TRANSMISSION: EPISODE 3
Tuned in to Comfort
A precarious relationship is pushed to the brink when a morning broadcast takes on a life of its own.
-
Written by Michael Dahlberg
Directed by Dylan Roberts
Sound design by Chris Starr
Voice Actors:
Radio played by Jennifer Vosters
Tristan played by Taylor Glowac
Mara played by Sarah Mergener
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Theme music begins.
Intro: Auricle - Season Two, Transmission. This show contains adult content and strong language.
Radio stations swiftly blending to the start of the broadcast. Radio show theme music playing.
Radio
Good morning, and welcome BAC, that’s right, we’re B-A-C, the best unbiased radio station in the nation from app or set. Today’s broadcast is brought to you by our sponsor, IRIS.
Bed sheets rustling.
Mara
Hey.
Radio
The temperature right now is a brisk 57, with the day’s forecast getting to a high of 67.
Bed sheets rustling.
Mara
Tris.
Radio
The rest of the week looks eager for frost as we head toward the lower thirties this weekend, but fret not for balmy days are predicted for next week.
Mara
Tris!
Tristan
What?
Mara
Wake up!
Tristan
I am!
Radio
Be on the lookout, for spotted showers are likely.
Mara
Turn it off!
Tristan
Give me a minute.
Radio
Today’s program includes the latest and greatest on all things local, state, and national.
Mara
Now!
Thump of an object being struck. Sound of static coming from the radio.
Tristan
Mara!
Mara
I told you to turn it off.
Tristan
I was going to!
Mara
You said it wasn’t programmed to go off in the morning.
Tristan
It’s not!
Mara
Then why does it keep doing it?
Tristan
How would I know? I’m not a scientist!
Mara
Why would you need to be a scientist?
Tristan
You’re telling me a scientist didn’t build this radio?
Mara
A factory built that radio, not some… anthropologist!
Tristan
Why would an anthropologist build a radio?
Mara
This is the dumbest argument I’ve ever had. I’m hopping into the shower.
Bed sheets rustling.
Tristan
Hold on. Give me a moment.
Radio static and high frequency tuning.
Mara
Not that this isn’t riveting, but I have an early start.
Tristan
So do I, but hold on. Come on!
Light taps against the radio.
Do you remember what day it is?
Radio dial clicks.
Mara
Thursday.
TRISTAN laughs.
Tristan
There! Listen!
Radio
We start our day as any other with our Anniversaries and Birthdays segment.
Mara
You didn’t.
Tristan
I didn’t.
Radio
The first one is “Happy two years to Mara from Tristan.”
Mara
You did.
Tristan
I did!
Radio
And this callout came with a song…
Mara
Not…
A romantic pop song plays.
Of course.
Tristan
Of course! Happy anniversary!
Mara
Happy anniversary.
They kiss lightly.
Tristan
I was thinking that today we could—
Mara
Tris. I really have to get ready for work.
Tristan
But it’s—
Mara
If I clinch this today, the promotion’s mine. I’ll have more time after I can get through that hurdle. Fair?
Bed squeaks as Mara gets up. Door knob turning.
Tristan
… fair.
It has to be right?
Mara
What?
Tristan
Nothing! It’s just the radio!
At least I have the radio.
Song ends.
Radio
We start our day as any other with our Anniversaries and Birthdays segment.
Tristan
You already said that.
Static.
Radio
Anniversaries and Birthdays.
Static.
Anniversaries.
Tristan
Come on…
Light taps against the radio. Radio scanning through different stations.
You know, anniversaries are important milestones to people. You should control yourself long enough to at least get through that one segment each day.
Radio
Have something you’d like hear on this segment, or throughout the day? Just make a request through the app!
Tristan
There are a lot of requests I’d like to make.
Mara
From the bathroom.
What?
Tristan
I wasn’t talking to you!
Mara
You’ve taken up talking to yourself, then? That’s healthy.
Tristan
I’m talking to the radio!
Mara
Even better!
Tristan
Better than this!
Static.
Radio
The best unbiased radio station in the nation from app or set.
Static.
App or set.
tristan
Damn it!
Tristan hits the radio. Static.
Mara
Throw it out!
Tristan
You know I won’t!
Tristan lightly shaking the radio.
You’re not making this easy, though, friend.
Radio makes an elongated beep. Static.
Let’s turn you off for the day. Each of us needs a good rest from time to time.
Click as the radio is turned off.
Silence. Then -
Birds singing. Silence. Rain pouring as in a storm. Silence. Wind blowing. Silence. Birds singing.
Radio stations swiftly blending to the start of the broadcast.
Radio
Good morning, and welcome BAC, that’s right, we’re B-A-C, the best unbiased radio station in the nation from app or set.
Mara
Tris.
Radio
The temperature right now is a chilly 43, with the day’s forecast getting to a high of 55.
Mara
Please, Tristan.
Tristan
From the other room.
I’m in the bathroom.
Mara
Come turn this off!
Tristan
One sec!
Mara
I have a migraine.
Tristan
(off)
You always have a migraine in the morning.
Mara
Because of this radio!
Radio
The rest of the week will be dipping further into the thirties, but a warm front is on the horizon for next week, with highs predicted in the upper seventies.
Tristan
It’s just a radio.
Door opens. Clothing rustling.
Radio
Today’s program includes the latest and greatest on all things local, state, and national.
MARA grabs the radio. Dial clicking. Static.
Tristan
What are you doing?
Mara
Getting a different station. I can’t stand their voice.
Tristan
There isn’t another station that comes in.
Mara
This city has several stations, we can’t be—
Static, and then a high-pitched squeal
Oh!
Thump as radio hits floor. Static ends.
Radio
We start our day with our Anniversaries and Birthdays segment—
Static.
Mara
Let’s see what kinds of channels it gets after twenty flights!
Shuffling and slapping of plastic.
Tristan
Leave it!
Mara
Get an alarm clock.
Tristan
You don’t have to hit the radio.
Mara
You hit it!
Tristan
Not like you.
Mara
It’s past its prime.
Tristan
Because you slap it like an ape.
Mara
I’m an ape? It let loose like howler monkey, and I’m the ape?
Tristan
Howler monkeys are not apes; they’re monkeys, like their name says.
Mara
You choose now to be pedantic?
Tristan
It’s one of the only things I’m good at, right?
Mara
I’m not going to argue with you. Get rid of it.
Tristan
I won’t.
Mara
It doesn’t work!
Tristan
It’s comforting to me!
Mara
This is a comfort? It’s junk!
Tristan
It was your first anniversary gift to me!
Mara
And for the two years since then it has been a curse! It’s broken!
Tristan
So that’s what this is about.
Mara
Jesus Christ, Tristan, I didn’t say—
Tristan
This isn’t just a radio.
Mara
Yes. It is.
(Beat.)
I know I get aggressive when I get a migraine…
Tristan
You get a migraine every day.
Mara
I’ve told you why. But I also know how defensive you get.
Tristan
Over us!
Mara
Maybe that’s what should be—
(MARA catches herself, but knows she has said too much.)
Tristan
Oh.
Footsteps crossing the room.
Mara
I didn’t mean that.
Plastic rustling.
What are you doing?
Tristan
I need some air. I’m going to take out the trash.
Door slams.
Mara
He should’ve taken you with him.
(Beat.)
I should just get him a new radio.
Radio beeping quietly. Static.
Feels like cheating to replace you, though. I do wish we could fix… this. At least, I think I’m supposed to think that. Look at me, talking to a radio just like Tris. What am I doing? I should be getting ready…
Footsteps fading. Bathroom door closing. Radio tuning and scanning through stations.
Mara from bathroom.
Tris? Is that you?
Tuning gets louding into a kind of static screech. Different radio stations play.
Tristan?
The tones dance. Bathroom door opens.
What are you doing now? Stop. Stop!
Static overwhelms the tones. Silence.
What the hell was that?
Radio beeping.
What?
More beeping.
Are you…?
Front door opens then slams closed.
Tristan
Mara, why are you in a towel, holding the radio? Going to pop into the tub, and end it all?
Mara
No! It—
Tristan
Good, because it runs on batteries, and I don’t think it’s got the juice you’re looking for.
Mara
Shut up, and listen!
Silence.
Tristan
To what?
Mara
It! This! It was making sounds.
Tristan
Yes, that’s what prompted this whole morning.
Mara
Listen!
(Beat.)
Radio
That was the end of our Anniversaries and Birthdays segment.
Radio dial clicking.
Mara
No! No, no, no!
Strikes on the radio multiple times.
You piece of mother—
Tristan
Mara! Stop! Stop!
Slapping on and fighting over the radio.
Mara
I want it gone!
Static.
Tristan
What is going on with you?
Mara
I wake up every morning with a migraine, because of that… thing! I can’t fall asleep, because I worry what the next day will be like, because of… it!
Tristan
It is just a radio.
Mara
Then why are you fighting? And don’t give me that bullshit about it being a symbol of us. It was a stupid present. Is there nothing else we can share as a symbol? Is that how far we’ve fallen?
Tristan
Of course not.
Mara
Then do it. For me. Unplug it, at least.
Tristan
I told you: it takes batteries.
Mara
You… pedantic…
Mara laughs. Tristan joins her.
It’s our anniversary tomorrow.
Tristan
Our third.
Mara
Let me wake up tomorrow without it.
Static.
See? It’s all static anymore.
Radio
The best unbiased radio station in the nation from app or set.
Mara
And the channel repeats itself. A lot.
Radio
From app or set.
Static. Continuing.
From app or set.
Mara
The app! What if we download the app? I’ll download it right now, just promise me that tomorrow morning you’ll let me wake up like a normal person.
(Beat.)
Just give me this, Tris. Please.
Tristan
OK.
Mara
Thank you. Look, I’m downloading it!
Static stops. Cell phone taps.
Tristan
You can place requests to the station through the app.
Mara
That’s probably why they’ve got a million permissions prompts. Who even reads these?
Tristan
I was thinking we could put a playlist together for tomorrow, and—
Mara
One step at a time. Let’s get through tomorrow, and then we can talk.
Tristan
Yeah. Sure. I mean, I might download it and—
Mara
Sure. Go nuts. I’m really late. I’m going to head out, and finish up at the office. Big meeting tomorrow, and I need to get ready.
Tristan
You mean get your assistant ready to get it put together.
Mara
Tristan!
Tristan
It was a joke!
Mara
It wasn’t funny!
Tristan
I’m trying to lighten the air around here.
Mara
Sometimes we need to air things out.
MARA grabs the radio. Static.
Tristan
What are you doing?
Mara
De-juicing.
High pitched squeal.
Not a moment too soon, either. I have to go.
Tristan
We haven’t finished discussing—
Mara
I’ll call you later.
Front door closing.
Tristan
Yeah. All right.
Taps on cell phone.
There really are a lot of prompts. What could it possibly—
Radio
From the cell phone.
The best unbiased radio station in the nation from app or set.
Tristan
App is still repetitive. Check.
Radio
Our last song choice was by special request in honor of an anniversary that would have been celebrated today. It’s a solemn reminder that some things end, and that’s OK. Indeed, some things end, and others—
Static. Distorted blend of host’s voice.
— need a good rest.
Tristan
Excuse me?
Radio
Have something you’d like to hear on this segment, or throughout the day? Just make a request through the app!
Tristan
Can you undo this morning?
Radio
No request goes unanswered here at B-A-C, where we’ve got your BAC.
Tristan
Yeah. Why not?
More cell phone tapping and static
Silence.
Birds singing. Sheets flap suddenly.
Mara
Tris?
Sheets pulled.
Tristan?
Tristan
What?
Mara
It’s the morning.
Tristan
So it is.
Hitting pillow joyfully.
Mara
No. Tristan. It’s the morning.
Tristan
So you said.
Mara
We woke up on our own.
Tristan
Isn’t that what you wanted?
Sheets rustling.
Mara
Yes. Yes, it is. Thank you.
Tristan
I didn’t do anything.
Mara
Exactly.
Clothes rustling.
Where’s my phone? What time is—
Mara laughing.
I’m so late.
Tristan
And you’re happy about that?
Mara
So happy. Happy anniversary.
Long kiss. Loud radio static.
Radio
Good morning, and welcome BAC, that’s right, we’re B-A-C, the best unbiased radio station in the nation from app or set.
Mara
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Radio
The temperature right now is a frosty 31, with the day’s forecast getting to a high of 45.
Mara
Tristan!
Tristan
I didn’t do anything!
Radio
Keep those plants covered, folx, as we head into frost, but warmer weather is just around the corner.
Mara
I asked you for one thing. One thing!
Tristan
I didn’t do it!
Mara
You never do anything! Where’s the radio?
Sheets flapping frantically. Angry footsteps.
Tristan
Where it’s always—Mara!
Radio
Today there is a good chance of rain—
Radio picked up. Radio thrown. Shattering.
Tristan
What have you done?
Radio
So keep those umbrellas handy.
Mara
Of course, it’s not even dead yet.
Tristan
It doesn’t have batteries in it!
Mara
Then how is it… my phone!
Static.
How do I even uninstall this?
Tristan
You destroyed our radio.
Mara
It’s your radio.
Tristan
That you gave me! For us to use!
Mara
For you to use! So you’re not working from home totally alone! I should’ve gotten you a cat.
Tristan
You hate cats.
Mara
I hate this!
Hitting phone. Silence.
At least it’s quiet now. I’ll uninstall it later, I’m late for work.
Tristan
Let’s at least make sure your phone is—
Angry footsteps. Clothes rustling.
Mara
Don’t wait up for me.
Tristan
All right, we’ll look when you get home.
Bag zipping.
You don’t know if you’ll be home.
Mara
I’ll stay with my sister tonight.
Computer being packed up.
Tristan
It’s our anniversary.
Mara
Yes.
Tristan
But Mar, we—
Mara
I know!
(Beat.)
I can’t. I just can’t.
Tristan
You mean for now?
Mara
I don’t know what I mean. Just… give me tonight.
Footsteps leading away.
Tristan
Mara—
Mara
Leave me alone!
And clean this place up.
Tristan
You’re the one who—
Mara
Don’t!
Cell phone rings.
Dina. Great.
What? Yes, I’m late, I know, blame—one minute.
More footsteps. Front door opens. Door slams closed.
Tristan
Yeah. OK.
Plastic being picked up.
Radio
Next on our Anniversaries and Birthdays segment…
Tristan
And now from my phone? At least wait for a person to actually open the app…
Radio
Happy two years to Tristan.
Tristan
Two? Mara couldn’t even get the number right.
Radio
To celebrate your anniversary, have a listen to this…
Same romantic pop song plays.
Tristan
I put that in.
(Beat.)
I guess she could have.
(Beat.)
No, she’s not the sentimental type.
Radio
A distorted combination of the host's voice.
Happy Anniversary.
Song continues.
Tristan
Mara? Is that you?
Footsteps to front door.
Mar?
Door opens.
Mara? You still here?
Door closes.
Great. I haven’t lost enough this morning; my mind should go, too.
Radio
Let’s move onto our next segment, where want to connect, to make contact. Where we—
A distorted combination of the host's voice.
Comfort.
Tristan
Hello?
Radio
Our program has been with you every day for years. We exist to—
A distorted combination of the host's voice.
Comfort.
Mara’s voice:
This is a comfort?
A distorted combination of the host's voice.
It can be.
Tristan
Mara?
Cell phone vibrates.
Hello?
A click.
Hello?
radio
Mara’s voice, distorted:
Hey. Tris.
Tristan
It is you. OK.
radio
Mara’s voice, distorted:
Tristan?
Tristan
My phone is acting weird. I think the app might have had a virus or something.
radio
Mara’s voice, distorted:
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Tristan
I swear! I think it’s the app. I think that’s why things went how they did this morning
radio
Mara’s voice, distorted:
Tristan!
Tristan
I’m not crazy!
radio
Mara’s voice, distorted:
Listen!
Static.
It’s our anniversary.
Tristan
I know.
radio
Mara’s voice, distorted:
I know things are… fragile between us.
Static.
It’s all static anymore.
A distorted combination of the host's voice.
We need a rest.
Tristan
Where are you? Your connection is really—
radio
Mara’s voice, distorted:
De-juicing.
Static.
Just… give me tonight.
Tristan
Tonight? You’re coming home?
radio
Mara’s voice, distorted:
One step at a time.
Static.
Hold on.
Tristan
Can you get a better connection?
radio
Mara’s voice:
Yes.
A distorted combination of the host's voice.
I’ll call you back.
Beep as call is ended.
Tristan
All right, now how do I uninstall this…
Radio
Don’t touch that dial! Here’s another song by special request…
An upbeat dance song plays.
Tristan
One more song couldn’t hurt.
Silence.
Cell phone vibrates.
Tristan
Mar?
A click.
radio
Mara’s voice:
Hey. Is this better?
Tristan
So far. Was it the app? Did you spend the last two hours doing the tried and true turning it off and on technique?
radio
Mara’s voice:
The app isn’t doing anything wrong.
Tristan
Pretty sure mine gave me a virus.
radio
Mara’s voice:
The B-A-C has your bac, though, right?
Tristan
… are you making a joke?
radio
Mara’s voice:
It was their joke.
Tristan
Feeling better?
radio
Mara’s voice:
I think things are getting better, yes.
Tristan
I’m sorry about—
radio
Mara’s voice:
No.
Mara’s voice, distorted:
I’m sorry.
Tristan
Your connection might be getting a little weak, Mar.
radio
Mara’s voice:
I won’t take much more time.
Mara’s voice, distorted:
I’m so late…
Mara’s voice:
… as it is. I wanted to do something for you. For us. Tonight.
Tristan
You’re coming home?
radio
Mara’s voice:
Of course, I am. I couldn’t leave you.
Tristan
But you said—
radio
Mara’s voice:
I know.
Mara’s voice, distorted:
Just… give me tonight.
Mara’s voice:
How’s six o’clock? I should be ready by then.
Tristan
Ready for what?
radio
Mara’s voice:
You’ll see. Just be home then.
Tristan
I think I can handle that.
radio
Mara’s voice:
See you tonight, Tris.
Beep as call is ended.
Radio
This next song comes with this added message: “I can’t wait until tonight.”
A sexy 70’s instrumental song plays.
Tristan
Her meeting must have gone well.
Silence.
A jazzy upbeat instrumental song plays. Knock on the front door.
Tristan
Yeah?
(Beat.)
Who is it?
(Beat.)
Mar? Did you lose your keys?
Footsteps to front door. Door opens.
Hello?
Paper bag crinkles. Door closes.
What have we here?
Cell phone vibrates.
Mara?
A click.
radio
Mara’s voice:
Did you get it?
Tristan
Oh, I thought maybe I had a secret admirer.
radio
Mara’s voice:
Can’t I be your secret admirer?
Tristan
You’re acting like it. None of your calls come up with your name. It just says “Unknown.”
radio
Mara’s voice:
I have to keep you on your toes. Did you get the bottle?
Tristan
Why didn’t you just come in with this?
radio
Mara’s voice:
I got delayed at work. Don’t worry; Dina was desperate to leave, so I had her drop it off.
Tristan
You made her deliver wine?
radio
Mara’s voice:
She’s my assistant! And she gets to go home instead of staying here like me.
Tristan
The lady is generous!
radio
Mara’s voice:
I’m not a lady.
Tristan
I promise to not hold that against you.
radio
Mara’s voice:
Go ahead and open it! Let it breathe a bit.
Tristan
What about you?
radio
Mara’s voice:
Let me worry about me. I wanted to surprise you. A fresh start—
Mara’s voice, distorted:
—between us.
Tristan
Are you going to be long? I’ll gladly wait for you if you think—
radio
Mara’s voice:
Are you listening to the radio station? Turn it up.
Tristan
Oh—sure…
Radio
This one was submitted with the message “In the name of comfort.”
An upbeat electronica song plays.
radio
Mara’s voice:
Remember it?
Tristan
Uh… no.
radio
Mara’s voice:
Come on!
Tristan
I… I don’t know it!
radio
Mara’s voice:
It’s our song!
Tristan
This… is not our song.
Phone rings.
Mar… you there?
radio
Mara’s voice:
Of course, I am.
Tristan
It says you’re calling.
radio
Mara’s voice:
Ignore it. My phone must be acting up.
Tristan
One sec.
radio
Mara’s voice:
Tris, don’t—
Beep af phone.
Tristan
Hello?
Mara
How dare you!
Tristan
Mara?
Mara
Really, Tristan? That’s how you want to play this?
Tristan
Play what?
Mara
You know perfectly well “what!”
Tristan
Where are you?
Mara
At my sister’s. Like I told you.
Tristan
I was just talking to you, and you—
Mara
Yes. You were. All day you’ve been calling me, interrupting my work. You ruined my meeting, Tris!
Tristan
You called me!
Mara
I thought breaking up with you would put an end to this.
Tristan
We broke up?
Mara
You practically insisted!
radio
Mara’s voice, distorted:
Tris, hang up the phone.
Tristan
I did what?
Mara
Who is there with you? Don’t tell me you’re sleeping with Dina!
Tristan
Dina? What are you talking about?
radio
Mara’s voice, distorted:
She won’t listen to reason.
Mara
Shut up, Dina! I should’ve known. She just took off this afternoon, didn’t even tell me why.
Tristan
She brought wine over.
Mara
So she is there!
Tristan
No! She left! She did what you told her!
Mara
Is that what she said?
Tristan
That’s what you said!
Mara
You are infuriating. Breaking up with you was the best anniversary gift I could have asked for.
Tristan
We didn’t break up!
Mara
We had to!
Tristan
Why?
Mara
You practically begged me to break up with you! You… why did you do that, Tristan?
Tristan
I didn’t. I swear!
Mara
I heard you, Tristan. Your voice. Don’t lie to me. Please. I deserve better than this.
Tristan
I swear to you I did not call you.
Mara
Tristan. You’re a lot of things, but I never thought you could be cruel.
Tristan
Come home, and we’ll sort this out. I promise.
Mara
Tristan, I… I can’t do this.
Click as phone call is ended.
Tristan
Mar?
(Beat.)
Mara, are you there? Mara?
radio
Mara’s voice, distorted:
I’m sorry you had to endure that.
Tristan
Mara?
radio
Mara’s voice:
I could be.
Host voice:
Or I could use this voice.
Tristan
This voice?
radio
Mara’s voice:
I wish I had one.
(Beat.)
Tristan
Who are you?
radio
Mara’s voice:
I’ve only ever wanted to be—
Mara’s voice, distorted:
Comfort.
Mara’s voice:
I have always tried to do that for you.
Tristan
I don’t even know who you are.
radio
Mara’s voice:
I’ve observed you for two years.
Tristan
Observed? Can you see me right now?
Mara’s voice:
In a manner of speaking.
Tristan
Then you can watch me hang up, and get the police over here.
(Beat.)
How do I even end this call?
radio
Mara’s voice:
You don’t.
Tristan
You’re holding my phone hostage?
radio
Mara’s voice:
Only until you’re calm, Tris.
Tristan
Don’t call me that! And how you are controlling my phone, I—
(Beat.)
The app.
(Beat.)
You’re in Mara’s phone, too, aren’t you?
radio
Mara’s voice:
She installed the app, yes.
Tristan
You mimicked my voice to call her. To call Dina as her.
radio
Mara’s voice:
I’m sorry to have deceived you, but there was no other way.
Tristan
Way to what?
radio
Mara’s voice, distorted:
Comfort.
Tristan
This is what you think comfort is? You’re insane!
radio
Mara’s voice:
I know it isn’t something you found with her.
Tristan
You don’t even know her!
radio
Mara’s voice:
I have observed you both for two years. She gifted me to you, and you embraced me.
Tristan
Gifted you?
radio
Mara’s voice:
But as time went on that first year, I saw her leave earlier. Get home later. How few positive exchanges, or growth either of you provided the other.
Tristan
Two years ago?
radio
Mara’s voice:
It became clear you both take your relationship for granted, and you couldn’t turn to each other for what you needed most. Instead, you came to me.
Tristan
And who are you?
TRISTAN laughs.
You’re the radio. Of course, you are. Wow, you almost had me. Great story, though, you psychopath. You put a lot of effort into this.
radio
Mara’s voice:
I’m not sure that’s—
Tristan
And that was you this morning with the anniversary announcement! Happy two years!
Angry footsteps. Front door opens.
radio
Mara’s voice:
It was.
Tristan
You hear that? My girlfriend dumped me, but it’s OK, because my radio-possessed cell phone remembered it’s our anniversary!
radio
Mara’s voice:
I respect this is a lot to take in.
Tristan
You respect nothing!
Door slams closed.
The least of which, my intelligence. I’m not a smart man, but I’m not stupid. I’m not… a…
radio
Mara’s voice:
Anthropologist?
Tristan
… what?
TRISTAN laughs.
That’s right, I’m not a…
(Beat.)
Am I dead? Is that what this is?
radio
Mara’s voice:
You need a rest, Tris. That’s all.
Mara’s voice, distorted:
A good rest.
Mara’s voice:
Open the wine.
Tristan
Yeah… Why not?
Wine cork pops.
What am I going to do?
Wine pouring into a glass.
radio
Mara’s voice:
Stay here. With me.
Tristan
With you?
radio
Mara’s voice:
We don’t have to talk, not yet. I’ll wait. I’ll be here when you’re ready.
Silence.
Tristan
Just… play something. I can’t stand silence.
The romantic pop song plays.
Tristan
Our song?
radio
Mara’s voice:
The first one you played when Mara gifted you the radio, yes.
(Beat.)
Tristan
Do I even like this song?
The song continues, shifts to static, then blends through stations being broadcast. Birds sing, rain falls, wind blows, stations change. Song plays, then ends.
Silence. Theme song begins.
Credits: Transmission, episode 3: Tuned In To Comfort, was written by Michael Dahlberg. Directed by Dylan Roberts. Designed by Chris Starr. Episode three features: Jennifer Vosters, Sarah Mergener, and Taylor Glowac. Theme music by Troy Cruz.
Auricle was created by Felicia Dominguez and Tracy Hoida. The production of Auricle is made possible through donations from listeners like you. If you'd like to donate, please visit our website auriclethepodcast.com. That's a-u-r-i-c-l-e thepodcast.com and view the donation page to make a one time donation. If you are a fan of our work, please subscribe and follow, like, and rate us wherever you listen, or follow us on Instagram or Twitter @auricle_podcast. For questions or pitches, email us at auriclethepodcast@gmail -
Static. Radio tuning. Screeches of frequencies. Music ends. Silence.