Episode Transcript
Rogue Tyger
“Flatrock,” Part 2
INTRODUCTION
HOST
Welcome to Jabberwocky Audio Theater.
RATING ANNOUNCER
The following audio theater is rated AD-G for general audiences.
ANNOUNCERLAND
MUSIC: THEME MUSIC BEGINS
ANNOUNCER
In a distant part of the galaxy, from a far-flung future yet unwritten, comes the adventures of a lone ship and her intrepid crew:
REG MACORUM
Reg Macorum, ship’s captain.
GRAINNE
Grainne Kochowa, pilot.
ENLING
Shen Enling, ship’s doctor.
TORMAR
Tormar, engineer.
AIDAN
Aidan Vosky, mechanic.
ANNOUNCER
Trapped in a burning warehouse on an artificial moon, can Aidan escape?
(BEAT)
Jabberwocky Audio Theater presents Rogue Tyger. Tonight’s episode: “Flatrock,” part two.
MUSIC: THEME MUSIC ENDS
WAREHOUSE – DAY
(SAME FIERY AMBIENT AS BEFORE)
SOUND: LASER CUTTING
SOUND: METAL THUNK
REG MACORUM
Aidan!
(COUGHS)
Aidan! Where are you?
AIDAN
(WEAK)
Here. Is that you, Cap —
(COUGHS HARD)
REG MACORUM
Come on, put your arm around me.
AIDAN
The cargo… issa trap.
REG MACORUM
I know.
(COUGHS)
Come on. Not much time.
AIDAN
But the cargo…
REG MACORUM
Damn the cargo. Use your legs.
(FIERY AMBIENT FADES DOWN, BUT NOT OUT)
KOLKISS DISTRICT – DAY
(FIERY AMBIENT REMAINS IN DISTANCE)
REG MACORUM
Come on. We have to keep moving.
SOUND: RAPID FOOTFALLS (REG & AIDAN)
AIDAN
Just. Need. To breathe.
REG MACORUM
Keep your arm around me. It took a lot of time to cut into the warehouse. Patrols will be here soon. You understand Vosky? We can’t be stopped for questioning, you looking like that.
AIDAN
(STILL WEAK)
Back to the ribbons?
REG MACORUM
Yes. I just want to come out a couple blocks from the warehouse. We don’t want to attract attention.
AIDAN
I think I can make it. Just… hold on, okay?
REG MACORUM
I will. Let’s move.
RIBBON-WALK – DAY
(WALKWAY SOUNDS FADE IN)
AIDAN
Shouldn’t we get back to the ship?
REG MACORUM
They’ll be watching that first. Besides, I need to have a talk with Lucky Louie.
(PAUSE)
Aidan!
AIDAN
Wa—!
SOUND: BODY TUMBLING
REG MACORUM
You’re not ready for the ribbons, are you? Come on.
(WALKWAY SOUNDS FADE OUT)
KOLKISS DISTRICT ALLEY – DAY
(NO FIERY AMBIENT, DISTANT SIREN)
AIDAN
Sorry…
REG MACORUM
It’s all right, just set behind these trash bins. We’re a few blocks further, so we might be okay. Sit tight.
AIDAN
’Kay.
SOUND: COMM BEEP
REG MACORUM
Macorum to Tyger. Grainne, you there?
GRAINNE
(RADIO FILTER)
Here Captain, but I’m concerned about you. They’ve set up a checkpoint near the ribbons dockside, and I’m getting some chatter on the wires about a fire in the Kolkiss District. Are you all in the middle of something?
REG MACORUM
We’re no longer squarely in the middle, but yes, there’s been a complication.
ENLING
(RADIO FILTER)
Is Aidan there?
REG MACORUM
Thanks for asking, Doctor. He’s here, just a little winded.
AIDAN
Hey!
(COUGHS)
ENLING
(RADIO FILTER)
Is he hurt? Should I come out —
REG MACORUM
Stay put. All of you. I don’t want our profile to stick out any more than it already is.
GRAINNE
(RADIO FILTER)
Understood, captain. So what happened?
REG MACORUM
Short version, it was a trap. We lost the cargo and were meant to lose more.
GRAINNE
(RADIO FILTER)
I thought you said we were doing this job for Hardin. That’s not his style.
REG MACORUM
Right. It might not be Lucky Louie’s style, but he was working with Vic Ratha. Maybe Louie is pushing a bit too far, maybe Vic was double-crossing him.
ENLING
(RADIO FILTER)
Maybe it’s your favorite former employer.
REG MACORUM
The Zenocrate Cartel? I’m considering it. Still all a lot of maybes.
GRAINNE
(RADIO FILTER)
So what are you going to do?
ENLING
(RADIO FILTER)
The skimmer’s just about ready. We can come get you.
REG MACORUM
No. Keep working on the ship. I’m going to go see Lucky Louie.
GRAINNE
(RADIO FILTER)
What if he’s part of it?
(BEGIN PARALLEL POLICE DIALOG – SEE CUE BELOW)
REG MACORUM
Then he won’t be so lucky.
ENLING
(RADIO FILTER)
I figured you’d say that.
REG MACORUM
Listen, I think a patrol is coming. If I don’t check back within an hour, use the skimmer.
GRAINNE
(RADIO FILTER)
Understood, captain.
ENLING
(RADIO FILTER)
Both of you check in okay?
SOUND: COMM BEEP
REG MACORUM
(SOTTO VOCE)
Aidan!
AIDAN
What?
REG MACORUM
(SOTTO VOCE)
Get in the garbage.
AIDAN
Huh?
REG MACORUM
(SOTTO VOCE)
There’s a patrol coming. Look at yourself!
AIDAN
Oh.
(SOTTO VOCE)
I’m prime suspect material, aren’t I?
REG MACORUM
(SOTTO VOCE)
Just get in there!
(BEAT. TO HIS COMM)
Are you telling me the cargo’s still on the docks!?
(PARALLEL DIALOG BEGIN)
FIRST OFFICER
Look, it doesn’t matter if we find the perps or not. We round up the usual suspects, arrest a few, charge a few, case gets closed.
SECOND OFFICER
I’d feel better if I knew this sort of thing didn’t happen. The odd murder I’m okay with, but this, this is destroying the city infrastructure, you know?
FIRST OFFICER
They’re not city warehouses, right? And besides, we got plenty of them.
SECOND OFFICER
What about the firefighters?
FIRST OFFICER
Gives those pukes some practice.
SECOND OFFICER
You’re all heart.
FIRST OFFICER
I’m not the one taking a warehouse fire personally.
SECOND OFFICER
All I’m saying is it seems like an escalation. Someone blew the lock and the doors and did it to make sure our investigation units couldn’t lift any prints. I don’t like that kind of muscle loose.
FIRST OFFICER
I’m telling ya. It’s cyclical. There’s some new players in town. They want to throw weight around. Six-eight months, we’re back to normal.
SECOND OFFICER
Yeah, until the next cycle begins.
FIRST OFFICER
Who do you think pays your salary? All these spacers coming into port.
SECOND OFFICER
Oh don’t give me that docking fees and whatnot. Spacers are cheap. You ever worked in Morgantown on the night shift?
FIRST OFFICER
Ha! Now it’s your turn. Don’t give me any “have you worked Morgentown?” I’m a dozen cycles up on you. These eyes have seen plenty my friend.
SECOND OFFICER
That so? Well I guess you were waiting for me to notice that guy lurking in the alley.
FIRST OFFICER
Maybe I was.
SECOND OFFICER
Maybe you were. Maybe you were just going to walk right past him.
(PARALLEL DIALOG END)
FIRST OFFICER
Hey! You there!
REG MACORUM
I don’t care what they say, I have a contract that says we deliver within the hour or we lose the bonus. Got that?
SECOND OFFICER
Hey buddy, we’re talking to you!
REG MACORUM
Excuse me?
SECOND OFFICER
Who are you?
REG MACORUM
Listen, I’m gonna have to call you back.
SOUND: COMM BEEP
SECOND OFFICER
You got a hearing problem? I said, who are you?
REG MACORUM
Who am I!? I’m someone who’s trying to find out why my cargo’s sitting on the docks thanks to you people.
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC FADES IN
TYGER BRIDGE – DAY
(BRIDGE AMBIENT FADES IN)
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC FADES OUT
ENLING
I should just go out there.
GRAINNE
That’s not what the captain wanted.
ENLING
Yeah? Well maybe what the captain wants isn’t in the best interests of all concerned. You think both of them are going to make it back?
GRAINNE
Maybe the captain didn’t want you to get into another bar brawl like our last time here.
ENLING
Hey, he was wearing my hat, besides which, you didn’t answer my question.
SOUND: AIRLOCK OPENS
TORMAR
Here is fresh wiring, Pilot Kochowa.
GRAINNE
Thanks Tormar.
SOUND: AIRLOCK CLOSES
ENLING
Saved by the busy work.
GRAINNE
I don’t know what the captain told you while I out, but my understanding is that Aidan’s proved his worth in getting us away from the Nokari. He’ll be back.
ENLING
Well, you’ve known him longer than I have…
TORMAR
As have I, Doctor. It appears you are not focused on effecting repairs.
ENLING
Triage, Tormar. This is about life and death.
TORMAR
With respect to your profession Doctor Shen, I do not find your view of life practical.
ENLING
No?
TORMAR
I understand your oath is meant to protect all life.
ENLING
Pretty standard for us medical types.
TORMAR
Yet the history of the Span, even the empire, shows that life is cheap.
ENLING
What are you getting at?
TORMAR
Regarding those Nokari mercenaries. We destroyed one ship. We only disabled the other. What do you suppose happened to them?
ENLING
Nothing good. They were probably left to starve out there. Or…
TORMAR
Or their employers had them silenced.
ENLING
Dead men tell no tales, is that what you want me to say, Tormar?
TORMAR
It is, practical.
ENLING
What about intrinsic value, Tormar? Doesn’t a life have that?
TORMAR
Your oath says that. The span says otherwise. Life must be earned.
ENLING
I give up. Enjoy the wiring.
SOUND: AIRLOCK OPENS
SOUND: AIRLOCK CLOSES
TORMAR
For a doctor, she is far from practical.
GRAINNE
She has a different way to calculate value, thank goodness.
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC FADES IN
HARDIN’S SAFEHOUSE – DAY
(STREET SOUNDS SIMILAR TO KOLKISS)
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC FADES OUT
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS APPOACH
AIDAN
I thought you were going to get arrested.
REG MACORUM
Misdirection. They spent their energy calming down an obnoxious spacer rather than spending that time grilling a potential suspect.
AIDAN
I thought it was going to come to blows.
REG MACORUM
I would have enjoyed taking a swing at one of them, but then where would you be?
AIDAN
I wish it wasn’t hiding out in that garbage. Ugh. What is this?
REG MACORUM
(SNIFFS)
Smells like durian paste. At least you don’t reek of the fire.
(SNIFFS)
On second thought, I think I detect a few smoky notes. Damn, Vosky. You’re liable to attract even more attention unless we get you a bath.
AIDAN
Well, can I wash up at this guy Hardin’s safehouse?
REG MACORUM
Technically, it’s not a house, it’s just a couple rooms in the building here. We also don’t know how safe it is. Lucky Louie might be in trouble or be the trouble.
AIDAN
Look, Captain, I’ve had a funny feeling about this whole deal since in front of the warehouse. This is all new to me. Good Louie, bad Louie, you know him, so you tell me what we’re doing and I’ll back you up.
REG MACORUM
(REGARDS AIDAN)
You’re not dumb are you?
AIDAN
How am I supposed to answer that?
REG MACORUM
What does is your gut telling you right now?
AIDAN
You know something, don’t you? Are you testing me? Is that it? I’m telling you, I’m not in my element. I don’t think we should barge in front if that’s what you’re aiming at.
REG MACORUM
No, you’re right.
AIDAN
So is there a back way in? I don’t know this building.
REG MACORUM
There is, follow me.
HARDIN’S SAFEHOUSE
(LOSE STREET AMBIENCE. ALL QUIET)
SOUND: DOOR BUSTED OPEN
AIDAN
(QUIETLY)
Aren’t there alarms?
REG MACORUM
(QUIETLY)
This is too low rent a district for that. Though Louie did boast he was in the chips these days, so be careful.
SOUND: GOING UP STEPS
AIDAN
(QUIET)
This whole place is an echo chamber.
REG MACORUM
There’s Louie’s office. Let me go first.
AIDAN
Feel free.
SOUND: CAUTIOUS FOOTSTEPS
SOUND: DOORKNOB TURNING
SOUND: DOOR SWINGS OPEN
SOUND: BLASTER FIRES
SOUND: WALL IMPACT
REG MACORUM
Down!
SOUND: BODY TUMBLING
SOUND: BLASTER FIRES
SOUND: METALLIC IMPACT
SOUND: BLASTER FIRES
SOUND: EXPLOSION/ELECTRICAL CRACKLING
REG MACORUM
Okay, we should be all right. Simple blaster rig for when the door opened.
AIDAN
How did you do that? You moved so fast, I —
REG MACORUM
You get older, you learn when to duck.
AIDAN
But you’ve had a gun the whole time?
REG MACORUM
Come on, Vosky, we covered this. It doesn’t always pay to advertise. I guess Louie isn’t here.
AIDAN
Uh, Captain? Behind the door…
SOUND: DOOR CREAK
REG MACORUM
Well, well. See, Vosky, this is an example of someone not knowing when to duck.
AIDAN
I think I’m going to be sick. Is that—?
REG MACORUM
Burned beyond recognition, but yeah, I’m guessing Louie Hardin ran out of luck.
MUSIC: CLIFFHANGER MUSIC CUE
ANNOUNCERLAND
MUSIC: CLOSING MUSIC BEGINS
ANNOUNCER
You’ve been listening to Rogue Tyger, episode seven, “Flatrock,” part two of five.
(BEAT)
Rogue Tyger is a production of Jabberwocky Audio Theater in association with Arlington Independent Media and was transcribed in Deepest Springfield.
(BEAT)
Tonight’s episode featured the vocal talents of Brooks Tegler, Erin Goldstein, Nick DePinto, Yasmin Tuazon, Phil Amico, and William R. Coughlan.
(BEAT)
Music was composed by John Maestri and arranged by Jason Chmiola, with final sound mixing by William R. Coughlan.
(BEAT)
And the episode was written and directed by Bjorn Munson.
(BEAT)
Visit our website, jabber audio dot com, for full show notes about all our wonderful cast and crew and other exciting details.
(BEAT)
This is William R. Coughlan, reminding you to join us next time for more Rogue Tyger.
MUSIC: CLOSING MUSIC ENDS
CONCLUSION
HOST
Hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Text © Bjorn Munson, under license to Jabberwocky Audio Theater. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.