate a designed living space – some A/C maybe, pipes making quiet noises, etc. (ongoing)
SOUND: Some clacking and levers and pedals, more like a pipe organ without the music coming out than any other machinery
ENDLING
(muttering to themselves)
Don’t see why there can’t be gargoyles there … it’s an interesting twist. Add it to the notes for later … that can go to the Lindworm, but if they send back another chapbook …
(another moment; they sigh)
There’s going to be trouble in the long run … just because they call them “Moonkin” …
SOUND: We hear Karo’s footsteps coming up behind, stopping halfway through the next line
ENDLING
A.L. asking about the Halloween trees … shouldn’t the Little Ones take care of that? Not a lot of time, I might have to … wait, what’s that? Oh …
(after a moment)
I’m sorry, I’ll just be a minute. There’s a bildad who managed to cross by accident, now they’re stuck in … Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. That’s going to cause problems if I don’t …
SOUND: More canoodling on their pipe-organ-ish thingy
ENDLING
There’s coffee on the table over there. I thought you might want a hot drink after that swim.
KARO
Umm … thank you.
SOUND: They prepare a mug of coffee in the background
ENDLING
And done. That should keep the little rascal out of trouble. At least until Archie can get there.
SOUND: They spin around in their chair to face Karo
ENDLING
So, Karoline. Karo? Karo. How’s your coffee?
KARO
(suddenly seeing them fully, stifling a laugh)
Oh! Umm …
(takes a sip)
Very good, thank you.
ENDLING
There’s a family of were-civets that bring me the beans, I don’t ask too many questions.
SOUND: Karo is trying to hold back a laugh
ENDLING
I live on the stuff – iced in my case … go ahead and laugh. It’s completely okay!
KARO
(giving in)
I’m sorry, it was a long trip down here and, I’m a little dizzy, I didn’t expect you to look like a –
ENDLING
Giant tardigrade? We pick our appearance, and I’m a fan of the little beasties. It also helps to put people off their guard.
KARO
Fair. I’m going to sit.
ENDLING
See? When you first walked in, you would have asked if it was okay to sit.
KARO
Are there others … of you, down here?
ENDLING
No. Not for a long, long … very long time.
(with a bit of a disarming chuckle)
It’s a lot of work writing this world by one’s self! I appreciate you coming all this way so we could meet.
KARO
Did you know I was coming here?
ENDLING
I didn’t know until you arrived; but I was aware of your intention.
KARO
Ooookay.
SOUND: A sip of their coffee
KARO
I’m not sure where to start.
ENDLING
I know! There’s so much, and so many ways to look at it all. It’s fantastic. Well, I know a lot of it has been difficult and some is still sad for you. But it’s fantastic that you’re here. That might be a good place to begin, one thing I know for certain. Karo, you belong here.
KARO
Here, as in …?
ENDLING
The big-picture here. October. You’re welcome in my home as well, for as long as you want; you’ve made the journey. But you belong in this world.
KARO
That wasn’t one of my questions.
ENDLING
All right.
(after a pause)
I’ll just give you a minute.
SOUND: They swivel back around in the chair, and work at their pipe-organ-thingy
KARO
That machine is how you write … everything?
ENDLING
The calliope is mostly for fun. An affectation, like my appearance.
SOUND: They swivel back around
ENDLING
I could sit here and do the same thing in my head, in the dark, in absolute silence, but what fun is that? You have to find a little joy in the everyday.
KARO
I guess.
ENDLING
No guessing, that’s an absolute.
KARO
Is that what you’re going to do? Write me into being happier?
ENDLING
Karoline. That’s not what I do. I write the world; I don’t write people. I distill the needs we were made for, I create scenes and archetypes and hang the moon in the midnight sky … and occasionally I might move someone, if they’re in a troublesome position on either side. But I wouldn’t write you into something you’re not.
KARO
Then what makes you think I’ve got a place here?
ENDLING
Because I know you! I know this world. I can see how the two of you fit together. I didn’t write your story, but I’ve paid close attention to it. You’ve made a place for yourself on both sides, but you began here, and I think it would be good for us if you returned.
KARO
Good for you? What about good for me?
ENDLING
That too, I would hope.
KARO
And what about good for Vonnie? What if she comes down off the mountain and she’s done?
ENDLING
Maybe you should wait on that worry until she’s back.
KARO
I wonder if she made it all the way. That’d be something. Seeing it on her own terms.
(after a pause)
Maybe it was easier without me trying to explain how October works every minute.
ENDLING
That is quite a task. I’m not sure I could explain every part of it, and that’s my whole reason for being.
KARO
Really?
ENDLING
I know the why, the why is obvious, all of our beautiful monsters. But after ages at the center of it all, I still find surprises in the how.
KARO
I don’t know how to feel about that, when I’m down here needing answers.
ENDLING
I mean, I know quite a few things. Ask, ask away.
KARO
(after a moment they sigh)
Now I don’t know what to say. This is embarrassing.
ENDLING
I know you’ve been coming up against some mysteries in your past. Your parents, your particular heritage … who you were before you started another life.
KARO
(after a pause, on the edge of their seat)
And?
ENDLING
I don’t know where your parents are now. They’ve been outside my domain since the night they left. I know they went at the request of the Council, and they weren’t the only ones.
KARO
The Council sent them away?
ENDLING
I think it was some sort of missionary expedition. They did a pretty good job of hiding the details.
KARO
They couldn’t even tell me?
ENDLING
That might have been a part of hiding the details. But also, you had particularly selfish and shitty parents.
KARO
That wasn’t one of my questions, either.
ENDLING
I’m sorry.
KARO
Well, based on what you’re saying, you didn’t have much to do with it. Though if you want to go back and write in parents that didn’t ditch me …
ENDLING
I would be tempted, if that were something I could do.
KARO
You’re not really inspiring a lot of faith in the creator.
ENDLING
I can’t rewrite the past because I’m not the one who wrote it. My work is to keep the world together and to tweak the shape of things … I didn’t live their lives or make their choices.
KARO
You should be glad for that. Their choices suck.
(brief pause)
Especially … one pretty big choice.
ENDLING
Your particular heritage. What’s written on the label you can’t twist around enough to see. That … might be a good news – bad news situation.
KARO
I’m pretty sure I can punch you.
ENDLING
I know the answer, of course. And it’s not that I won’t tell you if you insist. No punching necessary. But … I think your story is going to bring it to you in a more meaningful way.
KARO
How do you know that when you don’t write my story?
ENDLING
I think. I believe. I can see wheels in motion.
KARO
More meaningful wheels. Great.
SOUND: They slam down their coffee cup on the table
ENDLING
This is why I don’t get a lot of repeat visitors.
KARO
I just don’t … I have to find a way … This was a big trip to just get back, “Wait.” What if, while I’m waiting …
ENDLING
You’ll figure it out. You’ll keep writing yourself every day, making choices with your people, falling into adventures and finding your way through them –
KARO
Great, great, but that’s what I’ve been doing. And I run into my past around every … damn corner. How do I create this new version of myself with all that baggage?
SOUND: The creak of the chair as the Endling stands up
ENDLING
Karo. You know where October came from. Their world needed monsters to warn their children; to indicate the places that were too far, too wild on their atlas; a lesson on what they thought was unnatural in their nature. They needed us as their boundaries, their punishment.
(brief pause)
Our world was born from those needs, but that doesn’t mean we have to live for them. I write this world every day from that need, I work from their conventions, they still affect us. But that is only the beginning of who we are. That’s the backstory. What you create from there is yours.
SOUND: Karo picks up the coffee cup up again, takes a drink
KARO
It still sounds like you’re bullshitting me.
ENDLING
Maybe. But you did come all this way for my opinion.
KARO
That’s not what I came for.
ENDLING
Potato, pot-ah-to. At least the coffee is good.
SOUND: The Endling slurps their drink cheerfully
SOUND: Karo puts their cup down again, gently this time
KARO
I guess I should blame The Raven – he’s the one who said I was on this hero’s journey. I should get a refund on the feather.
ENDLING
That guy. Talk about tangled up in backstory … anyway, any other questions?
KARO
Those were the big ones.
(they sigh)
Oh – Vonnie wanted to know how you do the moon thing.
ENDLING
Sheer force of will.
KARO
Right. Thanks. That’s helpful.
SOUND: Pushing back their chair and getting up
KARO
I should head back and see what she’s been up to.
ENDLING
You definitely should. Take care, Karoline.
KARO
Doing my best. Goodbye.
ENDLING
Don’t be a stranger!
SOUND: We hear Karo’s footsteps, and as they go we reverse the process we went through coming in – the cave background fading out, then the transition effect for time passing
SOUND: We come back to the cavern background and the Underworld theme, loud at first but fading as the footsteps continue
SOUND: At the end of this whole process, we start hearing more water sounds added in as Karo comes back to where Xavi is waiting
SOUND: A bit of splashing, and Karo’s footsteps slow then stop
KARO
Xavi, hi, you’re here!
SOUND: We hear them tap Xavi’s shoulder
XAVI
Oh, Karo! Hi!
KARO
That’s what I said – hi, you’re here!
XAVI
And you’re back! What did you bring me?
KARO
How do you feel about a Raven feather?
XAVI
Meh.
KARO
That’s fair.
XAVI
How were things with the big, bad Endling?
KARO
Nothing like what I expected.
XAVI
I’m … sorry?
KARO
It’s okay. Lots to think about.
XAVI
And hey, it’s a new story you can tell! Did you find out how the lake stops here?
KARO
Shit! I didn’t even ask.
XAVI
Oh, well. It is what it is.
SOUND: A bit of splashing
XAVI
You missed some amazing underwater discoveries. Another glassfield – this one lit up in cerulean. And a rock formation shaped like a whale’s dong.
SOUND: Karo laughs, surprised, and Xavi joins them
KARO
That I have to see. We should get going anyway – I’ve got a long trip back, and I really need to talk to Yvonne.
XAVI
That’s your partner?
KARO
Yeah. We’ve got a lot of … notes to compare.
XAVI
I know how that goes. I’m on a break right now with Gerald – that’s why I’ve got scuba gear handy – but we always get together again.
KARO
It’s good that you’ve got an arrangement.
XAVI
I’ll tell you about it on the way back – you could use the practice. Here, I’ll help get you back in the suit.
KARO
(fading out as the scene ends)
Be careful of my hair this time.
(laughing a little)
Ow! That hurts, dammit.
SOUND: The cavern background fades out with the dialogue
(The scene ends.)
(The episode ends.)
PRODUCERS: Thank you for listening to Waiting For October!
Our show is written by D.J. Sylvis, with sound design by Caroline Mincks, and music by Trace Callahan.
This episode featured Robin Regalado as Karo, Leeman Kessler as the Raven, David S Dear as Enoch, Cole Burkhardt as Xavi, and our very own D.J. Sylvis as the Endling.
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 patreon.com(backslash)monkeymanproductions.
Today our Crowdfundr shoutout is to Mary Anne Matos and Whitney Frisk. Thank you for your support!
I thought after Karo’s journey today, it was a good time to suggest you listen to one of my favourite cryptid stories about watery adventures – Come On In The Water’s Fine, by friend of the show Shade Oyemakinwa. It’s an anthology of mermaid stories that is dreamy and engrossing and it all flows so beautifully in Shade’s amazing voice. Listen with your eyes closed.
Getting back to October, next episode we’re going to hear a monologue from Yvonne, fresh off the mountain and her kaiju adventure! Until then, keep an eye out for interesting rock formations, never hand over your torch to a Raven, and don’t be a stranger!
Note – there may be advertisements inserted at this point in the episode.
