Episode Two of Sandbox Radio is now available on iTunes chocked full of Halloween offerings for your listening delight and convenience. Here’s what you’ll find.
Act 1
@1:50 "The Hands of a Girl" by Ki Gottberg
@21:15 "The Back of the 358 #1" by Paul Mullin
@22:35 "Markheim: Episode 2" by Paul Mullin
@37:40 "The Back of the 358 #2" by Paul Mullin
@39:10 "The Black Cat" adapted from the story by Edgar Allen Poe.
Act 2
@0:37 "PSA: Hanford Challenge" by Elizabeth Heffron
@3:45 "Madame Flora" by K. Brian Neel
@9:32 "The Request" by Vincent Delaney
@21:50 "The Back of the 358 #3" by Paul Mullin
@23:25 "Pipe Play" by Elizabeth Heffron
@43:02 Finale/Credits. Music Director: Jose Gonzales
(Sandbox Radio Live: Horror Show, was recorded at West of Lenin on October 10, 2011. The show was engineered by Christopher Stewart, mixed by Dave Pascal and Rob Witmer, and directed by Leslie Law.)
For you true Markheim geeks I’m including the script of Episode Two below the fold. Enjoy it while you can, ‘cuz “Things can always get uglier, right?”
Markheim: Episode 2
by Paul Mullin
Intro
VOICE: There is a city that doesn’t matter. Glistening gray. Virtually submerged in the murk.
You can hide in this city, when you’re sick of mattering.
Scene 1
(Sounds of the Harbor Steps on a fall morning.
Sounds of Markheim murmuring to a dog and the dog fawning and panting his reply.)
MARKHEIM: Who’s a good boy? You are. Aren’t you? Yes, you are.
SMILEY: That your dog then?
MARKHEIM: No.
SMILEY: How come you got it on that rope?
MARKHEIM: Watching it for a friend.
SMILEY: That little Juggalo girl?
MARKHEIM: Don’t know what that means.
SMILEY: You’re new on the streets then?
MARKHEIM: On these streets, yeah.
SMILEY: Thinking of making the Harbor Steps your turf?
MARKHEIM: Does it matter?
SMILEY: Yup.
(beat)
You look clean but not sober, like you got coin. You slummin’?
MARKHEIM: I’m a Markheim.
SMILEY: I’m an Indian, but not a drunk, got it?
MARKHEIM: Got it.
SMILEY: Name’s Smiley.
MARKHEIM: Well, Smiley, I’m a sort of an angel, but not a moralist. Got it?
SMILEY: An angel?
MARKHEIM: Sort of.
SMILEY: I don’t believe it that shit.
MARKHEIM: That’s probably better.
SMILEY: You saying you can fly?
MARKHEIM: Sort of.
SMILEY: That shit means nothing to me. You should steer clear of those Jugallo turds.
MARKHEIM: I don’t know what that means.
SMILEY: Those kids, sometimes paint their faces like clowns. Always sparing for change at Westlake. Claim they’re fans of them nasty rappers Insane Clown Posse. That kid Liv runs with them some times.
MARKHEIM: Who?
SMILEY: The pretty girl gave you that dog. She can’t be fifteen.
MARKHEIM: She didn’t give me the dog. I’m watching it. She got a chance to get a shower.
SMILEY: I’ll bet she did.
MARKHEIM: Look Smiley, you got a problem with me?
SMILEY: I don’t like angels, if that’s what you mean.
MARKHEIM: I ain’t much of one.
SMILEY: Am I gonna see more of your kind?
MARKHEIM: Not if I can help it.
SMILEY: Harbor Steps ain’t nobody’s territory. Security bikes’ll roust you soon. You’ll see.
MARKHEIM: They won’t see me.
SMILEY: Why not?
MARKHEIM: It’s an angel thing.
SMILEY: Why I gotta see you?
MARKHEIM: Doesn’t work on some. Guess you’re one of the luckies.
SMILEY: Yeah. Lucky. Don’t get comfortable, cousin.
MARKHEIM: I rarely do.
SMILEY: See you later.
MARKHEIM: Maybe. If you’re lucky.
Transition 1
VOICE: The flip fits in a clockwork. That’s what the chub said. So what was it? Does it matter? Hard to see how. But I’m in this city now. Might as well dig. Something to do.
Pick up the thread and follow it.
Scene 2
MARKHEIM: Spare the change? Bus fare to Fremont?
Miss, you got a bus transfer?
WOMAN: Sorry. Orca card.
MARKHEIM: Oh. I don’t... know what that means.
(Sound of a car pulling up at the top of the Harbor Steps.
There’s some beeping and revving as the cars behind have to drive around. The car’s power window hums down.)
SAM: Hey! Markheim!
MARKHEIM: Oh, hello Sam.
SAM: “Hello Sam.” What are you doing?
MARKHEIM: I’m begging.
SAM: How’s that working out?
MARKHEIM: Not so good. They don’t seem to give much here.
SAM: It’s 21st century America, Markheim. You don’t have to be an angel to be invisible.
What do you need money for anyway?
MARKHEIM: I’m trying to take a bus.
SAM: A bus? Where?
MARKHEIM: Fremont?
SAM: So just spirit there.
MARKHEIM: I always taste the Fix when I do that
SAM: So?
MARKHEIM: So, it’s unpleasant. You don’t remember.
SAM: Oh I remember. Granted, it’s been a while, but I remember. Just don’t remember it being unpleasant.
MARKHEIM: Each his own. Plus what would I do with the dog?
SAM: Good point. Come on. Hop in. I’ll drop you in Fremont. I like dogs.
(Sound shift as Markheim and the dog get in the limo and close the door. The sounds of 1st Avenue are luxuriously muffled as the car heads off.)
SAM (to the driver): Fremont, if you please, Karen.
KAREN: Sure thing, Boss.
MARKHEIM: I’ve never ridden in a car before.
SAM: This isn’t a car, Markheim. It’s a Bentley.
MARKHEIM: Sorry, Sam.
SAM: Oh don’t be so serious. That was always your worst fault.
MARKHEIM: Yup.
SAM: It’s good to see you.
MARKHEIM: Is it?
SAM: Sure. Strange, but good. What you got going in Fremont?
MARKHEIM: Nothing. Looking someone up is all.
SAM: Someone, hunh? Meat, cloud or smoke?
MARKHEIM: I’m done with cloud and smoke.
SAM: Ah, so it’s the meat jones you got. That can be ticklish.
MARKHEIM: It’s not a jones. I’m just...
SAM: What?
MARKHEIM: Following up on something.
SAM: Cloud business?
MARKHEIM: No.
SAM: You gonna kid a kidder?
MARKHEIM: Fine. I flipped a wobbler. Okay?
SAM: That’s cloud business, last time I checked.
MARKHEIM: And I’m done with it. It’s just... I just wanted to follow up.
SAM: What on earth for?
MARKHEIM: Curious.
SAM: Oooh. It’s worse than I thought.
MARKHEIM: I’m no trouble to you or any smoke.
SAM: And how would you know that for sure? You see the clockwork, do ya?
MARKHEIM: I got no beef with smoke.
SAM: Or cloud?
MARKHEIM: Or cloud.
SAM: You’re walking neutral?
MARKHEIM: That’s right.
SAM (to the driver): Nah, nah, Karen.
KAREN: Yo!
SAM: Take Dexter. That suicide fence they put up on the Aurora Bridge offends my sensibilities.
(Long awkward pause.)
I don’t get out much to this city. No point to it really. Not much matters out here. But it’s still my city, see? They all are. Well, except for that one. But exception proves the rule and that’s not the point anyway.
The point is: you’re a guest here. My guest. If you’re walking neutral. And I take you at your word on that. But should new information come to light, should this city start to matter for reasons un-fucking-foreseeable I’m gonna appreciate you sharing that news with me.
MARKHEIM: Understood.
SAM: For as you know, I’m a deeply appreciative fellow.
MARKHEIM: Oh yes.
SAM: What?
MARKHEIM: Deeply appreciative.
SAM: You mocking me, Markheim?
MARKHEIM: No.
SAM: I thought it was pretty common knowledge I don’t like to be mocked.
MARKHEIM: Of course.
SAM: It’s about the only thing that really irks me.
MARKHEIM: I’m sorry, Sam. Truly.
SAM: Don’t forget I know what creaks in your attic.
MARKHEIM: I apologize, okay? I wasn’t mocking you but I’m sorry if it even seemed like I was.
SAM: Alright, Markheim. Have your little vacation. What do I care? Just check in if there’s a change in status.
MARKHEIM: Okay.
SAM: Of any kind.
MARKHEIM: You got it.
SAM: Things can always get uglier, right?
MARKHEIM: Yes.
SAM: I don’t need to remind you of that, do I?
MARKHEIM: No.
SAM (to the driver): You can pull over right up there, just West of Lenin.
MARKHEIM: What’s Lenin?
SAM: Not a what, but a who. That’s his statue back there. He was hot last century. Too bad you missed him. That’s some meat coulda used a Markheim.
(Sound of the car door opening, Markheim and the dog getting out.)
MARKHEIM: Thanks for the ride, Sam.
SAM: Thanks for the chat, Markheim.
MARKHEIM: See ya around.
SAM: I wouldn’t count on it. I don’t get out here much. Town kind of bums me out.
MARKHEIM: Okay.
Scene 3
(Sounds of the Harbor Steps and a dog panting and scratching himself.)
LIV: Thanks for watching Black Francis.
MARKHEIM: He was really no bother.
LIV: I’m glad he likes you. You find what you were looking for in Fremont?
MARKHEIM: Maybe. What’s “Juvie?”
LIV: Juvie? You really don’t know what Juvie is?
MARKHEIM: I really don’t.
LIV: Is your friend in juvie?
MARKHEIM: He’s not my friend, and that’s my understanding, yes.
LIV: I’ll get someone to take you there.
MARKHEIM: Can’t you take me?
LIV: Nah. Look, Mark, I have a huge favor to ask.
MARKHEIM: I don’t do favors.
LIV: Can you watch Black Francis for me again... for a few days? Maybe a week?
MARKHEIM: Why?
LIV: I’m going home.
MARKHEIM: No.
LIV: Please? A guy I went to grade school with is coming back down from Vancouver later tonight, says he’ll me give a ride back to Eugene, but he won’t let Black Francis come. Not that my step-dad would let a dog in the house anyways.
MARKHEIM: You can’t go back home.
LIV: Why?
MARKHEIM: You know why.
LIV: I have to.
MARKHEIM: No you don’t. You have a choice. Make it.
LIV: I got a sister back there and a little step-brother too. They have to live with that asshole. They can’t run away to Seattle.
MARKHEIM: You can’t help them.
LIV: I can.
MARKHEIM: You can’t.
LIV: And it would be nice to brush my teeth a couple days in a row.
MARKHEIM: First thing he’ll do is rape you again. Then he’ll rape your little sister for the first time to show you that he can, and that he’ll do it over and over if you leave. Then he’ll beat you. Then he’ll rape you again.
You have to stay away. You have to save yourself. You’re the only person you can save. And even that’s iffy. You cannot go back. You have to survive. Survival is all there is.
LIV: I have a sister.
MARKHEIM: Not any more. You have yourself. And you have to protect it.
LIV: My “self” is not an “it.” I’m a person. Persons are connected to other persons. We have to help each other.
MARKHEIM: Don’t go.
LIV: Look at you.
MARKHEIM: What?
LIV: You glow, you know that?
MARKHEIM: No. I don’t.
LIV: You do. It gives you away. You’re like my demented guardian angel or something. I know what you’re trying to do. You’re trying to show me how selfish I can be and I have the choice to be that way, but that I can be better.
MARKHEIM: Trust me: that’s not what I’m trying to do.
LIV: I do trust you. You’re looking out for me in your own weird way. And you’re the only one I trust with my black bean.
‘Sides, this town’s getting heavy. A Jugallo kid I know just got burned two nights ago on those spooky steps that come out at Union and Terry.
MARKHEIM: Whaddya mean he got burned?
LIV: I mean somebody lit him on fire.
MARKHEIM: Dead?
LIV: Yeah. Dead. And I use those steps all the time.
MARKHEIM: Don’t go back home.
LIV: I have to. And you know it.
(pause)
MARKHEIM: I do not glow.
LIV: Sure you don’t.
Scene 4
(Sounds of the Harbor Steps late at night.)
SMILEY: I give you one thing.
MARKHEIM: What’s that?
SMILEY: Those security bikes really don’t seem to see you. You squat here every night and never get rousted.
MARKHEIM: How ‘bout that.
SMILEY: Where’s your jailbait Jugallo girlfriend?
MARKHEIM: She’s not my girlfriend and she’s not a Jugallo. She told me you don’t know anything.
SMILEY: Oh, Cuz, I know everything.
MARKHEIM: Then why are you asking me where she went?
SMILEY: See if you’d lie. She’s halfway to Eugene by now, ain’t she?
(pause)
Well, ain’t she?
MARKHEIM: Yeah. Probably.
(pause)
So how do I find Juvie?
SMILEY: Juvie? Why you wanna find Juvie? You looking for more little girls?
MARKHEIM: There was a wobbler I flipped— a kid that I— I guess you could say I convinced not to kill someone he was robbing. And now I want to... see how he’s doing.
SMILEY: You a do-gooder?
MARKHEIM: Not hardly. I’m a Markheim.
SMILEY: What the hell is that?
MARKHEIM: I thought you knew everything.
SMILEY: Not the stupid shit.
MARKHEIM: I’m an angel, sort of like, only I got a license, see?
SMILEY: A license for what?
MARKHEIM: A Markheim can do shit other angels can’t.
SMILEY: Such as?
MARKHEIM: Well, there’s all kinds of Markheims: Beaters, Burners, Bribers, Ballers.
SMILEY: What are you?
MARKHEIM: Me? I’m a Talker. I talk.
SMILEY: So do I. Don’t make me no angel.
MARKHEIM: I suppose you got a point there.
SMILEY: You know what you are?
MARKHEIM: What?
SMILEY: Full of yourself, that’s what, Markheim.
(End of episode.)
© 2011 Paul Mullin
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