Desert Skies - Chapter 20 - If I Have to Wait a Million Years

Episode Date: November 11, 2024

Deep beneath the Desert Sphere, Nonny and the Attendants wait patiently for a whisper. Something said in it may hold the secret to Nonny's mysterious past. Will they find the memory they're looking for, or will they come up empty handed? Oh, and Basketball Butt. It's a very serious condition. Not sure why you're laughing. 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

Congratulations. You've reached the Amelia Project and your life awaits. If you're not serious about this, hang up. If you continue, there's no way back. Leave your message after the beep. project and be ready for surprises, twists and turns. Follow the Amelia team as they help clients fake their deaths and come back with new identities. Each episode is different. Each client coming to the death-faking agency has a unique story to tell. In our fifth season, we are going back in time and telling stories of historical figures who sought out the agency's help. If you want to learn the real fates of Elvis, Alfred Hitchcock, Marie Antoinette, Mollet, Moli

year, Shakespeare, Mary Queen of Scots, and more. If death and disappearances, comedy and crime, mystery and magic sound like your cup of Coco, then The Amelia Project is the podcast for you. Season 5, Part 3 is coming very soon and features new clients, new cases, and guest writers such as Gabriel Urbina of Wolf 359, David K. Barnes of wooden overcoats, and Jen and Chris Sugden of Victoriosity. search for the Amelia Project wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for supporting

the Fable and Folly Network. Here's another show we know you'll love. That feeling when you hear someone call your name and you turn, but no one's there and a shiver runs down your spine. When something moves just out of vision and it sets in, do you know that feeling? Good. It means you're paying attention.

Micah Jones set out to record a podcast about her recurring nightmares. All she wanted was to finally get some sleep. Instead, unnerving coincidences began to pile up, and someone from her past resurfaced to recount a story that upended her world. I'm Micah Jones. My friends and I stumbled onto something much darker, something we were never meant to find out. My dreams aren't just dreams.

They're memories. Warnings. I should have paid closer attention. The How It Ends podcast is no longer releasing in real time. We can't. It isn't safe. But if you're just finding us, start at the beginning. Thank you for listening.

Find how it ends wherever you get your podcasts. Hello, friends. Before starting today's episode, I'd like to take a moment to welcome the newest members of Club 86. In this round of shoutouts, we're going to hand out some complimentary hot dogs with the condiments of your choice. You know, I eat hot dogs every single year on my birthday. Weird, huh? This is, of course, completely not real. The birthday thing is, but not the food, but you can always pretend.

Please welcome the following folks to the station. Shawnee, mother to all, here's your bacon-wrapped hot dog with mustard and spicy relish. Yoisabotan, here's your mushroom, garlic, barbecue sauce, and provolone dog. Wild! Love the creativity. South Wing. Barbecue sauce and pickles. Not relish, because you think relish is weird.

Sean Francis, here's yours with relish. Catherine Waihei, with the sour. PowerCrow. Awesome choice. Night, the classic chili with cheese. The one and only apex. This dog comes smothered and pulled pork cheese. Hallipeno on bacon bits. I know Mac would love that one. Vaughn. Classic dog covered in that Chipotle sauce that they have at your favorite gas station. Love it. Erica Nagy, the classic duo of mustard and relish. Jennifer, mustard relish and onions. Gus Flanagan. You do not like hot dogs. So I banished this hot dog to the physical play. That was stupid Leonidas with another cheese and chili. Jameson, chili sharp cheddar cheese with a spicy sour cream. Library Mama, great name. Veggie Dog with the most classic of all, ketchup and mustard. M. Veggie Dog with curry ketchup and onions.

Curry ketchup is the bomb. And a humble anonymous traveler with another chili and cheese. I see you. Corpsewax, Julie, Dallas, Nikki, Nykoopfall, Alexandra, Mafia, KushMafia, Kara, Jennifer Tess, Welker, John, Aaron. and Lucalook, didn't hear from you, so you get my favorite. Yellow mustard, diced dill pickles, diced onions, peppers, and celery salt. Known around these parts as a daddy dog.

If you don't like onions, just pick them off, baby. Join Club 86 and you'll get the next DSFM, Chapter 21, and the season finale, Chapter 22, right now. You'll also get access to all kinds of great perks. From Club 86 only episodes, including the Game Night miniseries, to special Discord privileges. Exclusive merch, early episodes, is there available, and so much more. It's also a great way to support the show. Thank you to all who have joined. For real, you're making Desert Skies possible. To join Club 86, just visit patreon.com forward slash Desert Skies or click the link in the show notes below. Now it's time for Chapter 20, if I have to wait a million years. Enjoy the show.

experience. Headphones are recommended. We've been down here a while, guys. Think maybe we should, I don't know, go grab a snack or something? You can, Mac. I don't mind sticking around a little longer. This is our third time down here. Do you think maybe we're wasting our time? Yeah, but are you sure you even heard what you think you heard? I know that I heard something, and I know if I heard it again, I'd recognize it. Whether or not it was Nani, I can't be 100% certain but I think it's worth trying to find. You want me to grab you guys some pringles or something? Too crunchy. It'll make it harder to hear.

You can just let the pringle dissolve on your tongue. It's a trick, and it's pleasant. Wait, here comes one. And along those same lines, I must also apologize for the way I spoke to your father on our wedding day. Once we were secured in matrimony, I believed it had a fine opportunity to tell him it was time. for him to piss the hell off.

Perhaps I could have chosen my words better. Ooh, I like that one. Me too. I actually enjoy listening to these quite a bit. It's sad, but it's also hopeful. So many of these are apologies. Late apologies, but still, people regret the mistakes they made in life, and that says something about them.

Even if it took dying to come to realize they'd messed up. Yeah, you're right. could be a mistake if I don't grab a snack. I'll flip the sign over and handle a few travelers while I'm up there. Sure you all don't need nothing. Thanks, Mac. We're good. So yourself. So, how does it feel? How does what feel? You're all zen now. It's got to feel pretty strange. I mean, no offense, but you were stressed. Now you just seem totally... At peace. Yeah. I consider myself a pretty Care-free person, but even I still get concerned about things. People.

You care a lot about them. I do. Not so much about yourself. You're a very selfless person. Hmm. Maybe to a fault. What do you mean? You're so caring of others.

Do you feel like you're caring for yourself? Hmm. Well, I think so. You're always the first to ask if somebody needs a hug. You're always willing to listen and so lend a hand. Sometimes I feel like maybe the rest of a person. us aren't very great at reciprocating. That's really sweet of you to notice, but I think I'm okay.

Something inside of me loves to love people. It makes me happy, fills me with joy. That's really special. I hope to grow in that. Just stick with me, kid. I will show you the way. I look forward to gleaning some wisdom from you. Thanks for letting you stay here for making me feel like part of the team.

You're welcome, but I feel like I feel like. Maybe we should be thanking you. Quiet, I think I hear a whisper. If you picked that rock, you were going to break another dome. That's not a whisper. Someone else is down here. I am in total agreemently run. We would certainly become pickles if we spend too long bathing in vinegar.

Who's he talking to? How many of them are there? Ruddledge. When's the last time you brushed your teeth? Uh, excuse me. Hello? Sorry to interrupt. Where did he go?

I can't see. far enough with the candle. Tandy, use the flashlight. Salutation! Oh God! Ah! Well, that hurt? I am so sorry. My first flinch was to punch, but you shouldn't have snuck up on us like that. Oh, sorry, it's been such a long time, since we've seen anyone down here. Here, let me look at your nose. Unnecessary. Thank you kindly. I can have Dr. Lotus look at it later. Dr. Lotus? How many of you are there down here? 11. That includes me, Dr. Lotus, Bill the Dubious. and the eight gentlemen you see behind me.

Um, sir, there's no one behind you. I agree, Rutledge. They are strange. Tandy, what do we do? Uh, what is your name? I am Malloy. How long have you been down here? What do you mean down here? Down here in the cave.

What are you implying? She's asking how long you've been stuck down here, underground. Is that what you say, Virginia? That they've lost their minds, I concur, new friends you have lost your minds. The way you're carrying on, the things you're saying, I hate them. They make my shoulders tight and my left arm tingling. You're not trying to... Orby, you are so right.

How rude of me. I haven't asked your names, you two. I'm Tendi. I'm Nani. Are those your real names? Not really. Well, that's not going to do. Honesty, transparency.

These are the qualities that are the qualities that are All of my companions must have, if they wish to join my clip. Your click? See my friends behind me? No. I call them the Click of Malloy. We're a band of companions, close friends who enjoy each other's company now. Give me your real names in the spirit of honesty and transparency, and we will vote,

and you might be able to join our clip. Well, we don't know our names, and we're not really interested in joining a click, but we could use your help with something. We're looking for a whisper. It says something about waiting a million... You don't want to join my clique. I'm sure it's a wonderful... You don't want to join my clique!

Don't get upset. You want to hug? Not from you! I feel rejected. We're sorry. I hate this feeling. This will be a bad memory. It doesn't have to be. No, it doesn't. Goodbye. Come along, Click. Um, Nani.

follow him. Are you sure he's a little creepy? Yeah, he is, but he's also a traveler. It's our job to help him. Our job? Our job? I mean, I know you're not officially an attendant, but... But I am a part of the team. Of course you are. Sometimes I think maybe you're the leader of the team. No way. I don't want that responsibility. All right, we got a traveler that needs our help. This place is not easy to navigate. I'm not sure where to find him. I think maybe that way. Are you sure I thought he went that direction? Did you hear that? Yeah. It came from that direction from inside there. What's in there? I don't know, but that's where the splashing sound was coming from. Let's check it out. This is kind of fun. This is kind of fun. Look here, a sign. What does it say?

The Pool of Forgetfulness. Enter with caution. Bad memories can be a source of pain, but also a gift. Don't unburden yourself of them lightly. Nani, look. Are those his clothes? Yep. There's a naked man in there? Yep.

God, this is so strange. I love it. Let's go. Another sign. It says instructions. Before you enter the pool, envision the memory you wish to forget. Hold it there. then jump in. Caution, this pool is meant to be used once and once only. Side effects may occur if multiple sessions are attempted. I think maybe we're beginning to understand our new friend. Here he comes. Yes, I see them.

Well, hello there. To whom do I have the pleasure of addressing? Orby, what do you mean I've never seen these two in my life? Hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm-hmm. Agree to disagree? As I was saying, who are you? I am Nani, and this is Pendi. We just met you, literally, just a moment ago.

Can you put some clothes on? Your name sound made up. Are those your real names? What in the hell? Honey. Nani, he jumped into the pool, because he wanted to forget us. Because we hurt his feelings. You hurt my feelings? How?

By not joining your clique. Why didn't you want to join my clique? Because we have things to do and don't have time. have time to join your crew. I see. Oh, hello. Who are you? None.

Let's try a different approach. Follow my lead. Hello there. Pleasure to meet you. My name is Abraham and this is Dorothy. Dorothy. Wonderful. Pleased to meet you.

You, Abraham and Dorothy, those sound like mighty fine real names. My name is Malloy. Hi, Malloy. Hey, can you tell us a little bit about this pool? The pool behind me. Yeah, we'd love to learn more about it. Wouldn't we not? I mean, Dorothy?

Dorothy, where'd you go? Sorry about that. I just had to run a quick errand. Maloy, I believe these are yours. Would you look at that, Thaddeus? This woman brought me my clothes. I hope it's not because you think I have an unattractive body that I need to cover up. What? No, no, no. You have a remarkable frame.

I told you Rutledge. I have a remarkable frame. She brought me my clothes because... Because... Because you looked cold. Because I looked cold, you were asking about my pool. Yeah. How many times have you jumped in? Hmm, I don't know. A lot I think every time something happens that I want to forget, I jump right in. Sometimes I remember things from very long ago. Such as. Not sure. I think I've managed to clear myself most of it. Thank goodness, that bad stuff.

I would rather not. You know what I mean? Oh, absolutely. Better to bury those thoughts than hold on to him. Barry? I had a friend named Barry in the South. second grade. What happened to him? Oh, that's right. He moved away. On my birthday. We had planned on watching the new Abbott and Costello movie, but he was too busy hacking. Excuse me. Oh my god. Oh, hello, Dorothy and Abraham.

You remember us? Of course I remember you. We were just talking. Weren't we? Yes, but... You were just about to put your clothes on and then tell us about the pool. That's right! I can do both at the same time. The pool?

The pool is quite possibly the most amazing thing that you could possibly imagine possibly. Take you, for instance. I'm assuming you have bad memories. Well, only recent ones, but yeah, for instance. No, no, don't say it if you tell me your bad memory, then I'll have a bad memory of your bad memory, and then I'll have to take these clothes right off. Forget I said anything. But don't bad memories play a significant part of making us who we are? Oh, I'm sure they do.

But if they've already made us who we are, there's no reason for us to hold on to him. I guess that kind of makes sense. But, and I know this sounds crazy. Does it cause any side effects? Side effects. You know, sore muscles, dryness of skin, hallucinations? No, I can promise you, silly boy. There's no side effects, right, Mr. Pickle?

You're smart for a pickle, maybe I will take a bath in vinegar. Look, new friends, this is very forward of me, but would you like to join my friends and I? We have a click. It is super special. And you should feel super honored, but I'm inviting you. Oh, we absolutely are. It's so nice to meet you. And my friends. Oh, yeah, and your friends. Mr. Pickle and...

And... And Battyish and Rutledge and Virginius and Orby and Sparklehead and Hot Dog Man and Jimmy Stewart and the Shadow and Basketball Butt. Basketball butt? It's a very serious condition. Not sure why you're making fun. You'll have to forgive Dorothy. She's not making fun of...

Him. She has a condition. I take care of her. What's that? I agree, Thaddeus. I think he's friendly and polite as well. Shall we vote? Sorry, Orby, but you are the only nay. Dorothy Abraham, welcome to my clique. Oh, wow, this is so exciting. What does your click do exactly? Well, we walk around and talk with one another about this and that and how to be a good man.

Can't wait. So, how long have you been down? Nani, not down. How long have you been here? Well, aren't you curious? A very long time ago, we were here when there were still coyotes in the caves. We were here when the painter came and painted our favorite painting. We were here when the woman lived here. She only lived here for about 20 minutes, as I remember.

There was a woman who only lived here for 20 minutes. Mm-hmm, wait, wait. She sounded a lot like you. You sound a lot like her. May I see your face? Um, okay. Tendi, the flashlight, please. Yeah.

Here it is my face. Oh, you are her. Welcome back. I'm sorry. I didn't think I'd ever ask for your name in the 20 minutes that I knew you. Dorothy, lovely. I really should have asked. Oh, um, that's okay.

I lived here. Abraham, isn't that crazy? Do you remember anything else from when I was here for like? 20 minutes? Hmm. Maybe I'm not sure. All I know is that you must have decorated your home very quickly, which is quite impressive. Considering how spectacular it is.

Can you show us this home? I'd be happy to. Forgive me if I don't go inside. That place gives me the hebe-jeebies. Why? You'll see. With Amex Platinum, $400 in annual credits for travel and dining

means you not only satisfy your travel bug, But your taste buds too. That's the powerful backing of Amex. Conditions apply. Well, hey, friends, it's me, your dungeon master, Russ Moore. You don't know me, but I'm going to introduce you to Dungeons and Dragons, where I play D&D with my friends, and they're going to become your friends, because you're going to love us so much.

I mean, maybe you won't love us, but we'll love you. This year, we kicked off a new campaign, which is the perfect place for a new listener like you to start. Let me give you a taste of the show in 42 seconds. Let's go. Let's have a flask. He's got a safe. That's the most disappointed way I've ever heard anyone say the word satchel. How much is a donkey cost?

Russ, how much is a donkey cost? The question everyone wants to know. It's abjuration, you doink. It's concentration. That sounds like exactly the sort of person you should probably tell your friends about. The kind that are there and say like weird, mysterious things and then just disappear. Yeah, that's why I'm telling you. Also, he had three eyes.

Oh! Find out why Dungeons and Dragons has been downloaded more than a million times. Start listening to our second campaign with Season 3 today. Find Dungeons and Dragons on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts. We hope to see you over there. Well, thanks. It was great to meet you, too. You're going to love the astral plane.

Oh, hey, bud. I think I know why you're here. Ah, there's no problem at all. As easy as placing an order. Do you think I would tell someone? What kind of friend do you think I am? I mean, actually, now that I think about it, I am kind of. of a blabbermouth, but for you, bud, I'm absolutely not going to say anything.

Oh, you're so welcome. Besides, there's absolutely no shame in enjoying cat food. Six cans, a fancy feast, as requested. Not sure who they make this stuff for. Maybe the cats that live on the sphere of dead pets who live in tiny trailers on a sphere that's one gigantic trailer park. Alright, I'm just gonna slip this bag over your neck here. That's not too heavy, is it? I'm not implying that. I just asked you. You're the strongest coyote I know. Oh, got to answer that. One sec, bud.

You've reached Ezra Sky's actual plane fuel and service center. Mack, the mechanic speaking, I mean attended. Okay. It's hard to get used to. How can I help you? Oh, hi, Jerry. How's a long pause? If you all ever need a guitar player, I'm getting pretty good.

Could always come by for a quick set. I'd expect some free fish balls of coal. What's that? Not. No, nobody else is here. Just way, way. Yep, I'm listening. What?

She's there? Is she okay? Corson's there, too? Oh, thank the Prime mover. Hold on a second. Way, way, Cash and Corson are on the second sphere. They're okay. Jerry, um, I should come there.

Yeah, I know, but I've been so dang worried about her. I know. I know. Okay, look, thanks for letting me know. I'm just glad to know they're okay. Keep a good eye on them for me, will ya? I know, it makes me nervous too. What if this guy shows up on the forest sphere and Jerry isn't able to stop him?

But he's right, there's not much I could do. I know I'm strong, but he'd never forgive me if I left. You would do that? Thank you so much, Wei Wei. Really eases my soul to know cash will be in such capable and protective paws. Yeah, I love you two, dude. Be safe out there. Call as soon as you can. If I don't answer, just leave a message. All right, not quite cash.

How can I be of service? Do you have the number for the Forest Fair? Long pause. I do. Would you like me to dial it for you? You can do that? I can. Would you like me to dial it for you? Please do. Damn, voicemail. Jerry, Wei Wei is on his way.

Pick up, man. Come on. All right, look, hopefully you get this message. Tell Cash and Corson, do not go anywhere. Wait for Wayway. Apparently this dude is scared of him. Uh, thanks, bye. Damn, I doubt Jerry can even hear the phone in that bar over the music.

That's it. You think they got a radio in there? Worth a shot. All right, T5. Emergency broadcast. I got a message. We need to get sent out real pronto. As you request broadcasting now. Incoming broadcast from the staff of Desert Skies. Desert Skies FM. Greetings, Travelers. This is Mack the attendant speaking. Tendi and Nani aren't here at the moment. They're in the cave. No time to explain. This isn't going to be a normal broadcast.

This message goes out to Cash and Corson. I hope you guys are somewhere near a radio. Listen, I'm so glad to hear that you guys are doing okay. I know you got a lot going on and you've experienced a ton of really crazy stuff recently, but I got some good news for you. Wayway is on his way to help you. That's right. One of the most clever, lovable, powerful sphere movers in all the astroplane is on his way to get to you, to protect you from any and all possible dangers to everyone else who's listening. Don't you pay no attention to this broadcast? Doesn't apply to you. Just hang tight, Cash, okay? Don't you.

worry. Not at all. And Corson, thank you so much. Oh, one second. Forgot to flip the sign. Greetings, traveler. Sorry, didn't hear the car pull up. I'll be with you in just a moment. Anyways, Corson, thanks for being there for cash. We have a bell. Just a moment, pal. I'll be there in a sec. I'm sorry about Zocilic, you guys. Jeremy told us. Hopefully this will all be over soon. Seriously, friend, I know you're probably scared. Give me a moment and I'll tell you why you're here. Oh, I know why I'm here, but to you. This is it. Like I said, I'd go inside with you, but I find this place. It's just a little bit weird. You'll find this weird? Dorothy, no. You'll see. Take a step inside. Come on, let's go.

It's so dark in here. Oh, point your flashlight back where you had it. Do you still have the matches we grabbed at the entrance? Right here. Nani, this place, you were here. How long were you here? Your guess is as good as mine. Look at all this stuff. They're on the wall.

That painting, it's... Beautiful. And terrifying. Are they holding their own heads? The plaque says... Artist Lucius Forsyte, title, Doubleheader, a gift given to me from a kind ghoul who lives in a rundown warehouse on the 13th sphere. Wow. And here, what's in this case? This scale belonged to the Grand Trivia Lizard, leader of the 25th sphere, my prize for winning second place.

Look at all these books. Where did you find these? Tendi, I love your curiosity, and I feel bad saying this, but I don't know. Whoever stayed here is a stranger to me, but as long as we're asking unanswerable questions, if I was this close to the station, why did I never visit? I don't know. Maybe you did, before my time, or, and I think this is most likely, you died before the station was even built. Which was? No clue. A long time ago.

Look here. Count of Monte Cristo, the Foundation trilogy? A Christmas Carol The bookcase is stuffed to the brim Except there There's a book missing Hmm There's a lot more to look at here But so far this only tells us one thing

You spent a lot of time on the astral plane And true to form You were an explorer A collector A brave adventurer I like that Ooh, is that a sword? Oh, watch your step

What did I trip I think I just stumbled into a missing book. What is it? Let's see. Tendi, this one is all torn to hell. Look, it's handwritten. You don't think.

That it's your journal? Why was it on the floor? And why would someone rip it up? Maybe there's something in the pages that are left. Let's see. Entry 72. I arrived on the agricultural sphere a little while ago. Sphere 16.

Just hearing that name. number is bittersweet. The number of every sphere seems to remind me of something that I never got to see. Don't get to be there for. You'd have liked it here, both of you. That pumpkin pie, your favorite. One of just the few things you have in common. Later, I plan to visit the it ends there. The next one. Entry 132. Wow, I could not have imagined that something as simple as a hedge maze could take so long. I've always enjoyed getting lost. Wow. But this is just ridiculous. Whose idea was it to make an entire sphere of this? It reminds me of the time we visited the corn maze. Remember, it was the first time we did something together after. That's all there is

on that page. Nami, are you okay? I know that I can't remember anything about what this person is talking about what I'm talking about here, but I think my soul does. You said that when you heard my whisper, it said I would wait here if I had to wait a million years. I was waiting for someone, for someone's, Tendi, willing to wait forever, but now I'll never find them. I wouldn't even recognize them. Don't give a hope, Nani. Maybe there's still an answer here. One more page. Here, hand it over. I I can read it. Entree 254. How long is eternity? How could I have waited this long, seen so much, read so much, and I still have as much time left before me as I had when I started.

And still I haven't found you. Either of you. Maybe I should have just stayed in the cave. There's someone here named Malloy, and he's obsessed with getting me to join his clique. When I can't take enough, I tell him he's dead. And he goes and he jumps. jumps in the pool and forgets about me for a while. But he always comes back and introduces himself and we start all over again. I love the guy, but I can't stand him. And you know how much it takes to get me there. But even if the cave wasn't the right call,

I still told creatures and persons I met across the spheres to keep an eye out for you. You got at least 33 opportunities. But with any luck, the coyote is going to catch you first. He's adorable He barks and growls And whines at me But I have no idea what he's saying He's a good listener though

I can tell And I'm pretty sure he understands me He'll know you when he sees you guys I'm sure You know what this means don't you Wayway knows who I am Why wouldn't he say anything This wouldn't be the first time

Wei had access to knowledge he chose to keep from us He knew Cash had been living in a cave Nearby the station but didn't show us until we needed to know. You trust him? I do. We can ask him what he knows when we see him, whether or not he tells us. That's up to him.

There's more to read here. I'm headed back out there. I know it's crazy, but maybe I can find a way back to you. Isn't that dumb? But crazier things have happened, right? I thought about walking back the direction I came from when I first got here, but the coyote made it abundantly clear that it would be a mistake. This he accomplished by swiping his paw across his neck, which I believe

was meant to convey that death awaited me if I went back that direction. Like, death, death, double death. He seems trustworthy enough. Anyways, I don't know why I'm even writing this to you. It helps me keep going. It's like you guys are here. Oliver, you're going to have to forgive him. This was my fault, not his. The last thing I ever wanted to do was abandon you. I promised that that would never happen to you again. One day I'll make it up to you.

I love you, my precious boy. I know you're not a boy anymore. You're a man. You reminded me of that often. From the day you stepped into my home, too big for your clothes, covered in bruises. angry

confused you were my boy mine now mine then and forever into my darling that's where it ends Oliver

his name is Oliver don't worry Anani I'll help you find him come on let's go back to the surface and see if we can find Wayway let's do it Find what you're looking for? Kind of, not really. Told you it was spooky in there, that painting.

I thought it was cool. We also found this. Do you know anything about this book? Why it's torn up? I've read every book in that room. Always have had to run in and run out real quick so that painting doesn't get me. Because I love these books. They were all happy and they were all sad and they were all both.

Sorry for borrowing without asking. That's okay. You chose not to erase them from your memory. I thought about just erasing the sad parts, but then I figured the good parts wouldn't be so good no more. Besides, it's not like they're real stories. What does this have to do with this book? That book has lots of happy. A buttload of sad.

I couldn't stop reading it. It's cool, right? It's hand-ridden. Almost reads like some kind of journal. I got a little bit obsessed, and Rutledge said I should probably put it down. So I ripped it up, and I tossed it back in the room. So I couldn't read it anymore. Didn't matter, though.

I read it so many times. I got it memorized. You memorized it? Can you tell us what's in it? Oh, I'd love to. Let's see entry one to, my dear. Oh, what's that? What's what?

Rutledge says I'm not allowed to recite it because I'll start obsessing over it again. Shame. It's a fantastic story. I don't know who comes up with this stuff, but it's written like it's a dead person communicating with the living. Kind of weird that it mentions me. You have to tell us what was in that book. I can. You have to.

You all are making me upset. Why is this so important to you? Because that book isn't fiction. It's real. It's mine. And I have to know what's in it. You mean that book isn't fiction? No, it's not.

And that means, and that means you're dead, which would mean I'm dead. I'm not dead. Am I dead? Oh my God, I'm dead. We got to follow in. Where'd he go? There, he dropped his pants. He's getting ready to swim.

His shirt's over there. We're never going to get to him in time. I don't remember how to get back there. Maybe this way. Um, maybe. Guys. Oh, hey, Mack. You look white as a ghost.

Everything okay? I got some bad news. I wouldn't call it bad. I'd call it grim. Greetings, Traveler. This episode was written, produced, and all characters were performed by me, Jared Carter. The show is executive produced by the Master of marketing and everything else, Michael Freiburg. Desert Skies will return with Chapter 21. Until then, safe travels. The Fable and Falling Network, where fiction producers flourish.

I'm Carlotta Botox, actress, think-tress, and influenceress, and I'm spilling all the tea on Hollywood. Name. Carlotta Botox. B-O-T-O-X. Spell the first name? It's actually Botox. B-E-A-U-T-O-X. Of course it is.

First name? Botox is actually my last name. My first name? Okay, there who's on first. I know what's your last name. Now I want you to spell your first name. Oh, Carlotta. It's C-A-R, as in the automobile.

L-O-T-A. Like, a lot of talent. Wow. Just... Wow. There's also an um-lott. The f***'s an um-lott. It's two dots and it goes over the...

Okay, Carlotta, two dots. Just take a seat over there and we'll call you when we're ready. Meanwhile, we'll bird our loins. Check out the Carlotta Botox Chronicles. Available now on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher.