Transcript
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Narrator (0:30)
Sword and Scale contains adult themes and violence and is not intended for all audiences. Listener discretion is advised.
Mark Berkowitz (0:42)
I kind of smirked like the devil inside me, you know. I said who laughs last laughs best.
Narrator (0:54)
Who was that weird sounding woman at the intro? You're about to find out. This is season 12, episode 292 of Sword and Scale, a show that reveals that the worst monsters are real and literally all around you. It's fucking terrifying. It's enough to make you want to crawl in a hole and just listen to podcasts. Just a reminder that we don't do this for free. If you like the show and want to support it, head on over to swordandscale.com, download the app on your Android or Apple device and become a Plus supporter or a Sasshole, as we affectionately like to call our fans, because we love people so much. In a relationship, it's easy to mix up being needed with being wanted, especially when you're in love. The dependency can feel like a sign of closeness, but as time goes on, needing someone can become more important than wanting them, and that's when problems begin. The distinction between being needed and being wanted might not seem like a big deal at first, but it can make all the difference in whether a relationship lasts or it falls apart. When someone depends on the other for their happiness, their self worth, and even their identity, it's no longer about love. It's about something else entirely. Control. The fear of losing that person isn't because of love. It's because their whole sense of self is tied to them. It's not about wanting a life with them anymore. It's about being scared of a life without them. When someone feels like they have nothing to lose, they'll do anything to hang on and keep their life from falling apart, even if it means crossing lines they never would have thought to cross. This kind of unhealthy reliance doesn't just hurt feelings. It ruins lives and the aftermath. It often affects the people who least deserve it. Outside the police department in Plantation, Florida, the parking lot is still dotted with the harsh orange glow of street lamps. It's a little after 4am on June 28, 2018. The sun won't be up for at least another couple of hours. Outside, It's a balmy 78 degrees with 93% humidity. Oh, boy, do I not miss that. It's like a sauna every day. The humidity makes it feel even hot. Hotter. The air is thick and moist, so much so that it feels difficult walking through it. Inside, though, it's almost chilly. The fluorescent bulbs cast a uniform light, making the small room feel more impersonal. A little boy sits quietly with curious eyes. He can sense there's something that the adults aren't telling them.