The Coward | 4.1

[00:00:00] Batch 4, Episode 1, The Coward

[00:00:26] Sorry Spence, you recording?

[00:00:28] Thinking about it, yeah. Thanks.

[00:00:32] You two out.

[00:00:34] Just gonna leave it in. Screw it.

[00:00:37] We're back. I was hoping you wouldn't hear a voice outside of my own, but she, my friend, addressed something off the top that I was struggling to address myself.

[00:00:48] My name. She called me Spence and Harper called me Spence. They both work because that's technically who I am, but that's not how we know each other.

[00:00:57] My name hasn't been and shouldn't be the focus. If you're a returning listener, you know how much work we have to do.

[00:01:03] And if you're new, well, you've got some listening homework. But we're happy to have the fresh ears on this. Maybe some fresh theories.

[00:01:10] I am, of course, the poor Shmo who receives all the voice messages from Noah and Sarah.

[00:01:14] The two people trapped in the labyrinth beneath the Denver International Airport.

[00:01:18] They started out as captives, but they broke out.

[00:01:22] But they were still miles below ground in a nightmare hellscape of unnamed creatures, military kill squads, and alien ships.

[00:01:29] So I don't know if I'd really call them free.

[00:01:32] Are they getting closer to the surface?

[00:01:34] I honestly can't tell.

[00:01:36] But they're learning more and seeing more, so it's not in vain.

[00:01:40] Actually, we should revisit the whole captive thing, as when we left off at the end of batch 3, Noah was back to being a captive.

[00:01:46] This time being held by a sadistic clone of Sarah who goes by Harper and has none of her Australian charm.

[00:01:53] The real Sarah, or rather, our Sarah, has infiltrated a new cohort of employees, even confiding in one.

[00:02:00] Dale.

[00:02:01] He took it well.

[00:02:03] As well as one can.

[00:02:05] Basically, they're both up Schitt's Creek.

[00:02:07] Yes, it's Noah that's being tortured for answers, but Sarah's the one who has to figure out how to save him.

[00:02:13] Let's get into it.

[00:02:18] Okay, we, Dale and I, are gathering our things to head-

[00:02:21] Who are you talking-

[00:02:22] Oh, recording.

[00:02:24] Right.

[00:02:24] We're gathering our things and heading to save Noah.

[00:02:27] We don't know where Noah is.

[00:02:28] Then we'll find him.

[00:02:30] Sarah.

[00:02:37] The more we wait, the worse it gets for Noah.

[00:02:39] But if we rush and fail, who are we helping then?

[00:02:42] We have to think.

[00:02:43] Like, how are we going to explain all the missing things from my room?

[00:02:47] I haven't failed yet.

[00:02:48] I should be dead by now.

[00:02:50] And you can always say you were robbed.

[00:02:52] In a secure underground facility with a million cameras?

[00:02:56] We'd be found out before we finished our sentence.

[00:02:59] You only need to explain what's missing if you're staying behind.

[00:03:03] Are you staying behind?

[00:03:05] I'm still on the fence.

[00:03:07] Decide.

[00:03:08] It's not that easy.

[00:03:09] You dropped a lot on me.

[00:03:11] I'm a biologist, Sarah.

[00:03:13] And Indiana Jones was an archaeologist.

[00:03:15] That's a movie.

[00:03:16] I know.

[00:03:17] This is real life, and real life needs heroes too.

[00:03:20] Look, I can't help that we're up against near impossible odds.

[00:03:24] I'm just trying to rise to the challenge and beat them.

[00:03:28] Stay.

[00:03:30] Then you'll have to explain your connection to me and what I took and-

[00:03:33] I didn't ask for this.

[00:03:35] You chose your seat.

[00:03:36] Sitting next to the pretty girl doesn't turn me into some kind of freedom fighter.

[00:03:41] This time it does.

[00:03:44] Well, damn.

[00:03:46] Sorry.

[00:03:47] Are you?

[00:03:51] Fine.

[00:03:52] But if we're gonna do this, we're gonna do this right.

[00:03:55] I have two belts in the top drawer, and I've got a first aid kit in the bathroom.

[00:03:59] Now we're talking.

[00:04:02] Say that again.

[00:04:03] Which part?

[00:04:04] All of it.

[00:04:05] Is this a stranger-

[00:04:06] Yes, it's a stranger thing.

[00:04:07] Maybe knowing our plan is helpful and-

[00:04:08] Hey, I'm down to help.

[00:04:10] Because, well, I made my choice.

[00:04:12] But we have to stay on task.

[00:04:14] Some stranger on the surface isn't going to save us.

[00:04:18] I'm just looking for a little hope.

[00:04:19] Hey, like buying a lottery ticket.

[00:04:21] I don't expect to win, but by playing, my dreams have a chance of coming true.

[00:04:25] Fine.

[00:04:26] We head to the cafeteria.

[00:04:28] To load up on food.

[00:04:29] Exactly.

[00:04:30] Then you were going to see about getting your hands on some form of weapon.

[00:04:33] Gun, knife, bedleg.

[00:04:35] Go.

[00:04:35] Well, I try and gather intel on where they'd keep a high-profile captive.

[00:04:39] Then?

[00:04:40] We meet back at my room to go over the new plan.

[00:04:43] Whatever it may be.

[00:04:44] Perfect.

[00:04:47] So Dale isn't joining me for this meal.

[00:04:50] He spotted someone he'd met from the securities team and went and sat with them.

[00:04:54] He's learning.

[00:04:55] As for me-

[00:04:56] Mind if I sit here?

[00:04:58] I was actually waiting on a friend.

[00:05:00] Well, I'll move once I get here.

[00:05:01] I'm John, but everybody here calls me green.

[00:05:04] And you are?

[00:05:04] Frustrated?

[00:05:05] Hey.

[00:05:06] I said I'd move.

[00:05:08] I just see a nice girl rocking the portion control of a college student and I think,

[00:05:12] that's my kind of people.

[00:05:15] Portion control?

[00:05:17] Uh, I didn't-

[00:05:19] Didn't what?

[00:05:20] Mean to insinuate that I'm eating too much?

[00:05:22] I should maybe-

[00:05:23] Leave?

[00:05:24] Why?

[00:05:25] I mean, we were doing so well talking about my food intake.

[00:05:29] Hey, hey.

[00:05:30] Get your hands off me.

[00:05:31] I thought this was the goal.

[00:05:34] I didn't.

[00:05:35] Leave me al-

[00:05:37] Alone!

[00:05:39] Crazy bitch.

[00:05:41] Stole a creep smart band.

[00:05:44] Point nice girl.

[00:05:48] Can't remember which room his is.

[00:05:50] They all look the same.

[00:05:52] Like I'm on that Star Trek ship.

[00:05:54] Endless hallways of fancy sliding metal doors.

[00:06:01] Feel a little exposed right now.

[00:06:04] I found a full backpack medkit.

[00:06:06] A fire axe, a hammer, a brick of a torch, and a small orange box cutter.

[00:06:12] And I'm just carrying it all like a dad trying to one-trip it from the car.

[00:06:21] Sarah, what are you doing?

[00:06:22] Oh, just thought I'd make a bunch of noise.

[00:06:25] Give me a hand.

[00:06:32] What is all this?

[00:06:33] My half of the plan.

[00:06:34] How'd you do with your half?

[00:06:36] Not great.

[00:06:37] The security guys haven't heard of the biodome caves or whatever.

[00:06:40] But they did hear rumors about an away team mission that went wrong in a big way.

[00:06:45] Like everybody dies big way?

[00:06:49] Yeah.

[00:06:50] Apparently, that whole team is now being headed up by some crazy lady.

[00:06:54] What makes her crazy?

[00:06:55] The rumors, I guess.

[00:06:57] They said they gave her a whole new team and one of the dead levels to operate out of

[00:07:01] because her practices were too radical.

[00:07:03] Well, that's great.

[00:07:04] Well, not great, but great if we know where to find her.

[00:07:08] Level 23.

[00:07:09] Level 23?

[00:07:11] That's what they said.

[00:07:13] But the floor's a letter, not numbered.

[00:07:16] Oh.

[00:07:17] Yeah.

[00:07:18] So where the hell is level 23?

[00:07:21] I don't know.

[00:07:22] Down?

[00:07:25] Every day in the nice little Canadian town of Beavermount, Ontario is pretty much the same.

[00:07:31] Folks are polite.

[00:07:32] There's a hockey game that evening.

[00:07:34] And someone gets brutally murdered.

[00:07:41] Sorry About the Murder, a very Canadian murder mystery podcast.

[00:07:45] Listen to all of Season 1 now by typing Sorry About the Murder into your favorite podcast app.

[00:07:52] Ah, but look!

[00:07:55] Level 23?

[00:07:57] All the other levels have been lettered.

[00:07:59] I am really not destined to ever understand the layout of this facility.

[00:08:04] Dale is right, though.

[00:08:05] It's probably down.

[00:08:07] Seems to be where all the dead levels are.

[00:08:09] Where they've lost control.

[00:08:12] Does make you think about how busy this facility was when fully operational.

[00:08:16] Thousands of miles of labs, engineering bays, hell, hallways.

[00:08:20] This place would have been a hive of activity and point tenfold more than they already do.

[00:08:25] And it's with those numbers that it's hard to imagine what could have caused them to lose control of these sections.

[00:08:31] I mean, I get it.

[00:08:32] The crocodile bear thing in batch one was scary, but nothing a bazooka wouldn't have sorted out lickety-split.

[00:08:37] So what exactly took the control back?

[00:08:41] It's like a...

[00:08:41] Mom, what's a bazooka?

[00:08:44] I should go.

[00:08:45] But before I do, what's coming up next gets a bit...

[00:08:47] I guess graphic and disturbing.

[00:08:49] So if that's a problem for you...

[00:08:50] Well, you've been warned.

[00:08:57] You can't see it, Spencer, but this room is special.

[00:09:01] Sure, it's an old pump house, but I think that's what gives it its charm.

[00:09:07] But I don't want you to miss out on this experience, Spencer.

[00:09:11] Because you're in it now, too.

[00:09:14] I noticed you didn't pick up any of my calls, and it looks like you've moved out.

[00:09:19] If I don't know where you are, how am I supposed to get you my holiday cards?

[00:09:24] It's a little selfish, Spencer.

[00:09:26] So I've had to resort to this.

[00:09:30] I'm gesturing to the room.

[00:09:32] My office.

[00:09:33] Where I go to get away from it all, you know?

[00:09:36] My happy place.

[00:09:40] Well, I mean, happy place for one can be torture for others.

[00:09:46] I really do wish you had picked up the phone.

[00:09:49] Yeah, communication, not to understate it, is the keystone to any functional relationship.

[00:09:54] And Spencer, that's what I'm hoping for us.

[00:09:58] I want the chance to get to know you.

[00:10:02] You know, who are your friends?

[00:10:04] Why did they pick you?

[00:10:05] What do you know about this little cult?

[00:10:07] You know, normal stuff.

[00:10:11] But you're playing hard to get, and your friend Noah here seems pretty tight-lipped.

[00:10:16] So I figured, maybe if Spencer could hear how I questioned Noah,

[00:10:22] maybe then he'd pick up the goddamn phone.

[00:10:26] Let's see.

[00:10:30] Noah, how did you meet the cult?

[00:10:34] Well, I can't understand you if you insist on keeping this gag in.

[00:10:40] You're a crazy bitch.

[00:10:44] Predictable.

[00:10:45] Now, Noah, we have your good buddy Spencer on the horn.

[00:10:49] Say hello.

[00:10:49] Run!

[00:10:50] Stay out of this!

[00:10:54] Stab through my arm!

[00:10:56] Yeah, but your left arm.

[00:10:57] I mean, quit whining.

[00:10:58] We have to work.

[00:10:59] When will you understand?

[00:11:02] I'm not going to help you.

[00:11:04] Fuck you.

[00:11:05] Fuck the collective.

[00:11:06] Fuck the cult.

[00:11:07] I'm done.

[00:11:09] No.

[00:11:10] I tell you when we're done.

[00:11:13] I won't help you.

[00:11:15] You will.

[00:11:16] It's just a matter of when.

[00:11:19] I have an outstanding record.

[00:11:21] That's why they gave me my own level.

[00:11:24] They gave you your own level because they're worried that your psychotic nature is contagious.

[00:11:30] Funny.

[00:11:32] Still funny?

[00:11:34] We all laughing now?

[00:11:36] I won't talk and you won't stop.

[00:11:39] So just kill me.

[00:11:41] Oh, honey, believe me.

[00:11:42] I'm trying.

[00:11:43] But like a bad case of the hiccups, I can't seem to make you go away.

[00:11:49] Now, calm down.

[00:11:50] You'll only hurt yourself on the straps.

[00:11:52] Yeah, I'm trying to see my hands.

[00:11:55] Whatever for?

[00:11:56] Because I can't feel them and I wanted to ensure I was flipping you off.

[00:12:01] Ah!

[00:12:02] Ah, my hand!

[00:12:05] I wanted to show you.

[00:12:06] Here.

[00:12:08] Is it flipping me off?

[00:12:09] Oh, you're insane.

[00:12:11] I'm motivated.

[00:12:12] Now, have fun growing it back.

[00:12:15] Ah!

[00:12:17] Ah!

[00:12:18] Ah!

[00:12:19] Ah!

[00:12:20] Ah!

[00:12:20] Ah!

[00:12:20] I'm gonna find you, Spencer.

[00:12:22] Until then, enjoy the show!

[00:12:24] Ah!

[00:12:26] Ah!

[00:12:37] Ah!

[00:12:38] We're walking too fast.

[00:12:39] I know, but we're in a rush.

[00:12:40] No, we're standing out.

[00:12:42] We should slow it down.

[00:12:46] We're on our way to the utility room that will get us down the first few floors.

[00:12:50] Yeah, it's huge.

[00:12:51] Four floors of pipes and supplies and stuff.

[00:12:54] Are you sure it'll be empty?

[00:12:56] Yeah.

[00:12:57] My lab mate told me I could steal toilet paper from there if I needed it.

[00:13:00] Says it's just for storage.

[00:13:01] Let's hope your lab mate is telling the truth.

[00:13:03] He was pretty emphatic that it was where they stored the good TP.

[00:13:07] Triple ply.

[00:13:08] Right.

[00:13:09] Your lab mate is weird.

[00:13:11] Yeah, but that won't matter anymore, as I'll never see him again.

[00:13:17] I'm sorry.

[00:13:18] It's okay.

[00:13:19] I barely knew him.

[00:13:20] I meant...

[00:13:21] I know what you meant.

[00:13:23] It is what it is.

[00:13:24] If only a fraction of your story is true, it's enough to rebel.

[00:13:29] I'm in.

[00:13:31] You're pretty cool for a botanist.

[00:13:33] Hey, botanists are cool.

[00:13:35] We just take a minute to grow on you.

[00:13:40] Wow.

[00:13:41] Here, it's this door.

[00:13:47] Hello?

[00:13:48] Hello?

[00:13:50] I'm here for the good TP.

[00:13:54] Nothing.

[00:13:54] I think we're good.

[00:13:55] I'm here for the good TP.

[00:13:58] Stay with me a long time.

[00:14:00] What?

[00:14:01] I figured it would get a response.

[00:14:03] It is the good TP, after all.

[00:14:06] You weren't kidding.

[00:14:08] This room is nuts.

[00:14:10] Who builds a four-story utility room?

[00:14:12] Probably someone who needs the headroom.

[00:14:15] Funny.

[00:14:16] Is there anything in here we can use?

[00:14:19] Chemicals?

[00:14:20] Some broom handles?

[00:14:21] Then there's the...

[00:14:22] Good TP.

[00:14:25] Grab a roll and let's go.

[00:14:27] We have four stories to climb down.

[00:14:29] I think so.

[00:14:37] So we climbed down the four floors only to run into someone on the bottom level.

[00:14:41] He wasn't supposed to be there.

[00:14:43] Well, neither were we.

[00:14:44] So we ran.

[00:14:46] Felt right at the time.

[00:14:48] Problem is...

[00:14:49] Someone rang the alarm.

[00:14:51] They weren't even a little cool about it.

[00:14:53] Now we're holed up in a broom closet the size of a phone booth and...

[00:14:57] Oh, shh.

[00:14:58] Shhh.

[00:14:59] Let's link up with Omega Team and lock this floor down.

[00:15:05] That was close.

[00:15:06] Too close.

[00:15:07] I don't know if I can do this, Sarah.

[00:15:09] Hey, hey.

[00:15:10] You're doing great, Dale.

[00:15:11] Just stay the course.

[00:15:13] What do we do now?

[00:15:15] Find somewhere with a little more space to hide.

[00:15:20] Found more keys.

[00:15:21] Great.

[00:15:22] Keep looking.

[00:15:23] Based on the lock?

[00:15:25] It's like an old key.

[00:15:26] How old?

[00:15:27] Old.

[00:15:28] Like a dungeon key or whatever.

[00:15:30] That old?

[00:15:31] Just keep looking.

[00:15:34] We're in an old monitoring office.

[00:15:36] I say old, but it's for sure still in use.

[00:15:40] Dale found a sandwich.

[00:15:41] We both found it.

[00:15:43] Gross.

[00:15:45] So when I say old, I mean outdated.

[00:15:47] Like a forgotten office left in the 90s.

[00:15:49] It's not that bad.

[00:15:51] It's pretty depressing.

[00:15:52] Imagine working here for six straight months.

[00:15:55] Literally what I signed up for.

[00:15:57] Before you knew they were an evil organization.

[00:16:00] Yeah, but I knew they weren't good.

[00:16:03] There's a difference.

[00:16:05] I guess.

[00:16:06] Aha!

[00:16:07] What about this one?

[00:16:09] That could work.

[00:16:10] Want to go give it a try?

[00:16:14] Last time we were almost caught.

[00:16:16] But we didn't have keys last time.

[00:16:18] Now we have like 50.

[00:16:20] We'll get through and continue moving down.

[00:16:22] I don't know.

[00:16:24] Believe me, I've survived way worse than this.

[00:16:26] We just need to stay the course.

[00:16:28] You keep saying that, but it's not true.

[00:16:31] You need to stay the course.

[00:16:32] I could still go back.

[00:16:34] And you would?

[00:16:35] Given what you know?

[00:16:36] Over death?

[00:16:37] Yeah.

[00:16:38] I'd rather work on my dream science project and eat my bougie meals than die.

[00:16:42] But they're the bad guys.

[00:16:45] So?

[00:16:46] So?

[00:16:47] So?

[00:16:48] It should matter, Dale.

[00:16:50] And it does.

[00:16:51] I'm just not ready for death.

[00:16:53] Death.

[00:16:53] I'm sorry, Sarah, but we're not in the same mess.

[00:16:56] Just the same place.

[00:16:58] We can do this.

[00:17:00] I'm sure we can.

[00:17:02] It's just not worth the risk.

[00:17:03] You've come this far.

[00:17:05] Which is ludicrous.

[00:17:07] I'm a botanist.

[00:17:09] You were a botanist.

[00:17:10] True.

[00:17:11] But now that you know what you know about your employer, you're complicit.

[00:17:15] But alive.

[00:17:17] For now.

[00:17:19] Is that a threat?

[00:17:20] No, idiot.

[00:17:22] I'm saying that you're alive so long as they have a use for you.

[00:17:25] Like you said when we met, you've never met someone who worked here before.

[00:17:29] So they're killing employees?

[00:17:31] Yes.

[00:17:32] Just killing past employees and hiding the bodies and covering it all up?

[00:17:37] Yes.

[00:17:38] Well.

[00:17:40] Damn.

[00:17:42] You really think so?

[00:17:43] I know so.

[00:17:44] Given their track record?

[00:17:46] It's one of the nicer things they could do.

[00:17:50] You back in?

[00:17:53] I guess.

[00:17:55] Good enough.

[00:17:58] It's not working.

[00:18:00] It's okay.

[00:18:01] Try another key.

[00:18:01] I knew I shouldn't have.

[00:18:03] Damn it.

[00:18:03] I can't get the key in the hole.

[00:18:05] I'm shaking too much.

[00:18:06] Just let me take over.

[00:18:08] You keep lookout.

[00:18:09] Lookout.

[00:18:10] I can do lookout.

[00:18:11] Try not to look so nervous.

[00:18:13] I'm trying.

[00:18:14] I promise.

[00:18:15] But it's hard to look normal when you're sweating right through your clothes.

[00:18:18] Dale, you're doing great.

[00:18:20] Just take a breath.

[00:18:23] Doing great.

[00:18:25] We got this.

[00:18:26] Adventure of a lifetime.

[00:18:28] I hear footsteps.

[00:18:30] Fuck.

[00:18:32] Hurry.

[00:18:33] I'm trying.

[00:18:34] I can't.

[00:18:35] No, we're so close.

[00:18:37] I'm sorry.

[00:18:38] Wait.

[00:18:38] Dale, wait.

[00:18:42] Hi.

[00:18:43] Whoa.

[00:18:44] Wait.

[00:18:45] I'm not with her.

[00:18:46] I just got in way over my head and I just...

[00:18:48] One of two acquired.

[00:18:49] Copy.

[00:18:50] What are you doing?

[00:18:55] I'll keep moving after this post.

[00:18:57] Lingering can only endanger the others.

[00:18:59] Like Sarah, I'm dead if I stop.

[00:19:03] So, was Dale a coward?

[00:19:06] I know we shouldn't speak ill of the dead, but was he?

[00:19:10] See, I don't think I'm the best judge because I'm probably a coward too.

[00:19:13] I mean, self-preservation is a beast of a motivator.

[00:19:18] I say this because I can only assume that what we ended on was Dale being shot.

[00:19:24] That was after surrendering.

[00:19:26] This place does not pull punches.

[00:19:31] Let me know what you think.

[00:19:33] Shoot me an email to escapingdenverpod at gmail.com or join the conversation on Reddit at rescapingdenver.

[00:19:39] Thank you to Curious Cast for your unwavering support and to you, the listener, for sticking with me on this journey.

[00:19:45] I'll be back next week with another episode of Escaping Denver.