Writer Wrong
Writer Wrong
The Griwerrtones Chapter Two
The Griwerrtones rehearse for the much anticipated Henrikksen Halloween Ball. Unusual occurrences and suspicious meetings keep things interesting.
CO-HOST: Cody Dry
Produced by Patrick Emile and Marlo Mysliwiec
Written, Directed, Scored, and Edited by Patrick Emile
CAST: Jovane Caamaño as Myles Manningford, Cameron Casey as Champ Renegade, Cody Dry as DJ Yuh-no, Courtney Dyamond as Narrator, Patrick Emile as Cornish Henrriksen, Brendan Kallaugher as Sandy Graves, Jon Murrell as Parry Unitas, Bradford Reilly as Claude "the Clobber" Clobbinzky, Amber Rossi Strasser as Tessa Buckle, Ph.D., and Evan Michael Woods as Cisco Schaefer
Writer Wrong Episode 5
The Griwerrtones Chapter Two
10.29.2020
Note: Writer Wrong is designed and produced for your listening enjoyment. If you are able, we recommend listening to the audio for your initial experience. All transcripts are generated by human transcribers and may contain errors. Please refer to the corresponding audio episode before quoting in print.
Writer Wrong and “The Griwerrtones Chapter Two” are copyrighted works under Title 17, USC. No part of these works may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission from the copyright owner.
INTRO 00:00
[MUSIC: WRITER WRONG THEME]
Marlo Mysliwiec: Welcome to Writer Wrong where you, the listeners, become the writers. Today’s episode is Chapter Two of three. Now over to your host Patrick Emile.
[MUSIC: WRITER WRONG THEME OUT]
WRITERS ROOM with Cody Dry 00:16
Patrick Emile (PE): Welcome to the show, brave listeners. This is the Writer Wrong Podcast, where you decide what happens next. I am your host, again, Patrick Emile, and I am very excited to be bringing you this next installment. Remember in this episode we will be presenting "The Griwerrtones Chapter Two," so spoilers ahead if you haven't listened to Chapter One.
Just a quick note, my friends, I'd like to take a minute to thank our recent Patreon supporters, Kris Kelly, Dawna Rooks, Aaron Green, and Rylee Hunter. The support of Patreon helps us with the costs of web-hosting, equipment upgrades, and payments to our incredible Writer Wrong Rogues and Co-Hosts. Marlo and I are both so grateful for any support we receive on Patreon and in return, we've got a lot of great perks out there for you, such as insights into my creative process, advance releases of commentary-free director's cuts of the audio plays, and of course our immense gratitude to you for making this podcast possible. Check us out on Patreon at Patreon.com/WriterWrong or on our website WriterWrongPodcast.com and visit the donate page. Thanks again for all that help.
Listeners, we are thrilled once again to be back in the studio with Mr. Cody Dry. Welcome back Codes. How is it going?
Cody Dry (CD): Thanks so much. It's great to be back. Things are going pretty well.
PE: Pretty well?
CD: Pretty well in Dry town, as I call it.
PE: Yeah, although it is not dry town here in Dallas, folks.
CD: It sure isn't.
PE: It is an abysmal day, in fact.
CD: Yeah, it feels very fall/winter.
PE: We're wearing seemingly matching black hoodies today in the studio to give you an insight as to how we are constantly collaborating here at Writer Wrong.
CD: Yeah, I look like a pile of laundry, as a matter of fact. (laughs)
PE: Yeah. Looking good though. It's a good pile of laundry.
CD: (laughing) Thanks.
PE: So, Cody I did not get to the liquor store today.
CD: I noticed.
PE: I'm sure you have. So, folks that means we are not drinking The Botanist. The show might be all the poorer for it, we will find out. So, if you're listening, The Botanist, we could've used some today.
CD: Yeah.
PE: Just a little bit.
CD: Just a little help.
PE: Yeah.
CD: Botanist.
PE: So, Cody are you listening to anything cool, or reading anything, or watching anything? What's been going on?
CD: Yeah, I don't know if you've heard of her, but her name's Phoebe Bridgers, No— (laughs)
PE: Ooohh.
CD: (laughing) —I'm just kidding. JK. Inside joke. I've actually been watching some found-footage horror movies.
PE: Oh yeah.
CD: My adventure started with a film called Hell House LLC.
PE: Ok.
CD: And it's pretty interesting because it's about a group who decided to put some money into an abandoned hotel.
PE: Ok.
CD: That had a satanic ritual thing happen in the basement. And so they set up this haunted house and of course, things go awry. But it's very interesting how they're forced to go through their own haunted house.
PE: Oh I see.
CD: Yeah, so it kind of flips the script. It's interesting. It's fairly well done. There are some other installments of it. And if you like something lighter, Puppet History. I've also been watching that. There's some Buzzfeed guys that do that.
PE: That sounds cool.
CD: And he has this kind of history quiz show hosted by a puppet professor.
PE: Really?
CD: Yeah. It's adult language and whatnot, but it's pretty funny.
PE: Cool. Hey Pix Smith, if you're out there listening, check that out. You probably already know it. That's a puppetmaster that I know here in Dallas, Pix Smith.
CD: Oh cool!
PE: What is your favorite found-footage horror movie?
CD: I think, of course, Blair Witch, which apparently isn't the OG, the original.
PE: Yeah, as far as I know, it's The Last Broadcast, but I'm not sure.
CD: Right, I did check that one out. Yeah, I think Blair Witch because I saw it in high school and it inspired us to make our own. Which I'm sure it did for so many people.
PE: It was scary AF when I watched it for the first time.
CD: Yeah! It was terrifying. How many of us have been camping and been in the woods and been like, "what's that?" It's the Blair Witch.
PE: Yeah.
CD: Forever it will be the Blair Witch. (laughs)
PE: Yeah I guess that's probably mine. That's not my favorite horror genre in a broad sense—
CD: Yes. Same.
PE: —but like as far as that sub-genre, I guess we'd have to give it to Blair Witch—oh Paranormal Activity, the first one's pretty good.
CD: Yeah, those are really good.
PE: Pretty scary.
CD: Yeah.
PE: Also happy Halloween out there, everybody.
CD: (ghost noise)
PE: Yeah, so by the time this will air it will be almost Halloween. So hope you're getting all your spooky—
CD: Get your tricksy—
PE: —ghoulish stuff.
CD: Your ooky-spooky. (laughs)
PE: Yeah. Safely.
CD: (laughs) Yes.
PE: I feel really bad for kids.
CD: (sigh) Yeah.
PE: I imagine there's not a lot of trick or treating going on.
CD: A lot of trunk or treatin' going on.
PE: Yeah, seriously. For real. Alright, so I've been listening to a lot of Eric Whitacre's new opus, The Sacrad Veil. It is, think 150 movements. I've listened to—no, I'm—
CD: (laughs)
PE: —I'm being hyperbolic.
CD: I was like, wow that is magnus.
PE: I recommend listeners that if you're into choral music, and contemporary choral music, then check it out because he is the guy, he's one of the guys for sure. I also recently watch Enola Holmes on the Netflix. Pretty cool. Pretty good. I liked it a lot. As a lonely music student, and a freshman in college, I made my way through the complete Sherlock Holmes, so I am quite the Sherlock fan.
CD: Oh!
PE: And most of the properties I really enjoy, and this one is no exception. I will say Henry Cavill is maybe too good looking to be an actor, almost.
CD: I mean, dream guy right there.
PE: Yeah, I mean, Sherlock doesn't look like that—
CD: No.
PE: —I mean maybe he can, but he's so suave, and Sherlock isn't, that's not how I imagine—I also, I'm not sure about their characterization of Mycroft. But, Enola, Millie Bobby Brown was excellent—
CD: Love her.
PE: —kudos to her, big snaps. She's also a producer of it. Really cool—
CD: Good for her. So young.
PE: Interested to follow her career.
CD: Yeah.
PE: She is super talented. So yeah, recommend that Enola Holmes if you haven't seen it.
Alright friends, so that brings us to the reason we are all here, "The Griwerrtones Chapter Two" I'm hyped, Cody are you hyped?
CD: I'm super hyped! I can't wait.
PE: Awesome. So, folks, Cody has not heard this—
CD: This is true. This is true.
PE: —yeah, so this will be his first time, along with all of you out there. I hope he likes it, I hope you all like it, but I guess we will find out. Lots happening in this chapter so pay close attention. We will go over how the voting went down after the play. So, sit back, relax, here comes "The Griwerrtones Chapter Two."
[MUSIC: WRITER WRONG THEME UP AND OUT]
[BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP]
THE GRIWERRTONES - Chapter Two 06:57
[MUSIC: SLEEPY TIME INTRO]
CORNISH:
(stirring)...No...no...I don't want to wear it, I'm a big kid...no...(startled) aaAAHHhhhhhhhhh!
[SOUND: INTERCOM]
PARRY:
Master Cornish, sir?
CORNISH:
Parry, lights to thirty percent!
[SOUND: BEEPING]
PARRY:
Did you have another night terror, sir?
CORNISH:
Yes. I'm having trouble sleeping in anticipation of this weekend's Halloween Ball. Is everything coming together?
[MUSIC: CONNIVING UND.]
PARRY:
The device is completed. Tests have been inconclusive, but the engineering team is working as we speak under my supervision.
CORNISH:
And have all the necessary materials now been accounted for?
PARRY:
All components are now acquired, sir.
CORNISH:
Excellent. (Beat) Parry, could you bring me some water? I must get some rest, but I am quite parched.
PARRY:
(beat) Sir, I have not outfitted your bed with the special sheets—
CORNISH:
Ugh, Parry!
PARRY:
Have you attempted to count your grievances?
CORNISH:
No.
PARRY:
Close your eyes sir. I will lull you.
CORNISH:
(sigh) Fine.
[MUSIC: LULLABY XYLOPHONE UND.]
PARRY:
(To the tune of "Baa, Baa Black Sheep")
Count a grievance
What is the offense?
Let the vengeance
Now commence.
One for the children
Who laugh, point, and shove.
Two for the parents
Who never show their love.
Count a grievance
What is the offense?
(slowing down)
Let the vengeance
Now commence.
[MUSIC: THE GRIWERRTONES THEME SONG]
NARRATOR:
In the darkest hour,
in the time of need,
who sings for the songless?
Cisco Schaefer!
CISCO:
"Don't get all riled up, creamy."
NARRATOR:
Champ Renegade!
CHAMP:
"Life is an ocean of possibility: give the roots room to grow, and you'll see that even broken wings have feathers."
NARRATOR:
Tessa Buckle, Ph.D.!
TESSA:
"My therapist says I need to consider people as more than the makeup of their atomic structure. I tend to disagree..."
NARRATOR:
And Myles Manningford!
MYLES:
"Here's one: squirrel boxing. But, it's also a ceramics studio."
NARRATOR:
Together they are...The Griwerrtones!
Written by Patrick Emile.
[MUSIC: NARRATION UND.]
NARRATOR:
At Griwerrtones HQ, the team is hard at work fine-tuning for tomorrow night's performance. Or at least that's what they should be doing. They've taken a quick snack break in the lounge and things have gone a bit... off-topic.
[SOUND: WHIP CRACK]
CISCO:
Listen here creamy, I know from symbols, ok? I have advanced training in cryptography and semiotics. The stuff I've seen, you have no idea...
[SOUND: CHEWING]
[MUSIC: PLAYFUL UND.]
NARRATOR:
An intrigued Tessa interjects between adorably careful bites of a bagel generously spread with stone ground mustard—that's her favorite.
TESSA:
Fascinating, Cisco. Where did you receive this education?
CISCO:
I can't talk about that.
CHAMP:
Cisco, to earn your stub you can't be stub-earn. And in this case, the pay stub represents your value as someone committed to their personal growth as a modern text-er.
CISCO:
Look, sometimes an eggplant is just an eggplant. Don't be gross.
MYLES:
I am so psyched for the Halloween Ball, ya'll! But real quick, has anyone seen my dictaphone?
CISCO:
I think you mean eggplant-o-phone, right Champ?
TESSA:
That is quite a humorous entendre.
CHAMP:
Laughter is the drug for which our souls should always relapse.
CISCO:
Good one, kid. (to Myles) So where'd you see it last, chief?
MYLES:
Here, just last night. I was on a roll with my axe throwing and couples counseling idea: Hewn Quarrels.
TESSA:
Perhaps you should call it "Bury The Hatchet."
CISCO:
Oh ho!
CHAMP:
(laughing) Now that's funny.
MYLES:
Well, that wouldn't work with the sign...
CISCO:
The doc with the zingers! Who knew? Somebody get her on a stage!
CHAMP:
Not a bad idea. Tessa, I once emceed a silent dance party on an ayahuasca retreat and almost doubled my followers in 24 hours.
TESSA:
Unfortunately, my public speaking days are over after my Chad Chat on ribosomal subunits inadvertently induced sleep upon a large group of peers—some of whom, being elderly, regrettably failed to rouse.
MYLES:
Anyway, I had it right here. Sometimes it's like I can't think without it. But it's all good, it'll turn up when I least expect it!
CHAMP:
I know exactly what you mean, Myles. Coincidentally, I can't find my favorite analog journal. It's made from my own up-cycled tissues that are then embossed with my initials. It's through an affiliate, code CHAMPSTAMP20 if you're interested...
TESSA:
I do not believe in coincidence as a metric for meaning in the observable universe, but it is worth noting that my own most favored lab coat is also missing with no immediate explanation.
CISCO:
Whoa, whoa, whoa. You all need to keep a better eye on your stuff. Do you not survey your surroundings at all times?
MYLES:
I mean, I try to...
TESSA:
As do I.
CHAMP:
Same.
CISCO:
For instance, chief, I know for a fact that you were working last night on your couples and axes idea.
[SOUND: CHEWING]
MYLES:
(beat) Well, yeah that's what I said just a minute ago.
CISCO:
I know, I surveyed you saying that.
TESSA:
(Sigh)
CISCO:
I also know that you, Tessa, recently acquired a baseball card, most likely of Claude "The Clobber" Clobbinzky.
NARRATOR:
The group looks to Tessa expectantly.
TESSA:
I don't see how you could possibly know that.
CHAMP:
Wait, what?
MYLES:
Tessa is he right?
TESSA:
It's...I was merely...
CISCO:
Look at what she's eating...
MYLES:
A bagel with stone ground mustard.
CHAMP:
That's her favorite.
NARRATOR:
Told ya!
TESSA:
Hardly unusual, Cisco.
CISCO:
Ay, let me finish. Look closely, you'll see that the said stone-ground mustard is from a packet.
NARRATOR:
There are indeed several opened mustard packets in front of Tessa.
CISCO:
Why the packets, I ask you...
MYLES:
Were they out of mustard at Bean Scene, Tessa? Usually, they just put it on for you.
CHAMP:
That guy who swears a lot practically starts making it when you walk in.
CISCO:
My friends, that bagel isn't from Bean Scene at all. Is it, Tessa?
TESSA:
No, it is not.
CISCO:
Now, where else can you get a fresh bagel in Griwerrtown?
MYLES:
Oh...well, I guess there's that chain place, Breadholes? It's not very good, though.
CHAMP:
Hashtag shop local!
CISCO:
Exactly, chief. So why would our esteemed doctor here drive all the way across town for a bagel when Bean Scene is on the way to HQ from her lab?
TESSA:
Has it not occurred to you that I might have had errands in that vicinity?
CISCO:
Oh, you had an errand, alright. And came prepared with the stone ground mustard packets, knowing full well that you'd most likely stop into Breadholes and doubting that they would have the right mustard.
MYLES:
Ok, but so what?
CISCO:
And what is right next door to Breadholes? You're a Griv-lifer chief, think about it...
NARRATOR:
Myles thinks about it.
MYLES:
(with realization) Uncle Able's Unforgettables!
CHAMP:
What's that?
MYLES:
They sell memorabilia, collectibles, stuff like that.
CISCO:
I rest my case.
MYLES:
Tessa?
[SOUND: UNZIPPING]
NARRATOR:
Tessa removes a baseball card from her purse with resignation. (Annoyed) It's Clobber Clobbinzky.
TESSA:
I thought perhaps it would give me something to talk about should we cross paths at the Henrikksen Halloween Ball.
[MUSIC: PLAYFUL UND.]
NARRATOR:
Ugh, he's not even that good.
TESSA:
Cisco, I must concede with intellectual admiration that you have deduced the reasoning behind my application of the mustard in packet form with astonishing accuracy.
MYLES:
Wow! Cisco! Look at you go!
CHAMP:
Maybe an eggplant is an eggplant, after all.
CISCO:
Stick with me, kid!
MYLES:
Ok, enough with the chit-chat. Let's hit it! Champ I think it's your turn!
[SOUND: FOOTSTEPS]
NARRATOR:
The group makes their way from the lounge to the studio and circles up.
ALL:
Griwerrtones! Griwerrtones!
CHAMP:
Find your inner truth!
ALL:
The rearview is the fear view! Goooo, Griwerrtones!
CISCO:
...except when you're driving. Really need that rearview in a vehicle.
[MUSIC: SHORT TRANSITION]
NARRATOR:
The GTs rehearse all evening, and, after stringing a few successful tries together, they eventually call it a night. The next day, Sandy Graves gets an unexpected visitor at work. Do you remember Sandy? He's the announcer for The Griwerrtown Grackles...
[SOUND: STORE AMBIENCE]
[MUSIC: ORGAN UND.]
SANDY:
(on microphone)...and on deck, number 42, Very Berry Serry-tonin, add pineapple and twoooo shots of beta-blocker. Keep life smooth, your order is ready.
NARRATOR:
...and he also moonlights at Pills 'N' Chills to make ends meet. See, when the team was taken over by Cornish Henrikksen, the generous healthcare plan left with the previous owners. This put Sandy in a very tough spot, as his husband Hurley is seriously ill and on several medications. With his discount at Pills 'N' Chills, Sandy is able to get by and get the prescriptions Hurley needs. Plus, Cornish thinks Sandy is a charming addition to the PNC brand.
SANDY:
(on microphone)...next we have number 43, Fennel and Dill Fentanyl Blast on a Predni-cone. Your order is ready, keep life smooth.
CLOBBER:
Sandy Graves, it is I, Claude Clobbinzky.
[MUSIC: CLOBBER RUSSIAN UND.]
SANDY:
Clobber! How are you, my friend?
CLOBBER:
Seeing you like this, with silly hat, bring tear to eye.
SANDY:
Well, you know. We do what we have to, right? Hurley needs a lot of care these days.
CLOBBER:
He is good man, Hurley. As are you. Do you have tip jar?
SANDY:
"Gratuity hurts you and me." Company policy.
CLOBBER:
This is most stupid saying. I put money in your pocket now. Come here.
[SOUND: WRESTLING]
NARRATOR:
Sandy and Clobber begin to tussle a bit.
SANDY:
No...Claude, cut it out. I could get in trouble.
CLOBBER:
Do not struggle. You are weak man. I am strong man. You will only lose.
NARRATOR:
Clobber stuffs Sandy's shirt pocket with quite a lot of money.
SANDY:
Clobber, that's too much.
CLOBBER:
It is nothing. Tell Hurley I said hello.
SANDY:
Thank you.
CLOBBER:
Enough.
SANDY:
I never took you for a prescriptions kinda guy. This your first time here?
CLOBBER:
It is my first time here during day, yes. Sometimes, Cornish and I have...meetings. In fact, we are to have one today. Very strange, with all the lights and sun shining.
SANDY:
What kind of meetings?
NARRATOR:
Clobber stares at Sandy blankly.
SANDY:
Well, none of my business of course. (Lowering voice) Look, Claude, you can talk to me if you're mixed up in anything shady, you know. I know Cornish is into some weird stuff. I'd tell someone myself if he didn't have me—
SMOOTHIE TECH:
Order up!
SANDY:
(nervously) You know what, never mind. So is Mr. Henrikksen here? I didn't see him come in.
CLOBBER:
You will be at Halloween Ball tonight?
SANDY:
Oh. Yup, I'll be there.
CLOBBER:
Ok, I go past you into back office now. It is good to see you, Sandy Graves.
[MUSIC: CLOBBER RUSSIAN UND.]
SANDY:
Uh, yeah Clobber. Good to see you, too. Thanks again.
[SOUND: FOOTSTEPS]
NARRATOR:
Clobber's large frame glides smoothly past Sandy, through the kitchen, and towards the office. It is evident that he has done this before. He knocks...specifically.
[SOUND: CODED KNOCKING SEQUENCE]
[SOUND: DOOR OPENING]
NARRATOR:
It is pitch black in the window-less office. Clobber fumbles for the light switch and eventually finds it.
[SOUND: LIGHT SWITCH]
CLOBBER:
Ah. I see. A strange meeting, indeed.
NARRATOR:
Maybe we'll learn more about that meeting later, but there is no time now.
[MUSIC: ORGAN INTRODUCTION]
NARRATOR:
My loves, the night is upon us. The Annual Henrikksen Halloween Ball!
[SOUND: PARTY AMBIENCE]
[MUSIC: JAZZ PARTY UND.]
CORNISH:
Yes, wonderful to see you. Thank you for coming.
Ah, so glad you could make it!
Oh, look at you! What a costume. Please make yourself at home. Mm-hm. There you go.
NARRATOR:
Henrikksen Manor has been transformed into the most wonderfully spooky party you could imagine. No expense has been spared. Cobwebs, bats, spiders, fog machines, automated lighting, zombie fire breathers, hired clowns who will tap your shoulder and run away, animatronic ghouls and goblins, and food and drink to feed an army.
Cornish is dressed as an eccentric 1920s billionaire, and while that doesn't stretch the imagination too much, his insistence that Parry dress as a gum, mint, and cigarette girl is a nice touch. Being a robot, it's not like his arms will ever get tired from holding a tray all night.
[SOUND: ROBOTIC WHIRRING]
PARRY:
Coffee, tea, or me?
CORNISH:
Well, this seems to be going splendidly thus far, wouldn't you say, Parry?
PARRY:
The event of the season as predicted, sir.
NARRATOR:
Meanwhile, outside...
[SOUND: CRICKETS]
CISCO:
(pause) I say we just go in.
CHAMP:
Same, Cisco.
MYLES:
But shouldn't we knock? You don't know how it is in these circles. There's always some stupid proper way of doing things.
NARRATOR:
Tessa points to a cardboard coffin stuck into a massive plant by the door. It reads...
[MUSIC: SHORT ORGAN BUILD]
"Come In...If You Dare!"
TESSA:
It would seem that the recommended instruction is simply to enter.
MYLES:
Ok. (psyches himself up) Let's do this gang!
[SOUND: MANOR DOOR OPENING]
[MUSIC: JAZZ PARTY UND.]
PARRY:
Master Cornish, it appears as if the Griwerrtones have arrived.
[SOUND: ROBOTIC WHIRRING]
NARRATOR:
Normally Parry would be sure about who is entering and exiting Henrikksen Manor, but costumes do make it more difficult to verify everyone on the guest list. The GTs are no exception. They are each wearing witch hats and holding brooms, however, instead of tattered robes, they are covered head to toe in yarn, glitter, popsicle sticks, and pipe cleaners. (embarrassed) Yes. It's witchcraft.
CORNISH:
Myles Manningford, is that you under there?
MYLES:
(putting on airs) A-good evening, CornyyyIISH. It has indeed been an age since our last encounter.
CISCO:
You ok, chief?
CORNISH:
Now now, Myles. Let us dispense with the formalities. Bring it in.
NARRATOR:
Cornish and Myles have a terribly awkward hug.
PARRY:
Well done, sir. The practice has proved to be worthwhile.
CORNISH:
Parry! Ugh.
MYLES:
Thank you so much for having us Cornish. Um, this is Cisco Schaefer...
CISCO:
How you doin'?
CORNISH:
Quite well, thank you.
MYLES:
...Tessa Buckle...
NARRATOR:
That's Tessa Buckle, Ph.D.
TESSA:
Good evening, Mr. Henrikksen.
CORNISH:
Dr. Buckle, I am...familiar with your work.
MYLES:
...and Champ Renegade…
CHAMP:
Très belle, Mr. Henrikksen.
CORNISH:
Parry?
PARRY:
They say you have a beautiful home, sir.
CORNISH:
Oh, well thank you very much, Champ. I so wish I paid more attention to my French lessons as a lad.
CHAMP:
Anything is easy to pick up, no matter how heavy, if you see its inner light...ness.
CORNISH:
...ok. Very good. Uh, Myles, you remember Parry, of course?
MYLES:
Definitely. (over-pronouncing) How...are...you, Parry?
PARRY:
Coffee, tea, or me?
MYLES:
Oh, um. I'm good. Anyone else?
CORNISH:
So let me guess: witchcraft!
MYLES / CISCO / CHAMP / TESSA:
Nailed it! / Yep, that's what it is. / I thought a group thing would be appropriate. / It was not my preferred choice.
CORNISH:
How wonderful! Please, enjoy the party. You will be performing in the east parlor, but Parry will make sure you have everything you need when the time comes. I simply cannot wait to hear what you have prepared for us. I'm a very big fan.
PARRY:
Master Cornish, sir...
CORNISH:
I know, Parry! Please excuse me, Griwerrtones. I must be off to be a stupid host. Goodbye for now.
[SOUND: ROBOTIC WHIRRING]
NARRATOR:
Cornish wades into the sea of guests with Parry in tow.
MYLES:
Champ, what gives? You speak French? That made us look so awesome!
CHAMP:
Yeah, in my younger years I co-sponsored a 36-month selfie-taking residency in Paris called View the Visage.
CISCO:
Younger years. Why don't you co-sponsor me over to that grub table, Champ? I can't sing on an empty stomach.
CHAMP:
Lead the way, Cisco.
NARRATOR:
As the pair makes their way to the buffet, Myles hears a familiar voice behind him.
CLOBBER:
Myles Manningford. It is I, Claude Clobbinzky.
MYLES:
Clobber! My man, how are you?! Love the costume, what is that your...away uniform?
CLOBBER:
I have nothing to hide and so therefore bravely show what I am. Baseball player.
MYLES:
Have you met my friend? This is Tessa Buckle, Ph.D. Our soaring soprano.
TESSA:
He..hello...good evening, Mr. Clobbinzky.
CLOBBER:
You are like a beautiful sunrise if sunrise could be nervous.
MYLES:
Well hey, I'm going to go say hi to a few people. Is that cool, Tessa?
TESSA:
Um, well—
MYLES:
Awesome. Great to see you, Clobber!
CLOBBER:
And you as well, Myles Manningford.
MYLES:
Sandy! Is that you?
CLOBBER:
So do you come to Halloween Ball often, or...?
NARRATOR:
Myles makes his way over to Sandy, leaving Tessa with the big, dumb baseball player. Elsewhere at the party...
CHAMP:
So Cisco, your surveying skills must be totes fired up at a party like this, bet.
CISCO:
You could say that again, kid. You notice anything weird about the robot?
CHAMP:
Well...it's a robot?
CISCO:
(whispered) Exactly.
CHAMP:
So...
CISCO:
So, I bet you a bottle o' suds that he's like me viz-o-viz—
CHAMP:
(correcting him) Vis-à-vis...
CISCO:
(same as before) viz-o-viz The Griwerrtones in that he knows everything that's happening at all times. Never trust a robot. I learned that the hard way.
[SOUND: WEREWOLF HOWL]
NARRATOR:
And over by a trio of breakdancing werewolves, Myles is consoling Sandy Graves.
MYLES:
Look, Sandy, if there's anything I can do. Money, whatever. Hurley will get through this, I just know it.
SANDY:
Thanks, Myles. Actually, what I need is to get some alone time with Cornish.
NARRATOR:
Sandy seems very anxious.
MYLES:
Corny? I mean, Cornish? Why don't I just wave him over...
SANDY:
No! It has to be somewhere quiet. It's important.
MYLES:
Okayyyy...
NARRATOR:
Let's see how Tessa is failing—I mean, faring...
CLOBBER:
I can sign that for you, if that is wish you make.
TESSA:
That would be a most welcome addition to its value.
CLOBBER:
You know I hit ball so far. Farther than you.
TESSA:
Oh, I'm quite sure.
CLOBBER:
In fact, I dare you. I dare you hit ball farther than me. Right now. I dare you.
TESSA:
Well, it would seem that I am lacking the appropriate equipment and footwear for such a challenge—
CLOBBER:
Then, some night in the future, sunrise girl. Some night in future. I destroy ball for your pleasure and perhaps we lie on backs and look at stars afterwards.
TESSA:
I...I would very much welcome the opportunity to watch the balls. Watch you hit the balls. In fact, I—
[SOUND: FOOTSTEPS]
CORNISH:
Dr. Buckle, I'm so very sorry, but may I cut in for a moment?
CLOBBER:
We will speak again, Tessa Buckle, Ph.D.
TESSA:
Yes, I hope so...I...
NARRATOR:
Clobber finally walks away.
CORNISH:
Dr. Buckle?
TESSA:
Mr. Henrikksen, yes, of course, you have my rapt attention.
CORNISH:
There is something I wish to show you. Are you aware that I have a laboratory onsite? The entire lower level of the estate. It would delight me to escort you below.
TESSA:
Well then, I would be most intrigued to see it.
NARRATOR:
Tessa disappears with Cornish, leaving a trail of craft glitter in her wake. Over at the food station, an array of edibles now has a sizable dent.
MYLES:
Hey, ya'll! Whoa. Cisco? Did you eat...all that?
CISCO:
You know I can't sing when I'm hungry, chief.
MYLES:
No, I know. Just...wow. Anyway, have either of you seen Tessa? It's getting close to time and I want to circle up if we can.
CHAMP:
I just saw her go through that far door with Cornish Henrikksen.
CISCO:
Ay! There ya go, creamy! Nice work!
MYLES:
What? Weird. Ok. Well, I guess if she's with Cornish then she won't be late for the performance. It's not like it'll happen without him there.
NARRATOR:
A very thin and gangly man with headphones around his neck approaches them.
DJ YUH-NO:
Yo, yo, what do you know my fellow peoples!
CHAMP:
DJ Yuh-no?!
DJ YUH-NO:
Hey, that's me, yuh know.
CHAMP:
I saw you perform Roach-ella two years ago and it was the highlight of my festival season. You might remember me from backstage. I was wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
DJ YUH-NO:
Hey, preesh that, kid. Preesh that.
CHAMP:
Are you DJ-ing tonight?
DJ YUH-NO:
Hey, you know. This cat Henrikksen said he wanted the best, so he got with my agent Age-dawg and the rest is history. Ima be right behind ya'll ready to set it off as soon ya'll's tune is through.
MYLES:
Cool!
DJ YUH-NO:
So hit me the vibes, you know. Is it gonna be like spooky scary, or kooky crazy, or what? I wanna be ready to drop the freshest needle possible. You know?
NARRATOR:
The gang fills in Dj Yuh-no on their plans as some time passes at the party. Eventually, Tessa and Cornish emerge from behind a large painting, or a door I suppose, in a completely different part of the manor from where they descended. Sandy Graves walks up to them with two glasses.
SANDY:
Mr. Henrikksen, you can't be empty-handed at your own ball! Here, I brought you some champagne.
[SOUND: GLASSES CLINK]
SANDY:
Can we talk? It's important.
TESSA:
I'll just be off now. It's almost time for the performance.
[SOUND: FOOTSTEPS RUNNING AWAY]
CORNISH:
Of course, Dr. Buckle. Thank you for indulging me. Sandy, can this wait? The entertainment is about to begin.
SANDY:
It really can't, Mr. Henrikksen.
NARRATOR:
Across from the main hall and in the east parlor, the team is now complete again.
[SOUND: FOOTSTEPS RUNNING TOWARDS]
MYLES:
Tessa, where did you go? What was all that with Corny?
TESSA:
Myles, we need to talk—
[SOUND: ROBOTIC WHIRRING]
PARRY:
Griwerrtones. It is now time for your performance. Do you have everything you require?
MYLES:
Um, sure. (slower) Yes...definitely, Parry. We're ready to go. Right, gang?
PARRY:
Excellent. I will now create the performance lighting. Master Henrikksen will introduce you.
[SOUND: ROBOTIC WHIRRING]
[SOUND: SPOTLIGHT CLICKS ON]
NARRATOR:
The lights begin to shift to a low and dramatic setting. A spotlight appears in front of The Griwerrtones, now lined up and holding lit candles. DJ Yuh-no and his huge set-up tower behind them.
SANDY:
(hushed) I'm sure that's what I saw. I just thought you'd want—
CORNISH:
This will have to wait, Sandy. That's my cue.
[SOUND: FOOTSTEPS]
[SOUND: APPLAUSE]
NARRATOR:
Cornish walks into the pool of light.
[SOUND: AUDIENCE REACTIONS, SURPRISE, LAUGHTER]
CORNISH:
Welcome distinguished guests, I will make this short. Thank you so much for reveling with us this evening. The party is of course only getting started. First, we will have The Griwerrtones charm us with a Halloween carol and then, as a special treat, I have flown in DJ Yuh-no to help us dance into the night. And maybe there will be other surprises to follow: it is Halloween after all, anything is possible! (chuckle) Without further ado—The Griwerrtones!
[SOUND: APPLAUSE]
CISCO:
(hushed) Chief, these candles might be a bad idea. The wax is starting to drip.
TESSA:
I concur, Cisco.
MYLES:
Not nowwwwwwww, everyone's looking at us. Cisco?
[SOUND: PITCH PIPE]
MYLES:
Two...three...four...
[MUSIC: HELL IS WHERE THE HARM IS]
ALL:
Oooo Oooo Oooo
Hell is where the harm is,
When you want to feel,
Something more than holiday wishes—
Something real.
Hell is where the harm is.
Trust me and you'll learn.
You've never known the Halloween spirit,
Until you burn.
Down here...
You can be anything
Or anyone you want.
Costumes and trickery
And enemies to haunt.
They'll pay!
Hell is where the harm is.
If you want to know,
The meaning of the holiday season,
Just look below.
Hell is where the harm is.
Trust me and you'll learn.
You've never known the Halloween spirit,
Until you burn.
Down here you'll burn.
Halloween. Halloween. Harm is on its way.
[MUSIC: STARK SHIFT]
[SOUND: BIG LIGHT SWITCH THROW]
[SOUND: AUDIENCE SHOCK, SCARED]
NARRATOR:
Suddenly the lights go out and the party is pitched into blackness.
TESSA:
Ow! The wax!
NARRATOR:
Tessa fumbles with her candle and drops it.
[SOUND: GUNSHOT]
[SOUND: SCREAMS, RUNNING FOOTSTEPS]
[MUSIC: EVIL ORGAN UND.]
CISCO:
Everybody down!
MYLES:
What's happening?!
NARRATOR:
Emergency lighting switches back on, and the scene is unexplainable.
[SOUND: PANICKED GUESTS]
MYLES:
Is everyone ok!?
GUEST:
Look! The DJ!
[SOUND: SCREAM]
NARRATOR:
Behind the team and slumped over his turntables is a very dead-looking DJ Yuh-no. Blood trickles out from under him and onto his speakers.
CHAMP:
No! DJ Yuh-no!
CISCO:
Chieeeef! I've got eyes on Henrikksen!
NARRATOR:
In the middle of the parlor floor lies the genius Cornish Henrikksen facedown and unmoving.
PARRY:
Master Cornish, sir!
NARRATOR:
There is a spilled champagne flute next to his outstretched hand. Sandy stands over him, looking terrified.
PARRY:
Master Cornish, sir!
MYLES:
Holy Sh—
(END OF THE GRIWERRTONES CHAPTER TWO)
WRITERS ROOM with Cody Dry 31:27
[MUSIC: THE GRIWERRTONES THEME UP AND OUT]
PE: And we're back, brave listeners. Hope you enjoyed "The Griwerrtones Chapter Two." That was brought to you by our Writer Wrong Rogues once again, and that is an ever-increasing roster. We had Jovane Caamaño as Myles Manningford, Cameron Casey as Champ Renegade, Evan Michael Woods as Cisco Schaefer, Amber Rossi as Tessa Buckle Ph.D., Jon Murrell as Parry, Brendan Kallaugher as Sandy Graves, Bradford Reilly as Claude "the Clobber" Clobbinzky, Cody Dry as DJ Yuh-no, and Courtney Dyamond once again as the Narrator. Excellent job ya'll.
Alright, Codes so obviously you were part, very much, of the process of constructing Griwerrtones Chapter Two—
CD: Indeed. Yes.
PE: —but you haven't heard the thing yet, so what did you think?
CD: So there is so much going on. There's a lot to pay attention to, listeners.
PE: Yeah, for sure.
CD: So you might wanna listen to it more than once.
PE: Yeah, probably wanna—
CD: Maybe thrice?
PE: Yeah, maybe thrice.
CD: Maybe fff-rice...
PE: Yeah. Or fff-ice...
CD: Fff-ice.
PE: Fifth-ice.
CD: Yeah, that's how they say it.
PE: Yeah.
CD: That's how it is. I also love how immersed I was during the whole thing. I felt like I was at the party, I felt like I was at the headquarters. The foley worked, that's the word, right?
PE: Yeah. Definitely.
CD: Keep in mind listeners, you're actually listening to a radio play. You don't have lights, you don't have costumes, you don't have faces to look at. And so everything that you're hearing is very carefully crafted. So kudos to you.
PE: Oh thanks.
CD: That's gotta be a lot of work.
PE: It's an insane amount of work.
CD: Yeah.
PE: It's an insane amount of work. But it's very gratifying and it's super fun. But yeah, I do have to constantly keep track of how I'm using sound to portray a character—
CD: That's interesting. Yes.
PE: —like you said, there's no costume, there's no lights, there's no face. So you have to recognize not only their voice but a certain musical tag, or a texture, or whatever. So there is a lot of that in this particular episode. And I wanted the party especially to feel—
CD: Right.
PE: —very real. And so I created that track of "Season of the Night", so that's a call back to "Season of the Night" which we heard in episode one. As a very lengthy jazz investigation of that tune.
CD: (laughing) An exploration. An odyssey.
PE: Yes. About ten-minute odyssey.
CD: Yeah, some prog-rock.
PE: The guests at the party were probably like, "wow, do you guys know anything else?"
CD: (laughing) "Play something else, Sam."
PE: Yeah. For real.
Alright, Codes, so what else? Looks like you got yourself quite a list there.
CD: I do. Always a list. Always music directing here. I'm fascinated by the narrator's presence and inclusion in the story as if she is a character herself. Because she is obviously into Tessa.
PE: I mean, folks, this is no longer news.
CD: Yeah.
PE: I will say that Courtney Dyamond came to the table with that idea when we recorded episode one, actually. She said to Marlo and me, "I have this kind of feeling that maybe I'm into, as the narrator, I'm into Tessa." And because who wouldn't be into Tessa? She's like a genius—
CD: I'm a little into Tessa.
PE: (laughs) Yeah. Tessa's amazing.
CD: (laughs) I'm not gonna lie.
PE: And so she elevated her performance in chapter one to that notion. And then I—with much gratitude to Courtney—wrote that in here, in this episode. And it was super fun to write. And I think she did a knock-out job again.
CD: Yeah, that's great. And it also begs the question, is she a character?
PE: Well, it's very funny, right? Because now it's—does she live in Griwerrton?
CD: Yeah.
PE: You know?
CD: Yeah.
PE: But how could she be doing what she's doing? I mean, I'm not saying I'm against the idea, but it is kind of a fun idea.
CD: Did she take Myles's dictaphone and is recording this whole thing for herself—
PE: I have no comment. I have no comment.
CD: I mean, listeners?
PE: Yeah, listeners that's a good question for you.
CD: Something to sleep on tonight.
PE: Yeah. While listening to Writer Wrong. (beat) But make sure when you wake up you continue listening—
CD: (laughs) Yeah.
PE: —we want you to...
CD: Yeah.
PE: Yeah.
CD: Just don't tune out. Check back.
PE: Yeah. Have I talked about the Patreon? (laughs)
CD: Yeah...also...you know...what's up?
PE: (laughing) Alright, what else you got? What else you got?
CD: I also love the different characters are very clearly coming through and they're just working so well. The actors are finding those moments you're writing. It's just all so clear, so it's lovely to have the (impersonating) "Hey...Cisco"—
PE: Yep. Yeah.
CD: —kind of thing, and then (impersonating) "Champs like...ahhh."
PE: Yeah. Yeah.
CD: —And then Myles is like manic. It's just working so well—
PE: Yeah.
CD: —to hear all of those levels, all of those dynamics.
PE: Right.
CD: It's so fun.
PE: Right.
CD: It's so fun.
PE: And I've found that in this process over the course of each episode, the actors find their groove a little bit more with the character. But also, I find my groove a little bit more with the writing. So there's an interesting kind of symbiotic relationship going on with writing chapter one of X story, having the performers come in—they do it, and then I take their performance and I keep that in mind as I then construct the next episode based on how the voting went, or whatever. So it's kind of a very—it's a living thing—
CD: Right.
PE: —that's going on here in the studio. It's pretty interesting.
CD: Yeah when you think about a sitcom, the pilot episode, you go back and watch the pilot episode of a sitcom, after watching the whole thing it's like, "wow, that's—
PE: Garbage. Typically garbage.
CD: —where it started it all started." (laughs) Yeah. Well you know it's all—you have to plant that seed and you just watch it grow.
PE: Right. Right.
CD: So it's so lovely to watch, to watch it grow.
PE: Well it's just like what we were talking about with Jovane the other night, and Marlo the other night about writing episodically versus all our backgrounds on the stage—
CD: Right.
PE: —and writing these pieces that are frozen and then you bring to life in new ways in different productions. But writing episodically it's kind of like there's no endpoint necessarily.
CD: Right. Yeah, just kinda rolling the quarter down the street.
PE: Yeah.
CD: I also—you introduce this, well I think you introduce it in the first episode as kind of a, perhaps a set-up, I don't know. But it was a Pills 'N' Chills, which is what, like a pharmaceutical slash smoothie— (laughs)
PE: Yeah Pills 'N' Chills home of the pharma-frost, so the idea is like a smoothie and juice bar. Maybe you can get some really fresh bowls, but—
CD: Why don't we have that? Like now. (laughs)
PE: Well...I don't know.
CD: FDA.
PE: Hey, big pharma if you're listening, I want mine.
CD: We got some ideas. You heard it here first, kids.
PE: Yeah.
CD: But I did find it fascinating that there was no real set-up, no explanation of it.
PE: Right.
CD: It was just—and you know that's the fun part about building a world, is that you can just throw these elements—
PE: Sure.
CD: —and you kind of leave it up the—cause we had Bean Scene.
PE: Right.
CD: And we all know what a coffee shop is.
PE: Right. So I didn't really describe in narration, Bean Scene, you just kinda walked in and that's what it sounded and felt like. And we had Markie to kind of give us maybe the attitude of Bean Scene a little bit. And so for Pills 'N' Chills we had kind of a built-in little double-take there and of course, the set-up is Sandy's calling a baseball game, but actually, he's calling out this order.
CD: Right. Yeah.
PE: But that kind of also gives you a sense of what's going on. There's a microphone, and maybe the place is pretty big and busy enough that you need a microphone to call out an order.
CD: Exactly. Yeah. People are lining up—
PE: Right.
CD: —to get their Pills 'N' Chills. Yeah, it's so fun to be able to do that and leave that up to the listeners.
PE: Yeah, as far as how it actually looks. Yeah, that was a fun one to create.
So let's talk about "Hell Is Where The Harm Is."
CD: That's what I hear. (Laughs)
PE: I mean...(laughing) that's the word on Griwerrtown boulevard.
CD: That's what the kids are saying. Yeah, I think I saw that on an Instagram post.
PE: Thoughts on "Hell Is Where The Harm Is."
CD: Well, it's interesting the first episode we had opened with the Griwerrtones, which I think was great because we kind of needed to know who they were, what they were doing.
PE: Sure.
CD: And then this one happens kind of at the climax of the episode.
PE: Yeah. Yeah. Pre-climax maybe.
CD: Yes. But it's just like a build-up of oh, things are—people are disappearing. People are going off places. And then oh, there's this rush to get up there, and then there's this...ballad. This ballad which we have Tessa sing solo, the soaring soprano. And the content of the song itself is quite interesting. What was your sentiment behind writing?
PE: Yeah, so of course the Griwerrtones lives in an absurd world, right? And the songs, Halloween carols in general are sort of a goof.
CD: But they shouldn't be. We should have Halloween carols.
PE: They shouldn't be. I mean it's my favorite holiday.
CD: Yeah, mine too.
PE: So maybe we're starting something here. Who knows?
CD: Hey, yeah. You heard it here first, kids. (laughs)
PE: (laughs) Yeah, right. So in developing these tunes I was trying to think of turns of phrase or textures or attitudes that you have in Christmas carols. Because some of my favorite Christmas carols are the sad ones.
CD: Oh yeah. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
PE: Sad! Sad.
CD: Even "Christmas Time Is Here."
PE: Oh my gosh, so many of them.
CD: Such a tint of melancholy.
PE: There's a certain kind of bittersweet. Exactly. And so Tessa's going to maybe gravitate towards Halloween because of the general darkness of it and what there is to offer. And so I think that's where she's coming from with "Hell Is Where The Harm Is." And then we talked to Amber about that in the studio, about get at the—you did a great job arranging the piece—
CD: Oh thank you.
PE: —and getting her to get there with us, as far as the mindset. So, what do you think about that?
CD: Well, yeah, and we talked about that a little bit. Considering it's a choral arrangement we talked about, do we allow her to have that musical theatre phrasing in her melody.
PE: Right.
CD: Even though in choral music you would never do that. Ever.
PE: You would never.
CD: (exaggerated) You would never! (laughs)
PE: Yeah.
CD: So, we did incorporate that and I think it turned out pretty well.
PE: Yeah, I think it worked well. Hopefully, it puts the audience in a certain place, and allows them, or even guides them to forgetting what is actually going on, and what they're actually listening to here.
CD: Yes. Yes.
PE: And so when the big industrial throw switch happens at the end, it is a little bit shocking.
CD: Yeah!
PE: I did that with a lot of Marlo's help, who had amazing notes for me as far as bringing it together tightening up the foley work towards the end to get that effect, to kind of take you out with the song, put you back in with the panic and the chaos.
CD: Yep.
PE: Actually, even leading into "Hell Is Where The Harm Is" with Cornish's speech, I had in the clear, and it's just Cornish doing his speech and I was kind of thinking, "well, he has the floor" but Marlo had the thought that when he says, "I brought in DJ Yuh-no" that the crowds could be like, "Oh, DJ Yuh-no" and that he makes his little joke about like, "who knows what's going to happen, it's Halloween," that they would maybe have a pandering laugh to him, and she was totally right.
CD: Yeah.
PE: It feels very real.
CD: Yes.
PE: And then it's the song, and then it's the (imitating sound effect) light switch throw.
CD: (imitating sound effect)
PE: Yeah, and I think it's pretty exciting.
CD: Yeah, it's so well-orchestrated. It's such a great dramatic orchestration.
PE: Thanks. It was a collaborative effort, to be sure.
CD: (imitating DJ Yuh-no) Fo' sho'...yuh-no?
PE: Yuh-no.
CD: (chuckle)
PE: So, brave listeners, as you have now surmised I'm sure, the voting came in overwhelmingly for the who-done-it option.
CD: Yes!
PE: Yeah, so the first time a co-host has actually won the voting.
CD: Thank you.
PE: I was—
CD: Were you surprise?
PE: Well, not exactly.
CD: (laughs)
PE: (laughs) Alright, so, that said, Cody, what do you think is going on? I tried to sprinkle in a lot of possibilities, a lot of loose threads.
CD: I have no idea. A lot of loose threads. Hard to tie them up. Sandy, I'm surprised, I'm a little suspicious. Clobber...
PE: (chuckle) Right? Yeah.
CD: You know? (imitating DJ Yuh-no) Yuh-no? (laughs)
PE: (imitating Cody) Yuh-no? (chuckle)
So from the beginning, some of the GT's, three of the four are missing items.
CD: Right.
PE: Myles is missing his dictaphone.
CD: Dictaphone...eggplant-o-phone.
PE: Eggplant-o-phone.
CD: Champ...is missing...
PE: Champ is missing their...
TOGETHER: analog journal.
PE: Tessa is missing her favorite lab coat. Cisco is missing nothing, I'm not sure what that means, is that suspicious?
CD: Well, he has his head on a swivel all the time.
PE: Or is it because he's always surveilling his surroundings.
CD: Right. Exactly.
PE: Then we go to PNC we go to Pills 'N' Chills and we find out in the narration that Sandy moonlights there because he had a better healthcare plan, but his husband Hurley—Hurley Graves...
CD: Hurley... (chuckle) Graves. Get outta here.
PE: —is very ill, and so he needs better care so Sandy is moonlighting at Pills 'N' Chills, and then Clobber shows up and is like, "I have secret meetings here sometimes with Cornish" and Sandy asks him, "well, what kind of meetings" and Clobber's like, "I'm going to pretend you didn't say that." So there's that.
CD: (beat) I just, I don't know what's going on.
PE: Yeah. And then at the party, Cornish shows Tessa the lab downstairs and at the end of chapter one we get an impression of the lab, and there's a lot of weird sci-fi stuff going on. Sounds like someone screaming. Tessa comes up from the tour of the lab and goes to Myles and it like, "Myles, we need to talk."
CD: Yeah, she's got something to say.
PE: And then Sandy comes over to Cornish with the champagne. He's very nervous, he's like, "we need to talk" so Sandy maybe saw something at the meeting with Clobber at Pills 'N' Chills?
CD: Yeah, I just feel like Sandy's trying to prevent something to happen.
PE: Right.
CD: But also—
PE: But also Cornish is unresponsive after having sipped that champagne that Sandy gave to him.
CD: And here's the other thing, Cornish sounded very enthused and very pleased, very happy that the Griwerrtones were there. I feel like he genuinely loves them.
PE: It does seem as if Cornish genuinely loves the Griwerrtones.
CD: So is he up to no good? Or is someone else up to no good?
PE: Your guess is as good as mine.
CD: I don't know.
PE: And then there's a gunshot, and DJ Yuh-no is dead over his mixer.
CD: That's a shame because he was my favorite part.
PE: I mean, he might—maybe he's alive. (whispering) I don't think he's alive, brave listeners, I don't think he's actually alive.
CD: We'll see. We'll see.
PE: Cody thinks there might be a possibility, due to vanity.
CD: (laughs)
PE: And then Cornish is unmoving, and maybe he's dead. Maybe he's not.
CD: Maybe he's drugged from Pills 'N' Chills. That's all it takes.
PE: I don't know. Remember there is a—
CD: I work at a supplement store. It's easy.
PE: (laughs)
CD: It's easy to put a little hoot and holler in some champagne.
PE: Exactly. There's an undercurrent of pharmaceutical intrigue in all of "The Griwerrtones" as far as Cornish's story is concerned.
CD: Yeah. Worldbuilding.
PE: Who knows, folks? That's where we are.
That said, let's talk about the options, Codes because I have an interesting idea. Instead of opening up voting to our brave listeners as to what is going on, and who did what, cause I'm not sure that's very fun.
CD: Right, we don't want to play a game of Clue.
PE: Right, Option A, Cornish is behind it. Option B Myles is behind it. And then it's like, ok people vote for Option B, it's Myles and then I write something that's a total betrayal of the character.
CD: Right, a little Game of Thrones situation.
PE: Yeah, we don't want to run into any of that.
CD: Nope.
PE: And I think it's more fun for our listeners to be involved in the writer's room process to a degree that's not also spoiling outcomes for them so they can also enjoy it.
CD: Right.
PE: And so I came up with this.
CD: Ok.
PE: Listeners, put on your writing caps for real. How would you structure moving forward for chapter three? So we're going to reveal what's going on, no doubt about it. I'm going to keep those kinds of things to myself for now, and hopefully, we're all pleased with what I come up with. But how would we structure it? And so I offer you these two options. Option A deals in dramatic irony. As we reveal the mystery, use of flashback and flashforward is implemented to give audience more information than the characters have. So we're setting up a world where all of us know some things that the characters aren't privy to, and therefore there's a fun push and pull kind of tension as the dominos begin to fall over the course of the episode. Option B deals with situational irony. So we reveal the mystery in real-time to keep the audience guessing along with the characters in the show. So we have dramatic irony, Cody, or we have situational irony. We have kind of more of a Shakespearean thing where the audience is like, "oh no, don't do that because you don't know that we know that!"
CD: Yep. Yep.
PE: Or we have more of a situational irony, something like Fight Club or something like that where it's like, "what is happening?" And of course, we find out as the characters find out, a little bit at a time. Hopefully culminating in a fun reveal. So what do you think, do you have a preference?
CD: Well, in typical fashion for me I see the pros and cons for both. I'm super into the dramatic irony. I love the flashback and the flashforward moments.
PE: Yep.
CD: I love being clued in slowly but surely and then it just creates a bit more tension as knowing more than the characters know. That's always fun. It's always, "don't open that door, because the killers behind there!"
PE: Right.
CD: That builds a lot of tension. However, I do feel like it's fun to also go along with the characters in real-time.
PE: Well, yeah so even to do a call-back to what we were talking about earlier, think about horror movies. It is Halloween so let's consider that.
CD: Yeah.
PE: In something like Halloween, Jamie Lee Curtis is—the camera sort of follows her around but there are times where we know that Michael Myers is behind that curtain. And so she comes in with the kid and they're kind of just doing their thing, and we know the whole time, and so it's tension, it's intense, it's building and building and building. So we're scared for that character.
CD: Mmhm. But then there's also the found-footage.
PE: Right.
CD: Like Paranormal Activity.
PE: Exactly.
CD: You don't know whos going to live, whos going to die, you don't know where anyone's hiding—
PE: You don't...know...anything.
CD: —You just see creepy shit happening in the background, while people are sleeping.
PE: Right. Which is terrifying.
CD: Absolutely.
PE: Yeah. Not that "The Griwerrtones" is going for scares, but we are going for those levels of tension. So yeah, I don't know which is better there.
CD: Yeah.
PE: I think it could be fun to keep it in real-time because of the medium.
CD: Mmhmm. True.
PE: I think there are elements of going with Option A the dramatic irony that will be a challenge to do in an audio play.
CD: Right.
PE: That of course I'm—
CD: How do you frame those flashback moments?
PE: Yeah, I'd have to use every trick I have as far as sound and music to kind of harken this to a spot of forward and back or whatever.
CD: Do we want to put Patrick to the task?
PE: Yeah? And we have the narrator so it's not impossible.
CD: Right.
PE: However, I have thought about this as the writer Option B, if it's in real-time, we're in Henrikksen manor for—
CD: Ever.
PE: —25 minutes? Right!
CD: (laughing) Yeah.
PE: Now, it is a manor like we discussed last time, there are a lot of rooms to explore. There's lots going—
CD: Right, what exactly does Cornish have in his—what does someone like Cornish have?
PE: Right, so I think if we go with Option B, situational irony, then what we need to do is explore the house and create all our little scenes as far as being in different parts of the house. Which sounds actually super fun to me.
CD: Yeah. It does!
PE: Option A we can be in the house in the "present" and then kind of bounce around. Maybe we see what Clobber's meeting was.
CD: Right.
PE: Maybe we see what Sandy saw. Maybe we see why the eggplant-o-phone is missing. All that stuff. All of those loose threads.
So there you have it, friends. Option A, dramatic irony, as we reveal the mystery use of flashback and flashforward is implemented to give the audience more information than the characters. Option B, situational irony, we reveal the mystery in real-time to keep the audience guessing along with the characters in the show. So please go out and vote, vote, vote. Vote in the election and vote for us here at Writer Wrong, so I can know what to do this weekend as far as how to write this story moving forward.
Cody, I just want to say thank you so much, again.
CD: You know, thank you! It's always a pleasure.
PE: You're doing a great job.
CD: As are you, Patrick.
PE: Oh! Hey, thanks. That means a lot.
CD: Well, you know.
PE: I'm excited for next time.
CD: Yeah.
PE: That's for sure.
CD: Same.
PE: So, brave listeners, there you have it. Vote WriterWrongPodcast.com. Check us out there, check us out on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Patreon. Patreon.com/WriterWrong. I will leave it to Marlo to take us out. Thank you so much, brave listeners. Peace ya'll.
OUTRO 54:21
[MUSIC: WRITER WRONG THEME]
Marlo Mysliwiec: Writer Wrong is created by Patrick Emile and Marlo Mysliwiec. This episode’s story was written by Patrick Emile with music and sound design by KCKSRV. Cast your vote on our website at WriterWrongPodcast.com and be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter at Writer Wrong Podcast. If you like what you’re listening to hit the subscribe button, write us a review, and be sure to tell your friends to share the stories. Until next week, keep writing.
[MUSIC: WRITER WRONG THEME OUT]
www.writerwrongpodcast.com
www.patreon.com/writerwrong
www.instagram.com/writerwrongpodcast
www.facebook.com/writerwrongpodcast
www.twitter.com/writerwrongpod