While You Were Hypersleeping 3: Part 3

Summary

Red Valley Podcast: "While You Were Hypersleeping 3: Part 3" – Detailed Summary

Release Date: June 23, 2024
Host/Author: Kontinue Productions
Description: A mystery drama exploring the boundaries of experimental science, personal confrontations with past, present, and future, intertwined with nostalgic references like the level select cheat from Sonic 2.

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Introduction

In the third installment of the "While You Were Hypersleeping" series, "Part 3" delves deeper into the enigmatic happenings at Red Valley, a hub for experimental scientific endeavors. The episode masterfully blends suspense, character introspection, and cryptic scientific phenomena, all while maintaining an engaging narrative that keeps listeners on the edge of their seats.

Plot Summary

The episode opens with Martin ([02:20]) outlining a series of mysterious and tragic events that have plagued Red Valley:

• A man pushed off the top floor of the overhead office in Düsseldorf.
• A woman from Applied Sciences who boarded a flight to Hong Kong and never disembarked.
• An employee receiving a P45 from the BioScience lab, only for his flat to burn down three days later while he was asleep.

These incidents are not concealed but are instead recognized as law within the community, setting a dark and foreboding tone for the narrative.

As the plot unfolds, Warren and Gordon engage in a tense conversation revealing deeper layers of the Red Valley mystery. Warren ([03:22]) is perplexed and mourning the disappearance of a character named Oscar. The dialogue hints at internal conflicts and hidden truths within the organization.

Martin ([04:20]) introduces the concept of "Head Lice," an online group of individuals who discuss and theorize about the unsettling events at Red Valley. He divulges that he has obtained disturbing footage of a "triple point cryonic event," a catastrophic phenomenon where a person experiences simultaneous freezing and boiling, resulting in grotesque and horrifying transformations:

Martin: "It's video of an actual catastrophic triple point cryonic event taken at Red Valley. Triple point is when temperature and pressure combined create simultaneous solid, liquid, and vapor... I just saw that happen with a fucking person in the middle of it. This guy was in a block of ice and then in an instant he was just alphabeti spaghetti. He was slime." ([04:43]-[06:15])

This revelation escalates the tension, suggesting that Red Valley's experiments have gone disastrously wrong.

Warren ([06:15]-[10:46]) grapples with his reality, questioning his existence, the purpose of his isolation, and the authenticity of his interactions. He confronts Gordon about being trapped for 44 years, discovering that he and Gordon were placed in hypersleep within cryopods, sealed away from the outside world:

Warren: "Why am I awake? I mean, why now? What's the point of me just being in here on my own? Going out of my head?" ([07:14])

Gordon: "We need to give you treatment to make sure you're safe out here. And we need to make sure you haven't brought anything dangerous with you? There was some nasty stuff around back then." ([08:53]-[09:06])

The conversation reveals fractured relationships, hidden agendas, and the overarching mystery of why Warren was awakened after decades of hypersleep.

Character Dynamics

• Warren: The protagonist, battling confusion and a sense of betrayal upon awakening from hypersleep. His interactions reflect deep emotional turmoil and a quest for truth.

• Gordon: Positioned as a caregiver but reveals a more complex role, possibly manipulative or withholding critical information. His demeanor suggests hidden motives and internal conflict.

• Martin: A whistleblower or insider who brings to light the catastrophic events and the existence of clandestine groups like the Head Lice. His perspective adds layers to the Red Valley conspiracy.

Themes and Insights

1. The Ethics of Experimental Science: The catastrophic cryonic events and the ethical implications of Red Valley's experiments highlight the dangers of unchecked scientific exploration.

2. Isolation and Betrayal: Warren's prolonged isolation serves as a metaphor for personal and institutional betrayal, questioning who can be trusted within powerful organizations.

3. Reality vs. Perception: The ambiguous nature of the events and characters' reliability forces listeners to question what is real, emphasizing the psychological strains of such a setting.

4. Time and Memory: The 44-year hypersleep introduces themes of lost time, altered memories, and the struggle to reconcile past identities with present realities.

Notable Quotes

• Martin ([04:43]-[05:16]):

  "It's video of an actual catastrophic triple point cryonic event taken at Red Valley... I just saw that happen with a fucking person in the middle of it... He was slime."

• Warren ([07:14]-[07:44]):

  "I don't even know how we're still at Red Valley. It's been 44 years. What even happened out there?"

• Gordon ([09:37]-[10:02]):

  "Warren, what matters right now is that you're safe. The answers will come... We are doing everything we can for Gordon."

• Warren ([10:05]-[10:55]):

  "This is all so fucked up... I made him come here and he never left."

• Gordon ([11:14]-[12:04]):

  "There are multiple recordings related to you... The memoir hasn't ended... Give me another. Porlock haiku."

Conclusion

"While You Were Hypersleeping 3: Part 3" intensifies the mysterious atmosphere surrounding Red Valley, weaving complex character interactions with disturbing scientific anomalies. The episode adeptly balances suspense with deep emotional undercurrents, leaving listeners eager for answers and the unfolding of this intricate narrative. As secrets unravel and alliances strain under the weight of hidden truths, the stage is set for further exploration of the moral and existential dilemmas posed by Red Valley's experimental pursuits.

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For those who haven’t listened to this episode, "While You Were Hypersleeping 3: Part 3" offers a gripping continuation of the Red Valley saga, blending horror, mystery, and science fiction into a compelling auditory experience.

Transcript

[Advertiser]

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[Narrator]

The rules that govern the vampire are well known. He does not die, but clings to life forever. Having lost his own life, he must steal the life of others. If a place is a home, he may only enter after he's been invited in. And though the vampire may look like a man, all traces of intelligence vanish upon death, leaving behind nothing but a beast. There are no vampires that can think like a man.

[Warren]

None. Except for one. Dracula. The Dance Macabre. A four part fiction podcast event from Gabriel Urbina, the creator of Wolf 359, bringing Bram Stoker's timeless horror classic to audio. Wherever you get your podcasts, Red Valley.

[Aubrey]

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?

[Martin]

All hidden in plain sight. It's not even hidden. Everyone's heard about the guy who got pushed off the top floor of the overhead office in Dusseldorf. Everyone knows about the woman from Applied Sciences who boarded a flight to Hong Kong and never got off at the other end. We all know about the guy who received his P45 from the BioScience lab and then his flat burned down three days later while he was sleeping. This isn't swept under the carpet. We all know. This is law. Let me find the notes I took when I spoke.

[Warren]

I don't get this. I don't get what's happening here.

[Gordon]

How do you mean?

[Warren]

Right. Stop, stop, stop.

[Gordon]

Are you alright? Warren?

[Warren]

I don't understand.

[Gordon]

Would you like to take a break and finish your breakfast?

[Warren]

An hour of somber silence, sitting in the rain, getting stood up by his buddy. And we then smash cut to full rabbit hole, red strings on the corkboard. Gordon, Something's missing. What's happened to Oscar?

[Gordon]

Is that rhetorical or.

[Warren]

I mean, we can imagine what's happened to Oscar. This is Red Valley. Something bad. But we have the inside track, don't we? Gordon doesn't have that. So what happened to Oscar? Not Rhetorical?

[Gordon]

Oh, we don't know.

[Warren]

Don't worry about spoilers. If it's later on, you can just tell me now.

[Gordon]

He's never referred to again. This is the next chapter.

[Warren]

This is the next chapter. Are there like timestamps on this? How much time has passed?

[Gordon]

These recordings are taken from cassette tape. There are no time stamps.

[Warren]

He cares very much about presentation.

[Gordon]

I'm sorry.

[Warren]

No worries. What's next?

[Gordon]

Would you like to take a break and finish your breakfast?

[Warren]

No, I don't need to. I can do two things at once.

[Gordon]

Okay.

[Warren]

What even is this stuff, by the way? And the guy that dropped it off, he just said hi and disappeared. Like, what was that?

[Gordon]

That's a young man called Martin.

[Warren]

You know what? Forget it. Forget it. Next.

[Gordon]

Right.

[Martin]

So you don't even need to look that far to find other people like me. Not like me, but you know what I mean. I found the places online where they gather, where they talk all over him. From all around the world, sharing their theories, their fears. They think it's fun finding out the next terrible thing that happened in this place. They're a gang. They call themselves the Head Lice.

[Warren]

What?

[Martin]

I've spoken to plenty of them. Earned my credentials. Caused quite a stir. Turns out I'm not the only one who thinks bad things are going down at Red Valley. They joked about it. Just the latest canaries down the coal mine, they said. I keep them sweet to know what they know. But I will never be one of them. I am no headlous. You want to stay ahead in this company, you better do it alone. No, the latest theory is just bananas. Cryogenics. Human cryogenics. Or crymonics or whatever it's called.

[Warren]

No. Next.

[Gordon]

Okay.

[Martin]

I have just been shown the most gnarly thing I have ever seen.

[Aubrey]

I can.

[Martin]

Hessel and the guy with the Demolition man username for proof. And they finally sent me the this. It's video of an actual catastrophic triple point cryonic event taken at Red Valley. Triple point is when temperature and pressure combined create simultaneous solid, liquid and vapor. Basically freezing and boiling at the same time. I just saw that happen with a fucking person in the middle of it. This guy was in a block of ice and then in an instant he was just alphabeti spaghetti. He was slime. Oh God, I feel sick. But like in a good way. What? I think this source is the real deal. Someone actually inside the cryonic project. Someone who actually worked with Bryony fucking Halbert. No.

[Warren]

Fuck.

[Gordon]

Would you like to talk about it, Warren?

[Warren]

I don't fucking Know what you are, man? You don't even sound like him. And that doesn't sound like him. Not the Gordon that I know. I mean, yeah, when I met him, he was sat at his desk in archives. And, yeah, fine, he was, wasn't he? He was just like that. I thought he was a nut job. But that. That's when I was. I wasn't really me. Not really.

[Martin]

Oh, Christ.

[Warren]

This is all so fucked up.

[Gordon]

We all become different people.

[Warren]

He shouldn't be here. If I hadn't walked in that office that day, if I hadn't fed whatever it is that drives this ridiculous behavior, he'd still be sat at his desk shopping for a fucking tortoise in 2020, where he belongs. I made him come here and he never left.

[Gordon]

Would you like to listen to any more recordings?

[Warren]

Why am I awake? I mean, why now? What's the point of me just being in here on my own? Going out of my head?

[Gordon]

Aubrey would like to discuss that.

[Warren]

Yes, I would like that, too. So why isn't she here? I'm awake. I'm me. How can this. How can me listening to nothing but tapes of him and your creepy voice be plan?

[Gordon]

Aubrey would like to discuss these matters.

[Warren]

It isn't Plan A, is it? This isn't how it was meant to go, is it? Something's gone wrong, Warren.

[Gordon]

I think at this point, we should take a moment to breathe and reflect.

[Warren]

There is no weapon. Where is Aubrey? Is she even here? Hello?

[Gordon]

I'm here. Warren.

[Warren]

He's gonna die, isn't he?

[Gordon]

If I believed that, there would be no point in keeping it from you.

[Warren]

So what's happening? Why have you left me in here?

[Gordon]

It's a very busy time right now, Warren.

[Warren]

Oh, come on.

[Gordon]

It's true. I assure you there was plenty of fuss when you first woke up. I know you're probably used to being the main event.

[Warren]

Come again?

[Gordon]

I'm just saying this is a particularly complicated time right now.

[Warren]

Why? Tell me why.

[Gordon]

I can't explain one part without explaining the rest. And I can't explain the rest until you've seen it. And you can't see it until you're out of quarantine.

[Warren]

Then let me out. I'm fine. Is this even a real thing, or are you just watching me to make sure I don't stab myself in the hand again or something?

[Gordon]

Quarantine is quite real, Warren. It's been 44 years. We need to give you treatment to make sure you're safe out here. And we need to make sure you haven't brought anything dangerous with you? There was some nasty stuff around back then.

[Warren]

You haven't told me anything, Aubrey. I don't even know how we're still at Red valley. It's been 44 years. What even happened out there?

[Gordon]

You and Gordon were put in hypersleep in the two available cryopods. I sealed you in the tunnel below the station and destroyed any access in.

[Warren]

Or out, and no one has come looking.

[Gordon]

I sealed you in. I buried the whole lab.

[Warren]

How?

[Gordon]

With explosives. Took a lot of work to get back in here, you know.

[Warren]

Do you even know what that sounds like to me?

[Gordon]

Warren, what matters right now is that you're safe. The answers will come. I know that nothing I'm saying or doing right now is helping very much. And you're right. This isn't exactly how I wanted to do things. I'm sorry. But here we are. I guess this was never going to be easy. But I need you to trust me. We're doing everything we can for Gordon.

[Warren]

Okay? Thank you. I guess.

[Gordon]

I really can't stay, I'm afraid. But it won't be much longer. All right.

[Martin]

All right, all right.

[Gordon]

You shouldn't blame yourself, you know. Gordon was always going to end up here, one way or the other. You heard him on those tapes.

[Warren]

Maybe. The day I met him, it changed things. He can't pretend otherwise. And that's on me.

[Gordon]

Well, you know that's exactly how I feel when it comes to you. All we can do now is try and make things better while there's still time.

[Warren]

Oh, what do you mean, while there's still time?

[Gordon]

To turn a phrase. It doesn't mean anything.

[Warren]

You cannot help it, can you? You have to be dramatic.

[Gordon]

I do not.

[Warren]

You do so.

[Gordon]

I'll go to sleep.

[Warren]

Gord.

[Gordon]

I'm here.

[Warren]

You ran to Mum when I threw the breakfast bowl, didn't you?

[Gordon]

I can only do so much in my capacity as a caregiver.

[Warren]

Caregiver?

[Gordon]

Would you like to return to the memoir?

[Warren]

I don't know.

[Gordon]

There are multiple recordings related to you.

[Warren]

Oh, yeah. I don't need to hear any of those right now.

[Gordon]

Okay.

[Warren]

How. How does it end?

[Gordon]

The memoir?

[Warren]

Yeah.

[Gordon]

It hasn't ended.

[Warren]

Hmm. Of course. That's. Let's be optimistic. To be continued.

[Gordon]

Indeed.

[Warren]

Well, go on, then.

[Gordon]

Go on what?

[Warren]

Give me another. Porlock haiku.

[Gordon]

The pink footed goose. Its squawk heralds a new day. Covered in bird shit.

[Warren]

Excellent. It's very on brand. How many of these have you got?

[Gordon]

119.

[Warren]

We best crack on then.

[Gordon]

Metropolis Zone is where I always give up. Just a faff, I think.

[Aubrey]

While you are Hypersleeping is a Red Valley miniseries 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 Elliot. Original podcast artwork by Claire Hoopes. Lucy Downing was content creator performances by Jonathan Williams, Alan Mandel and Tash Reith Banks. 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 Studio London and brought to you by Continue Productions. Thanks so much for listening.

[Host]

The Fable and Folly Network where fiction producers flourish. Cam Kander. Yeah, that was a strange thing. A prolific creator who disappeared suddenly in 2020. Eccentric, weird, inscrutable. Cam Kander was like a 21st century Howard Hughes.

[Gordon]

Nothing is known.

[Warren]

CamKander man, woman, non binary person. No idea.

[Host]

CamKander an enigma, a cipher, a mystery?

[Warren]

Was Candor a genius? Or insane?

[Gordon]

Is there a difference?

[Host]

And one day, camkander vanished into thin air.

[Gordon]

Off the map, off the radar.

[Narrator]

Like Amelia Earhart.

[Host]

From me, BK will, in conjunction with Trojan Cat Media, a division of Corp. Leave me alone. I don't have anything to say. About Cam Candor comes a shocking six part documentary series.

[Warren]

Cam Candor is a Rorschach test.

[Host]

It's a MacGuffin stuffed inside a red herring shoved down a rabbit hole that leads to a blind alley. Cam Kander is out there waiting to make their glorious return. Like a cult leader? No, like a messiah. Discover who is Cam Kander? A new investigative podcast coming Wednesday, September 1st. Wherever you listen to podcasts.