Tower 4 - S1E3: Trespassers

Episode Date: November 9, 2020

After hearing some classical music playing over the radio, Mike informs Amber who then informs Gene. Worried that there may be some hikers in the area, Gene gives Mike the go ahead to kick out any trespassers, since the area around Tower 4 is closed to the public. Mike takes the day to head to an area known as Site 5. There, he finds tents but no people. He also finds something else... something dangerous... Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey guys, my name's Brian Messick, and I'm one of the stars of Seven Lam's newest series movie night. This audio sitcom centers on six friends who get together every Friday night to hang out and watch a movie. Coincidentally, the movie they choose to watch coincides with the issues and situations they're facing in their everyday lives. If you're a fan of comedy or film or both, then visit Sevenlam.com or search for movie night wherever you listen to podcasts. Seven Land Productions Presents Tower 4

Season 1 Episode 3 Trestpassers You sure it's okay that I'm doing this? Absolutely. I already talked to Gene, you're fine. I was heading south on the three-post trail. Never told Gene about the classical music coming through the radio.

I figured it was campers that shouldn't be in the area. Gene said there was no word about hikers heading that way, but who follows rules, right? I packed up my backpack with water and green. granola bars. It was 10 in the morning. Bright sunny day. Apparently there was an old campsite where the trail loops around. Amher told me to try there. It was about six miles away, two-hour hike. Has anything like this happened before? Yeah, like once or twice. Nothing with music, but I remember Jerry saying that he had some issues with hikers in the area, although that was right when the area was closed down. Why was it closed down? I don't know. They don't tell us anything. Gene said it was state

regulations. I think it was thanks to our all-powerful leader in the White House. What do you mean? Sorry. Not trying to get political, but ever since Trump took office, National Parks have taken a hit. Republicans have been threatening us for years with reductions of state funds. I'm going to need more. How does that play into closing down a section of the forest? Well, when Prood took over for the EPA, a guy not qualified at all and bought known by the oil industries, National Parks took a hit. They want to begin oil drilling. You know, stop. Stop the outsourcing and build jobs here.

Nationally, Wyoming ranks eighth right now in crude oil production. The problem is it ruins pristine environmental areas. The size of parks keeps shrinking. That sucks. I think I remember reading something about that a while back. Proof may have resigned, but I don't see things changing. It's scary. Oil companies want us to believe that the limit damages, but come on.

Exxon spill, BB Gulf spill, the North Dakota pipeline. There's accidents all over that just. destroy whole areas, negatively impacting the local ecology. One of my biggest regrets was not going down to Louisiana and helping the cleanup when the oil spill happened. But I was selfish then. You're not helping doesn't mean you're being selfish. Sure it does.

I have a time. Once I start this fire lookout job, I grew a whole new appreciation for nature. It makes me sad to see the negative impacts people have. But I think people are becoming more and more aware of their impact. Sadly, it may be too late No, it's not Not yet Sorry, didn't mean to get all political

If you voted for Trump, it's fine, I understand I guess I actually didn't vote Really? Yeah, last few years have been tough And I just kind of became a shut-in Especially after mom passed I'm sorry about that

It's not your fault Shit happens, right? Yes, it does I really think if you give this place a chance, it can help. I'm hoping. Although... Although... Although hearing strange noises and creepy music at night doesn't help.

Hold on. The music isn't creepy. He said it was classical music like Beethoven. Okay, you're right. The music isn't creepy. Hearing it over the radio at 4 in the morning in the middle of the woods. That's creepy. Thank you for clarifying.

Don't do my friend Beethoven like that. I'm not even sure it was Beethoven. I know. You said you know nothing about classical music. I know some, just not a lot. Hey, you know who Beethoven and Mozart are? And I've seen him a dais. The Falcos? The movie.

Oh, I got to. I climbed my way over a rock ledge and back down a steep incline. I made my way out into a clearing and stopped to enjoy the view. Hey, I just made it to some field. Oh, I know where you are. Am I close? About two more miles. He could have just said no

Two miles is nothing Except Where do I go Look for a poster mile marker I'm not seeing one I left my binoculars at the tower I made my way through the tall grass Towards the wood line

Would I really pick up music from this far out Honestly I'm not sure I thought you would run into someone a lot sooner You know If someone was really out there Why do you keep saying it like that Like what? Like you don't believe me.

It's not bad. It's just, I've never picked up music over the radio before. I don't even know how that would happen unless they were airing it or playing it over a radio. So is this all for nothing? Not if you find someone. But you're right. How would the radio pick it up? I don't know.

Is the radio picking up anything now? Mozart, Static. Balco. Amber consistently tease me. me, which is why I didn't tell her about the paper in the desk. They were listening. Just thinking about that made my skin prickle. Who would write that and only that?

When I turned over the paper, there was a drawing, or actually scribbles. I couldn't make out what it was. Maybe it was just nonsense. Jesus. Radio interference, noises in the woods, hidden messages. I just wanted to quiet five months to myself so I could write and relax. Hey, I'm not seeing a pass. Really?

Nope. I see deer, though. I doubt Bambi knows the way. There were four deer about 50 yards away. It stopped walking when they saw me. I watched as they stood motionless, eyes staring blankly, ears twitching. I took one tiny step which caused them to hop into the brush out of sight. I continued my way through the tall grass searching for a post.

I'm not seeing Oh wait I think I spotted something No, a box A wooden box with an orange circle on it Okay, well that would be a supply cash A supply cash Use to store items for hikers books, food, water, etc.

It's locked It was a combination lock on it. It's probably locked because the trail is closed. What if there's treasure inside? I could ask Jean for the code, but I doubt there's anything of importance. Probably an old nutrient bar, romance novel with missing pages and a pine cone. A pine cone? Eh, people are weird.

Well, I'm not seeing a post. If there's a supply cache, there has to be a path right there. Yeah, I see it now. I walked under the cover of trees following a dirt path once again. Did you bring bear spray with you? Uh, I think I forgot it. Really? Yeah.

Shit. Oh, uh, okay. That's, uh, that's fine. Am I in trouble? No, you're fine. Really? Uh, yeah. Shit. I knew I forgot something. are there bears over here

it's the woods they can be anywhere but most are black bears and that means grizzlies are the ones you have to watch out for great don't worry there hasn't been a grizzly spotted this far south in years still wish I had the bear spray if you make enough noise they won't bother you

would you consider you and I talking is enough noise it would be better if you had bells on you Bells? I don't think I've ever even owned a bell. Jesus, what was that? Was that loud enough? That should scare the bears away. You're going to scream every five minutes to keep him at bay? If you need me to. I've always heard that if you encounter a bear in the wild, you should play dead.

Yeah, make an easy meal for them. Should I not curl up into a ball then? What are you, a possum? Make noise. Am I talking to myself here? Thank you. Sunlight gleamed through the branches, creating golden designs on the forest floor. I had to be close, but I wasn't sure. Hey, Mikey.

Yeah. Tell me about your book. The one I'm writing, or should I say, trying to write? Yeah, what's it about? what are you eating I like how I'm out here in the wilderness away from my pose searching for a mysterious musical trespasser

while you sit in your safe law of chowing down on dried fruit uh Amber sorry I wasn't paying attention there was a lost flying around don't worry though it went back out the window

okay what did you say it's not important Was it about your book? No. Tell me about your book. Well, it's not a book yet. Okay, but you have a story. What's that about?

I don't really like talking about my projects. Not while they're in development. Oh my god. You're one of those guys. Private? Pretentious. Whoa, whoa, whoa. I'm just kidding. If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine.

We can talk about something else. Um... Let's see. How's the weather on your side of the forest? Okay, fine. Yikes. So I've been wanting to write this for a while. I created an outline for it years ago.

Actually, it was after a breakup. I'll give you the short version and then expand upon it. Basically, the story revolves around a guy and his relationship with his ex's daughter. Whoa. Not like that. There's this woman who's mentally unstable and has a daughter. He dates a guy who becomes a guy.

a father figure for her daughter. Sadly, the relationship doesn't work out. The guy finds out that the woman is unstable and an alcoholic and a drug addict with a lot of personal demons. After years of physical and emotional abuse, he leaves her. It's hard for him, though, because he has fallen in love with her

daughter. He thinks of her as his own, but after three years of abuse, he has to get out. He tries calling the cops on her, but nothing comes of it, so he leaves. Nearly like a decade later, he finds out his ex died from a drug overdose and the daughter's now living with her grandmother. He sees her at the funeral and they end up talking. He actually

tries becoming a part of her life again, a role model or father figure. Okay. Not trying to be insensitive, but are you sure it's not like a perverted sexual thing? No, no, no, no, no, no. It's a bond they had previously when she was younger. And years later, that bond flourishes. The problem is that she was raised by her mother who was unstable, so she's picked up a lot of those negative traits. The daughter's having trouble in school with friends, alcohol, drugs, and her own personal demons. Where's the girl's father? He disappeared for she was born.

Oh, that's sad. It's a story about love, loss, abuse, addiction, redemption, self-worth, and ultimately being there for someone no matter what. You said this idea developed after a breakup, so let me guess. This was something you experienced? It's loosely based on a past relationship. I thought you were to get married. Different girl. This relationship was before my last.

And she was pretty messed up? That's an understatement. Cheating, lying, arrests, drugs, physical and emotional abuse, mental breakdowns, the list goes on and on. How old was her daughter? Um, son. Son? I'm altering a bit for the book. It's fictional after all. Oh.

He was two when I met her, five when I finally walked away. I regret it to this day. He wasn't your responsibility, though. You know that, right? I know. I mean, I tell myself that any time I think about it. You can't be harder on yourself. Sometimes I feel like I should have tried harder.

But you can't think that way. Some people are just like that. I've been a part of many toxic relationships. And while they never extended to arrests or mental breakdowns, there was still plenty of cheating, lying, and emotional abuse. I just wanted her to get help. You can't force people to get help. They have to want it on their own.

She said she was going to AA. She said she'd been seeing a counselor and getting on medication for her depression and anxiety too, but... But it doesn't work if it's all talk. And it was all talk. You promised change. Exactly. I dated this guy Peter for two years. Every three weeks he would cheat on me. I'd constantly catch him lying. I'd break up with him. He'd beg for me to come back.

I'd say no, and he'd swear things would be different. He'd make all kinds of empty promises. And for some reason, I'd believe him. Love's a tricky thing. It's a fucked up thing. My brain kept telling me to leave, but my heart, oh, my heart kept saying, give him another chance. People don't change unless they truly want change. Or unless they truly believe there's a problem.

Wise words. Here's some more. Don't trust anyone That's a little pessimistic It prevents heartache Does it really? Eh, who knows? Hey, was Peter the architect?

Ha, no, sadly I've dated multiple cheaters Sorry So when this main character of yours meets the daughter at the funeral They strike up a conversation and start hanging out In a nutshell Obviously it's a weird relationship with her being so young And only remembering small details of him from the past

but he decides he's going to be there for her. Do you think that sends the wrong message? What do you mean? Like, you're basically saying that if you stick with someone long enough, they'll get help. A promotion of toxic relationships? No, not at all. The daughter, like you said, wants help, won't change. That's why she's able to build a better life than her mother.

It's not easy to change, but some people, some people can. I guess I was lucky having such a loving family. Were you close with your mother and father? My parents ended up splitting while we were in high school, but they were cordial with each other and made the transition to two homes easy on us. That's good. What about you? I was close to my mother, but my dad, well, that's a little different. We were close for a while, then around the time I was 10 or 11, he started acting weird, started working late nights.

He kept to himself a lot. Stayed in the study for hours and hours. I think he was cheating on my mom. They started arguing a bunch, and then one night after a huge, He gets in his car and drives off. Never heard from him again. I'm so sorry. I guess we can be sorry for each other.

Another 20 minutes of hiking and I made it to a small clearing. There was an old sign hanging loosely on a tree by one rusted nail. It read Site 5. Hey Amber, I made it. I saw a single orange tent with its door flapping in a slight breeze. See anyone? I see a tent. There you go.

Go tell them they can't be there. One second. Hello? Hello? I didn't see or hear anyone. I peeked into the open flap and saw two sleeping. bags, two small backpacks, a water pouch, and an empty bowl with granola bar wrappers and some other trash. I walked around the tent to see a rock with some utensils, a beige cruiser hat,

and a roll of bandages sitting on it. Hello? Where were these people? Mike, how to go? There's no one here. I thought you said you saw a tent. I do. It's right here. There are two sleeping bags inside, but no people. They have to be around there somewhere.

I walked around Site 5 surveying the forest. Maybe they went fishing or swimming somewhere? There's no water over there. No lake. No creek. No, not even remotely close to Site 5. Maybe they're hunting. They shouldn't be. It's illegal. Yes, but you said this.

place was off limits so obviously we aren't dealing with law-abiding types let me call jean and see what he says okay stay put i continued to walk along the edge of the site that's when i saw something sticking out from behind a tree it didn't look like a normal branch i walked around the tree to see a hatchet it was jammed into the bark pulled it out and noticed a weird marking in the tree I ran my finger over the carved area This wasn't made with a hatchet This had been in the tree for a long time The marking looked like an eyeball

With a line running vertically through it Weird But for some reason it was vaguely familiar I waited for Amber's response but nearly ten minutes passed And nothing Amber? Amber you copy She still must be talking to Jean

Put the hatchet down on the rock by the tent That's what I noticed another one of those strange markings On a different tree I walked over to it and ran my finger over the indentation How long ago was this carved? I heard movement behind me I expected to turn around and see the hikers But no

I instantly froze as I saw a huge black bear I was in sight Oh shit, the animal made its way towards the tent. Maybe it just smelled the food wrappers inside. I didn't bug. It stuck its head in the tent, but pulled it out and sniff the air. It got on its hind legs and then back on all fours. Continued to sniff and then quickly turned its attention to me. It startled at the side of me.

Fuck. The bear did not look happy to see me. I didn't know what to do. Should I make noise? Should I lie down? Fake being dead? Should I run? My eyes shot over to the rock where I put the hatchet. Why did I put it down? Stupid, Mike! The bear clawed the ground.

It was breathing heavier, keeping its dark eyes on me. I know Amber said to make noise. Shit! It walked towards me. Ah! The bear stopped. Ah! My shouting didn't seem like it was working.

The bear seemed even more agitated. It clawed the ground once again, lowered its shoulders. Oh shit. And that's when the bear moved its head. with its head and charged Tower 4. Written and edited

by Robert M. Lamb and Dylan Whitehead. Starring Jack Austin as Mike, Gina Coyle as Amber, Brian Messick as Jean. Music provided by Kevin McLeod of Incompetect.com and Brett Wilkins at Facebook.com slash Wilkins MusicFL. If you enjoy Tower 4, visit 7lamb.com for more audio dramas such as this.

Also, don't forget to follow 7Lam on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, at 7LAMP podcasts. This has been a seven-lamb production.