Episode 88: "As Above, So Below” – The Sheridan Tapes
CONTENT WARNING: Heavy existential dread and unreality, character separation, supernatural and psychological torment, loud noises including screams, and strong elements of dread
02142020b: As Sam and Ned descend into the Source, they find more than they bargained for amidst its shifting waters.
Starring Jesse Steele as Bill Tyler, Chris Martin as Robert Quincy, Van Winkle as Sam Bailey, Ezra J. Wayne as Ned Leroux, Mike Kennedy as Edgar Morrison, and Maurice Cooper as Jerry Price, with original music by Jesse Haugen. Written and produced by Virginia Spotts, with dialogue editing and sound design by Van Winkle.
Episode 89 will premiere on 1/11/24 on Patreon and Seed&Spark, and on 1/12/24 on all Podcasting Platforms.
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: Heavy existential dread and unreality, character separation, supernatural and psychological torment, loud noises including screams, and strong elements of dread
[A loud boom that trails off]
[The whooshing and echoing of a massive void, a place without form]
Bill Tyler
I’m holding on… I won’t give up on you… I promise.
[The absence of chaos is frightening]
[Bill and Rob cling to one another, breathing heavily in fear]
Bill Tyler
Look into my eyes, Rob.
[Their breathing slows]
[They float]
Robert Quincy
[Reciting poetry, holding onto sanity]
He walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
Bill Tyler
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in his aspect and his eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
Robert Quincy
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o’er his face;
Bill Tyler
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
[Rushing noises gather around them]
Robert Quincy
And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow…
[Rob hesitates, the sounds of crumbling and waves growing around him]
Bill Tyler
But tell of days in goodness spent!
Robert Quincy
A mind at peace with all below…
Bill Tyler
A heart whose love is innocent!
[Bill begins to lose his grip in the wind]
Bill Tyler
Rob! Rob, hold on!
Robert Quincy
I’m trying!
[Rob is dragged away]
Bill Tyler
No, Rob! Goddamn you, I need him!
Robert Quincy
Billy!
[A sound like rushing wind, and Bill lands hard on a wooden floor with a grunt]
[The tick and buzz of old fluorescent lights and mic feedback]
Bill Tyler
What is… Where am I? [he pushes himself up] What the… Am I in a goddamn karaoke bar?
[He stands, and calls out]
Bill Tyler
Rob? Rob!
[An eerie karaoke track begins the first notes of House of the Rising Sun]
[Cassette noises]
[Click]
[Main Theme]
Recording Begins
[Cassette noises]
[Click]
[Cold and quiet in the early morning Nevada desert]
[The sound of some insects and small creatures]
Sam Bailey
Sam Bailey and Ned Leroux, personal investigation — February 14th, 2020 at 5:25am, Pacific Standard Time.
Ned Leroux
Happy Valentine’s Day, I guess.
Sam Bailey
Today, we are finally attempting to enter the Source and rescue Bill and Rob from wherever Morrison is holding them captive. It’s a tall order with an almost unimaginable amount of potential consequences… if we fail, Bill and Rob might be lost even further to the depths of the Source, and us alongside them. If we’re caught by Morrison… well, I don’t like to think about how that confrontation would go. And if we don’t find our way back to the right point, we could end up stranded in another universe. We’re hoping this tape will hold out and provide a record of our actions on the other side of the veil, as it’s done before — we’ve got a long journey ahead of us.
[To Ned, shifting his feet]
Are we really doing this?
Ned Leroux
Come on, Sam — Let’s get a move on already.
Sam Bailey
Ned… I probably don’t need to remind you, but you need to keep an absolutely level head when we cross over. Your movement through the Source is based entirely on emotion and intention… If you’re tense or impatient or scattered, then you’ll just get tossed around in there. And me with you.
Ned Leroux
Alright, alright… I’ll be cool, then.
Sam Bailey
The method that Amanita taught me should help calm your mind. But once you’re in there, you absolutely need to maintain that connection to yourself. Don’t let go of it for any reason.
Ned Leroux
Funny getting lectured on something like this by you of all people, Bailey.
Sam Bailey
[A single laugh] And it’s strange that I’m trusting my safety to you of all people. But I suppose neither of us have a choice in partners right now.
Ned Leroux
Guess not.
[He sighs]
I can see now… who I am as Ned is as close as I’ll ever get to an actual identity. Ned’s like… a good old pair of boots. You know… He just fits.
Sam Bailey
Boots, huh?
Ned Leroux
I dunno, seemed like the right thing to say.
Sam Bailey
[Dryly] Would you say they’re made for walking?
[A silent, shocked beat]
Ned Leroux
[Proud, quiet] Bailey… was that a joke?
[Ned laughs]
Sam Bailey
Perfect, that calmed you right down. Ready?
Ned Leroux
Yeah. Ready.
Sam Bailey
Then let’s get started.
[Sam and Ned take deep breaths]
Sam Bailey
Observe your breath without control. This breath connects you to the world beyond.
[Sam and Ned continue breathing]
Sam Bailey
In. Out. In. Out. As you empty your lungs, notice the infinite within that emptiness. And as you breathe in, hold onto that feeling. And let it… expand.
[Static rises slightly on tape]
Sam Bailey
These breaths are not to be feared. These breaths are your power.
Let the potential in that nothingness grow within you. Let it spread from your chest to your limbs. To your head. Let it surround your physical form. Hold it there.
It is almost time to release, but not yet. Let the power push against the limits you have set. Let it strain. Ned, we release on 3. Got it?
Ned Leroux
Got it.
[Sam’s voice begins to echo and distort]
Sam Bailey
Take my hand. Trust your gut. [Long beat] One… Two… Three.
[They both exhale, and there’s a whoosh and wobble like a boat being released from its dock]
[Waves and distant thunder fill the void]
[Sam and Ned stand on the black sand beach]
[Their voices echo in this place]
Ned Leroux
Whoa…
Sam Bailey
You alright?
Ned Leroux
Yeah. Just… that was definitely a smoother entrance than my last one.
Sam Bailey
So… so far, so good?
Ned Leroux
So far so good, Bailey.
Sam Bailey
Excellent. Keep holding my hand, I don’t want us to get separated.
[They begin to walk]
Ned Leroux
Sure, sure. Hand in hand, walking the desert. If you wanted to ask me out, there are easier ways.
Sam Bailey
Oh you’re gonna love this… to me, it looks like we’re walking down the beach.
Ned Leroux
Oh how scandalous, Bailey!
Sam Bailey
Seems like you’re plenty connected to yourself, alright.
Ned Leroux
Oh very funny. [Beat] How do we know if we’re headed in the right direction?
Sam Bailey
We won’t, not really. All we can do is focus on what we most need to find.
[A deep, metallic rattling in the distance]
[They stop]
Ned Leroux
What was that?
Sam Bailey
It came from those hills, I think. Can you see?
Ned Leroux
I think I… Oh my God…
[The Guardian roars distantly]
Sam Bailey
Holy shit… it’s… it’s the Guardian.
Ned Leroux
In chains?
[The chains rattle]
[The creature roars]
Ned Leroux
Shit, get behind this door.
Sam Bailey
I don’t think it can get to us.
Ned Leroux
Maybe not, but I don’t want it getting any more familiar with my scent.
Sam Bailey
Fair enough.
[They run and hide behind a door]
Ned Leroux
Guess that means Morrison and… well… the rest of Oslow haven’t been destroyed yet. Small mercies, I guess.
Sam Bailey
How could Morrison have figured out how to restrain the Guardian like that? It doesn’t make any sense.
Ned Leroux
I don’t know, but I know it ain’t good.
[Distortion rises]
Sam Bailey
Ned, we need to focus. I’m feeling some kind of… pull on us. We’ll be drawn somewhere else if we don’t come back to why we’re here.
Ned Leroux
Okay. Okay… [He thinks] I remember Halloween, last year. I showed up at Bill’s door to rope him into the Shamson Mine situation. He wasn’t thrilled. Once we were on the road it was good ol’ Bill again of course, but Rob… he was already half-dressed in his costume when I arrived. He looked alarmed or… upset?
I hope I get to make a second impression.
[Beat; Sam is staring]
What?
Sam Bailey
I’m… surprised that you care about the impression you gave him.
Ned Leroux
Of course I do. He’s someone Bill cares about. Listen, I don’t know what’s changing in me, or why. But I wish you would stop acting surprised every time I show a tiny bit of humanity.
Sam Bailey
Is that what’s happening? You’re becoming…
Ned Leroux
…Human? Tell me Bailey, was the real monster in Frankenstein the creature, or the person that created—
Sam Bailey
Okay, okay. I get it.
Look… whatever you are, you wouldn’t be doing this if you were the same person I met back in Oslow. I guess I… I will try to believe you.
Ned Leroux
It would be an awfully good time to start, Sam.
Sam Bailey
I don’t know anyone else who would step into this place with me willingly. That’s got to count for something
Ned Leroux
Gee thanks—
[A new noise, unsettling and bassy, cuts him off]
[Sam and Ned gasp]
Ned Leroux
What was that?
Sam Bailey
I don’t know… I can’t see anything that would’ve made that noise. [Beat] You know… this place feels more real than last time. Maybe because we’re both here observing it? [Beat, nervous] I think we need to keep moving.
Ned Leroux
Fine by me.
[They continue walking in the sand]
Ned Leroux
Hey… Over here… I think I feel something…
Sam Bailey
Ned, we really should look for a door. Not towards the dunes.
Ned Leroux
Trust me on this… I have a good feeling about this one.
[Ned releases Sam and whips aside a curtain on a sand dune]
Sam Bailey
Ned, wait—
[A raging fire with Morrison’s rageful scream]
[Voices, echoes, fire]
[Ned and Sam yell]
[Fire spreads to the beach]
Sam Bailey
Ned!
Ned Leroux
Oh my God! What the hell is that, why is it—
Sam Bailey
—Ned, RUN!
[They run]
Ned Leroux
What do we do now?!?
Sam Bailey
We take our chances!
[They leap through a door, slamming it behind them]
[The sound vanishes in the quiet of the void]
Ned Leroux
Jesus Christ.
Sam Bailey
Try to slow your breathing… stay calm.
Ned Leroux
Trying to. [He looks around] Is this still the Source?
Sam Bailey
I… I think so. Yeah, yeah, still not back in our actual bodies. But we need to keep moving.
[Sam yanks Ned’s hand, and he cries out]
Ned Leroux
Dammit, ow!
Sam Bailey
Keep your calm, Ned. Now I’m only gonna say this once, so I need you to listen: You opened a random fucking curtain in the middle of the Source and sent Morrison after us. Don’t. Do that. Again. We’ll be lucky to get out of here alive if you keep pushing our luck.
Ned Leroux
Look Bailey, I know it was stupid, but you told me to trust my gut in here. I felt like I needed to open it.I don’t know how else to describe it, but I didn’t do it thoughtlessly.
Sam Bailey
Just… tell me if you feel anything pulling on you like that before you do anything. Let’s keep moving.
[The sound of dripping water around them, like in a cave]
[A gentle whoosh as they float forward via intention]
Ned Leroux
Whoa…
Sam Bailey
You good?
Ned Leroux
Yeah, I just… never figured out how to travel this way. You scare me a little, you know that?
Sam Bailey
The feeling is mutual.
Ned Leroux
I’m flattered.
Sam Bailey
I think this is close to where I ran into Molly. Or… what’s left of her.
[An odd, quiet scuttling noise nearby]
Sam Bailey
Shit. Need to keep my focus. You keep yours too. Remember what we’re here for.
[They continue floating forward]
Ned Leroux
There. You see that? I thought I saw someone up ahead.
Sam Bailey
Keep focusing. We’ll be there in no— [he gasps]
Ned Leroux
Who is…
[They stop in front of someone]
[Anna turns and gasps]
Anna Sheridan
Sam! You’re okay, you’re here!
Sam Bailey
…Anna?
Ned Leroux
Oh my God.
Anna Sheridan
Wait… no… no, this isn’t right. [She looks at Ned] Who are you?
Ned Leroux
Ned Leroux? Why do you look so…
Sam Bailey
Wait… Anna, you know me?
Anna Sheridan
No, no, this isn’t right…
[Anna begins to back away in terror]
Sam Bailey
Anna, listen to me — I’ve been looking for you. We’re here to take you back to the other side. It’s time to go.
Anna Sheridan
No! Something’s wrong!
[The air swirls]
[Anna looks behind them and gasps]
Anna Sheridan
Don’t look! Don’t look behind you!
Sam Bailey
What? Why?
Anna Sheridan
This isn’t the right time. You aren’t here yet. Go where you need to be! RUN!
[She shoves them away]
[Sam and Ned zoom away dangerously fast, crying out in surprise and confusion]
Sam Bailey
What the hell is going on?!
Ned Leroux
You ever ride a bull, Bailey?
Sam Bailey
What about me makes you think I have?!
Ned Leroux
It’s like that… you’ve gotta get yourself under control! We’ve gotta hold on!
[They cling to each other]
[The air begins to calm]
[They see something]
Sam Bailey
Wait… is that…
Ned Leroux
It’s Bill, Sam! That’s him! He’s just—
[They suddenly come to a hard stop, grunting, as they hit what sounds like a transparent glass wall]
[Bill’s singing, muffled, floats to them through the barrier]
[The sound of slow fire growing behind them]
Bill Tyler (singing, continuous in background)
There is a house down in New Orleans
They call the Rising Sun
And it’s been the ruin of a many poor boy
And me, oh God, for one
Then fill the glasses to the brim
Let the drinks go merrily around
And we’ll drink to the health of a rounder poor boy
Who goes from town to town
The only thing that a rounder needs
Is a suitcase and a trunk
And the only time he’s satisfied
Is when he’s on a drunk
Now boys, don’t believe what a girl tells you
Though her eyes be blue or brown
Unless she’s on some scaffold high
Saying, “Boys, I can’t come down”
Ned Leroux
Oh my God. Bill!
Sam Bailey
He looks… awful.
Ned Leroux
Bill! Bill, can you hear us!
Sam Bailey
It doesn’t seem like he can.
Ned Leroux
Wait… Bailey, you see what’s in the corner there?
Sam Bailey
That’s a… what in the hell?
Ned Leroux
That, my dear Sam, is a mechanical bull.
Sam Bailey
It’s like your joke brought us here… somehow…
Ned Leroux
We’ve gotta figure out how to get to him. How do we do that?
Sam Bailey
I know as much as you do, Ned. Try visualizing breaking through, see what that does.
[Moment of silence as they try]
[Ned sighs]
Ned Leroux
I don’t think it’s gonna work like that, Sam.
Sam Bailey
It must be Bill!
Ned Leroux
What?
Sam Bailey
This is Bill’s creation, Ned. He’s… somehow he’s maintaining this barrier with the force of his will. Protecting himself from what’s out here.
Ned Leroux
How do you figure that?
Sam Bailey
We’re both seeing the same thing, aren’t we? If this was a natural part of the Source, we’d both be seeing something different right now.
Ned Leroux
Shit, you’re right.
[Fire grows closer]
Ned Leroux
Shit. Shit, shit, shit…
Sam Bailey
Morrison’s gaining on us. We need to get in there.
Ned Leroux
[Hitting the glass on each word] Let! Me! In!
[Ned strains against the glass, it cracks slightly but doesn’t break]
Sam Bailey
Ned, try talking to Bill. I don’t know if he can hear you, but he might feel you.
Ned Leroux
What’s that supposed to do?
Sam Bailey
Just try it!
Ned Leroux
Okay, okay!
[He takes a deep breath, focusing]
Bill. Hear me. Let us in. Sam and I are here to save you… you and Rob. Where is Rob?
[The fire roars behind them]
[Bill falters, interrupting his own singing with a whisper]
Bill Tyler
Rob?
Ned Leroux
Bill. Bill, I need you.
[He looks up]
Bill Tyler
Ned?
[The barrier shatters, and Ned and Sam hit the hard ground below]
[They pant as they recover]
[The unnatural bassy sound returns]
[Bill gasps and backs away in fear]
Bill Tyler
Stay away!
Sam Bailey
It’s us, Bill… We’re really here.
Bill Tyler
No, no, no… there’s no escaping from this place…
Sam Bailey
Listen to me. Morrison pulled Oslow into the Source, and you and Rob have been trapped here. We need to go, now.
[Bill takes a good look at Ned]
[The fire continues to grow after them]
Ned Leroux
…H-Hi.
Bill Tyler
Hi.
Ned Leroux
Where is Rob, Bill?
Bill Tyler
We… we were pulled… in. We held onto each other as long as we could, but… I lost him. And I ended up here. How long have I been here?
Sam Bailey
Shit.
Ned Leroux
Come here. Take my hand. You too, Sam.
[He steps forward and grabs Bill’s hand, and Sam’s]
Ned Leroux
We’re gonna find him. And fast. We don’t have much time.
[The fire roars]
Bill Tyler
How are we supposed to do that?
Sam Bailey
Cling to the strongest memories that you have of Rob. We’ll do the same. It should draw us towards him if we do it right.
Bill Tyler
O-okay…
Sam Bailey
I… I remember Rob’s coffee order. Caramel macchiato.
Bill Tyler
He told me about how you tried to make him one.
Sam Bailey
[Sam laughs] A disaster.
Bill Tyler
I remember the morning light on his cheekbones. How he looks, dozing there on his pillow in our apartment.
Sam Bailey
I remember I could always count on him at staff parties. He didn’t judge me for taking a quiet moment around him.
Ned Leroux
I remember how upset he looked when I showed up on Halloween to steal you away. I remember the way his eyes glared. The fire shining inside them.
Bill Tyler
Rob does have the best eyes. They’re so expressive.
Sam Bailey
This is good Bill, keep going.
[The fire crackles loudly]
Bill Tyler
We were able to cling to each other in here when we recited our poem. It’s the poem we were studying when we first met. Should I…?
Sam Bailey
Do it. Quick.
Bill Tyler
He walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
Ned Leroux
Keep going, Bill.
Bill Tyler
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in his aspect, and his eyes
[A rushing moves them forward]
[The fire grows fainter]
[Indoors, in some kind of basement]
[A clock ticks on the wall]
Bill Tyler
This basement looks familiar…
[They hear shivering and coughing]
[Bill runs to a wardrobe and opens it]
Robert Quincy
Bill! Wait…
[Bill crushes him in a hug and weeps]
Robert Quincy
…How did you get here, Billy? What… Sam? …Ned?
[Fire roars, Morrison yells distantly]
Edgar Morrison (distantly, booming)
I will find you!
Robert Quincy
Oh god, my dad’s so angry with me. We all need to hide.
Sam Bailey
Rob, you aren’t where you think you are. We need to leave. That voice that you heard is Morrison, not your father.
Ned Leroux
He’s telling the truth, Rob… listen to him.
Bill Tyler
Just stay with me love, that’s all you need to do.
Robert Quincy
O-okay…
Bill Tyler
I know you’re scared. I am too. Just hang on.
[The four of them take a moment to look at one another]
Sam Bailey
Ned?
Ned Leroux
Sam?
Sam Bailey
It’s time to get out of here.
Ned Leroux
Roger that.
[Sam hesitates]
Sam Bailey
Something’s wrong. This was too easy.
[Fire grows closer]
Ned Leroux
We’re out of time, Sam. Lead us out.
[Sam takes a deep breath]
Sam Bailey
I need everyone to take a deep breath. Whatever happens, keep thinking about Jerry and his house — hold onto any strong memories you have and keep your grip on each other.
Ned Leroux
I remember his old truck. The way the dust clings to the tires.
Sam Bailey
I remember Russel. He’s so happy there, getting to play in that backyard. On all that land.
Bill Tyler
I… I remember helping him move his fridge in.
[They begin to rush forward, the sounds of the basement and fire slowly fading]
Sam Bailey
Keep going, Bill.
Bill Tyler
The day was hot as hell, but then Jerry made us this incredible lemonade, with fresh lemons. I’d never had the real stuff before.
[The fire persists]
Sam Bailey
Jerry’s laugh. Jerry’s disappointed sigh.
Ned Leroux
Jerry’s suspicion. The way his porch light blinks in the night.
Robert Quincy
Jerry kept me company while you all went to rescue Bill. I remember watching Tombstone with him.
[The fire fades more]
[They rush forward faster]
Sam Bailey
It’s working!
[The deep, bassy rumble returns loudly]
[All four react in pain]
Sam Bailey
Oh god… no no no, we’re coming out of the Source too fast, something’s pushing us, we’re going to—
[They tumble out of the void and land hard in a pile in the desert behind Jerry’s house]
[They grunt in pain and breathe heavily]
[That same rumble, far off]
Ned Leroux
[Laughing, relieved] We made it!
Bill Tyler
Oh my god, honey.
[Bill and Rob embrace]
[Russell barks]
Jerry Price (distantly)
Russel! Come back here, boy! Don’t go outside!
[Sam takes several steps forward to look into the Oslow basin]
Sam Bailey
Oh my God…
[The rumbling, crumbling, and pulsing continues in the distance]
Ned Leroux
Is that…
Sam Bailey
Yes. I’m afraid it is.
Bill Tyler
What is it? What’s wrong?
Sam Bailey
It’s Morrison. I can feel him now, down in the basin. He’s back. And so is Oslow.
Ned Leroux
You mean he…?
Sam Bailey
He tricked us, Ned… both of us. The trap was never meant to catch us… He needed us to guide him back. Him, and whatever he’s turned Oslow into.
And now we have.
[They stare at the lights of the nightmare city emerging form the earth]
[Clack]
Homestead on the Corner 