Wiretap - Wiretap Introduces: Tunnel Runners from PlayME

Episode Date: October 30, 2024

Welcome to your digital stage, where bold theatre meets cutting-edge audio drama. Each episode of PlayME draws you into captivating stories brought to life by top actors, acclaimed writers, and cinematic sound design that places you at the center of the action. More episodes of PlayME are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/i3YFPyHS

My group chat thinks I'm the smart one, but I have a cheat code. I take 10 minutes each morning and listen to World Report. Knowing what's happening in the world helps me feel connected and make better informed decisions. But endless doom scrolling is not my idea of fun. So I just listen to World Report on my commute, get informed, and get on with my day. World Report, the day's top stories in 10 minutes, wherever you get your podcasts. is a CBC podcast. Hi, I'm Chris Tolly here with Laura Mullen,

where the writers, directors, directors, producers, and co-artistic directors of Expec Theatre and Play Me. Play Me is the place where bold theater meets cutting-edge audio drama. Each episode draws you into captivating stories brought to life by top actors, acclaimed writers, and cinematic sound design that places you at the center of the action. We're so excited to share with you the first part of our new original seven-part episodic audio drama series. Tunnel Runners.

16-year-old Cam is spiraling. A gifted but anxious Toronto teen, he numbs himself with meds and urban exploration videos. After a panic attack at school, Cam escapes into the city's subway tunnels. Underground, he discovers a hidden subcull. thriving in the darkness. Here's part one of tunnel runners. Please note this series features dangerous fictional stunts. Don't try them at home.

Here's the manhole cover. Here's the manhole cover. I mean, I'm going below. The thing I want you to know is this. Fear has always controlled me. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of death. Welcome to the subway time. Let's go this way.

Exploring new places gave me them all. I love the sensation of looking fear in the eye. It's my greatest motivation and my biggest enemy. I can't explain it. That's the station ahead. I've been doing this since I was 11, sneaking out, looking for places to uncover, because I've learned if you're smart enough to find the axis point,

you get to see the world from a different angle. Let's surf! What's that guy doing? What the fuck is that guy doing? He's hanging off the train? I've been in abandoned buildings on rooftops through construction sites, but nothing beats the underground. Rules don't exist down here. But I'm always looking for a bigger challenge.

A new place to explore When no one has ever been before Mom, some privacy, please? I know if you're going to let that by tomorrow, I get it checked out. Cam, smoothie, drink. I'm not even hungry. I don't think you should listen to him. Cam, Deb's calling any minute.

No, no, not this morning. I'm not canceling your therapist. I've got to call you back. Chaos again. I know. Bye. I got a headache. I don't think I can even go.

Remember what Dev says. She doesn't help. Visualize success. It's like a hammer to my head. Big fucking migraine. Picture yourself nailing your history presentation. My eyeballs are exploding. Keep your 97% average, getting a huge scholarship to you of tea.

You're supposed to. Just stay home if you're sick. And one day buying your suffering single mom, her dream home. I'm not calling that receptionist again. She's pissy. You're almost out of these? The bottle says take is needed. But we filled this a week ago.

You know what? I'm going to play pharmacist for a bit. Don't confiscate them. That way we know how many you're taking. You didn't wake me. Ellie? In the middle of something here. You're wearing that?

It's a top. He got a smoothie? Your brother has a presentation. So he gets room service? Ellie, enough. You never care about my homework. You do homework? I would if someone made me a smoothie.

I can't deal with this shit now. Everyone, get out! I told you, don't start. What school? Me? Dev says we need to provide a calming environment. Don't listen to them. Today's going to be good.

You'll see Zuri. She'll be wearing that tight blue sweater. Your presentation's going to kick ass. You're prepared. The work's done. You won't fuck up. Or panic Or run out of class

Oh shit, not therapy Hey Cam Big day, huh? Be nice Tell her what she wants to hear Yeah How are you feeling? I got this gastrointestinal thing

Cam You can't be sick every tough day You go over those exercises we covered They don't work You don't work, nothing's fucking working Sure But with this cold... I've got a new one for you.

When you're feeling anxious, I want you to ground yourself by naming five things you can see. Want to try it now? Fuck no. Sure. Great. So, look around your room. Ground yourself by naming what you see.

Uh, dirty underwear I'll wear today because no laundry. Don't think about it. Empty presto card because no money. Oh, whatever. ever you see. Empty prescription bottle, B-minus chemistry test, and 90s-hour Levine poster, aka my pretend girlfriend. Cam?

Uh, great-eight science award. Glass of water. White sneakers. Poster of Chris Hadfield. And... Don't say the picture of him. Don't say the picture of him. Picture of the camping trip with my dad.

Fuck. Want to talk about that picture today? No. Ellie, that's loud. Okay, back there, Cam? Great. Red light. Ellie, can you just get home?

Oh. Hey, Uncle Doug, it's Ellie. Mom's driving, so I can't really... What? Oh, my God. How did this happen? What? What's wrong?

Is she breathing? Eve? She's not breathing? She collapsed. The paramedics are there. Oh, my God. He's got it? Mom, watch it.

Okay, pull over. Jesus. Tell, Doug, I'm coming after I drop you off. The subway's right here. I, uh... Kingston's three hours away. Drop us. Yes. Okay, they're putting her on a gurney. Doug's going with them in the ambulance.

Go, go right now. Okay. There's pizza in the freezer and there's also a... Don't worry about us. I got this. Take care of your brother. Shit, I have her phone. Eve probably'll die. We're running out of family. Hey, you can't vape here. Not doing functions and applications straight.

Worried about a contact high? No. That'll end up like dad. Partying doesn't mean I will, and abstaining doesn't mean you won't. Pediatric prescriptions aside. Where are you? Steps. Sandy's ghoul's coming for me. Shit.

Surrey's going to see my presentation. It's okay. Breathe. Ground yourself. Five things you see. We've stopped? Breathe. Hot girl putting on mascara.

Condomede. That's kind of clever. Uh, crushed coffee cup. Work lights in the tunnel, and... Guy, face full of scars, watching me from inside the tunnel. What the fuck? You okay? Yeah, yeah.

What the hell was that? Great 11 History Class Rowan's World War presentation sucking the oxygen out of the room. Rowan Nice girl Boring A.F. Want to partner on post World War I Slides? Jesus, sir, he's cute.

I've been meaning to tell you. I like that sweater. Yeah, it's such a cute sweater. It shows her nips and everything. Leave her alone, Sandy. Oh my God. Cam speaks. of this um that that's it i guess okay roland that was fine cam you're up you got this

you got this whew ha it's gonna go great it's gonna go great fucking amazing everyone's gonna be in awe of my world war one knowledge zuri will be hot for me soon i'll have my hands up that sweater The causes of World War I The war had a moral indication of Can I go to the bathroom first? You just started. Keep going. The war was... Let me just get these.

Look at Zuri picking up my notes. She doesn't like me. She feels sorry for me. Mr. Meskin, show some mercy. Can't you see him dying up here? He's getting off, watching me sweat. The war was... Cam?

Are you okay? I can't breathe. Can't breathe. Can't catch... Control anything. Oh my God, no, Jesus. It's happening. Holy shit.

Gross. Oh my God, is he pissing himself? Oh, fuck. That didn't just happen. Please, God, that never happened. Where's Duree? She'll let me know if that really... She looked away.

Maybe we should stop. I have to get out of here. So we finally found a podcast that speaks to you, pure bliss. It's so good that when you finish the final episode, it leaves a hole in your heart and your schedule. What now? Personally, is here for you. It's a collection of true stories that explore what it means to be, well, human. The best part, there are six incredible seasons. dive into, with more on the way. Personally, get lost in someone else's life. Available now,

wherever you personally get your podcasts. Order for number 31? Hi? It's me. You have my phone. Why aren't you in class? Eve's dead? They're running tests. Look, I'm sending Miranda over to stay with you guys. Do not. I just feel more comfortable if... Mom, no. Cam needs someone to help him.

Miranda's ablest. I don't know what that means. She thinks Cam fakes anxiety. I can look after him. Ellie? Give me a chance. The doctor's here. I gotta go.

I'm counting on you. And get to class. I'm going to class. Leave a message. Eve's dying. Mom's AWOL. in charge. Come to Christy tonight for eight. It's non-negotiable. Pills. Where are they? Fuck, she took them. The Kingston. Oh my God. Oh my God. Shit.

Ground yourself. Uh, what do I see? What do I see? Uh, empty pill bottle and garbage. Fuck! Just go to sleep. It's all a nightmare. You're okay. Forget about it. Watch a video. Most people just want to feel safe.

Because being safe robs us of truly living. It's time to stop worrying about what might be and focus on what is. Are you ready to face your fears? You want to find out how it feels to be free? Yes. If you're smart enough to find the access point, you get to view the world from a different angle. Where, dude? Come on, where? Back it up?

The red door. He, yama wabonger, what's in us? The red door. Uh, red door cleaners. Red door shelter. Red door Japanese restaurant. Zooming in. there's the manhole cover

that's it you guys why are we walking fast Kennedy hold your girlfriend's hand she's full by clause deep what are you doing that's empty

that's littering I gotta call my brother he's supposed to meet us at the park Um, I thought he didn't go out. He doesn't. Leave a message. Cam? Better be a Christine 5.

Meet me by the hill. Or else. Pose with me? My mascara makes me look so emo. But my hair is fire. Sharing. Need help up? Gonna stay down here a fat minute.

Look at all the stars. Don't let her just lie like that. I'm joining you. How come I don't normally notice these stars? Pollution. A hundred years ago, you woulda. What did people already to do 100 years ago before they felt like the world's coming to an end?

Or like, 400 years ago? Before colonialism fucked everything? All right, move over. Let's skip the park I'll smoke you up in my place And we'll watch a movie Christy's fake anyway No Cam's probably on his way

Fake how Story time Saw on TikTok That before Christy was a park It was a creek 150 years ago people literally dumped shit in it So the city buried it You can bury a whole body of water

So now under Christy There's these ancient sewers And interconnecting tunnels Oh my god, so true. My brother's obsessed with those videos. When it rains, the creek comes back to life. This is a cute angle, snapping. So we've been hanging out in Victorian shit. Basically.

Can't believe I have to say this, but don't believe everything on TikTok. Let's find my bro. manhole six feet from red door restaurant found the access point let's see if dad's old pry bar works a 20 foot drop don't think about it just hang onto the ladder I'm falling I'm falling What the fuck? Where'd everyone come from?

How am I going to find Cam? Kennedy, did you post about a party at Christy? Like two snaps. Let's just find Cam. Cam and ditch. Holy shit. Gross. Oh my God, is he pissing himself?

Holy shit. Uh, Ellie, you might want to see this. I know, I'm not watching videos now, AJ. Who is that? Cam? Is he... Turn it off. Turn it off.

Oh my God, is he pissing himself? I did. Someone else is playing it. The police coming. Wait, that's his sister. That's your psycho brother? She's not worth it. You're whole, shit, look.

You only sit. Hey, hey. Hellie, stop. Oh, shit. We're going to fight, fight, fight, fight, fight, fight. Move back, clear out. Go home. We're leaving.

Just let her go. She attacked me. Go home. And you, come with me. But I got to find my brother. Am I okay? Get up. It's pitch black. Nice, okay, stay calm.

Find your phone so you can see. That's better. Ancient-looking sewer. Clay bricks, arched entrance space. It's like from a horror movie. Look at that. Someone above. Hey, who's there? Hello?

Cover's sealed. No way back up. Keep moving. I'm not alone down here. Getting a closer look. A girl. My age. Pink hair, tattoos, tool belt.

What the hell's she doing? I see you there. Asshole. She had me. I have a knife. Whoever's hiding there? Better not. Follow me.

I shouldn't, but I gotta see where she's going. She disappeared through a hole. There's a subway tunnel on the other side. At least it's dry on these tracks. Where's she going? She's climbing on the back of a train? Not following her there. Not jumping on the next subway that comes.

No way. Not subway surfing. Too dangerous. Nope. Oh, fuck it. What do I do? Uh, uh, step on the lip of the bag? Yeah, grab Ridley.

Don't think. Go. Uh, this is dangerous, but this is fucking awesome. Shit. Girls by window, stay low. Oh, they saw me. Jump! Voices coming from the other side of this wall.

Is that where the punk girl went? Let's crawl through and find out. Holy shit. These people. Whatever this place is, it's fucking awesome. Fucking above-grounder? I told you not to follow me. You're listening to Tunnel Runners, created and produced by Chris Tawley and Laura Mullen.

The series is written by Laura Mullen. Sound design, edit, and mix are by Chris Talley. Direction by Courtney Chung Lancaster, Laura Mullen, and Chris Talley. Script editing by Greg Nelson. Original theme music by Deanna H. Choi. Casting by Courtney Chung Lancaster.

Associate producers, Kayla Addo and Briantyce. The series features Jordan Cooper as Cam, Liz Durr as Brooklyn, Peter Fernandez as Blaze, Jeffrey Young as Loss Gabriella Sunder Singh as Zuri Michelle Monteith as Atlas Dan Muso as Finn

Zerana Satic as Mum Charlotte Dennis as Ellie Ruth Goodwin as Knox Annelise Howerluck as Salem Doreenie Wulcom as Dev Tony Nappo as Dad Marcia Johnson as Cafe Worker Marin Stevens as Rowan

and Olive Tolly as Little Girl. Tunnel Runners is a Play Me and Expec Theatre production, made possible by the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council. A special thanks to our CBC team. Anna Ashtay is our digital producer, and our executive producer is Cecil Fernandez. The director of CBC podcasts is RF Narani, and the executive director is Leslie Merklinger.

You've been listening to Part 1 of Tunnel Runners. Part 2 is waiting for you right now. Just search for PlayMe, wherever you get your podcasts. And be sure to follow so you don't miss the next one. For more CBC podcasts, go to cbc.ca.ca.