Episode Transcript
Rogue Tyger
“Flatrock,” Part 4
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
A simple delivery on an artificial moon has turned deadly. Will the crew find the mysterious Icarus Crane before he’s silenced?
(BEAT)
Jabberwocky Audio Theater presents Rogue Tyger. Tonight’s episode: “Flatrock,” part four.
MUSIC: THEME MUSIC ENDS
RIBBON-WALK – NIGHT
(RIBBON AMBIENT)
REG MACORUM
All right Aidan, let’s get off here.
AIDAN
Oh wow. And I thought Flatrock was impressive as is, I had no idea they had a whole parkland in it.
REG MACORUM
240 hectares of it.
AIDAN
So that’s why they call it the Two-Forty.
REG MACORUM
I believe the official name is the Flatrock Municipal Nature Preserve.
AIDAN
So we’re just going to walk in here? How are we expected to find this Crane guy?
REG MACORUM
You saw the holovid Vic showed us of him.
AIDAN
You know what I mean. How do we find him in that?
REG MACORUM
If Crane was the bosom partner of Hardin that Vic said he was, then Crane knew the places where I helped hide Hardin in times like these.
AIDAN
You know where he is in all of that?
REG MACORUM
You could say I have a top five list. Let’s go.
PARK ENTRANCE – NIGHT
(FOREST AMBIENT HEARD IN THE BACKGROUND)
AIDAN
Uh, captain, should we be concerned about the guard?
REG MACORUM
No. He’s just a park ranger. Should be fine. This is Flatrock. Follow my lead.
PARK RANGER
Good evening gentlemen. The park usually closes at sunset.
REG MACORUM
Usually yes, but my friend had heard so much about the starscape out here away from the city lights.
SOUND: COINS ON COUNTER
PARK RANGER
You’ve been here before then, sir?
REG MACORUM
No one you’d remember.
PARK RANGER
Oh, I have a good memory sir.
SOUND: COIN ON COUNTER
PARK RANGER
Of course, we have so many visitors.
REG MACORUM
Indeed.
PARK RANGER
Now I don’t need to remind you gents that this is a protected nature preserve. No vehicles, no weapons. I don’t have to search you, do I?
SOUND: COIN ON COUNTER
REG MACORUM
Of course not.
PARK RANGER
And I feel almost embarrassed for mentioning it to someone who clearly has enjoyed the park in years past, but maintenance costs being what they are…
SOUND: COIN ON COUNTER
PARK RANGER
Enjoy the park, gentlemen.
REG MACORUM
You can count on it.
PARK – NIGHT
(FOREST AMBIENT INCREASES)
AIDAN
I’ll have to remember Flatrock’s cost-of-living.
REG MACORUM
Hmph. I guess city employees didn’t get a raise this year. Come on, let’s take the north trail.
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC FADES IN
TYGER BRIDGE – NIGHT
(BRIDGE AMBIENT)
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC FADES OUT
ENLING
And I’m telling you, I still don’t like it.
GRAINNE
You sure it isn’t just wanting to stretch your space legs?
ENLING
I don’t know how you can stand just sitting here.
GRAINNE
There were many repairs to make. I trust the captain to take care of things.
ENLING
Yes, and you think that means Aidan is safe.
GRAINNE
I agree with Tormar. The captain’s not the man he was.
ENLING
Well, Tormar would know better than most I suppose, but —
GRAINNE
But you’re afraid he’s still a bit too ruthless.
ENLING
Or reckless Grainne, you think about that? If that is Zenocrate out there, he might have bitten off more than he can handle — and for what? Vague vengeance.
GRAINNE
All things will balance, Enling.
ENLING
Yeah, well right now I’m feeling out of balance… just sitting around… I’m going to call them.
GRAINNE
You know what he’ll say.
SOUND: COMM BEEP
ENLING
Captain? Aidan? You’re beginning to make us nervous.
REG MACORUM
(RADIO FILTER)
And by us, you mean you, Enling?
ENLING
Somebody’s got to keep you on track.
GRAINNE
Have you made progress, captain?
REG MACORUM
(RADIO FILTER)
We’re following up a lead now.
ENLING
Give me one good reason I shouldn’t come out there.
REG MACORUM
(RADIO FILTER)
We’re in the Two-forty. No vehicles allowed, remember?
ENLING
And no weapons as I recall. You’re not packing?
REG MACORUM
(RADIO FILTER)
You think you could get the skimmer into here undetected?
ENLING
Does the Tyger turn on a monit?
REG MACORUM
(RADIO FILTER)
I’d prefer your confidence be in medicine, Doctor.
ENLING
Am I not right?
REG MACORUM
(RADIO FILTER)
We’re trying to keep a low profile.
ENLING
You just don’t want to share in the fun, do you?
REG MACORUM
(RADIO FILTER)
Looks like we might have company. I’m going to have to call you back.
SOUND: COMM BEEP
ENLING
That’s the second time he’s done that.
(BEAT)
There isn’t any wiring left to do, is there?
GRAINNE
No. All the missile damage has been repaired. Why?
ENLING
Just wanted to see if I could torment Tormar on the way out.
SOUND: AIRLOCK OPENS
SOUND: AIRLOCK CLOSES
GRAINNE
(SIGHS)
The captain isn’t the only one who’s reckless.
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC FADES IN
PARK – NIGHT
(FOREST AMBIENT AS BEFORE)
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC FADES OUT
REG MACORUM
(WHISPER)
Stay down.
AIDAN
(WHISPER)
I can’t get any flatter.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS APPOACH
THUG ONE
Ya ampun, how long do we gotta do this?
THUG TWO
Boss said no loose ends, so no loose ends.
THUG ONE
Yeah, well she could have given us a thermal imager. These goggles only do so much, you know?
THUG TWO
You look right pretty in them.
THUG ONE
You look like a robot.
THUG TWO
Yeah? Well this robot wants his bonus, so come on.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS FADE OFF
REG MACORUM
(QUIET)
We should be good, but just sit tight a moment.
AIDAN
(QUIET)
Okay, so while we’re here, I have two questions.
REG MACORUM
Go ahead.
AIDAN
Did you grab that blaster from Hardin’s safehouse?
REG MACORUM
Maybe. Why?
AIDAN
Because we’re in deep and I don’t think this flashy suit is going to stop those two… whoever they were.
REG MACORUM
Reasonable. Two?
AIDAN
Who’s Zenocrate?
REG MACORUM
Or what?
AIDAN
Who, what, and why. How and where if it applies too.
REG MACORUM
You think it’s important?
AIDAN
I think there’s some things I can learn, but some things you’re going to have to tell me.
REG MACORUM
The Zenocrate Cartel is my former employer.
AIDAN
More than just a shipping company, I take it.
REG MACORUM
They handle anything and everything, with most things not above the table. Zenocrate likes new markets and I was good at delivering them.
AIDAN
So what happened?
REG MACORUM
Perhaps we can discuss that over some of Enling’s supplies.
AIDAN
How long of a story are we talking here?
REG MACORUM
At least two bottles’ worth.
AIDAN
Well, it looks like it’s about that sized headache already. What can you tell me?
REG MACORUM
The important thing now is that they lost the Flatrock market a little over a year ago.
AIDAN
And they want back in.
REG MACORUM
Zenocrate plays to win. It’s not just those two jokers with the night vision goggles and blast rifles. They’re likely the people who killed Hardin and rigged the trap in the warehouse.
(BEAT)
That reminds me. Hand me your comm.
AIDAN
Oh yeah, I meant to tell you, it didn’t work in the warehouse.
REG MACORUM
I thought so. Here.
SOUND: COMM BEEP
REG MACORUM
In case we get separated.
AIDAN
So do we follow the goons discretely or what?
REG MACORUM
Not yet, they walked right past hiding place number three. Down here.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS ON ROUGH GROUND
REG MACORUM
Careful.
AIDAN
(QUIET)
You’d never know this was here.
REG MACORUM
(QUIET)
Exactly. Look, there, that’s the remains of a ration pack. Whoever was here might still be around.
AIDAN
(QUIET)
Is there another way out of this clearing?
REG MACORUM
(QUIET)
Near that rocky outcropping. Here, take this blaster and cover this path, I’ll ease around the treeline and scout about.
AIDAN
(QUIET)
Okay
REG MACORUM
(QUIET)
Don’t fire unless you have to.
AIDAN
(QUIET)
I know, the two jokers.
SOUND: BRUSH BEING MOVED
(A FEW SECONDS OF AMBIENCE)
AIDAN
(WHISPER – TO HIMSELF)
Okay… where are you?
HARDIN
No noise, no sudden movements. Keep the gun where I can see it and raise your hands slowly.
AIDAN
(GASPS)
But you’re Louie Hardin. You’re dead.
HARDIN
Apparently you know me well. I thought I was looking at my double until I realized… I’m not blond. So why don’t you tell me who you are before you die?
MUSIC: CLIFFHANGER MUSIC CUE
ANNOUNCERLAND
MUSIC: CLOSING MUSIC BEGINS
ANNOUNCER
You’ve been listening to Rogue Tyger, episode nine, “Flatrock,” part four 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, Nick DePinto, Francis Abbey, Yasmin Tuazon, Erin Goldstein, Bjorn Munson, and Neil Conway.
(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 fabulous cast and crew and other intriguing details, like character biographies.
(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.