It Could Happen Here - CZM Book Club: Part Two of "The Vampyre" by John Polidori

Episode Date: March 24, 2024

Margaret finishes the first modern vampire, a parable about the dangers of the libertine royalty,See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey guys, I'm Kate Max. You might know me from my popular online series, The Running Interview Show, where I run with celebrities, athletes, entrepreneurs, and more. After those runs, the conversations keep going. That's what my podcast, Post Run High, is all about. It's a chance to sit down with my guests and dive even deeper into their stories, their journeys, and the thoughts that arise once we've hit the pavement together. Listen to Post Run High on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hi, I'm Ed Zitron, host of the Better Offline Podcast, and we're kicking off our second season digging into Tech's elite and how they've turned Silicon Valley into a playground for billionaires. From the chaotic world of generative AI to the destruction of Google search, Better Offline is your unvarnished and at times unhinged look at the underbelly of tech brought to you by an industry veteran with nothing to lose. Listen to Better Offline on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever else you get your podcasts from. on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever else you get your podcasts from. On Thanksgiving Day, 1999, five-year-old Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez was found off the coast of Florida. And the question was, should the boy go back to his father in Cuba? Mr. Gonzalez wanted to go home and he wanted to take his son with him. Or stay with his relatives in Miami.

Imagine that your mother died trying to get you to freedom. Listen to Chess Peace, the Elian Gonzalez story, on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. cool zone media book club book club it's not as fun when i'm the only one here doing that chant oh well i'm gonna do it anyway book club book club book club it's the cool zone media book club your weekly fiction podcast that you get on a couple different podcast feeds. I'm your host, Marjorie Kiljoy. And last week, we started to tell you the story of the vampire. The vampire story that's old enough, you know, 18, 19, that it's the vampire, not a vampire or like Lord Ruthven, the destroy of all innocence aka lord byron who i may or may

not be sleeping with and am jealous of the ways that he lives his life or lord byron is an absolute terrible monster i don't know whatever he's certainly being presented this one it's hard to know because of the mists of time but we last left our hero. Aubrey had been traveling with Lord Ruthven and then was like, you know what? This is no good for me. You're kind of a terrible person. And so then he's in Greece and he's interested in this lady and she's like, I'm afraid of vampires. And he's like, don't be silly. I'm going to go out at night into the vampire lands. And then he comes across her being killed by a vampire. And he's very nearly killed himself when he's saved by the people who are out looking for Iante, his dead love interest.

That's where we left it. Oh, and he has a dagger that he found of peculiar construction. dagger that he found of peculiar construction. Aubrey being put to bed was seized with the most violent fever and was often delirious. In these intervals, he would call upon Lord Ruthven and upon Ayante. By some unaccountable combination, he seemed to beg of his former companion to spare the being he loved. At other times, he would imprecate maledictions upon his head and curse him as her destroyer. Lord Ruthven, chanced at this time to arrive at Athens, and from whatever motive upon hearing of the state of Aubrey, immediately placed himself in the same house and became his constant attendant. When the latter recovered from his delirium, he was horrified and

startled at the sight of him whose image he had now combined with that of a vampire. But Lord Ruthven, by his kind words, implying almost repentance for the fault that had caused their separation, and still more by the attention, anxiety, and care which he showed, soon reconciled him to his presence. His lordship seemed quite changed. He no longer appeared that apathetic being who had so astonished Aubrey. But as soon as his convalescences began to be rapid, he again gradually retired into the same state of mind, and Aubrey perceived no difference from the former man, except that at times he was surprised to meet his gaze fixed intently upon him,

with a smile of malicious exultation played upon his lips. He knew not why, but this smile haunted him. During the last stage of the invalid's recovery, Lord Ruthven was apparently engaged in watching the tideless waves raised by the cooling breeze, or in marking the progress of those orbs circling like our world, the moveless sun. Indeed, he appeared to wish to avoid the eyes of all. Aubrey's mind, by this shock, was much weakened, and that elasticity of spirit which had once so distinguished him now seemed to have fled forever. He was now as much a lover of solitude and silence as Lord Ruthven, but much as he wished for solitude, his mind could not find it in the neighborhood of Athens. If he sought it amidst the ruins he had formerly frequented, Aionthe's form stood by his side. If he sought

it in the woods, her light step would appear wandering amidst the underwood, in quest of the modest violet, and suddenly turning round, would show, to his wild imagination, her pale face and wounded throat, with a meek smile upon her lips. He determined to fly scenes, every feature of which created such bitter associations in his mind. He proposed to Lord Ruthven, to whom he held himself bound by the tender care he had taken of him during his illness, that they should visit those parts of Greece neither had yet seen. They traveled in every direction, and soon sought every spot to which a recollection could be attached. But though that they had hastened from place to place, yet they seemed

not to heed what they gazed upon. They heard much of robbers, but they gradually began to slight those reports, which they imagined were only the invention of individuals whose interest was to excite the generosity of those whom they defended from pretended dangers. In consequence of thus neglecting the advice of the inhabitants, on one occasion they traveled with only a few guards, more to serve as guides than as defense. Upon entering, however, a narrow defile, at the bottom of which was the bed of a torrent, with large masses of rocks brought down from the neighboring precipices. They had a reason to repent their negligence, for scarcely were the

whole of the party engaged in the narrow paths, when they were startled by the whistling of bullets close to their heads, and by the echoed report of several guns. In an instant their guards had left them, and placing themselves behind rocks, had begun to fire in the direction whence the report came. Lord Ruthven and Aubrey, imitating their example, retired for a moment behind the sheltering turn of the defile. But ashamed of being thus detained by a foe, who with insulting shouts bade them advance, and being exposed to unresisting slaughter, if any of the robbers should climb above and take them in the rear, they determined at once to rush forward in search of the enemy.

Hardly had they lost the shelter of the rock when Lord Ruthven received a shot in the shoulder, which brought him to the ground. Aubrey hastened to his assistance, and no longer heeding the contest or his own peril, was soon surprised by seeing the robber's faces around him, his guards having, upon Lord Ruthven's being wounded, immediately thrown up their arms and surrendered. By promises of great reward, Aubrey soon induced them to convey his wounded friend to a neighboring cabin, and having agreed upon a ransom,

he was no more disturbed by their presence, they being content merely to guard the entrance till their comrade should return with the promised sum, for which he had an order. Lord Ruthven's strength rapidly decreased. In two days mortification ensued, and death seemed advancing with hasty steps. His conduct and appearance had not changed. He seemed as unconscious of pain as he had been of the objects about him. But towards the close of the last evening, his mind became apparently uneasy, and his eye often fixed upon Aubrey, who was induced to offer his assistance with more than usual earnestness. Assist me,

you may save me, you may do more than that. I mean not my life, I heed the death of my existence as little as that of the passing day. But you may save my honor, your friend's honor. How? Tell me how. I would do anything, replied Aubrey. I need but little. My life ebbs apace. I cannot explain the whole. But if you would conceal all you know of me, my honor were free from stain in the world's mouth. And if my death were unknown for some time in England, I, I, but life, it shall not be known. Swear, cried the dying man, raising himself with exultant violence. Swear by all your soul reveres, by all your nature fears. Swear that for a year and a day, you will not impart your knowledge of my crimes or death to any living being in any way, whatever may happen,

or whatever you may see. His eyes seemed bursting from their sockets. I swear, said Aubrey, he sunk laughing upon his pillow and breathed no more. he sunk laughing upon his pillow and breathed no more. Aubrey retired to rest but did not sleep. The many circumstances attending his acquaintance with this man rose upon his mind and he knew not why. When he remembered his oath a cold shivering came over him as if from the presentiment of something horrible awaiting him. Rising early in the morning he was about to enter the hovel in which he had left the corpse, when a robber met him and informed him that it was no longer there, having been conveyed by himself and comrades upon his retiring to the pinnacle of a neighboring mount, according to a promise they had given his lordship, that it should be exposed to the

first cold ray of the moon that rose after his death. Aubrey astonished, and taking several of the men, determined to go and bury it upon the spot where it lay. But when they had mounted to the summit, he found no trace of either the corpse or the clothes, though the robbers swore they pointed out the identical rock upon which they had laid the body. For a time, his mind was bewildered in conjectures, but at last he returned, convinced that they had laid the body. For a time, his mind was bewildered in conjectures, but at last he returned, convinced that they had buried the corpse for the sake of the clothes. And if you want to buy new clothes, buy them from our sponsors. Whatever else is being advertised, just ask them for clothes. Be like, but do you sell clothes? And buy clothes from them.

Here's those ads for clothing. athletes, entrepreneurs, and more. After those runs, the conversations keep going. That's what my podcast Post Run High is all about. It's a chance to sit down with my guests and dive even deeper into their stories, their journeys, and the thoughts that arise once we've hit the pavement together. You know that rush of endorphins you feel after a great workout? Well, that's when the real magic happens. So if you love hearing real, inspiring stories from the people you know, follow, and admire, join me every week for Post Run High. It's where we take the conversation beyond the run and get into the heart of it all.

It's lighthearted, pretty crazy, and very fun. all. It's lighthearted, pretty crazy, and very fun. Listen to Post Run High on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. into a playground for billionaires. From the chaotic world of generative AI to the destruction of Google search, better offline is your unvarnished and at times unhinged look at the underbelly of tech from an industry veteran with nothing to lose. This season, I'm going to be joined by everyone from Nobel-winning economists to leading journalists in the field,

and I'll be digging into why the products you love keep getting worse and naming and shaming those responsible. Don't get me wrong, though. I love technology. I just hate the people in charge and want them to get back to building things that actually do things to help real people. I swear to God things can change if we're loud enough. So join me every week to understand what's happening in the tech industry and what could be done to make things better. Listen to Better Offline on the iHeartRadio app,

Apple Podcasts, wherever else you get your podcasts. Check out betteroffline.com. names in the game. If you love hearing real conversations with your favorite Latin celebrities, artists, and culture shifters, this is the podcast for you. We're talking real conversations with our Latin stars from actors and artists to musicians and creators sharing their stories, struggles, and successes. You know it's going to be filled with chisme laughs and all the

vibes that you love. Each week we'll explore everything from music and pop culture to deeper topics like identity, community, and breaking down barriers in all sorts of industries. Don't miss out on the fun, el té caliente, and life stories. Join me for Gracias Come Again, a podcast by Honey German, where we get into todo lo actual y viral. Listen to Gracias Come Again on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And we're back.

Weary of a country in which he had met with such terrible misfortunes, in which all apparently conspired to heighten that superstitious melancholy that had seized upon his mind, he resolved to leave it, and soon arrived at Smyrna. While waiting for a vessel to convey him to Entronto or to Naples, he occupied himself in arranging those effects he had with him belonging to Lord Ruthven. Amongst other things, there was a case containing several weapons of offense, more or less adapted to ensure the death of the victim. There were several daggers and adagans, an adagan is a southwest Asian sword.

Whilst turning them over and examining their curious forms, what was his surprise at finding a sheath apparently ornamented in the same style as the dagger discovered in the fatal hut? He shuddered, hastening to gain further proof. He found the weapon, and his horror may be imagined when he discovered that it fitted, though peculiarly shaped, the sheath he held in his hand. His eyes seemed to need no further certainty. They seemed gazing to be bound to the dagger, yet still he wished to disbelieve. But the particular form, the same varying tints upon the haft and sheath were alike in splendor on both,

and left no room for doubt. There were also drops of blood on each. He left Smyrna, and on his way home, at Rome, his first inquiries were concerning the lady he had attempted to snatch from Lord Ruthven's seductive arts. Her parents were in distress, their fortune ruined, and she had not been heard of since the departure of his lordship. Aubrey's mind became almost broken under so many repeated horrors. He was afraid that this lady had fallen a victim to the destroyer of Aionthe. He became morose and silent, and his only occupation consisted in urging the speed of

his postillions, as if he were going to save the life of someone he held dear. He arrived in Calais, a breeze, which seemed obedient to his will, soon wafted him to the English shores, and he hastened to the mansion of his father's, and there, for a moment, appeared to lose in the embraces and caresses of his sister, all memory of the past. If she before, by her infantine caresses, had gained his affection, now that the woman began to appear, she was still more attaching as a companion. Miss Aubrey had not that winning grace which gains the grays and applause of the drawing room assemblies. There was none of that light brilliancy which only exists in the heated atmosphere of a crowded apartment. Her blue eye was never lit up by the levity of the mind beneath. There was a melancholy charm about it,

which did not seem to arise from misfortune, but from some feeling within that appeared to indicate a soul conscious of a brighter realm. Her step was not that light footing which strays where a butterfly or a color may attract. It was sedate and pensive. When alone, her face was never brighted by the smile of joy. But when her brother breathed to her his affection, and would in her presence forget those griefs she knew destroyed his rest, who would have exchanged her smile for that of a voluptuary? It seemed as if those eyes, that face were then playing in the light of their own native sphere. She was yet only eighteen and had not been presented to the world, it having been thought by her guardians

more fit that her presentation should be delayed until her brother's return from the continent, when he might be her protector. It was now, therefore, resolved that the next drawing room, which was fast approaching, should be the epoch of her entry into the busy scene. Aubrey would rather have remained in the mansion of his father's, and fed upon the melancholy which overpowered him. He could not feel interest about the frivolities of fashionable strangers, when his mind had been so torn by the events he had witnessed, but he determined to sacrifice his own comfort for the protection of his sister. They soon arrived in town and prepared for the next day, which had been announced

as a drawing room. The crowd was excessive. A drawing room had not been held for a long time, and all who were anxious to bask in the smile of royalty hastened thither. Aubrey was there with his sister. While he was standing in a corner by himself, heedless of all around him, engaged in the remembrance of the first time he had seen Lord Ruthven, was in that very place. He felt himself suddenly seized by the arm, and a voice he recognized too well sounded in his ear. Remember your oath. He had hardly courage to turn fearful of seeing a specter that would blast him when he perceived at a little distance the same figure which had attracted his notice on this spot upon his first entry into society.

He gazed till his limbs almost refused to bear their weight. He was obliged to take the arm of a friend, and forcing a passage through the crowd, he threw himself into his carriage and was driven home. He paced the room with hurried steps and fixed his hands upon his head, as if he were afraid his thoughts were bursting from his brain. Lord Ruthven again before him? Circumstance started up in dreadful array. The dagger, his oath. He roused himself. He could not believe it possible. The dead rise again. He thought his imagination had conjured up the image his mind was resting upon. It was impossible that it could be real. He determined, therefore, to go again into society. For though he attempted to ask concerning

Lord Ruthven, the name hung upon his lips, and he could not succeed in gaining information. He went a few nights after his sister to the assembly of a near relation. Leaving her under the protection of a matron, he retired into a recess and there gave himself up to his own devouring thoughts. Perceiving at last that many were leaving, he roused himself and entering another room, found his sister surrounded by several, apparently in earnest conversation. He attempted to pass and get near her when one, whom he had requested to move, turned round and revealed to him those features he most abhorred. He sprang forward, seized his sister's arm,

and with hurried step forced her towards the street. At the door he found himself impeded by a crowd of servants who were waiting for their lords, and while he was engaged in passing them, he again heard the voice whisper close to him, Remember your oath. He did not dare to turn, but hurrying to his sister, soon reached home. Aubrey became almost distracted. If before his mind had been absorbed by one subject, how much more completely it was engrossed, now that the certainty of the monster's living again pressed upon his thoughts. His sister's attentions were now unheeded, and it was in vain that she entreated him to explain to her what had caused his abrupt conduct. He only uttered a few words, and those terrified

her. The more he thought, the more he was bewildered. His oath startled him. Was he then to allow this monster to roam, bearing ruin upon his breath, amidst all he held dear, and not avert its progress? His very sister might have been touched by him. But even if he were to break his oath and disclose his suspicions, who would believe him? He soon thought of employing his own hand to free the world from such a wretch, but death, he remembered, had already been mocked. For days he remembered in this state, shut up in his room. He saw no one and ate only when his sister came, who, with eyes streaming from her tears, besought him, for her sake, to support nature. At last, no longer capable of bearing stillness and solitude, he left his house,

roamed from street to street, anxious to fly that image which haunted him. His dress became neglected, and he wandered, as often exposed to the noonday sun as to the midnight damps. He was no longer to be recognized. At first he returned with the evening to the house, but at last he laid him down to rest wherever fatigue overtook him. His sister, anxious for his safety, employed people to follow him, but they were soon distanced by him who fled from a pursuer swifter than any, from thought. His conduct, however, soon suddenly changed, struck with the idea that he had left by his absence the whole of his friends, with a fiend amongst them, of whose presence they were unconscious, he determined to enter again into society, to watch him closely, anxious looks were so striking, his inward shuddering so visible, that his sister was at last obliged to beg of him to abstain from seeking, for her sake,

a society which affected him so strongly. When, however, remonstrance proved unavailing, the guardians thought proper to interpose, and, fearing that his mind was becoming alienated, they thought it high time to you hear from today's sponsors. Hey guys, I'm Kate Max. You might know me from my popular online series, The Running Interview Show, where I run with celebrities, athletes, entrepreneurs, and more. After those runs, the conversations keep going. That's what my podcast, Post Run High, is all about. It's a chance to sit down with my guests and dive even deeper into their stories, their journeys, and the thoughts that arise once we've hit the pavement together.

You know that rush of endorphins you feel after a great workout? Well, that's when the real magic happens. So if you love hearing real, inspiring stories from the people you know, follow, and admire, join me every week for Post Run High. It's where we take the conversation beyond the run and get into the heart of it all. It's lighthearted, pretty crazy and very fun. Listen to Post Run High on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hi, I'm Ed Zittron, host of the Better Offline podcast, and we're kicking off our second season digging into how tech's elite has turned Silicon Valley into a playground for billionaires. From the chaotic world of generative AI to the destruction of Google search, Better Offline is your unvarnished and at times unhinged look at the underbelly of tech

from an industry veteran with nothing to lose. This season, I'm going to be joined by everyone from Nobel-winning economists to leading journalists in the field, and I'll be digging into why the products you love keep getting worse and naming and shaming those responsible. Don't get me wrong, though. I love technology. I just hate the people in charge and want them to get back to building things that actually do things to help real people. I swear to God things can change if we're loud enough. So join me every week to understand what's happening in the tech industry and what could be done to make things better.

Listen to Better Offline on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever else you get your podcasts. Check out betteroffline.com. Hola mi gente, it's Honey German and I'm bringing you Gracias, Come Again. The podcast where we dive deep into the world of Latin culture, musica, peliculas, and entertainment with some of the biggest names in the game. If you love hearing real conversations with your favorite Latin celebrities, artists, and culture shifters, this is the podcast for you.

We're talking real conversations with our Latin stars, from actors and artists to musicians and creators, sharing their stories, struggles, and successes. We'll see you next time. out on the fun, el te caliente, and life stories. Join me for Gracias Come Again, a podcast by Honey German, where we get into todo lo actual y viral. Listen to Gracias Come Again on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

And we're back. Desirous of saving him from the injuries and sufferings he had daily encountered in his wanderings, and preventing him from exposing to the general eye those marks of what they considered folly, they engaged a physician to reside in the house and take constant care of him. He hardly appeared to notice it, so completely was his mind absorbed by one terrible subject. His incoherence became at last so great that he was confined to his chamber. There he would often lie for days, incapable of being roused. He had become emaciated. His eyes had attained a glassy luster. The only sign of affection and recollection remaining

displayed itself upon the entry of his sister. Then he would sometimes start in seizing her hands with looks that severely afflicted her. He would desire her not to touch him. Oh, do not touch him. If your love for me is aught, do not go near him. When, however, she inquired to whom he referred, his only answer was,

true, true. And again he sank into a state whence not even she could rouse him. This lasted many months. Gradually, however, as the year was passing, his incoherences became less frequent, and his mind threw off a portion of its gloom whilst his guardians observed that several times in the day he would count upon his fingers a definite number, then smile. The time had nearly elapsed then when upon the last day of the year one of his guardians entering his room began to converse with his physician upon the melancholy circumstances of Aubrey's being in so awful a situation when his sister was going next day to be married. Instantly Aubrey's attention in so awful a situation when his sister was going next day to be married. Instantly, Aubrey's attention was attracted. He asked anxiously to whom.

Glad of this mark of returning intellect, of which they feared he had been deprived, they mentioned the name of the Earl of Marsden. Thinking this was a young Earl whom he had met with in society, Aubrey seemed pleased and astonished them still more by his expressing his intention to be present at the nuptials and desiring to see his sister. They answered not, but in a few minutes his sister was with him. He was apparently again incapable of being affected by the influence of her loving smile, for he pressed her to his breast and kissed her cheek wet with tears flowing at the thought of her brother's being once more alive to the feelings of affection. He began to speak with all his wanted warmth and to congratulate her upon her marriage with a person so distinguished for rank and every accomplishment. When he suddenly perceived a locket upon her breast, opening it,

what was his surprise at beholding the features of the monster who had so long influenced his life? He seized the portrait in a paroxysm of rage and trampled it underfoot. Upon her asking him why he thus destroyed the resemblance of her future husband, he looked as if he did not understand her. Then seizing her hands, gazing on her with a frantic expression of countenance, he bade her swear that she would never wed this monster, for he... But he could not advance. It seemed as if the voice again bade him remember his oath.

He turned suddenly round, thinking Lord Ruthven was near him, but saw no one. In the meantime, the guardians and physician, who had heard the whole and thought this was but a return of his disorder, entered, and forcing him for Miss Aubrey, desired her to leave him. He fell upon his knees to them. He implored. He begged of them to delay but for one day. They, attributing this to the insanity they imagined had taken possession of his mind, endeavored to pacify him and retired. Lord Ruthven had called the morning after the drawing room and had been refused with everyone else. When he heard of Aubrey's ill health,

he readily understood himself to be the cause of it. But when he learned that he was deemed insane, his exaltation and pleasure could hardly be concealed from those among whom he had gained this information. He hastened to the house of his former companion and, by constant attendance and pretense of great affection for his brother and interest in his fate, he gradually won the ear of Miss Aubrey. Who could resist his power? His tongue at dangers and toils to recount could speak of himself as an individual having no

sympathy with any being on the crowded earth, save with her to whom he addressed himself. Could tell how, since he knew her, his existence had begun to seem worthy of preservation, if it were merely that he might listen to her soothing accents. In fine, he knew so well how to use the serpent's act, or such was the will of fate, that he gained her affections. The title of the elder branch falling at length to him, he obtained an important embassy, which served as an excuse for hastening the marriage, in spite of her brother's deranged state, which was to take place the very day before his departure for the continent.

Aubrey, when he was left by the physician and his guardians, attempted to bribe the servants, but in vain. He asked for pen and paper. It was given him. He wrote a letter to his sister, conjuring her as she valued her own happiness, her own honor, and the honor of those now in the grave, who once held her in their arms and the hope of their house to delay, but for a few hours, marriage, on which he denounced the most heavy curses. The servants promised they would deliver it, but giving it to the physician, he thought it better not to harass any more the mind of Miss Aubrey by, what he considered, the ravings of a maniac. Night passed on without rest to the busy inmates

of the house, and Aubrey heard, with a horror that may more easily be convinced than described, the notes of busy preparation. Morning came, and the sound of carriages broke upon his ear. Aubrey grew almost frantic. The curiosity of the servants at last overcame their vigilance. They gradually stole away, leaving him in the custody of a helpless old woman. He seized the opportunity. With one bound, he was out of the room. In a moment, he found himself in the apartment where all were nearly assembled. Lord Ruthven was the first to perceive him. He immediately approached and, taking his arm by force, hurried him from the room, speechless with rage. When on the staircase, Lord Ruthven whispered in his ear, When on the staircase, Lord Ruthven whispered in his ear,

Remember your oath, and know, if not my bride today, your sister is dishonored. Women are frail. So saying, he pushed himself towards his attendants, who, roused by the old woman, had come in search of him. Aubrey could no longer support himself. His rage-not-finding vent had broken a blood vessel, and he was conveyed to bed. This was not mentioned to his sister, who was not present when he entered, as the physician was afraid of agitating her. The marriage was solemnized, and the bride and bridegroom left London. Aubrey's weakness increased. The effusion of blood produced

symptoms of the near approach of death. He desired his sister's guardians might be called, and when the midnight hour had struck, he related composedly what the reader has perused. He died immediately after. The guardians hastened to protect Miss Aubrey, but when they arrived, it was too late. Lord Ruthven had disappeared,

But when they arrived, it was too late. Lord Ruthven had disappeared, and Aubrey's sister had glutted the thirst of a vampire. In case anyone's curious, vampire is in all caps in that last line. That's the end of the story. That's the first vampire story. There's other vampire stories that come before, but this is the first that is recognizably the aristocratic vampire.

I already told you all of this at the beginning. And I would also say, I guess it's a lesson to all of us. Don't sign non-disclosure agreements or exclusivity clauses. I mean, I don't know. Maybe I have. Maybe I haven't. Maybe there's a vampire I'm not telling you about. Maybe that vampire works for Cool Zone Media. But I can't say. Can I? It Could Happen Here is a production of Cool Zone Media. For more podcasts from Cool Zone Media, visit our website, coolzonemedia.com, or check us out on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

You can find sources for It Could Happen Here updated monthly at coolzonemedia.com slash sources. Thanks for listening. Hey guys, I'm Kate Max. You might know me from my popular online series, The Running Interview Show, where I run with celebrities, athletes, entrepreneurs, and more. After those runs, the conversations keep going. That's what my podcast, Post Run High, is all about. It's a chance to sit down with my guests and dive even deeper into their stories, their journeys, and the thoughts that arise once we've hit the pavement together. Listen to Post Run High on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hi, I'm Ed Zitron, host of the Better Offline podcast, and we're kicking off our second season digging into Tex Elite and how they've turned Silicon Valley into a playground for billionaires. From the chaotic world of generative AI to the destruction of Google search, Better Offline is your unvarnished and at times unhinged look at the underbelly of tech, brought to you by an industry veteran with nothing to lose. Listen to Better Offline on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever else you get your podcasts from.

On Thanksgiving Day, 1999, five-year-old Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez was found off the coast of Florida. And the question was, should the boy go back to his father in Cuba? Mr. Gonzalez wanted to go home and he wanted to take his son with him. Or stay with his relatives in Miami? Imagine that your mother died trying to get you to freedom. Listen to Chess Peace, the Elian Gonzalez story,

on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.