Episode 45: "Spiritus Mundi" – The Sheridan Tapes
CONTENT WARNING: Depictions of police violence, brief moments of body horror, implied religiously motivated homophobia and discrimination, deep rumbling sound effects.
11062019a: After the weekend’s horrifying revelations, Bill Tyler reluctantly returns to Oslow PD, only to be called into Morrison’s office for a performance review… Then out into the city to investigate a potential demonic possession.
Starring Jesse Steele as Bill Tyler, Socks Whitmore as the Possessed Host, Mike Kennedy as Edgar Morrison, Airen Neeley Chaconas as Anna Sheridan, Virginia Spotts as Kate Sheridan, Charles Scatolini as Pastor Seeger, Carmina Manley as Dispatch, Maurice Cooper as Jerry Price, Trevor Van Winkle as Sam Bailey, and Amitola Lomas as Maria Sol, with original music by Jesse Haugen. Written by Virginia Spotts and produced by Trevor Van Winkle and Virginia Spotts, and made possible by our supporters at Patreon.com/homesteadcorner and ko-fi.com/homesteadcorner
For more information, additional content, and episode transcript, visit thesheridantapes.com
Winter Reflections by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4632-winter-reflections
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Script
Transcript
CONTENT WARNING: Depictions of police violence, brief moments of body horror, implied religiously motivated homophobia and discrimination, deep rumbling sound effects.
Cold Open
[The middle of a Sunday service – people shifting and coughing lightly in the echoing hall]
[Kate and Anna Sheridan, teenagers, sit in a pew]
PASTOR SEEGER
“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he comes, he finds it swept and clean. Then goes he, and takes –
[continues in background, episode continues with Anna’s line below] with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be –
ANNA SHERIDAN
Stop squirming Kate, I can’t concentrate.
KATE SHERIDAN
What do you need to concentrate for, melting his brain?
ANNA SHERIDAN
As a matter of fact, yes.
KATE SHERIDAN
(sighing)
Look, if you hate it so much in here, you can just leave.
ANNA SHERIDAN
Like you actually want to be here either?
[Someone shushes them. They fall silent]
PASTOR SEEGER
–with this wicked generation.”
[He closes his Bible]
The Scripture warns us against making a home for spirits where there should be none. [Continues with Anna’s line below as Seeger continues talking] So when you sweep the home… invite the presence of the Holy God in! Do not leave your house swept and empty, open to the changing courses of culture and spiritual forces of evil.
ANNA SHERIDAN
We could leave, you know?
KATE SHERIDAN
What?
ANNA SHERIDAN
We can just go. Dad won’t make a fuss.
[A moment’s hesitation – a long moment]
KATE SHERIDAN
As if. I’m trying to learn something.
ANNA SHERIDAN
Good luck with that.
[The person behind them clears their throat to quiet them. Seeger pauses, looking down at the girls in disdain]
PASTOR SEEGER
Indeed, even children of God may be possessed with… unnatural spirits.
[Someone coughs]
Which is why Ephesians 6:11-13 reminds us to…
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Therefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Let’s stand firm together, family.
[An organ chord sounds loudly behind him]
Let’s stand and worship.
[Cassette noises]
[Organ noise fades out to…]
Main Theme
Recording Begins
[The sound of work lights overhead powering on]
[Electric whirring]
[Keyboard clicks]
[Beep]
[Heavy shuffling near a microphone as it gets adjusted]
EDGAR MORRISON
Are you telling me that I had this thing turned off for the last five minutes?
BILL TYLER
We record these now?
EDGAR MORRISON
One of the new transparency initiatives the commission board handed us. Need to record every little –
[The noise clears up, he’s left the mic on its own now]
[A quiet office room]
EDGAR MORRISON
– alright, I think I’ve got it working now.
BILL TYLER
You want me to take a look?
EDGAR MORRISON
I said it’s working, Tyler. I’m not a dinosaur.
BILL TYLER
Right, right – of course.
EDGAR MORRISON
Now, let’s see… This is Chief Edgar Morrison, Oslow County Police Department, sitting down with Lieutenant Bill Tyler – say hello, Bill.
BILL TYLER
Uh… Hello?
EDGAR MORRISON
Annual performance review, dated Wednesday, November 6th 2019 at 2:35pm.
[Clears throat]
Now… Where were we? [He looks through some papers] Ah, yes… I was just complimenting you on your exemplary work this year, particularly in the last six months. Apologies for repeating myself to you, Bill, but I’d like to compliment you once again for your exceptional commitment and discretion in the… Aftermath of the Sheridan case. It’s always unfortunate when things go wrong with one of our own, but you put your belief in this department on the line, and it stood up to the test. That’s admirable, especially when your own partner is involved. It’s moments like that that really test an officer.
BILL TYLER
Thank – thank you, sir.
EDGAR MORRISON
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying that “when the shit hits the fan, you don’t rise to the level of your expectations, you fall to the level of your training?”
BILL TYLER
I think so…
EDGAR MORRISON
Well, I must say, you’ve had excellent training. You carried out all duties necessary to your station, and then some. You stuck with a difficult, personally challenging assignment for months, and when the worst case scenario began to play out – you were right there, waiting to head it off. Loyal to the end. Believe me, I won’t forget that.
BILL TYLER
I… I couldn’t have done anything else, sir.
EDGAR MORRISON
Besides that, I must say I’ve been very impressed with your work in the community this year. Your desire to extend charity and support to those who’ve suffered loss has set an example for the entire department. Mrs. Shandon last February, Ms. Smith last month, even the family members of the Templi Prophetam. It’s all helped the people of Oslow county trust our department again, after everything that happened in Agate Shore. That’s why I knew you should be the one to integrate Leroux into our little family. I must say, the quality of his work has improved remarkably since you started working with him.
BILL TYLER
How is Ned, by the way? I haven’t seen him all week.
EDGAR MORRISON
He’s fine – just called in on Monday with a bit of a stomach bug. He’ll be back to 100% in no time.
[He leans back in his chair]
So… Taking all of this into account, I’d say you’ve had an excellent year. But of course I’d expect nothing less from you. You’re an exemplary officer in all regards, and your record reflects that.
Now, [Flips through papers] looking to the finer points of this review –
BILL TYLER
Chief, just… A word?
EDGAR MORRISON
Do you have something to add?
BILL TYLER
No, nothing to add, but… um… It’s more of a… Concern.
EDGAR MORRISON
Well… Alright. If you feel it can’t wait.
BILL TYLER
No, it can’t. And I want to get this on the record.
[Edgar hesitates, then leans back in his chair. Bill leans in]
BILL TYLER
It’s about… Ned. What happened at the bar last Saturday night.
EDGAR MORRISON
[Hint of a relieved sigh]
Ah, yes – of course. I really should have spoken to you about this earlier. Don’t worry – Ned and I have discussed the matter, and it’ll be dealt with.
BILL TYLER
You… You did?
EDGAR MORRISON
Well… Briefly. When he called in sick.
You must understand how dangerous stress is in the life of an officer. Unavoidable, yes, necessary, sometimes – but it’s still our biggest weakness. Too much of it can make a person do and say things they’d never ordinarily consider. And when that happens – well, we just have to deal with it as quickly and as quietly as possible. Make sure it doesn’t interfere with the job.
I explained all of this to Leroux over the phone. He won’t be having any more problems like this.
BILL TYLER
That’s, uh… Good to hear.
EDGAR MORRISON
Is there something else you want to talk about?
BILL TYLER
It’s just… Have we reached out to the manager at the bar yet? Or the bartender, for that matter? He looked – pretty badly hurt.
EDGAR MORRISON
Tyler, I appreciate your concern, but it’s not something you should be worrying about.
[His chair squeaks as he leans in]
But just to put your mind at ease: I checked in on the bartender. He’ll be just fine. One night in the hospital, then straight home to his family.
BILL TYLER
I’m glad to hear it, but… Shouldn’t we release some kind of statement? There were a lot of people there who saw him do it, and I’m sure someone will realize who he was before too long.
[Morrison goes quiet, then leans forward, pressing a button on the recorder to try and stop it – but it doesn’t work]
EDGAR MORRISON
[A tense laugh]
Let’s just keep the rest of this conversation off the record, alright?
BILL TYLER
Sir?
EDGAR MORRISON
We won’t be issuing any kind of statement, Tyler.
BILL TYLER
But if –?
EDGAR MORRISON
If there’s one thing we need to avoid doing right now, it’s giving the public the impression that we’re at fault. Releasing a statement about a simple, honest lapse in judgement by one of our officers would do exactly that. You know how the press would run away with it, just as well as I do.
We threw the owner of the bar a little extra cash to cover lost
revenue and any… Psychological damages endured. We’ve already done more than we need to in this situation, and he’s agreed to let this drop.
BILL TYLER
But if –
EDGAR MORRISON
Our work is essential to the public safety of over 25,000 people. If that wall starts to show any cracks –
[A call comes in. Morrison picks up]
EDGAR MORRISON
I gave you explicit instructions that I’m not to –
[A few seconds as he listens]
I see. Address?
Thank you, Cecilia.
[Morrison hangs up the phone, stands, and puts his coat on]
EDGAR MORRISON
Get your coat on, Lieutenant.
BILL TYLER
What’s going on?
EDGAR MORRISON
We just got another Code Grey. I’m taking you with me.
[Click/Beep]
[Silence]
[Cassette noises]
[Static fades out]
[The sound of Bill stuffing the recorder in a jacket pocket and zipping it shut]
[Interior of police car – sounds of tires on asphalt outside]
EDGAR MORRISON
South… Juniper Lane, here we are.
BILL TYLER
Are you sure this is the right place? I thought you said it was called in from –
EDGAR MORRISON
Father Timothy of the Oslow Diocese called it in, but he’d already left the scene when he called my office.
BILL TYLER
He called you directly? I thought people outside the department didn’t know about Code Greys.
EDGAR MORRISON
Well – normally they don’t. But people who’ve been around as long as Father Timothy know they can call me when they encounter anything… Unusual.
3036 – we’re here.
[The car slows, then stops]
EDGAR MORRISON
[Into radio, beeping in next few lines]
Greyhound to dispatch, 10-23. Anything else from Father Timothy?
DISPATCH
That’s a negative Greyhound – Proceed with caution.
EDGAR MORRISON
10-4, over and out.
[Edgar replaces the radio on the dash, then draws his gun, checking to make sure it’s ready]
BILL TYLER
What, uh… What should we expect in there?
EDGAR MORRISON
[Chuckling]
Easy, Tyler. Nothing worse than what you’ve already dealt with this month. Just a possible demonic possession, but by the sound of it, they’re non-violent.
BILL TYLER
Possession?
EDGAR MORRISON
What’s wrong, Tyler – don’t have a pea allergy, do you?
BILL TYLER
Hilarious, chief. I’m serious – what are we walking into?
EDGAR MORRISON
All I know is that the individual in question called Father Timothy directly. He tried a few blessings and prayers, but they didn’t seem to have any effect. I don’t know quite what prompted him to call me, but… He just said he’d done all he could. Which I guess was a whole lot of nothing.
BILL TYLER
So… How do we handle this? Like a mental health call, or…?
EDGAR MORRISON
Just follow my lead, Tyler.
[Edgar opens his door and steps out. Bill follows a moment later]
[Electronic beeps & whirs as Bill switches his bodycam on – the cassette recorder picks it up]
[They walk across a gravely front yard, faint traffic in the distance, but otherwise quiet]
[Morrison opens a quiet screen door. The sounds of some kind of soft music drift through the door. He knocks a few times]
EDGAR MORRISON
Oslow County Police Department [a car nearby comes to a stop] – Father Timothy sent us.
Hello? Is anyone there? We’d just like to talk.
[A moment of silence]
POSSESSED HOST
[Through door, slightly distorted]
Come in…
[A half-beat, then Morrison opens the front door and steps inside. Bill follows him in]
[Bill shuts the door behind them. Light, calming, instrumental music drifts in from the next room, almost like what you’d hear in a therapist’s waiting room]
EDGAR MORRISON
Hello? My name is Chief Edgar Morrison, and this is Lieutenant Bill Tyler. We’re here to help.
[A set of soft footsteps approach, then stop as they enter the room]
POSSESSED HOST
[Their voice is distorted, discordant, almost fuzzy]
Are you now… Glad you finally made it…
EDGAR MORRISON
You were… Expecting us? Did Father Timothy tell you we were coming?
POSSESSED HOST
[Dark laugh]
We… Were expecting… You. The other…
EDGAR MORRISON
Are you in any danger, uh… I’m sorry, the father didn’t give us your name.
POSSESSED HOST
[Delighted laugh]
Of course he didn’t… It would be easier to tell you all the names we have not had…
[Beat, noticing the music]
Oh – let me turn this off.
[They walk away to turn off the music]
EDGAR MORRISON
Bill, there’s a stack of mail on the counter – see if there’s anything with their name visible.
[The music stops]
[Edgar turns to the Possessed Host, walking closer]
[In the background, Bill shuffling through papers]
[The gentle bubble of a rice cooker in the background]
EDGAR MORRISON
So what seems to be the problem? You look like you’re doing… Alright.
POSSESSED HOST
Problem?
EDGAR MORRISON
Why did you call the diocese?
POSSESSED HOST
Oh. [giggle] Because… Chief Edgar Morrison… We wanted to see you. We did say as much…
EDGAR MORRISON
Tyler, you got a name yet?
BILL TYLER
No – it’s all mostly junk mail, Sir.
POSSESSED HOST
You attach such… importance to names. Flimsy little things, yet so powerful…
EDGAR MORRISON
Do you believe yourself to be in any danger at the present moment?
POSSESSED HOST
What an… Interesting question.
EDGAR MORRISON
Have you done anything that might cause harm to yourself or others?
POSSESSED HOST
Not… As such. Not as you’re thinking. The only danger seems to come from the fury of others, when we help them… See themselves. It tends to make them… Rather volatile.
Speaking of which… [they move] Would you like to take a seat?
EDGAR MORRISON
Excuse me?
POSSESSED HOST
That couch over there is quite comfortable… [they sit] We’ll sit right here, across from you. Bill… Feel free to make yourself… Comfortable.
BILL TYLER
Uh… Sure? [He pulls out a chair and sits] Thanks?
EDGAR MORRISON
I’m sorry, but this is getting –
POSSESSED HOST
Please. We insist.
[A momentary pause, then Morrison walks to the couch and sits down]
EDGAR MORRISON
Alright. Now what?
POSSESSED HOST
[almost a therapist’s tone]
How close are you?
EDGAR MORRISON
How close am I to what?
POSSESSED HOST
[They scoff]
Oh come now, Edgar… Feigning ignorance will get you
nowhere with us.
EDGAR MORRISON
I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.
POSSESSED HOST
What do you think the odds of it working are? Your equipment, your… [chuckle] team. Your own faculties. They’re all a bit… Worn out, aren’t they? Worn thin.
EDGAR MORRISON
Keep pushing, and you’ll see exactly how “worn out” I am.
POSSESSED HOST
[Chuckling]
You can hurt the one we speak through… But not us. Do you really think you can afford to hurt another member of the community? How much will your masters be willing to overlook before they start to tighten your leash?
EDGAR MORRISON
You can’t possibly know any of that.
POSSESSED HOST
And yet…
EDGAR MORRISON
No matter what the commission board says… No matter how much they slash our funding… I will fight until my very last breath to protect those in my care from whatever threatens them.
POSSESSED HOST
[Knowing laugh]
You will… Indeed.
EDGAR MORRISON
Why did you call Father Timothy, if you don’t feel you’re in danger?
POSSESSED HOST
We could not get to you… Not right away. So we got to him. We knew he was… Feeble hearted… And that he would call on you when his will broke.
[Unnerving laugh]
You may want to… Check up… on the Oslow Diocese. The shepherds are asleep, and there are wolves ready to their place.
BILL TYLER
[Shifting his chair forward]
Listen, if you’re not afraid for your own well-being, then we should probably just –
[The Possessed Host turns to look at him, their neck cracking and popping as they turn their head all the way around… the long way]
BILL TYLER
Oh, God…
POSSESSED HOST
There is fear where there is no danger, and danger where there is no fear, Bill Tyler… Remember this.
BILL TYLER
You’re not… We’re not any danger to you. You can trust us, I promise. If you need help, we can reach out to some people and see what we can do… Maybe take you to a counselor who can help with –
EDGAR MORRISON
Tyler. Close the blinds.
BILL TYLER
Sir?
[Beat]
Yes sir.
[Bill crosses the room and closes the blinds. Morrison stands up, walking towards the Possessed Host. They laugh at his approach]
EDGAR MORRISON
No, no, no, no… Don’t get up. You look very comfortable, sitting there.
POSSESSED HOST
How… Considerate of you…
BILL TYLER
Chief, what are you –
EDGAR MORRISON
Let me do the talking, Bill.
[Deep breath]
I’ll ask you once more time. Why did you call us here? What do you want?
POSSESSED HOST
We wanted to warn you… To show you yourself… And what you will become, if you remain on this path. We wanted to offer you… A meditation…
EDGAR MORRISON
If that’s all you want, then say your piece and be done with it. I have more important things to be dealing with than your nonsense.
[The Possessed laughs, the sound growing more deranged as they arch back on the wings of the chair]
[Distortion grows on the tape]
POSSESSED HOST
[variations in tone and volume, echoing]
Quisque suos patimur manes… Quisque suos patimur manes… Quisque! [heavy distortion, rice cooker bubbling over] Suos! Patimur! Manes!
[Morrison jumps back, drawing his gun]
EDGAR MORRISON
Hands on your head, now!
BILL TYLER
Chief, they’re –
EDGAR MORRISON
Stay out of this, Tyler!
[The Possessed Host grows quiet, but the heavy distortion & bubbling over in the background continue]
POSSESSED HOST
We needed… A vessel. To deliver this message. A tool for our mission…
You understand that… Don’t you? Using people for your… [mocking scoff] “Righteous crusade?”
EDGAR MORRISON
How much pain are you inflicting on your… Host?
POSSESSED HOST
[High-pitched, somehow distant laugh]
We are… Comfortably sharing space. They needed help, and the father… the diocese… everyone failed them. Told them they were wrong. We’re helping them to… Work through their demons. Make peace with them.
[Possessed laughs]
[Morrison steps forward]
EDGAR MORRISON
[for the body cam, obvious lie]
I’m warning you, if you reach for my weapon again, I’ll have no choice but to –
BILL TYLER
Chief, they didn’t…
EDGAR MORRISON
You make one move… Any move at all… And I send you back to the abyss you came from. Back to the drawing board.
BILL TYLER
Chief?
POSSESSED HOST
Oh? And you think this will… Help you? Turn this little battle in your favor? We are legion, Edgar Morrison.
EDGAR MORRISON
You’ve got a point. Maybe I just need to lock you up. Put you in a hole and throw away the key.
[Bill finally steps forward]
BILL TYLER
Edgar, put that gun away right now before –
[Edgar turns, cocking and pointing his gun at Bill]
BILL TYLER
Chief… What are you doing?
EDGAR MORRISON
Stay out of this, Tyler, or you’re…
[The Possessed laughs, and Morrison growls, turning and knocking them to the ground. They try to scramble away, but Morrison puts one foot on their chest and the gun against their forehead]
EDGAR MORRISON
You came here to deliver a warning, huh? Then tell me! I’m here goddammit, so just say it!
[The Possessed finishes laughing]
POSSESSED HOST
We simply came here to show you…
Your irrelevance. Your impotence. Your ignorance in the face of all you claim to understand.
Quisque… Suos… Patimur… Manes…
[Bill steps forward again, drawing his own gun]
BILL TYLER
Morrison, get off of them. Now.
EDGAR MORRISON
[Disoriented, confusion hitting him]
I… I can’t…
BILL TYLER
You’ve done enough. Get out of here. Wait for me in the car. Now!
[Morrison hesitates, then steps back, shaking a little bit]
EDGAR MORRISON
Tyler, I…
BILL TYLER
Just – just go, Chief!
[Morrison stands there a moment, then walks out of the house]
POSSESSED HOST
[whispered, varied speeds, continues in background]
Quisque suos patimur manes… quisque suos patimur manes… quisque suos patimur manes… quisque suos patimur manes…
BILL TYLER
[Holsters his gun]
It’s alright, you can, uh… I’m going to help you up now, alright? My weapon is secured, and I won’t go for it, I promise. Then we can talk, okay? And if you need me to call you a doctor, then –
[Heavy distortion rises once more, the apartment shaking]
[The Possessed begins to shake, rising from the floor slightly]
POSSESSED HOST
Be careful, Bill Tyler… Ethos… Anthropos… Daimon!
[The Host breathes out, almost screaming, as the spirit leaves their body and they drop back to the floor. Distortion quiets. They lie still for a moment, then cough, sitting up]
BILL TYLER
What the hell…
HOST
[Shaken]
Are… Are they gone?
BILL TYLER
Uh… Yeah, I… I think they are.
HOST
[Sigh of relief]
Oh thank God… [Pained groan] What the hell happened to my neck?
BILL TYLER
Here, let me help you –
HOST
[Snapping at him, flinching]
No.
BILL TYLER
Listen, I’m sorry about that, but do you need anything? I can –
Uh…
HOST
You’ve done enough already. You and your… “friend.” Please, just… Leave. Please.
BILL TYLER
Well… um… Alright. But if you need anything –
HOST
I can take care of myself, just go.
[Bill relents and walks out the door, closing it behind him]
[Bill hesitates on the porch for a moment, and sighs]
BILL TYLER
Goddammit.
[After a moment, he walks back to the police cruiser, climbing in and slamming the door behind him]
[Morrison sits with his hands gripping the wheel, frozen and completely silent]
BILL TYLER
[Sighs]
Well that was certainly something.
[Morrison is silent]
Morrison, what the hell was that? Look, I respect you, and I respect your office, but Jesus Christ, Edgar, Jesus Christ – what’s gotten into you? It’s one thing to lose control around me or – I don’t know, Sam, but –
EDGAR MORRISON
It, it… It was a danger to –
BILL TYLER
They didn’t have a weapon! They didn’t threaten you! You pulled a gun on someone who was… I don’t know! By all appearances, they were trying to give you some much needed therapy, and you put a gun to their head. What is wrong with you?
[Morrison stays silent]
[Heavy sigh]
Look, whatever was going on with them – even if it was actually supernatural… It’s over now. They calmed down and said they could take care of themselves now. They probably just wanted to talk, and now… They’re fine.
But I need to know if you are.
EDGAR MORRISON
[confused]
It… It just left?
I…
[Sigh, more clear-headed]
I’m sorry you had to see that, Bill. I just… I let them get under my skin, and I’m…
Thank you for de-escalating in there. It should have been me, but I was… I’m just glad you were able to take charge when I couldn’t.
But you’re right to be disappointed in me. Hell, I’m disappointed. I’ve served this community for so long, and I…
I’ve been avoiding the issue. You were right.
BILL TYLER
About what?
EDGAR MORRISON
What you said back in my office. There’s something wrong with our
department. First Bailey, then Leroux, and now… This. And if I’m honest… Sam wasn’t the first.
BILL TYLER
So what are we going to do about it?
EDGAR MORRISON
I don’t know yet. But I have to do something. I’m head of the department. I’ve trained more than half of the officers in Oslow County myself. I set the precedent for everything that happens in this town. And I need to do better.
BILL TYLER
I think that’s a good place to start, sir.
EDGAR MORRISON
[Sighing]
God, I’m… I’m so ashamed of myself, Tyler. The stresses of this job can’t be ignored, but… We can’t let them control us. We have to lean on each other. Count on one another.
BILL TYLER
Chief, I… It’s okay. I know you’re better than this. I’ve seen you help so many people over the years. You’re not a bad person. None of us are. We make mistakes, but… We’re not bad people. We just need to remember why we took this job in the first place.
But you need to make sure that we can actually do the good we wanted to do. I know you can lead us to that place. And I want to help.
EDGAR MORRISON
Thank you for saying that, Bill. Thank you for still believing in me. Even after… [he groans]
You’re a good man, Bill Tyler.
BILL TYLER
We should probably get back to the station. I’ll call this in on the way.
EDGAR MORRISON
If you could just…
BILL TYLER
Sir?
EDGAR MORRISON
I want to help the department get better Bill, I really do – but I can’t do that if this gets out to the public. We need to keep this quiet.
BILL TYLER
[conflicted]
Understood, sir… I’ll leave those details out of my report.
EDGAR MORRISON
And your bodycam?
[It beeps as Bill switches it off]
BILL TYLER
I’ll make sure the footage is deleted. Sir.
[Edgar takes a moment, looking at Bill, then starts the engine, pulling away from the apartments]
[Click]
[Silence]
[Keyboard clicks, someone accessing a file]
[Dial tone, ringing]
[The audio switches to a phone call as Bill steps out of the station doors into the cold night air]
BILL TYLER
Whew! God, you feeling this cold tonight, Jerry?
JERRY PRICE
Not if I can help it. Got enough solar and propane to stave off an ice age. The real important thing’s –
BILL TYLER
[Imitating Jerry] Insulation! [back to regular voice] Yeah, I know – You told me about a hundred times already. Look, did you you just call me to brag about your new place… again, or is there something you actually want to tell me?
JERRY PRICE
You still at the station, by any chance?
BILL TYLER
Yeah, just got off a few minutes ago. Why, what’s up?
JERRY PRICE
I’ve, uh… I’ve got something I think you should see. At my house.
BILL TYLER
Jerry, I know you don’t like the department very much, but if there’s something wrong you really should just call 911 –
JERRY PRICE
It’s not that, it’s just… Please. It’s important.
BILL TYLER
[Sighing]
Alright. I’ll be there as soon as I can… Just give me an hour or so.
[Beep as Bill ends the call]
[Silence]
[Cassette noises]
[Static fading away]
[Sam starts a tape recorder in Jerry Price’s living room, quiet but for the sounds of a cold wind outside]
SAM BAILEY
[excited, trying to be official]
Alright – Sam Bailey here, recording at 11:27pm on November 6th, 2019 from the home of Jerry Price. In attendance: Maria Sol, Kate Sheridan, and… Bill Tyler.
[A significant pause]
BILL TYLER
Uh… Wow. It’s, uh… Good to see all of you. [Awkward laugh] I mean that. Really good to see… All of you.
[Kate scoffs, a snort also sneaking in, all skeptical]
MARIA SOL
Good to see you too, Bill.
SAM BAILEY
Well then. Let’s get started.
[Clack]
[Tape spits out]
Homestead on the Corner 