Desert Skies - Chapter 18 - Spoke to My Damn Soul

Episode Date: September 9, 2024

When last we left Tendy, he wasn't in the best shape. It's not like it's something new, he's been like this for...a while. Now HueHue's getting involved. Why did he call Tendy out to the wash, who's t...he mysterious stranger approaching seemingly out of nowhere, and how does one celebrate four words that hold no meaning to anything other than a soul? Find out in this chapter...of much importance. Buy Tickets to see Desert Skies in Portland and Seattle this April Join Club 86 Visit our Merch Store Join the Discord Visit our Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Starting point is 00:01:19 Hop a gnome, here is your cheese-flavored ritzpits as requested. Satin void, lays-dill pickle chips for you. Emily, here's your OLW Truffle Manning. flavor all the way from Sweden. On Extravellian, here's some of those baked lays you like so much. Anna Pittman, the classic cheddar and sour cream. Yiva, here's your kettle chips with tomato and basil flavor. Sorry, I took a couple already.
Starting point is 00:01:46 They're amazing. Pippin, all the way from your favorite pub, some scampy fries. Reese, some homemade tortilla chips. Slice them and fried them myself. Wren, again, with the delicious lays-dell potato chips. potato chips. Kirsten, James, and Angela, I'm sorry. I wasn't able to get your chips order in time, but that's okay.
Starting point is 00:02:06 You can have some of my favorite, salt and vinegar pringles. And one for me. Join Club 86 and you'll get access to all kinds of great perks, from exclusive episodes including the Game Night miniseries to special Discord privileges, exclusive merch, early episodes as they're available, and so much more. It's also a great way to support the show. to join visit patreon.com forward slash desert skies or click the link in the show notes below thank you to all who have joined now time for chapter 18 spoke to my damn soul enjoy listening for the best listening experience headphones are recommended mac why have you brought me out here isn't it obvious i brought you out here to kill you tindy any ideas on a good place to hide the
Starting point is 00:02:56 body. All right, all right. I didn't bring you out here to murder you for obvious reasons. Which are? Because of our, you know, condition. Are you calling death a condition? I brought you out here because Wei Wei told me to. Way told you to bring me out here. Yep, I know it's weird, but he's a little weird and a little wise. And then he told me to leave you out here, so, adios, amigo. Best of luck.
Starting point is 00:03:23 Wait, wait, wait. Why would Wei, tell you to do that? That doesn't make any sense. Just leave me standing in the wash? I don't know, man. Honestly, he didn't tell me nothing, said something about it being time. I'm guessing he's worried about you and feels like he's got to do something or something. Andy, I'm worried about you. Why?
Starting point is 00:03:43 I don't know. I told Nani that I thought you were just, you know, in one of your moods, and she pointed out that it doesn't seem to be like a momentary disposition. That maybe you're having a real hard time like all of them. the time. Maybe you have been for a while. She told you that. I think she can see things for more than they appear to be. The way she laid eyes on that woman and knew who she was, she's got some keen insight. And I think when she said that you're in, you know, bad shape, I realized that, well, I've known that for a long time. I just don't like to think about it. You can seem so
Starting point is 00:04:23 okay sometimes, but I can hear it. You can hear it? Yeah, even when you're laughing or shooting the shit with a traveler, which, let's face it, is not often, Mr. Sirius, I can hear it. The sadness. I'm sorry, Mack. What in the hell are you apologizing for? I'm the one who didn't say anything when I should have.
Starting point is 00:04:44 I just didn't know what to say. I still don't know what to say. Nani doesn't know what to say. You don't have to say anything. Mack, I'm just glad you guys are here. I can't imagine existence without you. Or Nani. It's weird.
Starting point is 00:05:01 We barely know her. I know. But Cash is gone, and I needed her. I don't think I realized just how much I needed her. The three of us have almost never been apart. And Nani is great, but Cash has left a hole that... You feel abandoned? No.
Starting point is 00:05:20 Yeah? I just don't know why she'd leave without us, without saying anything. I'm sure she had a reason, Tindy, and I'm sure it was a good one. She knows how much we care about her. I think maybe she's trying to protect us from something. Yeah, but that's not fair. We should have had a choice. No, I don't think that's true.
Starting point is 00:05:43 I don't know about you, but she's more than earned my trust. Yeah. Yeah, I guess so. I guess that's true. Oh, hey, Weiwei. Sure thing. Tandy, I'm going to go back to the station. Weiwei's going to take it from here. But if you leave, I have no way of understanding what Weiwei says.
Starting point is 00:06:04 Wei, what do you think? Sorry, Tandy, Wei says I got to go. Be sure and come back to the station as soon as you're done. I want to hear what this is all about. Okay, Mac. Well, Weiwei, I'm here as you requested. Look, I know you saw me crying earlier. I'm guessing this has something to do with that.
Starting point is 00:06:24 You're not gonna say anything. I guess that makes sense. It's not like I'd... Why are you looking down the wash? Wait, wait, what was that? Who is that? Wait, way. Wait, wait, who is that?
Starting point is 00:06:44 You know, So what happened? Did he come back with you? You left him out there? Why did you leave him out there? Is he okay? Whoa. You're really worried about him, huh? You're not? I mean, yeah, I am. I'm worried that cash leaving is going to be the straw that breaks the attendees back. I mean, if it's bad enough for Weiwei to get involved, they spend like zero time alone together. Really? Why? Waye doesn't like him?
Starting point is 00:07:46 It's not that he doesn't like him. It's just, I don't really have a way to talk to each other. Well... Well, what? Wei thinks Tendi is a bit of a downer. A wet blanket. Yeah? Well, downers need friends, too.
Starting point is 00:07:59 Yeah, it's just Wayway's nature. He's extremely playful, always looking for the next rule to break, or the next person to prank, or the next coyote to date. He can be deadly serious, but that's only when he needs to be. The rest of the time, he's a big old party of one. So, the opposite of Tendi. Exactly. And was the way where you left him with just now the deadly serious one?
Starting point is 00:08:20 Or the party one? Hmm. I don't think he was completely either one of those just now. He sounded excited. So you're the only one who can understand him. What does he sound like to you? Well, it's hard to describe. Tendi's asked before, too.
Starting point is 00:08:36 It's like I hear him, but I don't hear him. He can make the tiniest sound, though, and there's enough words in him. to fill the page of a bio. That's some gift you got there. Does it only work with animals? No, it works with people too, kind of. Only sometimes. Like it happens when it needs to happen.
Starting point is 00:08:59 Like they say something, and I can hear the real words they're saying. The words behind the words. It can be really helpful sometimes. It can be really painful, too. You ever heard me say something? I wasn't saying? No, I don't think so. Probably because you're so perfectly good at saying what you're feeling.
Starting point is 00:09:17 Am I? Maybe to a degree, but I don't feel like I'm perfect at it. What do you mean? Well, Mac, how did you feel when you first got here? Like, when I woke up on the astral plane? Yeah, you woke up here like me, no memories apart from, like, the general knowledge of things. No personal memories. That's right.
Starting point is 00:09:36 But did you feel something? Something that carried over with you even after you forgot why? Anger. Really? Really? That's surprising. Yeah, it was like I was missing out on something. Like I'd come so close to getting what I wanted the most, and then at the last moment...
Starting point is 00:09:51 At the last moment, what? I don't know. But I woke up angry, and underneath the angry, I think there was sad, like a whole heap of it. I didn't want to acknowledge it, though, cried and all. Did that feeling ever go away? No, it's still there. It got better, though, like a lot better.
Starting point is 00:10:09 This place changed me a lot, But that feeling, it's always there. Thank the prime mover I got burritos and good friends and stars and stuff to soothe the pain. What about you, Nani? Did you carry anything over with you? Well, when I first got here, I felt like I'd found something, something that mattered more to me than anything else in the world. It felt like joy.
Starting point is 00:10:33 And then almost immediately after that, lost. Like I'd found it and lost it. Kind of. It was a very real feeling. Still is, but it's hard to put into words. What do you think Tendi's carrying right now? You'd know better than anyone. You got here first, right?
Starting point is 00:10:53 What do you remember about when he showed up? Well, Tendi pulled up real fast. I saw his face through the window. When he saw me, I could see he was saying something. Saying what? No idea. He was driving a 61 Buick Skylar. Beautiful car.
Starting point is 00:11:07 We got one out back, the one Driston gave Tendi. Anyways, he gets out of the car and I said something like, Greaton's Traveler and he walks right past me like I'm not even there. He goes inside and I fueled up the car and I'm wondering what's happening inside. And then I started to get a little curious and began going inside. And when I opened the door, the old attendant was gone and Tandy was standing behind the counter. Wow, that's freaky. You want to know what's freaky?
Starting point is 00:11:31 I swear, at the last second before I entered the store, I looked in the glass of the doors I was opening it and I could have swore that Skylark didn't look the way I'd left it. It was just like a half second, though, and then I saw Tendi, and that took all my attention, and when I finally looked back, the car was gone, and I always figured it was just a figment of my imagination, but I always suspected something had changed, and I think I just confirmed my suspicion. What'd you figure out? That 61 Skylark turned into an 86th Skylark the moment Tendi became the attendant. Every new car that came into the station after that has been an 86. Whoa, that's cool.
Starting point is 00:12:09 What happened to your car after you got here? Wait, took it and learned how to drive in it, and learned how to crash in it. The coyote drove your car? Nani, this story is not about my car. Sorry, so how did you confirm your suspicion? It's crazy, but I think the car you're driving once belonged to the old attendant.
Starting point is 00:12:25 I found a map in there that had his handwriting on it. He had to have used it. Do you want to see it? I'm very interested, but I want to get back to Tendi. Oh, oh yeah. Well, Tendi, you know, the funny thing is I never got to ask him what he said when he was still in in the car. He'd lost that memory along with the rest of him. I've started to bring it up a few times
Starting point is 00:12:44 and, well, what's the point? He's not going to know, and it'd probably just make him upset. For all we know, the answer to who Tendi is could have been in those words. It's okay, because since then, I've learned how to read lips. Really? See, you just said really. Yeah, I said that out loud. I know, but I wasn't listening. I was reading your lips. How did Tendie seem when he woke up? Confused. Like, angry it confused. And I'm not. I got the feeling he was ashamed of something, scared about what in the world he was supposed to be doing, why he was chosen to be an attendant, and what that even meant, and he stayed that way until...
Starting point is 00:13:21 Until what? Until Cash said that everything was going to be all right. Said she'd help him settle in, and she'd be there every step along the way. That seemed to quiet his soul a little bit. She really comforted him. She's done it a lot since he got here, not just for him, for me too. It makes me happy that she was able to help him. I like Robo Girl.
Starting point is 00:13:43 It's so confusing waking up behind that counter. Yeah, it is, isn't it? It's like, wait, what do you mean behind that counter? Yeah, it's disorienting. But your first memory was driving to the station right after you got to the astral plane. Oh, no, that's not what happened. I woke up right there, standing behind the counter. A hell.
Starting point is 00:14:04 And then what? And then Cash said, I'm sorry. And I said, for what? And she got nervous, and then she started rambling about the way you guys do inventory and how she can control the neon signs outside, and then about how ice machines work. And then you and Tendi showed up, and you gave me that awesome introduction. Your car. What about my car?
Starting point is 00:14:27 It was facing the wrong way. I didn't think of it. Figured you just turned into the station after you passed the pumps, pulled a Ui like some travelers do. But that's not what happened, is it? I don't know. What are you talking about? Nani, I don't think you were coming from the physical plane when you got here. I think you were coming from the astral plane.
Starting point is 00:14:48 And now that I think about it, I think we need to look at the map. Wait, wait, what was that? Who is that, Wei Wei? Way, who is that? Well, well, well. Way, Coyotal. It's so good to see you. you. Put her there. Thank you so much for bringing him here. You doing okay? Good. Do you mind if me and him
Starting point is 00:15:18 talk alone? Thank you, my friend. And you. Wow. Wow. I remember having a hard time, but I don't remember feeling as distressed as you look right now. What's going on? Who are you? Well, I'm you. You're me. Yeah. from a different time, a way different time, in more ways than one. No, this isn't happening. Wait, wait, where'd you go? What kind of trick is this? This isn't funny. He really cares about you, you know?
Starting point is 00:15:54 Like a lot. You're going to find this hard to believe, but I am you from what the future? Yeah, yeah, from down the road a little. How far down? It's hard to say. I'm estranged here. You should try stepping out of it sometime. Things become a lot more clear.
Starting point is 00:16:15 Outside of time, that's a discussion for another time. Why are you here? Why am I here? I'm here to give you a gift. Your gift. My gift direct to you straight from the superiors. The superiors? Who are they?
Starting point is 00:16:34 All in good time. You've been suffering a terrible pain. for so long. One that carried over with you from the physical plane. One you carry right in this very moment. Yes, I'm here to take it away. And to give you your gift, take it away. That's right. It served its purpose. Pain is strange in the way it can do that. But now it's time for something new. What do you mean it served its purpose? You're saying I didn't have to be pain all this time. In total and complete anguish, it could have been taken away? Why should I trust you? You don't have to. I'm still going to give you your gift whether you trust me or not,
Starting point is 00:17:22 as long as you listen. You're not me. I am more you than you could ever imagine. I'm who you're becoming. Your pain serves a purpose. There's not a drop that's going to be wasted. That makes no sense. that makes sense. If we can't see the purpose and the pain, then all that's left is terrible chaos, existential dread, the unending asking of why. But why? What is pain ever done for me? Pain can serve all kinds of purposes. In your case, it's helped you to grow in a way that you needed to. And what way is that? Empathy. You are uniquely equipped to love people. to feel with them the deep things that they feel, because you've felt them too.
Starting point is 00:18:14 You've been on the receiving end of all types of it. I'm not saying those things are good in and of themselves, but they happen, and it's what makes you good at your job. It's also the thing that's destroying the inside. Nani says, Nani is this woman. I know who Nani is, remember? Nani says, she says you have a savior. your complex. I remember. That one really stung. She's good at saying things that sting. The best
Starting point is 00:18:47 ones are when they do it in love. She's right, isn't she? I'm broken. I feel like I have to fix everyone. Like I have to control everything. Like I have to make them stop feeling bad. Why? Do you know why? Can you tell me? I do know why. But I can't tell you why. Not yet. But there is something I can do for you. Take away my pain? Really? You mean that? Yes, but not in the way you might expect.
Starting point is 00:19:17 Like I said before, I have a gift for you. I thought the gift was taking away the pain. That's not what the gift is. It's part of what the gift can do. How do you know? Because I'm you. And therefore, I have this gift. What is it?
Starting point is 00:19:35 I like to call it the right word at the right time. That's a gift I do not have. There's that negative self-talk, the heaping of shame on yourself that has defined our existence. The repeated stabbing of our own heart. It's exhausting, but you have said the right word at exactly the right time to exactly the right people many times. You've helped a lot of people far more than you've hurt.
Starting point is 00:20:01 But the problem is that you've been giving a gift that you're yet to receive. Are you ready to receive it? Yes. And no. I can't imagine not feeling like this. I'm scared of it. Does that make sense?
Starting point is 00:20:18 It's funny, isn't it? The way we adopt our pain, it becomes a part of us. Just another thing we can't let go of. That's a normal way to feel, though, nothing to be ashamed of. He felt the same way when he received his gift. Who? Mack. He got his gift a while ago. ago, almost in the very beginning.
Starting point is 00:20:41 What was the gift? You know what it was. What it is? Mac can understand animals. Yes, but it's more than that. Mac can hear the soul speaking. Hear souls speaking? Even human souls?
Starting point is 00:21:00 Sometimes, yes. But they're often drowned out by words, so Mac can hear the voice of the soul. That explains so much. And you can speak to it. What do you mean? It's hard to describe. It happens when it needs to happen.
Starting point is 00:21:17 It's not a parlor trick that you can just do on a whim. It's always exactly the right time. How will I know? You'll just know. And it's what? A word of comfort? Often it is. Sometimes it's not.
Starting point is 00:21:33 I rarely understand it. Though this time I do, this time I have a word for you. It's going to change everything. Will you receive it? It's now or never. It's going to change everything. Yes, and if you want the gift, you have to receive this word. You can't give what you haven't received.
Starting point is 00:22:00 Mack never mentioned receiving a gift. Am I going to remember any of this? I don't think so. How do you know? Because I don't remember it. Will you receive it? Okay, good. You carry the weight of every possible outcome for every possible person that you encounter.
Starting point is 00:22:28 Yes, and you hate yourself. For everyone you fail to save on this side of. existence you hate yourself and you hate yourself because of the people that you hurt when you were still alive i didn't mean to you didn't but you still carry that burden the fear that you will never make it right yes listen to me there's nothing that's been lost that won't be restored nothing that's broken will remain unmended in the end The end? Is it a good ending?
Starting point is 00:23:09 A marvelous one. You're going to make mistakes. It's inevitable. You're not going to be able to save everyone. It's impossible. You're still going to say the wrong things, and you're still going to hurt people you didn't mean to hurt. But Oliver, yeah, listen closely.
Starting point is 00:23:32 This is the most important part. I'm listening. It's all going to be all right. And there's not a damn thing you can do to stop it. Okay. Maybe it's Mabelaine is such an iconic piece of music. Hit the track. Everyone in the studio that I worked on this jingle with
Starting point is 00:24:08 all had childhood stories or memories. Yeah, work. Around either watching these commercials on TV or sitting with our moms while they were doing their makeup and it became really personal for us. Maybe it's Maple Lane. Maybe it's Maple Lane. Hey back.
Starting point is 00:24:37 Hi, Nani. Tandy, I'm so glad you're back. I've been so worried about you and we didn't know how long you'd be and I didn't want to stress you out. But I think maybe Nani was on the astral plane for a while before she lost her memories because her car was facing the wrong direction and she woke up behind the counter and I don't even think that was her car. I think it was your car. The one the attendant took when you got here, he must have gave it to her or something because I found a map inside and it's his handwriting and apparently she dots her eyes with hearts.
Starting point is 00:25:01 and I think maybe Cash knew all this, and I know that that's not what you need right now. You don't need to hear that kind of thing, because you've got so much on your plate, but I feel like I'm about to explode. Hmm. Mack, look what I found on the way back from the wash. What? What'd you find?
Starting point is 00:25:19 A clue? Clue to what? Nani, come here. You look, too. What is it? Check this out. Tindy, are you okay? I'm fine. Why? Because that's just a cicada shell.
Starting point is 00:25:31 What do you mean just a cicada shell? I've never seen one before. You had to have. They're everywhere right now. It's just like us. When we die, I mean, we're just shedding our first skin. Tendi, are you high? No, Mac. I'm not. What happened out there?
Starting point is 00:25:51 I don't know. You took me to the wash. Wei showed up. You left me there. Then Wei Wei disappeared. Then I found the cicada shell, and I looked at the stars for a while, and I think I'm going to go outside and do that again. Tendi, you've seen the stars a million times.
Starting point is 00:26:13 No, Mac. I don't think I have. If you guys don't need anything from me, I'm going to head back out there. Do you need anything from me? Uh, an explanation. Tendi, if you're really doing okay, can we talk about what Mac very rapidly brought up when you came inside, I can probably explain it a little better. I think I understood Mac.
Starting point is 00:26:37 Your memories were erased here in the station. Cash knew, probably the one who did it, I'm guessing. Sounds like you had a car, but it's actually the car that was here for me, that the old attendant took. You must have found the car or he gave it to you or something. Does that sum it up? Yes. Hmm. It doesn't make any sense to me.
Starting point is 00:27:02 Maybe we should sit on it for a while. Maybe we should not. It's kind of a big deal, don't you think? It feels like a big deal. I can understand that. But the two of you are here with me. I don't care where you came from, Nani. I'm just so glad you're here.
Starting point is 00:27:18 In Cash is really, really smart and really, really capable. And I mean, we have Zochilikyu and Corsin out there probably looking for the prime mover, Maybe talking to him right now. Or maybe not. Maybe everything's gone totally wrong. Either way, I'm sure it's going to be okay. Okay? There's just no telling.
Starting point is 00:27:42 All I know is this. There's nothing we can do about it right now. So, let's enjoy this time we have together. And do the best job we can. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to reach over you and grab some of these sunflower seeds. Bud, you're not being yourself. I'll be back in a little bit, guys.
Starting point is 00:28:02 Whistle if you need me. Uh, Tendie seems to be doing okay. But this is not who Tendi is. You sure? Maybe it is. Is he not stressed enough for you? That's dismissive. I'm sorry.
Starting point is 00:28:18 I'm not trying to be. Obviously something happened to him out there, and you said that you trust your coyote friend, right? Trust Wei, of course I do most of the time, but I need an answer for this, for that. Is he under a spell or something I gotta know, Nani? And what if you can't get the answer that you're looking for? What if something happened in that desert that can't be explained, Mack?
Starting point is 00:28:40 Are you going to be able to accept your friend for who he is if he's not an anxious mess? That's a great question. You're right, I just don't know what to think. Maybe just give it some time. This might be temporary. Maybe that's what I'm afraid of. It got your hopes up. And now that you have your friend in a good place, you're already worried that it's not gonna last.
Starting point is 00:29:01 Yeah, maybe. Aren't you worried that's gonna happen? No, not really. But I'm a bit of an optimist. Maybe to a fault. I'm gonna go talk to him. You do that. I'll stay here while you chat with your friend. Hey, bud. Stand that way too long and your neck's gonna start hurting. Yeah. You're probably right, Mac. I've tried looking at the stars before, off and on. I know, but... I always thought it might help me feel better.
Starting point is 00:29:32 But looking at the stars just prompted more questions about the astral plane, the nature of death and life, about our past, about all kinds of things. I could never just look at the stars. I know. We've talked about it. But now I can, Mac. I can see the stars and the moon and the cicada shells.
Starting point is 00:29:56 I'm glad to hear it, bud, but why? What happened? I don't know. Mack, like I said, you took me there, left me, and then I came back to the station. That's it. Okay. Only... Only what?
Starting point is 00:30:10 Something didn't come back with me. A feeling. A feeling that if I messed up, everything was going to fall apart. For so long, I've been giving people something that I didn't. have peace and comfort. But when I was walking back, that feeling was gone. And that feeling had been the biggest feeling for so long that when it was suddenly gone, I felt like I had the freedom to look at a mesquite tree, and to examine a cicada shell, and to kneel down and give a barked scorpion a little scratch, and to look at the stars. Maybe we should go ask, wait, wait, what
Starting point is 00:30:52 happen if you feel like you need to don't do it on my account I don't need to know I'm just glad it happened Mac what's your favorite star um that one oh what do you like about it I like how it's big but there ain't no other big stars near it just little one so that star is kind of like the big strong one looking out for the tiny ones does your star have a name yep I call him King Bill Nice. Do you have a favorite? Not yet, but I'm gonna keep looking.
Starting point is 00:31:27 Alright, I'll let you get to it. Later, bud. Mack, wait. What? I have something I feel like I need to say to you. What do you mean? What you got to say? It's weird.
Starting point is 00:31:39 It just popped into my head, and I knew I needed to say it to you, but I don't understand what it means. You're really starting to freak me out, man. You're starting to culture something, because Nani might like that, but I don't think that kind of thing is for me. Mack, do you want to hear it or not? Um, sure, I guess. Okay. What is it? What do you have to say? Our answer is yes.
Starting point is 00:32:04 Really? Really? What does that mean? I don't know. I feel compelled to ask when. In its own time, Mac. In its own time. Whoa, that's quite the grin. I don't think I've ever felt this happy before. I don't think I've ever felt this happy. This is the freakiest damn thing that has ever happened to me. I feel like dancing and punching the air and popping balloons and hawking a horn
Starting point is 00:32:30 and why do I feel like this, Tendi? I don't know. It's like you spoke to my damn soul. Who damn? Let's go celebrate. What are we celebrating? The greatest day of my death. You're going to drink some shack juice.
Starting point is 00:32:43 If you mix it with something and it's like two drops. Three, three drops for Tendi. Race you inside. I'll be right there. Oh, hey there. I don't know what it is you did, Weiwei. But thank you. I know that I can't just stand out here and look at the stars forever.
Starting point is 00:33:02 I know there's work to do. That there's challenges coming. I can feel him. They're just on the horizon. But for now, all I can do is just stand here and soak up some of the things. I've been missing for so long. This is a beautiful, sad place. sad place way away yeah beautiful and sad come on friend we're celebrating
Starting point is 00:33:31 something and you have to join us I don't know what that means but if it was no just know that I'm not taking no for an answer come on let's do this Kay before store Jeremy's the coolest dog of all. And if they cannot see it, they're not looking hard at, um, all. Oh. S, Doug. What? Doug.
Starting point is 00:34:08 Shh. Be quiet. It's me. Cash? What are you doing here? I didn't hear a plane land. I didn't come with the plane, Doug. Cash, if you don't mind, my name is Jeremy now.
Starting point is 00:34:21 That's going to take some getting used to, but I'll do my best. Jeremy is so glad you're here, Cash, but seeing as you are, hiding behind a dumpster, I can't help but be a little worried. That's kind of you, Jeremy. I'm not saying you should be worried, but I am in a dangerous situation. I'm looking for someone. His name is Olenis. He's from the 32nd sphere.
Starting point is 00:34:43 The industrial sphere. That's right. I need to find him, and I think he might be here. But I'm going to need your help getting to him, Jeremy. What is it that's so dangerous about this person, Cash? How can Jeremy help? I just need to talk to him without him knowing where I am. I'll need some audio equipment.
Starting point is 00:35:01 A microphone, a speaker, maybe. Cash, you got me worried. You can't even be in the same room as this person? Is he going to hurt a Doug? Are we all in danger here? We should get sphere mover Doug. No, no, don't get him. I just need to talk to Olinas from afar,
Starting point is 00:35:20 and I need to be able to hear him too. Can you help me make that happen? I have no idea where to start. It sounds like you need a set of walkie-talkies, one for you, one for him. No, we can't have anyone getting near him. We have to find a way to do it without initiating contact. Where even is he?
Starting point is 00:35:40 If he's here, he's in the theater. Hmm, for this, we're gonna need A brilliant mind. Okay. An electronics expert. Yes. Who's also an audio expert with experience with microphones and speakers and possibly a soundboard. Maybe not that complicated.
Starting point is 00:36:00 Someone who can recommend a high-quality VCR and who has knowledge of emerging cellular phone technology with the best rights and coverage. Probably not. But maybe so, cash, maybe so. We need radio. Where can we find him? Radio Shack. Greetings Traveler. Greetings Traveler.
Starting point is 00:36:41 This episode was written, produced, and performed by me, Jared Carter. The show is executive produced by the miraculous Michael Freiburg. Desert Skies will return with Chapter 19. Thank you for listening, and as always, safe travels. Where Fiction Producers Flourish Are you there? I think I'm getting something. Why are you recording? For science.
Starting point is 00:37:29 Did you hear that? We're a little off schedule. Maybe it's the aliens. I'm studying electromagnetic phenomena and anomalies. I don't think losing people is scary. I just don't want to do it anymore. Just together with me. Radio check.
Starting point is 00:37:45 I didn't do it. You never do anything. We should still be secure. Are you safe? The walkies again. Who are you? Comfort. I am not doing it on purpose.
Starting point is 00:37:55 You can't bullshit. I am not doing it on purpose. Stop! Stop! Oh God! I don't like this. I don't like this. What the hell was that?
Starting point is 00:38:07 I'm not supposed to know that. We're supposed to be innocent. I feel an ending coming. Oracle, a sci-fi anthology podcast set in the not-so-distant future. Season 2, Transmission, available in bi-monthly episode releases starting July 1st, 2023. Or listen now to Season 1, Iris, wherever you get your podcasts.

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