Summary of "A Terribly Strange Bed" by The Weird Circle

Podcast: The Horror! (Old Time Radio)
Host/Author: RelicRadio.com
Release Date: February 15, 2025
Episode Title: A Terribly Strange Bed

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "A Terribly Strange Bed," listeners are transported to the mysterious and shadowy streets of Paris, where a series of bizarre murders involving flattened corpses has left the city in a state of terror. Hosted by the eerie voices of Fat Man and Inspector Duval, the story unfolds with an intricate web of suspense, dark artistry, and supernatural undertones.

Setting the Scene

The episode opens with Fat Man and Inspector Duval setting a haunting atmosphere:

• Fat Man (00:06): "Oh, stories, real stories."
• Inspector Duval (00:16): "Good evening. Come in, won't you? What's the matter? Surely you're not nervous."

These introductions immediately immerse the audience in a world where fear and mystery reign supreme.

The Discovery of the Flattened Corpse

Burke Manning, a writer researching historic murder cases, and his friend Jack Westcott find themselves in Paris, where their investigation leads them to an alarming discovery:

• Burke Manning (01:33): "Jack Westcott was the best friend I ever had... His hunger for crime was bound to end in tragedy."

As they walk along the Seine, Inspector Duval reveals a shocking scene:

• Inspector Duval (02:37): "A corpse, Monsieur Westcott. A corpse that's been squashed thin as a piece of paper."

This grotesque discovery sets the tone for the unfolding horror.

Encounter with the Fat Man

The mysterious Fat Man is introduced as a sinister figure with a macabre fascination:

• Fat Man (03:18): "It appeals to my sense of the artistic."

His obsession with the aesthetics of murder adds a chilling layer to the narrative, highlighting the intersection of art and atrocity.

The La Belle Tavern Confrontation

Seeking answers, Burke and Cecilia follow the Fat Man to La Belle Tavern, a notorious Parisian bar. Here, they meet Monty Lauriard, whose interactions reveal deeper conspiracies:

• Monty Lauriard (07:16): "You can call me Cecilia. How about another drink?"

The tavern becomes the epicenter of deceit, where gambling and manipulation intertwine. Jack's initial luck at the gambling tables spirals into a dangerous obsession:

• Burke Manning (10:35): "That was the first time Jack won in that incredible evening."

As Jack's winnings escalate, the tension mounts, foreshadowing impending doom.

The Trap is Set

Fat Man's true intentions come to light as he manipulates events to ensnare Jack and Cecilia:

• Fat Man (16:03): "There's beauty in death."
• Cecilia (16:09): "Then do you enjoy committing a crime?"

These exchanges reveal Fat Man's morbid fascination and hint at his role as the orchestrator of the night's horrors.

The Terribly Strange Bed

The climax unfolds in a surreal and terrifying scene involving a sinister bed designed to inflict agony:

• Cecilia (21:14): "Funny that a French gambling house should have a bedroom."

As Cecilia attempts to escape the bed's deadly mechanism, the audience experiences her palpable fear and desperation:

• Cecilia (22:34): "I don't know how to open it."

The scene culminates in a frantic struggle to free themselves from Fat Man's lethal contraption.

Police Intervention and Resolution

Inspector Duval reappears, now seeking to suppress the truth:

• Inspector Duval (25:30): "From the time worn pages of the past we have heard the story. A terribly strange bed."

Despite their efforts, Cecilia and Burke reveal that the Fat Man’s influence remains elusive, leaving the mystery partially unresolved and the threat lingering.

Key Themes and Insights

• Artistic Obsession with Death: Fat Man's perspective that "there's beauty in death" underscores the episode's exploration of aestheticism intertwined with violence.

• Manipulation and Control: The Fat Man's ability to manipulate characters and events highlights themes of power and the inescapable nature of destiny within the narrative.

• Supernatural Undertones: The surreal elements, such as the moving eyes in the canopy and the inescapable bed, suggest a supernatural influence behind the murders.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Fat Man (03:18): "It appeals to my sense of the artistic."
• Burke Manning (10:35): "That was the first time Jack won in that incredible evening."
• Fat Man (16:03): "There's beauty in death."
• Cecilia (22:34): "I don't know how to open it."
• Inspector Duval (25:30): "From the time worn pages of the past we have heard the story. A terribly strange bed."

Conclusion

A Terribly Strange Bed masterfully blends elements of horror, mystery, and psychological thriller to deliver a haunting tale of obsession and survival. Through its rich characters and dark narrative, the episode invites listeners to delve into the abyss of human fascination with death and the macabre, leaving them both unsettled and enthralled.

Final Note: For those who cherish spine-chilling stories with intricate plots and unforgettable characters, "A Terribly Strange Bed" is a must-listen episode that epitomizes the essence of Old Time Radio's golden horror tales.