WAITING FOR OCTOBER S1 – E8 – “Back Together”
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: Bus background – bus moving, people shifting, maybe some phone sounds (ongoing)
YVONNE
(almost too quiet to make out the words at first)
– and then we almost got crushed by a Bolter – no, I might want to downplay the life-in-danger bits. So … there was this troll lady who seemed to know you which we’ll get to, she carried me halfway up the mountain and gave relationship advice while she did it. Maybe that’s not the best lead-in either … Karo, wait until you hear what Grey called the kaiju! The smaller one – it had this jaw that could aaaahhhh, so he called it Bitey …
SOUND: The bus has stopped and is idling; the door opens
SOUND: When the bus door opens, we can hear more voices in the background (mix of monster and human noises) . general footsteps, and some random music – note this doesn’t need to be Trace’s parade music, just some random stuff
BUS DRIVER
(in the background at first, overlapping)
Ma’am? I think this was your –
YVONNE
At some point, though, I’ve got to get to the chase. Karo, your world is great but my knitting group just started learning the moss stitch …
BUS DRIVER
Ma’am? Delambre and Brundle?
YVONNE
I’m sorry?
BUS DRIVER
Your stop. You said you wanted –
YVONNE
Oh, right. I’m … holding everyone up. Sorry, I’m sorry.
SOUND: Footsteps (and her cane) as she walks off the bus
SOUND: The bus door closes again and we hear it drive off
YVONNE
I can’t believe they ma’amed me. Maybe they’re just not good with humans.
SOUND: A low, quavering rumble
YVONNE
Excuse me. Sorry.
SOUND: A sliding, leathery sound for a moment, fading as the monster keeps going
YVONNE
(absently)
Lots of monsters out for a stroll this evening. Maurice Sendak would have a field day.
SOUND: She starts walking, taking her time
SOUND: A bit more random music spills out from somewhere
YVONNE
There’s nothing like random city music.
(she sighs, to herself:)
Karo, it’s not like I haven’t found a lot of good things … yeah, start with that, the spoonful of sugar approach.
SOUND: As she keeps walking, the following conversation becomes audible
YUJIN
I said I’ll give you a cut! All you have to do is slip one in with every order –
GABI
(translation is “Listen here, asshole!”)
Escuchame pendejito! How many ways can I say no to you?
YUJIN
This is a once-in-a-lifetime collectible tied into the best-selling adventure card game Golden Ocean! I’m dropping this opportunity in your lap!
GABI
I don’t have a lap and I don’t want you dropping in!
YUJIN
Just think it over. I’ll leave you a sample –
GABI
Get out and take your sprogs with you!
YUJIN
You know that’s not what they’re called!
YVONNE
Oh, Gabi! Hi, you’re … outside. I mean, of course you are, just … and it’s Yujin, right?
YUJIN
If you could hold a minute, we’re in the middle of a business transaction –
GABI
We are not.
NOTE: Translation of the next line is, “Sis, get out here and take your turn at the stall! And bring that bag of candy that wouldn’t sell.
GABI
(calling out)
Nena, ven aqui y coje tu turno en tu puesto! Y trae esa bolsa de dulce que no se pudo vender.
(back to Yvonne)
Yvonne! Did you get my email? I really want that story about the Lindworm!
YVONNE
I didn’t … I have to use Karo’s phone for that stuff. You haven’t seen them, have you?
GABI
Not since I last saw you.
YVONNE
We were supposed to find each other here. I guess the timing was gonna be a bit loose, considering. You don’t mind if I hang around? I guess you’re doing some sort of sidewalk sale? Everybody is, I guess … lots of kids around, too.
YUJIN
Yvonne … how do you feel about competitive gaming?
GABI
I will break off my own branch and beat you with it.
YVONNE
You’ve definitely got promos going on pumpkins, huh? They’re all over! Did you know my first trip on this side was to a … pumpkin patch …
SOUND: There is an extended pause, during which the random voices and music in the background might get bumped up just a little
YVONNE
Oh, no. No no no no no way … I can’t have been that distracted. The pumpkins and the music and the sidewalk traffic, and … Yujin, I thought maybe you were LARPing or something –
YUJIN
I’m a buccaneer. To be precise, I hail from Tortuga, in the mid-1620s –
YVONNE
And Gabi, the fairy lights in your branches, and yep, there’s a sign in your window and everything … uhh, Happy Halloween, everybody?
GABI
Happy Halloween! Trick or Treat, mi gente! I’ve got caramel apple empanadillas …
YVONNE
Oh, that does sound good.
YUJIN
Are you up for a trade?
SOUND: We hear branches shaking
YUJIN
Kidding, I’m kidding! I’m just gonna … check in with some other potential partners. Nice seeing you both!
SOUND: Footsteps walking quickly away
GABI
Finally! That guy is such a skeeve.
YVONNE
I should have asked him about Frederick. Anyway, hi! I really do like the lights, you’re very festive!
GABI
I’m a Halloween tree on my grandmother’s side! Now please, settle in, I’m going to tempt you with baked goods and ask you a million questions!
YVONNE
Well … just until Karo gets here.
SOUND: Tree branches rustling
GABI
(translation below – “Of course, no worries.”)
‘Ta bien, no te preocupes. Where did I put that notebook …
SOUND: Gabi looking through boxes / papers
SOUND: Running footsteps advancing, and when close enough, we hear Karo panting
KARO
Yvonne … Vonnie … I’m sorry.
YVONNE
Karo!
SOUND: The running stops; the panting continues for a bit
KARO
I’m sorry.
GABI
Here it is! Oh … dammit! Karoline, happy holiday!
KARO
Hi, Gabi. Vonnie, I’m sorry. It’s farther from the center of the world … to here than it needs to be.
YVONNE
That’s quite the beginning to your story.
KARO
Wait ‘til you hear the rest. Just give me a minute. I might need a drink.
GABI
We’ve got pumpkin smoothies!
KARO
Wait, what day is it?
YVONNE
Oh, I’m glad it wasn’t just me. Take a look around.
KARO
(after a moment)
No. It can’t be, it wasn’t even …
YVONNE
It’s Halloween! You haven’t missed it; the spirits did it all in one night.
KARO
Wow. That’s a … lot. The Endling didn’t say a word, either.
GABI
You saw the Endling!
(translation below – “I’m gonna lock you both in a room with a tape recorder …”)
Voy a encerar a los dos en un cuarto con una grabadora …
SOUND: A cheer rises from the crowd, in the distance then getting closer
SOUND: At the same time, we hear large wings flapping overhead (multiple gargoyles) getting closer as well
YVONNE
What is it? If it’s one of those Piasa birds –
GABI
(raising her voice over the noise behind them)
It’s the gargoyles! They fly in formation on special occasions.
YVONNE
One of them just peeled off to chase some skyfish.
GABI
It is a volunteer organization. I’m gonna slip inside to grab more stock – back in a minute!
SOUND: The noise settles back to the previous levels now
YVONNE
Well.
KARO
I did promise I’d bring you back for Halloween. Wait, where’d you see a Piasa bird?
YVONNE
Oh, Karo, there is so much to tell you! You don’t even know – I guess that’s the point, but I made it up the mountain, and I saw the kaiju, and so many things happened, and there’s this troll, Bergen, I need to … I don’t even know where to start. There’s so much to say.
KARO
Yeah. Me too … the Endling wasn’t the most helpful, but it was quite a trip! You would have liked Xavi. And there was this rock formation …
(they laugh)
Maybe we could go for a walk? That little park was nice, and it might be quieter.
YVONNE
Quieter would be good, eventually.
SOUND: Yvonne getting up, sorting out her cane and so on
YVONNE
You don’t need a drink, or some snacks, or anything before we go?
KARO
I can always shake down some trick-or-treaters.
SOUND: They start walking away (remember Yvonne’s cane)
SOUND: The next few lines fade as they go (we’re staying at the store)
YVONNE
Who’s gonna go first?
KARO
I better warn you – my adventure started with The Raven.
YVONNE
(laughs)
Oh, no! At least I got Grey as my companion. That’s probably a good place to start – I was …
SOUND: As their voices fade out, we hear Gabi come out again, branches rustling and all
GABI
I mixed a quick smoothie for each of you, now we can really get down to – dammit! Coño!
SOUND: The city street background fades out
(The scene ends.)
Note – there may be advertisements inserted at this point in the episode.
SCENE TWO
SOUND: City Park background – about the same level of noise as the previous scene, no music at the moment but a mix of voices and monster-y stuff (ongoing)
SOUND: Karo and Yvonne walking, this time coming closer and we hear their lines fade in
YVONNE
I’m telling you, Karo, they were huge – huge. Leviathan class. And we’re on this cliff so they’re – not close enough to touch, but if they wanted, they could make it happen. I was glad I’d just peed ten minutes before that!
KARO
My girlfriend, the kaiju whisperer.
YVONNE
Stop, it wasn’t like that. I don’t know what it was, I don’t know how it happened, but not that.
KARO
I mean, I can believe it. You got us out of the Lindworm’s story.
YVONNE
I couldn’t have done that without you, though. But you were off meeting the Endling and learning how the story of the world gets told! From a big squishy tardigrade who plays a calliope!
KARO
That might have been the wildest part.
SOUND: As they get further into the park, we hear some vehicle noises and light hammering / fastening – groups are getting their parade floats together
YVONNE
And they knew all about you – they knew about me! I can’t wrap my head around that.
KARO
It’s not weirder than your troll who knows who I am but wouldn’t tell you how.
YVONNE
We did both wind up with pretty enigmatic figures, comes down to it. Maybe it was October trying to balance things out. I blame you, protagonist.
KARO
Yeah, yeah.
(after a moment)
I guess this isn’t a quiet spot tonight.
YVONNE
Not when we’re thrust into All Hallow’s Eve. And not a costume between us.
KARO
All these folks around, someone’s got to have a spare mask.
YVONNE
Look at that group of kobolds made up as humans! One looks uncannily like my boss.
KARO
You might have some questions to ask when you’re back home.
(after a moment)
Do you think we should –
GREY
(a ways off calling to them)
Karo! Yvonne! Karooooooo, over here!
SOUND: A bunch of barks and howls from other weres in his group
YVONNE
Oh, gods. It’s the whole pack.
SOUND: Grey and Karim running over to them (both weres, semi-transformed)
GREY
I hoped you’d make it! Happy Halloween!
(he barks happily)
KARO
(less enthusiastic)
Happy Halloween.
GREY
You remember Karim, right? Yvonne, this is Karim.
KARIM
Hey, hi.
YVONNE
You’re a bear.
GREY
Don’t miss anything, do you? She probably still hasn’t slept, we had a big day on the –
YVONNE
Of course! I mean, you know you’re a bear … I was just surprised, I thought Grey’s pack was all werewolves.
KARIM
They kinda took me in.
YVONNE
Nice.
GREY
He’s our big beefy ursine brother, things wouldn’t be the same without him.
YVONNE
You’re full of beans tonight. At least one of us got a nap.
GREY
I’ve been on the run since I left you. No sleep on Halloween! Karo, the Lindworm sends their regards, and Auncle Lantern – xe never comes to the city. There’ll be parades where they are, too, but nothing like this!
SOUND: He barks again, Karim makes a bearish “ruff”, and a chorus of howls in the background
KARIM
It’s my first time.
YVONNE
Mine, too.
GREY
And the first parade back for Karo-line, right? You should ride on the float with us – both of you! There’s plenty of room.
(quieter, to Karo)
Can I grab you for a minute?
KARO
Umm, I guess … Vonnie?
YVONNE
Sure, I’ll be here.
SOUND: Grey and Karo start to walk away slowly; we stick with Yvonne and Karim for a bit
YVONNE
So, uh, what do you do? Other than bear things, I guess.
KARIM
I’m an artist … different types of stuff, sculpture – lately I’ve been working in devil’s glass.
YVONNE
Oh, really? I heard about that a while ago, and I’m so curious! I’m sorry, but can you explain it to me?
SOUND: As the monologue below starts to fade midway through, we start hearing Karo and Grey’s footsteps coming back in, ending before Karo speaks (which overlaps with Karim a little)
KARIM
No problem at all, it’s such a cool thing! It takes a special kind of glass that has to be harvested under water – there are these big luminous glassfields in the ocean, they’ve found a dozen different colours by now, but of course you can tint it yourself afterwards, or mix it with other materials, though that changes the basic properties. By itself, devil’s glass has this weird elasticity thing – I don’t really know how or why, I had a physicist try to explain it one time and wound up so lost, but what it does is once it’s set – kinda like pottery, once you heat it and let it cool in place – even if you squeeze it or chip it or break it somehow, it comes back to that shape! So not only can you form it, you can make these kinetic sculptures where part of the art is to break it and watch it heal. I’ve set up exhibits where there’s this constant flow between broken and whole …
KARO
(overlapping with some of the above)
What’s up? Are you okay?
GREY
That’s what I wanted to ask you. Did Yvonne tell you about our trip?
KARO
We just caught up. She really calmed the kaiju, huh?
GREY
What? Oh right, yeah, that happened. And we met Bergen – the Bergen! But that’s not what I meant, either. She was telling me about what you’re going through and all …
KARO
Oh. Okay. You knew some of that stuff –
GREY
How could your parents do all of that to you? Hiding who you even are? I’m so pissed at them!
KARO
Yeah. It’s a big … there’s a lot to be upset about.
GREY
Right, but that’s your heritage they’re messing with! If you were in my pack, I’d go and … I mean, you could be in my pack, there are weirder things. How do you feel about the moon?
KARO
I think I’d know by now if I was a werewolf.
GREY
But if you do feel anything coming on … never mind, that doesn’t matter. The point is, I know all this now, and I’m with you. BFFs, right? I’m gonna help you sort this out.
KARO
That might be a little trickier than you think. When I talked to the Endling –
GREY
Shit, yeah! The Endling! You’ve got to tell me how that was! But first we need a plan to –
KARO
Look, I’ll tell you about everything, and I absolutely want your help. But I really need to sort things out with Vonnie, we’ve been waiting –
GREY
Oh yeah, I heard about that too. You go, talk to her. We’ll sort this out later.
SOUND: Karo’s footsteps as we follow her back over to Yvonne / Karim (continues to halfway through Yvonne’s line)
YVONNE
I absolutely need to see that. Yeah, send me an invite and I’ll check it out! Karo, want to go to a gallery opening?
KARO
We could do that.
SOUND: Grey running up behind them
SOUND: The background has started to ramp up a little, with more voices, and more vehicle noise as people start up their floats
SOUND: We start to hear distant snippets of Trace’s ‘drums only’ version of the music
GREY
Come on, Karim, let’s go make sure the float is ready. These two need some alone time.
KARIM
I was just talking about the gallery show.
GREY
Right, but they need to have a conversation. Alone. You know, relationship stuff.
YVONNE
Is that what you two were talking about?
KARO
No! Mostly no. But … he’s not wrong.
YVONNE
Can’t put it off all night, I guess. And we’re not getting any candy without masks or anything.
KARIM
You need a costume? I’ve got some wolf ears I wear sometimes as a gag.
YVONNE
Maybe later. That’d be something, running with the Wilds.
GREY
You did okay on the mountain. I mean, when someone wasn’t carrying you.
YVONNE
That was not to be mentioned again.
GREY
Are you two gonna be okay? If you need like an arbiter, or a counselor or something, I could stick around. I mediate disputes for the pack all the time.
KARO
I don’t think professional intervention is necessary.
KARIM
I’m in a long-distance relationship with a selkie, it’s not always easy but we make it work.
YVONNE
Aww, that’s really sweet.
GREY
There’s this thing somebody said to me that’s always stuck, “Sometimes we fight too hard for the world we were -”
KARO
(raising their voice)
Okay! Guys. We appreciate the support, but this is not a group activity.
GREY
Okay, okay, I got it. We’ll catch up after the parade, okay?
YVONNE
We’ll find you then.
KARIM
I’ve got to go get dressed. It was nice meeting you both.
SOUND: We hear them walk away, a chorus of barks and howls picking up again
SOUND: Somewhere, we start to hear music far in the distance – let it run through the end of the scene
KARO
We’ve got to get out of here. Next thing, Raven or that singing skeleton is gonna show up.
YVONNE
Do you have any thoughts on a place?
KARO
I think I do.
SOUND: The park background fades out
(The scene ends.)
SCENE THREE
SOUND: Abandoned building background – fairly still, creaking noises (ongoing)
SOUND: Very faint noises / music from the celebration outside
SOUND: Careful footsteps – Karo, Yvonne (with cane)
KARO
I don’t think we’ll run into anyone else in here.
YVONNE
And there’s plenty of moonlight through the windows. You don’t mind coming back, after the whole not-ghost thing?
KARO
I mean, we solved something here before.
YVONNE
Good point.
KARO
I wonder what happened to Frederick?
YVONNE
I was just thinking about that earlier. I hope he found his place.
KARO
Yeah.
YVONNE
(after a moment)
I’m gonna sit. Help me down?
KARO
Of course.
SOUND: A bit of bustling to get Yvonne down to the floor
SOUND: Karo paces a bit
KARO
You can still hear a little bit of the parade.
YVONNE
Halloween, huh? Why do you think the world sprang that on us?
KARO
I guess we’re hitting a big scene in our story.
(brief pause)
So, umm …
YVONNE
Yeah. Adventures, huh?
KARO
We already covered most of the actiony stuff.
YVONNE
I might have risked my life a little more than I’m admitting.
KARO
Me too, actually. But we both made it there.
YVONNE
And back again.
KARO
Grey said you talked a lot on your way up the mountain. He was all worked up about the what-monster-is-Karo problem.
YVONNE
It’s … good he wants to help.
KARO
It’s been kinda strange, reconnecting. The Karo he knew … did they even really exist?
YVONNE
(after a moment)
Is it okay that I told him? I didn’t really mean to, it just kinda came out.
KARO
He does understand being two different people.
(brief pause)
I’m not upset that you told him. It just felt like – to get to that point, you must have had a deep conversation. It makes me wonder what else you talked about, or … what you had on your mind.
YVONNE
That’s fair. You and I were in a prickly kind of place; I’m sure we’ve both been thinking a lot.
SOUND: Karo does a bit more pacing
KARO
(sighs)
Time to face the monster in the room. Here, I’m coming down.
SOUND: They sit down as well and settle themselves
KARO
I’m glad at least you had a positive experience. Mine was … mostly frustrating, in various underground locations.
YVONNE
I wanted to be sharing it with you. Both parts, mine and yours. I’m happy for all the experiences, Karo; everything we’ve had here.
KARO
I wanted to show you good things.
YVONNE
You’ve shown me more of you. That’s the best thing.
(after a moment)
Grey didn’t say I fell sideways into a snowbank with my underwear around my ankles, did he?
KARO
(startled into a laugh)
No, he did not.
YVONNE
Okay, then. Because that definitely didn’t happen.
(There is a long, uncomfortable pause.)
SOUND: Karo clears their throat, as if they’re going to speak, but then nothing
YVONNE
(finally)
It feels like we already know what the other one’s going to say.
KARO
It’s that kind of place.
YVONNE
It’s that kind of story.
(after another long pause)
So I’m –
KARO
(jumping in, tortured)
I have to do it, Vonnie. I can’t … I have to be here. When it started … I was scared, intimidated, I wasn’t sure how to feel. I wanted to know, I wanted you to know, I wanted to find out if …
YVONNE
(quietly)
It’s okay, love.
KARO
I was settled over on that side. I was comfortable. And that’s not wrong, Enoch has a whole family on that side, but then I come here and … I’m connected. I connected here. I can feel it in my feet when I walk, in my lungs when I breathe the air. When you first crossed, you said the light looks different – it looked just right to me. This is where I need to be.
YVONNE
I know it is. I saw how it hit you.
KARO
I mean, the writer of the world told me that I belong here. That’s almost all they would say. This is where I find out who I am. It’s where I can be whoever that is. And that’s …
(after a breath, rushing)
Not a surprise, I know. I hoped you’d find something, too, I know it can’t all be about me. It’s not fair to expect your life to revolve around … and then you did find something here, something you can do, but I know it’s not …
(after trailing off, a long, frustrated sigh)
I want to pace again but I don’t want to get up. I’m pacing in my head.
YVONNE
(laughs)
I can tell.
(after a moment)
You know where my head’s at. I’m glad you’ve found all of that here. I’m shouting with joy from the mountaintops that you’ve found it! And I’ve discovered good here too. It’s an amazing world. It’s every book I used to haul home from the Children’s Library all in one. It’s incredible and startling in the very best ways and every single minute I can’t wait to see what happens next …
KARO
But you can’t stay here.
YVONNE
It’s an amazing world … it’s just not mine. And I’m not done with mine yet. I only just started taking up space on that side. I need to see where I go from there.
KARO
I want that for you, too.
YVONNE
But it’s a whole world away from you! I can keep visiting, I have to keep visiting, you couldn’t stop me now, and hopefully there will be reasons you want to cross back sometimes …
KARO
I’ve got a whole apartment full of boxes to sort out.
YVONNE
Just remember who gets all your overflow books.
KARO
Nice try.
SOUND: A big hug, clothes rustling; Yvonne reacting
KARO
How do we make this work? It’s a lot more than being on opposite sides of the city.
YVONNE
I’m afraid I’m gonna miss things, all this important Karo stuff you’re finding here. And you’ll miss … not as much, really, hearing me complain about the patrons at Howe Branch, and repairs on my house, and the knitting group, that’s certainly as exciting as meeting the kaiju …
KARO
It’s important Yvonne stuff. I don’t want to miss that. I don’t want to miss things and drift apart and … I love you.
YVONNE
I love you too. So much.
KARO
But how do we do this? Okay, I have to pace.
SOUND: Karo stands up and paces around the room
KARO
Vonnie, how are we gonna do this?
YVONNE
You tell me.
(she grunts a little, pulling herself up)
Here, help me up.
KARO
I didn’t mean for you to –
YVONNE
This is a standing-up kind of moment. And my butt was getting numb.
(brief pause)
You tell me, Karoline. Tell me how we’re going to do this.
KARO
I don’t …
YVONNE
Earlier, you were talking about that day with the Lindworm. But we didn’t get out just because of me. We got out of that together.
(a longer pause)
You’re my magic, you’re my mystery. I’m not going to lose you. Tell me a story of how we make it work.
KARO
I don’t know if I –
YVONNE
I do know. I’m closing my eyes, I’m listening to your voice. Tell me the story.
KARO
Yvonne … it’s not like I …
(they take a moment, and a deep breath)
Karo and Vonnie were at a difficult place in their adventure. They loved each other – so much, so much it hurt that they had separate worlds with separate lives to be lived. They held on so tight. They … didn’t want to let go.
(breaking the story)
Vonnie –
YVONNE
Keep on going.
KARO
They didn’t want to let go. Not for good, not in the ways that were important. So they … looked for the ways they could work it out. They kept talking, they made plans together. Some of it was simple stuff like one Friday you cross over; the next Friday I come to you. And phone calls at least every other night – Karo finally got around to fixing up Yvonne’s phone so it would work on either side.
YVONNE
(murmuring)
Took you long enough.
KARO
And some of it was bigger things, like promising to hold off on important plot points so they could share them together. It didn’t always work – Karo had to fight off some goblins to make it across the night Vonnie got her big promotion to full librarian, and then a week later she had to miss new stitch night at her knitting group –
YVONNE
(overlapping, amused)
New stitch night?
KARO
(still going)
– so she could be there when Karo visited Bergen with a long list of questions … and sometimes in the long run they even missed a thing or two, but they always caught up and the promise was the most important thing.
(brief pause)
Karo moved out of their apartment, and stored a lot of boxes in Yvonne’s basement.
YVONNE
Presumptuous that you think there’s room in my basement.
KARO
In October, they stayed with Grey for a while at first, because he owed them – but it was nowhere near as nice as sleepovers with Vonnie and there were no ducks on the pillowcase.
YVONNE
Ha.
KARO
Sometimes it felt close, like they were still in the same city. And sometimes it was harder. But they kept talking, and making plans, and making visits, and Vonnie became best friends with a bugbear and Karo gave the Council a good kick in the hinder, and every Halloween they had amazing costumes ready months ahead of time and ate candy until their tummies hurt. And they kept on going … finding ways to make it work. Together.
YVONNE
Oh, Karo.
SOUND: They hug for a long time, murmuring softly and breathing each other in
KARO
Do you think we can do that? It’s just a story.
YVONNE
Are you allowed to say that here?
(they both chuckle)
Everything’s just a story. But that’s a really good one. I’m in if you are.
KARO
It’s worth a try.
SOUND: Another long hug, both react
YVONNE
Now pull yourself together, themfriend – we’re missing the parade.
SOUND: They both laugh a little
SOUND: The building background fades out, and we hear the transition effect for the passage of time. When we come back, we’re out on the street and it’s much louder now – the parade is on, and we have Trace’s ‘Full’ version of the parade music going!
YVONNE
It’s very loud out here!
KARO
What did you say?
YVONNE
It’s very loud! You heard me, you dork.
KARO
Barely. I think I’m gonna stay up here on the steps.
YVONNE
Good call. Woo! Spoopy holidays to everyone! Yes, throw that candy! I got it! I got it! Aww, it’s just caramels.
KARO
Dork. Give those here. You don’t appreciate quality sweets.
YVONNE
I appreciate you. Do I get a special Halloween kiss?
SOUND: In the parade noises, we hear an increase in wolf barks and howling
KARO
Maybe, if you’re good. Oh look, there’s the float!
YVONNE
Hold those lips, Mx. Grey! Karim! Hey, we’re over here!
SO UND: A sudden chorus of howls
SOUND: After a moment, the sound of people being pushed aside and running feet up the stairs
KARIM
Hey, you guys!
YVONNE
Karim! Nice costume, you’re the Hungry Tiger!
KARIM
You got it! All the main Oz characters were already claimed.
KARO
Don’t you need to stay with the float?
KARIM
I just wanted to – I know you didn’t have costumes, and I found those wolf ears I was talking about. I’ve got a pair for each of you.
YVONNE
Awww, that’s so great! Thank you!
KARIM
I’ve got to get back. Happy Halloween!
KARO + YVONNE
Happy Halloween!
YVONNE
He’s so sweet. Here’s your pair.
KARO
I don’t know. Grey’s already got ideas I’m a werewolf.
YVONNE
Tonight you are! We’re both part of the pack now. Awrroooooooooo!
KARO
Fine. Awrooo!
SOUND: A chorus of howls from the float, which is now moving off into the distance
SOUND: The parade background quiets down a bit from here, music too – you can slowly fade it down until it’s way off and we mostly hear the crowd milling around
YVONNE
Well, I have to come back now. I’ve been adopted.
KARO
Weren’t we going to kiss? Someone said something about a special Halloween kiss …
YVONNE
I said you owed me a kiss. Then you got all haughty about it. Maybe I’ll kiss you.
KARO
I put on the wolf ears and everything. Awroo.
YVONNE
Stop being so cute. Here’s your Halloween kiss.
SOUND: They get all kissy and lovey-dovey for a minute here while the parade continues
SOUND: After a moment, we hear Hodag down the street trying to push his way through the crowd of people
HODAG
Uhh, pardon me … excuse me … watch your tail … sorry, caught my claws a little there … Karo? Yvonne?
(he calls out)
Karo! Yvonne!
KARO
(untangling, a bit of a growl)
Dammit.
YVONNE
What now? Who is it?
KARO
I can’t see …
HODAG
Karo! Yvonne!
YVONNE
So many people calling our names today. It’s Hodag! Or possibly the Hodag!
HODAG
Hey! Hi! Coming up!
SOUND: Heavy feet up the stairs
SOUND: The parade is getting near the end; less marching / music, just people milling around
HODAG
Stairs are a little narrow – they played fast and loose with the building codes. Hullo there! Sorry to bother you, tonight of all nights.
KARO
It’s okay. Happy Halloween, Hodag!
YVONNE
Nice alliteration. Happy holiday! Are you here for tricks or treats?
HODAG
Well … neither and both, I’m afraid. I’m in a bit of a situation, and I don’t know many folks who really go in for adventures, wasn’t sure who else to ask, but … umm …
YVONNE
It’s okay, you can tell us.
KARO
Just spit it out.
HODAG
It’s this family thing, I’ve got relatives who have found themselves in a pickle, up on the … well, actually, to put it bluntly … there’s big trouble on the Moon!
YVONNE
On the Moon? This moon? The one that never leaves the sky?
HODAG
Well, yes.
YVONNE
We can get to the moon?
KARO
(sighs)
You better come in and explain yourself, we’ll see what we can do.
SOUND: They walk up the stairs and we hear the door open, then close again
YVONNE
(muffled)
Okay, now. The moon?
SOUND: The street-parade background continues for another few moments, then fades out
(The scene ends.)
(The episode ends.)
PRODUCERS: Thank you so much for listening, and we hope you enjoyed our finale. It’s been so much fun bringing this show to life, and we’re glad you’re here.
Waiting For October was created and written by D.J. Sylvis. October could not be the world that it is without the wonderful sound design work of Caroline Mincks, and the amazing compositions of Trace Callahan, who does our music.
This episode, you heard Robin Regalado as Karo, Tina Case as Yvonne, Dallas Hawthorne as Grey, Adam Qutaishat as Karim, Rissa Montanez as Gabi, Elissa Park as Yujin, Cass McPhee as Hodag, and our own Sarah Müller, as the bus driver.
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 Shade Oyemakinwa and Shae Salts. Thank you for your support!
This big an episode deserves a big recommendation – and I’ve got two in one for you today! Tau Zaman, friend of the show, cast member, and script consultant, runs two fantastic series of their own you really need to check out! Caravan is an incredible supernatural western adventure you have to hear to believe, and Rogue Runners is the best actual play podcast I’ve ever heard, set in the world of the video game Hades! Listen to both of them now!
And for us … this may have been the season finale, but it’s not the last you’re going to hear! Because more seasons, I’d hope, but right now we’ve still got one more monologue to share before we take a break – and that’ll be Karo letting us know where they’re at after finding a way forward. Get ready for that, and Happy Halloween – at least in the world of October!
Note – there may be advertisements inserted at this point in the episode.
