Part 1

Ellis East Elementary Walkthrough, May 18th

The Stage

As I make my way down the back hallway to the stage, the walls of the back hallway are pale brown brick covering from the floor to about four feet off the ground with whitewashed walls above the brick. On my right, I pass the girl’s restroom and the janitor’s room, while on my left is an uninterrupted wall. When I arrive at the end of the hallway, four paths lie before me. To my right is the boy’s restroom. In front of me, there is a half flight of stairs going down to the back door, and a full flight of stairs--the back staircase--going up to the second floor. To my left, is the door to the stage. 

Entering the stage, there are three whitewashed walls, and the heavy, navy velvet curtain which separates the proscenium stage from the gymnasium. When the school was in operation, the stage doubled as the cafeteria and the art classroom. 

To the right of the door as I enter, there is a blue and green patterned formica table where students returned their empty trays after eating.  On the wall beside the table is the stage’s only window, far enough in the wings to not be visible when the stage was used for its intended purpose.

To my left is a small half staircase with a door that leads down to the gymnasium. While the stage floor is a polished wood, darker than that of the front hallway by at least two shades, the stairs are a patterned linoleum with small splotches of light green and yellow. The flooring was likely added in the 1950s. I will continue to the far wall of the stage.

Part 2

[Each part of this segment is spaced by walking sounds, as A-G is outside on the trail.]

Audio Diary of Dr. Anna-Georgina Plume, 

Assistant Professor of Architectural History, Hollingsworth University

June 24, 5:30 am

Recorded in the woods behind the school. 

I have recovered enough from my illness that I feel ready to venture outdoors.

My memory of George made me realize that I haven’t been back into the woods behind the school. Admittedly, I’ve lived here less than three weeks, but it’s still worth exploring. It might not be the wisest to go to the central trail with my broken arm and just getting over whatever that illness was the last few days.

But I need to find the tree from the George incident, or it will continue to nag at me. 

[Walking sounds for about 30 seconds]

I’ve taken four rights when the paths forked, and it’s started the inward spiral, like I remember. If this is correct, I should be there soon.

Weird how it keeps coming back to me. I had not thought about this trail in years, but now that I’m walking on it, it could have been yesterday that George and I were back here…

The paths themselves aren’t overgrown, but they also don’t look like people come back here very often. The trail is carpeted with pine needles, just like it was back then.

Okay, the turns on the trail have gotten tighter.  

It really does seem like no one found this place since George was stuck here. The trees have started to grow into the path, but I can still make it through rather easily. 

I’m arriving at the tree. 

So there is a low large log on the ground that could have been the big branch George broke, with over 20 years of untouched decay forming a velvety moss. There does not appear to be anything underneath the log.

I’m looking now in the knot hole of the tree. There is something in here.

It’s a vellum envelope… There is a tiger charm in it, like the lion I found under the tree in the school yard.

Part 3

Dr. Anna-Georgina Plume, Assistant Professor of Architectural History, Hollingsworth University,  on the establishment of the Ellis Field Archival Shed.

Recorded in the lot behind the former Ellis East Elementary School

June 24, 10:45

Rose H. and Sierra have just left after helping  me move all the items from the basement into the shed behind the school. They’re going to hit the coffee shop, and they invited me along, but I want to spend a little more time with the items we found and take some notes. They’re going to stop back with a London Fog and a pastry once they finish.  A rough inventory of what we’ve found in the basement: 

1. 26 student desks in three different sizes, clearly differentiated for first, second, and third grades. AG Plume commentary: See if these can be donated to a school somewhere? They are old, but in good shape.

2. 5 tables from the kindergarten classroom, so labeled
   Commentary: See about donating these as well.

3. Two metal file cabinets, all empty except for a single drawer of the second which is full of assorted papers. None appear to be sensitive records or anything of note.
   Commentary: I eventually want to move these to the room I’m using as my archival research space, but they are heavy and we are currently ill-equipped to move them to the second floor. It was hard enough getting them out of the basement.

4. Various set pieces from elementary school plays, most notably the 1995 production of the Nutcracker.

Commentary: I genuinely have no idea what to do with these. They can stay in the shed for now, I guess. Maybe I could see about taking one of the smaller Nutcracker set pieces to decorate Nana’s new place, since we saw all three performances of that production together. I think she’d like that.

1. One physical education parachute, 45 feet in diameter, with 32 handles, according to the label on the bag.
   Commentary: This is coming inside with me. Maybe I can get some people together for a parachute party later this summer.

2. The cedar chest previously noted in earlier explorations of the basement
   Commentary: I really need to explore this. I’ve been putting it off. It’s too heavy to take into the school by myself with my broken arm, so I’ll need to come back out here another time to explore the contents. There’s a lock on the chest, but I found some old bolt cutters in the janitor’s room. Which also reminds me--the box I extracted from the basement is still sitting on the bookcase in my office. I need to go through it as well. I may want to examine them together, maybe we’ll call it ‘basement inquiry’.

3. A child size kitchen set, box of dolls, and other assorted toys from the kindergarten classroom
   Commentary: I’m going to donate the kitchen set and most of the assorted toys that are in good condition, though for now, let’s definitely keep the creepy dolls locked in the shed so I can decide what to do with them without them sneaking in and murdering me. Heaven knows that’s the last thing I need.

4. An Apple IIe computer that appears to be fully intact. Physical condition is good, working order unknown.
   Commentary: I’m bringing this inside and I’ll find someone online to inspect it for me. 

Hmm.

I think I see someone at the gate- Rose! Sierra? Is that you? 

[Suspiciously] It’s you...

[Shouting] Wait! Stop! I still haven’t found your necklace, but I have questions! 

Part 4

Audio Diary of Dr. Anna-Georgina Plume, June 24, 1:15

The gate lady--who caused me to cut my last recording short--left before I could talk to her. Disappeared might be a better word, honestly. Rose and Sierra returned within seconds of me losing sight of her and they must have missed her as well. Who is she? What does she really want? They stayed for a while and we had a nice talk over the drinks they had brought back from the coffee shop. I wanted to ask them about whether the barista seemed off, but I think they were already concerned by my story of the gate lady, so I didn’t ask.

I need to drop by the coffee shop soon and have a word with Samantha. The note she left at the gate a few days ago makes no sense. Between her and the gate lady, there are a lot of questions and I can’t seem to find the people I need answers from. 

Mom brought the dogs back a while ago, and we’re all here in the guest bedroom, including Rooibos.. The painters finished the paint and wallpapering of my room this morning and have moved on to the guest bedroom Billy stays in, so it’s ready when he gets back from his conference at the end of the week. I’ll be able to move back into my room the day after tomorrow, at which time, they’ll work on this room and the living and dining rooms.

I am clearly still recovering from my sudden illness, because I’m so [yawns] tired. We’re all going to take a nap for now. 

[soft piano interlude]

Part 5

[Piano continues to overlap the first 20 seconds of the journal entry]
Journal of Lucy Hobbes, Recorded by Dr. Anna-Georgina Plume, June 24th, 3pm.

Entry dated July 1, 1885

We are less than a month from the opening of the school and I fear I have made a huge mistake. The men of the town of Ellis Field have thrice stood by the front gate of the school with menacing composure, and John has had to confront them each time. Algernon thinks that I am merely worried about the success of the school, but I am convinced these men do not wish for us, or specifically me, to be here.

I have received multiple letters from Elizabeth and her sister Mary offering their encouragement as I prepare for the school year. I fear they do not understand the challenges of starting a school in a location as remote as Ellis Field, Ohio. My goal was to see the ideals of progressive education instituted in teacher training, and while there are several normal schools throughout this part of Ohio, the town seems actively hostile to the idea of our school. Over the past few years, Algernon and I have been treated with coldness by the residents as we began the work of starting the school, but those hostilities have heated as the construction of the school has finished.

Note from A. Plume- these letters are not present in the box, though context clues suggest that Elizabeth and Mary are Elizabeth Peabody and Mary Peabody Mann, members of the Progressive Education Movement. The latter was the wife of famed educator and politician Horace Mann. Resuming letter.

While the men of the town are reluctant to welcome us, at least some of the women have offered a more warm reception. One Mrs. Messinger arrived at the front gate yesterday with an apple pie that John, Algernon, and I shared after dinner. Mrs. Messinger has extended an invitation for dinner the next time her husband is out of town.

Despite the chilly reception from the town, the building is something out of my wildest imagination. It is my dream made reality, and I can feel a distinct personality the more time I spend here. As I walk through the hallways alone at night, I catch the occasional glint of the light from the gas lamps in the street reflected through the stained glass window in the front door. There is something simmering below the surface, a magnetism, that fuels me in my work. At times, it is as if the building picks up on my moods and responds in kind.  

Entry dated July 3rd, 1885

Last night I looked out the window of the school and a small group of men from the town were standing at the gate. I am unsure of their intentions, but I fear what they may do. Algernon remains unconvinced that there is a problem, but whenever I meet men from the town on the street, there is a barely contained anger that leads me to believe that my mission, my life’s work, or worse, could be in danger. 

My brother has always been overly optimistic about the open mindedness of people, believing they are predisposed to give us a chance. Even growing up in our community, he believed that the people who criticized us would become accepting of what we were trying to accomplish if they only understood our goals. Even in the face of outright rejection, he persists to believe this, which is why we have selected this town to start our school. Had it been up to me, I would have avoided this state entirely.

Entry dated July 5th, 1885

After weeks of little notes shoved under doors and finding rooms rearranged ever so slightly that one begins to doubt one’s perception and memory, Algernon finally speaks to me as if the men plan this. He insists that I know the only solution, but I do not think it is feasible. It has been years since our days in the community and no one was ever truly able to make this approach work for any sustained length of time, though Algernon has believed for years that I had the ability to do so. I have instead decided to appeal to the women of Ellis Field. Mrs. Messinger seems like a suitable ally and perhaps she has friends within the town who will be sympathetic to our cause.

I have to do something; I am terrified about what could happen if nothing changes. Twice, I awoke with a start last night, sweating in fear, convinced that someone had broken into the school. After the second time, I lay awake for hours, unable to rest. The fear that something could happen has made me jumpy during the day, unable to focus on my writing or my work. If they are trying to undermine us, it may be working. 

Entry dated July 9th, 1885

I have persuaded Mrs. Messinger and three of her friends to our cause over dinner last night. They are going to persuade the men of the town that the school brings new opportunities for growth in the town, which could lead to an increase in business. Hopefully this will spell an end to our troubles, as I have received three threatening letters just this week.

The dinner itself was delightful. I’ve never been much of a cook, as I have never lived in a traditional home where I would learn such a skill. Even now, at the school, we share responsibility but our attempts at cooking have been dismal.  . 

Perhaps more importantly, I have missed the friendship of other women. It has been incredibly lonely working with Algernon to start the school, and my brother has never been a conversationalist. John has been a welcome addition to our planning, and has been certainly easy to talk to, but his companionship bears the weight of expectations that I do not wish to examine. The easy conversation with Mrs. Messenger and her friends lightened my spirits in ways I did not know I needed and I look forward to continued friendship as my life in this town continues. 

The youngest of the women, one Miss Arabella Smithson, expressed an interest in my work.. Upon learning about my education, she asked numerous questions about my education in Massachusetts. She seemed amazed at what we were trying to accomplish with the school. The question hung unasked, but if I had to guess, she wanted to explore the possibility of attending our school. After dinner, I asked her to walk back to the school with me. The night was the clearest we’ve had in a while, stars on full display, and the wind through the pines brough a crisp freshness. At the gate, I told her “There will always be a place for you here, when you’re ready, you know where to find us. She did not reply, but I noticed tears in her eyes as she wished me good night.

Entry dated July 16th, 1885

Mrs. Messenger just arrived under cover of night, clearly upset. She tells me that while her husband is sympathetic to her cause, the discussions her friends had with her family went poorly, and they have been forbidden to have any contact with anyone associated with the school, me in particular. She gave me a letter from the brokenhearted Miss Smithson, which I cannot bring myself to read. My soul aches at the idea that she is being denied access to the education she desires. 

I was also given more context for the hostile reception. It appears that over the past few years, a more reactionary element has gained prominence in one of the churches in town. They are led by a man named, curiously, Jimmy Abstention, who seems to be peddling a sort of Calvinist predestination fused with an in-group mentality. While I am not unfamiliar with the sort of close-minded sentiment that I have made it my life goal to combat, the views members of this group espouse seem both extreme and also uniquely focused on keeping anyone unlike them out of their town. 

Algernon overheard this conversation and told me--without even checking to see if John was in earshot-- that I had no choice but to act, and we both knew how. I managed to restrain myself, but I did tell him that he was always reckless and far too willing to rely on abilities that were not his own. I then rushed up to my room to write this. I don’t know what to do, but it certainly appears as if matters are escalating to a boiling point with members of the town. Still, I am furious with Algernon-his carelessness, his inaction, the way he has been insinuating that I am overreacting, all the while the situation continues to worsen. Combined with my continued fearful lack of sleep, I begin to doubt my sanity. 

Note from: A-G Plume: That the townspeople were hesitant to welcome the school is unsurprising, but the degree of outright hostility seems disproportionate at this time. Their antagonist, Abstention, seems to be more cut of the cloth of a fundamentalist movement that emerged much later, in the 20th century. I’m not saying rural Ohio in the late 19th century was a bastion of progressive ideals-either by our standards or those of the time-but something about his description makes it seem as if he was the regressive product of a later time. Specifically, the fundamentalist movement arising in the latter half of the 20th century. 

Entry dated July 20th, 1885

The subtle escalation of hostilities continues. Chalk messages have been written on the brickwork of the front of the school, along with threatening letters delivered every morning. I am even more certain that some of their number have been inside the school when we have left the building, even though we are certain to make sure it is locked. There have also been noises coming from the woods behind the school every evening that I am certain are not wild animals.  I am frightened by the welcome our students will receive when they arrive in Ellis Field. 

My hands shake as I work now.  I have misplaced several items with a level of carelessness that is not in my character, and I find them in the strangest places. I can no longer tell what is my doing and what is the work of our unwanted visitors. Even though Algernon believes the men are hostile, he thinks that more of the problems inside the building are my own anxieties. I am not safe here.

I fear that if any of our critics in the town were to learn of Algernon’s and my origins, the situation would further decline. Given the welcome The Community received when it was active, and the circumstances leading to its dissolution, I can only imagine how we would be received in Ellis Field if our background were to become known. We are already outsiders, but if it were discovered that we were members of a largely misunderstood community, I fear that might take the situation, which is already highly tense, to a boiling point. 

Entry dated July 23, 1885

In the midst of a lightning storm that continues to rage, Algernon has just chased one of the men we’ve seen at the gate from the school grounds after finding him in my office. We do not know for what reason he was here, but his presence was unnerving, and I feel as if our space has been violated. My brother has given me an ultimatum: either I act tonight, or he will leave town, and without his presence, I do not know how long I can forestall any conflict. While I believe John will stay, there is the chance that he will not, and even if he does, the appearance of impropriety of an unmarried man and woman could create further problems within the town.  

In light of that, I must prepare for the procedure and hope that if nothing else, it can buy us some time. I am unsure what will happen, as the procedure is physically dangerous to the person performing it, but I have truly run out of options at this point. 

Entry dated July 24th, 1885, sunrise

It is done. I will say nothing more of the matter.

Entry dated July 28th, 1885

Over the past four days, the air in Ellis Field has lightened. Even though we are in the middle of the summer, it has the spirit of early spring. Gentle rain in the afternoons. New flowers are beginning to bloom at the edge of the forest, causing the winds to blow a soft bouquet. The temperature has been rather mild, and I find myself needing to wear a shawl in the evening. It is as if the town has been reborn in the aftermath of the procedure. 

The people in the town have been thawing as well. As I walk down Main Street, I am greeted with smiles from both men and women. The grocer and the baker have both engaged me in extended conversation about plans for the school, offering to provide us with goods for the opening. The mayor has reached out about festivities to welcome the students to the town. 

Most excitingly, Miss Smithson called on us at the school today. She has asked about the possibility of starting classes earlier than anticipated and will be joining us as a first year student in the fall. She stayed for tea and we talked for two hours about her goals and the core tenets of progressive education. Her enthusiasm for education is refreshing, and I sent her home with a few books to prepare for the term. She had initially expressed some concern about being able to afford tuition, but we agreed to waive the fees in exchange for part time secretarial and library assisting work, which is mutually beneficial.

Curiously, Mr. Abstention has been quiet since all of the changes have arisen. I will continue to monitor his behavior in the event that he poses any further threat. There was some talk about the possibility that he was leaving town for a while, which would be most advantageous.

Commentary from Anna-Georgina Plume: 

I will stop here for now.  While answers may emerge as I continue through the journal, there are certainly a number of questions arising from this entry. There seem to be no context clues as to what exactly Lucy was talking about in terms of her method of smoothing matters over with the town, though she certainly seems apprehensive about it.

Future action items: 

1. Look into this Jimmy Abstention character- who was he, where did he wind up, did he cause further problems?

2. Follow up on Algernon Hobbes. I had flagged this earlier, and forgot to do so in my illness.

3. Look into the Hobbes siblings' life before moving to Ellis Field. Certain oblique references in Lucy’s writing suggest the story there is compelling.

4. The name Messinger is familiar to me. I do not believe there are any families of that name currently living in Ellis Field. I should look into where I know it from. 

Part 6

Ellis East Walkthrough, May 18th

Moving forward, there are ten rows of student lunch tables, perpendicular to the curtained edge of the stage. Each row has two lunch tables, with attached benches on either side. During lunch, students would file in, filling the closest tables first, usually only filling the first two or three rows.

Art class and lunch never overlapped, but the art classes would fill the tables starting in the back usually filling two rows of tables, sometimes spilling into the third row if more space was needed for projects. Along the wall behind the back row of the tables are three metal cabinets for art supplies and a wire rack for drying student paintings.

In the far back corner, on the outer edge of the school, is a wooden door to a small room. The room holds a small table lined with sunflower contact paper and four chairs. This served as the guidance office, though it was rarely in use. Carved into the paper on the top of the table is a circle with a diagonal line across it. 

In the four corners of the stage, there are more blue velvet curtains, each tied to the wall.

Walking along the outside of the curtain, the edge of the stage curves up with an assortment of colored light bulbs under the curve--footlights for student performances. I follow the edge of the stage back to the small staircase to continue down to the gymnasium.

End Credits

Lavender Evening Fog is a fiction podcast. This episode was written by Victoria Dickman-Burnett, directed by Ben Baird, and produced, mixed, and edited by Nick Federinko. Executive Producers are Ben Baird and Victoria Dickman-Burnett. The voice of Anna-Georgina Plume is Victoria Dickman-Burnett. The extra footsteps in the woods were Izzy Zalat. The Lavender Evening Fog logo was designed by Alicyn Dickman and our Season 2 concept art was designed by Matt Lowe.  This episode is brought to you by the moment when things take a turn for the absurd. This episode pairs well with a First Flush Darjeeling. 

Stay tuned after the credits for a short trailer from our friends at Care and Feeding of Werewolves, a podcast for all your paranormal medical needs.

Trailer- Care and Feeding of Werewolves

Characters: Hazel, Julia, 

HAZEL: Hi, my name is Hazel Thornton. I grew up in the safest place possible- in the house of my grandmother. It’s not a normal house.

FLASHBACK: (Hazel: ”On summer breaks, I’d help her redo the wards that keep humans from noticing anything out of the ordinary.” ).

HAZEL:   It’s just as weird as I remember…

FLASHBACK: (Julia: ”Is Auto humping that dude’s head? Hazel: ‘Yep’” “That is a miniature dragon.  Does this look like a vet’s office?”).

HAZEL: But nowhere near as safe.

FLASHBACK: (Julia: “Hazel, I’m so sorry, you need to get down here. Nana Rosemary’s missing.” Hazel: ”I’ve taken a leave of absence so I can cover the store until Nana’s found”).

HAZEL: I need to find my grandmother, Rosemary Thornton, and the rest of the missing. If you hear anything, contact us at feedingwerewolves@gmail.com, find us on Twitter at CareWerewolves, or Care and Feeding of Werewolves on Facebook or Tumblr.  More details about the missing will be posted there.  Updates will be broadcast every two weeks on Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Podcast  Addict, Spotify, and Stitcher.  Until then, please stay safe.