Part 1
Ellis East Elementary Walk through, May 18
The Music Room
The music room has a polished wooden floor and is lined with built-in cabinets on the southern and eastern walls, but only the top half of the wall. The cabinets are a darker finish than the light oak floor. They appear to be a light cherry finish with brass handles. The bottom half of the wall has soundproofing carpets in the school’s mascot, the unicorn.
Perhaps now would be the time to note the Scottish heritage of many of the families in Ellis Field and the surrounding area. The Western wall has a line of windows, much like the windows on the external wall of every classroom so far. In the southeastern corner of the room is a mahogany door that connects to the library next door, with a skeleton keyhole. On the northern wall, there is a chalkboard which has four sets of musical staff lines and magnets that look like musical notes and symbols.
Part 2
Audio Diary of Dr. Anna-Georgina Plume, July 15th, 10 am
Today is the housewarming party! I just need to run through my final checklist one last time
Let’s see:
Refreshments: Check-I have a variety of both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. There is a bar cart for mixed drinks and a kiddie pool to fill with ice for bottled water, soda, and other cans and bottles. Note: I need to put a tarp under the ice pool.
Food: The village, by which I mean Dad, has loaned us a popcorn machine and a snow cone station, which will go outside between the swings and the seesaws; There are catering trays to be delivered at 4:30, Sierra is bringing pizza from Pizza Depot, which will be spread out on the dining room table. The formal living room will be labeled “No Food Zone,” but otherwise people can explore freely.
Parachute: Ready to go!
“Stay off the carousels” signs: Fully displayed.
“Stay out of the basement” signs: Also fully displayed
Basement lock–check; Office Lock– check; archive lock, check.
I found some velvet ropes in the office by the gym that I’m using to block off the bedroom portion of the house
The piano is locked because I don’t want to worry about that.
We’ve set up a band stage in the yard for Billy’s band to play, they are also taking care of all technical specifications on that.
Let’s see, is there anything else?
I think we’re almost ready!
Part 3
A-G: Okay, here is your tea [sound of china teacup being sat on the table]
Mr. Dijon: Thank you
A-G: And you’re okay if I record this
Mr. D: Yep
A-G: So, to begin, you are…
Mr. D: Alexander Dijon, Principal Ellis Field Elementary School. Before the new building, I was the principal of this–I mean the East Building where we are now. You can call me Alex.
A-G: How long were you principal of this particular building?
Mr. D.: Ten years
A-G: And in your time here, did anything… odd happen?
Mr. D.: It is a school building, weird things happen all the time, children’s antics, you know?
A-G: I see. What about the basement? Anything weird there? Kids can’t really go down there.
Mr. D: If we’re being honest… I’m [emphasizes the word] terrified of spiders. Never went down there. If anything happened to anyone else, they never mentioned it. I’d like to think I’m an approachable boss, but I’m still [you can almost hear the scare quotes] the boss.
A-G: Fair enough. What’s the story with the carousel? I’m told… you put it there.
Mr. D: Guilty. We were selling my grandfather’s farm and I didn’t want to leave it there. Of course, the effect was the same, since I left it in the school for whoever bought the building, but I guess at the time, I didn’t think about it… Though I think someone buying a school building is probably going to be more likely to be okay with a carousel than someone buying a farm. Wait, did I unfairly stereotype you? I kind of implied that you’re odd.
A-G: I’ve been called worse. And your grandfather had a Victoria era carousel because…
Mr. D: He restored it. It was kind of a hobby of his. Or an obsession. Hobsession?
A-G: Did the carousel do anything odd while he was restoring it?
Mr. D: Not to my knowledge.
A-G: I hate to ask, but, Alex, was the carousel involved in your grandfather’s death in any way?
Mr. D: Heavens no! Grandpa died peacefully in his sleep.
A-G: Sorry I brought that up. [beat] So here is the thing… The carousel has been… behaving oddly in the time I’ve been here. Like, this particular carousel should not be able to spin backwards, but it started doing so rather suddenly. Would you know anything about that?
Mr. D: I’m sorry, but I never really learned anything about the technical workings of the carousel. I wish I could give you more information.
A-G: No worries.
Mr. D: I know this is a weird request….[trails off]
A-G: I just asked you if the carousel killed your grandfather, I’m fairly certain whatever you have to ask will be less weird than that.
Mr. D.: I’d love to see what you’ve done with the place
A-G: I’m actually holding a housewarming party if you want to stick around about a half an hour.
Part 4
Billy: [on stage, start with improvised mic checking] Okay, A-G has given me the thumbs up, so let’s get started, we are Milk Duds and the Fancy Men! This is [Song title]
[Song plays]
[As the song ends, the music fades as if A-G is moving away from the stage, Billy is heard talking indistinctly in the background, the next song starts, but is just ambient background music]
A-G: [Making the rounds, speaking to guests] Hi! So glad you could make it! There is a shaved ice station and a popcorn machine by the swings and a drink cart in the front vestibule. Food is in the dining room, which is just off the vestibule, and we’ll start the parachute party at 7. Feel free to explore, but stay out of the basement. There is some loose tile down there and I would have for anyone to get hurt.
Voice 1: Thank you so much for inviting me
A-G: I’m really glad you could be here! Let me know if you need anything
[Party noises continue]
A-G: Hi, Can I get you anything?
[The cycle of A-G exchanging pleasantries repeats a few times]
[The music and background gets lower and we hear footsteps on wood, A–G is inside now]
A-G: Hello?
Part 5
[PA Distortion of A-G Double from 2.6]
Tongue of fire
Feather’s plume
The razor’s edge
The rose in bloom
Repetition of various distorted voices saying “Basement” ending on a crystal clear A-G saying “General Hobnobs.”
Part 6
[Party noises, footsteps running on gravel]
A-G: I’m looking around, it doesn’t look like anyone heard the most recent PA outburst, so that’s good.
[Party noises]
Mayor Plume: Georgie, have you had anything to eat yet? You’ve been running around this entire time making sure everything is okay, why don’t you sit down and I’ll get you a plate.
A-G: Thanks Dad, but have you noticed anything weird?
MP: No, what’s wrong.
A-G: Something just feels off… have you seen Billy?
MP: If I see him on the way to the dining room, I’ll let him know you're looking.
[Beat, Party Music]
Sophia: Hello Dr. Plume
A-G: [Absentmindedly] Hello [Beat, realizing who she’s talking to] Wait. Why are you here?
Mr. Dijon: Dr. Plume! Great party! Thank you for inviting me to stay. I simply must get that apricot scone recipe. Oh, hello Sophia!
Sophia: Principal Dijon! How are you?
A-G: Wait, you know each other?
Mr. Dijon: Yes! Sophia was our best volunteer when the school was in this building. It’s a shame her work schedule changed and she can’t volunteer any more.
Darryl: I checked it out, and you’re right, it’s not going backwards anymore. It’s… probably safe to use, but I’d still be careful if I were you…
A-G: Darryl! [realizing she can use this opening] Darryl, this is Principal Dijon, His grandfather restored the carousel. Mr. Dijon, this is Darryl, the carousel repair technician. I bet you two have a lot to talk about..
[Darryl and Dijon make pleasantries. Their conversation fades as A-G and Sophia walk away]
A-G: You volunteered at the school? I’m not sure what to think about that… [Beat] What brings you here this evening?
Sophia: You are very close. Keep looking. Go back to the letters.
A-G: I will look into that as soon as I can, I promise.
Sophia: It could get dangerous if you don’t hurry.
A-G: Alternatively, if you know something, you could just, well, tell me.
Sophia; You need to discover for yourself. The Letters. Now. We might not have very long.
Part 7
Audio Diary of Dr. Anna-Georgina Plume, July 15th, 6pm
I can’t believe I am doing this. I’m the host for goodness sake!
What could there possibly be in 120 year old journal entries that cannot possibly wait another day? Yes, sure, manifestation of the school's consciousness crashing the party, and then not even having the decency to tell me what she wants.
Okay, so there are two more entries in Lucy’s journal and another folded piece of paper. Might not have been there before, but I’m beyond quibbling with how any of this works.
Entry dated October 7, 1899
Over the last two years, the basement has been angry. Algernon has been angry. His death has left an impact on the school. That is not to say that the spirit of the building has changed, but at times it seems as if it is at odds with the anger of Algernon’s ghost.
I, of course, do not mean his literal ghost, but the impression he has left. The anger, the pain, the trauma from his death. Yet at times it seems as if his consciousness is also present, especially near the basement. To its credit, the school seems to be doing what it can to contain his anger, and yet, at times, I feel the sense that it is growing weak, or he is growing strong. The building feels tired, as if its efforts to stop his anger from reaching the students has taken a physical toll. Sometimes, I feel a wave of anger in other parts of the school. The war between Algernon in the school manifests such that whenever I feel his anger, I soon feel a wave of reassurance as if the school is doing its part to rectify the problem, but it grows tired and he consolidates his strength. They wage a silent battle–at times the hallways will fill with a gray mist before the light will fill the space, causing the mist to disperse.
Several students have reported dreams of an angry man whose face they cannot see.
Helena, James, and I have been discussing what we can do and we intend to rectify the situation tonight. It is the anniversary of Algernon’s death, and we believe that this date will hold special significance. I loved my brother, but now we must banish his spirit for everyone’s safety.
Entry dated November 15, 1899
I have not been able to gather the courage to write until today. Our attempt to banish Algernon has been only partially successful. He is contained to the basement, which I would say is better than before, but the banishment came at quite a terrible cost: Algernon has murdered James.
James had volunteered to lead the attempt to banish Algernon because he had knowledge of Eccleasiastical Latin and believed he had knowledge that would be useful in this situation, but Algernon’s anger was too powerful, and James met a similar end to Algernon, pushed down the stairs, this time by a gust of wind. However, he survived long enough to say some words in Latin and to assure us that Algernon was contained to the basement.
I cannot look at Helena, though she insists this isn’t my fault. I have cost her and Elizabeth so much and I will never forgive myself.
Letter from Helena Reeve to Lucy Hobbes, dated November 20, 1899
Lucy… Please do not abandon me. Please do not leave me alone in my grief. I cannot lose you too.
A-G Plume commentary: There is no reply, but there is a hydrangea blossom pressed with the note.
Part 8
A-G: How is the lock to the basement gone?
[Billy enters]
A-G: Billy, where is everyone?
Billy: Hiding. There was a decision to play a game.
A-G: So, everyone just went to play hide and seek? The basement lock is gone. This is dangerous.
Billy: Sardines.
A-G: What?
Billy: They’re playing Sardines.
A-G: Meaning everyone could be down in the basement. Come with me, we need to get everyone up here, now.
[footsteps on the basement stairs]
A-G: Turn on the light.
[lightswitch flipping sound]
Billy: Any chance the bulb is just burnt out?
A-G: In this basement?
Billy: Give me a second, I’ve got a flashlight on my phone.
[Beat]
Billy: A-G?
A-G: Yes
Billy: Was there a giant hole in the floor when you were down here last?
A-G: No.
Billy: Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad architectural news, but there is now.
A-G: Don’t get too close. Hand me the flashlight.
Billy: Be careful [Beat] What do you see?
A-G: It’s a staircase. It looks like there is a trap door. That has been opened… [Beat] Here is what we are going to do. I want you to sit on top of the opened trap door. I can’t have it closing me down here. I’m going to explore the stairs, very carefully.
Billy: Shouldn’t we wait to get someone to inspect them? This is rather risky.
A-G: Someone could be down there…
Billy: Okay, confirm that no one is down there, and get back up here.
[Tentative footsteps on the stairs]
A-G: The stairs are solid
Billy: Do you see anyone down there?
A-G [Yelling up]: I don’t see signs of anyone… but the sub-basement is much bigger than I thought…
Part 9
Ellis East Elementary Walkthrough, May 18
There is a grand piano at the front of the room, as well as a line of xylophones in different sizes, some drums, and a box of various instruments. I see a few recorders, a set of cymbals, and some maracas. There is also a box beside the piano labeled “Sheet music.”
[beat] it is, in fact, full of sheet music.
The room is otherwise empty. The cabinet doors are all open, with nothing inside any of them. The shelves are lined with contact paper, this time with a musical pattern. The piano bench is pushed in underneath the piano, the keys are covered. There are several pieces of sheet music on the piano’s music desk. They mostly appear to be from an elementary school musical that is the theatrical adaptation of Old MacDonald’s farm, with assorted other pieces of music typical of an elementary school classroom. On the back of a piano arrangement of Silent Night is a gel pen drawing of two parallel vertical lines.
The next logical place to go is the library, but I think I’ll wait on that and instead continue to the room on its other side, classroom 3-B.
Lavender Evening Fog is a fiction podcast. This episode was written by Victoria Dickman-Burnett, direction and script supervision by Ben Baird, produced, mixed, and edited by Nick Federinko with additional editing by Victoria Dickman-Burnett. Executive Producers are Ben Baird and Victoria Dickman-Burnett. The voice of Anna-Georgina Plume is Victoria Dickman-Burnett. The voice of Billy is Nick Federinko. The voice of Mayor Duncan Plume is David Girman. The Voice of Sophia the gate lady is Amy Yap. The voice of Principal Dijon is Danny Huri. The voice of Carousel Daryl is Tony Barrett. The voice of Sam the Barista is Trinity Shaya. The voice of Mr. Zaffre is Ben Baird. The voices of our additional guests were Keith Heard, whose character is named Sloane, even though that never came up, and Jen Park, who I’m certain you will hear again soon! Milk Duds and the Fancy men are John Bertke on drums, Sky White on keys, and Nick Federinko for all additional instrumentation in addition to vocals. The Lavender Evening Fog logo was designed by Alicyn Dickman and Ms. Bitey, our carousel opossum was designed by Matt Lowe. This episode is brought to you by a voice from the distant past. This episode pairs well with Kappa Macha from Wendigo Tea! We love Wendigo Tea! This is not a paid promotion, but we have linked them in our show notes because you should check them out! Wendigo tea is run by Sky White, whose name you might remember from a minute ago as the keyboardist for Milk Duds and The Fancy Men, or from the real world band that actually exists, Foxy Shazam!
After the credits, stay tuned for a promo from our friends at Mx. Bad Luck Podcast, an audiodrama about a sarcastic enby, their friends, and their constant bad luck! Give them a listen!
Episode 3.3: The Music Room
Transcript
