S4E4: Bryony F***ing Halbech

Summary

Red Valley - Season 4, Episode 4: "Bryony F*ing Halbech"**

Release Date: January 12, 2025
Host/Author: Kontinue Productions
Description: A mystery drama about the limits of experimental science, confronting your own past, present & future, & trying to remember the level select cheat from Sonic 2.

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Introduction

In the fourth episode of Season 4 of Red Valley, titled "Bryony F*ing Halbech**," the intricate web of past decisions and present dilemmas surrounding experimental cryonic technology unravels further. The episode delves deep into the moral and ethical boundaries pushed by the characters as they grapple with life, death, and the elusive promise of hypersleep. Central to the narrative is the impending arrival of Bryony Halbech, a figure whose connection to the protagonists adds layers of tension and uncertainty.

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Major Plot Points

1. The Cryonic Conundrum

The episode opens with Warren Godby reflecting on the heavy burden of maintaining a cryonic pod, a technology that has long been intertwined with the community's survival. Aubrey Wood provides a detailed explanation about the limitations and necessities of the cryopods, highlighting the critical role of the Megabitavoltaic (MBV) cells in sustaining them.

Warren Godby (07:46): "Excuse me?"

Grace (07:56): "Megabitavoltaics. MBVs. They generate power from particles thrown off by decaying diamonds constructed from nuclear waste."

This technical exposition sets the stage for the central conflict: the desperate need to use Gordon's cryopod to trade for his survival.

2. The Moral Dilemma

Hester confronts Warren about the past decision to prioritize his survival over Gordon’s, sparking a heated discussion about the ethical implications of their choices.

Hester (06:12): "44 years ago, Gordon was shot. But I am not a trauma doctor. I didn't know how bad the injury was."

This revelation lays bare the dark history of their experimental science and the personal costs it has exacted.

3. Introduction of Bryony Halbech

As tensions mount, Bryony Halbech finally makes her expected appearance. Her arrival is shrouded in mystery and fraught with potential threats, both physical and psychological.

Warren Godby (23:18): "She's here."

Bryony Halbech (23:33): "Be gracious. You are still handsome. This is irritating."

Bryony's interaction with Gordon McNally reveals her resilience and the extent of her suffering during her cryonic suspension.

4. Confrontations and Alliances

The dynamics within the group shift as Bryony's true intentions begin to surface. Hester and Aubrey struggle to maintain control, while Grace and Stevie navigate the complexities of their loyalty and survival.

Warren Godby (35:24): "It really puts you and I on the back foot, doesn't it?"

Hester (35:26): "Right then. A date with Bryony Halbeck."

These exchanges underscore the fragile alliances and the looming threat Bryony poses to the community.

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Character Developments

• Warren Godby: Exhibits vulnerability and desperation as he seeks redemption for past actions. His interactions reveal a man torn between loyalty and the dire circumstances forcing him to make impossible choices.

• Aubrey Wood: Portrays a complex character burdened by a tumultuous past. Her interactions with Bryony suggest a history fraught with betrayal and conflict, hinting at deeper narrative layers yet to be explored.

• Hester: Acts as the pragmatic voice of reason, striving to balance the group's survival with ethical considerations. Her revelations about past decisions add depth to her character, painting her as both strong and conflicted.

• Bryony Halbech: Introduced as a formidable antagonist, Bryony's presence challenges the existing power structures within the community. Her backstory and motivations remain enigmatic, setting the stage for future confrontations.

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Conflicts and Resolutions

The primary conflict revolves around the use of the cryopod technology to save Gordon versus the ethical ramifications of their actions. Hester and Aubrey confront their past decisions, while Bryony's arrival introduces a direct challenge to their authority and moral compass.

A significant moment occurs when Bryony's condition is assessed, revealing extensive damage from prolonged cryonic suspension. This revelation forces the group to reconsider their approach and the sacrifices they're willing to make.

Bryony Halbech (24:05): "We do not all have the luxury of a retirement resort in the mountains."

Bryony's assertion emphasizes the stark inequalities and power struggles inherent in their community, pushing the protagonists to confront uncomfortable truths.

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Themes and Insights

Red Valley continues to explore themes of survival, ethical responsibility, and the human cost of scientific advancement. The episode underscores the idea that technological salvation often comes with profound moral dilemmas, forcing characters to weigh personal loyalty against the greater good.

The introduction of Bryony Halbech serves as a catalyst for these themes, embodying the consequences of unchecked ambition and the dark side of experimental science.

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Key Quotes

• Warren Godby (07:46): "Excuse me?"

• Grace (07:56): "Megabitavoltaics. MBVs. They generate power from particles thrown off by decaying diamonds constructed from nuclear waste."

• Hester (06:12): "44 years ago, Gordon was shot. But I am not a trauma doctor. I didn't know how bad the injury was."

• Bryony Halbech (23:33): "Be gracious. You are still handsome. This is irritating."

• Warren Godby (35:24): "It really puts you and I on the back foot, doesn't it?"

• Bryony Halbech (24:05): "We do not all have the luxury of a retirement resort in the mountains."

These quotes highlight the tension, ethical quandaries, and character motivations driving the episode forward.

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Conclusion

"Bryony F*ing Halbech**" serves as a pivotal episode in Red Valley's narrative arc, intensifying the existing conflicts and introducing new layers of complexity. As Bryony Halbech enters the scene, the protagonists are forced to confront their past decisions and the precarious balance between survival and morality. The episode masterfully blends suspense, character development, and philosophical inquiries, setting the stage for future revelations and confrontations.

Listeners are left eagerly anticipating the next installment, where the true intentions of Bryony Halbech and the fate of the community hang in the balance.

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Notable Mentions:

• Red Valley continues to be a standout in the mystery drama genre, skillfully intertwining elements of science fiction with profound human drama.
• The episode's rich dialogue and character interactions offer deep insights into the psychological landscapes of its protagonists.

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Stay tuned for more gripping episodes as Red Valley delves deeper into the shadows of experimental science and the human spirit.

Transcript

[Warren Godby]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, monetary magicians. These are the things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds. Visit progressive.com to see if you could save Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations. Hey, I'm Ryan Reynolds. Recently I asked Mint Mobile's legal team if big wireless companies are allowed to raise prices due to inflation. They said yes. And then when I asked if raising prices technically violates those onerous two year contracts, they said, what the are you talking about?

[Aubrey Wood]

You insane Hollywood.

[Warren Godby]

So to recap, we're cutting the price of mint unlimited from $30 a month to just $15 a month. Give it a [e-mail] switch. $45 upfront payment equivalent to $15 per month. New customers on first three month plan only.

[Hester]

Taxes and fees.

[Warren Godby]

Extra speed slower above 40 gigabytes of details.

[Hester]

Red Valley is intended for 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?

[Warren Godby]

Why is it so heavy? This way, this way, this way, this way. Okay. Tortoise house here or tortoise house there?

[Aubrey Wood]

I don't have a preference.

[Warren Godby]

Well, what do you think she would like?

[Aubrey Wood]

I don't believe she would have a preference.

[Warren Godby]

Here's fine.

[Aubrey Wood]

I concur.

[Warren Godby]

Are you sure it's okay to have waffles in my room?

[Aubrey Wood]

Esther said it was fine.

[Warren Godby]

I don't want people thinking I've just swooped in and taken the tortoise as my own.

[Aubrey Wood]

No one thinks that.

[Warren Godby]

Well, because she was never my tortoise anyway. She was Gordon's.

[Aubrey Wood]

Everyone knows that.

[Warren Godby]

It's just that after 40 years, I can't really lay any claim to the tortoise.

[Aubrey Wood]

It's perfectly normal that you would like to keep the tortoise close to you at this early stage of your acclimatizing to your surroundings. She was present in your time and she's still here now. It must be reassuring.

[Warren Godby]

Does she mind, though?

[Aubrey Wood]

Who?

[Warren Godby]

Waffles, obviously.

[Aubrey Wood]

I assure you Waffles has no opinion on the matter whatsoever.

[Warren Godby]

You know, it feels much more homey getting a gun. Metal, grey, windowless underground cell of my very own.

[Aubrey Wood]

Your short resting period in the farmhouse was only a temporary measure as the weather was clement. A treat, a treat.

[Warren Godby]

I'm going to move it again.

[Aubrey Wood]

Would you like to listen to another excerpt from Gordon's memoir?

[Warren Godby]

Maybe we could skip to a good bit Is there a good bit, you know, like, when Gordon gets into some fun scrapes or car chases?

[Aubrey Wood]

There is a degree of intrigue and suspense as Gordon surreptitiously investigates overhead industries. But most scrapes, as you would call them, are in the form of arguments in online chat rooms, which are transcribed in comprehensive detail.

[Warren Godby]

That's gross. No, thanks.

[Aubrey Wood]

He does provide an illegally recorded telephone exchange with a man who ran a fledgling cryonics business behind a battery henhouse in Iowa, which includes some interesting insight into the freezing of livestock. Message incoming. Aubrey and Hester request your attendance in the farmhouse kitchen. Breakfast will be provided.

[Warren Godby]

Oh, right. Do I need to bring anything?

[Aubrey Wood]

Breakfast will be provided.

[Gordon McNally]

Yes.

[Warren Godby]

Yes, you said. The food is so very good. I feel like I should have asked you more questions about the whole Red Valley assisted dying project instead of pissing about with this. What's it called?

[Aubrey Wood]

Vivarium.

[Warren Godby]

Right. Is it too late? Do you think you could give me kind of the Cliff Notes version?

[Aubrey Wood]

I've told them you'll be five minutes.

[Warren Godby]

Brilliant. Bloody hell. Great. I haven't even got my shoes on. Cheers. Shit.

[Hester]

How's it going?

[Stevie]

Morning.

[Hester]

You're right.

[Stevie]

Mario Invictus.

[Warren Godby]

Mario Invictus yourself.

[Stevie]

Hey, Warren.

[Warren Godby]

Jesus Christ.

[Grace]

Morning.

[Warren Godby]

You're right.

[Hester]

Hey, Warren.

[Grace]

There you go. At least it's hot.

[Warren Godby]

No, that's. That's great. Thanks, Hester. Aubrey. I owe you an apology for last night. I was out of line, obviously. If I'd known just what was happening with Jade, with everything. That I wasn't exactly good at empathy before all this. And now I'm just blundering around in a world I'm even more clueless about. I. I am sorry.

[Hester]

It's. Don't worry about it.

[Warren Godby]

No, really, though, I understand better now. I see how important it's.

[Grace]

It's.

[Hester]

It's okay, Warren.

[Warren Godby]

Is it because it feels like it might not be okay?

[Grace]

She's saying it's okay because she feels guiltier than you do right now.

[Hester]

Hester.

[Grace]

I just wanted to save us all minutes of Britishness. I have things to do today.

[Warren Godby]

So what's going on then?

[Hester]

I. I didn't ask you to come here this morning to talk about Jade. I think it was a good party. I'm sure she would have been happy with how it went.

[Grace]

I know she would.

[Warren Godby]

Okay. So what's up?

[Hester]

44 years ago, Gordon was shot. But I was Am not a trauma doctor. I didn't know how bad the injury was. You were showing early signs of finally rejecting the continued treatment. Shock and haemorrhage. There were two cryonic infusions. They're hartshorn infusions. One was fresh and ready to use. One had been out of containment for some time and should have been discarded as a result. But it wasn't. We used the good harts horn on you. This was because despite your symptoms, between the two of you, you. You had the better shot of survival. Clearly. Of course, you wish it had been the other way around that Gordon had been given the better infusion. It was a clinical judgment made in a very short space of time. I've replayed the situation a thousand times, but I wouldn't change my decision.

[Warren Godby]

What does this have to do with my pod being taken apart last night?

[Hester]

The infusion is only half of what's needed for successful hypersleep. The cryopod is the rest. It has to hold everything in perfect balance on the inside, While forming a complete hermetic and temporal seal from everything outside. And if the whole point of a cryopod is protecting the occupant from the outside world for an indefinite amount of time, it needs an independent energy source. If you could just turn it off at the mains, you could hardly expect to survive in there for hundreds of years like so many people expect it to. Cryopods run off a battery. That's as valuable a piece of technology as any other part of the tech. More so, perhaps. They're called megabitavoltaic cells.

[Warren Godby]

Excuse me?

[Grace]

Megabitavoltaics. MBVs. They generate power from particles thrown off by decaying diamonds constructed from nuclear waste.

[Warren Godby]

That is some top draw science fiction rubbish.

[Hester]

Well, regular beta voltaic cells have actually been around since the 1970s. But they could barely power a wristwatch. Putting the mega in front of it though, that really was some top draw sci fi rubbish. They have to be big. But they can run a standard overhead cryopod from the 2000-30s onward for a thousand years easily. They make up nearly half of the actual pod itself.

[Warren Godby]

But my pods.

[Hester]

Ah. The cryopods used in the experiments at Red valley varied wildly in build and quality as they tried to make a sustainable prototype. And yours and Gordon's are the last of those prototypes. The MBV cells they house are dinosaurs compared to what came after. But they're still good for maybe 100 years running those old pods. Or running something bigger for a shorter period.

[Warren Godby]

Right.

[Hester]

There's no national grid anymore outside the cities. You need to find your own source of energy. Or join a community that already has one. A top of the range NBV cell could Power a small community for a century. An old cell like the one from your pod could still power a few households for a generation.

[Grace]

Another reason why people took against the wealthy and powerful, locking themselves away with their hypersleep pods. The means to help so many, reserved for so few.

[Warren Godby]

Okay, so you're using the cell from my pod as a power source, Fine.

[Hester]

No. We're using it to trade for something else. What? We need to save Gordon.

[Warren Godby]

So why doesn't this feel like a good news story?

[Hester]

The trade is for something extremely valuable that is sought by many different people. We've managed to get there first. The cell is the final part of the payment. We'll hand it over when they deliver her.

[Warren Godby]

When they deliver who?

[Hester]

We don't know the extent of Gordon's injuries. And we don't know the properties of the unstable infusion I used on him to put him in hypersleep. There's only one person who does.

[Warren Godby]

Oh, you're kidding me.

[Hester]

Warren.

[Warren Godby]

You're fucking kidding me.

[Grace]

She's the only person alive that knows that infusion. Not to mention the severity of Gordon's condition.

[Warren Godby]

No shit. She knows the severity of Gordon's condition.

[Hester]

Half fucking hard I know how this must sound.

[Warren Godby]

How the fuck is she still alive? You told me it was the street of the lifted Lorax out there. Climate nightmare. Millions dead.

[Hester]

We only found out ourselves very recently. There's been plenty of speculation, but no actual evidence of where she's been since the night she left Red Valley until now.

[Warren Godby]

And you're bringing her here to save Gordon?

[Grace]

It's bigger than just saving Gordon.

[Warren Godby]

For you, maybe.

[Hester]

Warren, I know how this must make you feel.

[Warren Godby]

I don't know if you do, actually. You've had 40 years to forget about who she is and what she did. I've barely had 40.

[Hester]

Lauren, I'd ask you not to presume the first fucking thing about the way I might feel about Briony Humbeck.

[Grace]

Why don't we all stop assuming we know how the rest of us might be feeling?

[Hester]

Hypersleep allowed the wealthy and powerful to sit out the end of the world so they could enjoy a new one. Right now, that technology has been all but wiped off the face of the Earth if its creator was discovered to be alive and well. There are still a lot of people invested in recreating that technology. She may well wish that herself. We were incredibly fortunate that the group that discovered her, unknown to us.

[Grace]

And that the name Aubrey Wood still goes a long way with these kinds of people.

[Warren Godby]

You know, I don't Know what that means when you say that, right? You guys can't help dropping cryptic hints every time you try to tell me something important. We've all got dark and mysterious past, guys. I was doing that half a century ago. Aubrey, if it turns out you're the queen of the cryo terrorists, you don't need to be coy. I literally don't care. I care. I care about Gordon.

[Hester]

I know you do.

[Warren Godby]

She can save him. She'll know how to do it.

[Hester]

Hopefully.

[Warren Godby]

And if she doesn't want to, you can make her right?

[Hester]

I'm sure we can find a way.

[Warren Godby]

And then what will you do with her, Aubrey?

[Grace]

We don't know yet.

[Warren Godby]

Well, you can bet she's going to know what to do with you.

[Hester]

I expect you're right.

[Warren Godby]

Yeah, I know I'm right for once. How. How long till she gets here?

[Hester]

Grace is leaving soon to meet the courier at a rendezvous nearby. They'll be back later today.

[Warren Godby]

Bryony Halbeck need a scour.

[Stevie]

Could you try not to put the mugs down quite so hard? They're forged from pretty lousy mulch, so they're actually quite perishable.

[Warren Godby]

This one wasn't forged. I used to drink out of this mug the last time I was stuck here. Which is the same as this time, actually. I never left. Neither of us did.

[Stevie]

You and the mug?

[Warren Godby]

No, me and Gordon, of course.

[Stevie]

Of course. Kind of amazing the mug has survived that long, isn't it? A relic from a different time. Like you.

[Warren Godby]

I hate this mug. The handle's too small. Keeps the drink too hot for too long.

[Hester]

Oh.

[Stevie]

Well, as. As a rule, it's best to be careful with most forage stuff. So if you can. I mean, we do end up with some bad batches of mulch. Things can come out a bit flimsy or brittle. Yeah, I've snapped three toothpaste this month alone.

[Warren Godby]

Everything here is made out of plastic. It's everywhere I look.

[Stevie]

We've forged as much of our own stuff as we can over the years. I mean, the best mulch makes for the most durable plastic. For tools, equipment, weapons. Every Blue sky drone you see is all plastic. We avoid metal wherever possible. Because of the Valley Floor defense system, obviously.

[Warren Godby]

No, I'm actually fine to do this on my own, Stevie, if you have anything more pressing to do. I like washing up. Keeps me calm.

[Stevie]

Okay, yes, you do seem calm. You must think bringing Barney Halbeck here is a really bad idea.

[Warren Godby]

Firstly, I guarantee you she's not being brought here. Bryony doesn't go Anywhere she doesn't want to. If she's coming to Red Valley, it's because she's chosen to be here.

[Stevie]

From what I hear, that's really not the case.

[Warren Godby]

I can just see it. All of it. They're gonna put her in some interrogation room with a one way window and she's gonna stare back at us through it with a wry little smile on her face. And hour by hour, day by day, she'll get in our heads, outsmart us all. Aubrey, Hester, Grace, you, me. And before you can say the plural of toilet flushes, toilet, fleece, the whole place will be on fire. She'll come striding out the middle of it wearing one of us as a hat. It's classic villain that wants to get caught stuff. It's like Loki in Avengers.

[Stevie]

I don't know what that is.

[Warren Godby]

Like Joker in the Dark Knight.

[Hester]

Sorry.

[Warren Godby]

Like Javier Bardem in that Bond movie. There was that weird time. It felt like one summer where every bad guy just had to get themselves caught in order to execute their evil plan. She'll do the same thing to us, you'll see. She'll have your bar down. The lot of us.

[Stevie]

Would you like me to find someone who gets these references?

[Warren Godby]

There was another one as well.

[Gordon McNally]

What was it?

[Warren Godby]

Gordon McNally.

[Grace]

Hey, guys, how's it going?

[Stevie]

Wait, Hester, is everything okay? I thought I was leaving you at 12.

[Grace]

Stevie, can you finish up here? I just want to steal Warren, if that's okay.

[Warren Godby]

I'm fine to finish this. Hester, I don't need babysitting.

[Grace]

I know you want to be useful. I've got a use for you. Come on.

[Warren Godby]

What's this all about, Hester?

[Grace]

There's no subterfuge at work, Warren. I genuinely have work for you to do. You're part of the community now. Like it or not, there are no free rides.

[Warren Godby]

I wasn't implying that I wanted one.

[Grace]

But yes, I am trying to distract from the obvious shock and anger you must feel knowing that Bryony Hulbeck will be with us by nightfall.

[Warren Godby]

Do you think it's a good idea?

[Grace]

I can think of many arguments against it, but I didn't know. Gordon Porlock is trying to save him a good idea?

[Warren Godby]

He's my only friend. I can't be objective about that.

[Grace]

Then really the question is, do you trust Aubrey when she says this is the only way we can save him and that she considers the risk worth taking?

[Warren Godby]

Should I trust Aubrey?

[Grace]

She's my only wife. I can't be objective about that. Right.

[Warren Godby]

Where are We?

[Grace]

This is the ward for our guests who need ongoing medical care.

[Warren Godby]

And why are we here?

[Grace]

Your first shift.

[Warren Godby]

My first shift? Doing what?

[Grace]

Caring.

[Warren Godby]

Hester, I am not sure you're fine.

[Grace]

Morning, everyone. This is Warren. It's his first shift. Be nice. By which I mean Malcolm. Be nice.

[Warren Godby]

Hi. Putting the caveman to use, are we, Esther?

[Grace]

Everyone's put to use here, Malcolm.

[Warren Godby]

Well, until he can fold his hospital corners properly, I don't want him changing my linen.

[Grace]

You can change your own sheets if you like.

[Warren Godby]

I remember the days when you used.

[Hester]

To show me respect.

[Grace]

In those days, Malcolm, you paid me a salary.

[Warren Godby]

Hester, seriously, I've never done care work of any kind. I'm not particularly good at caring for myself. I really don't.

[Grace]

I'm not asking you to be anyone's doctor. I'm not asking you to make huge decisions about anyone's care. I'm asking you to help our guests with feeding, dressing, going to the bathroom. I'm asking you to learn to take observations, to record their vital signs. But mostly, I'm asking you to listen to them, to help them feel comfortable and to raise any concerns you have about any of our guests to me or whoever else you're working with. You'll never be on your own. And we have some very experienced people with us to support you. If you take well to it, we can talk about teaching you some more. Does that sound okay to you?

[Warren Godby]

I kind of feel like you're not giving me a lot of choice.

[Grace]

If I'd asked you politely, you would have said no.

[Hester]

I.

[Warren Godby]

That's not very fair, Warren. Yeah, I would have said no.

[Grace]

Let's introduce you to our current guests. Jacob, this is Warren Godby.

[Hester]

Oh, the Brigadoon is here.

[Warren Godby]

Hello.

[Hester]

Don't worry, we won't bite.

[Grace]

Actually, Jacob does bite.

[Warren Godby]

He what?

[Grace]

I'm joking. We still joke in the future.

[Warren Godby]

How do you feel about this Briny Halbeck coming to visit, then?

[Aubrey Wood]

Bad egg, I hear.

[Grace]

Jake, how the hell do you. Who was on shift this morning?

[Warren Godby]

Ovaltine.

[Hester]

But Marmite brought the two.

[Grace]

God damn it. Remind me to kill Marmite later.

[Hester]

Halbeck. She's one of those evil geniuses, then.

[Warren Godby]

The kind that like to be caught so they can play their little mind games like. Well, that Lankhead fellow in the Avengers movies. Yes, Loki, exactly like that. Like that handsome fella in the Bond movie. Yeah, Javier Bardem. That's the one.

[Hester]

And the Joker. He loved getting caught.

[Warren Godby]

There was.

[Hester]

There was another one, wasn't there?

[Warren Godby]

Yes, there was. Who was it?

[Hester]

They all came out around the same time, didn't they, Benedict?

[Warren Godby]

What's his jokester in that Star Trek movie most people didn't like. But I thought it was okay. I can remember virtually nothing about it. Is that because of your mysterious amnesia everyone talks about? No, I just don't remember anything about it. Everyone talks about me.

[Hester]

Oh, Robocop was in it. It Paul Weller. Paul Weller?

[Warren Godby]

Peter Weller from the Jam. It was Peter Weller. You don't know what you're talking about.

[Grace]

Warren. I think you're going to be just fine.

[Aubrey Wood]

Do you think they're getting worse.

[Warren Godby]

Grace?

[Gordon McNally]

Oh, I'm sorry. God, what did you say?

[Aubrey Wood]

The storms. Do you believe they're getting worse?

[Gordon McNally]

I don't know. I hope not.

[Aubrey Wood]

Sorry. You usually like to talk about the weather. You're clearly deep in thought.

[Gordon McNally]

No, I'm sorry. You are right. I should be more present.

[Aubrey Wood]

You're anxious about seeing Dr. Halbeck again.

[Gordon McNally]

It's not about seeing her. I don't know if this makes sense to you, but whenever I would return home to see family or catch up with old friends, I would always be reminded of the person I was when I used to live around them. Some people must love that. Perhaps it brings back memories of their glory days. But I have always disliked it intensely. I dislike being reminded of who I used to be. Not just as a naive child or an arrogant teenager. I can forgive those stupid boys. But the me that knew Bryony Halbeck. I would punch that man in the face.

[Aubrey Wood]

I've never heard you talk that way about yourself, Grace.

[Gordon McNally]

It would somewhat damage my agenda of self love and forgiveness. Please. You'll tell no one.

[Aubrey Wood]

I never would.

[Gordon McNally]

Thank you.

[Aubrey Wood]

You need to break. The turning is coming up very soon.

[Gordon McNally]

Oh, you are quite right. You think I'd remember where the bothy is by now?

[Aubrey Wood]

Well, it is meant to be obscure.

[Gordon McNally]

I hope Sophia can find it all right.

[Aubrey Wood]

Sofia is very capable.

[Gordon McNally]

Was everything okay with the bothy project Last time the report was logged. I have not been very involved.

[Aubrey Wood]

Stevie has it under control. She says there's some new damp in the brickwork worth keeping an eye on.

[Gordon McNally]

I'm sure she has it under control. Now we wait.

[Aubrey Wood]

You know, if you consider yourself notably changed since you last saw Dr. Halbeck, it's possible she may also have reflected on her past actions.

[Gordon McNally]

Perhaps. How is practice coming along?

[Aubrey Wood]

You're aware I don't practice Grace humor. I can perform much better in my default voice.

[Gordon McNally]

I know, but you couldn't give me a baritone with the old blue sky voice. Come on, give me a logi again. I love it. It's so soothing. You know, I would have the whole choir just doing this.

[Warren Godby]

She's here.

[Gordon McNally]

See you in a minute. Sophia. It's been too long.

[Bryony Halbeck]

Be gracious. You are still handsome. This is irritating.

[Gordon McNally]

Ah, it's the air. Amazing what a bit of peace, quiet and highland breeze can do. You look well.

[Bryony Halbeck]

I look tired. Because I am tired.

[Gordon McNally]

We're grateful, Sophia. You've come a very long way.

[Bryony Halbeck]

You have no idea what I've had to put up with to get here. And I'm not talking about the distance. You have what we agreed.

[Gordon McNally]

Of course. The MBV cell is a little vintage, but it's in pristine condition. Do you want to take a look?

[Bryony Halbeck]

Grace, please. I trust you.

[Gordon McNally]

That means a lot to me. Thank you. You know, I was hoping to ask. After you have delivered the cell to its destination, perhaps you would finally consider coming to stay with us. For good this time. Grace, I will keep asking.

[Bryony Halbeck]

We do not all have the luxury of a retirement resort in the mountains.

[Gordon McNally]

The door has always been open for you, my friend. Aubrey would love to have you. What? What is it?

[Bryony Halbeck]

We had thought if she wanted Halberg brought all the way here, maybe Aubrey was getting back in the fight.

[Gordon McNally]

We want to end the fight, Sophia.

[Bryony Halbeck]

If Aubrey wants her dead, I could have done it when I found her in fucking China. Would have saved me a long trip and a lot of headaches.

[Gordon McNally]

Which is why we are paying you so well.

[Bryony Halbeck]

You'd need an MBV cell the size of a house to make me take another road trip with Bryony Halbeck.

[Gordon McNally]

We are incredibly grateful for your efforts. Always. Just need to be sure. Look, we have all seen movies. If you don't see the body, no one's really dead.

[Bryony Halbeck]

Then why isn't she here right now if it's so important to get it right?

[Gordon McNally]

That was my instinct. I'm afraid with this kind of history between them, I felt perhaps Aubrey should not be the first face the briney sees.

[Bryony Halbeck]

You didn't have to worry.

[Gordon McNally]

What do you mean?

[Bryony Halbeck]

Come help me with the gurney.

[Gordon McNally]

Gurney. What's going on? Sofia, come.

[Bryony Halbeck]

I show you. Signed seal. Delivered the most wanted woman in the world.

[Gordon McNally]

What's happened?

[Bryony Halbeck]

Don't worry, she's alive. It's better this way, I assure you.

[Gordon McNally]

What happened to her?

[Bryony Halbeck]

This is how we found her. Not quite as pristine condition as your MBV cell, I'm thinking. You still want to trade?

[Gordon McNally]

How long has she been unconscious?

[Bryony Halbeck]

I tell you as we go.

[Hester]

Come on.

[Bryony Halbeck]

The sky is Getting.

[Warren Godby]

Hey, Aubrey.

[Hester]

Hey, Warren.

[Warren Godby]

Just sitting out here in the rain.

[Hester]

Sitting in the rain. Rumble of thunder of an oncoming storm in the distance. Want to absorb the melodrama at its fullest.

[Warren Godby]

You mind if I sit?

[Hester]

Not at all. I always get twitchy when I'm waiting for someone to come back from a pickup. Especially when the weather turns.

[Warren Godby]

Because it's so bad out there.

[Hester]

Because I don't know how bad it is out there. I stay here.

[Warren Godby]

You always stay here?

[Hester]

Always. How was your shift on the ward?

[Warren Godby]

Oh, it was good. Not what I thought I'd be doing today, or ever, but I actually kind of enjoyed it.

[Hester]

They're a good bunch at the moment.

[Warren Godby]

Maybe it's because they're old enough to be my age, if that makes sense.

[Hester]

Yeah. Hester said that. That you might find more common ground with our residents than with the rest of the team, with most of them being so young.

[Warren Godby]

She was right. It was a good distraction.

[Hester]

She also thought it would be a good way for you to get a better handle on everything, what with the ward being ground zero for all gossip in Red Valley and beyond.

[Warren Godby]

Yeah, got plenty of that in between. Learning how to take someone's respirations actually made that quite hard because they all did more talking than breathing.

[Hester]

Come on, then. Get your questions out of the way.

[Warren Godby]

Right, so they said there are actually dozens of of tunnels underneath the station. Some built by you, some built by overhead, some built by ancient miners.

[Hester]

No, it's not dozens. It's not even a dozen. But yeah, we spent years working on the subterranean level. We need it. You never know how bad things are going to be up here. What's coming tonight is just a little storm, but you still wouldn't want to be up here when it hits.

[Warren Godby]

What are all the tunnels for, though? I've seen a bunch of sealed doors. Honestly, I don't even know where I am when I'm down there.

[Hester]

Most run into the mountain, linking up to various exits we've created. We never know how or when we might have to leave. Some tunnels run out onto the valley floor in front of us. One actually runs all the way to the farmhouse. And that wasn't built by us. We found it when we first started.

[Warren Godby]

Digging around down there, installing the valley floor defence system.

[Hester]

Golly. People just tell you anything, don't they?

[Warren Godby]

So, accounts vary, but apparently either a lightning rod comes out of the ground at night and absorbs all the energy from the lightning storms and you use it to vaporize your unwanted guests, or you've just filled the Ground with explosives so you can blow everyone up.

[Hester]

I hope you don't mind if I at least try and keep the odd secret about the running of this place. We do have people going in and out and you know.

[Warren Godby]

Sure. I imagine loose lips sink secret euthanasia clinics all the time.

[Hester]

Quite.

[Warren Godby]

It's bombs, isn't it? You love bombs.

[Hester]

I do not love bombs.

[Warren Godby]

On a different note then the old guys were trying to tell me the names of a few of the people here. So I wrote some of them down. I was wondering if you could do a true or false.

[Hester]

Yes, that I can do.

[Warren Godby]

Right. Lord Ovalteam. I met her earlier. True. Right. So I assume her twin sister really is called Baron.

[Hester]

Baron Sellotape. Yes, she is.

[Warren Godby]

Harissa cod.

[Hester]

True.

[Warren Godby]

Come on. I've eaten harissa cod. It was in an old Jamie Oliver I had.

[Hester]

Things are different now. People choose their permanent names later in life. Some of them are great, some of them you just have to bite your lip and not tell them. It's a Mediterranean seafood dish. Harissa is a lovely young man from Peterbrush. He has no idea what cod is.

[Warren Godby]

So these are all true then?

[Hester]

They probably are.

[Warren Godby]

Dick splash.

[Hester]

Yep.

[Warren Godby]

Krang.

[Hester]

True.

[Warren Godby]

Alabaster Funch, Julia. Robots. Ross. Kempon Gangs.

[Hester]

All true.

[Warren Godby]

Marmite, McKenzie. I have met. Let me guess. You love him or hate him? No.

[Hester]

Everyone thinks he's a prick.

[Warren Godby]

Does everyone here have a name like a second tier Guy Ritchie character?

[Hester]

Guy fucking Richie. He did it, you know. Bought himself a luxury cryopod and a spot in a very well to do Hollywood hypersleep bunker. Unsure what his role would have been in the new world.

[Warren Godby]

Seriously though, not everyone has a crazy name, right? Because I can't get through the day like this.

[Hester]

Don't be square. There are plenty of names that you would consider normal. Warren. Look, the guys are coming back from the woodshed now. Hi, Tim. Hi.

[Grace]

Aubrey.

[Hester]

Vignesh. Alice. Robin.

[Grace]

You.

[Hester]

Right, Aubrey. Brigadoon and Pingu.

[Warren Godby]

I feel very old.

[Hester]

I can assure you you don't.

[Warren Godby]

So the guests weren't pulling my leg then?

[Hester]

Depends. What else did they tell you?

[Warren Godby]

You actually were Queen of the Cryo Terrorists.

[Hester]

Don't remember that being an official title.

[Warren Godby]

You ended up in prison yourself for destroying cryotech in Egypt.

[Hester]

I did.

[Warren Godby]

And they put you in hypersleep?

[Hester]

My very own sarcophagus.

[Warren Godby]

That's ironic.

[Hester]

Yeah, it was. I had the last laugh, of course, when I was broken out in the entire prison and all their cryo cells burned to the ground.

[Warren Godby]

You're a little bit scary. Now, Aubrey, no.

[Hester]

Now I'm just an old lady who used to be scary.

[Warren Godby]

So you did it. You got rid of hypersleep? All of it.

[Hester]

Can't blow up an idea, Warren. But we removed a lot of the tech around the world and the means to make more. There are plenty of people still trying to get the job finished. But not me.

[Warren Godby]

Why not you?

[Hester]

I had become extremely adept at tracking down cryo nests and gutting them. Gutting them? Torching them, blowing them up and leading others to do the same. The world was screaming, the whole country sinking, burning every climate, horror story, cliche you can imagine. And I was damned if I was going to let anyone sit it out in a cryopod while the rest of us choked and drank. They apprehended me in Cairo. It was years before Grace found me and broke me out. And I came home to find we had one. Hypersleep was gone. Well, in this country at least. So I got my wish. Here we all were, all frogs in the same saucepan of slowly boiling milk. And now there's a new authority in charge. Part church, part militia, calling themselves the Bastion. And their doctrine is anti hypersleep. We should all come together and use the time we have left in this world production. Wow, that's really great. Aubrey Wood was right all along. Except the world's still on fire and everyone's still as mad as hell. So that doctrine becomes a stick to keep everyone in line. Life is sacred. So no one's getting out of here. Too bad there isn't enough infrastructure left to look after you all. So we've jumped back two centuries. People are dying in the streets of ancient diseases. The family of anyone who takes their own life is flogged in the town square. Just a bunch of wild backwards bullshit that belongs in a half baked YA novel that you never bothered to finish. So yeah, well done, Aubrey. You got the world you wanted. Hester and I found each other again. We came here, we built this. And for a few people, we offer a peaceful way out.

[Warren Godby]

What was Guy Ritchie's cryonest like? Was it fancy? Does his blue sky unit have a cockney accent?

[Hester]

You know, there's one little outpost of continue we can never get. Actually. Really bugged me for a long time.

[Warren Godby]

Oh yeah? Where's that?

[Hester]

Just. Just up there. Bit of cloud in the way.

[Warren Godby]

What?

[Hester]

No joke, Aubrey.

[Warren Godby]

Who is hyper sleeping on the fucking moon?

[Hester]

The President of the United States and his nearest and dearest.

[Warren Godby]

You're serious?

[Hester]

Yeah, I'm serious. Look at the southwest of the Sea of Tranquility.

[Warren Godby]

I understand why that would be annoying. You know, if you're trying to be a completist.

[Hester]

Yeah, it was rather. Although I heard someone blew up the rocket that was supposed to go and pick them up. In a thousand years he's gonna have a really bad day.

[Aubrey Wood]

Grace has reached the perimeter.

[Hester]

I'd like you to stay inside, Warren. I'll keep you informed of everything that happens, I promise.

[Warren Godby]

You better be right about this, Aubrey.

[Hester]

I know. Any advice?

[Warren Godby]

Standard ominous super villain stuff, I suppose. Don't underestimate her. She'll weaponize everything she knows about you, etc. Etc.

[Hester]

It really puts you and I on the back foot, doesn't it?

[Warren Godby]

Yeah. Yeah it does a bit.

[Hester]

Right then. A date with Bryony Halbeck.

[Warren Godby]

Wow, what a cliche.

[Hester]

Oh, you get used to it. Every other thing you say has a dramatic roll of thunder behind it. Here, I'll try it. Now. I'm allergic to cat saliva. See?

[Warren Godby]

Aubrey.

[Hester]

Yeah?

[Warren Godby]

Do whatever you have to.

[Aubrey Wood]

It's important you remain calm in this situation, Aubrey.

[Hester]

Piss off, Gord.

[Aubrey Wood]

It is to be expected that you might have a powerful reaction to seeing Briny Halbeck again after such a long time.

[Hester]

Shut up.

[Aubrey Wood]

Your last interaction took place in this very corridor.

[Hester]

You know, I hadn't realized that.

[Aubrey Wood]

Really?

[Hester]

Of course I bloody did.

[Aubrey Wood]

It's just important to remain in control in anticipation of a likely confrontation.

[Hester]

I doubt there will be any kind of confrontation. And she's on the other side of the glass in the interview room. Anyway, Grace said she was still sedated when they reached the perimeter. She'll be half asleep at bed.

[Grace]

You can let me out.

[Gordon McNally]

You can. You can.

[Warren Godby]

You can't.

[Hester]

You can't.

[Warren Godby]

You can.

[Hester]

You can't.

[Warren Godby]

Welcome.

[Grace]

What the hell is this?

[Gordon McNally]

Hang on, hang on.

[Hester]

When did all this start?

[Gordon McNally]

The minute she woke up, apparently. She's been like it the whole journey from China. They had to keep us sedated half the trip, the rest like this.

[Hester]

What do you know?

[Gordon McNally]

They got most of a story out of her. She's not exactly been tight lipped.

[Hester]

Tell me the story.

[Gordon McNally]

Amos Tech had a better idea of who they were dealing with than we ever did. They gave her whatever she asked for to complete her research. Once she delivered, whatever their interpretation of successful hypersleep was, they used it on.

[Hester]

Her so she couldn't run out on them the way she did with overhead.

[Gordon McNally]

Yes. They pulled her out whenever they needed her to work under considerable duress. Then back in she went. Clearly she spent a lot more time inside a pod than out her age isn't that easy to discern with the damage to her skin and the loss of her hair. But I don't think she's much older than the night she left here. No.

[Hester]

Have they asked her how old she is?

[Gordon McNally]

Of course, she doesn't know.

[Hester]

How did she lose the arm?

[Gordon McNally]

Necrotizing fasciitis. She claims there was a compromised antibacterial seal on her pod, which seems likely enough. It was a common cause of death in the nastier cryo prisons. It would have been luck that they got her out before the infection went beyond the elbow.

[Hester]

Anything else?

[Gordon McNally]

We haven't done anything more than the most preliminary inspection, but she says the burn scars cover about 25% of her body. Liquid nitrogen exposure. She's lost most of her toes.

[Hester]

Can we use her? Is there anything left to use?

[Gordon McNally]

Can we use her? I don't know yet.

[Hester]

I suppose. I'll talk to her later. Oh, there goes the chair.

[Gordon McNally]

What do you want to do?

[Hester]

Put her in some yellows. Nothing she can hurt herself with. Let's get rid of the furniture. I don't want her left alone for a second.

[Gordon McNally]

No. To make her more comfortable, though. What treatment?

[Hester]

Whatever you think is best.

[Warren Godby]

Hey.

[Aubrey Wood]

Hello.

[Warren Godby]

I wasn't talking to you.

[Aubrey Wood]

Oh, I thought you were unsure about talking to Gordon's pod directly.

[Warren Godby]

This is making it much easier. Thank you.

[Aubrey Wood]

You're being sarcastic.

[Warren Godby]

I am.

[Aubrey Wood]

I'm intruding.

[Warren Godby]

You are? Hey, Gordon. So we're going to try and save you, I think, in the most stupid and dangerous way I could think of. I don't know what's going to happen. I don't know what happens if it works. I don't know what happens if it doesn't work. I don't know how to help or if I even can help. So all I can do is try and be ready. Ready for Bryony. Hey. Good.

[Aubrey Wood]

Oh, now you're talking to me.

[Warren Godby]

You know what I did, right? Please clarify what I went to prison for. You have all the information.

[Aubrey Wood]

I do.

[Warren Godby]

Are you allowed to tell me? I am.

[Grace]

Red Valley is written by Jonathan Williams, Directed by Alan Mandel and associates Directed by Carol Pestridge with music, editing and sound design by Richard Orpheus Campbell additional sound effects editing by Luke Elliot Original podcast artwork by Claire Hoopes and promotional artwork by Noah Dow Transcripts by Karen Butler Performances by Jonathan Williams as Warren Godby Alan Mandel as Gord Susan Hingley as Hester Hiashi Tash Rees Banks as Aubrey Wood Kelsey Griffin as Stevie David Charles as Malcolm Landry Ed Tudepole as Jacob, Barbara and Paul Campbell as guests, Diane Broney as the gracious Mele, Sofia Hernides as Sophia and May Cunningham as Bryony Halbeck. Additional voices by Richard Orpheus Campbell, Dave Carnigan, Helano Weeks, Hennig Shwayli, Ali Balut and Carol Pastridge. Thanks as always to the Overhead Board of directors Jack Reese, Marguerite Kenner, Dev Patel, Paul James and Hayley Daniel. Red Valley is recorded at Orpheus London and brought to you by Continue Productions. Thanks so much for listening.

[Warren Godby]

The Fable and folly network where fiction producers flourish. This is the Emergency Broadcast System. A ballistic missile threat has been detected inbound to your area. Inspired by the real life false alarm that terrified Hawaii in 2018, incoming is a thrilling and hilarious cinematic podcast that explores how people react in their most critical hour.

[Gordon McNally]

Are you not hearing me? There are missiles headed here right now. Look, I just.

[Grace]

I just want to be with you.

[Warren Godby]

Featuring incredible performances from Tracy Letts, Mary Lou Henner, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Paul Adelstein and many, many others. Now there's going to be them that live and them that don't. You're making a big mistake.

[Hester]

Is this all my blood?

[Warren Godby]

Maybe you're the leader of a doomsday cult or you're a country superstar in 1954 or a gangster in witness protection. The question remains the same. What would you do if you only had 20 minutes until the missiles landed? This is not a test. You can listen to all episodes of Incoming early and ad free right now with Wondery. Join Wonder plus in the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.