S3 E65: Time to Make a Deal with Adam

Summary

Six Minutes: S3 E65 - "Time to Make a Deal with Adam"

Release Date: December 12, 2023
Podcast: Six Minutes by GZM Shows

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Episode Overview

In this tense and pivotal episode, Birdie, Badger, and Bruce (aka Adam) are forced into a confrontation at Whittier Corp. The stakes have never been higher: Adam, the antagonist with supernatural tracking abilities and a complicated past, aims to eradicate the Bruce persona inside him once and for all. As old alliances are tested and new threats emerge, the team grapples with impossible choices, surprising betrayals, and the revelation of yet another looming player in their saga.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Waiting for Adam (01:55–04:08)

• Birdie and Badger's Anxiety:
  • Birdie and Badger anxiously await Adam’s arrival, debating whether he's truly coming or just toying with them.
  • They discuss the security of the house and the futility of trying to defend against someone with Adam's abilities.
  • Memorable banter about the inability to set up booby traps, with Badger noting Adam would "see them coming from miles away" (02:23).
• A Call from Bruce:
  • The group receives a call from Bruce, who insists he is still in control but struggling to keep Adam suppressed.
  • He pleads for help, suggesting Badger can fix what was done to him, and arranges a clandestine meeting at Whittier Corp.

2. The Whittier Corp Meeting (04:08–06:34)

• Entering the Building:
  • Birdie and Badger sneak into Whittier Corp, commenting on changed security and branding.
  • Notably, Birdie reacts with indignation to a company announcement, upset that her voice has been replaced as owner (04:39–04:51).
• Bruce's True Condition:
  • Bruce greets them but quickly turns into Adam, revealing the internal conflict and the deception at play.
  • Adam makes a chilling "joke":

    "Relax, you two. Not trying to hurt you. At least not yet. That was a joke. Ha ha." – Adam (05:14)

  • The tone shifts from tension to outright threat.

3. Adam's Proposition & Emotional Stakes (06:34–07:54)

• The Deal:
  • Adam offers them a bargain: Help him permanently erase Bruce, and he’ll leave them alone forever.
  • He coldly reminds Birdie he’s always watching ("I've been watching you the whole time. That's how easy it is." – Adam, 06:30).
  • Adam describes Bruce as a "mask," stating he wants to remove the emotional conflict that's holding him back.
  • Badger and Birdie refuse, leading to a direct threat targeting Bruce's family.

4. Ultimatum and Reluctant Agreement (07:54–08:40)

• Moral Dilemma:
  • Badger faces an impossible decision. Adam threatens harm unless Badger complies.
  • Under pressure, Badger gives in, with Adam sarcastically promising to let them "load old Bruce's sweet personality onto a flash drive."

5. The Extraction Process & Betrayal (08:40–09:37)

• Removing Bruce:
  • The group preps the lab for the extraction, with Adam growing impatient.
  • During the process, Bruce pleads for help, indicating the pain of separation, but Adam coldly states:

    "Oh, this is the real me. Bruce was the mask." – Adam (08:27)

  • The extraction appears to succeed, with Adam regaining full control and instantly turning on Badger and Birdie, admitting he lied about any deal.
• Notable Betrayal:

  "He did his job. Now I don't need him anymore." – Adam, about Badger (09:14)
  "I'm a liar, Birdie. You of all people know that." – Adam (09:19)

6. Cliffhanger – An Unexpected Call (09:37–10:24)

• Final Confrontation:
  • Adam threatens to drop Birdie from the roof, referencing past violence ("last time there'll be no water to cushion your fall").
• A Mysterious Voice:
  • Before Adam can act, a mysterious caller interrupts:

    "Is this Adam? ... My name is Jude. I'm the one who had you brought back online. You're welcome, by the way. Is this a good time to talk?" – Jude (09:51–10:24)

  • This new presence, Jude, reveals a connection to Adam’s resurrection and hints at deeper machinations to come.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Adam’s Threat:

  "You have to make Bruce go away. ... I can still feel him in here, struggling to get out, tugging on my emotions, trying to make me feel guilty for wanting what I want." – Adam (06:38)

• Confronting Adam’s True Nature:

  "Because deep down, you know you're better as Bruce. Bruce has friends and a family." – Birdie (06:57)
  "Bruce has a family that I will destroy piece by piece if you refuse to help me." – Adam (07:05)

• Betrayal & Consequence:

  "I'm a liar, Birdie. You of all people know that. Now, shall we go up to the roof to see if you can live up to your name." – Adam (09:19)

• Emergence of Jude:

  "I'm the one who had you brought back online. You're welcome, by the way. Is this a good time to talk?" – Jude (10:15)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:55–04:08 – Birdie and Badger prepare for Adam's arrival
• 04:08–05:14 – The reunion at Whittier Corp; switch from Bruce to Adam
• 06:34–07:54 – Adam's ultimatum and threat
• 08:40–09:37 – The extraction process and Adam's betrayal
• 09:37–10:24 – Adam threatens Birdie; Jude makes contact

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Tone & Style

The episode maintains its trademark tension and rapid pacing, with quick-witted, emotionally charged exchanges. The looming danger and Adam’s unpredictable nature are sharply contrasted by Birdie’s sarcasm and Badger’s vulnerability. The surprise arrival of Jude expands the storyline, hinting at even larger stakes for the episodes ahead.

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For listeners, "Time to Make a Deal with Adam" is a tense showdown filled with betrayal, psychological games, and a last-minute twist—setting the stage for even greater drama in the episodes to come.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

There are kids in this world who are different, special. They go to school in a place you can't find on a map. And they're about to get a new classmate.

[C]

Where is he? Badger not here.

[D]

And that's a good thing, isn't it?

[C]

Honestly, I'd rather he just show up and get it over with. It's like he's purposefully torturing us.

[D]

Maybe Bruce won't show up at all.

[C]

We're not talking about Bruce and you know it.

[D]

Adam. Maybe Adam won't show up at all.

[C]

Are the external cameras working?

[D]

Yes, the cameras are working. If he hovers within 500ft in any direction, we'll know it.

[C]

And then what? Not like we can stop him from getting into the house. I mean, you wouldn't let me set up booby traps.

[D]

Because they wouldn't work against him. He has supernatural tracking abilities. He'd see them coming from miles away.

[C]

So we just keep on sitting here, peeking out the window and holding our breaths.

[D]

We keep on living our lives and hoping that there's still some Bruce left inside of him.

[C]

It's him.

[D]

Well, are you going to answer it?

[C]

Yeah, I'll just. I'll put it on speaker. Um. Hello?

[B]

Birdie, it's me.

[C]

I know who it is.

[B]

No, I mean, it's me.

[D]

Bruce.

[C]

Sure it is.

[B]

I'm serious. I know that he came back inside that funhouse, but somehow I forced him down. That's why I've been staying away.

[D]

How did you do that?

[B]

Badger, I'm so glad you're there. Listen, I don't know how much longer I can hold him off. I need your help.

[D]

What kind of help?

[C]

Badge.

[B]

Badger, you know my programming better than anyone. Maybe you can fix this. Whatever Casey and Delphine did to me, you can set it back.

[D]

I don't know. I need the equipment at Holiday Corp, and we're not even allowed inside.

[B]

I can get us in. I'll meet you on the top floor.

[D]

Please.

[B]

This might be my last chance.

[C]

You know. This is probably a trap. There's a good chance, but we're still going, aren't we?

[D]

Do we have any other choice?

[C]

Okay, we're on the Whittier Corp roof.

[A]

Now what?

[D]

Looks like the door leading inside is open.

[C]

Oh, goody. Then I guess he's in there waiting for us.

[D]

Stay behind me.

[C]

Gladly.

[D]

He really did sound like Bruce, though, right? I know Adam could fake that, but it's okay, Badge.

[C]

I want to believe it, too.

[D]

It's so dark in here.

[B]

Welcome to Whittier Corp, where the future is happening today.

[C]

Did they change the name back already? And they replaced my voice with that Rutherford Granger guy. They can't do that. I'm still the owner. I mean, I'm gonna have a word with the board. This is unacceptable.

[B]

Hey, guys.

[C]

Bruce, you scared me.

[B]

Oh. Sorry about that.

[D]

Are you okay? I. I mean, are. Are you. You.

[B]

Yes, it's me, but I. Hey, folks.

[C]

Adam.

[D]

Birdie, run.

[B]

Relax, you two. Trying to hurt you? At least not yet. That was a joke. Ha ha.

[C]

I'm gonna murder you.

[D]

Psych.

[C]

Good one.

[D]

What do you want?

[B]

Come on, Badge. It doesn't have to be like that. We were pals once.

[D]

We're getting out of here.

[B]

Wait. I let Bruce call you here because I wanted to offer a proposition.

[C]

What kind of proposition?

[B]

The kind that gives you your life back. Look, we all know what I'm capable of. And I have every reason in the world to want to punish both of you for what happened to me. And considering the fact that you're all alone, it wouldn't be hard. But I've come to believe that revenge is a waste of time. My singular focus on it cost me everything. Now I have much more important things that I want to do like what? It doesn't concern you. And that's kind of the point. I am offering you the deal of a lifetime. If you help me out, I'll leave you alone forever. You won't have to spend every second looking out the window, waiting for me to show up and break into your house. Yes, Birdie. I've been watching you the whole time. That's how easy it is.

[C]

What do we have to do to make you go away?

[B]

You have to make Bruce go away. See? As good as it feels to be free, to be me again, I can still feel him in here, struggling to get out, tugging on my emotions, trying to make me feel guilty for wanting what I want.

[C]

Because deep down, you know you're better as Bruce. Bruce has friends and a family.

[D]

Adam never had that.

[B]

Bruce has a family that I will destroy piece by piece if you refuse to help me.

[D]

Bruce is my brother. I'm not gonna help you get rid of him.

[C]

Neither will I. I said enough.

[D]

Let her. Him.

[A]

Bruce. No.

[B]

Not unless you give me what I want. Time's ticking, Badge.

[D]

Okay, okay. I'll. I'll help you.

[B]

Attaboy. And when this is all over, maybe I'll even let you load old Bruce's sweet personality onto a flash drive so you could turn him into an app.

[C]

To chat with Bruce if you're in there.

[B]

Enough of that. Are we doing this or not?

[D]

Birdie, ask Ivan to prepare the lab.

[C]

We can't do this.

[D]

We don't have a choice.

[C]

All right, Ivan.

[B]

Yes, Queen.

[C]

Birdie, prepare the robotics lab.

[D]

Okay, I'm gonna hook you up to the mainframe so I can access your programming.

[B]

Do what you gotta do. Badge. Anybody want to say goodbye to Bruce before we start the extraction?

[C]

You wouldn't want this. This isn't the real you.

[B]

Oh, this is the real me. Bruce was the mask. Bruce was somebody the Anders family made up so they'd feel better about what they did to me. Atom model connected.

[D]

Go ahead, Ivan. Start the process.

[B]

Beginning extraction the Bruce files. You have no idea. What a weight is being lifted. Birdie?

[D]

Badger?

[A]

Bruce?

[C]

You're still there.

[B]

What's happening?

[D]

He's trying to get rid of you. You have to hold on.

[B]

I can't. I'm trying, but I can't stop that. Get out of my head.

[A]

That's better. Badger?

[C]

Badger, what did you do?

[A]

Adam.

[B]

He did his job. Now I don't need him anymore.

[C]

What? But you said.

[B]

I'm a liar, Birdie. You of all people know that. Now, shall we go up to the roof to see if you can live up to your name.

[D]

No.

[C]

Let me go. Get off.

[B]

I dropped you out of a helicopter a couple of years ago, but looks like this time there'll be no water to cushion your fall. Mermaid? Who could that be?

[A]

Hello?

[B]

Is this Adam? Who's this? I'm very glad to hear your voice. I've heard so much about you. I'll ask again. Who is this? My name is Jude. I'm the one who had you brought back online. You're welcome, by the way. Is this a good time to talk?

[D]

Shh.

[B]

It's starting. GZM shows imagination amplified.