Atlanta Radio Theatre Company 06-09-28 (05) Blues for Johnny Raven

Summary

Podcast Summary: Atlanta Radio Theatre Company Episode “Blues for Johnny Raven”

Introduction

In this captivating episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, the Atlanta Radio Theatre Company presents “Blues for Johnny Raven,” a gripping narrative that immerses listeners into a noir-inspired world teeming with suspense, intrigue, and rich soundscaping. Released on April 2, 2025, this episode masterfully blends dialogue, narration, and ambient sounds to transport the audience to the bustling streets of Atlanta before the television era.

Characters

• Johnny Raven: The protagonist, a sharp and perceptive private detective with an uncanny ability to notice and interpret sounds.
• Gloria Kinsolving: A talented singer at the After Hours Club, seeking Johnny’s help to escape a deadly threat.
• Lorenzo Gold: A formidable figure in the black market ambience trade, whose sinister influence poses a significant threat.
• Benny the Gospel: A seasoned informant at the Knickerbocker, providing crucial insights into the ambience underworld.
• Chelsea: A bartender at the After Hours Club, assisting Johnny in his quest.
• Narrator: Guides the audience through the unfolding drama, offering critical insights and commentary.
• Mr. Prowse: Lorenzo Gold’s taciturn bodyguard, enforcing Gold’s will.

Plot Overview

“Blues for Johnny Raven” follows Johnny Raven as he delves into a perilous case involving Gloria Kinsolving, a rising star in Atlanta’s musical scene. Gloria fears for her life after receiving ominous threats and hires Johnny to protect her. As Johnny navigates the complex web of the ambience trade—a clandestine world where soundscaping dictates power and influence—he uncovers deeper conspiracies that challenge his perception of reality and his own place within the loop.

Key Scenes and Developments

1. The Beginning of the Case (00:37 - 05:22)

   The episode opens with Johnny Raven in his office, attuned to the rich layers of ambient sounds that define his environment. The entrance of Gloria Kinsolving marks the beginning of the plot:

   Gloria Kinsolving (05:06): “I need protection, Mr. Raven. I think. No, I know someone is trying to kill me.”

   Johnny immediately senses the gravity of Gloria’s predicament, recognizing the depth of the ambience surrounding her.

2. Understanding the Threat (06:00 - 14:09)

   Gloria details the escalating threats against her, including voice skips and feedback disrupting her performances. Johnny seeks more information, eventually learning about Lorenzo Gold’s involvement:

   Johnny Raven (14:11): “Lorenzo Gold, the ambience man. One of the most dangerous people on the loop.”

   This revelation sets the stage for Johnny’s investigation into the dark underbelly of the ambience trade.

3. Encounter at the Knickerbocker (12:06 - 14:09)

   Johnny meets Benny the Gospel at the Knickerbocker, who provides valuable information about Lorenzo Gold:

   Benny the Gospel (14:04): “Lorenzo Gold isn’t the kind of person you find, Johnny. He’s the kind of person who finds you lovely.”

   This interaction underscores the formidable reputation of Lorenzo Gold and the peril Johnny faces.

4. Confrontation with Lorenzo Gold (17:05 - 27:44)

   Johnny’s pursuit leads him to a tense confrontation with Lorenzo Gold. The exchange reveals Gold’s manipulative nature and his control over the ambience trade:

   Lorenzo Gold (17:30): “My name is Lorenzo Gold. Mr. Raven. I understand you’re looking for me.”

   The confrontation escalates, highlighting the stakes of Johnny’s mission and the lengths Gold will go to maintain his dominance.

5. Unraveling the Mystery (28:37 - 34:38)

   Through introspection and narration, Johnny pieces together Gloria’s true motives and the extent of Lorenzo Gold’s machinations. The narrator provides critical insights into the origins of the ambience trade:

   Narrator (33:58): “I created Lorenzo Gold and [others] all to have ambience and anonymity, but the balance was shattered by Gloria and Johnny’s interference.”

   This segment delves into the philosophical underpinnings of power versus privacy within the loop.

6. Climactic Showdown (26:39 - 31:46)

   The episode culminates in a dramatic showdown where Johnny confronts Lorenzo Gold and his bodyguard, Mr. Prowse. Gloria’s duplicity is revealed, showcasing her strategic manipulation to ensnare Johnny:

   Johnny Raven (28:39): “But how to get rid of the ambience man? A tall order.”

   The tension peaks as allegiances shift and the true nature of the ambience trade is exposed.

Themes and Insights

“Blues for Johnny Raven” explores profound themes such as the balance between power and anonymity, the ethical implications of manipulating ambient environments, and the complexities of human relationships within a controlled narrative. The episode emphasizes how ambient forces—both literal and metaphorical—shape individual destinies and societal structures.

• Ambience vs. Anonymity: The struggle between achieving depth and maintaining privacy is central to Johnny’s journey. The narrator explains:

  Narrator (32:18): “The more depth you achieve, the more likely you are to come to the attention of the off mic people, the more likely you are to become a major character.”

• Manipulation and Control: Lorenzo Gold epitomizes the corrupting influence of absolute control over ambience, demonstrating how power can distort reality and personal agency.

• Trust and Deception: Gloria’s deceptive tactics highlight the fragile nature of trust and the dangers of underestimating opponents, even those who appear vulnerable.

Conclusion

“Blues for Johnny Raven” is a masterful installment in the Harold's Old Time Radio series, delivering a compelling narrative enriched with atmospheric sound design and intricate character development. Through Johnny Raven’s quest to protect Gloria and dismantle Lorenzo Gold’s empire, listeners are treated to a nuanced exploration of power dynamics and personal integrity within a meticulously crafted auditory landscape.

The episode concludes with a reflection on the enduring allure of sound as a storytelling medium:

Podcast Host (37:44): “Remember, there is adventure in sound.”

This final note encapsulates the essence of the episode, celebrating the timeless magic of radio dramas and their ability to evoke vivid, immersive experiences through sound alone.

Notable Quotes

• Johnny Raven (01:00): “I don't have any choice. Not since I fell into the Loop.”
• Gloria Kinsolving (05:06): “I need protection, Mr. Raven. I think. No, I know someone is trying to kill me.”
• Lorenzo Gold (17:30): “My name is Lorenzo Gold. Mr. Raven. I understand you’re looking for me.”
• Narrator (32:18): “Those two things are ambience and anonymity. I wanted them both.”
• Johnny Raven (33:06): “Doesn't everybody?”
• Narrator (33:36): “Ambience is power, Mr. Raven. It is the little distinctions that lift you out of the background and give you depth.”

This episode is a testament to the enduring appeal of radio theatre, seamlessly blending suspenseful storytelling with immersive soundscapes to create an unforgettable auditory experience.

Transcript

[Grainger]

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[Host]

Artsy has literally hundreds of scripts in its archives. It's inevitable that some are going to stand out, and this week's podcast features one of them. Blues for Johnny Raven by Thomas E. Fuller is a longtime Artsy favorite.

[Johnny Raven]

You ever notice sounds? I mean, really notice them? I do. I don't have any choice. Not since I fell into the Loop. And what's the loop? It's a world, a world of sounds and narration, of incidental music and special effects. The loop is ambience, implication and the subtle and not so subtle manipulations of the off mic people. But people are the same on and off the loop. A distressing fact that always seems to add up to Blues for Johnny Raven.

[Narrator]

Blues for Johnny Raven, Adventures on the Loop. Tonight's episode, the Ambiance. Man.

[Johnny Raven]

The two things I always associate with Gloria Kinsalving are rain and saxophone music. Rain because it was November and no matter what side of the loop you're on in Atlanta, it rains in November. And saxophone music because, well, I guess because there's always saxophone music. It's the theme. The name's Raven. Johnny Raven. And I was just sitting in my office in the Hurt Building, listening to the traffic and the rain and drinking bourbon. If I remember correctly, the window was open and the sounds flooded in. There was going to be trouble, I could tell, because the ambience was heavy that night. Not just the establishing noise that pops up to set the scene and then fades. No. Layer after layer of sounds, rich and thick. And when the ambiance get that deep, it's time for an episode. Damn. So I was just sitting there drinking and listening and waiting. Waiting for the plot. I knew it would be there soon. I mean, it had gone to so much trouble already. Raven Detective agency. Raven here.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

Mr. Raven. Mr. Johnny Raven.

[Johnny Raven]

It was a girl's voice. A clear, full voice with just a hint of line. Static. Yeah, this was it. This was the plot.

[Narrator]

Damn.

[Johnny Raven]

Yeah, this is Johnny Raven. Can I help you, miss?

[Gloria Kinsolving]

I want to come up to your office.

[Johnny Raven]

It's a free country in a public Building, Miss. It's also just a tad past office hours.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

I'll be there in five minutes, Mr. Raven.

[Johnny Raven]

How about some information first, Miss? Like maybe your name, right? Oh, she was prime. Like I said, full voice with line static, instead of me just talking into the air. Good establishing touch. Yeah, it was her all right. The plot was on its her way up, so while I waited I had another drink and enjoyed the smooth, uncomplicated sound of it. I had a sick feeling it was the last uncomplicated thing I was going to be dealing with for a while. And then there they were, stiletto heels in the hall. A nice full bodied sound.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

Mr. Raven.

[Johnny Raven]

Oh, she was good. She was really good. Even had her own secondary theme. And just enough ambience to let you know that she was there without being a regular. Yeah, Mr. Raven, but my friends call me Johnny. Come to think of it, even people who aren't my friends call me Johnny.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

I'm Gloria Consolving.

[Johnny Raven]

I'm sure you are.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

What?

[Johnny Raven]

It wasn't that funny. So what can I do for you, Ms. Kinsolving?

[Gloria Kinsolving]

I. I have a problem. And I hear you're rather good with problems, Mr. Raven. That you have a rather unique perspective, if you know what I mean.

[Johnny Raven]

Yeah, I know what you mean. If what you mean is, do I do ambience work? I'm not particularly proud of it, but a guy's got to eat. And like you said, I've got a unique perspective. So, at the risk of repeating myself, what can I do for you, Ms. Kinsolving?

[Gloria Kinsolving]

I need protection, Mr. Raven. I think. No, I know someone is trying to kill me.

[Johnny Raven]

I'd call that a problem. Drink?

[Gloria Kinsolving]

No, thank you. Perhaps I should just tell you everything from the beginning.

[Johnny Raven]

Perhaps you should.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

Do you mind if I smoke?

[Johnny Raven]

Not at all. Nice bit with the cigarette. Simple but elegant way of further establishing herself from the city ambience. And from mine. Yeah, this kid was a pro all right.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

I shouldn't smoke, it's bad for my voice. I'm a singer at the After Hours Club. You ever hear of it, Mr. Raven?

[Johnny Raven]

Oh, yeah, I've heard of it.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

Lots of folks have. I've just started to make a name for myself. It's my voice, you see. I've got this nice voice.

[Johnny Raven]

I have noticed.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

It's my ticket out of the background. Don't let people tell you ambience comes easier for. For singers, Mr. Raven. It doesn't. The competition is rough. But I was doing all right. I was doing okay. Then it started to happen. Things started to go wrong. Real wrong.

[Johnny Raven]

Define wrong, Ms. Kinsolving.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

First it was just minor things. Voice skips, bad fades, too much background noise like that. Then I got hit with feedback. Not once, but twice. Real strong. And last night I found this in my dressing room. Read it, Mr. Raven.

[Johnny Raven]

Seemed like a reasonable request, so like a AAP I did.

[Lorenzo Gold]

Two strikes are a warning. Three strikes and you're out permanently.

[Johnny Raven]

Lovely people you hang around with, miss consolving.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

I'm scared, Mr. Raven, really scared. Will you help me?

[Johnny Raven]

That's my job when I'm lucky.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

I don't have a lot, but it's yours if you'll help me. I'll give you everything I have if you'll help me.

[Johnny Raven]

Little Gloria wasn't quite telling the truth. Oh, she had a lot. And she was really pouring it on. The room was thick with ambience, heavy, hurrying girl type ambience. She didn't need any off mic help. She was doing just fine on her own. Yeah, I'm sure we can come to some kind of arrangement, Ms. Kinsolving. I'll take your case.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

I can't tell you what this means to me, Mr. Raven.

[Johnny Raven]

Oh, I can make an educated guess. I'll ask around, check out some contacts, see what I can find out in the street.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

You can reach me at the after hours club, Mr. Raven.

[Johnny Raven]

I'll do that, Ms. Consolving.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

There. There is just one other thing. Just for my own information. You understand.

[Johnny Raven]

Yes.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

I asked around before I came here, asked lots of people and they all said that you were the man to see, that you were special. Nothing personal, Mr. Raven, but what's so special about you?

[Johnny Raven]

Ah, the question. Sooner or later they all asked the question. Let's run a little experiment. My dear miskinsolving, I want you to listen. Listen real hard. You do that for me, Miss Consolving? Sure, Fine. She was a tall girl with a kind of lush body that belonged under a spotlight. Her hair was thick red mane that cascaded off her shoulders and down her back. She had green eyes, the kind that make emeralds look washed out. You get all that miskinsolving?

[Gloria Kinsolving]

Sure, I got it. It was exposition.

[Johnny Raven]

Flattering exposition, but yes, Nobody listens to exposition. We all block it out if we never hear anything else. Now I made you strain your pretty little ears so you can answer two questions. Ready? Here they come. The first question is, was my description correct?

[Gloria Kinsolving]

I'd like to think so.

[Johnny Raven]

And the second question is, was it correct because that's the way you are, or was it correct because that's the way I described you.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

What?

[Johnny Raven]

I could just easily say that you were a short, fat, middle aged woman with a walleye who just happened to have a really great voice. What would you have been then?

[Gloria Kinsolving]

You're scaring me, Mr. Raven.

[Johnny Raven]

I didn't mean to.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

That's silly talk. You can't change exposition. It's all in the loop. Everything and everyone is on the loop.

[Johnny Raven]

Yeah, doll. Everything and everyone is on the loop except me.

[Chelsea]

Saxophone up.

[Johnny Raven]

Nice.

[Chelsea]

Real nice.

[Johnny Raven]

Without VA, I would have paid $25,000 for my hospital stay, 42,000 for my education, 74,000 for my home down payment. But because of my Service, I paid zero.

[Host]

Get what you earn.

[Johnny Raven]

Visit choose.va.gov not all veterans are eligible.

[Grainger]

For the type or amount of benefits mentioned here.

[Chelsea]

Establish and start to fade. Roll tape for street noises. Roll tape for rain. Roll tape for footsteps on concrete. Cue voice talent.

[Johnny Raven]

A poorly executed bridge took me further into the episode. Too much saxophone and way too much off mic leakage. Maybe they were pressed for time or just being sloppy. Or maybe the writer just didn't want to be bothered with it. Who knows? People don't like to think about off mic. It makes them nervous. Like exposition. Better to just ignore it and hope that it goes away. And sometimes it even works. But I was on the right track. I was sure of it. No hard information yet, of course, but both foley and tape were in good form, so I was heading in the right direction. It was still raining as I walked up Peachtree, but I like the rain. Rain gives depth. And anything that gives depth is good. Depth creates ambience. And ambience is important on the loop. Pause. Rewind. Correct. Ambience is everything on the loop.

[Lorenzo Gold]

No, I ain't heard nothing about threats against no singer.

[Johnny Raven]

I tried some of my usual sources and options and kept hitting background in a big way.

[Lorenzo Gold]

Hello, Johnny. No, I can't say his house.

[Johnny Raven]

Nothing sings over the after hours. No supporting or secondaries. Nothing but also herds.

[Lorenzo Gold]

Gee, Mr. Raven, I wish I could help you.

[Johnny Raven]

They weren't going to make it easy for me.

[Lorenzo Gold]

Try Mild Mac at the newsstand.

[Johnny Raven]

So I just kept walking, listening for the ambience. I hate the loop.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

Nice.

[Chelsea]

Thanks. Picked it up at that new place in Sandy Springs.

[Johnny Raven]

I finally ran into heavy soundscaping at the Knickerbocker. Funny thing about the Knickerbocker. Off the loop. It was a real going concern. I think the right of what used to hang out there was kind of a place. Writer's wood. And the whole thing is some Kind of homage. In this episode, the Knickerbock had two solid advantages in the information game. It was right around the corner from the After Hours Club and it was the semi permanent home of Benny the gospel.

[Chelsea]

Good evening, Mr. Raven. What you for tonight?

[Johnny Raven]

Suburban kind of night, Chelsea. A bourbon kind of night.

[Chelsea]

Bourbon on the rocks. Light on the rocks. Here you go.

[Johnny Raven]

Thanks, Chelsea.

[Chelsea]

Benny and usual table. Said I was to keep an eye open for you. Said he was expecting you.

[Johnny Raven]

Then I better not disappoint the boy. Thanks, Chelsea.

[Chelsea]

Anytime, Mr. Raven. Anytime.

[Johnny Raven]

Always spend some time with the also herd. Spread the ambience around. You never know when you're going to need some payback. Besides, Chelsea was working hard to get out of the background. Doing a decent job, too. Folks tend to remember girls with rich, thick Southern accents called Chelsea. So I drifted through the crowd at the Knickerbocker, heading for the table over in the corner and Benny the Gospel.

[Benny]

Hello, Johnny. Long time. Long time.

[Johnny Raven]

Hello, Benny. Benny the Gospel, as in the gospel truth. Benny had ambience, but he got it the hard way, sticking it together bit by a lousy bit. Slipped out of the background a while back with his raspy voice, his colossal fund of knowledge, and the intriguing idiosyncrasy that has never been outside the Knickerbocker ever. Must be working because he's almost a regular now. If anyone knew anything about Gloria Kin solving in a little problem, it would be Benny the Gospel.

[Benny]

Business been good, Johnny, huh? Been good.

[Johnny Raven]

I can't complain. Things seems to be going okay here, too.

[Benny]

Yeah, going good. Lots of ambience going tonight. You can taste it. Lots of depth. Understand? You need some information, Johnny?

[Johnny Raven]

Yeah. I'm doing some legwork for a singer named Gloria Kinsalving. I'm not having a lot of luck. Been trotting around all night and all I got to show for is a lot of bad bridges, sloppy segways and worse saxophone music. If I didn't know any better, I'd say the ambiance was me. And stack against me.

[Benny]

Oh, could be. Could be.

[Johnny Raven]

So, you got anything for me, Benny?

[Benny]

Got a name to go with your client? Got a name. Can't spring for much else.

[Johnny Raven]

Just give me the name. I'll do my own springing.

[Benny]

Lorenzo Gold.

[Johnny Raven]

Lorenzo Gold.

[Benny]

You know the name, Johnny? You know it?

[Johnny Raven]

Oh, I knew the name all right. Lorenzo Gold, the ambience man. One of the most dangerous people on the loop. Lorenzo Gold was one of those smooth operators who dealt in bottled dreams. He was an ambience dealer. The Biggest Gold didn't just push a little extra background noise or distinctive voice to give you that needed edge. Lorenzo Gold dealt in full scale ambience. The kind of stuff that took your average looper like Benny or Chelsea years to build. Gold could take you from background voice to supporting or regular or even featured for a price.

[Benny]

Tough luck, Johnny. He's a mean one. A mean one.

[Johnny Raven]

She's the one threatening my client.

[Benny]

Word is he wants her. Wants her bad. Wants her bad. She must be really something. Really something.

[Johnny Raven]

Oh, she's that all right. She's already done a couple of things very few other people could do.

[Benny]

Like what? Like what?

[Johnny Raven]

One, she fooled me into thinking she didn't know who was after her. And two, she seems to have turned down Lorenzo Gold.

[Benny]

Not a bright move, Johnny. Not a bright move.

[Johnny Raven]

Yeah, you don't turn down the Lorenzo Gold in this world. Even if you are a singer with a nice distinctive voice. So what? She won't so gold she'll give me just for protection.

[Benny]

Seems like it. Sure seems like it.

[Johnny Raven]

So, Benny, how do I go about finding Lorenzo Gold?

[Benny]

That's funny, Johnny. That's really funny.

[Johnny Raven]

Yeah, humor is part of my charm. Spin me the rest.

[Benny]

Lorenzo Gold isn't the kind of person you find, Johnny. He's the kind of person who finds you lovely.

[Johnny Raven]

I wanted to pursue this line of questioning, but then the damn sacks came up strong and I walked the bridge out of there, leaving Benny, the Gospel and the Knickerbockers nice warm soundscaping far behind me. Damn. Damn. The bridge dumped me out in the middle of a downpour at 2 o'clock in the morning. As I splashed through the rain, creating ambience with every soggy step, I tried to piece together just what the hell was going on. Why hadn't Gloria told me Lorenzo Gold was the man threatening her? Was she afraid that that would have scared me off? Or did she have some other reason? And why weren't they any real clues? All I had so far was Benny the Gospel during this audio AK Machina number. Something was very wrong. And all I really knew was that it was gonna get worse. And it did. Aw, hell. Oh hell.

[Narrator]

You a man called Raven.

[Johnny Raven]

Would it do any good if I said it wasn't? He was huge, solid, dark mass in the rain. Wonderful. Just wonderful.

[Narrator]

Mr. Gold would like to speak to you.

[Johnny Raven]

And I want to speak to Mr. Gold. Isn't it amazing how things work out?

[Narrator]

Yeah, amazing.

[Johnny Raven]

He slipped behind me and I was stuck between him and the deep throaty purr of the Town Car. It was a good, solid stereo work. I was definitely dealing with professionals. Lucky me.

[Lorenzo Gold]

Mr. Raven?

[Johnny Raven]

Yeah. I'm Johnny Raven.

[Lorenzo Gold]

My name is Lorenzo Gold. Mr. Raven. I understand you're looking for me.

[Johnny Raven]

That's very impressive, Mr. Gold, since I didn't even know that until about five minutes ago.

[Lorenzo Gold]

I like impressing people. It's rather enjoyable in a petty sort of way. I'm sure you Enjoy petty pleasures, Mr. Raven, since you're a rather petty person.

[Johnny Raven]

Thank you.

[Lorenzo Gold]

I'm a very busy man, Mr. Raven, but occasionally I like to take time out to deliver messages. And I have one for you. Or rather my associate, Mr. Prowse, has one for you.

[Narrator]

Mr. Prowse, you do not know anyone named Gloria Kinsolving. You do not know anyone named Lorenzo Gold. You do not know anything about anything, Mr. Raven. You do not know anything at all, Mr. Raven.

[Lorenzo Gold]

Very good, Prowse. Very nicely put.

[Narrator]

Thank you, Mr. Gold.

[Johnny Raven]

Oh, God damn, that hurts. Lord, but that hurts. Huh? You couldn't have been a couple of lousy seconds earlier, could you? You know, talent creep. Yelling at the sax didn't make me feel one damn bit better. And neither did the off mic leakage as I faded back into my office.

[Chelsea]

What the hell was that?

[Grainger]

That was the damn BBC sound effects, live radio.

[Chelsea]

I don't care if it was goddamn Orson Welles. That isn't what I wrote.

[Grainger]

Listen, you pathetic hack, you think you can do one damn bit better, you grab a recorder and you can.

[Johnny Raven]

Lousy bastards. Inept bridges and weak plots weren't enough. They've got to get hot because I still have all my ribs. Lousy off mike bastards. I sat there in the comfortable ambience of my office, drinking like a land locked fish and trying to think. There'd been something really wrong with that last scene other than me being stomped into the ground and thrown out with the rest of the garbage. It was the ambience. Something had been out of whack with the ambience.

[Lorenzo Gold]

I like impressing people. It's rather enjoyable in a petty sort of way.

[Johnny Raven]

Yeah, yeah, it was the ambience. There was something wrong with the damned ambience. It was coming from all the wrong places. That was when part of the puzzle fell into place. Now, if I can just piece together the rest of it. Raven Detective agency. Raven here.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

Mr. Raven? Mr. Raven, is that you?

[Johnny Raven]

It was Gloria Kinsalving. She of the husky voice. Yeah, Ms. Kinsalving, it's me. What's left of me.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

Oh, thank God. I'm scared, Mr. Raven. I'm really scared. Someone just tried to kill me.

[Johnny Raven]

You, too?

[Gloria Kinsolving]

I was just walking down the street when this huge black town car came barreling up on the curb. It just missed me. You've got to come over here, Johnny. You've got to help me. I'm so scared.

[Johnny Raven]

Yeah, all right, all right. Calm down, Gloria. Calm down. Where are you now?

[Gloria Kinsolving]

I'm at the After Hours Club. I'm afraid to leave. You're coming, aren't you? Johnny, please say you're coming.

[Johnny Raven]

I'm coming. You just try and calm down and wait for me, you hear? You wait for me.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

I'll wait for you, Johnny. I'll do anything you say. Just get over here, please. And bring your gun. You've got to protect me. Please, Johnny. Please.

[Johnny Raven]

I'm on my way. Gloria. Johnny. My, my. We have changed our tune, haven't we? A bit abrupt, even for the loop. Little too abrupt. I just sat there listening to a sub theme fade nice and simple. Didn't really suit her at all. So why wasn't I rushing over to the After Hours Club to save the fair damsel? I mean, that's what heroes do. When I was the hero, wasn't I? Or had I been cast into a different part altogether? Puzzle. Just pieces of a puzzle. And while I sat there puzzling, some more fell into place. Hello? Atlanta Bureau of Records. Great. Say, I need to check the ownership of a business in downtown. The After Hours Club on Peach Street. Yeah, I'll wait. Yeah, I'm still here. You got the information? Really? Thanks. Thanks a lot. Well, that makes all just as clear as mud.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

I don't have a lot, but it's yours if you'll help me.

[Johnny Raven]

I took the bridge and found myself following a rather nasty echo effect.

[Narrator]

You don't know anyone named Glory?

[Johnny Raven]

One of those strong blends of past dialogue that is supposed to show everyone I know what the hell I'm doing.

[Lorenzo Gold]

I'm sure you appreciate petty pleasures, Mr. Raven.

[Johnny Raven]

Unfortunately, I didn't know what the hell I was doing.

[Narrator]

You don't know anyone named Lorenzo Gold.

[Johnny Raven]

All I had was an almost completed puzzle with two many pieces missing.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

Help me, Johnny. Help me. Bring your gun. You've got to protect me. Please, Johnny. Please.

[Johnny Raven]

And there was only one place left to find the answers.

[Narrator]

You don't know anything at all, Mr. Raven.

[Prowse]

I sit all night by the te Just waiting for a ring I walk all day in the park alone Even the birds will not sing Thunder and rain soften the noise of pavement under my shoes Boost all the pain Mute all my Joys I hear only the sounds that I choose Knowing I'll never hear the sound of your voice again I'll never hear the sound of your voice.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

Again.

[Johnny Raven]

Take your coat, sir? No, thanks. I'm waiting for someone. As you wish, sir. The After Hours Club was so rich in ambience, you can rub it into your face. The transition had been dramatic. One minute rain and traffic, next minute the elite at play. The off. My crowd must have been trying to make up for that rushed search sequence. Either that or the writer was still raising holy hell over the fight and they were trying to get them off their backs. Holy hell. What an interesting concept.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

Johnny. Johnny.

[Johnny Raven]

Her voice cut through the background like a razor through silk. Oh, she was good. She was very good.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

Oh, Johnny, I was so worried. I was afraid he might have found out about you, done something to you. Then I would have been alone. I was so scared.

[Johnny Raven]

I know. You were dull.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

I've got everything, Johnny. I've got the license number for the car. You can drop. Track him down, take care of him. Then we'll be safe, Johnny. Both of us will be safe.

[Johnny Raven]

Yeah. Safe. Just one little thing to do first.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

What's that?

[Johnny Raven]

I want to talk to the owner.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

The owner?

[Johnny Raven]

Of course. I could just talk to you, doll. You do own 40% of this glitter palace, don't you?

[Gloria Kinsolving]

You're talking crazy, Johnny. I don't own any of the After Hours Club. I'm just a singer.

[Johnny Raven]

Then there must be some other Gloria Angelica kin. Solving doesn't make any difference. We're still going to see the man with the other 60%.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

Let go of my arm, Donny. You're hurting me.

[Johnny Raven]

Let's go see the man, doll. Let you and me go see him. Let's go see Mr. Lorenzo Gold. The cut was abrupt. She didn't have time to protest. Just a couple of notes from my old friend the saxophone. And there we were in the private office of Lorenzo Gold and his taciturn bodyguard, the man known only as Prowse.

[Lorenzo Gold]

You don't listen very well, do you, Mr. Raven? You don't listen very well at all.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

Let go of me, you bastard. You're crazy. You're going to get us both killed.

[Johnny Raven]

Shut. You're leaking ambience all over the place. Losing it by the second. I'll hold on to the fire with you. I've got the feeling you're gonna need all the depth you can get your hands on.

[Lorenzo Gold]

I suggest you let the young lady Go, Mr. Raven. I don't think she's going to do You a lot of good.

[Johnny Raven]

You're right, Gold. She isn't going to do me any good at all. But I'm rather hoping this will. That's right. Everyone should just stand there. Especially you, Prowse.

[Lorenzo Gold]

You're a dead man.

[Johnny Raven]

One of us is.

[Lorenzo Gold]

What do you want, Mr. Raven?

[Johnny Raven]

I want the ambience man.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

You idiot. You're going to ruin everything.

[Lorenzo Gold]

I'm right here, Mr. Raven.

[Johnny Raven]

Uh, not you, Smiley. I want the real McCoy. The boss. The man who controls the black market ambience trade in this town. And that's not you, Gold. You're flatter than a slow cat on a fast highway.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

Who the hell do you think you're talking to? He's Lorenzo Gold.

[Johnny Raven]

Oh, he may be Lorenzo Gold, but he sure as hell isn't the ambience man. I want the boss who will just stand here all night.

[Lorenzo Gold]

Why, you nasty little pile.

[Narrator]

It's all right, Lorenzo.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

What?

[Lorenzo Gold]

I can take care of this, Mr. Prowse. I. I can fix it so no one ever hears of this two bit gumshoe again.

[Narrator]

It's all right, Lorenzo. I'll take care of it.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

What's going on here?

[Narrator]

I believe Mr. Raven is going to answer that question for us. Aren't you, Mr. Raven?

[Johnny Raven]

I'm gonna take a real good shot of it. It's a story, really. A story I just finished piecing together. There was this girl, you see. A girl on her way up in the world. Only problem was, she didn't think she was moving up fast enough. She wanted that extra little boost you get with some bootleg ambience. So she set her little self up with the man she thought could help her the Most. The notorious Mr. Lorenzo Gold. Mr. Gold fell for her like a loud ton. Gave her gifts, gave her part ownership in a very fancy club. Only problem was that the girl didn't want to settle for a measly 40%. She wanted it all. Sweet girl, don't you think?

[Gloria Kinsolving]

You cheap, crazy bastard.

[Johnny Raven]

But how to get rid of the ambience man? A tall order. But the little girl had a plan. She found herself a private dick and set him up with a song about how someone was trying to kill her. Then she went to Mr. Gold with a story about someone following her. Me. I was the patsy. Was supposed to take out the problem. And the problem took me out instead. Well, there's always more where I came from. You like my story so far, gentlemen?

[Lorenzo Gold]

You lying little tramp. You cheap, lying.

[Narrator]

Calm yourself, Lorenzo. Everyone makes mistakes. I seem to have made one myself. What went wrong with her plan, Mr. Raven. And incidentally, with mine.

[Johnny Raven]

She's a smart girl, except, like a lot of smart people, she assumes everyone else is stupid. She knew I'd find out about Gold, and she made sure that Gold found out about me. That's why he ended up in the back alley, snuggling up to the garbage cans. She didn't know that I'd do something simple like check the ownership of the After Hours Club. I had most of the pieces there and played a hunch for the rest. The pieces that didn't fit with you guys? It was the thing in the alley. If she hadn't set that up, then it might just have worked. But there was something really wrong with that whole scenario.

[Narrator]

Such as?

[Johnny Raven]

Such as why a man with all the ambience in the loop was so damn manaural. And a man who, nothing more than a walking sound cue had it all. Little Gloria here blew it. She set up the wrong man. Me, I notice little things like that. It's a gift I have.

[Narrator]

Not all gifts are good ones.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

Surely you don't believe.

[Narrator]

Shut up, Ms. Consolving. I'm afraid I do believe him.

[Lorenzo Gold]

Let me kill her, boss. She played me for a damn fool. Let me take her out.

[Narrator]

I don't think so, boss. No. As satisfying as that would be to both of us, I really don't think so. It would be a loose end. And there are too many loose ends around here already. Get out, Miss Consolving.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

What?

[Narrator]

I said, get out, Miss Consolving.

[Gloria Kinsolving]

Oh, no, you don't. You can't just order me out of here like I'm some loop or nobody. I know what's going on.

[Johnny Raven]

I know.

[Narrator]

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. When I said get out, I didn't just mean out of this room. I meant out of this club, out of this town. Out. But lose yourself, miskinsolving. Find yourself another track far, far away from here and bury yourself in it. Bury yourself deep. Because if I ever hear your voice again, you won't be featured, you won't be supporting, you won't be background miscon solving. You won't even be static. Have I made myself clear now?

[Gloria Kinsolving]

Perfectly.

[Narrator]

Excellent. Lorenzo, please escort Ms. Consolving out of the building. We don't want any unsightly scenes.

[Lorenzo Gold]

My pleasure, Mr. Prowse.

[Narrator]

And, Lorenzo, when I said we didn't want any unsightly scenes, that's exactly what I meant. Just escort her out.

[Lorenzo Gold]

Yes, Mr. Prowse. Come on, you.

[Narrator]

Poor Lorenzo. I think it might be time for another frontman. And that just leaves you, Mr. Raven. Whatever are we to do about you?

[Johnny Raven]

That's a good question. But first, I have one of my own.

[Narrator]

I didn't think I had any secrets left.

[Johnny Raven]

It's a simple one. Just one word, in fact. Why?

[Narrator]

Why what, Mr. Raven?

[Johnny Raven]

Why all this, Mr. Prowse, or whatever the hell your name is? Why Gold? Why the charade?

[Narrator]

Mr. Raven? There are only two things that matter in the loop, and unfortunately, they are mutually exclusive. If you have one, you can't have the other. Those two things are ambience and anonymity. I wanted them both.

[Johnny Raven]

Doesn't everybody?

[Narrator]

No. If most people had the option, they would choose ambience. Ambience is power, Mr. Raven. It is the little distinctions that lift you out of the background and give you depth. The more ambience you have, the more depth you have and the more substantial you become. But there's a problem with ambience. To get it, you have to give up the God given privacy that is the legacy of everyone on the loop.

[Johnny Raven]

I don't think I follow you.

[Narrator]

You see, the more depth you achieve, the more likely you are to come to the attention of the off mic people, the more likely you are to become a major character. Things happen to major characters, Mr. Raven. Consistently and constantly. Oh, I suppose it's better than just lurking around in the background saying the occasional hello or such. But still, what kind of life is that? What kind of choice is that? I wanted both.

[Johnny Raven]

So you created Lorenzo Gold?

[Narrator]

I created Lorenzo Gold and Adrian Bradbury and Owen Lackman and Catherine Monaco. All the major ambience dealers this town has ever known. We were all quite happy with the bargain. Gold and the others got to play big shot and I got to pretend that I was just another voice.

[Johnny Raven]

So what happened to your other puppets?

[Narrator]

They died. The temptation to take them out is too great for your average small time ambience pusher. Sometimes I'd make a deal with the killers. Sometimes I'd just kill them and promote someone else.

[Johnny Raven]

Smooth, Prowse. Real smooth.

[Narrator]

Well, it was. Until an overtly ambitious girl and a lucky private eye messed up the whole thing. Which brings us back to my question, Mr. Raven. Whatever are we to do about you?

[Johnny Raven]

We made a deal. Yeah, I know. Guys like me are supposed to stand there and take on guys like Prowse. I'm a good guy, he's a bad guy. Right. Susuming Prowse could have wiped me out all by himself. The man was gigantic. So I swapped him secret for a secret, and now we're even. Nobody gets to know that he's the ambience man. And nobody gets to know that I'm from off the loop. I couldn't tell him how or why I dropped in, for the simple reason is that I don't know. But here I am, trapped on the loop, trapped in a world of audio, of sounds and music and other assorted crap. That's why I can read the ambience so well, why I'm so good at my job, and why I'm still alive. I'll say this for him. He does like things neat, you know? On the front page of the newspapers, a story about how a notorious ambience dealer, Lorenzo Gold, has been reported missing. Police suspect foul play. Hmm. Buried way in the back is a similar story about an obscure little club singer named Gloria something or other. Police suspect absolutely nothing. There's a new ambience man now, a fat German by the name of Ludwig. Cartel been moving pretty fast, taking over the old gold organization. He's keeping a lot of boys on the payroll, though. Or at least one. A quiet, rumbly body God by the name of Krause. Ah. Cue the goddamn saxophone.

[Chelsea]

Cue music. Roll tape.

[Host]

We hope you have enjoyed this production of the Atlanta Radio Theatre Company. For more information about artsy and how you can order recordings of our studio productions, please visit www.artc.org. blues for Johnny Raven was written by Thomas E. Fuller and produced and directed by William Allen Rich. Featured in the cast were the voices of Daniel Kiernan as Johnny Raven and Megan Jackson as Gloria Kinsolving. Also heard were the voices of Ron N. Butler, David Benedict, Daniel Taylor, Trudy Leonard, Terry Sanders, Jack Mayfield, Phil Carter and Matt Sacato. Music composed and performed by Brad Weegen. The song the Sound of youf Voice was written by William Allen Rich and Brad Weege. Live Foley Sound effects created by Lily and Sonya, assisted by Anthony Fuller. Sound engineering by David Carter, Ray Spitz and Bill Rich. Blues for Johnny Raven was performed live at Syfy summer on Saturday, May 31, 2003, and was prepared for broadcast by William Allen Rich. Check back into this podcast weekly for more new Old Time Radio. And remember, there is adventure in sound. All material is copyright by its creators or the Atlanta Radio Theater Company.

[Narrator]

Artc. Org.