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CONTENT WARNING: Depictions of childhood terror, loss and grief, existential dread, character deception and betrayal, violence, blood and gore, and screams

02072020: In the quiet between revelation and discovery, the shadows of a shapeshifter’s past lives begin to resurface.

Starring Mike Kennedy as Edgar Morrison, Ezra J. Wayne as Ned Leroux, Greg Vinciguerra as Scout, Chris Collmus as Father, Van Winkle as Sam Bailey, Virginia Spotts as Kate Sheridan, and Sam Taylor as Ren Park, with original music by Jesse Haugen. Written and produced by Virginia Spotts, with dialogue editing and sound design by 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 childhood terror, loss and grief, existential dread, character deception and betrayal, violence, blood and gore, and screams

[Footsteps through a darkened alleyway]

[Sound of light traffic]

[Ned talks to Morrison on the phone]

Edgar Morrison

Sorry I missed our rendezvous today, that meeting with the commission board went on far longer than it should have. It’s never my intention to leave new recruits hanging.

Ned Leroux

No worries. Bill Tyler and I are still getting to know each other, but I’m sure I’ll be able to glean what I need to from him sooner than later.

Edgar Morrison

Ever the hunter. You’re on your way to the site now, I hope?

[Ned slows]

Ned Leroux

Yeah… in a bit… 

Edgar Morrison

Ned, I need you to stay focused here.

Ned Leroux

I will. Just need to grab a bite to eat first.

Edgar Morrison

Ned, this is hardly the time for jokes—

[Ned hangs up the phone with a BEEP]

[He walks slowly forward, hearing a child cry]

[He laughs, and transforms with a squelch]

[He hides]

Scout

Daddy? Where did you go?

[Ned oozes into a frightening shape in front of the child, and growls and laughs]

[The child whimpers]

Scout

No! Bad monster! Bad!

[Ned makes a confused noise]

Scout

You need to help me find my daddy! Please!

[Ned oozes back to normal and clears his throat]

Ned Leroux

Where did… uh… where did you lose him?

Scout

We were leaving the movie theater, and I don’t know… [He sniffles] I don’t know which way. Help me find him!

Ned Leroux

Alright, alright kid, just uh… let’s… let’s go this way.

[They walk up the alley]

Scout

I keep calling for him but he doesn’t hear me!

Father (distantly)

Scout? Scout!

Scout 

Daddy!!

Ned Leroux

Oh, there he is. Looks like he didn’t get that far. Stay safe, kid.

Scout

You’re a bad monster! …But you’re a good person. [He sprints down the alley] Daddyyyy!!!

Father (distantly)

Oh! There you are! God, I thought I was gonna be sick! Nothing grabbed you in the shadows, right?

Scout (distantly)

Nope, the monsters were nice tonight.

Father

[Laughs] Glad to hear it, Scout. Let’s get you home.

[Ned’s stomach growls]

Ned Leroux

…Hmph.

[Cassette noises]

[Click]

[Main Theme]

Recording Begins

[Cassette noises]

[Click]

[Distant sound of a highway]

[Some footsteps on gravel]

Sam Bailey

Sam Bailey, Personal Investigation — February 7th, 2020 at 4:03pm, Mountain Standard Time. Somewhere in Wyoming… I’m not really sure where. We’re stopped for the night at a small hotel we found just off the highway in the eastern part of the state. We don’t exactly have a choice but to travel by car — anything else requires too much documentation — but in any case, we’ll be in Iowa tomorrow. [He sighs]

I don’t like how quickly we left Oslow. Again. I know that we’re following up our only lead and ISPHA was on our asses, but as much I hate to admit it… Ned has a point. It still feels like we’re abandoning Bill and Rob to their fate. At least for the time being.

But I… [He sighs] With what we found in Oslow, I feel more anxious about entering the Source, not less. I know what would have happened if I didn’t find Ned the other night. He would have been lost. Everything he said about being afraid to cross the veil, and he’s a thousand years old. And I’m, what, just shy of thirty? But I’ve gone in there guns blazing more than once, and it sounds like I’m lucky to still be here. Law of averages says it has to catch up with me at some point.

And then there’s Amanita’s warning. The dark goddess that had me and my friends held hostage in a freezing tree all night not that long ago, having a panic attack down in the tunnels. And Jerry’s memory loss. And ISPHA. And Oslow. Things have escalated in a way that I never anticipated. But I guess… how could I have?

[Electronic door bell chimes]

Kate Sheridan

Oh, there’s Ned.

[Ned walks up to them, they walk as a group]

[Ned oozes back to his own form]

Ned Leroux

We’re looking for 117.

Ren Park

Whose face was that?

Ned Leroux

Oh, some guy I killed back in the 1790’s. Can’t remember his name, but I always liked his cheekbones.

[Sam clears his throat]

Ned Leroux

If it makes you feel better, he was up to worse shit than I was.

Sam Bailey

Not really.

Ren Park

117 — we’re over here.

[They use the key card to unlock the door, and get inside]

Ned Leroux

Oh good… they did actually give us two queens.

Sam Bailey

Calling it first — I’m not sharing a bed with Ned.

[People unzip their jackets and set their stuff down]

Ned Leroux

Gee, thanks.

Sam Bailey

No offense.

Ned Leroux

Of course.

Kate Sheridan

Um… I’m sorry guys, but I’m only really comfortable sharing with Ren. We already decided.

Ned Leroux

Hey, it doesn’t matter to me. I don’t exactly need to sleep, so I’ll just do some reading, or… I dunno, stay out of your hair somehow.

[He takes a few steps towards the door]

Uh… anyone else wanna stretch their legs before the sun goes down?

Sam Bailey

Pass.

[Sam flops on a bed]

Ren Park

Yeah, not really feeling it.

Ned Leroux

Fair enough, I’ll be back in a few minutes—

Kate Sheridan

Sure, I’ll go with you.

Ned Leroux

What — you sure?

Kate Sheridan

I’ve been sitting in the car all day, [She zips her jacket up] last thing I want is my legs to cramp up in the middle of the night.

Ned Leroux

Oh… I… sure.

Kate Sheridan

Let’s go, then.

Ned Leroux

Sure, yeah, let’s do it.

Kate Sheridan

Hey Sam, could I borrow your tape recorder for a bit?

Sam Bailey

Um… yeah, sure. [Moves slightly] Oh shit, it’s still running… 

Kate Sheridan

That’s fine, I was going to keep it rolling anyway.

[Sam hands it over]

[Ned and Kate exit through the door]

[They walk for a moment]

Ned Leroux

Why’d you want to bring the recorder with you?

Kate Sheridan

I thought it might be a good idea to walk around with it for a bit. Things tend to come crawling out of the woodwork when the tape is on, and I really don’t want anything sneaking up on us in the middle of the night.

Ned Leroux

That’s… not a bad idea, actually.

Kate Sheridan

I’m flattered. Uh… Wanna head up that hill? Looks like there’s actually some greenery up there.

Ned Leroux

Why not. We’re lucky it hasn’t snowed recently.

Kate Sheridan

It’s still freezing.

[Their footsteps hit frozen grass as they walk uphill]

Ned Leroux

Yeah it is… I might only have a short walk in me.

Kate Sheridan

Fine by me. You don’t handle the cold very well, do you?

Ned Leroux

Well, seeing as I don’t have a… biological way to keep myself warm…

Kate Sheridan

Oh. Duh.

Ned Leroux

I bet the view will be nice from up there, though.

Kate Sheridan

I saw that we’re close to a National Forest on the map. Maybe we can see it from here.

Ned Leroux

Wouldn’t that be lovely.

[Moment of quiet]

[Kate sighs]

Kate Sheridan

So… 

Ned Leroux

So?

Kate Sheridan

Bill and Rob. Do you think you’ll really be able to save them?

Ned Leroux

I…

[He stops walking, and Kate does the same]

I hope so. I have to. I’m going to try, but I can’t…

[He sighs; they continue walking]

I don’t know if I can do it alone. And Bailey won’t budge an inch.

Kate Sheridan

No surprise there. He can be as stubborn as you are… especially when he’s on a mission.

Ned Leroux

So once he gets an idea in his head…?

Kate Sheridan

He’ll follow it until he burns himself out. Or gets hurt badly enough he has no choice but to stop. That’s what changed his tune the last time.

Ned Leroux

Great.

[Brief pause]

Kate Sheridan

But I mean… maybe it’ll be different this time. People change, after all. Just look at you.

Ned Leroux

Me?

Kate Sheridan

I mean… first, you were working with Morrison, then you were content to wait out the end of the world, and now… what, you’re willing to put your life on the line to save our friends? Why?

[The wind has picked up around them]

Ned Leroux

Well, I… god, I mean…

[They stop walking]

This isn’t what I thought guilt would feel like.

Kate Sheridan

What do you mean?

Ned Leroux

I didn’t know that Bill and Rob were already back in Oslow. When Morrison changed, I ran off without a second thought. But if I’d known… if someone told me, I could have saved them. I promised them I’d keep them safe. I failed.

Kate Sheridan

There’s no way you could’ve known, Ned, they didn’t—

Ned Leroux

No, I PROMISED them, Kate! I promised them they’d be safe! And now they’re suffering because I didn’t know they needed me. I didn’t even send them into the Source myself so why… why do I feel so guilty?

[Quiet moment; the wind blows]

Kate Sheridan

Ned, I don’t wanna be too obvious, but… sometimes, you feel bad for things that aren’t directly your fault. Especially when someone you love is hurt. That’s just being… well — you know what I mean.

[Quiet moment; Ned begins walking again]

Kate Sheridan

Ned — hold up… 

Ned Leroux

Looks like we’re nearly… [He stops, noticing something] Oh. What’s this?

[They stop again, at the top of the hill]

Kate Sheridan

What the hell is that?

[Bird calls, the sound of nearby animals chittering]

Ned Leroux

Uh… maybe you should describe it? For the tape?

Kate Sheridan

Oh, sure, yeah… uh… well, there’s a small pond up here. Frozen over, of course.

Ned Leroux

Mmhmm.

Kate Sheridan

And… I can’t quite see it without my glasses, but is that what I think it is?

Ned Leroux

There’s a tree at the end of the lake, right smack in the middle. And it’s got a cow skull hanging from it. About, say… 30 feet high?

Kate Sheridan

Yeah… okay. Do you know what that means?

Ned Leroux

Not a clue.

[Brief pause]

Kate Sheridan

I feel like we shouldn’t be here.

Ned Leroux

You’re right. We shouldn’t.

Kate Sheridan

[She sighs] Let’s head back, Ned. The sun’s almost gone.

Ned Leroux

Good call.

[They turn and begin walking back down the hill]

Ned Leroux

You should warn the others to stay inside tonight.

Kate Sheridan

What’s wrong?

Ned Leroux

Nothing. So long as you stay inside, there’s nothing to worry about.

[Click]

[Silence]

[Click]

[Middle of the night, the sounds of Kate, Sam, and Ned snoring]

[Ned walks to the door, clears his throat, waits, and sighs]

[He opens the door and steps outside]

[He closes the door]

Ned Leroux

Right… So, what Kate said earlier about the tape bringing things out of the woodwork… well, it got me thinking. It’s been an awful long time since I’ve been feared. In fact, today reminded me of how… exactly how un-feared I am. I kinda miss it. And it’s been too long since I’ve had a good hunt.

[He steps into the parking lot and slows his walk, listening to the night air]

[High-pitched chattering in the distance]

There’s some terribly old legends around these parts. About these small, hidden people who live in these hills. They’re not like regular humans — certainly not anything I should feel bad about hunting.

They’re aggressive little fuckers, though. They’re known to favor these… frankly, adorable little poisoned arrows. But being what I am, those won’t have any effect on me.

[He listens to the chattering]

Fuck it.

[Ned stands and advances on the creatures]

[His fury builds as they shoot arrows into him, and he grunts and twists a small neck]

[High-pitched cries and whines]

[Ned laughs darkly]

[He oozes into a monstrous form]

Ned Leroux

Do you fear me now? Do you know the danger you’re in?

[The creatures attack him, but he brushes off their arrows and attacks]

Ned Leroux

Huh… that tickles.

[Ned grunts as he continues his killing spree]

Kate Sheridan

Ned! What’s going on out there?

[He half-oozes back to his own form as he calls out]

Ned Leroux

Kate! Get back inside!

[The wind howls]

Ned Leroux

Kate, go back inside, now! Can you hear me!?

[The creatures send an arrow flying in her direction, and Kate cries out and falls to the ground when it hits her thigh]

Ned Leroux

KATE!!

[Ned tears into a frenzy, growling and grunting as he attacks the creatures]

[The rest of them flee]

[Distantly, he hears Kate panicking]

[He stands in shock for a moment, breathing hard]

Ned Leroux

What have I done?

[He turns and runs to Kate, who is panicking]

[He kneels and tears her pajama pants where the arrow entered]

[Kate cries out]

Ned Leroux

This arrow point is simple… I can remove it without damaging your leg.

Kate Sheridan

No, Ned, I want you to go get Sam.

Ned Leroux

Kate, listen to me—

Kate Sheridan

GET AWAY FROM ME!

Ned Leroux

Kate, the arrow is poisoned! If I don’t remove it in the next few minutes, you’re dead. I need to get the poison out of you, now!

[Kate goes quiet]

Kate Sheridan

And how are you going to do that?

[Ned only waits a half-beat]

[He tears her pajama away, removes the arrow, and sucks and spits poison out of her wound]

[Kate sounds woozy, but less panicky]

[Ned repeats the process several times]

[He sits back]

Ned Leroux

There. I think I got all of it. You should be okay.

Kate Sheridan

How do you know?

Ned Leroux

Your blood tastes normal again.

[Pause]

Kate Sheridan

Oh. 

[Click]

[Silence]

[Click]

[Sam’s footsteps on asphalt]

[Morning birds chirp]

Sam Bailey

Addendum: Sam Bailey, February 8th, 2020, 5:03am.

We’ll be leaving soon. We were woken up last night by, uh… Ned carrying Kate back into the room. There was a lot of blood — some screaming from Ren, but… thankfully Kate is fine. Now. She could’ve died.

Ned actually played the tape for us, though. He couldn’t look us in the eyes while we listened to it, but… I’m surprised he’d tell on himself like that. No. Surprised is an understatement. What he did on that tape is brutal. Dark. And yet… and yet he saved Kate. Without hesitation.

But those creatures that he killed… they didn’t attack until they felt provoked. And I have to wonder how much of Ned’s old nature is still in there. He’s been around a long time, worn a lot of different faces. Is this one starting to wear? He’s replaced so many parts of himself, but… how much of that tar monster is still there beneath it all? Or is he becoming… something different, somehow?

[Electronic door chime of the lobby, Ned approaches]

[He transforms back into himself]

Ned Leroux

Are Kate and Ren ready?

Sam Bailey

Ren’s helping Kate change the dressing on her leg. They should be out soon.

Ned Leroux

Mm.

[Moment of quiet]

Sam Bailey

You’re aware I have reasons to both completely trust and distrust you now.

Ned Leroux

I suppose so.

Sam Bailey

And I don’t know which ones to believe.

[No response from Ned]

I don’t suppose we could manage to have an actual conversation about this, could we?

Ned Leroux

Help me save Bill and Rob. Until then… I’ll do my best to be a civil traveling companion.

[Clack]

Recording Ends

End Theme & Credits