S4E1: The Brigadoon

Summary

Red Valley: S4E1 - "The Brigadoon"

Release Date: December 1, 2024
Host/Author: Kontinue Productions
Description: A mystery drama exploring the boundaries of experimental science, personal histories, and the enigmatic quest to recall the level select cheat from Sonic 2.

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Introduction and Setting

"The Brigadoon," the inaugural episode of Season 4 of Red Valley, immerses listeners into a desolate yet intriguingly complex environment where experimental science intersects with the enigmatic passage of time. Set in a secluded farmhouse situated within a labyrinthine tunnel system known as the "ball bag," the episode navigates the lives of individuals grappling with their pasts, present challenges, and uncertain futures.

Main Characters

• Aubrey Wood (Tashareith Banks): A central figure responsible for the well-being of others in the community, balancing authority with personal connections.
• Warren Godby (Jonathan Williams): A recently awakened individual struggling to acclimate to his surroundings and the reality of his situation.
• Hester Hiashi (Susan Hingley): Aubrey's counterpart, offering a blend of support and tension in interactions.
• Gordon Porlot (Alan Mandel): A mysterious presence, both physically and virtually, whose role is gradually unveiled.
• Malcolm (David Charles): An assistant who manages routine operations and interactions within the community.
• Jade Turner (Sarah Shelton): An elderly member facing her mortality with dignity, symbolizing the community's approach to life and death.

Plot Developments

Morning Interactions and Tensions ([01:13] - [09:01])

The episode opens with Aubrey Wood and Hester Hiashi navigating daily routines within the farmhouse. Their conversation reveals underlying tensions regarding the care of Jade Turner, an 83-year-old resident with dementia who has chosen to end her life peacefully within the community. Aubrey's reluctance to confront certain duties and Hester's insistence highlight the complexities of maintaining order and compassion in their isolated environment.

Notable Moment:

• Aubrey to Hester ([02:10]-[02:13]): Aubrey laments, "I've been awake for 10 minutes," showcasing his struggle with sleeplessness and the burdens of responsibility.

Routine Management and Character Dynamics ([03:01] - [16:50])

As the day progresses, Aubrey interacts with members like Warren Godby and Malcolm, revealing a structured yet strained community dynamic. Warren's difficulty in adjusting—exemplified by his interactions with automated systems and persistent anxiety—underscores the psychological toll of prolonged isolation and hypersleep.

Notable Exchange:

• Warren and Malcolm on Anxiety ([07:54]-[08:36]): Warren confronts Malcolm about his repetitive reassurances, stating, "When you repeat stuff, I get nervous," highlighting the fragility of mental health in confined settings.

Revelations and World-Building ([16:50] - [25:16])

Aubrey provides a comprehensive exposition on the dystopian future that led to the current state of society. She explains the societal collapse driven by climate change, disease, and poverty, juxtaposed with the elite's use of hypersleep as an escape mechanism. This segment paints a grim picture of a world where only a select few survive, leaving the majority to fend for themselves in a deteriorating environment.

In an emotional revelation, Aubrey discusses the creation of rituals like the "Morior Invictus" choir—a symbolic act born from camaraderie and now a coping mechanism for the community.

Notable Insight:

• Aubrey’s Explanation ([20:02]-[21:52]): She details, "The great leaders of industry and infrastructure... left behind desperate people in a desperate situation," providing crucial context for the community's existence in Red Valley.

Personal Struggles and Community Bonds ([25:16] - [28:05])

Warren's emotional turmoil peaks as he grapples with the loss of his past and the stark realities of his present. Aubrey offers solace by introducing him to community members and familiar elements like the pet tortoise, Waffles, symbolizing attempts to recreate a semblance of normalcy and connection.

Notable Interaction:

• Warren and Aubrey on Waffles ([26:08]-[27:58]): Warren expresses disbelief upon meeting Waffles, leading Aubrey to explain, "Waffles has been with us through some considerable hardship," reinforcing themes of resilience and adaptation.

Key Themes and Discussions

1. Isolation and Mental Health: The episode delves deep into the psychological impacts of isolation, as seen through Warren's anxiety and Aubrey's efforts to manage the community's emotional well-being.

2. Societal Collapse and Survival: Aubrey's exposition provides a backdrop of a world succumbing to various crises, highlighting the lengths to which the elite go to preserve themselves while leaving others to endure.

3. Rituals and Community Cohesion: The creation of the "Morior Invictus" choir and other communal activities illustrate how traditions evolve as coping mechanisms in harsh environments.

4. Identity and Memory: Warren's struggle to recall his past and place within the community emphasizes the fragile nature of identity when stripped of familiar contexts.

Notable Quotes

• Aubrey Wood ([16:50]): "While the world is going down the toilet, there's one company and one asset in particular that's suddenly doing rather well. Can you guess what it is?"

• Warren Godby ([22:16]): "Aubrey, people aren't going to be weird with me, are they?"

• Aubrey Wood ([24:04]): "Jade Turner... has decided to end her life here with us in safety and in peace."

• Aubrey Wood ([25:08]): "How are you feeling? Shattered, actually."

Conclusion and Episode Ending

As "The Brigadoon" draws to a close, the episode intertwines personal vendettas and communal responsibilities. Warren's determination to uncover the mysteries of Red Valley and his interactions with Aubrey and other community members set the stage for deeper explorations into the limits of experimental science and the human spirit's resilience.

The episode culminates with a sense of impending change and the promise of unveiling more secrets within Red Valley. Aubrey's final remarks about saving Gordon's life hint at future conflicts and revelations, ensuring listeners are left eagerly anticipating subsequent episodes.

Final Thoughts

"The Brigadoon" masterfully combines intricate character dynamics with a rich, dystopian world-building narrative. By weaving personal struggles with overarching societal themes, Red Valley continues to captivate its audience, offering a thought-provoking exploration of humanity amidst the remnants of a desolate future.

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Notable Production Credits:

• Written by: Jonathan Williams
• Directed by: Alan Mandel
• Associate Director: Carol Pestridge
• Music, Editing, and Sound Design: Richard Orpheus Campbell
• Additional Sound Effects Editing: Luke Elliott
• Original Artwork: Claire Hoopes
• Promotional Artwork: Noah Dow
• Voice Performances: Susan Hingley (Hester Hiashi), Tashareith Banks (Aubrey Wood), Alan Mandel (Gord), Jonathan Williams (Warren Godby), and others.

Red Valley is brought to life by Kontinue Productions, recorded at Orpheus Studio London, and continues to engage listeners with its compelling narrative and immersive soundscapes.

Transcript

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[Aubrey Wood]

Mature audiences and contains scenes some listeners may find distressing. Please go to RedValleyPod.com for full content warnings on every episode. Do you want to continue?

[Hester Hiashi]

Morning, Aubrey. I made coffee. Well, you know, whatever the brown stuff is this month.

[Aubrey Wood]

Oh, thank you.

[Hester Hiashi]

Someone said they reckon we're getting some real beans in the next drop off.

[Aubrey Wood]

I'll believe it when I drink it. Who's learning now?

[Hester Hiashi]

One of the young ones.

[Aubrey Wood]

We really need to move the piano. One day a storm is going to.

[Hester Hiashi]

Blow this rickety old farmhouse down.

[Aubrey Wood]

Yes.

[Hester Hiashi]

Why do you take your naps in here then? And why am I making you coffee in here?

[Aubrey Wood]

Because it's the only place I can get some peace. Even with the piano.

[Hester Hiashi]

You on your way down to see him?

[Aubrey Wood]

No, I've got to check in on Jade first.

[Hester Hiashi]

Jade's been up for hours.

[Aubrey Wood]

Yeah, well, I need to see what she's making everyone do for her then.

[Hester Hiashi]

You're putting it off.

[Aubrey Wood]

I'm not putting anything off.

[Hester Hiashi]

The results were fine. He's ready.

[Aubrey Wood]

I know. Then stop putting, Hester. I'm not putting it off.

[Hester Hiashi]

You've barely spoken to him since he woke up. You send other people to sort his meds and his food. He doesn't need them. He needs you. He's ready.

[Aubrey Wood]

Hester, please. I've been awake for 10 minutes.

[Narrator]

Yes, sir.

[Hester Hiashi]

Sorry, sir.

[Aubrey Wood]

Right. You think you're being playful, but you're actually very annoying.

[Hester Hiashi]

Take your not coffee.

[Aubrey Wood]

You take your not coffee. All right then. I'll be off. See in a bit. Morning, Aubrey. Morning.

[Warren Godby]

Morning, Aubrey.

[Aubrey Wood]

Morning.

[Gord]

Hey, Aubrey.

[Aubrey Wood]

Yep. He sa. Hiya. Good morning, Aubrey. Hi. Yeah. Hey, Aubrey. You alright? Yeah, yeah, all good. Morning, Aubrey. Hiya. Hi.

[Warren Godby]

Yeah, yeah, Aubrey.

[Aubrey Wood]

Yeah, yeah, great. Hi. I'm just gonna. Aubrey. Yeah. Any chance I could grab you? I've got to go to my rounds. I'll catch up with you later. Sure, sure.

[Warren Godby]

No worries.

[Malcolm]

Good morning, Aubrey.

[Aubrey Wood]

Good morning, Gord. Could you just. Could you just hover further away?

[Malcolm]

It's nearly time for Warren's alarm.

[Aubrey Wood]

Oh, you're as bad as Hester.

[Malcolm]

I'm sorry.

[Aubrey Wood]

I'll get there when I get there.

[Malcolm]

All right?

[Aubrey Wood]

You answer back more now.

[Malcolm]

Analysis revealed. Gordon Porlot. Like to have the last word?

[Aubrey Wood]

Yeah. Fascinating.

[Malcolm]

Indeed.

[Aubrey Wood]

All right, then.

[Malcolm]

Okay, then.

[Aubrey Wood]

I can demote you in a heartbeat. You'll be running the Bluetooth connection on the white goods.

[Malcolm]

Fine. Good morning, Warren. It's 7:30am Would you like to wake up now or have a little longer?

[Warren Godby]

I'll have a little longer. Please, could you put the lights back out?

[Malcolm]

Sure. I'll try again in half an hour.

[Warren Godby]

An hour?

[Malcolm]

Sure.

[Warren Godby]

Gord, I know Aubrey asked you not to tell me much about the future for reasons. Can I at least ask you a sports question?

[Malcolm]

Depends on the question, I suppose.

[Warren Godby]

How are Arsenal doing in the Premier League?

[Malcolm]

Arsenal ended the last Premier league season in 16th place with a total of 52 points and a goal difference of -2. I didn't know you supported Arsenal.

[Warren Godby]

I don't support anyone. They were my dad's team.

[Malcolm]

I'll remember that.

[Warren Godby]

There's no need. Hang on. When you said last Premier League season, did you mean the last season just gone or the last Premier League season?

[Malcolm]

You're trying to catch me out here, aren't you?

[Warren Godby]

Warren Gord, who is currently top of.

[Malcolm]

The Premier League at the end of the last Premier League season? Norwich City.

[Warren Godby]

No, this season. Right now.

[Malcolm]

How do you know there's even a season in play right now?

[Warren Godby]

This is you trying to squabble, isn't it? Distraction by squabble.

[Malcolm]

This is you imagining it's the end of the world outside and trying to trick me into giving you information about it. Just because there may or may not be a Premier League anymore doesn't mean a nuclear holocaust wiped out the Football Association.

[Warren Godby]

You know, the more I talk to you, the more you remind me of actual Gordon.

[Malcolm]

I'll take that as a compliment.

[Warren Godby]

You shouldn't. Now turn the bloody lights off.

[Malcolm]

Sure.

[Warren Godby]

Is Aubrey coming today? You don't have to keep turning the lights on every time I speak.

[Malcolm]

Sorry. Off they go.

[Warren Godby]

Where's the. Where's the water? Oh, my God. I. I didn't ask for the lights.

[Malcolm]

You spilled your water.

[Warren Godby]

I feel like I'm gonna have an epileptic fit.

[Malcolm]

You don't have epilepsy.

[Warren Godby]

Can you just dim the lights and leave it at that?

[Malcolm]

Lights at 20%. This isn't me trying to distract you, by the way.

[Warren Godby]

No, this is just you, isn't it? Where is Aubrey?

[Malcolm]

Aubrey is currently occupied with her duties in the base.

[Warren Godby]

You say that every time. It's been days since I've heard from her. When can I leave? When can I get some normal looking food? When can I use a toilet that's not three feet from my bed? I'm not enjoying that.

[Malcolm]

Would you like it moved closer?

[Warren Godby]

No.

[Malcolm]

The chief concern for Aubrey is your health, both physical and mental. It's very important that we keep you calm and comfortable as you come off your mood stabilizers.

[Warren Godby]

You say that every time, too. When you repeat stuff, I get nervous. When I get nervous, I start to panic, and when I start to panic, I.

[Malcolm]

You open your bowels.

[Warren Godby]

What?

[Malcolm]

Each time you enter a state of anxiety, your heart rate increases to the mid-90s, your respiratory rate rises to the mid-20s, and you move to the toilet to evacuate your bowels within the subsequent 15 minutes.

[Warren Godby]

Anxiety poo is a thing that I do. It's why I don't go to music.

[Malcolm]

Opening your bowels stimulates your vagus nerve, which reduces your blood pressure. That might explain why you feel a little less panicked after you use the toilet.

[Warren Godby]

Yeah, no one's ever told me that.

[Malcolm]

The same stimulation is the cause of many deaths while on the toilet due to cardiac arrest.

[Warren Godby]

This is the worst morning so far.

[Malcolm]

Your heart rate has started to increase a little.

[Warren Godby]

Awesome. I hope there's enough loo roll.

[Malcolm]

Would you like some Amazon rainforest sounds to relax you?

[Warren Godby]

Why not?

[Malcolm]

I'll turn the lights off, too.

[Warren Godby]

Great.

[Aubrey Wood]

Morning. How are you? Warren.

[Warren Godby]

I'm Aubrey. What answer do I have to give to get out of here?

[Aubrey Wood]

Any answer you like, Warren. Today's the day.

[Warren Godby]

Oh, Aubrey.

[Aubrey Wood]

Lauren. You look like you're about to shit yourself. I know I look a bit older these days, but.

[Warren Godby]

No, I was. I was actually just literally about to.

[Aubrey Wood]

The toilets. I'll be outside.

[Warren Godby]

I'll just be.

[Aubrey Wood]

No. Take your time.

[Warren Godby]

Thank you.

[Malcolm]

Thank you. Shall I play the rain noise again?

[Warren Godby]

Yes, I'm fine. We can go.

[Aubrey Wood]

You've been in hypersleep decades longer than anyone has ever been before. Indulge me. Take this.

[Warren Godby]

I don't want any more mood stabilizers.

[Aubrey Wood]

Good. We don't have many left. It's a bloody multivitamin. Go on.

[Warren Godby]

How long do I have to be on medication for?

[Aubrey Wood]

Well, the drug is more than just a mood stabilizer. It keeps your mind right after the hypersleep process tries to rewire it. The longer you sleep, the more you need. The trade name is Eternities. Yeah, Overhead made it. What do you expect? Truth is, the drug is ultimately based on the brain chemistry of the first successful hypersenstein sleep patient, which is you. So I've no idea how much to give you or how long for. I guess we'll work it out.

[Warren Godby]

Great. Can we go now?

[Aubrey Wood]

The machine just takes a couple of minutes.

[Malcolm]

Just a couple of minutes?

[Aubrey Wood]

Yes, Gord. That's what I said.

[Warren Godby]

Why did you make it sound like him?

[Aubrey Wood]

I thought a familiar face would help you acclimatize.

[Malcolm]

I don't have a face.

[Aubrey Wood]

It's a figure of speech, Gourd.

[Warren Godby]

Are we done after this?

[Aubrey Wood]

No, I'm just doing a last round of obs and waiting on a blood gas before I let you run off into the future. Look into this.

[Warren Godby]

Ow.

[Aubrey Wood]

Peoples are fine. You're still pretty sensitive to light.

[Warren Godby]

Yeah, because I've been down here for so long.

[Aubrey Wood]

Yeah, well, you're still in Scotland. I wouldn't worry about the sunshine.

[Warren Godby]

Are you gonna tell me about this future before I go running off into it?

[Aubrey Wood]

I wasn't joking about the mood stabilizers. Medicines are very hard to come by and eternities are rare. In particular, considering the patient load we have here and the sporadic nature of our deliveries. I can't dish them out lightly.

[Warren Godby]

I never asked for them. And every time you give me another little crumb of information like that, I get more anxious. What patient load? What are you talking about?

[Aubrey Wood]

I'm only saying you remember how things were the last time you went into that pot with you. I need to be as sure as I can that you're going to be safe. I'm not going to put you back inside that thing.

[Warren Godby]

If you really are going to let me out of this room today, then you have to let me know what I'm going into, at least a little.

[Aubrey Wood]

All right, let's assume you can guess everything that went wrong. It was pretty much an A to Z of dystopian cliches. It depends where you are in the world, obviously. But if I was explaining it in a general sense, I'd say it went a bit like Children of Men for quite a while. Then a little bit Blade Runner without the sexy robots, then I guess. Robin, Prince of Thieves.

[Warren Godby]

Prince of Thieves?

[Aubrey Wood]

Well, yeah. Outside the cities, things are quite like the 12th century now. Everyone's poor, some people live in the woods, the church is basically in charge. A lot of the accents are inexplicable, and yet there are still some very progressive hairstyles. Ah. We're done.

[Warren Godby]

All good.

[Aubrey Wood]

Today you're going to live.

[Warren Godby]

Great. So that's everything I need to know about 2064.

[Aubrey Wood]

You want to sit in here and talk about it, or should we go?

[Warren Godby]

Oh. Hey. What is that?

[Aubrey Wood]

That's my Blue sky unit. Follows me around.

[Malcolm]

I'm in here now.

[Warren Godby]

Well, that's Futurey.

[Aubrey Wood]

He's everywhere. He's taking observations upstairs. He's patrolling the perimeter. He's annoying us down here. You get used to him.

[Warren Godby]

Sure.

[Malcolm]

I'll just pop myself down over here.

[Warren Godby]

Where. Where in the station is this?

[Malcolm]

Technically, we're not in the station right now.

[Warren Godby]

This. This is the tunnel, isn't it, into the mountain?

[Aubrey Wood]

One of the tunnels, but yes. We are currently inside the ball bag.

[Warren Godby]

Huh. You kitted it out a bit nicer than last time I was here.

[Aubrey Wood]

It was too good an opportunity not to take advantage of. The whole place runs off a micro reactor we installed down here when we arrived. It's where the Blue Sky Hub lives. And it's where you and Gordon have remained the whole time.

[Warren Godby]

Gordon's down here?

[Aubrey Wood]

He's just next door. Always has been.

[Warren Godby]

Can. Can I see him?

[Aubrey Wood]

Of course you can see him. Wood. Aubrey. Jane, don't you want to go in?

[Warren Godby]

That's him in the pod?

[Aubrey Wood]

Yes. Not a lot to see.

[Warren Godby]

No.

[Aubrey Wood]

We have plenty of time to talk about Gordon. And I promise, some of it is good. Let's go outside for a bit, though, shall we? You need some breeze on your face.

[Warren Godby]

He's. He's okay down here.

[Aubrey Wood]

Has been for the last 40 years. Tough bastard. Thank you.

[Warren Godby]

That's the first time anyone has said that about either of us.

[Aubrey Wood]

Maybe. Maybe not. Come on.

[Warren Godby]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. All right, let's go.

[Malcolm]

Off we go.

[Aubrey Wood]

Oh, well, some of the community have got a nickname for you.

[Warren Godby]

Oh, God. What is it?

[Malcolm]

The Brigadoon.

[Warren Godby]

The what?

[Aubrey Wood]

The Brigadoon. From the musical.

[Warren Godby]

I've never seen it.

[Malcolm]

Brigadoon is a Scottish village that magically appears out of the mist for one day every hundred years.

[Warren Godby]

Wow. Where's that tea?

[Aubrey Wood]

It's not real, Warren.

[Warren Godby]

I don't know. It's the future.

[Aubrey Wood]

It's from the forties. The 1940s.

[Malcolm]

Gene Kelly was in it.

[Warren Godby]

Oh, right.

[Aubrey Wood]

It's an apt little nickname for a man who pops in and out of time.

[Warren Godby]

Aubrey, people aren't going to be weird with me, are they?

[Aubrey Wood]

The Cult of the Brigadoon is only a small, fanatical Sect of this community. I wouldn't worry about it, Aubrey.

[Warren Godby]

I don't know you well enough to tell if you're joking. You're really not going to tell me anything else before we go up there?

[Aubrey Wood]

I'll be sure to let you know if I think of anything particularly relevant. Just get in the lift. Lift going up. Oh. The plural of toothbrush is now toothbrush. Don't look at me like that. I don't make the rules.

[Warren Godby]

Aubrey. Aubrey. Look, I know you're busy.

[Aubrey Wood]

Never too busy for you. Marmite, this is Warren.

[Warren Godby]

Thanks. So, the bunting.

[Aubrey Wood]

The bunting?

[Warren Godby]

Yeah, the bunting. Do you want it diagonal across the room or widthways like it could go along the wall?

[Aubrey Wood]

Gravy boy, I want the bunting diagonals. And the festoon lights go width ways. That's much nicer. Jade, you're decorating your own party. What else am I supposed to do? Marmite. Listen to Jade. She's the boss.

[Warren Godby]

Nice to meet you.

[Malcolm]

Warren. Warren Invictus.

[Warren Godby]

Same to you. Same to you.

[Aubrey Wood]

Jade, try and get some rest, all right? I can rest as much as I like tomorrow. Yeah, fair enough.

[Warren Godby]

Aubrey, what the hell is going on? Aubrey, why did that guy just say.

[Gord]

And hold it there. Thank you. Good. Much better. But just remember to watch each other for your entries. I won't be conducting tonight. And Stevie, I do not know what you are worried about. That was right on the money.

[Aubrey Wood]

Thanks. Grace.

[Warren Godby]

Grace.

[Gord]

Hey, Warren. God, B, you are up. You look great.

[Warren Godby]

So do you. How have you got better looking?

[Gord]

You are far too kind.

[Malcolm]

Worry.

[Gord]

Stay with Aubrey, eh?

[Warren Godby]

Yeah, but we need to talk later.

[Gord]

There are things that must be said.

[Warren Godby]

I'm sorry, Grace, but were you all just singing Morior Invictus by Pus Crack?

[Gord]

Warren, don't keep her waiting.

[Malcolm]

Warren.

[Warren Godby]

Oh, sure, sure.

[Gord]

Okay. So, Robin, I believe you wanted to have a go at the chorus, huh? Let's go from C. Just the tenors, three and full.

[Aubrey Wood]

Looks, brains and a sublime baritone as well. I think Grace won the genetic lottery even more than you. Come on. Hey.

[Hester Hiashi]

You shouldn't be here.

[Aubrey Wood]

Aubrey. Thank you, Malcolm. I see you've perked up.

[Warren Godby]

Who's that?

[Aubrey Wood]

No, don't worry. Let's get outside.

[Warren Godby]

I don't want to see him.

[Aubrey Wood]

Then don't look at him.

[Warren Godby]

Nice to meet you. Go to hell. You gonna tell me what that was all about?

[Aubrey Wood]

The weather's quite mild at the moment, but it can turn quickly. Let me know if you're too cold.

[Warren Godby]

Do you ignore everyone in the future or just me?

[Aubrey Wood]

Are you okay? To walk?

[Warren Godby]

I'll walk up ball bag if you start answering me.

[Aubrey Wood]

So, while the world is going down the toilet, there's one company and one asset in particular that's suddenly doing rather well. Can you guess what it is?

[Warren Godby]

Continue.

[Aubrey Wood]

You might remember that there were various approaches when it came to actually using hypersleep. One method was to introduce it through the prison system. Another was to sell it to the elites as a way to cheat death. In the end, both were successful. The two polar ends of society made use of it, while 98% of the population never laid their eyes on a cryopod. So, to begin with, what with the world falling apart through climate, disease, poverty and so on, people barely noticed what was happening. But slowly, incrementally, the great and the good, the wealthy and the powerful, they're disappearing. When people start to put it together, it seems at best like madness, and at worst, gross cowardice. Whole governments, monarchies, corporate leaders, you know, they're building bunkers, they're hollowing out mountains, locking themselves away and going into hypersleep for what it's supposed to be the end of the world. What do they expect to wake up to? And then it was around 2040, we found out what they knew that the rest of us didn't. The world could come back from the brink if left alone for long enough, if we weren't all here to continue ruining it. The planet could stabilize a little. Some of it anyway. Enough to build a new society for a lucky few. But not in the lifespan of anyone currently living on it. Or their children. Or their children. So these great leaders of industry and infrastructure, they shut down everything that had made them their fortunes and set the world on fire. Turned the lights off and off they went. They left behind desperate people in a desperate situation. Long story short, a few cities remain with the lion's share of resources under an unpleasant and cliched authoritarian rule. And if that's not your cup of tea, you make do in the wilderness like us. Placid Dystopia really could have written it on the back of an airport novel.

[Warren Godby]

I mean, none of that explains what I just saw in there.

[Aubrey Wood]

I just told you, the research we were both part of nearly half a century ago, played a pivotal role in the dissolution of civilised society as we know it. And you want to talk about the puscrank choir?

[Warren Godby]

The psychological pus crank choir?

[Aubrey Wood]

Have you ever heard about not sweating the small stuff?

[Warren Godby]

Yeah, I'm not into it. It's the small stuff that'll kill you. The end of the World. What are you gonna do?

[Aubrey Wood]

I think I stabilized your mood a little too much.

[Warren Godby]

Aubrey. Why is there a choir singing that bloody song 44 years into the future?

[Aubrey Wood]

You're right. Over the years, I've been in a lot of places and worked with a lot of people on the jobs we were due together. There would invariably be a lot of travel or downtime, and we would talk about our lives and the things that have brought us together more often than not. And I would talk about Red Valley and I'd get to you and Gordon, and I ended up with that tape of Gordon's old band. So I would play them Morior Invictus. It was a fun icebreaker. And somehow it ended up being our getting pumped up song before we went to work. At first, it was just a fun song and that was it. Then people started thinking about the words or death before defeat and dying unvanquished. Then, quite without any effort from me, the song took on a life of its own. Once we got here, it became even more fitting. People need things to hold onto in a place like this to bring them together. And these little rituals started popping up. A greeting, a recital. And there you go.

[Warren Godby]

Aubrey, I'm not following. What do you mean, fitting? What is this place?

[Aubrey Wood]

Now, in 2064, the kind of liberties you and I would have taken for granted no longer exist. You can't save for a two up, two down in an area with nice schools. There isn't a career ladder to climb. You don't holiday in the Algarve. You don't get to choose how you live. You either survive or you don't. But if you can find your way to Red Valley safely, quietly, you can still choose how you die.

[Warren Godby]

That's. That's not a birthday party back there, is it?

[Aubrey Wood]

Jade Turner is 83 and has dementia that cannot be treated. It robs her of her memory and her dignity. While she still has the faculties to make the decision, she has decided to end her life here with us in safety and in peace. Something she couldn't do out there. Tonight is her living wake. She'll celebrate her life with our community. And by the next morning, she will, as we've come to call it, complete.

[Warren Godby]

We don't spell it with a K. You euthanized people.

[Aubrey Wood]

If they choose it.

[Warren Godby]

I don't know what answer I was expecting, but that was not it.

[Aubrey Wood]

Does it all look the same?

[Warren Godby]

Does what look the same?

[Aubrey Wood]

All this. The mountain, the sky. The dirt. The farmhouse.

[Warren Godby]

Yeah. Bloody hell.

[Aubrey Wood]

What?

[Warren Godby]

Those tiles are still missing.

[Aubrey Wood]

What tiles?

[Warren Godby]

On the house. Those two near the gutter.

[Aubrey Wood]

They were missing last time you were here.

[Warren Godby]

I was the one who knocked them off with a golf club. I was. I was singing Mario Invictus.

[Aubrey Wood]

Everyone will love that. I'm glad it's still familiar. I was hoping you'd find it comforting. The same way I do. We have no power to change anything in this landscape. Every day I look at that mountain we nicknamed after a scrotum and I think Bulbag doesn't care what we do. The rest of the world is at war with itself. The people, the land and the seas all trying to rip each other apart. But I. I look at that huge rock and its utter indifference to everything we've done in its shadow and it's the closest to peace I've found in 40 years. How are you feeling?

[Warren Godby]

Shattered, actually.

[Aubrey Wood]

Not surprising. You'll probably need to sleep a long time these first few days. Nothing to worry about. You've got a long term quarter set up in the sub level like everyone else. But have a nap in the farmhouse. It's nice and quiet. I got you a roommate so you're not lonely.

[Warren Godby]

Oh, who would that be?

[Aubrey Wood]

She's waiting inside.

[Warren Godby]

What?

[Aubrey Wood]

Go on.

[Warren Godby]

No way. That's not really her.

[Aubrey Wood]

It's really her.

[Warren Godby]

Waffles.

[Aubrey Wood]

Bloody hell.

[Warren Godby]

This can't be her.

[Aubrey Wood]

The pet trade has dried up considerably in recent years. Sourcing a replacement tortoise would have been even harder than keeping this one alone.

[Warren Godby]

She's big like Gordon said she'd be. She's. She's got. What's this? She's got like a groove. A groove on her shell.

[Aubrey Wood]

Waffles has been with us through some considerable hardship. The damage to her shell occurred during a somewhat rushed and problematic change of habitat.

[Warren Godby]

Shit.

[Malcolm]

Baby girl.

[Aubrey Wood]

She didn't seem fussed though. She's waffly versatile.

[Warren Godby]

Little potato waffle.

[Aubrey Wood]

Oh, good. Everyone here is too young to get my references.

[Warren Godby]

Thank you. Thank you for looking after her. It's good to still nip, doesn't she?

[Aubrey Wood]

Oh, yeah. She'll draw blood with minimum effort. Watch out for that.

[Malcolm]

Sorry to interrupt. Aubrey, they need you back in the mess.

[Aubrey Wood]

Of course they do. Warren, I recommend you have a lie down for a bit. You're upstairs, first on the left.

[Warren Godby]

Aubrey, come on. I've got so much to do.

[Aubrey Wood]

I know. There'll be time for that. Tonight we party.

[Warren Godby]

Okay? Okay. I'll see you in a bit.

[Aubrey Wood]

Oh, Warren.

[Warren Godby]

Yeah?

[Aubrey Wood]

I thought we might try and save Gordon's life. What do you think?

[Warren Godby]

Oh, yeah, yeah, sure.

[Aubrey Wood]

We'll wake you in a bit. Make sure you pop her in the vivarium before you fall asleep. Morior Invictus. Baby girl, that's gonna get really annoying.

[Narrator]

Red Valley is written by Jonathan Williams, directed by Alan Mandel and associate directed by Carol Pestridge, with music, editing and sound design by Richard Orpheus Campbell, additional sound effects editing by Luke Elliott, original podcast artwork by Claire Hoopes and promotional artwork by Noah Dow. Transcripts by Karen Butler Performances by Susan Hingley as Hester Hiashi, Tashareith Banks as Aubrey Wood, Alan Mandel as Gord, Jonathan Williams as Warren Godby, Blair Anderson as Marmite, Sarah Shelton as Jade Turner, Dionne Broney as De Gracious Mele, Kelsey Griffin as Stevie, David Charles as Malcolm and Carol Pestridge as Waffles. Additional voices by Richard Orpheus Campbell, Kelsey Griffin, Blair Anderson, Mark Adjaye, Luke Elliot, Helano Weeks, Michael Pettitt, Tomic Clark, Emily Inkpen, Nick Lamont, Alex White and Carol Pestridge. The Pusscrank choir were Kelsey Griffin, Jan and Constance Elster, Carol Pestridge, Halano Weeks, Sabrina Adele, Richard Orpheus Campbell, Blair Anderson and Alan Mandel. Thanks as always to the Overhead board of directors Jack Rees, Marguerite Kenner, Dev Patel, Paul James and Hayley Daniel. Red Valley is recorded at Orpheus Studio London and brought to you by Continued Productions. Thanks so much for listening.

[Aubrey Wood]

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