← Full Body Chills
Full Body Chills
The Shaving Man
00:35:54
A story about a subway security officer whose night shift is the stuff of nightmares.
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- [00:01]
Pharmaceutical Narrator
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- [00:57]
Podcast Host
Tremphyaradio.Com you'll float too from the director of It Comes a horrifying news story set in 1960s Derry, Maine that explores the origins of Pennywise the Clown. Get ready to go back to where it all began. The new HBO Original Series it welcome to Derry is now streaming Sundays, 9pm on HBO. Max. Hi listeners. I have a story I want to tell you.
- [01:40]
Story Narrator
There was this doctor over at St. Augury's who would kill his patients. Oh yes, it was madness.
- [01:47]
Podcast Host
Aren't you afraid the light take might get you? I'm sorry I didn't listen to you.
- [01:53]
Story Narrator
That adrenaline. I want more of it. I totally lost it. He had no idea what was on those tapes. It was like a song. Ollie and the Outcast So gather around.
- [02:08]
Podcast Host
Gather round and listen.
- [02:25]
Story Narrator
Nothing but a name and a handshake. That's how dad used to describe him. In the rare moments when we talked, he'd warn me about all those people who just woke up, went to work, pocketed their paycheck and then went home. Dad was a scientist working on stem cell research. Even though the stress of the job aged him terribly, he was motivated by doing what he called good work. He had purpose. As for me, I'm not so sure. After college, I shuffled between a few odd jobs. Waiter, cashier, landscaper. But then, after dad died, I was determined to get my act together. That's when I saw the job listing. Subway security officer. It felt like a sign from the universe. I always knew subways were dangerous. For the longest time, me and my friends were obsessed with the Subway Stalker, an urban legend of a monster who lured hapless victims in the way of speeding trains. But that was just a story. I never took it seriously. At least not until dad died. They found his body near the end of a subway platform. His skin was torn to shreds, his insides scattered. Mom passed out when she went to go identify him. That's when I began to understand that all legends come from somewhere. The Subway Stalker might not be real, but there was a danger down in those tunnels. So I thought of my job, like my opportunity to do some good. I applied. A couple hours later I got the interview. A few hours after that, I got the job. My orientation was nothing but a couple YouTube videos. As of writing this, I've been working down there for three days. But after what I've seen, I'm not sure I could make it a fourth. When I arrived on the first day, I found my office next to the turnstiles, surrounded by a moat of piss and beer. Inside the booth there was a printout with simple instructions. How to clock in, how to clock out, and how to call for help. At the bottom was my boss's signature, Winston, along with his phone number and a simple note. Only leave the booth if you absolutely have to. Since I was new, I got the night shift 11pm to 7am the first night bled together, the subway, a rotating door of drunks, squatters, and suits. The first wave came from the bars, mostly frat types with their tired girlfriends. I'd sit and watch them shove each other, spilling beer onto the platform as they argued about college rivalries. Once they left, down came the homeless crowd, inspecting the benches for a place to sleep. They'd spread out across any flat surface, wrapping themselves in unkempt blankets and coats. They were the most peaceful part of my shift, although the most depressing. One woman was sleeping upright, her mouth wide open. Floor flies were going in and out like tourists, such that I wasn't sure if she was still breathing. Then there was an old man in a baggy suit running a razor across his scalp. The gesture was smooth and slow. He hadn't much hair, but he shaved. What was left, staring blankly like a sleepy tortoise. He reminded me a little of my dad, especially in his later years. Towards the tail end of my shift, the real suits arrived, businessmen and women who moved through the turnstiles like a cold breeze, eyes stuck to their phones. These were the people dad warned me about. Nothing but a name and a handshake. I'm sure my job wasn't as complex as theirs, but it was no less important. If something bad happened, I was the one calling for help. But so far nothing bad had happened. So I stayed in the booth. I spent my hours scrolling through social media, half watching the platform. As it neared 6:00am I was sliding off my chair, crammed in that life sized Barbie box. I kept twisting around, kicking and pushing for any inch of space. Then I heard a knock on my window. A man was standing in front of the booth, his face close to the glass. He was about my age, tall and thin, with a mannequin smile. His suit was impossibly clean, pitch black with a liquid sheen as if it had been poured onto him. The only imperfection was his tie, wrapped a little too tight, as if it were duct tape keeping his head attached. Hey. I turned on the microphone and asked if he had a problem. Is there a problem? I waited for him to say something, to gesture toward the card machine or point at the map. But he just smiled, holding the silence like he owned it. I want to shake your hand, he finally said to introduce myself. Then he motioned me toward him. I asked again if there was an issue. Anything I can help you with? But he didn't react. His smile was ironed flat, his eyes wide, nostrils flaring. The motion of his hand felt stiff, like the mechanical rat at an amusement park. I almost got up. I wanted to be a good security guard, the kind people knew, trusted, the kind who would shake your hand. But I knew the rules. Only leave the booth if you absolutely have to. Maybe this was Winston testing me. I told the man that unless he had an issue. Sorry, but unless there's an issue, I wasn't leaving the booth. I can't leave my station. Then slowly, he dropped his hand. His smile followed suit, and so did his eyes. His whole demeanor visibly sagged as he turned away from me and went through the turnstile. Once he was gone, I felt my shoulders falling back down. A second later, a kid in a mountaineer's jersey slipped by and spat on the window. He jumped the gate before I could even wince. Stunned and not the least disgusted, I craned my neck in order to see him running down the platform, down a vacant path still under construction. I lost him in a patch of darkness that seemed too black to be real. The sleeplessness was beginning to blot out my vision. The only thing that kept me awake were the sounds of people rushing by. The morning commute was rising to a steady hum. I remember that same feeling of holding off sleep from when I was a kid. Back then, I was trying to catch dad before bed at first it was just coming home late. Then he'd go two or three days without seeing us. Each time it felt like he'd been gone for years. His wrinkles deeper, skin paler, eyes more vacant. He and mom would scream at each other. She'd slam cabinets. He'd throw those stupid corporate mugs. The company logo, two black silhouettes, arms entwined, became shattered and separated. He always had excuses. Some project, some deadline. But his eyes told a different story. Haunted, hollow weekends were more of the same. Always caught up at the lab. It was only my mom and my brothers. They were the ones at my basketball games at my graduation. Dad always had an excuse, just never one that made any sense. I kept thinking about dad as I clocked out. After walking the half mile back to my apartment, I could barely sleep. The morning light was bright and unforgiving. The hours moved slow. And then all at once, before I knew it, I was back in the booth. Like I'd never left. More drunks, more homeless. Same old man with a self styled haircut. Bodies in and out, in and out. Then another knock on the glass. Like clockwork. He stood in front of the booth, smiling with just his teeth. It was the same guy from yesterday. The one with the skin tight suit. He didn't say anything. Even though the train was pulling in. He acted like he had all the time in the world. Hi. I turned on the microphone and asked if everything was okay. Is there a problem? I recognize you, he said slowly, as though each syllable tasted of honey. You were here yesterday. I couldn't tell if that was a question. He laughed and I wondered if his tie was cutting off the circulation. Yeah. Was he high? Do you need anything? Again I asked if he needed anything. He stopped laughing, but his smile got bigger. He raised his arm. I'd like to shake your hand to introduce myself. Right. This guy had to be tripping. I'd had enough, let's say college experience to know that party people often play dress up. Judging by the size of his eyes, the sweat on his skin, I bet Buddy came straight from some rager, flying into work on his leftover fumes. Look, I don't diss the grind. I was just amazed he hadn't been caught. That's when I noticed the ID tag tucked in his pocket. I couldn't see his name or photo, but I saw that familiar logo. Two bodies melding together. I always found it strange that Dad's company didn't have a name, but he claimed it was due to privacy. Since stem cell research was so controversial. I asked the guy. So, do you work in biotech? I pointed to his badge and I think I must have blinked. Or his smile was losing steam because just then, glistening under the fluorescent lights, I watched the corners of his mouth turn, turned down, down and down like melting wax. His features were dripping, slipping out of place. Now his left eye sat a little too low. I'd never seen anyone have a stroke before, but this must have been it. I reached for my radio to call Winston, struggling with the hook. My hand was shaking, but when I raised my head, the man was gone. It took me a second to catch my breath. As I looked around the platform, I realized everyone's face looked a little bit off. Maybe I was the one who was a little too buzzed. It was probably from the lack of sleep. That morning when I got home, I passed out until late afternoon. Then I slumped over to the local pub for what would be breakfast. As I picked through a bowl of fries, distracted, dragging their broken limbs through ketchup, I thought about Dad's accident. From what I could see, the subway was sketchy, but it wasn't monstrous. Based on Dad's injuries, I was expecting runaway trains or bear sized rats, but so far all I found were men in suits, people down on their luck, and a long dark hallway. Before I knew it, I was walking. Work. It was Saturday night, so the subway crowd had a different energy. Drunk girls poured beer onto the tracks, frat bros shadowboxed. Every once in a while someone would fall face first on the platform. It was a circus. At least the tent wasn't on fire. Some of it was even funny. But like every other night, the Energy died around 2am tonight the benches were mostly vacant except for the old man shaving his head. He had a razor in his hand, but he wasn't using it. A slight tremor in his fingers caused the metal blade to keep knocking on the bench. His face was composed but distressed, like he was having a bad dream. As he raised the blade to his scalp, I looked away. Opening TikTok, I scrolled through a few videos, but my distraction didn't last long. I looked out my window. The booth across from mine had exploded. There was a brick on the ground surrounded by shattered glass, and nearby was that same idiot kid in the mountaineer's jersey. He flipped me off and took off running. I got up, catching Winston's note out of the corner of my eye. Only if I absolutely had to. I looked at the other booth. Passerbys were staring anxiously, cupping their ears while trying to avoid the broken glass. This Was vandalism a crime? I had to do something. I couldn't be a booth coward forever. I opened the door and chased after him between my grease filled meal and lack of sleep. I wasn't going fast, but I kept pushing. I was angry and delirious. These were small fires now, but I'd seen what happens when you ignore smoke. He turned down the dark tunnel and I stopped to catch my breath. The narrow passage led forward a burrow of black mud, its low ceiling crossed with rusted pipes and sagging cables. Dank water dripped onto the floor. Faded caution tape and old construction tools laid scattered in dust. An insult, echoed one I don't care to repeat. The punk was baiting me. I took one last breath to gather myself and I took off. I squeezed between scaffolds, trying to catch that voice, but every time I thought I was close, I heard him swap sides. It was like I was racing through a fun house. I tried to take out my phone for a little bit of light, but my tool belt was slipping and as I was adjusting it, something caught my foot. I heard the little rat laughing in the distance. Then pain shot up my shoulder. I sat up, groaning, then turned to see what caused me to trip. It looked like some kind of bucket. I shined my light. It only took a second for me to realize what was in there. I tensed up to stop myself from vomiting. A coppery stench met my nose, coating the back of my throat. At first I thought it might have been multi fabric scraps from a nearby factory. The bucket was full of body parts I'd never seen detached human skin before. How pale and wet it was, how glistening pieces clung in damp, sagging sheets, their edges curled like burnt paper. Some had ridges of fingerprints, the faint lines of knuckles, the ghostly imprint of veins. A portion of a face lay near the top, an eyelid still attached, half closed in a lifeless wink. The air around it was damp, humid with decay. Time slowed to nothing and sped ahead uncontrollably, like waking from a nightmare. I grabbed my radio and called for help. When Winston arrived, he was more intrigued than disturbed. I had made my way back to the booth, my shoulder still stinging. He shook my hand and introduced himself, which only made it worse. This was my first time seeing him in person. He was twice my age, a burly man with kind eyes, fit to be a sitcom husband. He told me the police were on their way. The station was only a block down, but I guess they were taking their sweet time. After 30 minutes, they still weren't there. When I Asked if he could call again. He told me to take tomorrow off. Apparently I looked affected. I had no idea how he wasn't. I got back to my apartment around 5am My roommate was asleep with a controller on his chest, his video game playing at full volume. Through the window, I saw the sun growing between two high rises. I went to the fire escape and smoked a joint, nailing the quiet street. With each breath in, I saw the bucket of guts. With each breath out, I saw Dad's shredded skin. Of course, I never saw his body or the photos. Mom protected me from all of that, but my imagination made it so much worse. As a kid, I thought dad had the coolest job. Stem cell breakthroughs were all over the news. People talked about about cancer cures, eradicating paralysis, erasing the common cold. Then the documentaries came out. People went to court. These details were never confirmed, but I read every Reddit theory about Dad's nameless company. Why wouldn't they disclose more information? What or who could a person generate with the right cocktail of genetic material? After that, I started to wonder what he knew. How much did those secrets weigh on him? Why'd he never talk to us about his work? Or more importantly, who wouldn't let him? The sun was over the buildings now and the air was warm. I was properly stoned, so I went inside and poured myself a gin and tonic, scrambled some eggs and plotted my day Long vacation. I was hammered. By 3pm I stumbled down to my local pub and ordered the usual. Another G and T and a basket of fries. I tried muting my thoughts with whatever game was on tv, zoning out. When I finished my drink, I flagged the bartender and ordered another. I was starting to feel good, or at least feel less. The pain in my shoulder barely buzzed and my sleepless paranoia was growing groggy. I must have consumed half a bottle of gin. Whenever I blinked, I saw the skin beneath my eyelids and shook it away. Drink, Blink, shake again. And again. Then the bartender slid me the check. I nodded, mumbling, thank you. But as I reached for my wallet, I felt something. Someone's eyes. I turned over my shoulder. There was a man. I knew that man. He was standing in front of the window, staring. Not at me, though he was staring at himself. The razor pressed to his old gray skin, trimming, cutting, carving. A drop of blood oozed out of his head where the razor cut too close. People on the street passed behind him, avoiding the sight. I couldn't, though I was transfixed. The cuts were growing, but he was unfazed. Mouth slightly open, just staring. Staring at himself, the shaving man. Then he was leaving. I paid for the check and pushed it forward. Excuse me. I shouldered through the crowd and ran outside. Excuse me. He was down the block. Excuse me. Moving twice as fast for someone his age. Pardon me. I followed behind, not too close, but close enough. Excuse me. I knew it was none of my business. Pardon me. There was something about the old man, something sad and familiar coming through. Maybe someone was awake and waiting for him to come home. Sorry. Like me and my dad. Excuse me. I kept following, always a block behind. When he arrived at that familiar subway station, he stopped and looked around like he had forgotten something. Then he rushed down a driveway and grabbed a small recycling bin as he went into the station. I followed, paid the toll, and crept down the platform. I hid behind the bustling crowds, jumping from group to group, moving with him closer and closer towards the hallway, that long dark hallway with wires and pipes. He went in. And now I was retracing my steps, oblivious in the dark, trying to remember yesterday's chase. Two or three times my outstretched hands met with a wall, a piece of scaffolding, or a low hanging beam. I realized how lucky I was yesterday. I might have been clotheslined if I hadn't tripped. I listened for his footsteps, sometimes wet and plodding, other times popping on a piece of discarded metal. Then all of a sudden he stopped. My eyes were adjusting now, and I saw him standing in front of some barebone pipework. But beneath the pipes there was something else. A little bit of white appeared behind the all black shadow, the collar of a shirt. A row of black dress suits hung on the tube like a makeshift closet. I hid behind the pillar and listened to clothes ruffling, then the groan of stretched limbs. I peeked around. His jacket and shirt were off now. He was working on his pants. There was something about his posture, his skin, that didn't seem right. He was oddly bunched, like patches of moss or sand sacking wet paper. Once he was naked, he rummaged through his pants and pulled out a syringe. Without hesitation, he stabbed his leg as he pressed down. His head fell back, mouth open, miming the sound of pleasure. Once it was empty, he pulled out the needle and tossed it, and suddenly he was holding the razor again. He started with the top of his head, the sharp edge moving down a wrinkled path, digging deeper, pinching now shaving. He pulled at ribbons of flesh, like little droplets of blood swelling at the seams. But the wounds were all wrong, almost like he was peeling Off a callus. There was barely any blood, even as chunks of skin fell to his feet. There was no muscle, no guts or bone. Beneath his exposed skin was just fresh skin, smooth and unblemished. He exhaled, shuddering with each stroke. First he shaved his forehead, then his cheeks, his eyelids, unspooling himself in that muddy darkness. But it wasn't mutilation. No. Underneath the skin was something better. Half of a taut, youthful brow, a smooth neck. His breath itched in pain and satisfaction. Soon his knuckles were no longer swollen and stiff. His fingers were new, slender and youthful. He worked methodically, like a scientist, carving, discarding, jumping from arm to torso, trimming time like an overgrown hedge. As skin hit the bin, it made this terrible splatting sound. Then there was the smell. It put me over and I gagged. The sound rose above his blade and he turned around. He was only halfway done. Old and bloated bits clung to his naked body. Part of his face was peeling off, the wrinkles wet with blood. On one side I saw the old man. On the other, I saw a younger, familiar face. The man in the slick black suit. We locked eyes. Half his expression, the old, wiltering half, looked tense with fear. But the younger half, the inner half, wore a manic smile. I took a step back, heart in my throat. You. He raised a half skinned hand, five to ten fingers reaching out. Come here. Hell no. I was already in a sprint, headlong and ducking under pipes. I leapt over benches, pushed off of walls. I did whatever I could to get away. His bare footsteps were right behind me, heavy and fast. I screamed for help, but a subway train was passing by. Bright lights chopped between the scaffolding. I felt his hand on my coat. The platform was just ahead. I leapt forward, landing hard on the filthy ground. The drunks scattered, laughing like I was mad. He's cutting up his own skin. I yelled as loud as I could. Hey. Demanding help. But that only made them laugh even more. He was right there. I turned, expecting him to descend on me. But the shaving man stayed back, hidden inside the tunnel between the shadows. His naked body was drenched with sweat and blood, slabs of skin falling to his feet with each breath. The young man grew a flower in bloom. Nothing but a name and a handshake. In that moment I thought of dad. What he had told me was a warning. The shaving man then slid backwards, letting the dank and dark tunnel consume him. I wasn't going to wait for a second chance. I got up and ran out of the station, past the shoving drunks and into the open air. Outside, the sun was low. I looked at my phone to check the time. It was 6:25am Monday morning. I kept running. I ran past the coffee shops filled with white collar suits, their outfits pristine, their steps precise. I shuffled between women in pencil skirts, checking their reflections, adjusting their blazers. Everyone was on their way to somewhere else to be someone else. When I got home, I locked the door and collapsed on the couch. The adrenaline hasn't worn off. Even now as I'm writing this, I feel as though I'm still running in my head. Now that I know there's some skin walking suit squirreled away in the darkness of our metro, what am I supposed to do? What will he do now that his secret is known? Does Winston know? Did dad know? This has to be something to do with his company, maybe with how he died. I wanted this job to be my purpose, to do some good. So now I have a decision to make and I need some advice. My next shift starts in a few hours. Should I go back Full Body Chills is an Audio Chuck production. This episode was written by Dan D. Luiz and read by Anthony Koons. 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- [37:36]
Podcast Host
Mmm.
- [37:36]
Story Narrator
Now that's pretty good. Learn more@fidelity.com baskets Investing involves risks, including risk of loss. Fidelity Brokerage Services, LLC Member nyse, SIPC.
- [37:50]
Podcast Host
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