Desert Skies - Chapter 27 - The Inter State (Part 2)

Episode Date: December 15, 2025

When we last left Tendy, he'd found himself in a precarious situation in the Inter State version of the station. Who's holding him captive and who in the darn damn hell is Mother? Links ⁠⁠⁠Joi...n Club 86⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our Merch Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ Socials: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠, and the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Discord⁠⁠⁠ Credits Desert Skies is made by Jared Carter. He does voices, and writes, and edits the sounds and stuff. The show is Executive Produced by Michael Freiberg. He's the one who makes sure people hear it. Music Featured This Episode: Dashboard Light - One Two Feet (Announcements) Exit - Martin Gauffin Epic Mirage - Hanna Lindgren A Higher Calling - Mandala Dreams On the Knife - Future Joust Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Starting point is 00:00:00 Edgar said to the interviewer he was convinced that the thing out there wasn't a vault at all. Yeah, I know what he thought. Dr. Eggers didn't think it was designed to keep things out. I know what he thought. He thought it was designed to keep something in. Do you even understand the difficulty trying to keep a base like Fathom at the bottom of the ocean from killing everyone in it on a daily basis? Oh my God. Everyone hold on to something.
Starting point is 00:00:25 I think whatever is on the other side of that door out there, door out there it's not friendly i think it's trying to get out that my friend is a dire combination that's a bad sign get out of the door it's spreading like some kind of technological contagion we can either stop it here or watch the world burn fathom the first season of derelict listen wherever you get your podcasts or learn more at derelictpodcast.com Hi friends, Jared here. Thanks for your patience while waiting for this newest chapter. Before we begin, I just want to take a moment to give a shout out to the newest members of Club 86.
Starting point is 00:01:13 They are Victoria Murray, Ignis the Pup, Kenny Baby 84, Shayla Villegis, Tamara Taylor, Tamara Taylor, Sarah Tarbox, Bella Harris, Cassidy Lilly, Caden Suda, Big Big Sky Concept, Tara Boone, Nastasia Gress, Harlan Bearman, Keith Dorfield, Angelina Nakarado, Connie L, Katie Burke, Nicole Chan, Dylan Rose, Michelle Ramos, Cindy Lou, Jennifer Pryor, Seth, Keshe the Goblin, Fira Alt, Gray Silver, Camillo Orozco, Cecil, Becca Bullock, Coy Carroll, Tyler Morgan, Courtney Ellis, Miss D. Love, novelty, Nick, Lori Closson, Pete, Speedy, Ty 11. Y'all are amazing and I so greatly appreciate your support. Club 86 is not only a great way to support the show, but depending on the tier, you can get anything from stickers, t-shirts, mugs, sweaters, exclusive mini-seasons, commentaries, early releases as available, and add-free episodes. And it's the holidays. So if you know someone who loves desert skies, a great way to show some love is by gifting a subscription. It's nice. There's no rapping involved.
Starting point is 00:02:29 I am terrible at wrapping gifts. So, whether for yourself or someone you love, visit patreon.com forward slash desert skies, or click the link in the show notes to join. On to the show. For the best listening experience, headphones are recommended. Now, where did we keep the whoppers?
Starting point is 00:02:52 Wait, cash? Darn. I thought that would work. Oh. Hi. Hello. Where did you come from? We were already here.
Starting point is 00:03:07 Where did you come from? I think I better get back to my friend. Stay. But I can't. I... You can go back to your friend when she's done with him. Who? Mother.
Starting point is 00:03:26 Hi there, Mack. What in the hell? What are you doing here? I just want to talk. I thought I made it clear that I'm not interested in whatever it is, you have to say. I think you misread my intentions, Mac. I think you made your intentions more than clear. You want to tear me and my friends apart?
Starting point is 00:03:44 Convince me they don't love me? I don't know what kind of sick person does that, but... I'm not a sick person, Mac? And you lied to me, didn't you? About what? About being the attendant of the rest area. Oh, that. Yes, that was a lie.
Starting point is 00:04:01 Where's Tandy? He should have been back by now. He's fine, Mac. He's with a friend. Listen, big guy. I don't want any trouble. No trouble. You stay. I can't. I told my friend I was going to bring him some Woppers. Woppers? Yeah, these... here. See?
Starting point is 00:04:23 Woppers. What are Woppers? They're a Kendi. Would you share with me? Um, yeah, uh, hold out your hand. Go ahead and try them. Good. Good.
Starting point is 00:04:38 Very good. More? If I give you more, will you let me go? Mother says, keep you inside. Why? So she can talk with the bad man. Bad man? You mean Mac?
Starting point is 00:04:56 Mac's not a bad man. Mother says. Because the man is damn bad, like us. You don't seem bad. I am bad. What makes you bad? I swear. You swear.
Starting point is 00:05:11 Yes, I damn do. Damn do? Abso shitly lootly. Wow. You are bad, but just bad at swearing. Yes, I am bad at everything. There's a lot to unpack. here. Let's start with what's your name?
Starting point is 00:05:32 I am Apple. Hi, Apple. My name is Tendi. Here, have some more Woppers. Mind if I ask you some questions? Like hell I do. I'm sorry. Is that a yes or a no?
Starting point is 00:05:50 Yes, hell the yes. Hey, sock it to me. There's more of you. This is little boy. Little boy, little boy, this is Tendi. All right, guys, let's talk. Would you just give me a moment to explain? You don't need to explain.
Starting point is 00:06:46 I already know. It's simple. Lady, there's something wrong with you. That's true, Mack. Something is wrong with me. And something's wrong with you. We're the same. We're not the same. I'm getting my friend, and we're getting out of here.
Starting point is 00:07:02 I planted a seed, Mac. I planted a seed in your mind. What do you mean? I didn't mean to come across so harsh, but that's the way seeds have to be planted. You gotta stir up the soil a little bit if you wanted to take root. Quit talking in riddles and explain what you mean. You're bad, Mac. We've covered this. But I don't mean it the way you think I mean.
Starting point is 00:07:28 mean it. Oh, really? Do explain. When I was just a little girl, my parents took me to see Lambert, the sheepish lion. It was one of those Disney cartoons. You ever heard of it? Nope. What does this have to do with anything? I'll keep this short. So, a stork delivers a lion to the wrong place. He ends up getting raised by sheep. Great story. I'm going to go now. They make fun of him, Mack. He's different. He doesn't belong. He's not like them. He kind of knows it. But he thinks he's a sheep. And then one day, a wolf comes. And Lambert scares the wolf off, and then head butts him off a ledge. That story got stuck in my head, Mac. I never liked cartoons that much, but that one was pretty box. The point, please. You're a lion, Mac. I've seen it. Seen it, how?
Starting point is 00:08:31 In the interstate. What do you mean? You're a lion, but you think you're a sheep. You're always looking for a fight, aren't you? Well, kind of, yeah. And you make funny your friend quite a bit. Yeah, I do. You're just bad.
Starting point is 00:08:50 You're just a bad man, hanging out with some little goody two-shoes. Mack, when we pretend we're not bad, something inside us is always telling us different. When we act like we're good all the time, we get all out of whack. Things feel all grody. We're not in our lane. Tell me you don't feel it. I feel it. I think.
Starting point is 00:09:19 I don't know. I know I felt it when I got here, but I've tried to change. And where did it get you? You acted like a sheep, and let them lead you from your home. Your robot friend, she's already forgotten how much you grieved her while she was gone. I love my friends. I know you do. And they love me.
Starting point is 00:09:39 Maybe, but you know what they say, Mack. You can't love what you don't know. They don't know you, but we do. And we love you. And he wants to love you. He? He who? He thinks you're groovy. Just absolutely groovy.
Starting point is 00:09:59 He wants you to join us. What are you talking about? Not yet, Mac. He's not quite ready to reveal himself to you, but let me tell you about him. Okay. He wants to love you, Mac. But there's a condition. You have to acknowledge how bad you are.
Starting point is 00:10:17 He can't love you till you do. He can't love you till you know that there's nothing good about you. you. But then, when you confess it, he's going to think you're the bee's knees. So that's it. I'd tell you I'm bad. Totally. Even though, even though I know I'm not, not like that. Sure, I got some bad in me. Maybe even some really bad things in me. I don't know. But I'm not all bad. Like Tendi says, nobody is all bad or all good.
Starting point is 00:10:47 We all got a little bit of both. Just different amounts in all of us. And it's because you believe that lie. That's why he's sent me to plant the seed. That seed is going to sprout, Mac. It's going to grow in your mind and your soul. I know it. Just like it grew in all of us. Then you can join us.
Starting point is 00:11:08 Us? Join us, Mac, in the interstate. Interstate. Join us in our suffering. What? Let me tell you my story. Maybe then you'll understand. I'm going to make sure attendees okay.
Starting point is 00:11:21 and then I'll listen to your story. Go ahead, Mac. Take a look through the window. What in the hell are those? You mean who in the hell are those? The big one is Apple. He's not as scary as he looks. And the wrinkly small one, that's little boy.
Starting point is 00:11:38 They're both very kind. They're bad. Of course they are, Mac. So how can you say that they're kind? Just because they're bad on the inside, doesn't mean they can't be good on the outside. You shouldn't know that. A pirate can be polite. A trickster can treat. A sociopath can be so, so sincere. Even a bad clock is right twice a day. Never seen a clock, but I'll take your word for it. Well, Tendi looks like he's having an okay time.
Starting point is 00:12:09 Come sit with me, Mac. I brought chairs. Those weren't here before. How did you do that? I'll tell you all about it. That's it. They haven't emerged. And neither has the woman I saw. I'm going in. That and I'm going with you. I'm sure they're fine. But I understand your concern. Should I go with you? We'll be fine, Corson. This frame may not be fit for a soldier, but it still has plenty of fight in it. Why don't you head to the long pause and call the station? The sooner we can get those new tires, the sooner we'll be able to be on our way. Kandu, meet me there when you've secured the attendance.
Starting point is 00:12:47 I hate going in there. Come on, Cash. It's not. that bad. What do you hate about it? I've always had a difficult time with things I can't explain. Then you must hate the astral plane. No, this is different. This feels like something that shouldn't be messed with. Like it's sacred, powerful. Not a place for mere mortals. Then it's good that we're not. Not what? Mere mortals. You said it yourself, Cash. We're different. Yeah, I guess we are. Different is as different does. Come on. Let's go in and find Macintendi. Okay, let's go. So, how'd you guys get your names?
Starting point is 00:13:24 Mother gave them to us. And why do you call her mother? Is she your actual mother? She is mother. What about you, little boy? Got any more context to add? You unlock this door with the key of imagination. What?
Starting point is 00:13:41 Twilight Zone. I'll repeat the question. What? When I arrived here on the astral plane, I was the first of many. A group of us died at the same time. An incident at the Corsicana Opry. Ever heard of it?
Starting point is 00:13:58 Can't say as I have. There was a gas leak in the basement. I smelled it first. Went to check it out. Probably a bad idea. You smell gas? You should probably go the other way. I'll try to remember that.
Starting point is 00:14:12 You probably don't have to worry about it. Tush. Well, as I said, I got here, and the first thing I did was visit that cave or mine or whatever it was underground, and I waited for my friends there. The ones that died with you? Yeah, them. I had to wait a long time. Can I ask you something? What? Why is it that people who die at the same time? Don't arrive at the same time.
Starting point is 00:14:38 I must have waited ages for my friends, but we couldn't have died more than seconds apart, milliseconds. Well, I used to wonder the same thing, but now that cashiered, back. I finally understand. Oh? Yeah, time's slower here. Like, a lot slower. Seconds apart on the physical plane count for a lot more here. That's pretty far out. Indeed. Well, anyways, I waited until they were all here and we made the journey together all the way to the 33rd sphere. That's where we met him. The prime mover? No, we never saw him. Someone else. Someone amazing. Amazing. He was the one to plant the idea in our minds. The same one I planted in yours. The seed that blossomed into an understanding of ourselves. He taught us that we were bad,
Starting point is 00:15:33 but he didn't shame us for it. He convinced us of the truth. It truly set us free. Our suffering is the price we pay for freedom. What suffering are you talking about? I'm so confused. The interstate. What is it? It's our recompense. Our way of saying, thanks for showing us the way. What is the interstate?
Starting point is 00:15:58 I know what you're really asking, and I can't really tell you. Not the whole truth about it, because he hasn't told us. How do I know you're telling me the truth? Because of this. What are you doing? Wrap your pinky around mine. Why? Just do it.
Starting point is 00:16:14 Uh, okay. Uh, nothing's happening. I Pinky Promise. What? A pinky promise. A pinky promise is the only way you know a bad person is telling the truth. I disagree with that whole premise. The potential for it to lead to even greater depths of deception is...
Starting point is 00:16:34 Here's what I know. The interstate is like the glue that binds realities together. In here, the physical and the astral coexist. They overlap and they dance. and they move in and out of each other's spaces. It's a soup, both orderly and disorderly. You sound so smart. I'm just repeating what he said a million times.
Starting point is 00:17:01 But how is this suffering? Because... Whoa! Wait a second, Cash. Look. What is it? Is that? It's one of my eyelashes. Why is that a big deal? I don't know, but it's... feels significant. I've never lost an eyelash before. Not here. Really? No. The entire time I can remember, which granted isn't that long, but still kind of long. I've never lost an eyelash.
Starting point is 00:17:34 What do you think it means? I told you, this place is weird. Do something for me. What? Bite off a fingernail. But I just painted my nails. With what? Some ketchup I let dry on them. Please try for me. I have a theory. Okay, fine. Mac better have brought more ketchup. Now wait. What are we waiting for? One time Mac was biting his fingernails, a lot. Ew.
Starting point is 00:17:59 I asked what he was doing, and he showed me. He would bite off a fingernail, and it would grow right back. Because... Because not only is it impossible to die on the astral plane, people heal very quickly here, and they don't age. Are you saying? The reason you're surprised about your eyelash, is people don't lose eyelashes here, not unintentionally.
Starting point is 00:18:21 Nani, I think you're aging. No stinking way, really? I can't say for certain, but look at your nail. It's the same. Still bitten off. And I guarantee it'll grow right back the moment we leave here. So I'm getting older? My body is acting like it did on the physical plane?
Starting point is 00:18:40 I think so. You know what this means? What? If I hang out here long enough, I can finally get gray hair. I have always wanted peppered hair cash, even at the expense of losing what's left of your youth. Youth is overrated. I want to look wise, but still dress young, and talk young, young at heart, wise in hair. I love you.
Starting point is 00:19:05 I love you too, sweetie. Come on, let's find the boys. You're aging? Yeah, but it's the price we pay. The price for being bad. I'm sorry. That just kind of sounds sadistic on the part of this dude you keep saying is so awesome. He just makes you sit in here and get old.
Starting point is 00:19:25 No, we don't just sit. We have a job to do. We seek and we find. Find what? Rinkles? No, Mac. Not wrinkles. Facts.
Starting point is 00:19:37 Facts. Our leader. He's a collector, a gatherer of information from all planes of existence. He's the one that figured out that the individual. interstate, binds realities, together, connects the spheres, connects the planes, connects time. But how do you figure it out? What makes him so special? A curiosity that knows no bounds. And now we serve him. We seek, we find. So you're a seeker. Oh no, Mac. I'm a level six finder. I'm getting stronger all the time.
Starting point is 00:20:18 You see, a regular person, they enter the interstate, and maybe they'll pick up a whiff of some random scent, or feel a familiar feeling, like the wind or a ray of sunshine. But there's so much more here if you know how to find it. And he knows how to find it. He's the best at it. So does that have something to do with the station being here? Very good. A finder can do things in the end.
Starting point is 00:20:48 interstate that others can't, the stronger the understanding of a fact, the greater the ability to interact with it. The station's existence is a fact, and we understand it because we've studied it. We know all facts about it. Things on the astral plane are easy to understand because we've seen them with our own eyes. Now, I can interact with the fact. The fact that is a is the station. Is it really here? It is, and it isn't. It's more like an interactive model.
Starting point is 00:21:26 It's just an image. More like a reflection, one you can touch, one. In this case, it's not even of this time. I pulled an old fact, like the squeeze-it's box that Apple left in your way, or the Wopper's bag that I pulled in. We need to do some updates in our understanding of the station, though. What's the point in collecting all of these facts? So you can play with them, with images of them?
Starting point is 00:21:50 No, interacting with facts is fun, but that's not what he's after. He believes that if one is able to collect enough facts, they could traverse the fabric that binds realities. You mean like, go to the physical plane? Go to the physical plane, go to the next life. And not only that, but at any point in time, completely unbound by the laws that govern the soul. So a human could go back to the physical plane?
Starting point is 00:22:24 Now you're getting it. Why me? I don't know, Mac, but you're very special to him. He wants you. All you have to do is accept that you're bad, really bad. And you can join us. You see, Mac, I'm not just a finder. I'm a recruiter.
Starting point is 00:22:45 And I'm good at my job. You told me you and your friends are trying to make your way back to the physical plane. Live your life again. Yeah. He can help you. He can help you to step out of place. He can help you to step out of time. I can't go back without my friends.
Starting point is 00:23:05 You wouldn't have to. If you learn this power, if you let him teach you, you can master the interstate. You can teach your friends. You lied to me once. How do I know you're not lying to me again? Do you want to see? I can show you. Show me what?
Starting point is 00:23:25 Take my hand, Mac. Why? You're not strong enough to see it on your own. Trust me. Fine. Why is your hand so cold? Oh, that's just a side effect of prolonged exposure to the interstate. It's okay.
Starting point is 00:23:43 Our suffering is the price we pay for his power. When he shines, we all shine. You're ready to learn? Learn what? Just how bad you are. Okay, you see the salt shaker? Damn is right. Watch closely.
Starting point is 00:24:02 I place the napkin over the top of it. You see the shape of the shaker underneath the napkin? Sure do. I move the shaker around in a circle, on the, table, round and round and then, is the shaker still there? I can see the shape of the shaker. Where did the shaker go? Where did the shaker go?
Starting point is 00:24:28 Now, that's a well-kept secret apple. My friend Mac would be so mad if I showed you. But I suppose if you were to let me go outside to check on him, I could get permission to show you how to do this trick, and the other three I already showed you. No, attendant cannot go outside. Please. No more attendant. Like I said, call me Tendi.
Starting point is 00:24:54 I'm sure Mother wouldn't mind if I... Tendie cannot go outside. Tendie cannot go outside. Tendie cannot go... Okay, okay, okay, they're a big guy. I can take a hint. You want to see another magic trick? Hell for sure.
Starting point is 00:25:10 Okay. Hell for sure. But how did it get here? Your guess is as good as mine. Nanny, Cash. Tindy, are you all right? Whoa. Tendi, who are your friends?
Starting point is 00:25:22 Oh, this is Apple and his friend Little Boy. They're holding me captive. Why? And that's the way it is. The way what is? Rappell. What? Nani, there's no point.
Starting point is 00:25:35 How's Mac? They won't let me outside to see him. We haven't seen Mac. He should be right outside with Mother. Mother? Mother. He's not there. He's okay.
Starting point is 00:25:45 He's with Mother. Mother will take care of him. Cash, maybe I shouldn't have encouraged Mac and Tendi to walk around the interstate. You think? Don't get sassy with me. Come on, Tendi. Let's go find Mac. No.
Starting point is 00:26:01 You all stay. Let Mother finish with him. Hey, big guy. I will fight you. Like, damn you will. Okay. Maybe not me. Cash, sweetie, take him. Wait, wait, wait. We don't need to fight.
Starting point is 00:26:18 I'm sure things will turn out just fine. Right, Apple? Right, Tendi. It will be okay. Just wait here. Your friend will come back. Good. Well, if we're stuck here, why do they call you Apple? Sounds like a kid's nickname. You're not a kid. Well, funny story, actually. Where exactly are we? interstate. I can't make things out. Are those people? This looks like a city. Why is it so blurry? Well, like I said, I'm a level six finder, which means I can see different times in different places,
Starting point is 00:26:58 but not clearly when it comes to the physical plane. If I focus in, things become a little clearer. Look here. Where? There. Is that a... What is it? It's a postal collection box. I'm going to focus on it.
Starting point is 00:27:16 Look. Oh, yeah. I can't see that. Kind of. Like I said, I'm level six. Can't quite make out letters yet, or particularities of faces. I can kind of hear voices. There, see that person talking?
Starting point is 00:27:33 Yeah. I can kind of see a person. I'm going to focus on him. Listen. What's she saying? I have no idea. So, what are we doing here? There, down that way, there's a factory near the pier. Pier, like, are we near the ocean?
Starting point is 00:27:52 Yeah, Mac. We are, sort of. Come on, to the factory. Hold tight. Whoa, that was freaky. How long did it take you to get where you could navigate the interstate like this? Are you ever going to stop pronouncing it interstate? It took me a long time, a very long time to learn to navigate it like this. Well, we're wherever we're supposed to be? Yes, but not whenever we're supposed to be. How do you know? Because there's still people here.
Starting point is 00:28:22 We need to go to the moment in history when the people left. Who are all these people? There's so many. Why are they just standing around? I don't know for certain, but I know who that. That is. Up there, on the scaffolding. Who is it? Listen.
Starting point is 00:28:43 That's me. That's me on the physical plane. What in the world is this place? What am I saying? Why are there so many people? Why are they making that sound? Are they upset? Oh, I believe so. Because of something I said. Do you believe me now, Mac? That you know how to go about the interstate. That you're a bad person.
Starting point is 00:29:08 Maybe I was, but this, whatever it is. It was so long ago. I'm different. Oh, people don't change, Mack. Not really. This isn't just who you were. This is who you are. The robot girl, the one you said went back to the physical plane.
Starting point is 00:29:29 She knows it. She told me I was a sweet man. when I was alive. Maybe she just didn't want to hurt your feelings. She said that someone tried to beat it out of me, but they lost. Look around, Mack. Does it sound like they lost? How did you find this place?
Starting point is 00:29:49 He told me where to look. It took me a while. But here it is. Mack, I can't make you join us. But I'm just asking you to consider. True freedom is found in knowing just how awful you are. True healing is found in punishment.
Starting point is 00:30:11 You could be so much happier. That's what we want for you. That's what he wants for you. And Mac? What? That's the only way to help your friends. Ah, God, I'm so confused. I need to think about this.
Starting point is 00:30:27 That's okay, Mac. Take all the time you need. That seed is safe. sprouted. I can see it. We just have to wait a little while and you'll be ready. And then I can introduce you to him. Come on. Let's go back to the station. Come inside. I want you to meet some of my friends. Okay. Well, well, well, look who's back. Who the hell are you and what are you doing with our friend? Mother! Apple! Little boy! Did you have a good time with you? the attendant.
Starting point is 00:31:04 His name is Tendi, Mother. He is good, but he is still my damn friend. Yabadoo. Really, little boy. Wow, attendant, you've made quite the impression. Magic tricks? Answer my question. What were you doing with our friend?
Starting point is 00:31:24 Oh, simply trying to help him. Mother just wants to help the short attendant. Oh, she's no mother. What are you talking about? You want to tell him, or should I? Be my guest. We have nothing to hide, do we boys? What are you talking about, Nani?
Starting point is 00:31:43 They're kids, Mac. Just kids. Some weird little cult of normal kids who've been led to believe they're nothing but bad. They're just children. Just children. Is she being serious? Why do you call yourself mother? Just children?
Starting point is 00:32:00 Everybody calm down. If you think we're just children, you've got another thing coming to you. Bok, Bok, Bacock! Bacock! Bacock! Bacock! Bacock! Bacock! Bacch! Bacch! Bacch! Bacch! Bacch! Bacch! Bacch! Bacch! Bacch! You've just meant the badass kids, of course, Akana. Time to tell you who we are. It's like a show! You're the badass kids! This is no laughing matter. We're the badass kids of Corsicana. Buck, buck, buck, baccar. Once upon a time, there was a group of badass troubled youth, sent away from our parents to
Starting point is 00:32:44 a little kiddie prison camp by the name of the East Texas Disciplinary School for kids of ill repute. Ill repute. We were trouble, rabble rousers, ne'er do goods. They tried to punish it out of us, but good God they lost. Didn't they boys? Hell, yes. Suck it to me.
Starting point is 00:33:04 Apple, formerly Dickie Marsh. Seven years old, no matter how hard his mom and dad tried, he just wouldn't stop cussing. Damn, you are right. Little boy, formerly Little Tommy Buttons. Five years old, wouldn't stop watching TV. If his parents unplugged it, he'd plug it right back in. If they hit it, he'd find it. When they sold it, he just snuck over at night and watched the neighbor's TV.
Starting point is 00:33:31 TV through their windows. Now, he only speaks TV. And that's the way it is. And me, Mother. Once upon a time, a 12-year-old girl by the name of Cassandra Capernova, winner of the Corsicana Spelling Bee, three years in a row. Student of the month, every month, IQ of 140. You don't sound like a bad kid.
Starting point is 00:33:55 Oh, forgot to mention. I sold pot to third graders. What? I was in need of attention. One day, we went on a little field trip, all 13 of us. The Corsicana Opry, when our counselors weren't looking, we slipped into the basement, found a gun, shot a gas line. End of story. Why was there a gun in the basement?
Starting point is 00:34:17 Texas, need I say more? Yeah, probably. Anyways, it wasn't really the end of the story. It was just the beginning. Me and my friends found our home in the interstate. And it ages you. Worse than that, it deforms some of us. As you can see, it affects the younger ones the most,
Starting point is 00:34:37 but no matter, it's the price we pay. Bok, bach, bach, bach, fuck, bach, fuck, bacock. Bacock, fuck, bacoc. Oh, I get it now. Get what? They're the bad ass kids, of course, Akana. They're little nicknames. Nicknames?
Starting point is 00:34:55 Bad, apple, bad little boy, which means you must be. The bad motherfucker. Nah, nah, no, you're 12. Whatever. We're out of here anyways. Mack, keep thinking about what I said. We'd love to have you. I, uh... Brothers, let's go.
Starting point is 00:35:21 What's she talking about, Mac? Do we have to talk about it right now? Yeah, Mac. I think we do. But not here. It's not safe. It doesn't matter if. their kids. We need to get as far away as we can from the the cocks. Agreed. Let's get to the long pause. After all this craziness, I'm unbearably thirsty. Clever. I can't
Starting point is 00:35:45 bear to go another minute without going to the long pause. Yep. Got it, Nani. Maybe we can find a bear tender there. Mack already made that joke. Wait, really? Forever ago. Fine. I'll come up with another one. Just bear with me for a moment. You want a beer, Nani? No, Tendi. I want fur beers. Fur beers. Like four. Like four beer. Whatever. Let's go. This episode was written, produced, and performed by me, Jared Carter. The show is executive produced by the badass kid, Michael Fryberg. Until next time, safe time. travel the Fable the Fable and Folling Network, where fiction producers flourish.
Starting point is 00:36:51 Edgar said to the interviewer, he was convinced that the thing out there wasn't a vault at all. Yeah, I know what he thought. Dr. Eggers didn't think it was designed to keep things out. I know what he thought. He thought it was designed. keep something in. Do you even understand the difficulty trying to keep a base like Fathom at the bottom of the ocean from killing everyone in it on a daily basis? Oh my god. Everyone hold on to something! I think whatever is on the other side of that door out there, it's not friendly.
Starting point is 00:37:21 I think it's trying to get out. That, my friend, is a dire combination. That's a pet sign. Get out of the door! It's spreading like some kind of technological contagion. We can either stop it here or watch the world burn. Fathom, the first season of Darylite. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Or learn more at Derelictpodcast.com.

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