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Narrator
Hymns for the Road is a fiction podcast that often takes place inside a moving vehicle. Listener discretion is advised while driving. General content warnings are listed in the show notes.
Silver
Even though folks never knew why they.
Copper
Called it like they do.
Silver
I was wandering since the age of.
Copper
2 down on copper Line Couple mile.
Amber
Down Mooring Creek.
Copper
Hercules and a homose down on Copper Line.
Glass
Any bratzos left?
Amber
Yep.
Silver
I hate driving in the rain.
Copper
Better than driving in the snow.
Silver
That's true.
Amber
I bet in the summer. Better. It'll only snow in December and January. And then it'll stop.
Glass
There won't even be a February in the summer. Better.
Copper
What are you guys talking about? February is the best month. Who doesn't love slush and mud?
Glass
I think I used to like Valentine's Day.
Copper
You did? I thought you didn't care about all that romantic junk.
Glass
Hmm, dunno. Maybe it was alright.
Amber
Sometimes I don't really remember Valentine's Day.
Copper
That's okay. It was just a dumb corporate holiday.
Amber
Corporate?
Copper
Big old companies used to own everything.
Silver
They were kind of like the folk before the folk. Oh hell. This has got to be the narrowest road we've driven on in ages.
Glass
It would be kinda nice if it weren't so gross outside.
Copper
Yeah, I know they're dangerous, but I always like the really dense forests.
Amber
Look at all that moss. It almost looks like hair.
Glass
Might actually be hair. Copper.
Amber
Don't say that.
Glass
Just saying. Lots of trees nowadays, not as many people.
Silver
Reminds me of the road that led into my summer camp when I was a kid. Yeah, it was all winding like this snake through the woods for hours. Felt like trees were so close together you couldn't see any further than a little ways. I get so excited driving down that road. Always trying to see down to the camp where the trees stand out in places.
Copper
Sounds nice.
Silver
Sure was. The place felt like magic. Not like how magic feels now, but good magic. The kind of magic you make when you're a kid. It closed down a couple of summers after my last year. Broke my heart.
Glass
I'm sorry, Silver.
Silver
That's the way things go, I guess. Especially now. At least then things stayed mostly the same, did they?
Amber
More than they do now.
Glass
So, anybody want to take a gander into the future?
Silver
Sure. Shake us something good.
Amber
Don't you need to ask it a question first or. Not a question. Exactly.
Glass
I don't have to. Aster can still give me hints by themselves. Like with the cards. Well, it says log building, dark accents.
Silver
With creepers all up on one side.
Glass
Yes, why? Are you familiar?
Silver
Yep. Quite familiar. Wish I was there right now.
Amber
Silver.
Silver
Oh, sorry, sorry.
Copper
Maybe they didn't hear.
Amber
Silver, I can't believe you did that.
Silver
I know. I'm sorry. It just came out.
Amber
It's a lot greener now, huh?
Copper
I mean, I guess.
Amber
And look, there are wildflowers blooming further in.
Glass
Oh, guys, it's warm outside.
Amber
Whoa.
Copper
It's. It's like summer warm.
Glass
Silver, it's warm. So, can I stand out of the sunroof?
Silver
No, you can't stand out of the. Oh, hell.
Amber
What?
Silver
I just saw one of the buildings.
Copper
One of the buildings. Where are we?
Glass
Oh.
Silver
Welcome to Camp Indigo. Could we stop here for a minute?
Glass
You sure that's a good idea?
Copper
Yeah. This doesn't seem shady to you?
Silver
I just want to look at it for a while. Only for a minute, I promise.
Amber
We do need more candle wax and toilet paper.
Glass
Do you think they're going to have deodorant here?
Silver
Come on, y'all. Everybody out.
Glass
You okay?
Silver
I'm all right. Smells just like it used to.
Copper
So where would we find someone in charge? We need that toilet paper.
Silver
In the basement of the dining hall. Follow me.
Amber
You really know this place?
Silver
I went here for eight years. I better know it.
Copper
But we're not really in that place.
Silver
Maybe not. Looks the same, though.
Glass
Errand is out of danger. Yep.
Amber
Silver, can we. Can we use the protection sigil before we go anywhere?
Silver
Oh, yeah, of course we can.
Copper
Did you almost forget that I'm thinking a lot?
Silver
Sue me, copper. Come here. There. Feel better?
Amber
Yeah, a little.
Silver
Let's get a move on. Come on in, y'all.
Glass
Oo. Smells like grilled cheese in here.
Copper
You can identify grilled cheese just by the smell. Doesn't it just smell like bread and butter?
Silver
I think I'm gonna go see.
Glass
Not if you're making them. Right.
Silver
I'll be right back. Hey, wait. Wait.
Friend
Oh, you're here.
Silver
I remember you. We were in the cabin together.
Friend
Ponderosa Sea.
Silver
That's it. That was my favorite year.
Friend
You were on the top bunk.
Silver
I'm sorry, I don't remember what to call you.
Friend
That's okay. I'm sure your name isn't the same either.
Silver
Where are we?
Friend
We're at camp.
Silver
I know we're supposed to be, but we're not really at camp. Everything's just the same as how I left it.
Friend
Guess so. Want to take a walk?
Silver
I gotta stay with my party.
Friend
Just for a minute. Just around the lake trail.
Silver
Oh. All right. We have to be quick, though.
Friend
We'll be quick.
Amber
Where do we go?
Glass
There Staircase. There's a sign that says Trading Post.
Amber
Wait a second. Where's Silver?
Copper
Silver.
Teen Attendant
Welcome to the Trading post, campers. Come on in.
Glass
We're not campers. Just something akin.
Teen Attendant
Of course you're campers. You're at camp. You're trying to think of a rhyme.
Glass
Sorry. We have to check every time.
Teen Attendant
What are you here for?
Copper
Toilet paper? A couple things more.
Teen Attendant
Take a look.
Copper
We'll see if you have any books.
Glass
We're not looking for books.
Copper
I couldn't think of anything else.
Amber
You have a lot of stuff in here.
Teen Attendant
Yeah. You can replace your supplies if your stuff got eaten by the deer. Can I offer you some deodorant? Bug spray?
Glass
We're looking for water, TP and soap today.
Teen Attendant
Oh, yeah, I got all of that.
Glass
Could you show us where they're at?
Young Silver
No.
Amber
You have supplies all over, though.
Glass
Good one.
Teen Attendant
I have supplies for campers in here. If non campers want anything, they have to find it.
Glass
Excuse us for a bit. Let's hear them out.
Copper
They're gonna send us out into the camp. We're gonna get lost.
Glass
Let's just hear them out first.
Teen Attendant
Had enough time?
Glass
Where do we look for items to find?
Teen Attendant
Look around. You'll find the way.
Glass
Is finding things how we pay?
Teen Attendant
I won't stop you if you want to pay more.
Glass
Thank you. For access to your store.
Amber
We're not really going to go out there, right?
Copper
We are if you don't want to be wiping with leaves.
Glass
Silver's out there. Copper. We have to find him, too.
Young Glass
Remember when those kids sank their canoe and the lifeguard had to get the motorboat?
Friend
Then the motorboat ran out of the gas right in the middle of the lake.
Young Glass
They had to paddle all the way back to shore.
Friend
Or when they built that new building.
Young Glass
The one everybody hated.
Friend
And they let us paint all over the inside.
Young Glass
I think I painted somebody from a TV show in there. There was that time you got your shoe stuck in that mud.
Friend
I never got that shoe back.
Young Glass
Gone forever. Can we sit down? I got blisters on my feet from.
Friend
Hiking up the cliff yesterday.
Young Glass
I think I know all this ain't real.
Friend
How do you mean?
Young Glass
Because they took that old dock down before my last year.
Friend
Oh, well, it's here in this version.
Young Glass
Do you know what happened after they stole the grounds?
Friend
I don't know. I'll bet they gave it to a new camp and they were in everything different.
Young Glass
I bet they ran it wrong.
Friend
Probably didn't even tell none of the stories right.
Young Glass
They call the ghost Old Harold Stead of Old Hollis.
Friend
Don't even leave the candy out for him.
Young Glass
Feels nice having a break from the winter.
Friend
It's always summer here.
Young Glass
Really?
Friend
It's different shades. Sometimes it's real hot and dry. Sometimes it's rainy and muggy. Sometimes it's just right. But always summer.
Young Glass
That sounds nice.
Friend
There's always food and water and plenty of stuff to do.
Young Glass
Do you think the walls are dark enough?
Friend
Dark enough? I don't know. Oh, what are you talking about anyway?
Young Glass
We've been looking for somewhere. Somewhere safe.
Friend
It's safe here. You don't have to go.
Amber
We. We can't just go out and find our things. Glass.
Copper
So Silver's gone forever, right?
Glass
Silver's not gone. They're around here somewhere. It's a children's camp. It's not like it's gonna be that big.
Amber
It's not a normal summer camp. It could be as big as it wants.
Glass
Then we'll stick together and we'll find Silver. Besides, they seem nice, right? There have to be some summers that aren't malicious. Yeah.
Copper
I loved how energetic they were.
Amber
Amber, we're outside.
Copper
Relax, Copper. I don't think they'd take that as an insult.
Glass
Alright, which trail? Left, right or middle?
Amber
Right.
Glass
Middle it is.
Amber
I really. I really feel like we should go right.
Copper
Yeah, but I want to go this way. Look, there are buildings over there. We're not going to find toilet paper in the woods.
Glass
We'll take the middle trail and we can double back after we've looked around.
Copper
Who put you in charge?
Glass
Seniority.
Copper
Bull.
Amber
We. We could split up. We have the sigils on.
Glass
The sigils are for emergency scobber.
Amber
I've got a spell with me and you have your magic eight ball.
Copper
Nothing ever happens to me, so. I'll be fine.
Glass
We're not splitting up.
Copper
Look, we'll get it done faster. If we do, then we'll have more time to find Silver and we'll get out of here sooner.
Glass
Silver's not here. And I'm supposed to be responsible for you.
Amber
We'll be okay. We know how to take care of ourselves.
Copper
I'm going. Cabins.
Young Glass
See you.
Amber
I'll be really quick.
Glass
Hey. We agreed to stay together. Wow. I'm going to have to apologize to Silver for a lot of things. So much for being responsible. Hope you've got something to say about all this. Oh, well, now you're just being pedantic. You know what I meant. Yeah. It is nice. I guess. You know, I think if you're going to visit, you should wait until we're out of here. Wherever here is. Well, even if it's important, I'm sure we won't be in here very long. We can talk a little later, after I've. Copper, was that you? I can see you in there. You're. Whoa.
Friend
You're old.
Glass
Are you me?
Young Silver
Mine is.
Glass
No, no, no, no.
Young Silver
Shh.
Glass
I know what your name is. Okay.
Young Silver
Who are you?
Glass
I'm you. But older. Whoa.
Young Silver
You're taller than me.
Glass
Yeah. Yes, I am.
Young Silver
How old are you?
Glass
I am. Huh. I don't remember exactly. I'm an adult. How about that?
Young Silver
Is it cool, huh? Is it cool being a grown up to get to do whatever you want?
Glass
Uh, not really. It's. It's complicated.
Young Silver
That's dumb. Why not?
Glass
Well, because. You just can't. I don't know.
Young Silver
That sounds boring. Are you happy?
Glass
Uh.
Amber
I think this place was somewhere better if it wasn't so obviously an otherworld. Me too. Who are you? I was gonna ask you the same thing. Are. Are you me? I guess so. What are you doing at a kids camp? What do you mean? We are kids.
Copper
Hell, would it kill them to do a little upkeep on these places? Food, water, toilet paper. Food, water, toilet paper. That's. That's my front door. Hey, Glass. Are you still in earshot? No. Okay. Okay.
Young Glass
Oh, I remember you.
Young Silver
So you're not happy?
Glass
Of course I am. I mean, look at me. Don't I look happy?
Young Silver
Not really. You look tired.
Glass
Ouch.
Young Silver
Are you really rich?
Glass
No.
Young Silver
Did you get married?
Glass
No, I never did that.
Young Silver
What? Why not?
Glass
Well, because it's. It's hard.
Young Silver
But I always wanted to. Like in movies.
Glass
Well, yeah, but it hurts sometimes, right? And you. You lose little pieces of yourself and it's not always easy to look. I haven't, that's all. I like the way I am. And I don't want to lose that.
Young Silver
Have you tried?
Glass
I have tried. It never worked out very well. And it's always been so much trouble. I don't think I made for it. Or maybe I just don't know how.
Young Silver
I think you're just scared. And maybe you're lazy.
Glass
Yeah, okay. Yeah, I am. I get to be a lazy coward if it keeps my head on my shoulders. You don't understand. You think everything is sunshine and flowers, but it's not. Some nice things come at too high a cost. And some nice things will hurt you if you let them get too close. So you don't let them get too close.
Young Silver
Who's that?
Glass
Who's who?
Young Silver
Got to Go.
Glass
Wait.
Esther
I'm sorry. I thought it couldn't wait.
Glass
Hester.
Esther
It's all right. It's funny. This is just what I wanted to speak with you about.
Glass
Okay, this isn't. I. I wasn't talking about you. I was just saying, my.
Esther
Glass. I will hurt you.
Glass
No, Esther, you won't. I know you won't.
Esther
Some time ago, I told you about unity between your people and mine.
Glass
Humans becoming more folk and folks becoming more human.
Esther
I know that humans don't like to change. We don't either. This has been challenging for me, but I've realized that perhaps I've been. It's clear to me now that I'm hurting you already.
Glass
But you're not. I'm just so.
Esther
Yourself. You like the way you are. But if we wanted to be together, there's no way we both could stay the way we are.
Glass
Okay. Wait.
Esther
I only want you to be happy. And I know how much your independence means to you. I would never dream of taking that away.
Glass
Esther, I care for you, too. It's just that I.
Esther
I. Goodbye, Glass. I wish you every happiness.
Glass
Wait.
Amber
I'm not a child. Yeah, you are. Maybe you're not like a tiny little one, but you're still a kid. Well, I mean, maybe literally, but I'm not like. I don't act like a kid. It won't even be that long until I'm an adult. I have responsibilities. You shouldn't. What? What do you mean, I shouldn't? Every. Everyone else does. You should be doing kid things. I mean, you should be at summer camp. You should be in high school. You should be playing video games with your friends. You shouldn't be fighting off the end of the world. I mean, I don't have that choice, though, do I? I'm sorry. I get to be scared every day and worry about if I'm even going to make it to adulthood thanks to. Thanks to a bunch of dumb adults who screwed everything up before I. Before I even got here. Where's the food? You said it was here.
Young Glass
It's just how I remember it.
Friend
It'll always be just how you remember it. It won't ever change.
Young Glass
But I changed. I changed already.
Friend
That's okay. I don't.
Young Glass
I used to love the summer. I loved it here.
Friend
You don't have to leave. You can stay. It can be summer forever.
Young Glass
That sounds nice.
Friend
What have you got out there, anyways?
Young Glass
I've got Amber.
Copper
Leave me alone.
Silver
Amber.
Amber
Amber.
Glass
What?
Silver
Wait just a minute. Where were all of you?
Amber
We were getting supplies. Where were You.
Silver
We'll talk about it later. Amber. Amber. What's going on, darling?
Amber
I saw myself by the lake.
Silver
What?
Glass
I found a supplies on the way back.
Silver
Did Amber see anything?
Copper
I got some damn candle wax. Can we just go?
Silver
What happened? Did you see yourself too?
Copper
It's none of your business. Are we going or not?
Silver
Yeah, we're gonna go. Everybody in? Y'all.
Amber
Amber.
Copper
Drop it. All right.
Amber
Glass. Glass.
Glass
Not right now, Copper.
Silver
One moment, y'all.
Friend
You can't stay, can you?
Silver
No, afraid not. We're both gone already. I gotta go be someone new.
Amber
Why?
Silver
Camp doesn't last all summer. It's gotta end sometime. That's what makes it special.
Friend
And it's over already.
Silver
It's over already.
Amber
I don't want you to go.
Silver
Don't worry. I carry you with me wherever I am. Can I make a trade with you?
Friend
What for?
Silver
You remember those bracelets we made with all the different colors? Colors?
Friend
Yeah.
Silver
I want one of those again. I won't cut it off this time.
Friend
What do you want to trade for it?
Silver
I've got an idea. Up. Good. Down on Copper Line it doesn't come as a surprise to me it doesn't touch my memory and if I'm lifting up and rising free down on Copper Line Half a mile down to Morgan Creek I'm only living for the end of the week Hercules are hognose snake down on Copper Line.
Amber
Take me down.
Silver
On Copper Line.
Amber
Back to winter again it's almost spring. Silver.
Silver
Hmm?
Amber
Did you trade years for that bracelet?
Silver
Only four of them.
Amber
Is that what they charged you?
Silver
Nope. Is what I gave.
Amber
Why'd you pay that much?
Silver
Small price to be able to remember it all clearly. I'd rather have a few happy memories than a lifetime of miserable ones.
Amber
Are Amber and Glass okay?
Silver
They'll tell us when they're ready to tell us. Back onto the highway.
Amber
Goodbye, creepy supernatural children.
Glass
Yeah, bye.
Copper
Good riddance.
Silver
Goodbye, camp.
Narrator
Hymns for the Road is a podcast written and Produced by Anna McGuire. Starring Maurice Thomas as Silver, Pau Pananibon as Glass, Grizz Sibonek as Amber, Tabitha Bardol as Copper, and featuring Machin Brzezinski as the Friend, Autumn Toller as the teen attendant, Jasmine Moore as Young Silver, and Gisele Chua as Young Glass. Original music by Joshua David Mitchell. Sign up for our newsletter@hodgepodgeaudio.com or support our work on Patreon.com Hodgepodgeaudio thank you for listening.
Hymns for the Road: Episode 23 - "Camp"
Release Date: February 2, 2025
Host/Author: Hodgepodge Audio
Starring:
In Episode 23, titled "Camp," of the enchanting podcast Hymns for the Road, listeners are taken deeper into the perilous yet beautiful post-apocalyptic landscape of America. This episode revolves around a group of four survivors—Silver, Copper, Amber, and Glass—as they navigate through a magical wasteland fraught with otherworldly dangers and surreal environments. The episode explores themes of memory, identity, and the haunting persistence of the past.
The episode commences with the group driving through dense, moss-covered forests, reminiscing about childhood summer camps. Silver shares nostalgic memories, reflecting, "Reminds me of the road that led into my summer camp when I was a kid... It closed down a couple of summers after my last year. Broke my heart." ([02:12]). This sets a melancholic tone, highlighting Silver's longing for the past amidst the chaotic present.
Suddenly, Silver spots a familiar building and declares, "Welcome to Camp Indigo. Could we stop here for a minute?" ([04:52]). Intrigued by the semblance of their past, the group decides to investigate, hoping to find essential supplies like candle wax and toilet paper.
Upon entering Camp Indigo, the survivors encounter a Teen Attendant who appears to manage the camp's resources. Copper inquires about supplies, saying, "We do need more candle wax and toilet paper." ([05:14]). However, the Teen Attendant reveals a peculiar system where non-campers must "find" items to replace their supplies, leading Glass to question, "Is finding things how we pay?" ([09:07]).
The attendant cryptically responds, "Look around. You'll find the way." ([09:20]), indicating that retrieving supplies might involve navigating the camp's enigmatic and possibly dangerous areas. This encounter underscores the camp's otherworldly nature and the opaque rules governing its operations.
As the group explores further, they encounter younger versions of themselves—Young Glass and Young Silver. This surreal meeting serves as a catalyst for deep introspection and emotional dialogue. Young Glass reminisces about past camp experiences, sharing memories like, "Oh, what are you talking about anyway?" ([11:34]), while Young Silver grapples with the permanence of time and change.
A poignant conversation unfolds between Glass and Young Silver around the complexities of adulthood and personal growth. Young Silver challenges Glass, stating, "Is it cool being a grown-up to get to do whatever you want?" ([15:05]), to which Glass responds thoughtfully, "It's complicated." ([15:10]). This dialogue delves into the struggles of maintaining one's identity amidst evolving circumstances.
The episode takes a darker turn with the introduction of Esther, a supernatural entity who confronts Glass. Esther warns, "I will hurt you." ([18:48]), revealing tensions between human and otherworldly beings. Their exchange highlights the precarious balance between independence and unity, with Esther emphasizing the incompatibility of their coexistence: "If we wanted to be together, there's no way we both could stay the way we are." ([19:17]).
Glass responds with vulnerability, expressing care yet asserting the importance of individuality: "I care for you, too. It's just that I..." ([19:40]). This confrontation underscores the episode’s exploration of sacrifice and the cost of maintaining personal freedom.
Amidst the supernatural conflicts, Amber experiences an internal struggle about her identity and responsibilities. She vents her frustrations, stating, "I get to be scared every day and worry about if I'm even going to make it to adulthood..." ([20:05]). This monologue captures her sense of entrapment and the burdens of survival in a world plagued by remnants of past catastrophes.
Young Glass and the Friend continue their dialogue, contemplating the unchanged nature of memories and the elusive quest for safety: "It will always be just how you remember it. It won't ever change." ([21:14]). These exchanges further emphasize the haunting persistence of the past and its impact on the present.
As tensions rise, Silver initiates a trade to leave Camp Indigo, stating, "I want one of those again. I won't cut it off this time." ([23:18]). The trade involves bracelets symbolizing memories, with Silver exchanging years for the ability to cherish happy moments: "I'd rather have a few happy memories than a lifetime of miserable ones." ([25:09]). This act signifies a poignant farewell to the camp and the acceptance of moving forward despite the lingering shadows of the past.
The group prepares to depart, with Copper expressing frustration, "Are we going or not?" ([22:30]), and the remaining members bidding farewell to the supernatural inhabitants of the camp: "Goodbye, creepy supernatural children." ([25:34]). Silver's final words encapsulate the episode's theme of carrying cherished memories into the uncertain future: "Don't worry. I carry you with me wherever I am." ([23:25]).
"Camp" serves as a deeply emotional episode that intertwines the remnants of childhood innocence with the harsh realities of a transformed world. Through intricate dialogues and supernatural encounters, the survivors confront their pasts, grapple with their identities, and make difficult choices to preserve what remains of their humanity. Notable quotes throughout the episode enhance the narrative's depth, providing listeners with memorable lines that underscore the characters' emotional journeys.
As the group leaves Camp Indigo, the episode closes on a note of bittersweet resolution, highlighting the enduring power of memories and the resilience required to navigate an ever-changing, magical apocalypse.
Notable Quotes:
Final Notes:
Episode 23 of Hymns for the Road masterfully blends nostalgia with supernatural elements, creating a narrative that is both haunting and heartfelt. The interactions between the characters, especially the encounters with their younger selves and Esther, provide profound insights into the struggles of survival and the enduring impact of the past. This episode is a testament to the podcast's ability to craft rich, emotionally charged stories within its vividly imagined magical apocalypse.
For more engaging stories and updates, sign up for the newsletter at Hodgepodge Audio or support their work on Patreon. Thank you for listening!