In a world where people are controlled by their own admission, one woman imagines a way out. Starring Vanessa Benoit as 10538; Jonna Lyn Alonso as 10767 and Angela Young as the AI voice.
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The Mutual Audio Network
10538(071024)
In a world where people are controlled by their own admission, one woman imagines a way out. Starring Vanessa Benoit as 10538; Jonna Lyn Alonso as 10767 and Angela Young as the AI voice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Duration:
- 11m
- Broadcast on:
- 10 Jul 2024
- Audio Format:
- mp3
It's Wednesday wonders science fiction and fantasy on the mutual audio network. The following audio drama is rated PG for parental guidance. It was so beautiful, someone might hear you 10538 even down here, but it was 7-6. How do you even know what beauty is? I could tell there was color. Color is a myth. You need to stop this now, but for someone hears this nonsense and reports you. Let them. I know what I saw, and you couldn't have been dreaming. The pills keep that from happening. You know it's harmful to dream. That's just what we've always been taught, but it isn't true. Of course it's true. It's been in the teachings for ages. I'm going to get back. I can't afford to be caught with you, and you will be caught. Let them catch me. You don't mean that. The council will punish you severely. The council is a lie. They only give us the pills and the teachings because they need to keep us in line. No. The council has our best interests at heart. What interests are those? They protect us from outside forces that look to do us harm. Protect? They keep our minds locked up with their pills and the fear of anything different. Even worse, we're doing this to ourselves with our mindless compliance. No, you're wrong. They protect us from divergent ideas that would be harmful to us in our society. Society? You call this a society. We are controlled down here. We've never even been allowed to see the sun. You know we would be left to go above. The power of the sun and the radiation would kill you. How do you know if you've never been up there? The teachings. Everyone knows it's death to go above ground. You're taking their word for that. None of us have ever been there. I've seen it in my dreams. There are such beautiful colors up there. Colors? How do you even know? I don't know any colors. I just know that I saw them. They're so right and beautiful. The sunshine is warm and soothing. You're hallucinating. No. I'm dreaming. There is no such thing. I'm leaving. Come with me. Leaving? No one can leave. The council forbids it. The council forbids this too. But it's here. A book. A how did you... These things are here. Just have to be open to them. You've gone too far this time. And gotten yourself into something that will only lead to a harsh punishment. The only thing this will lead to is my liberation. Actually living a life. You can't even read. None of us can. It's part of the council's protection. It's for our own good. That's what we've been led to believe. It's only to keep us from opening our minds to new ideas. New ideas. Why do we need new ideas? The old ones have worked for ages. You don't even know what's written in that book. I can learn. I can figure it out. Greetings citizens. It is now the third quadrant and time to take pill number three. The council reminds you to report any suspicious activities to the nearest voice receiver and wishes you a wonderful quadrant. Three eight. Stop this right now and take your pill. I won't. Seven six. I haven't taken my pills in days and I feel alive for the first time ever. What does that even mean? What's gotten into you? This is no way to live. This is some kind of insane existence where everyone is the same. Every moment is the same. The routine just repeats itself over and over and over again and we just accept it. Don't you ever get tired of it. I take comfort in it. Knowing I'm safe and protected by the council. But that's the point. They just want you to be comfortable enough so that you won't question anything. Why would I question anything? Take your pill three eight and things will go back to how they used to be. That's just it. I don't want to go back but if you don't want to come with me, at least don't turn me in. I won't say anything but please don't do this. You can't get on anyway. How can that be true? I don't believe that. Then what do you believe? That we keep ourselves here by being compliant to thoughts and rules that we had no say in making. The council is wise. They know the best way to protect us. The council isn't protecting us. They're controlling us through fear. Fear of what? Anything different. Anything that's outside of our small existence here. Anything that will promote individual, creative and critical thought. What's gotten into you? You see, this prison is of our own making. There has to be a way out. We've just been trained not to look for it. What? We're keeping ourselves here. That doesn't make any sense. I dreamt that the way is open. All we have to do is walk through it. But I'm going now seven six. Please don't say anything. You can join me anytime. Where all you have to clear is walk out. Greetings, citizens. It is now the first quadrant and time to take pill number one. The council reminds you to report any suspicious activities to the nearest voice receiver and wishes you the most wonderful quadrant. [Music] Ahh, fresh air and color. It's just as I imagine. [Music] You have been listening to the Audio Groovecat's original production of 10538, written, directed and edited by Jeff Bellard. Assured in today's cast were Vanessa Benoit as 10538, John Alain Alonzo as 10676, and Angela Young as the AI voice. This show is lovingly dedicated to Bill Hallwig, fair winds and following C's amigo, and was inspired by the Electric Light Orchestra's song 10538 Overture, George Lucas' film THX 11138, and Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. Special thanks to Jack Ward and Lothar Tubman for always listening and offering invaluable feedback. This is Angela Young speaking. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] You [BLANK_AUDIO]