Episode 35: I Am Who I Am, We Are Who We Are

 

CHUCK OCTAGON – Jeff Van Dreason
Have you ever refused to forgive someone for something?

INTERVIEW 1
Mmm. Yes. One time when my dad called, uhh, the cops on me. Um, uhh, I was…uhh, at that point, uhh, I told him, uhh, you know, for a long time I’m – I’m — uhh — this was back when I was younger, I told him for a long time, I’m not I’m never gonna talk to you or anything like that and. Uhh. It took a while, but then I was, you know, I was able to get over it. ‘Cause, you know, it’s a long time ago, and I thought I’d never get over it, but you know, uhh, in life you just have to let go of things.

 

[Charlie on the MTA plays]

 

 

 

PREVIOUSLY IN — James Capobianco

 

Previously in Greater Boston.

 

ISAIAH POWELL — Mario Da Rosa Jr

 

What about Dipshit?

LOUISA ALVAREZ — Julia Propp
I’ve got an inside tip he’s being held somewhere around Kendall Square, but I don’t have the exact location.

ISAIAH
We have the place.

ISABELLE POWELL — Jessica Washington
The next time you hear my voice, I will tell you the name of our new temporary home. Citizens of Red Line, this is not an eviction, this is an exodus!

PAUL CHELMSWORTH — James Capobianco
Then I found a message in a bottle. Nica. Addressed to her brother Dimitri.

MALLORY — Johanna Bodnyk
There’s just one more I need to rip off. Gonna be a real fucking painful one, I can tell.

 

 

 

S3 TITLE SEQUENCE

 

Multiple Voices

 

Fields Corner
Hyde Park

 

Want it in character voice or real voice?
East Boston
Alright
Malden
Red Line
Dorchester
Salem
Somerville
West Roxbury
Hanson
Worcester
Malden
This..

 

Somerville

 

Revere
…is
Uhh…I’ve lived in Lemonster my whole life
Brighton
Uhh…I live in Milton, Massachusetts
Roslindale
(That’s where I’m from)

 

East Boston
I’m from Dorchester
This is…

 

South Boston
This is…
In Brockton

 

Medford, Massachusetts

 

[Laughter]
Red Line

 

Dorchester

 

This is…

 

This is…

 

This is…

 

Greater Boston

 

 

 

THIS WEEK

 

JEFF VAN DREASON

 

This week in Greater Boston, Episode 35: I Am Who I Am, We Are Who We Are

 

[Charlie on the MTA ends.]

 

 

 

GOBBLE GOBBLE BODYBLOW

 

[Dormant Red Line sound. Train picks up and takes off eventually]

 

GEMMA LINZER-COOLIDGE — Lydia Anderson

 

Walking around and talking to people, the general consensus is that people are scared, but also willing to follow you to wherever we’re going. But the longer we delay on telling them where we’re going —

 

OMI OGAWA — Julia Morizawa

 

Should we speed things along and head to Wonderland now?

 

ISAIAH POWELL — Mario Da Rosa Jr

 

No, we all need to go together. Once we find Dip —

 

FOX FOSSIL — Jake Del Rio

 

Dippy.

 

GEMMA

 

Dipshit.

 

ISAIAH

 

—then we can all bring him to Wonderland, but he has to be our top priority. We’ve left him in the hands of those cheese faced maniacs long enough.

 

CHARLOTTE LINZER-COOLIDGE — Summer Unsinn

 

It can’t be our top priority until we know where he is.

 

ISABELLE POWELL — Jessica Washington

 

Charlotte’s right. There’s no sense planning around hypotheticals. His location is everything.

 

GEMMA

 

We’re running out of time.

 

ISAIAH

 

Some of us are.

 

CHARLOTTE

 

Everyone is welcome to stay in our rail home until we have the details figured out.

 

ISABELLE

 

I appreciate the hospitality, Charlotte, but permit yourself to think like Emily for a second.

 

CHARLOTTE

 

Do I have to?

 

ISABELLE

 

If she’s looking to eliminate her enemies, your rail home is the first place she’s going to search.

 

GEMMA

 

There’s no law that says we can’t have guests in our home.

 

MELISSA WEATHERBY — Tanja Milojevic

 

Guests, sure. But political refugees?

 

ISAIAH

 

Or terrorists?

 

ISABELLE

 

Either way, we bundle together in your rail home, we’re sittin’ ducks. Which gives Emily a chance to make herself a big ‘ol order of confit.

 

OMI

 

Besides, all of us here might fit in your rail home. But where are we going to put everyone ready for their exodus?

 

GEMMA

 

Let’s work with what we know. Louisa’s contact says she knows the lab is somewhere near Kendall. Even if we don’t know exactly where it is, what can we use to help us get inside?

 

23 SKIDOO — JULIA SCHIFINI

 

We can do a really loud drum circle. Lily of the Valley is totally gonzo on the bongos.

 

MELISSA

 

I think we might need something that brings slightly more attention.

 

23 SKIDOO

 

Okay, but for real, she can bring the noise like you wouldn’t believe.

 

ISAIAH

 

Noise. That might not be a bad idea, though.

 

23 SKIDOO

 

Sounds like a machine gun with those things.

 

ISAIAH

 

If Ethan’s in his lab, he’s going to want to concentrate.

 

23 SKIDOO

 

Not that I know what a machine gun sounds like.

 

ISAIAH

 

And if we make enough noise, cause enough of a distraction, he’s going to investigate.

 

23 SKIDOO

 

My insistence on a violence-free lifestyle means I’m committed to being ammunition free.

 

GEMMA

 

Or he’ll send his goons to investigate. Some of those cheese-mongo-trons.

 

23 SKIDOO

 

No violent movies or TV shows, no violent noises of any kind.

 

ISAIAH

 

If they’re coming from the lab to investigate, then we know where he is.

 

ISABELLE

 

We could have multiple levels of distraction. Loud noises. People leaving. The exodus.

 

23 SKIDOO

 

I witnessed a fist fight starting to break out once and buried my head in the sand.

 

CHARLOTTE

 

Maybe the press reporting on it all?

 

23 SKIDOO

 

No exaggeration. Just took out my emergency pacifist shovel and started digging right in.

 

ISABELLE

 

Yes, the press, the exodus, flooding the platform with people, the station, wherever they’re hiding.

 

23 SKIDOO

 

Fist fights could sound like gobbling turkeys for all I know.

 

MELISSA

 

And then if they’re looking for the source of the noise?

 

GEMMA

 

We distract them.

 

23 SKIDOO

 

Which…now that I think about it…would be hysterical.

 

ISAIAH

 

While we have spying eyes looking to where they came from.

 

MELISSA

 

What if they send Red Line Police?

 

23 SKIDOO

 

Is that why boxing is so popular?

 

CHARLOTTE

 

We’ll need to make sure they can’t.

 

MELISSA

 

Shut down the trains?

 

ISABELLE

 

Our exodus could help with that.

 

ISAIAH

 

Hang on. Shut down the trains and make a lot of noise? I got it. I’ve got an idea.

 

23 SKIDOO (Laughing)

 

Gobble gobble gobble…bodyblow, bodyblow…gobble gobble…uppercut, jab, jab. Oh my goddess, wow. (Laughter fades). What? What?

 

 

 

FOX FOSSIL

 

We’ve got a plan, 23, that’s all. You’re good.

 

ISABELLE

 

No plan yet. Not until we know exactly where the lab is.

 

GEMMA

 

Let me call Louisa again.

 

THE PARTY BUS

 

[Red Line train. Sound of someone digging through boxes, files].

 

LEON STAMATIS — Braden Lamb

 

Nica was assembling files about the Yard Goats.

 

NICA STAMATIS — Kelly McCabe

 

Where — the hell — is that stupid — FORM?

 

LEON

 

Emily was planning on attending a ceremony where drafted players for Red Line’s new baseball team — team — team — team

 

[Sound of electricity / cracking noise. Science-y sounding equipment. Heart monitors]

 

LEON

 

Now…I — wait, what?

 

DIPSHIT

 

[Mumbling weakly]

 

OLIVER WEST — Mike Linden [Sounding thin, filtered]

 

Any progress?

 

ETHAN BESPIN — Jordan Higgs [Thin, filtered}

 

A classical suite in 6/8 time.

 

OLIVER

 

Mmm. I passed on your equipment request to Emily. And you have a date to prepare for, as part of our agreement. Let me babysit the ball for a spell.

 

ETHAN

 

Look here. See that? Brain waves. A moment ago … here, they were divided. And then here they start to merge and become one. And here the split again.

 

OLIVER

 

This one looks slightly different now.

 

ETHAN

 

Tides change with the motion of the moon.

 

OLIVER

 

Where did you go, Mr. Stamatis?

 

LEON

 

I’m right here, Oliver. I’m still right here. And they are coming for you.

 

[Whooshing noise / electricity]

 

LEON

 

Where….where was I?

 

NICA

 

I promise you, I will let you know where Ethan’s lab is as soon as I find out —

 

LOUISA ALVAREZ — Julia Propp [Over phone]

 

That’s not the only reason I’m calling.

 

LEON

 

Oh. Louisa must have called while — I —

 

LOUISA

 

Listen to me for a second. I’m with Michael. He’s in the hospital. And I wanted to let you know.

 

LEON (simultaneous)

 

— I think I need to rest. Wait, Michael?

 

NICA

 

Michael? You found him? Where was he?

 

LOUISA

 

He was trapped in a secret office on top of Third Sight. Or …half trapped, half self-isolated by choice. He was like finding himself or something.

 

NICA

 

And now he’s in the hospital, is is is he okay?

 

MICHAEL TATE — James Oliva (distantly)

 

Hey, Nica!

 

LOUISA

 

He’s a bit malnourished, but otherwise, yes. His food supply got cut off. I think Phil was sending food up the tubes. When we arrested Phil, we inadvertently shut off the chow line.

 

NICA

 

Oh my god, he could have died!

 

LOUISA

 

Yeah, well, here’s the thing. Long story, but to get him out, someone needed to take his place. So now someone else is up there and —

 

NICA

 

Who is it? We need to help them.

 

LOUISA

 

Yeah. About that. Are you busy right now?

 

NICA

 

Wait — you — you want me to go get whoever is at Third Sight?

 

LOUISA

 

Someone wants to talk to you about that. Is Emily around?

 

NICA

 

Not yet, but she’s due back any —

 

LOUISA

 

Great. You said you’re coming up on MGH soon?

 

NICA

 

We’re pulling into the station now.

 

LOUISA

 

Cool. Expect a visitor shortly, but talk to Michael in the meantime. And I know this horse is getting beaten into brisket, but if you figure out the location of that lab—?

 

NICA

 

You’re my first call, I promise you.

 

MICHAEL (into phone)

 

Nica.

 

NICA

 

Michael!

 

MICHAEL

 

Uhh, oh shoot. The nurses just came in and they don’t want me on the phone. But I wanted to let you know. I think what you’re doing is very brave.

 

NICA
Thank you.

 

MICHAEL

 

I’m proud of you. And I think Leon is too

 

LEON
I am.

 

[Red Line pulls into station. Red Line door].

 

MICHAEL

 

Gotta go. Your visitor there yet?

 

NICA

 

She is. Talk to you soon. (Pause) Mallory.

 

MALLORY — Johanna Bodnyk

 

What’s shaking, boss lady?

 

NICA

 

Did Dimitri send you?

 

MALLORY

 

Nah, Scent-wipe acted a fucking fool and jumped into a big goddamn tube. Got your buddy Michael out though. I’m sure you’ve heard that by now.

 

NICA

 

I have.

 

MALLORY

 

But now he’s stuck as a candied fuck inside some office. Thought maybe you could help me get him out.

 

NICA

 

You’re more than capable of doing that on your own.

 

MALLORY

 

Fucking A I am, that’s not the point.

 

NICA

 

And the point is what, exactly? I come to the rescue and we make amends? Now that he’s in trouble? Now that he’s done something good? All is forgiven? That simple?

 

MALLORY

 

All is most definitely not forgiven.

 

NICA

 

I didn’t mean —

 

MALLORY

 

Ya’ know, Scent-wipe drives me banana fucking splits because if he wants to do something, he just fucking does it. Like I wanted to punch his toothy little shit eating grin the moment he jumped into that glassed-in Enterprise transporter looking motherfucker. Just hopped right in there like he was alone in his house and about to take a shower, totally fucking normally. That’s part of the reason I like the guy? And also part of the reason I can’t stand him.

 

NICA

 

He’s impulsive.

 

MALLORY

 

And like, shit, I’m impulsive. I like our little adventures, exploring the old tunnels, like underneath the stations? I think that’s why we fucking click despite the fact that he can be a pompous, up his own ass, butt-for-brains little shit-stain. He’s the only guy I know who isn’t freaked the fuck out seeing big-ass city rats. And you know that day on the train, when good ol’ Chuck-O was getting his holy fucking matrimony on, and it started raining hot as fresh horseshit beans like a motherfucking molasses monsoon? I didn’t sit around thinking, dum-de-dum, I wonder what I should do? Nah, fuck that, I just protected those precious little doves. Because they needed me. Because they were helpless. And because I was there to help them.

 

NICA

 

You shouldn’t have been there. You shouldn’t have been hurt. And I’m sorry you were. And yes, I know what you’re saying. And yes, as I’m sure you’ve figured out by now, the Octabacle, your burns, it was partly my fault. Or entirely my fault, I’ll take all the blame, I’ll take all your anger. I deserve it. But I can’t be there for someone who wasn’t there for me.

 

MALLORY

 

You don’t under-fucking-stand, do you?

 

I’m about to get personal up in this bitch? And if you know anything about me, you know I do not fucking do that, so let this information be a goddamned Prudential Tower sized exclamation point that hopefully makes something crystal-fucking-Pepsi clear to you.

 

You know the one place I can’t stand the most? The one place Mallory completely de-fucking-tests? The place I think of as nothing but a goddamn bullshit-ball wrapped inside a deep-fried asswipe wanton? It’s a Party Bus. You know how a party bus isn’t really about having a good time with friends, right? It’s more about opening a window and taunting people on the street who aren’t like, with you, on a roaming drunken breeding ground for STD’s and alcohol poisoning, complete with fuck-my-eyes-blind strobe-lights and cranked house music you don’t even fucking like. DON’T YOU WISH YOU WERE IN HERE RIGHT NOW? Uhh, no bitch, I’d prefer the goddamn street. I’d prefer the middle of Route fucking 128 at 2am filled with drunk goddamn drivers and murderous Massholes. I’d rather you run me the fuck over than get on that shitty roadshow of public drunken desperation. Like bars aren’t already sad displays of pathetic people at their absolute worst. Oh no, some shithead of an asshat had to be like, “Hey, I got an idea — let’s take a bar and put it on wheels!” Gonna string that dickwad up by his fucking nutsack if I ever find him.

 

So. For a long time, my mom was… a bit of a mess. She had her ups and downs —lots of downs. But there was this time. This one specific time. When I really needed her. I needed my mom to be my fucking mom, you know? Like how most moms are. And she said she would. She said she would be there for me. And I said, Mom, look, I know we’ve had our differences. But you are going to fucking be there for me this time. Aren’t you?

 

Yes, Mallory. Of course Mallory. I’ll be there.

 

And she wasn’t. She didn’t show. Where did she go? She went on a fucking party bus. So she could be seen. So she could get attention for being the complete fucking fuck-up of a human mess that she is.

 

And that was that for her and me.

 

I don’t give a flying fuck about you forgiving him. I’m giving you a chance for me to forgive you.

 

[Red Line train pulls in]

 

I’ll be at ThirdSight at 4. Hope to see ya, boss lady.

 

[Red Line door]

 

CHUCK OCTAGON — Jeff Van Dreason
Have you ever refused to forgive someone for something? And if you’re okay talking about it, what was it?

 

INTERVIEW 2

 

Yeah, in a sense, I was uhh …in a relationship that was really bad and…I’m not connected with that person, and that person has tried to reach out to me in the past. I don’t know if it’s a matter of forgive or just turning my back and being done with that period of my life. I would never forgive the person, but I don’t even know if I’d ask for forgiveness. I’m just done.

 

INTERVIEW 3

 

I do think people can change and sometimes we say a lot of stuff we don’t mean, or, like, ourselves are going through a tough time, and…I try to think of all the different angles of it, and so, umm. I think in the end, most actions are…pretty forgivable.

 

INTERVIEW 4

 

There was someone who like…bullied me in middle school, but I haven’t seen her since 8th Grade, so I don’t know what would happen if we met again, it would probably just be really awkward, and we wouldn’t talk at all.

 

INTERVIEW 5

 

Yes, when I was a kid. Umm, I used to own this little pet puppy. Was a German Shepard. Me and my mother had to go out for about a week for a ….uhh…to hang out with my family reunion. But they said we couldn’t bring it. So I left it with one of my uhh friends who said they would take good care of it. We came back a week…after the week. Only for me to find out that my German Shepard was let out the house. Ran down the street. And before they could catch it…it got hit by a car.

 

CHUCK OCTAGON

 

I’m so sorry.

 

INTERVIEW 6

 

We all make mistakes, no ones perfect, so. I try. Like, I’ve never been in a position where I’ve been like, “I will not forgive you for doing X, Y and Z.” ‘Cause then, I don’t …I can’t move forward.

INTERVIEW 5

 

I was…politely to say, very mad at them. Because when I asked them why they do that they said, oh, we just thought he needed some fresh air. I said, if he needed fresh air, why didn’t you take him for a walk? Instead of opening the door and letting him out? They said oh it was fenced up, I was like – my German Shepard always likes to jump over things as a challenge. Their fence was about waist high.

INTERVIEW 7
Nah. Not — not yet. Not yet. I’m pretty…I’m pretty forgiving.

 

 

 

ONE MORE SHOT OF BOURBON

 

[Music plays, people ordering drinks, laughing, bar environment, general chatter, glasses, etc. Train noise underneath. Bar somewhere in Red Line]

 

NICA STAMATIS — Kelly McCabe

 

Uhh, glass of wine, please.

 

PAUL CHELMSWORTH — James Capobianco

 

Another Gin and Tonic. Thank you.

 

NICA

 

Wow. Look who we have here.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

Yes, here I am. If you’re planning to berate me, dump your drink on me, or spit in my face, I’d prefer you do so in the reverse order. At least that way, the drink offers a bit of a corrective to the spittle.

 

[Drink being made]

 

NICA

 

Yeah, that’s not my style. I’ll join you though, if you don’t mind.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

Please do. I’d introduce myself, but it seems my infamy has made such formalities superfluous.

 

NICA

 

I’m Nica.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

Really? You’re the second Nica I’ve met recently. I wouldn’t have thought it was such a common name.

 

NICA

 

It’s short for Nicoletta.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

That’s lovely.

 

NICA

 

Thanks. What’s with the other drink there?

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

The bourbon? It’s for someone I met last time I was here. He engaged in a contest of will with it, and came out on top. I was less impressed at the time than I ought to have been.

 

NICA

 

Michael Tate. I know him. Good guy. He was the last person to see you before you left. He’s been missing for months, you know.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

Oh. Was…was that my fault? Did I…

 

NICA

 

No, you weren’t involved. And anyway, he’s just been found. Slightly hungry, but alive, and well, and sober.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

Is that why you’re here? Celebrating the return of your friend by downing a drink in his stead?

 

NICA

 

No. I’m here for the same reason you are. The same reason so many people come to places like this.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

And what reason is that, my clairvoyant companion?

 

NICA

 

Avoidance.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

And what are you avoiding?

 

NICA

 

My responsibility. My guilt. My job. My brother.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

A drink for each, then?

 

NICA

 

That depends on how strongly I commit to avoiding what I’m trying to avoid. What about you?

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

Ah, a sip for each Red Line voter I swayed simply by refusing to stay silent.

 

NICA

 

A lot of undecideds broke for Bespin after you endorsed Powell.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

I thought I was helping.

 

NICA

 

Yeah. I know how that goes.

 

…

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

I miss teaching. I don’t think I ever ruined anyone’s life when I was teaching.

 

NICA

 

You know what I miss? Sewing machines.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

You were a seamstress?

 

NICA

 

I was a technician. Sewing machine repair. I was really good at that. I don’t think anybody really knew how good I was at that. Which was why I wasn’t satisfied with it, I guess. You can’t really impress anyone with sewing machine repair.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

Can’t hurt anyone either.

 

NICA

 

You’d have to be really spectacularly bad at it for that to happen, yeah.

 

…

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

I just want to make it better. The harm that I caused.

 

NICA

 

No you don’t. You want to be forgiven. That’s not the same thing.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

Well, no, not the same thing. But it’s the other half.

 

NICA

 

You don’t get to trade one for the other. Atonement isn’t a transaction.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

I’m not a capitalist.

 

NICA

 

Please. We’re not talking economics. You may be all for redistributing the wealth, but when it comes to relationships, all you want is to be CEO of Adulation Incorporated. You thought that if you came back all charming and witty and congratulated everyone on how well they’d done with your plan, and put on a little show of contrition, then they’d give you a medal for being man enough to apologize, and welcome you back in. Nobody’s obligated to forgive you, even if you do mean it when you say you’re sorry.

 

And nobody’s really sure you mean it.

 

You’re a performer, Chelmsworth. You’re still putting on a show and waiting for people to clap.

 

Trust me. I’m the queen of attention-seeking.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

Seems I’ve found exactly the spot to go for pointed lectures from wise strangers.

 

NICA

 

God, don’t try to put that label on me. I hope I’ve learned something by now, but “wise” is not my wheelhouse.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

Heh. Perhaps. You do know how to turn a phrase, however.

 

NICA

 

Mm. I stole your schtick there, didn’t I? The whole alliteration thing. It’s a game for you, right? A way to heighten your performance and block any self-reflection.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

Funny. The other Nica said something very similar.

 

NICA

 

Well good. I’m glad we’ve reached a Nica consensus.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

Your brother. What did you say his name is?

 

NICA

 

I didn’t. It’s Dimitri.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

Dimitri. Yes, of course. May I make an observation about you?

 

NICA

 

Only fair at this point, I guess.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

You’re quite self-disparaging. Much more so than I expect you deserve.

 

NICA

 

You’d think differently if you knew more about me.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

Perhaps. But you criticized yourself in particular for seeking attention. We toss that around as an insult quite a lot. “Attention-seeking.” Especially at women. And especially at women whose demands are most reasonable. But even setting that imbalance aside, I think it’s important to recognize—it’s not wrong to want attention. There are wrong ways to seek it, and wrong people to seek it from, and you’re certainly not wrong to suggest that I’ve been guilty of seeking more than my share. But needing attention is human. It’s part of how we feel our own existence. Our own significance. Don’t hate yourself for needing something everyone else needs too. If you need people to know how good you are at repairing sewing machines—tell them; People who really care about you will want to know.

 

NICA

 

People who really care about me. Sure.

 

CHELMWORTH

 

It could be worse, Nica. No one ever asked me what I was thinking. Why would they? I didn’t do anything. I didn’t almost die. I didn’t save anyone’s life. I didn’t even help.

 

NICA

 

With Red Line, you mean?

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

With anything. Oh, I get close sometimes. I bring myself up to the brink. But I’m too much of a coward to commit. That’s my real schtick. I couldn’t even commit to running away this last time. Words of a stranger brought me back. Words of a fellow coward seeking attention convinced me that forgiveness was possible.

 

(Pause)

 

NICA

 

You…

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

Twelve hours off from leaving forever, and still you tried to convince me to drop everything and run away. You offered me a place in your story.

 

NICA

 

You …you got my letter?

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

Did you really mean it? Did you really believe that I might say “yes?” That I had stopped being a coward?

 

Was that my last chance? Was *that* the moment you gave up on me?

 

[Downs his gin and tonic]

 

Another shot, barkeep. And one for my friend.

 

NICA

 

I’m….I’m not even done with my wine.

 

[Shots are poured]

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

There’s another reason people come to bars, you know. An old fashioned phrase with modern relevance. Liquid courage. I gave your letter to the other Nica. She thought she could deliver it. No idea if she succeeded. But either way, I think it’s clear. Those words would best be delivered by you. Don’t you think?

 

Bottoms up. (Takes his shot)

 

[Phone rings. Nica answers].

 

NICA

 

Emily, hello.

 

EMILY BESPIN — Sam Musher (over the phone)

 

Where are you? I need that portfolio for the Yard Goats meeting.

 

NICA

 

I put it on your desk, I just had to run a few errands.

 

EMILY

 

Well hurry back. There’s a whole bunch of lab equipment Ethan needs and you know how I feel about peon work like ordering things. Ugh. Plus, my sweet little cinnamon stick and I have a date tonight and I want to tell him his items are well on their way.

 

NICA

 

Oh. You — you guys are going on a date tonight?

 

EMILY

 

Yes. Oliver finally made good on his word.

 

NICA

 

Do you need me to make a reservation?

 

EMILY

 

Good thinking. Two for Parsnip. 8 O’clock.

 

NICA

 

Great. And if you give me the order, I can do it now, over the phone.

 

EMILY

 

I am not your assistant, Nica. Giving it to you over the phone would put me in the same peon position as ordering it myself. It’s on your desk.

 

NICA

 

You included the address, right? Would hate to have the equipment crowding up your office.

 

EMILY

 

Ugh. I’ll write it down with the order. Now hurry!

 

[Nica hangs up phone]

 

NICA

 

Gotta get back to the office. Call Louisa. Make a reservation at the best restaurant in Red Line. Get to ThirdSight by four. I have an hour.

 

(downs her shot)

 

Euch!

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

Is the liquid courage working?

 

NICA

 

Maybe. What about you?

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

I’ll keep drinking until I’m brave enough to know what’s next. And then? Hopefully I’ll be brave enough to commit to it.

 

NICA

 

Good luck, Mr. Mayor.

 

CHELMSWORTH

 

Please. Paul Montgomery. Or…Paul. Call me Paul.

 

NICA

 

Good luck, Paul.

 

[Music and bar environment fadeout]

 

 

 

FREED FRIEND

 

[Suspenseful music plays]

 

LEON STAMATIS — Braden Lamb

 

The group gathered in Isabelle’s rail home had the location of the lab. It was now time for their plan. It began when Isabelle took control over the Red Line PA system for one final time.

 

ISABELLE POWELL— Jessica Washington [Over PA System]

 

Citizens of Red Line. This is Isabelle Powell! Two days ago, I asked you to wait for my signal. Well, the signal is here, the time is now. The place? Is Wonderland! Look for signs and help at Park Street station on Red Line, Government Center on Green, State Street on Orange, and Wonderland on Blue. We may be leaving home for a time, but by the time we return? Red Line will be synonymous not with racism, but righteousness!

 

[Sounds of people rushing to MBTA platforms]

 

LEON

 

People were ready. They had started packing after hearing her announcement. And now, they flooded the trains and platforms, overloading the system. They were met by Omi, Charlotte, or Isabelle, depending on where people decided to transfer. They were then guided to Wonderland by members of Mr. Poletti’s commune. Red Line was soon met with staggering train delays.

 

RUSTY — Jim Johanson [via intercom]

 

Sorry, folks. Thanks to this big exodus, we’re at capacity and can’t fit anymore passengers. I’d tell you there’s a train right behind us, but if I’m being perfectly honest, that’s not exactly the truth. They’re dealing with the same mess back there and well — (sighs). It’s gonna be a long night.

 

LEON

 

Meanwhile, Louisa and Melissa were navigating a tunnel connected to Kendall/MIT, looking for the entrance to a narrow pathway that went to the lab.

 

MELISSA WEATHERBY — Tanja Milojevich

 

Is that it over there?

 

LOUISA ALVAREZ — Julia Propp

 

Yeah, but there’s no good place to hide undetected. We’re kind of exposed over here.

 

MELISSA

 

We could climb on top of the train once it arrives.

 

LOUISA

 

That’s incredibly dangerous, Melissa!

 

MELISSA

 

And the rest of this isn’t?

 

LOUISA

 

Have you met the person we’re saving? He’s not worth you risking your life. We’ll find something else.

 

LEON

 

Across the river, Gemma and Isaiah waited at Andrew station, for a very specific train filled with people dressed in denim jackets adorned with patches and ripped black jeans. Isaiah had a friend who co-managed The Red Rat, Red Line’s premier music venue, located at the tail end of an inbound train.

 

[Train pulling in]

 

GEMMA LINZER-COOLIDGE — Lydia Anderson

 

You sure your friend is cool with this?

 

ISAIAH POWELL — Mario Da Rosa Jr

 

Yeah. He owes me a big favor. I do a lot of show poster designs for him. He pays shit and he knows it.

 

LEON

 

Their train pulled in, the front noticeable for converted features. Buck teeth. Beady eyes. Grinning mouth. Oval ears. The bouncer nodded at Isaiah and waved them inside. No cover.

 

GEMMA

 

What time does the music start?

 

ISAIAH

 

When I give them the signal.

 

GEMMA

 

That must be some serious poster art.

 

LEON

 

Near Kendall, Louisa and Melissa discovered a catwalk a few yards down the tunnel which might offer a good vantage point.

 

LOUISA

 

The only problem is, how to reach it.

 

[Swinging rope. Grappling hook noise. Grunt].

 

LOUISA

 

Uhh. Melissa?

 

MELISSA

 

Give me a boost.

 

[Rope tension]

 

LOUISA

 

Who just carries around a grappling hook?

 

MELISSA

 

Ladies making a difference. [Climbing] Seriously. You probably don’t want to know what else is in there.

 

[High heels in the distance / Rope Tension]

 

LOUISA

 

What is that?

 

MELISSA

 

Emily. Climb!

 

LOUISA (struggling)

 

I always…hated…doing this…in gym class.

 

[Heels get closer. Loud, hollow pounding].

 

EMILY BESPIN — Sam Musher

 

Hello? It’s finally date night my love. Your mayor awaits.

 

[Hydraulic unlocking sound. Steel door slowly opens]

 

ETHAN BESPIN – Jordan Higgs

 

There stands the vision of elapsed ataraxia.

 

EMILY

 

You always know just what to say to me.

 

ETHAN

 

Shall we?

 

[Heels / footsteps fade]

 

LOUISA [into walkie]

 

T’Pol, this is Computer, come in. We’re in position.

 

MELISSA

 

Computer?

 

LOUISA

 

Be easy, Grappler Girl.

 

LEON

 

The Red Rat train was lurching over the river.

 

GEMMA

 

Copy, Computer. They’re in position.

 

[Club environment, people chattering]

 

LOUISA [amplified]

 

It looks like Ethan has a seriously heavy duty door leading to the lab. Combine that with the fact that he’s not home?

 

GEMMA

 

What are you getting at?

 

LOUISA

 

What if nobody comes out to investigate all the racket?

 

GEMMA

 

You think he’d leave a prisoner tied up alone?

 

LOUISA

 

Dipshit could just be chilling with the cheese-bots.

 

GEMMA

 

Won’t they come out?

 

LOUISA

 

I don’t know. What if they’re programmed not to?

 

GEMMA

 

We stick to the plan and hope for the best.

 

ISAIAH

 

Problem?

 

GEMMA

 

We’ll see. You sure the band isn’t going to stop no matter what?

 

ISAIAH

 

Define “the what” in no matter what.

 

GEMMA

 

Just get ready to bring the ruckus. Do we have everything we need?

 

ISAIAH

 

Hairspray?

 

GEMMA

 

Check.

 

ISAIAH

 

Lighter?

 

GEMMA

 

Check.

 

ISAIAH

 

Hunting knife?

 

GEMMA

 

Check.

 

ISAIAH

 

Let’s do this.

 

LEON

 

Isaiah and Gemma queued up in line outside the last car. Isaiah signaled his friend Matty to start the band. They began playing just as the Red Rat pulled into Kendall.

 

[Great Lakes USA “Best Band at O’Briens” starts playing]

 

LOUISA

 

I see the lights. They’re pulling into the station. Where — where are you going?

 

MELISSA

 

I’m gonna get next to that door so if anyone comes out, I can keep it open.

 

LOUISA

 

Wait — Melissa — WAIT!

 

LEON

 

Right before entering the tail section of the Red Rat, Gemma reached for the emergency stop lever.

 

GEMMA

 

Not yet…not yet….

 

LEON

 

She waited until the club’s doors were aligned with the lab’s. And —

 

GEMMA

 

Now.

 

[Pulls lever – Fire Alarm noise]

 

LEON

 

This was the signal for Louisa to drop the fireworks.

 

LOUISA (lights and drops fireworks)

 

Bombs away!

 

[Firework noises.]

 

LEON

 

Gemma and Isaiah entered the club and —

 

[Loud, upbeat punk rock – Great Lakes USA as Gemma / Isaiah move through club. Distant fireworks sound]

 

LOUISA

 

Come on you rusty cheese-buckets. Come on outside and meet the rat.

 

LEON

 

They waited. And waited. The train gave a slight lurch forward.

 

GEMMA

 

No!

 

LEON

 

And then?

 

[Hydraulic door noise]

 

OLIVER WEST — Mike Linden

 

What in the blazes — ?

 

GEMMA

 

NOW!

 

ISAIAH

 

DOORS!

 

[Red Line doors open. MELISSA shoves Oliver]

 

MELISSA

 

In you go!

 

OLIVER!

 

WuuuuAHHH!

 

LEON

 

Melissa shoved Oliver into the Red Rat, right past Isaiah and Gemma, who darted out of the train, straight passed Melissa and into the tunnel leading to the lab. And straight into three cheese robots.

 

CHEESE ROBOTS

 

INTRUDER! INTRUDER! GRATE THEM! THEM!

 

GEMMA

 

Fuck you, fondue.

 

[Hairspray / flames]

 

That’s when Isaiah and I take out our huge cans of hairspray and lighters. Man. I have to say. I’ve never felt this alive.

 

[Huge flame. Robotic screams]

 

DIPSHIT POLETTI — James Capobianco

 

Gemma? Isaiah?

 

ISAIAH

 

Go cut him loose, I’ll fend them off!

 

[Computer beeping noise / background hairspray / frames]

 

GEMMA

 

I rush over and remove his restraints. He’s weak and sinks against me. Getting him out is going to be fun.

 

(To Dipshit)

 

The ball. Where’s my ball?

 

DIPSHIT

 

He — he took it. He took it with him.

 

GEMMA

 

Oliver?

 

DIPSHIT

 

Ethan.

 

GEMMA

 

Damn it. Okay, hang on to me. Get back. Back!

 

[More flames]

 

GEMMA

 

We rush back through the tunnel, hurling fire balls at the cheese mongers the whole way. Louisa and Melissa are waiting for us outside. More cheese robots close in from outside the lab. They’re closing in on us.

 

[Music builds into action theme. Robot stomping approaching]

 

We try to shut the door to the lab, but it’s controlled by a keypad. Fondue-bots are gaining on us from inside too, slower but undeterred. We hobble to the Kendall station as they speed up their approach. All we hear is the sound of their mechanical legs getting louder as we hit a wall of commuters and have nowhere to go.

 

ISAIAH

 

GEMMA!

 

GEMMA [in response}

 

I know.

 

[Narrating]

 

We turn around as they approach, some of them still glowing with fiery embers. We stand our ground, ready to fight and probably lose. And then?

 

COMMUTER 1 — Tanja Milojevic

 

Ay! Leave ‘em alone! Ay metal heads! Back off asshole. Gotta get my nails done!

 

[Metal thunks as various objects hit Cheese Robots]

 

COMMUTER 2 — Jack Pevyhouse

 

Hey come on leave ‘ em alone, man! Cut this shit! Ay ay ay, come on! Stop or I’ll fuckin’ bop ya!

 

GEMMA

 

The commuters come to our aide. Out of nowhere, throwing whatever they have on hand. Books, packs of gum, cups of Dunks. Then a train comes. Slowly headed inbound. Packed to the gills with fellow pilgrims We disappear into the rest of the Exodus and make our way to Wonderland.

 

[Train comes, music fades to reflective theme]

 

DIPSHIT

 

Gemma? I — I think I’m going to change my name. Freed Poletti. Freed Friend Poletti.

 

GEMMA (sighs)

 

Of fucking course you are.

 

[Music and train noise fade out]

 

 

 

NOT JASON

 

LEON STAMATIS — Braden Lamb

 

Dimitri was watching the news coverage of the Exodus on Oliver’s television …when the chainsaw noise began.

 

[Chainsaw noise / cutting wood /wall].

 

DIMITRI

 

Sure hope that’s Mallory and not, like…Jason.

 

LEON

 

It wasn’t Mallory. And it wasn’t Jason.

 

[Wall falls over with a crash. Chainsaw noise stops].

 

DIMITRI

 

Nica.

 

NICA

 

We tried going up the elevator, but it’s locked so we had to cut our way up and over. Mallory is waiting in the other room at the bottom of the next floor. There’s a rope to climb down a circle we cut into the ceiling. Uhh…floor.

 

[Chainsaw turns off]

 

DIMITRI

 

Thank you. Have you seen this? It’s remarkable. A mass exodus. All these people are leaving Red Line, going to …to Wonderland.

 

NICA

 

Wow.

 

DIMITRI

 

All because of that awful woman you work for. She pushed them out and this is how they’ve responded.

 

NICA

 

Please don’t talk about things you don’t understand.

 

DIMITRI

 

I didn’t mean to — okay. Okay, you’re right.

 

NICA

 

Should have just stopped at ‘thank you.’ I need to ask you something.

 

DIMITRI

 

Of course.

 

NICA

 

Why did you come back?

 

DIMITRI

 

Well I — I wanted…(pause) I saw something. Something that…made me realize I was wrong.

 

[Childgrove plays]

 

NICA

 

You saw something.

 

DIMITRI

 

I…I have something to share with you. I received a letter. To both of us. From Leon.

 

NICA

 

What?

 

DIMITRI

 

I — I haven’t read it yet, but I thought —

 

NICA

 

That’s sick, Dimitri.

 

DIMITRI

 

No no — I know it sounds crazy but —

 

NICA

 

It — It doesn’t sound crazy. It is crazy. You’re just going to have to deal with it all. You’re just going to have to deal with the fact that you weren’t here and you can’t fantasy your way out of this one. You can’t make up some fictional closure. It won’t work for me and it won’t work for him. He is gone and you weren’t here and there’s absolutely nothing you can do about that now.

 

DIMITRI

 

Okay. (Pause). But don’t you — don’t you want to know what it says?

 

NICA

 

[Drops chainsaw]

 

You should get going. Mallory is waiting for you.

 

DIMITRI

 

Nica. If you change your mind, I think I know where I’m going. I’ll be at Wonderland.

 

NICA

 

A couple years too late.

 

 

 

CREDITS

 

[Childgrove continues throughout credits]

 

JEFF VAN DREASON

 

Greater Boston is written and produced by Alexander Danner and Jeff Van Dreason, with recording and technical assistance from Marck Harmon.

 

You can follow Greater Boston on Twitter @InGreaterBoston or on Tumblr at GreaterBlogston.tumblr.com. Follow us there for news, updates, and behind the scenes chat about the show!

 

Thank you to Patreon supporter Rasmus! You to can support us on Patreon at http://www.Patreon.com/greaterboston!

 

This Episode featured

 

This episode featured:

 

• Lydia Anderson as Gemma Linzer Coolidge (she/her)
• Julia Morizawa as Omi Ogawa (she/her)
• Mario de Rosa Jr as Isaiah Powell (he/him)
• Summer Unsinn as Charlotte Linzer-Coolidge (she/her)
• Jessica Washington as Isabelle Powell (she/her)
• Julia Schifini as 23 Skidoo (she/her)
• Tanja Milojevic as Melissa (she/her)
• Jake Del Rio as Fox Fossil (he/him)
• Braden Lamb as Leon Stamatis (he/him)
• Kelly McCabe as Nica Stamatis (she/her)
• James Capobianco as Dipshit Poletti (he/him) and Paul Chelmsworth (he/him)
• Mike Linden as Oliver West (he/him)
• Julia Propp as Louisa Alvarez (she/her)
• James Oliva as Michael Tate (he/him)
• Johanna Bodnyk as Mallory (she/her)
• Sam Musher as Emily Bespin (she/her)
• Jim Johanson as Rusty (he/him)
• Jordan Higgs as Ethan Bespin (he/him)
• and James Johnston as Dimitri Stamatis (he/him)

With
Tanja Milojevic Jack Pevyhouse (and Alex Welch) as MBTA commuters

 

Charlie on the MTA by Emily Peterson and Dirk Tiede

 

Childgrove by Dirk Tiede.

 

Gigantic Greater Boston thank you to Great Lakes USA for allowing us to use their song The Best Band at O’Brien’s. If you like what you heard, check out their Bandcamp page for more songs. Link in the show notes.

 

Transcripts available at GreaterBostonShow.com

 

 

 

COOKIE

 

LYDIA ANDERSON
Hang on.

ALEXANDER DANNER
What happened?

LYDIA
I somehow went to like the bottom of the script.

 

ALEXANDER
Oh!

 

LYDIA
I was like, Dipshit my heart? No! (laughter).

BRADEN LAMB
I am — (scratchy). I am. (Popeye impression). I am what I am.

(laughter)

KELLY MCCABE (simultaneously)
Where…the HELL…is the party bus!

JEFF VAN DREASON (simultaneously)
Where the HELL is the stupid —

BRADEN
Greater Boston is brought to to you by – Dove Soap. Ain’t nobody Dove as me, I’m just so fresh and clean. So fresh and so clean clean.