Part one of eight. A desperate man is pulled from the ledge and inducted into a network of vigilantes led by a shadowy ringleader.
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The Mutual Audio Network
Spoken Signal Podcast: Agents, Episode 1(070824)
This is Monday, Matt and A, on the Mutual Audio Network. Come on, let's all go to the lobby. Because people are staring at us, listening to these shows while we're in the theater. The following audio drama is rated PG-13, suggesting that children under the age of 13 should listen accompanied with an adult. Just a moment, Madam Secretary, we need to clear these rooms. Of course, I know the drill. Simmons on 2, Marston, you take hold. That sounds perfect, sir. Yeah, the Secretary and I will see you then. Okay. Oh, solid crowd tonight, Madeline. It was a good one. I don't know, Devon. The energy out there, the feeling I'm getting in the cities and the towns. It's... different. Somehow. More urgent than it used to be. Ah, sure, people are tired of division. They miss having a federal government in states that are actually united. I'm old enough to remember what it was like. It wasn't perfect. Not by a long shot. But it looks awfully rosy compared to what we're living with now. Right, so long as the voters agree. Maybe you'll be the one to put us back on that path. Sweet as clear, Ma'am. We'll keep two men posted outside. Thank you, Harold. I appreciate you worrying about me. Someone's got to. Hot. We're wheels up at 6.30, okay? Yes, sir. Good night. Ah, okay. Wanna go over these new poll numbers? I'm a little beat. What if we just have a drink and call it a day? Works for me. What can I pour you? Whiskey, please. You got it. I'll spare you the details. Tell we're on the road, but just so you know. We're seeing something of groundswell in support. Even in the rural parts of the territory. Wait. Shh. Did you hear that? What? What is it? What's happening? Devon, we need to get out of here. We... Good evening, Madam Secretary. Hey, what is this? What are you doing? You can't just barge in here. You... No! You bastard. Who are you men? What do you want? Aw, don't be upset, lady. We're just two fellas working a job. The bad news is... Our job is you. Spoken Signal Audio Drama presents... Agents by Robert Arnold. Episode 1. A death on the bridge. Episode 2. Time once again for the mind-bending adventures of... Mr. Jonas, the mysterious mastermind who outsmarts criminals at every turn. Crime is a riddle, and justice the answer. No one knows his true identity or what drives him, but all know that this gentleman puzzle master, along with his secret network of agents, fights on the side of law and order. Tonight's tantalizing tale, The Murder Cipher. The three great Linux home brighteners, Linux clear gloss of Arnish, Linux cream polish, and Linux self-polishing wax created by Acme, the territory's great producer of fine Acme-quality paints, bring you the thrilling adventures of Mr. Jonas, the hard and relentless fight of one man against the forces of evil. Millions of homemakers have discovered a pimentome. Dear Elaine, there really are no words for this, but words are what I'm supposed to be good at, so here goes. By the time you read this, I'll be gone. Put your window down, please, sir. How are you tonight, children? Turn off the radio, please. I'd like to see your paper, sir. Sure. There you go. The reasons are unsurprising and embarrassingly prosaic, but they're real, Elaine. And I feel them as deeply as I've filled anything lately. Mr. Vincent H. Harris of Stonecutter Lane? No one and only. Mr. Harris, you realize that this is the final checkpoint of the New Midwest territory. Past here, it's 10 miles of neutral zone until you get to the border of the Appalachian territory. I realize. Sir, beyond this point, the New Midwest security force can no longer guarantee your safety. Will you verify for me that you understand the risk? I understand. All right, sir. In that case, let me run a quick check and you can be on your way. With everything that's going on, with the way things are now, I want to do something to help, but I don't know how. All clear, sir. Here, hang on. One more thing. What is it? This list your occupation is poet. So? Sir, poet is not an occupation that is recognized with the New Midwest territory's labor and productivity bureau. Just give me my papers, please. Be safe out there, sir. In short, Elaine, I want what you have. I see you going into battle every day, fighting hard to make the world better. I know the toll it's taken on you, on us, but the work you're doing, it matters. You're out there in the trenches, Elaine. I admire that so much, and I want it for myself. But what can I do? What can I offer that's even worth a damn? Authorization to teach a few community college courses. A couple lines of bad verse, and what? Wow, wow! Looks like I've finally got the drop on yet, Jonas. Have you? Or was I able to replace the bullets in your gun with harmless blanks? You're bluffing! Perhaps. Why don't you pull the trigger and find out? Of course, if you take a shot at me, the dead eye of my sniper will be more than just a... No, it's hopeless. I'm hopeless. So I've decided, if I can't be what the world needs, or even what you need, I'm better off getting out of the way. I'm sorry, Elaine. I once wrote, "May the trees raise their spindled arms to the sky, and may the winter sun describe the blazing ark of our love." When you think about me, I hope you'll think about that. Not this. And know that I love you. I really do. And I'm sorry. Yours Vince. ♪ Okay. Nice and quick. Just... Damn it. Okay. Okay. That's okay. Here we go. Three. Two. Three. Excuse me. God. What? Hello? Yes. Hello. I wonder if you might take a step back, my good man. What? A step back. From the railing. We must maintain a safe distance. Why, where you're standing, a strong gust of wind might be enough to send you over into the river. Yeah, sure. I didn't think anybody else was out here. What's that? I said I didn't think anybody else was out here. Well, they aren't. Really? Only me. And who are you? Oh, just a concerned passerby. A passerby. Out here? You realize this is a neutral zone, right? No law enforcement out here. No protection. And yet, I am not the one who requires protection, Mr. Harris. Do I know you? Perhaps. I certainly know you. And I know the broken pieces of your life and desperate need of someone to put them back together. Wait a minute. Stop right there. All right? Not another step until you tell me who you are. Well, haven't you guessed? The gentleman puzzle master? The brainiac bane of the underworld? From... from the radio program? A little bit of public relations. But that's just a story. And yet, here we are. Now enough about me. I wonder, what exactly did Mr. Harris come to this bridge to accomplish? That's none of your... Hmm, let's see. A dark night. Neutral territory. A rushing river below. A note left on the dashboard of a car. A general disheveled appearance. Could it be that Mr. Harris intends to do something drastic? No. Maybe. To be honest, I'm not really sure myself. It's not the first time I've driven out to this bridge. Oh, how terribly tragic. And yet, how fortunate that I am here. And that I have, perhaps, some chance of altering the course of this line of events. Look, Hal, I don't know you. And I don't have to listen to you. All right? I mean, I might still... You very well might, Mr. Harris. And that will be your decision. But first, please, allow us to make a counter offer. Us? Who is... Got him, boss. Mr. Harris, I am pleased to introduce you to one of my associates, Mr. Flowers. Nice to meet you. Let me go! Let me go! Mr. Flowers, what is Mr. Harris saying? Want me to let him go? Understandably. You see, Mr. Flowers, at this point in his evening, Mr. Harris already intended to be over the railing of this bridge. Now, we have delayed him. Why don't we rectify that? No! Now, Mr. Harris, would you still like Mr. Flowers to let you go? No, no, I'm good. Wonderful. Now, please do not be alarmed. I only wish to talk. Mr. Harris, if your life is worth so little to you, perhaps you will allow me to see what I can make from it. As I suspect you know, I've operated a network of trusted agents who assist me in my efforts. Together, we chip away at the foundations of power, at the safety and security of those who would exploit the common person for their own gain. Now, I am inviting you to join us. Why should I? The choice is entirely yours. Regardless, you came here to accomplish a task, Mr. Harris, and I am happy to say that you have succeeded. Congratulations. You are now dead. Your car will be found, your note will be found, your wife will be notified, official papers will be drawn up and filed. Now, given this, it is perhaps a bit odd that your heart continues to beat, your synapses to fire. But that is simply a matter of timing. Those functions will cease one day. Whether that day is today or many years from now is of no particular consequence. As far as the wider world is concerned, you are dead. As for your unusually animate corpse, then, Mr. Harris, it has two options. Mr. Flowers can simply let go, and it can be whisked away by the river as you intend. What's the other option? It may be whisked away by me, but to use in a life of danger and intrigue. That life may not last long either, who knows? But I can promise you that any time you have remaining will be lived with purpose. Well, which will it be? Where are you taking me? Somewhere comfortable. To do what? Why, to begin your afterlife, Mr. Harris. Good evening, Mr. Omni. Mr. Jonas, sir, what an honor. I didn't expect you here in person. We have a new colleague, Mr. Omni. I am pleased to introduce you to Mr. Vincent Harris. It's a pleasure, Mr. Harris. Welcome aboard. Thanks. Your name is... What, again? It's Gerald, but they call me Omni. Welcome to the Columbia Hotel, Mr. Harris. Thanks, Omni. Have you secured a room for our guest? Yes, sir. Just like you requested. Excellent. Mr. Harris, you are in the best of hands here. You will remain at the Columbia until you receive further instructions. Now, please try to stay indoors, at least until we see whether the press carries word of your recent demise. So, I'm just supposed to hang out in this hotel, and what? We have a fitness room? Oh, and an omelet bar on Sundays. The hotel will provide all the necessary creature comforts. Your first assignment is to wait here until your services are needed. And when will that be? Mr. Omni will let you know. For now, please, rest and enjoy. Good night, Mr. Harris, and welcome. I don't guess you have any bags to carry up, do you? Fair Collection now! Fair Collection now! Fair Collection now! Hey, man, you work here? You one of those bureaucrats? You may have a lot of people fooled, man, but not us. The same party wins every single election? It's not possible, man. Why can't we see the counts? Well, if you don't mind... Yes, sir. Well, hey! Hey, you can't just... Good morning, sir. I'll let Mr. Redick's office know you... Open the door. Do it. Of course, sir. Sir, what a surprise. He's on the phone at the moment, but... You'll get off. Bull weight here for me. Stand aside, soldier. Sir? Take care of that in the morning meeting, and then we can... I'll have to call you back. Mr. President, we have a problem. Dear Elaine, this is a very different letter than the last one I wrote you. I imagine you've read that letter by now. This one, you'll never read. I've been at the Columbia Hotel for three weeks, eating in the restaurants, swimming in the pool, watching TV. Thankfully, it's a pretty big place, and people come and go all the time, so no one pays me much attention. Except... someone does. A whole closet full of clothes showed up at my door that first morning, nicer than anything I've ever owned, and the fit was perfect. Everything else I've needed, I've just called down to Omni at the front desk, and voila! As you can imagine, I've had a lot of time to think. Elaine, I promise I didn't do any of this to deceive you, to hurt you. I never thought I'd be here, here in this hotel, or here in general. But I do feel I've been given... Yes? Good morning, Mr. Harris. It's time. [Music] [Music] [Music] Episode 1 of Agents was written by Robert Arnold and featured the voices of Marcus Brown as Vince, Jude Knight as Madeline, Jeffrey Adams as Devon, Steven Brown as Crandall, John Manus as Mr. Flowers, Steven Garrett as Omni, Tony Isbo as Blue Eyes, Bill Andrews as the President, and Kenan Keplinger as Mr. Jonas. Additional Voices by John Manus, Andrew Chandler, Jack Ward, Kendall Carcher, Tanya Loyevich, Gabriel Kestrel, and Robert Arnold. Principal Dialogue recorded by Daniel Lin at Archer Recording Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. Original Score by Eric Jorgensen. Sound Effects by Robert Arnold and Karen Strawn with additional sounds from freesound.org and Soundstripe.com. Artwork by Shane McDermott. Special thanks to Kalman Benshot, Karen Strawn and Marcus Brown. Assistant Directed by Karen Strawn. Produced and Directed by Robert Arnold. To learn more about spoken signal audio drama, here are other productions and get in touch, visit us at SpokenSignal.com. You're tuned into Monday, Matt and A on the Mutual Audio Network. Tomorrow is all things horror on Tuesday Terrors. Subscribe to the full Mutual Audio Network feed for every day or find Tuesday Terrors in your favorite podcast players. The Mutual Audio Network, listening and imagining together. [Music] (chime)