The Disappearance Of Lottie Carmichael Chapter One

Two true-crime podcasters begin their own investigation into a cold case involving the seemingly impossible disappearance of a local woman.

Produced by Patrick Emile and Marlo Mysliwiec
Written, Directed, Scored, and Edited by Patrick Emile

CAST: Jovane Caamaño as Selmer Kurnig and Reporter #3, Cameron Casey as Peter McClung and Reporter #1, Cody Dry as Markie Pon de Lancie, Reporter #2, and Trip, Courtney Dyamond as Bernice Hill, Lauren Floyd as Valerie St. James, Lindsey Hall as Lottie Carmichael, Bradford Reilly as Able Canoe, Amber Rossi Strasser as Portia Nix, and Evan Michael Woods as Detective Dabney Duritz

Transcript

Writer Wrong Episode 13

The Disappearance of Lottie Carmichael Chapter One

3.2.2021


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 Disappearance of Lottie Carmichael Chapter One” 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 One of three. Now over to your host Patrick Emile.

     [MUSIC: WRITER WRONG THEME OUT]



WRITERS ROOM      00:12

Patrick Emile (PE):

     [MUSIC: WRITER WRONG THEME UP AND OUT]
     [BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP]



THE DISAPPEARANCE OF LOTTIE CARMICHAEL - Chapter One      00:56

     [MUSIC: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF LOTTIE CARMICHAEL THEME]
     [SOUND: THIN AUDIO QUALITY]

MARKIE:
(Badly acted a la local ad)...so come on in and meet me—Markie!

ABLE:
And me—Able Canoe!

MARKIE:
With every sale—

ABLE:
You get a tall tale!

TOGETHER:
(Not together) Hey, that rhymed!

MARKIE:
Located in Old Griwerrtown. Stop in today, and you just might find something...Un...forget/

ABLE:
Unforgettable/

MARKIE:
Unforgettable.

     [SOUND: SPACEBAR]

VALERIE:
So that's the ad.

PORTIA:
Yeah, not great.

VALERIE:
Not great. But, you know, a sponsor is a sponsor.

PORTIA:
Oh, totally.

VALERIE:
Alright, you ready?

PORTIA:
Yuuuuuup.

VALERIE:
Ok, let's do this.

TOGETHER:
(Vocal warm up sounds)

     [SOUND: SPACEBAR/METRONOME LEAD-IN]

VALERIE:
(With broadcast energy) Welcome to the show, grave listeners! This is Griw? Or DIE!, Griwerrtown's only true crime podcast. I am your host, Valerie St. James, and with me as always is Portia Nix! Portia, say, "Hey, yaaaaaa'll!"

PORTIA:
Hey, yaaaaaa'll! Hope everyone's staying warm out there.

VALERIE:


PORTIA:
(Bad English accent) A wee bit nippy, innit?

VALERIE:
Oh wow.

PORTIA:
(Normal voice) So good, right?

VALERIE:
Just, wow. Ok Diehards, as Portia searches for the mind that she has apparently lost—

PORTIA:
(Laughs)

VALERIE:
—I will remind you to check out our newest sponsor, Uncle Able's Unforgettables! You heard their ad, and I can say that it is truly one of the coolest shops in town. So definitely pop in if you're in need for a unique gift. Also! A usual reminder to find us on Benefactual! That's where we release all our case files and bonus content to our most dedicated Diehards.

PORTIA:
Yes! Become one of our Benny-babes!

VALERIE:
Benny-baaaaabes!

PORTIA:
Do it! We'll love you forever!

VALERIE:
She's not lying, friends. Forever and ever and ever. Any support is so greatly appreciated. Check us out—@GriwOrDiePod on Benefactual.com. (Beat) Ok, P-Porsh, so I have a really interesting topic for us today.

PORTIA:
Oh yeah?

VALERIE:
Yeah, I'm super excited about it—

     [SOUND: PHONE PINGS]

PORTIA:
Shit, Val I'm sorry.

VALERIE:
All good!

     [SOUND: SPACEBAR]

VALERIE:
We can just take it right from there.

PORTIA:
I'll turn it off. Let me just...

     [SOUND: TEXTING]

PORTIA:
...it's my mom. She had that thing removed.

VALERIE:
Oh, right! How is she? It went ok?

PORTIA:
Oh, yeah yeah, she's fine. Ok, sorry. Ready.

VALERIE:
Cool, here we go...

     [SOUND: SPACEBAR/METRONOME LEAD-IN]

VALERIE:
This is setting up the thing take two. (Beat) So, P-Porsh, I'm hyped about today's topic.

PORTIA:
Oh?

VALERIE:
So hyped. Ok, so you might remember—and grave listeners you might also remember—about a super weird, still unsolved missing persons case from last year...

PORTIA:
Oh, I know where this is goiiiiing!

VALERIE:
Do you?

PORTIA:
I do.

VALERIE:
You do?

PORTIA:
I do.

VALERIE:
Ok.

PORTIA:
Ok.

VALERIE:
Ok!

PORTIA:
Ok!

VALERIE:
Folks, today we're going to be talking about (with gravitas) The Disappearance of Lottie Carmichael.

     [MUSIC: SO-SO TRUE CRIME PODCAST UNDERSCORING]

VALERIE:
So. Just 4 months ago, Lottie's mother Janine Carmichael would get one of the most heart-breaking phone calls of her life. Any parent's nightmare. After weeks of searching, with no apparent leads, the Griwerrtown Investigations Bureau—the GIB—were suspending daily searches for her missing daughter. In so many words, they were presuming her dead and cited lack of budgetary integrity—

PORTIA:
(Gasps)

VALERIE:
Right? Lack of budgetary integrity.

PORTIA:
Unbelievable.

VALERIE:
Lack of funding, essentially, to continue the investigation as thoroughly as they had been doing. Janine was devastated.

PORTIA:
I mean, of course.

VALERIE:
Of course! They were giving up on her daughter!

PORTIA:
Ugh. Wait, so can we back up? What had happened, exactly?

VALERIE:
I'm glad you asked. Here's where everything starts: On the evening of June 3rd of last year, around 6:00pm, Charlotte Anne Carmichael—known as "Lottie" to most people—was, by all accounts, out for a jog near the campus of Bravermount College, where she is a graduate student pursuing her MFA in new media art. She's an avid runner—daily, I believe—and—

     [SOUND: PHONE VIBRATES]

VALERIE:
(Playfully angry) Ahhhh!

     [SOUND: SPACEBAR]

PORTIA:
Fuck! I'm so sorry. I'll put it in airplane mode. Ugh, my bad. Like it's my first time or something...

VALERIE:
No, it's cool. I think I want another take on the 'out for a jog' thing anyway. You ready

PORTIA:
Yup yup, sorry, I'm good.

VALERIE:
Ok, here we go...

     [SOUND: SPACEBAR/METRONOME LEAD-IN]
     [MUSIC: TDOLC THEME]
     [SOUND: RUNNING/HEADPHONE MUSIC/BREATHING]

PETER:
(Muffled) Lottie!

LOTTIE:
(Rhythm breathing)

PETER:
(Closer) Hey, Lottie!

     [SOUND: RUSTLE/TAP/HEADPHONE MUSIC RIPPED OFF]

LOTTIE:
(Out of breath) Holy shit!...Peter!

PETER:
I finally caught up to you! I—

LOTTIE:
What the hell, man?!

PETER:
Oh, sorry. It's just, I saw you coming down Clover. I tried calling out, but your headphones...

LOTTIE:
So you chased me down? Is everything ok? Is there an emergency?

PETER:
No, no, nothing like that. I'm on my way to the clocktower and, you know, saw you, or whatever. And you weren't at critique yesterday.

LOTTIE:
Peter, we talked about this. I just...(finally catching her breath)....I just want to be friends, ok?

PETER:
I know, but—

LOTTIE:
That one time, it was just that one time.

PETER:
I know. I mean, I texted you earlier, and—

LOTTIE:
Yeah! Exactly. I saw those texts. I didn't respond. Like...does that make sense? Is that not clear?

PETER:
(Beat) Yeah. Yeah, it's clear. Sorry. You weren't in class. Thought I'd see if everything was ok.

LOTTIE:
(Gentler) Yes. I'm ok. Thanks for checking. I'm going to get back to this run, alright? I'll see you at school.

PETER:
Wait, wait, wait!

LOTTIE:
(Sigh) Yes. What is it?

PETER:
Something weird happened at critique.

LOTTIE:
Ok...? What happened?

PETER:
Dr. Kurnig got real angry when he realized you weren't there. I think it's because his piece started last night? He talked about it a lot. Are you on your way to see it now, or...? I could go with you. Got my drone in my bag, I'm doing the documentation for him. Filmed all last night and now I'm—

LOTTIE:
No, I'm for sure not going. (Concerned) How mad, exactly?

PETER:
He broke a chair.LOTTIE:
What?!

PETER:
Yeah. Threw it against the wall. I had to clean it up.

LOTTIE:
Shit.

PETER:
What did you do?

LOTTIE:
What? What do you mean?

PETER:
I've seen you two talking.

LOTTIE:
So what, Peter? He's my mentor. He's all our mentor!

PETER:
(Beat) Are you fucking him?

LOTTIE:
What the fuck? Oh my god, Peter. Just stay the hell away from me, ok?

PETER:
No, sorry. Come here. I didn't mean it.

     [SOUND: SHOVING]

LOTTIE:
No! Get away, you freak! You come near me again, I'm calling the goddamn the cops!

     [SOUND: JOGGING AWAY]

PETER:
(Fading) Lottie! Lottie, I'm sorry!

     [SOUND: CONTINUED JOGGING/HEADPHONE MUSIC]
     [SOUND: DRONE WHIRRING/EARBUDS REMOVED]

LOTTIE:
What the hell?

     [SOUND: WHIRRINGS]
     [SOUND: TRANSFORMER EXPLOSION]

LOTTIE:
Oh my go—!

     [MUSIC: SHORT TRANSITION]
     [SOUND: MOUSE/SPACEBAR CLICKING]

VALERIE:
...and then, nothing.

PORTIA:
Girl, that's so crazy.

VALERIE:
Right?

PORTIA:
Insane.

VALERIE:
So grave listeners, if you are one of are Benny Babes/

PORTIA:
Benny Babes!

VALERIE:
/you will have had access to these videos already through Benefactual. And for our other Diehards it will be available on our website, griwordie.com, by the airing of this episode. Now for those without that access, again, what we see is first a CCTV capture of the corner of Clover St. and Mixon Ave. where at 6:07pm Lottie Carmichael is out for a run. She is then interrupted by a one Peter McClung, a classmate of hers also pursuing an MFA at Bravermount.

PORTIA:
And ya'll it isn't a friendly encounter.

VALERIE:
No it is not, P-Porsh.

PORTIA:
He runs up behind her kinda stalker-y. What's his deal, Val?

VALERIE:
Oh. We'll get to Peter McClung, don't you worry. So anyway listeners, they have what clearly looks to be an uncomfortable exchange.

PORTIA:
I mean she shoves him hard. Like real hard.

VALERIE:
Yes, he goes in for a hug maybe? And then she pushes him away and she jogs on. Peter walks away in the opposite direction and off-camera. Then Lottie also goes off camera, as she heads east on Mixon and rounds the corner onto 12th St.

PORTIA:
And then it goes to the second clip.

VALERIE:
Right. So right there along 12th there was only one outward facing security camera that caught any of what happens next.

PORTIA:
How is it just the one? That's unfortunate.

VALERIE:
So Lottie is now running north on 12th on the east side of the street where there's just a big lawn.

PORTIA:
Yeah, it's like a little campus park.

VALERIE:
Totally. Any locals out there have probably driven by it a zillion times.

PORTIA:
For sure.

VALERIE:
So, to answer your question that means no businesses on that side. The opposite side of the street, however, has a few—but only one, a textbook and art supply store called Kinnards—has a camera that faces outward towards where Lottie was running. And then disappears.

PORTIA:
Yeah ya'll, and by disappear we mean disappear.

VALERIE:
What we see in the second clip is Lottie sort of stopping, taking out her earbuds, and looking up. It's not super clear at first, but then out of nowhere you see a drone come into frame and fly straight into a transformer directly above Lottie.

PORTIA:
And then a huge explosion.

VALERIE:
A massive flash of light. And the transformer going out causes a power outage of course on that block. So the camera cuts out for a teeny tiny moment.

PORTIA:
Like half a second.

VALERIE:
Yeah. But it quickly snaps back, thanks to a battery backup. (Dramatically) But no. Lottie.

PORTIA:
Ya'll. Like, she's just gone.

VALERIE:
So, of course the question becomes, "Where could she have gone?" Not into that field, because we'd still be able to see her.

PORTIA:
And not further up the street, because the camera captures, what like another 300 feet?

VALERIE:
Exactly. So we'd still see her there, too. The camera only flicks out from the power outage for an instant. She'd have to have superhuman speed.

PORTIA:
Ok, so what about those cars? Ya'll, there are cars parked on the street on Lottie's side. Parallel parked, in a row or whatever. Could she have ducked into one?

VALERIE:
Yeah, the police looked into that, of course. Those are designated and numbered faculty parking spots. Same cars there every day, and all those teachers were either teaching or corroborated as being on campus somewhere. All checked out, and all the cars clean.

PORTIA:
Creepy.

VALERIE:
So creepy! Like, how?!

PORTIA:
I have no idea. Like none. Zero.

VALERIE:
It makes no sense.

PORTIA:
So what about suspects? Anyone? Anything?

VALERIE:
Great question, and yes. Or at least there are persons of interest. One is, of course, Peter McClung.

PORTIA:
Well, duh. I can only assume that was his drone.

VALERIE:
It was indeed. So Peter—but also their mentor at Bravermount: Dr. Selmer Kurnig.

PORTIA:
Ohhhhhhh...he's sort of a thing, right?

VALERIE:
He's a pretty a big deal in the contemporary art world, yeah.

PORTIA:
Where does he come in?

VALERIE:
Well. Between police interviews and going through the individual text messages of those two—Peter McClung and Dr. Kurnig—as well as Lottie's own texts, two things were learned: one, that Peter had developed some sort of recent obsession with Lottie...

PORTIA:
Well, that tracks. At least according to that video.

VALERIE:
Right? Totally. Like 37 unanswered and unsolicited texts.

PORTIA:
Ew! Oh my god. Just, gross. More like Peter McCling(y).

VALERIE:
Yup! And the other realization was that Lottie was having a, let's say, extra-curricular relationship with Dr. Kurnig.

PORTIA:
Her professor?

VALERIE:
Her married professor.

PORTIA:
Woof. I mean, I'm not judging. But that's...complicated?

VALERIE:
Right. Her sex life is her business. And by all accounts it was a genuine two-way connection. That is, until it wasn't.

PORTIA:
Oh?

VALERIE:
Yeah, she had broken it off with him just a few days prior to her disappearance.

PORTIA:
Ok, so motive.

VALERIE:
Seemingly all around. But, Kurnig, at least, has a great alibi.

PORTIA:
Hit me.

VALERIE:
Ready for this?

PORTIA:
Punch me in the face.

VALERIE:
You sure?

PORTIA:
Tie me to train tracks like a cartoon but don't save me at the last second.

VALERIE:
Ok, so Selmer Kurnig just happened to be in the middle of a 24 hour long performance piece one block over called In Protest Of The Violence Of Time.

PORTIA:
Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! Wait! I remember this. I actually saw it!

VALERIE:
Did you? So In Protest Of The Violence Of Time was a performance art piece where Kurnig stood atop Old Genie/

PORTIA:
For our non-local listeners, that's the name of the huge clocktower in the old town square. Named after Genevieve Griwerrtown.

VALERIE:
/right, thank you, P-Porsh. So Kurnig stood at the top, behind the giant clock hands and manually moved them, in the nude, for an entire 24 hour period.

PORTIA:
It was actually pretty amazing.

VALERIE:
Ha! Was it? I just/

PORTIA:
Yeah it was really evocative.

VALERIE:
/I just can't get into that kind of stuff, I don't know.

PORTIA:
Was it the nudity? Girl, was it that?

     [SOUND: SPACEBAR]

VALERIE:
(Laughing) Fuck you.

PORTIA:
(Laughs)

VALERIE:
Ohhhyoubitch. Ok, here we go...

     [SOUND: SPACEBAR/METRONOME]

VALERIE:
But anyway, that's where he was at the time of the transformer explosion on 12th St. and Lottie vanishing into thin air. For context, here's a clip of some of the documentation—which, by the way, was partially shot by Peter McClung's drone the day before he got all weird on Lottie with it.

PORTIA:
Get out!

VALERIE:
Can't make it up. Grave listeners, listen to this. The full video can be found on griwordie.com.

     [SOUND: CLICK]
     [MUSIC: SPACE-Y MUSIC]

SELMER:
(Slowly) Hours:...uncertainty. Minutes:...pain. Seconds:...fear. Lifetimes:...death. (Quicker pace) Is time an enemy? A teacher? A god sent to transfigure us into something more? Or perhaps the cruel switch in our own priestly hands—purifying our backs in violence as we grip ever harder so as not lose the connection despite our waning energies. Each lash a tic of its sinister intentions. A glinting tooth revealed in its knowing snarl. One. Then another. And another still. Until the maw is open, and we are but a momentary satisfaction within its insatiable feeding.

     [SOUND: CLICK]

VALERIE:
And it goes on like that.

PORTIA:
(Whistle)

VALERIE:
I know, right?

PORTIA:
Heavy.

VALERIE:
Definitely. And so, because of this piece, his alibi is airtight.

PORTIA:
And Peter McClung?

VALERIE:
Well if you remember from the footage, he walks the opposite direction away from Lottie after she pushes him.

PORTIA:
But the drone...

VALERIE:
And at some point uses the drone to continue stalking Lottie. But once he hits the transformer he takes off even further away down Clover. This is shown in other cctv captures. He wasn't anywhere near her by the time she disappears.

PORTIA:
Then, what? Like, seriously. I'm at a loss.

VALERIE:
You weren't the only one. After several weeks of searching, the police and the GIB were stumped. And that's when Janine, Lottie's mom, would get the bad news. Here's a clip from a press conference with Special Agent Duritz of the GIB. And again, grave listeners, this is on our website, too.

     [SOUND: CLICK]
     [SOUND: TRANSITION FROM SPEAKER AUDIO TO "REAL"]
     [SOUND: PRESS POOL]

DABNEY:
...that said, I, along with my team, will be vigorously continuing our investigation as to the whereabouts of Miss Carmichael, albeit without the daily, large-scale physical operations.

PRESS POOL:
Agent Duritz! / Are there any new leads? / Who made this decision?

REPORTER #1:
Special Agent Duritz, do you believe Lottie Carmichael to still be alive, given the timeline and lack of progress in the investigation?

DABNEY:
I cannot comment on that at this time.

PRESS POOL:
(Clamor)

REPORTER #2:
Agent Duritz, you cited the lack of funding. Is this in any way related to the Bureau's investigation into the fiscal corruption within Griwerrtown PD and the death of detective David Chalmers?

DABNEY:
I would ask that you forward any budgetary questions to the office of my supervisor.

REPORTER #3:
What about suspects? There is growing speculation that Selmer Kurnig is somehow involved. Is this true?

DABNEY:
I cannot comment on specifics with regard to the investigation itself. Anyone else?

REPORTER #1:
What can you tell us? Is there any reason for citizens to be concerned?

DABNEY:
As I stated, this investigation is very much ongoing. As of this moment, it does not seem likely that this missing persons situation is representative in any way—and let me very clear here—any way of something serial in nature.

     [SOUND: TRANSITION FROM REAL LIFE TO "SPEAKER" AUDIO]

DABNEY:
We will continue to do everything we can to locate Miss Carmichael. To that end, I would urge anyone out there who may have information related to the case to come forward and contact us via the Bureau's website. Now, I think that's it for today. Thank you for your time.

PRESS POOL:
Agent Duritz! Agent Duritz! Is there anything—

     [SOUND: CLICK]

VALERIE:
So. There you have it. The GIB greatly reduced the scope of their investigation, much to the dismay of the Carmichael family.

PORTIA:
Ugh. That's so sad. But, at least that agent sounds committed?

VALERIE:
Definitely. It took a while, but I was actually able to make contact with Special Agent Duritz. I think at this point he's open to ideas, even from a nosy podcaster like myself.

PORTIA:
(Laughs)

VALERIE:
But! Diehards, the story doesn't quite end there. Because Selmer Kurnig, in the months following Lottie's disappearance, began working on a new piece.

PORTIA:
He sure did, girl.

VALERIE:
We have pictures on the site, and locals will certainly know what I'm talking about/

PORTIA:
/It's pretty memorable

VALERIE:
/Yeah, to put it mildly. Listeners, just three weeks ago he unveiled his latest public work. Titled Violence Of Time II, he installed an extremely large/

PORTIA:
Massive/

VALERIE:
Massive painted fiberglass sculpture of three huge droplets of blood that look like they're suspended in mid air. It's like 30 feet tall. And where did he install it, P-Porsh?

PORTIA:
Right where Lottie was last seen.

VALERIE:
Exactly. On 12th Street, across from Kinnards—the last known whereabouts of Lottie Carmichael.

PORTIA:
I love it.

VALERIE:
What?!

PORTIA:
Yeah, I do.

VALERIE:
Ugh, I hate it. Are you a fan of his or something?

PORTIA:
I think I am, like/

VALERIE:
Of course you are.

PORTIA:
/like if I were into men, I think I'd like them old like Selmer.

VALERIE:
(Laughing) Oh my god...

PORTIA:
Leathery. Like a super-luxe handbag.

VALERIE:
Portia Nix!

PORTIA:
Can I say that?

VALERIE:
We might edit that out.

PORTIA:
(Laughing) Fair.

VALERIE:
Ok, so anyway, this has understandably caused a lot of controversy here in town. One: it's hideous...

PORTIA:
It's not.

VALERIE:
Two: Lottie Carmichael is missing, not presumed dead! At least not officially.

PORTIA:
That's a legit point.

VALERIE:
Thank you! Why the blood? How did he secure a contract to install something like that? And, I mean, come on—Kurnig was or is a person of interest in the case.

PORTIA:
It's bold.

VALERIE:
So bold. Needless to say, I tried to reach out to ask some questions of your dear Dr. Kurnig. But, alas, I was unsuccessful. However—

PORTIA:
However!

VALERIE:
However, I was able to contact his now ex-wife, the noted socialite Bernice Hill. And, sort of shockingly, she has agreed to meet with both Portia and me. Tonight, in fact. (Beat) Porsh, I have no idea how this is gonna go...

PORTIA:
Me either!

VALERIE:
So we will have all the details of that interview, Diehards, next week here on the show.

PORTIA:
Yes, we will!

VALERIE:
And with that we will leave you, grave listeners, until next time. Make sure to check us out on all the social media and of course on Benefactual!

PORTIA:
Become a Benny-babe!

VALERIE:
That's right, support us at benefactual.com and get access to all our early and exclusive content. I'm Valerie St. James/

PORTIA:
/And I'm Portia Nix/

VALERIE:
And we'll see you next week here on Griw? Or DIE!. Say, "Peace, yaaaaaa'll!"

PORTIA:
Peace, yaaaaaa'll!

     [SOUND: SPACEBAR]

VALERIE:
I think that was pretty clean.

PORTIA:
Yeah, we kinda rocked that one.

VALERIE:
I might take out the handbag thing.

PORTIA:
(Laughs) Oh my god, please do. I don't know where I was going with that.

     [SOUND: LAPTOP CLOSING]

VALERIE:
You ready for tonight?

PORTIA:
I am. I just need to run home, change, and maybe eat something. I'll meet you there? 7:00? Bingos?

VALERIE:
Yeah, Bingos. Like, what?

     [SOUND: PUTTING ON COAT]

PORTIA:
I know, super weird. Ok sweet, I'm excited! I'll see you there. Bye, girl.

VALERIE:
Cool cool, see you in a bit.

     [MUSIC: TRANSITION]
     [SOUND: CAR DOOR CLOSING]

PORTIA:
Hey, sorry! This car took forever.

VALERIE:
Shit, you look fantastic. Am I under-dressed?

PORTIA:
No, you're fine! I just, you know...

VALERIE:
Portia, she's freshly divorced. From a man. And 30 years older than you.

PORTIA:
Exactly. And rich and sort of famous.

VALERIE:
(Laughing) Ok, let's do this. I wonder if she's here already...

     [SOUND: DOOR OPENING/BAR ATMOSPHERE FADING IN]

VALERIE:
Aaaand she is. At the bar over there. Damn.

PORTIA:
(Stage whisper) I fucking love her dress!

VALERIE:
Shut up, shut up. (Beat) Ms. Hill?

BERNICE:
Yes, that's me. I take it you are you my podcasters? That's what it's called, isn't it? A podcast?

VALERIE:
Um, yes. Right. I'm Valerie St. James. And this is Portia Nix.

PORTIA:
Ms. Hill, its so nice to meet you! I'm sorry, but I just adore your dress!

BERNICE:
Oh well, aren't you a charming little thing. Please, call me Bernice. We can migrate to a table, if you like. Although I prefer sitting at the bar, myself.

VALERIE:
Ah, sure. The bar is fine. Whatever you want!

PORTIA:
I also prefer the bar, Bernice.

     [SOUND: BAR STOOLS]

VALERIE:
Mm. I'm sure you do, darling.

ANNOUNCER:
(In distance) B17....B...17...

PATRON:
(In distance) Bingo!

BERNICE:
Oh, curse my mother's eyes! I was only one away that time. Trip, another gin, please. And two more for my friends here.

TRIP:
You got it, Miss Bernice.

VALERIE:
So, I was a little surprised you picked this place.

BERNICE:
And why is that? Do you not enjoy games?

VALERIE:
Oh, I do. I mean, it's just—

BERNICE:
Then it seems we don't have an issue.

VALERIE:
I guess...not?

PORTIA:
Bernice, where's the ladies room?

BERNICE:
Just over there, past the end of the bar.

PORTIA:
Be right back!

BERNICE:
Don't rush, darling. I'd like to get a good look at you as you walk.

PORTIA:
Oh yes, ma'am! Don't forget the gear, Val.

VALERIE:
Shit, right. Bernice, you don't mind if I set up this little recorder, do you? I can send anything over to you after I edit, so you—

BERNICE:
I don't care what you do. Record away.

     [SOUND: GLASSES CLINKING]

TRIP:
Here we are, three gins a la Trip.

BERNICE:
Trip, you're a saint.

TRIP:
My pleasure, Miss Bernice.

VALERIE:
So, I just have a few questions really. I don't think it will take up too much—

ANNOUNCER:
C10...C...10...

BERNICE:
Oh, wonderful! Off to a ripping start. Valerie, dear, you can ask whatever you'd like, but I truly only agreed to meet with you for legal reasons.

VALERIE:
What do you mean?

BERNICE:
The terms of my divorce from Selmer dictate that I do not speak to any authority with regard to the disappearance of that poor girl. But lucky for you, a podcast doesn't even register on the scale of what might be deemed authoritative.

VALERIE:
...I see.

BERNICE:
Which is why I chose you as someone to tell the truth to.

VALERIE:
Well, I appreciate that.

BERNICE:
You see, Selmer wasn't exactly forthright with police that evening.

VALERIE:
I'm sorry—what? Shit, let me just get this mic set.

PORTIA:
What'd I miss?

BERNICE:
Well me, hopefully.

PORTIA:
Bernice! You are too funny.

VALERIE:
(To herself) Fuck, fuck, fuck...

PORTIA:
You got that, Val? Wait, what happened?
     [SOUND: SPACEBAR/METRONOME]

VALERIE:
Test, test. This is a conversation with Bernice Hill. Ok, Bernice. Can you please repeat what you just said to me?

BERNICE:
With pleasure. Selmer Kurnig, my ex-husband, was, in fact, not at the clocktower the night Lottie Carmichael disappeared...

     (END OF THE DISAPPEARANCE OF LOTTIE CARMICHAEL CHAPTER ONE)



WRITE OR WRONG?      25:24

     [MUSIC: WRITER WRONG THEME UP AND OUT]

PE:



OUTRO      26:23

     [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]

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