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CONTENT WARNING: Depictions of death, loss, and grief as a result of a natural disaster and murder, depictions of an earthquake and building collapse, discussions of clinical depression and a cancer diagnosis, and mentions of child death as a result of a train crash

Through the shifting waters of the Source, many possible futures can be seen by those trapped beyond the veil. This is one such future…

After she is saved from a devastating earthquake by the superhero Silverman, reporter Lera Lynn begins work on an investigative report focused on him. As they begin their final interview, however, it quickly becomes clear that one of them is hiding a deadly secret.

Starring Allison McDonell Page as Lera, Victoria Ann Farber as Ada, Bohdi Silva as Silverman, Gus Krieger as the Controller, Jeff Frome as Andrew, and Charles Scatolini as Alan, with Meredith Nudo as Amy Sterling and original music by Jesse Haugen. Written and produced by Trevor Van Winkle, with transcription by Virginia Spotts and dialogue editing and sound design by Trevor Van Winkle.

This episode was made possible by our supporters at Patreon.com/homesteadcorner, ko-fi.com/homesteadcorner, and our backers on Seed&Spark.

For more information, additional content, and episode transcript, visit thesheridantapes.com

Script

Transcript

CONTENT WARNING: Depictions of death, loss, and grief as a result of a natural disaster and murder, depictions of an earthquake and building collapse, discussions of clinical depression and a cancer diagnosis, and mentions of child death as a result of a train crash

[Swirling, rushing energy]

[A voice speaks from the void, echoing]

Amy Sterling

The Source. The infinite potential of all worlds. The roiling chaos that is the heart of all existences. The place where all space and time and realities meet and coexist as one. A place that is not a place, in a time that is not a time.

Many years ago, in the world that I once called home, there was a child — a boy barely 12 years old, playing with his friends on the railway tracks. A normal enough thing for children trapped in a decaying town on the edge of the modern world to do… but there was an accident. A derailed train, a chemical spill — a question, asked by a voice none but the child could hear. And all the other children playing on the tracks were lost… except for that child himself. Paul.

There are many paths his life could have taken… many branches in the road shaped by choice and chance and the unsteady hand of fate. But out of all the possible futures I have seen for him, this one intrigues me the most. I cannot say if it is the future of the world I knew or just one like it, but still… it intrigues me.

[The waves of the Source fade out into the sounds of New York City]

[A rushing in the air; a flying figure]

[The sound of evening traffic]

[Distantly, footsteps in a wooden hallway]

[A clock ticks quietly]

[A set of keys is accidentally dropped]

Lera Lynn (muffled through the door)

Goddamn it.

[She unlocks the door and it swings open and shut as she enters]

Honey, I’m home.

[She unzips her coat, shaking it out as she hangs it]

[The news plays in the background]

Alan put me on a new assignment today. Want to guess who I get to investigate?

Come on, guess. You’re going to love this one.

[She switches the TV off]

Newscaster (in background)

…and on a more positive note, New York’s resident hero Silverman was spotted in Central Park this afternoon, apparently rescuing a kitten from a tree, as this amazing amateur video shows… 

Lera Lynn

Honey? Where are… 

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

You’re home late.

Lera Lynn

Ahh!

[Lera jumps]

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

Almost ate your half of the roast. What took you so long?

Lera Lynn

Jesus Christ, Ada, you know I hate it when you sneak around like that.

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

Yes, I do.

[Ada turns on the sink and begins noisily doing dishes]

Lera Lynn

I’m sorry, okay? I said I was sorry.

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

No, you didn’t.

Lera Lynn

What?

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

You didn’t say you were sorry.

[She throws another dish in the sink]

Lera Lynn

Look, I know you hate cleaning the dishes as much as I hate you sneaking around, so what’s going on?

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

Stop psychoanalyzing, Lera, that’s my job.

Lera Lynn

Seems like it’s going to be my job too for the next few months.

[Ada turns the water off and sets the dishes down]

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

Explain.

Lera Lynn

Alan’s put me on another story. Big expose. You’ll never guess who on.

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

I won’t, if you don’t give me anything to go on.

Lera Lynn

Silverman.

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

What!?

Lera Lynn

I know. As if I’m going to dig up anything on… 

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

Hold on, back up.

You get put on what might be the biggest story in modern history, and you’re unhappy about it?

Lera Lynn

I’m unhappy that Alan’s wasting my time with this.

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

Wasting your time?

Lera Lynn

Well isn’t he?

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

You don’t think he’s hiding anything under all that bravado?

Lera Lynn

No! Of course he isn’t. He’s… why are you looking at me like that?

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

Because I’m not quite sure who’s standing in my kitchen. I’m fairly confident I married a reporter.

Lera Lynn

Investigative journalist, please.

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

Same difference. You’re telling me you’ve bought the hype?

Lera Lynn

He’s saved hundreds of people… 

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

And that means he doesn’t have any skeletons in his closet?

Lera Lynn

Don’t you think he’s allowed a few?

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

I don’t know — do you think a nuke should be allowed a few loose wires?

Lera Lynn

Oh, come on Ada… 

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

He could level DC before the president had a chance to tweet about it.

Lera Lynn

Not sure if anyone would miss it, honestly… 

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

He needs to be held to a higher standard. And whether you like it, that’s your job, Mrs. Lera Lynn-Jacobs.

[A moment of silence]

Lera Lynn

You’re… probably right.

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

Probably?

Lera Lynn

I… really don’t want to fight, Ada.

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

Really?

Lera Lynn

Yeah. Really.

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

Shame. That one was shaping up to be a doozy.

Lera Lynn

[she chuckles] That it was.

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

What do you want to do, then?

Lera Lynn

I want to take that leftover roast, microwave it on high for 30 seconds, and eat it in front of the TV like a normal human being for once.

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

Sounds exciting. Mind if I join you?

Lera Lynn

Only if you’ll change over to something other than the news.

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

Oh, the things I do for love.

Lera Lynn

[she chuckles] My hero.

[They kiss]

[The dishes in the sink rattle and shake]

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

What the hell…?

[The shaking grows; distant alarms begin to sound]

Lera Lynn

Holy shit… 

[The sound of cracking]

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

Lera! Quick, get in the doorway, get in the… LOOK OUT!

[The apartment collapses; rumbling, shaking, tearing, crashing]

Lera Lynn

Ahh — Ooof!

[Lera finds herself caught by someone]

Silver

Whoops — sorry for the rough catch, miss.

Lera Lynn

What… who… 

Silverman?

Silver

Stay calm: Just hold on while I set you down here… 

[His boots crunch on gravel]

There you are.

Lera Lynn

I… You… 

Silver

Sorry — Hope you’ll forgive me if I make a quick exit.

[A rush of wind and a pop as he breaks the sound barrier and flies away]

[The sound of a small fire nearby]

Lera Lynn

Where… 

Lera Lynn

Ada.

[Lera runs into the rubble, coughing]

Lera Lynn

Ada? Ada, where are you?

[A weak cough nearby]

Lera Lynn

Ada! Hold on, I’m coming, I’m… 

Oh shit.

[Ada continues coughing]

Lera Lynn

HELP! Somebody HELP!

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

Lera… 

Lera Lynn

HELP ME!!

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

Lera… You’re okay… 

Lera Lynn

Don’t talk Ada, please don’t talk… 

Ada Lynn-Jacobs

I never could… get the last word with you… 

Lera Lynn

Please, just… Try to hold on… Silverman’s here, we just need to wait for… Ada? Ada?

[There’s no reply; the fire continues to crackle gently]

[Main Theme]

[Far below, the muffled sounds of traffic, rain, and thunder]

[Rain on a metal roof]

[Someone taps a text message, then hits send; an electric whoosh]

Lera Lynn

Here we are.

[A rustle of fabric; booted feet land beside her]

[He walks up]

Silver

Ah, there you are — I was worried I might be late. Miss Lynn, right?

Lera Lynn

Please, just — Lera. Pleasure to meet you at last, Silverman.

Silver

Just Silver, if you don’t mind. I wasn’t, I hope?

Lera Lynn

Wasn’t what?

Silver

Late. I’ve had a hard time keeping track of appointments these days — completely forgot about our interview until just now.

Lera Lynn

Lucky you can fly, then.

Silver

Helps beat the traffic, anyway. Ready to go?

Lera Lynn

Of course. [she opens a door] This way.

[They walk into a bare, open room; she closes the door]

[A clock ticks on the wall]

Silver

Huh. Odd choice.

Lera Lynn

Is it?

Silver

Well — I don’t know how this normally goes, but I thought reporters liked things a little more… upscale.

Lera Lynn

You’re thinking of the wrong type of journalist. I’m not interested in appearances… just the truth.

Silver

Sorry if I’m wrong, but… I get the feeling you don’t like me very much.

Lera Lynn

It’s my job not to.

Silver

No, it’s more than that… You genuinely don’t like me… Personally, I mean.

Lera Lynn

No. I genuinely don’t. You got me.

Silver

Why?

Lera Lynn

It’s — well, it’s a long, messed up story, and I don’t want to get into it now.

Silver

There a short version?

Lera Lynn

Let’s just say that… I’m one of the people you couldn’t save.

You still want to go through with the interview?

Silver

Of course.

[He pulls back a chair and sits]

[Lera’s phone buzzes]

Lera Lynn

Oh, sorry… one second.

[she answers the call]

Lera Lynn (into phone)

Hello?

Controller (through phone)

We need to talk.

Lera Lynn (into phone)

You couldn’t text?

Controller (through phone)

No, I couldn’t.

Lera Lynn (into phone)

I’m in the middle of an interview — I’ll call you back.

Controller (through phone)

Lynn… 

[she hangs up]

Silver

Who was that?

Lera Lynn

I thought you could hear everything.

Silver

Most everything. I’m a little deaf in my left ear, actually… at least close up.

Lera Lynn

Huh. When did that happen?

Silver

Are we starting the interview?

Lera Lynn

I suppose we are.

[She pulls out a small device and switches it on]

Silver

What’s that?

Lera Lynn

Recorder. Hell of a lot easier than writing things down longhand. So — you’re deaf in one ear?

Silver

My left. Ever since I was a kid.

Lera Lynn

But only at close distances.

Silver

That’s right. If you were ten blocks away, I could hear you clear as a bell.

Lera Lynn

You don’t think there’s a problem with that?

Silver

Huh?

Lera Lynn

You don’t think that’s an invasion of privacy, listening in like that.

Silver

Well I can’t hear everyone… 

Lera Lynn

But you could hear anyone, right? If you wanted to.

Silver

If you’re accusing me of something dirty, then… 

Lera Lynn

This is an investigative report, Silver: I’m not accusing you of

anything so lurid. What I want to know is this: If you were floating outside a building, could you clearly hear whatever was going on inside?

Silver

Of course I could. I could hear it across town, if I needed to.

Lera Lynn

If you needed to?

Silver

Well — if someone called for help, or if there was a fire burning and I had to figure out if anyone was inside, then… 

Lera Lynn

What if you heard someone say they were going to kill someone else. What would you do then?

Silver

Well, it… Depends.

Lera Lynn

Depends. So it’s happened before.

Silver

Yes, it’s happened before.

Lera Lynn

Often?

Silver

More often than you’d think.

Lera Lynn

What does it depend on? Your response.

Silver

Mostly tone of voice, honestly. You can kind of tell after a while. If it’s level, or quiet… 

Lera Lynn

I’m going to kill you.

Silver

What?

Lera Lynn

Is that the kind of voice that makes you worry?

Silver

Um… Yes. Exactly like that.

Lera Lynn

And that’s enough for you to smash someone’s door down?

Silver

Well — yes. Wouldn’t you?

Lera Lynn

I can’t hear people talking across the county.

Silver

But if you could?

Lera Lynn

It’s not a matter of if I could or would: it’s a question of if I should. Or if I should be able to listen in on them in the first place.

Silver

I didn’t ask to hear them.

Lera Lynn

The CIA never asked for a global communications network to hack — And yet they do, and we’re still not sure if and when that’s okay.

Silver

I’m not the CIA. I’m just trying to help people.

Lera Lynn

And I’m sure everyone at Langley tells themselves the same thing before they go to bed.

Silver

Is this still an interview, Miss Lynn? I feel like you’re accusing me of something.

Lera Lynn

Lera. I just want you to explain yourself, in your own words.

Silver

Explain myself.

Lera Lynn

A lot of investigative reporters don’t interview their subjects directly. There’s no need — the facts speak for themselves. But you have a… Well, a rather unique perspective. “What does someone with powers think of those powers?” Call it the superhuman angle.

Silver

Please don’t use that word.

Lera Lynn

What, superhuman? Why not?

Silver

It makes me feel… Disconnected. I mean, I’m still human, just… 

Lera Lynn

Better?

Silver

No, no, not better, just… Different.

[She opens her briefcase and pulls out a file]

Lera Lynn

Physicists at MIT estimate that you could deadlift a Panzer super-heavy tank and throw it a quarter mile. You can fly at mach-2.1 with virtually unlimited range, and you can see through walls and hear conversations from nearly 100 miles away. I’d say that’s a pretty serious difference between you and I.

Silver

Is that a… file on me?

Lera Lynn

Just my research notes.

Silver

What else is in there?

Lera Lynn

I wouldn’t be worried about my file, Silver. I hear the FBI has an entire division solely focused on you now.

Silver

Why would they need that?

Lera Lynn

Oh come on.

Silver

What?

Lera Lynn

You’re more powerful than most of the US military put together, but you fly around this city acting like some kind of one-man neighborhood watch. Just trying to help? Are you really that naive?

Silver

Maybe I am. You considered that?

Lera Lynn

I have. And that scares me more than the alternative.

Silver

What’s the alternative?

Lera Lynn

You tell me.

[Moment of silence]

Silver

Christ, what kind of person do you think I am?

Lera Lynn

I don’t know yet. That’s what this report is for.

Silver

In my own words.

Lera Lynn

Sorry?

Silver

You wanted me to explain myself. In my own words.

Lera Lynn

Well… yes. A little context would definitely help.

[He sighs]

Silver

Do you have anything to drink in here? I’m a little parched.

Lera Lynn

There’s… Some water in that fridge over there.

[He stands]

Silver

Thanks.

[he walks to the fridge, retrieves & unscrews a bottle of water, and gulps]

Ahhh… Much better.

[he walks back over]

Lera Lynn

Flying, uh… Take it out of you?

[he sits again]

Silver

Well… That and other things. So where do I start?

Guess I’ll start with a story. It was a few years ago: just after I got started — well, doing this.

Lera Lynn

Before the earthquake, or after?

Silver

Oh, at least a few months before. It was around New Year’s. The city was packed. I was working around the clock already, trying to keep drunk tourists from running over pedestrians.

Lera Lynn

Glamorous work.

Silver

Not if you’re an insurance adjuster. Anyway, I’d barely gotten any sleep in three days, and I was just about to throw in the towel when… 

Lera Lynn

Throw in the towel? Not a very heroic sentiment.

Silver

I was exhausted, alright? And New York’s made it through plenty of New Year’s without my help. But then I heard someone calling for help outside the city, so I flew over to check it out. The voice was coming out of an abandoned warehouse just outside of Morristown, but it was begging for help, so I rushed in. Soon as I was inside, I realized the voice was coming out of a little speaker in the middle of the room. Then the voice changed. It was someone calling themselves the Controller. Said they’d planted bombs all over the city, and that I’d tripped a motion sensor when I came in. If I tried to leave, all of them would go off before I could reach Manhattan.

Lera Lynn

So what did you do?

Silver

Remind me — Is the city still here?

The Controller told me I had to surrender if I wanted to save the city. Of course I agreed — I didn’t have any choice. The room was full of all kinds of medical equipment. One of the machines looked kinda like an MRI, and he told me to strap myself into it. As soon as I did, I felt a needle prick on my neck… And then the next thing I knew, a police officer was shaking me awake, three days later.

Lera Lynn

I think you skipped a step in there somewhere.

[he chuckles]

Silver

One thing the Controller didn’t count on was me asking for help.

I sent a message to a contact of mine in the NYPD. He sent out the bomb squad while the Controller was doing… Whatever it was he was doing to me. I kept him busy while they disarmed the bombs and traced my phone. They saved the city — I was just the big, shiny distraction that let them do their jobs. And the best part?

[he scoots in, speaking lower]

The press didn’t know anything about it.

Lera Lynn

And why do you think that’s a good thing?

Silver

Because if I were doing this — any of this — to prove something to other people, then I shouldn’t be doing it at all. People think I’m a hero, but I’m just the same as anyone else.

Lera Lynn

Anyone?

Silver

Well, most people. Decent people. I mean, if you were walking down the street and saw a car crash and catch fire, wouldn’t you rush over and pull the driver out?

Lera Lynn

That’s a little over-simplistic, Mister Silver.

Silver

Is it?

Lera Lynn

Flying into the middle of a war-zone to defuse an international crisis is a little more significant than pulling someone out of a burning car.

Silver

And it takes a little more than gasoline to burn me. My dad taught me that the more power someone has, the more chances that person has to help or hurt others. If I refuse to help wherever I can, then it’s the same as hurting.

Lera Lynn

So, if you really have nothing to prove to anyone… then why did you take this interview?

Silver

Well — Like I said, I really don’t like the press most of the time… 

Lera Lynn

Oh thanks.

Silver

…But I do trust them to do the right thing when they know the truth.

[he scoots back and stretches]

Oh, man, it’s been a day. Hope you don’t mind if I pop out for a smoke?

Lera Lynn

A what?

Silver

A smoke. Will that be a problem?

Lera Lynn

No, it’s… I just wouldn’t have pegged you for the type.

Silver

Well, we all got our vices, Miss… Lera. And none of us get out of this life alive, so — what the hell?

[he stands, opens the balcony door, and lights up]

[the sound of the rain enters the room]

Lera Lynn

Could you… Um… Go a little further off? Sorry, I can’t stand the smell.

Silver

Oh, sorry. Yeah. Be back in a minute.

[he takes off with a whoosh and a boom as he breaks the sound barrier]

[Lera stands, closes the door, and places a call]

Lera Lynn

The hell are you trying to pull, calling me like that?

Controller

Don’t take that tone of voice with me, Miss Lynn.

Lera Lynn

Silver was sitting across the table from me when you called. You could’ve blown the whole thing right then.

Controller

He was WHAT? Did… Does he know? Did he recognize my voice?

Lera Lynn

He said he couldn’t hear. Something about being deaf in one ear.

Controller

This is very concerning, Miss Lynn.

Lera Lynn

Is it true?

Controller

I don’t know — I’ll have to check those medical scans again. I think there was a small abnormality in his eardrum, but… 

Lera Lynn

Which one?

Controller

His left, I believe… Wait. He’s not still in the room, is he?

Lera Lynn

No. He’s outside, having a smoke. If your sonic shielding works… 

Controller

It does.

[she sighs]

Lera Lynn

Then there’s nothing to worry about, he can’t hear a thing.

Controller

Did you say he’s having a smoke?

Lera Lynn

That’s what he said, at least.

Controller

That’s not like him at all. Is the Atros generator still active?

Lera Lynn

Been running for about 10 minutes now. I told him it was my recorder.

Controller

Never was the brightest star, that one. Well, just keep him talking: my readings say his body is nearing saturation point. A few more rads, and he should be weak enough to do it.

Lera Lynn

Yes… about that… 

Controller

No second thoughts, I hope?

Lera Lynn

Not — second thoughts, as such… 

Controller

It’s too late for doubt now, Lynn. Or have you forgotten who’s responsible for your wife’s death?

Lera Lynn

No. I haven’t.

Controller

Then finish the job. You won’t get another chance.

[The Controller hangs up]

[A whoosh outside as Silver lands; he opens the door]

Silver

So why did you take this interview?

Lera Lynn

Wha — What?

Silver

Well, I just had a thought when I was up there. You don’t like me very much, right?

[footsteps]

Lera Lynn

I don’t have to like you to do my job.

Silver

See, that… I think you’re bullshitting me. [he sits] You’re pretty high up, aren’t you? I mean — not desperate for work, right?

Lera Lynn

Everyone in my field’s desperate right now. Truth doesn’t pay these days.

Silver

But you could turn this assignment down if you wanted — I mean, if you can’t be objective, that would look pretty bad on your resume, right?

Lera Lynn

Well… Not wrong.

Silver

So if you wanted to — If you really thought this was a bad idea, or you really didn’t want to be around me — You could’ve declined the interview. Yes or no?

Lera Lynn

I couldn’t… 

[she sighs]

Yes. Yes.

Silver

So…?

Lera Lynn

Why did I take it? Why are we here?

[she sighs]

My wife.

Silver

Your… 

Lera Lynn

Wife, yes. Ada. Ada Lynn. Lynn-Jacobs, after she agreed to marry me for some reason. I took her name when I started working. Had a nice ring to it, even if I had to fight her tooth and nail for it. Hell, I had to do that for most things anyway.

Silver

Had to?

Lera Lynn

Yeah. Had to.

[she pauses]

You really don’t recognize me, do you?

[she sighs again]

She was a pain in the ass. That’s half the reason I loved her. We met on the debate team at NYU when I was a junior. There I was, taking a stand on the floor with this funky little psych major sitting across the auditorium, glaring daggers at me.

How on earth was I supposed to resist?

Silver

Psych major?

Lera Lynn

Yeah. [she chuckles] That was about my reaction too. I told her she should switch to journalism when she finally agreed to go out with me: she had a knack for seeing through people. I only told her that once. You only ever told Ada something she didn’t want to hear once: she’d rip your argument apart so fast it made your eyes water.

First date was an unmitigated disaster. I couldn’t keep up with her to save my life. Could’ve sworn we were done when I walked her back to her dorm, but then… she invited me up, and… Well, the rest is history.

[she exhales] 

What the hell am I doing — I’m supposed to be interviewing you, not the other way around.

Silver

I’m sorry if I overstepped… 

Lera Lynn

You really did.

Silver

I’m sorry I… 

Lera Lynn

Did I ask for an apology?

Silver

No, but — I think you need one.

Lera Lynn

Can we just move on, please?

Silver

You tell me.

[a pause]

[Lera’s phone buzzes]

Lera Lynn

Hope you don’t mind if I take this.

[she answers]

Controller

Saturation point reached. Do it.

Lera Lynn

Now?

Controller

The generator’s running out of power. He’ll be bulletproof again in five minutes. It’s now or never, understood?

Lera Lynn

I… I understand.

Controller

Don’t disappoint me.

[he hangs up]

[moment of pause]

Lera Lynn

Have you ever killed anyone?

Silver

I… what?

Lera Lynn

Have you ever killed anyone? While you were “helping people.”

Silver

No!

Lera Lynn

No one?

Silver

God, of course I haven’t killed anyone.

Lera Lynn

Yet people die on your watch every day. One might say that you’re responsible for their deaths.

Silver

I thought you didn’t like the idea of me watching over people.

Lera Lynn

I might like it a little better if I actually felt safe.

Silver

Lera, look: I try. Okay? I do the best I can, but I can’t be everywhere at once!

Lera Lynn

Really? Seems to me almost like you could — you and your powers and your god complex, jumping into the fire to save us puny little humans from ourselves. You make us trust you — you make us hopeful. Dependent. Weak. And then, the moment we really need you, you’re gone. And people die alone and afraid because of you!

Silver

She wasn’t alone!

[moment of silence]

Silver

Oh shit.

Lera Lynn

So. You do remember me, then.

Silver

Of course I do.

Lera Lynn

And you… 

Silver

Yes. I saw Ada.

Lera Lynn

So what, you picked me over her? Decided I was worth saving and she wasn’t?

Silver

I tried to get to her in time. I swear to you, I tried. You had a chance. She didn’t.

Lera Lynn

That’s bullshit and you know it!

Silver

There were a hundred other people in that building, even more all across the city — all of them screaming out for me—

Lera Lynn

And what about them? Why did you save me and not them!?

Silver

I saved as many as I could. And if I hadn’t been there, then you wouldn’t be sitting here accusing me of murder.

Lera Lynn

Well maybe it would’ve been better that way.

[moment of silence]

Well, what? No easy answers?

Silver

How would you explain yourself?

Lera Lynn

What?

Silver

I just want to know — how would you explain yourself? In your own words?

[moment of silence]

Lera Lynn

Ha. You know what? Fine. You want to know who I really am? Really know? I’m the person who believed in you since the moment you showed up in the sky, saying you’d come to save us. I am the person who turned down this interview at first, because I didn’t think I could find any fault with you. And I am the wife of the woman whose blood is on your hands.

Silver

Lera, please… 

Lera Lynn

You want to know who I am? I’m the person who saves us all from people like you.

[She pulls a pistol from her purse and fires]

[It hits Silver; he grunts and falls from his chair]

[The shot echoes in the empty space]

[Silver coughs]

[Lera drops the pistol]

Lera Lynn

Oh god.

[she runs to his side]

Oh god oh god oh god… 

Silver

Heh. Not a bad shot. At least it wasn’t in the gut… 

Lera Lynn

Hold on, hold on, I’m going to call an ambulance. God, what have I done… 

Silver

[rasping] Lera, please… Don’t.

Lera Lynn

Please — don’t talk.

Silver

No ambulance. No help. Please. I knew what I was walking into.

Lera Lynn

You — you knew?

Silver

[he coughs] I’m not an idiot. Interview in an abandoned building two blocks from where your wife died? Kind of obvious.

Lera Lynn

Then — Why did you… 

Silver

Because — I thought I could save you. Pull you out of the fire.

Lera Lynn

[gently] You are an idiot.

Silver

Heh. If you say so. Hard to get a word in edgewise with you, isn’t it?

Better this way than the other. It’s better this way… 

[He coughs, breathing ragged; he falls silent]

[Lera’s phone buzzes]

Controller

The generator’s gone out. Is it done?

[she doesn’t answer]

Lynn? Hello? Did you do it? Is he dead?

[she drops the phone; it clatters on the floor]

[she stands and walks out of the room]

Lynn? Damn it, answer me! What’s going on in there? Hello? Hello?

[the door opens and closes]

[The sound of rain changes, we’re in a noisier neighborhood]

[a helicopter above]

[the sounds of traffic]

[kids cry behind apartment doors; footsteps down a hallway]

[a knock]

[someone undoes their lock and opens the door]

Andrew Payne

Can I… Help you, ma’am?

Lera Lynn

Sorry to bother you, but… Are you Andrew Payne?

Andrew Payne

I’m sorry Miss, this… this really isn’t a good time… 

Lera Lynn

It’s about your son.

[he considers, then opens the door wider]

Andrew Payne

Come in.

[she walks in; the door shuts]

[the evening news is on in the background]

Newscaster (background)

…New York, and indeed the whole world, continues to mourn the tragic loss of Silver; our city’s finest defender and the one strand that seemed to connect…

[he switches the TV off]

Andrew Payne

Sorry, I… I just can’t help listening to that.

Lera Lynn

I understand.

Andrew Payne

You said this was about Paul?

Lera Lynn

It’s… yeah. About him. And, well… 

Andrew Payne

Silver.

Lera Lynn

Oh. So… You knew.

Andrew Payne

We lived in this apartment for ten years. It look big enough for secrets?

Lera Lynn

I see.

Andrew Payne

Well? You got something to say, you’d best out and say it.

Lera Lynn

I — I was with your son. When he died.

Andrew Payne

Were you now? Girlfriend?

Lera Lynn

What? Oh, no, no, I wasn’t his — no.

Andrew Payne

Huh. I didn’t think so.

Lera Lynn

I’m a reporter. I was writing a piece on your son… At least, I was supposed to be.

Andrew Payne

Christ, he didn’t tell you his name, did he?

Lera Lynn

No, I figured that out on my own.

Andrew Payne

Told that boy he should’ve covered his face. He didn’t want to scare anybody, though. Guess it don’t matter now.

Lera Lynn

He said something to me I can’t get my head around. As he was… He said it was ‘Better this way than the other.’ Do you know what he meant?

Andrew Payne

He tell you about his ear?

Lera Lynn

Yes.

Andrew Payne

Lost hearing in it when he was about twelve. Same day he got his powers. Heh. ‘Lord Giveth, and He taketh away…’

Lera Lynn

How did it happen?

Andrew Payne

There was a railway accident outside our hometown. He and a couple of friends were playing cowboys by the tracks when it happened. A terrible thing. Train was carrying waste from a chemical plant up north. One of the boys died right away. Two more got sick and died a week later. Paul barely pulled through. When he woke up, he couldn’t hear out his left ear — But other than that he was alright. Well… different. But okay.

Lera Lynn

So you think the chemicals gave him his powers?

Andrew Payne

He always said so. Said they were still in him, too: like fuel, he said. So when he got the diagnosis, he wasn’t surprised a bit.

Lera Lynn

What diagnosis?

Andrew Payne

Brain tumor on the frontal lobe. Bad. Docs gave him six months, three years ago. He was a fighter, that boy. Chemo helped, but… well, we both knew he didn’t have long. That’s when he decided to put on the cape.

Lera Lynn

Did… Did he talk to you about my interview?

Andrew Payne

Hmm. I think he mentioned it. Can’t quite remember. Why?

Lera Lynn

He… Did he say goodbye to you before he left that day?

Andrew Payne

We always said goodbye before we left. Bit of a Payne family tradition, that one.

Lera Lynn

What do you mean?

Andrew Payne

Let’s just say… Coming home’s never a guarantee in this family. My pop killed himself when I was ten. His dad did the same when he was four. My wife — Paul’s ma, she… Soon after the accident. [he becomes more emotional] Paul never really got over it. But he was the one bright spot, that boy. In spite of everything. He made me hope.

He still does.

[Lera stands]

Got somewhere to be?

Lera Lynn

I — Yes. I do.

[she walks towards the door and then stops]

You’re probably going to hear some… strange things. In the next couple of days. Please. Don’t let it change how you think of Paul. Promise me that.

Andrew Payne

Why would it?

Lera Lynn

Promise me.

Andrew Payne

I’ve known Paulie his entire life. Nothing anyone says could change my mind about him. Nothing.

Lera Lynn

Thank you.

[she opens the door and walks out, closing it behind her]

[Music swells]

[A loud buzzer sounds]

[A metal door opens; in the visitation area of a prison]

[Footsteps]

Alan Blanc

Cozy, this place.

Guard

Well we try our best, Mister Blanc.

Alan Blanc

You know, I should give you the number of the interior decorator at the Globe. Now that place just screams Feng… 

[Another buzzer, another door opens; someone shuffles in, chains clanking]

Guard

You have ten minutes.

Alan Blanc

Much appreciated.

Guard

Oh, and could I get that number from you by the way? I’m redecorating my house and wanted to… 

Alan Blanc

Have my ten minutes started?

Guard

Oh. Right.

[The guard leaves, buzzing the door open and then closing it behind him]

[The fluorescent bulbs buzz]

[Chains clink]

Lera Lynn

Good to see you again, Alan.

[Alan steps forward]

Alan Blanc

What in the hell did you think you were doing, Lera? Going behind my back on an assignment? Working with a wanted felon? Assassinating a subject? And Silverman, of all people? What am I supposed to do with this — say I had no idea what my own staff was doing? And don’t get me started on the damage you’ve done to our reputation. As if people didn’t distrust the news enough already!? I… I… 

[he tries to catch his breath]

Lera Lynn

That all?

Alan Blanc

Yeah. Thought I’d have more to say, but that’s about it.

How’s the food?

Lera Lynn

Jesus Christ, Alan… 

Alan Blanc

That bad, huh?

Lera Lynn

Yeah. That bad.

[Alan pulls a crinkly bag from his jacket]

Alan Blanc

Here: only thing in the vending machine that looked halfway decent.

[Chains rattle as she grabs it]

Lera Lynn

Sure they won’t arrest you for smuggling contraband?

Alan Blanc

A little act of defiance, for an old friend.

Even if I feel like I don’t know them anymore.

Lera Lynn

Alan… 

Alan Blanc

I mean, most of it I get… Don’t agree with it, but I get it. That morning after the earthquake? I’ve never seen anyone that mad. I mean, call it grief, call it temporary insanity or projecting or whatever, but… Leaving your phone at the crime scene? What was going through your head to make you do that?

Lera Lynn

Nothing.

Alan Blanc

Nothing? I doubt that very much.

Lera Lynn

Static. White noise. It was just like… I’d been sleepwalking, and I just woke up.

Alan Blanc

People don’t murder superheroes in their sleep, Lera.

Lera Lynn

I know that. But — I don’t know, it felt like that. Like everything I’d done was some kind of bad dream I was waking up from. Only what I was waking up to was even worse.

Alan Blanc

It wasn’t your fault. The Controller found you when you were vulnerable and grieving, and he… 

Lera Lynn

Do you really think that’s how it went? I found him. It was my idea.

Alan Blanc

Oh. I see.

Lera Lynn

Have they found him yet?

Alan Blanc

No, they’re still looking. They tried using your phone to track his calls, but by the time they found his lab he’d disappeared.

Lera Lynn

Damn.

Alan Blanc

Still, they found a lot of forensic evidence. Maybe you gave them a chance by dropping that phone.

Lera Lynn

God, I hope so.

Alan Blanc

So… Why now?

Lera Lynn

What?

Alan Blanc

Why call me now? It’s been three months since your sentencing. Why not before?

Lera Lynn

I — I finished the story.

Alan Blanc

You finished — Lera, I’m sorry, but it’s a little past due… 

Lera Lynn

Please, Alan. I gave it to the warden. He promised that he’d let you take it if you asked.

Alan Blanc

Oh, Lera… 

Lera Lynn

It’s all there. All of it. My story and his. My confession, and my apology. You asked me what you’re going to do with this mess, and I’m telling you: Run the story. Please.

Alan Blanc

I’ll be kicking another hornet’s nest if I do, Lera… 

Lera Lynn

Please. For an old friend. One last favor.

[moment of silence]

Alan Blanc

Do I get the chips back if I say yes?

Lera Lynn

Definitely not.

Alan Blanc

[he laughs] Didn’t think so.

[he walks to the door]

Lera Lynn

Is that a yes?

[he sighs]

Alan Blanc

It’s a definite maybe.

Lera Lynn

Thank you.

[he knocks; the buzzer sounds; the door opens]

Alan Blanc

We’re all done here.

Guard

Alrighty then.

Alan Blanc

Say, is there any chance we could stop by the Warden’s office on the way out…?

[the door closes]

Lera Lynn (V.O.)

Where do I begin?

Last year, I had the opportunity to interview the man known as Silver — sometimes Silverman, sometimes the Silver Streak, and sometimes other names too stupid to put in print. He preferred Silver.

To most people, he was an icon: a beacon of hope in a hopeless world. Few people knew how true that really was. His origin, his life, and his death were all steeped in tragedy. He lost friends, family, and ultimately his own life to an ever-present darkness that struck without warning or purpose. It’s a darkness many of us know all too well: a darkness I chose to embrace.

And yet, for all the reasons he had to lose hope and give in, he chose the light instead. Not out of foolishness or a naive sense of optimism: He knew better than anyone how terrifying and meaningless this world we made truly is. All day, every day, he heard people crying out for help: sometimes people he could save, and more often those he could not. But it was the ones who didn’t cry out who needed his help the most. I know. I was one of them.

For a long time, I blamed Silver for my loss and suffering, believing that if I could kill him, my life would finally make sense again. But he knew the truth: that life is pain and loss and heartbreak from the day we’re born to the day we die. But it’s also hope. So long as we’re alive, there’s still a chance to change, to choose a different path, to help others and make life a little less terrible.

I will never be forgiven for what I’ve done. I know that. I’ve accepted that. But I am alive. And I have a choice: wallow in the dark, or work to prove myself wrong. To prove that the light is really stronger than the darkness. It isn’t easy — it never was. But it’s only a choice. And while we’re alive, we can always choose.

The golden age of hope is gone. We can’t bring it back to life by clinging to the past. But there’s a new age dawning: an age of heroic defiance and hopeful resistance in the face of despair. A Silver Age that will shine all the brighter for the dark surrounding it. I may not live to see that day, but once we’ve all had a chance to mourn and grow and move on… I believe that we’ll choose hope, and work to make it real.

[The music swells]

[A rush and boom, like Silver flying away]

[A rushing and swirling of energy; the Source]

Amy Sterling

The future… always shifting, always uncertain — and even more so within the Source. Only in time can we know which future comes to pass… or if there is even a future at all.

I am Amy Sterling, and within this place I see all the worlds that I have lost… though maybe not forever.

End Theme & Credits