Episode 6: Aeaea
SFX: Ignition. A van engine rumbles. The god radio hisses as someone turns the dial to tune into a station. The opening theme plays, at first distorted before clearing up.
THEME: (sings)
If there’s a stranger all alone
Set her back to walk the stone
TITLE:
Hearthbound
Episode 6
Aeaea
THEME: (sings)
Will she find her way back home?
CONTENT WARNING:
This episode contains scenes of graphic violence.
SFX: Alby’s engine rumbles. She clatters along the road, pulling Cal’s trailer behind her. Odessa flicks on her turn signal. Rain patters against the windshield, as wipers swing back and forth hypnotically.
CAL: (yawns)
ODESSA: Nice nap?
CAL: Yeah. It’s… green here.
ODESSA: It didn’t used to be. The droughts had turned everything into clay. But years ago, before I first came through, people here started dismantling the rotten highways, breaking through the asphalt until the rains could find soil again. The land drank, and the trees started to grow.
SFX: Cal plays with the radio dial. It’s mostly crackle, but occasionally voices come through, though the conversations aren’t clear.
CAL: You hear that?
ODESSA: Yeah. Those are the Sierras up ahead. We’re getting close.
CAL: Close?
ODESSA: Closer.
CAL: What are they saying?
ODESSA: Uri says the hams usually just scan the frequencies to say hello. Tell each other where they’re calling from, chat a little, then move on to the next frequency.
CAL: Doesn’t sound like much.
ODESSA: Little things, you know.
CAL: Little things.
ODESSA: Yeah. Like, um, the jingle of Mack’s collar when he scratches an itch.
SFX: Mack agrees.
ODESSA: Or finding that huge stash of yellow chip-resistant paint in that old gas station yesterday.
CAL: Or standing at the top of a dune.
ODESSA: That’s a big ol’ thing.
CAL: Or a lot of little things.
ODESSA: Yeah, I guess you’re right.
CAL: Alby looks good with a fresh coat.
ODESSA: She does.
SFX: A light, crackling saloon piano comes over the radio.
CAL: You think that’s Uri?
ODESSA: We’re kinda far, but yeah, it could be.
CAL: Do you see that?
ODESSA: What?
CAL: The lights.
ODESSA: Where?
CAL: Wait, hold on. Once you pass these trees.
ODESSA: Oh yeah. They’re on the lake.
CAL: On the lake?
ODESSA: Or by the lake. Hard to tell in the dark.
CAL: Is that where we’re going?
ODESSA: Sure.
CAL: Have you been here before?
ODESSA: I passed through it five years ago. It’s the only body of water left in this part of the country. There will be people. At least I remember there was.
CAL: What are the lights?
ODESSA: No idea. It’ll be a surprise.
CAL: Little things.
SFX: The sound of Mack’s nails as he totters over in the moving van.
CAL: Hey dickhead.
SFX: Cal gives him a good scratch around the collar.
ODESSA: How does it feel?
CAL: Huh?
ODESSA: Leaving.
CAL: I feel like shit. But I also feel relieved. Which is weird.
ODESSA: That makes sense.
CAL: Does it?
ODESSA: Why do you feel like shit?
CAL: Because I broke a promise. As much of a promise as I could have made without saying it out loud.
ODESSA: And why do you feel relieved?
CAL: Because I didn’t want to keep it anymore.
ODESSA: Like I said. Makes sense.
CAL: I guess so.
ODESSA: Looks like a lodge.
CAL: Huh.
ODESSA: Do you see a sign?
CAL: Uh…yeah. Aeaea. That’s too many vowels.
ODESSA: I’m pulling in.
SFX: Alby rides onto gravel and pulls up to a stop. Odessa turns off the van. The piano on the radio cuts out.
ODESSA: Do you smell that?
CAL: Someone’s grilling. Fuck, I’m hungry.
ODESSA: Let’s check it out.
CAL: Hell yeah.
SFX: Odessa pulls the van up.
ODESSA: Stay here, boy.
SFX: Mack whines. The van door opens, and they hop out into the rain. Odessa slides the van door shut. Odessa and Cal squelch through mud. As they approach the lodge, a piano plays from inside. They push open the door to the live piano and people chattering comfortably in another room. Someone laughs on occasion. A fireplace crackles. Odessa hits a service bell. She taps her fingers on the counter. A door opens, and someone jangling with keys approaches.
MEDEA: Hi welcome to Aeaea my name is Medea are you looking for a room or just dining with us tonight?
ODESSA: Uh… both?
CAL: Sure.
ODESSA: Both.
SFX: Medea takes out a logbook and drops it on the counter. She rifles through, then shuts it sullenly.
MEDEA: Okay, we have 204 open if you want one bed and 310 open if you want two––
CAL and ODESSA: Two.
MEDEA: Fine. Here. Your keys.
SFX: Medea drops a set of keys in front of them.
MEDEA: If you want food, seat yourselves.
ODESSA: Uh. Okay.
SFX: Odessa picks up the keys. She and Cal walk through the dining room where the piano continues to play. They sit at a table and pick up the menus.
CAL: That’s a lot of pork.
MEDEA: (too close) It’s a barbecue joint.
CAL: Ahh!
MEDEA: Can I take your orders?
SFX: Medea clicks open a pen.
ODESSA: You’re the concierge and our waiter?
MEDEA: Yeah.
ODESSA: Uh huh. Can you give us a moment?
MEDEA: Fine.
SFX: Medea clicks the pen closed and walks off.
CAL: Prickly.
ODESSA: She’s prickly?
CAL: What?
ODESSA: (laughs) Nothing.
CAL: What are you feeling?
ODESSA: Not sure.
MEDEA: (again too close) Are you ready now?
SFX: Medea clicks her pen a bunch of times, peevishly.
ODESSA: Ahh– ahem… I guess I’ll just have the house special.
CAL: Yeah, me too.
MEDEA: Fine.
SFX: Medea clicks open her pen and jots the order down. Medea pours them two glasses of water. The pianist finishes the song, and the other patrons clap politely.
MEDEA: Water.
SFX: Medea walks off.
ODESSA: Thanks.
SFX: The pianist starts up again, the same song they broadcast on the radio earlier.
CAL: How’re we paying for this?
ODESSA: Trade probably.
CAL: What do we have to trade?
ODESSA: I still have some good scrap parts. And people always need people willing to work.
CAL: Huh.
ODESSA: Are you… willing to work?
CAL: Depends on the work.
ODESSA: Uh huh. Stories also make good trade.
SFX: A couple of motorcycles growl up to the lodge. Their riders rev them a couple of times, unnecessarily. The door slams open. Wind and rain blow in burly footsteps. Spurs clink against boots.
VAGABOND: Fucking hell. Markus, what do you think?
MARKUS: I’ll take a shack on the side of the road at this point. I’m soaked to the damn spleen.
SFX: The two men amble up to the concierge counter. Antony plops a heavy, wet fur and leather coat on the counter.
MEDEA: Dude, you can’t just dump your coat here
SFX: He picks the coat back up, unchastened.
VAGABOND: Sorry about that. You got room at the inn?
SFX: Medea pulls out the logbook and thumbs a perfunctory look through. She closes the book.
MEDEA: I can give you 204. It’s our last vacancy. One king bed.
SFX: The two men say nothing, as they drop onto the floor and the piano plays. One of them taps his fingers against the desk, irritated.
CAL: (quiet) I don’t think they like that.
MARKUS: You don’t have a room with two beds?
MEDEA: We just rented the last one out.
VAGABOND: To who?
MEDEA: I’m sorry, we don’t share personal information here.
SFX: The two men saunter into the dining room. They slap a thick stack of leathers onto a table, knocking over drinkware. The piano and chatter stop.
VAGABOND: Five good leathered goatskins to any man willing to give up their rooms.
ODESSA: We’ll take them.
CAL: What?
ODESSA: We’ll take them.
VAGABOND: Thank god!
SFX: Chatter picks back up.
VAGABOND: Generosity is still good and alive in the world! What’s your name, sweetheart?
SFX: The men pull up chairs to Odessa and Cal’s table. The piano starts playing again.
ODESSA: Otis.
ANTONY: Pretty name.
CAL: (snorts)
ANTONY: Mine’s Antony. You see, my friend and I have been riding all night, so we really do appreciate your kindness.
ODESSA: Not at all. Nice hogs out there.
ANTONY: Harley’s mine. Markus rides the Kawasaki.
ANTONY: As promised, these are yours.
SFX: Antony plops the leathers onto the table.
ODESSA: These look like good craftwork. Where did you say you got them?
ANTONY: We got them in trade at a sweet little fishing town on the coast.
MARKUS: Ithaca.
ANTONY: Nice people. Simple. Very proud of their local wares.
ODESSA: I know it.
ANTONY: Don’t get me wrong, I’d never put roots down in such a sleepy place, but it’s good enough for a stiff drink and a night of creature comfort, if you know what I mean.
MARKUS: We were just passing through. We would’ve stayed longer but–
ANTONY: But we didn’t want to overstay our welcome.
ODESSA: Makes sense.
ANTONY: Hm?
ODESSA: These were stolen.
SFX: The piano stops abruptly. The lodge falls silent.
ODESSA: Since you stole them, it makes sense that you wouldn’t want to overstay your welcome.
ANTONY: Well, Otis, that’s just hurtful. We’re not thieves.
ODESSA: This brand here– these were milk goats. Not meant for the butcher table. No reason to turn them into skins, unless you killed them.
CAL: Odessa…
ANTONY: Listen here, sweetie––
SFX: A thunk, a scream, chairs clatter as patrons scramble away. Antony howls in pain. Blood runs.
MARKUS: Oh fuck!
ANTONY: Your knife’s in my hand!
ODESSA: It sure is.
SFX: Odessa twists the knife. The wooden table splinters.
ANTONY: (screams)
ODESSA: What were you doing in Ithaca?
MARKUS: You’re crazy!
ODESSA: Tell me.
ANTONY: We were looking for easy pickings, but the fishwife in charge turned the locals against us, and all we got away with were those skins and our own. That’s all!
ODESSA: Did you hurt anyone?
SFX: She twists the knife again. Antony groans.
ANTONY: We didn’t, I swear! The fat chick working the bar knocked out my taillight with a rock.
ODESSA: That’d be Big Bertha. Thank you.
SFX: Odessa pulls the knife out of the table. A revolver cocks, and, immediately after, a second gun, a shotgun, cocks as well.
CIRCE: Put down the gun, asshole.
MARKUS: Fuck.
SFX: Circe approaches.
CIRCE: Slowly.
MARKUS: Fuck. Okay. Okay!
CIRCE: Kick it over to her.
MARKUS: Okay.
SFX: Markus kicks the gun over to Odessa.
CIRCE: Pick that up.
SFX: Odessa picks up the gun.
CIRCE: Get your asses outta my house.
ANTONY: Markus….
MARKUS: Come on, let’s go!
SFX: Markus half-lugs Antony as they scurry out of the lodge. The door slowly swings shut behind them. They try to kickstart their motorbikes.
ANTONY: (outside) Fuck!
MARKUS: (outside) Come on!
SFX: Finally, the motorbikes ignite, and they ride off. The lodge comes back to life. The piano starts up again, still jaunty as ever. The patrons chat and chuckle like nothing happened.
MEDEA: Hey, Aunt Circe.
CIRCE: What a mess, eh, Dee?
MEDEA: Sure is.
CIRCE: What’s that in your hand?
MEDEA: I took their spark plugs.
CIRCE: Attagirl. You two okay?
ODESSA: Yeah.
MEDEA: Men are pigs.
CIRCE: No, Dee. Pigs are intelligent, sensitive, and delicious creatures.
SFX: Cal’s stomach growls.
ODESSA: Cal, you’re being rude.
CAL: What? I’m starving!
CIRCE: I’m the one being rude. Please, sit. My niece will bring your meal to you shortly.
ODESSA: Thank you, ma’am.
CIRCE: Aunt Circe is fine. And Otis, is that right?
ODESSA: Odessa, actually. This is Cal.
CIRCE: Pleasure. Where’d nice folks like yourself come in from?
ODESSA: East.
CIRCE: Interesting. I hear there’s not much east left.
ODESSA: You heard right.
CIRCE: Well, I hope you don’t mind me asking then, but how’re you kids planning on paying your bill?
ODESSA: We have some scrap to trade. We’re also happy to work. Right, Cal?
SFX: She kicks Cal under the table.
CAL: Ow. Yeah.
ODESSA: Or if you take stories.
CIRCE: (chuckles) Stories? Stories cost nothing. But bring your scrap to the front desk when you finish your meal, and we’ll talk.
ODESSA: Thanks.
CIRCE: You bet.
MEDEA: Your food.
SFX: Medea clatters a couple of platters on the table. She throws down a wet towel.
MEDEA: That’s for the blood.
CIRCE: Enjoy your meal.
SFX: Circe and Medea walk off.
CAL: You okay?
ODESSA: Yeah.
CAL: If those assholes hurt Penelope–
ODESSA: She’s okay. She can take care of herself.
CAL: You’re allowed to be worried.
ODESSA: I’m here. She’s there. My worrying won’t do her any good.
CAL: I… don’t think that’s the point.
ODESSA: I’m gonna go grab our trade.
SFX: She slides out from the table and walks away.
CAL: You didn’t even touch your food!
SFX: Odessa pushes the lodge door open and trudges through mud toward her van. She slides the van door open, and Mack immediately whines when he sees her. She chokes back a sob and lets out a shaky breath. Metal clanks as she places scrap into a bag. She closes the van door and trudges back into the lodge.
MEDEA: Hi welcome to Aeaea my name is Medea are you looking for a room or just dining with us tonight?
ODESSA: It’s me.
MEDEA: Oh! Yeah. Hey.
ODESSA: Any of these pieces worth a meal and a night?
SFX: Odessa drops the bag on the counter. Medea picks through the pieces.
MEDEA: We’ll take the three steering couplers and that manifold heat shield.
ODESSA: Only if the heat shield covers breakfast.
MEDEA: Done.
ODESSA: Hey Cal, I’m heading up.
CAL: You’re not gonna eat?
ODESSA: I’m not hungry.
SFX: Odessa takes the stairs up and walks down the hall to her room. She fumbles with the keys and unlocks the door. She shuts the door behind her, and the sounds of the dining room fade. She kicks off her shoes and immediately flops onto the nearest bed.
ODESSA: (sighs)
SFX: The god radio hisses, then clicks off.
THEME: (sings)
If there’s a stranger all alone
CREDITS:
Hearthbound, Episode 6
Aeaea
Features the voices of
Jo Chiang as Odessa
Manami Maxted as Cal
Liba Vaynberg as Medea
Joey Odom as Antony
Jack Towhey Calk as Markus
Arielle Yoder as Circe
Odessa’s Guitar by Pete Lanctot
Piano by Ali Dineen
Hearthbound is created, written, and produced by Jo Chiang
Directed by Jack Towhey Calk
Music directed by Ginger Dolden
Sound design and editing by Levi Sharpe
Additional dialogue editing by Anna Kelly Rodriguez and Amador L. Rodriguez
Music production, additional engineering, and mixing by Pete Lanctot
Production managed by Charlotte Muth & Neaco Fox
Special thanks to Multitude Studio, Sunny’s Bar, and our illustrator, Anya Boz
Stay in touch with us on hearthboundpod.com
You get home safe now, you hear?
THEME: (sings)
Set her back to walk the stone
You may wonder, but never know
Will she find her way back home
JO: Hi! Jo here! Hearthbound’s Aeaea was born from a childhood spending the occasional school holiday by Lake Tahoe, which is the traditional home of the Washoe People, and they can trace their history in the region back thousands of years. They continue to live and restore a land that has suffered deeply from the scars of deforestation and mining. To learn more, you can visit washoetribe.us. The lake itself is quite a wonder. If you’ve never been, I hope one day you’ll have the chance to see it for yourself.
Ali Dineen, our marvelous tavern pianist, has been working on a musical show of her own, The Loneliness of Either Or: A Requiem for Joan of Arc, with songs that explore gender, faith, betrayal, and hope. You can check out some video and tracks from her Joan of Arc show at alidineen.com.
That’s all for now! Truly, thank you for listening to Hearthbound.
