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Radio Drama Revival

Showcasing the diversity and vitality of modern audio drama

Meteor City – ‘Patty Melt’

December 8, 2021 By Radio Drama Revival

[Download Audio]
Recovery from disaster is long, arduous, and complex, especially when corporations move in to take over your home, transforming it into something you don’t recognize. Join Bianca as she returns to Meteor City, right here on Radio Drama Revival.

 
Content Warnings: A community post-natural disaster.
 
Like what you hear? Us too. You can support Wrightwood Studios on their website.
 
Learn more about how to support Radio Drama Revival on our website.
 
This episode of Radio Drama Revival was recorded in the unceded territory of the Kalapuya people, the Clatskanie Indian Tribe, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, and the Atfalati tribe. Colonizers named this place Beaverton, Oregon.
 
If you are looking for ways to support or donate to Native communities, the Quileute are fundraising to move their at-risk community to higher ground, and out of the tsunami zone, so that their culture and heritage can thrive for generations to come. Their first objective is to move the Quileute Tribal School, which is currently located right next to the beach, endangering the lives of children and the future of the Quileute tribe. You can learn more and donate at https://mthg.org.
—

TRANSCRIPT

[intro]

 

ELY: Recovery from disaster is long, arduous, and complex, especially when corporations move in to take over your home, transforming it into something you don’t recognize. Join Bianca as she returns to Meteor City, right here on Radio Drama Revival

 

[theme music – smooth, jazzy horns playing a mellow, sultry tune that fades out gradually as Elena speaks]

 

ELY: Hello, and welcome to Radio Drama Revival, the podcast that showcases the diversity and vitality of modern audio fiction. I’m your host, Elena Fernandez Collins. Today, experience the first episode of Meteor City, an alternate history science-fiction podcast, in our showcase; next time, return to join us for the creator interview with Madelyn Dorta.

 

ELY: In an alternate universe, a meteor shower struck the city of Detroit in 2008, devastating it almost entirely and creating an enormous community of refugees and so-called rejects. Bianca, ten years after the meteor struck, is returning to the home where she grew up and the New Detroit built in her absence, only to discover that nothing is what it appears or is said to be.

 

ELY: She’s barred from visiting certain sections of Meteor City, even her own house, because they’re owned by someone else and she’s trespassing in her own home. Meteor City speaks to our very real problems of gentrification and social crisis in the wake of vulnerable communities left to die or fend for themselves when they can no longer live in the places where they have flourished all their lives. It’s a vision of a city in turmoil accessible to people everywhere who have had to watch as a Whole Foods goes up where local shops used to be, as corporations and their staff move in and drive rent up, drive property prices up, drive local goods’ costs up, and drive the community out.

 

ELY: Settle in and meet Bianca, vlogger and new podcaster, in episode one: Patty Melt.

 

ELY: Please be aware the following episode contains discussion and portrayal of a community post-natural disaster.

 

[Meteor City, episode 1 ‘Patty Melt’ begins]

 

INT. BIANCA’S BEDROOM – DAY

Youtube Intro. ACOUSTIC SONGS (TYPICAL YOUTUBE INTRO SONG)

 

BIANCA

 

Hi guys, it’s ya girl Bianca… In

my last video, I got real with you

guys and I am about to again.

 

EXT. CITY PARK – DAY

CUT TO ANOTHER VIDEO SCENE..outdoor environment, soft

atmosphere sounds.

 

BIANCA

 

Hey guys, I had something planned

for this video but honestly..I

don’t have the energy to fake this

shit today. I don’t want to do

this anymore. I am just over it.

When I was just out of college, I

started this channel..I wanted to

tell stories, I wanted to find a

way to connect with people and

connect with the world.

But somewhere along the way it

turned into top five restaurants

in Toronto, the best way to pack a

carry on..I’ve spent the better

part of four years making shit

content, I am not proud of it.

(Paused, sigh) I feel so stuck and

just I’m tired..really tired and I

just wanted to go home…that’s

it..

(Deep sigh)

Home..I’m going home.

(Frustrated & emotional)

I’d like to just say thank you,

thank you to those who reached out

to me and sent me words of comfort

and who showed concern, I

appreciate it. I was being a bit

melodramatic yes, but it was the

truth. I am have been unhappy for

a while and I didn’t want to admit

it to myself because there really

 

isn’t a reason why I don’t find

satisfaction in what I am doing

anymore. But that is something

that I am going to change, I am

going back home. I was born and

raised in place many of you now

call, Meteor City. I haven’t been

back since the meteor hit. It’s

not something easy for me to talk

about and that is exactly why I

have to.

The Detroit Refuge hotline was

closed in 2011, I want to pick up

where it they left off. I’d like

to create a safe place for people

to remember their loved ones, to

share their stories and to use my

platform to do it. God..I’ve spent

so much time talking to you guys

without actually saying anything.

I want something to matter..

But now, I want to tell the

stories that are the closest to

me, my story and those who were

affected by the landing.

So, I have decided to step away

from the camera and take a

document this differently.

But, if case you miss me like

crazy. And you want to follow my

journey home, stay tuned. It might

take me awhile to get the hang of

recording audio but I’ll take you

guys along with me. But while I am

figuring it out, bear with me,

okay guys? Thanks again for all

the love

(Silence)

INT. BIANCAS CAR – DAY

 

STATIC, CHOPPING AUDIO

 

Hey guys, I figured that I should

record a little bit of the drive

too, in order not to chicken out.

I am not sure what I am getting

myself into but I…

 

CUT TO SONG

 

GPS

Recalculating

BIANCA

 

Ugh, what the fuc-. Alright well,

my gps keeps recalculating, it’s

probably a sign. Well, I am in

Indiana, my god this state is

long. I feel like I’ve been

driving for three days. I think I

am going to stop for a bit and

stretch my legs and grab a bite to

eat.

 

CAR TURNS OFF, THE SOUND OF KEYS AND THEN

SHE SHUTS THE DOOR. BIANCA OPENS THE DOOR,

PUTS THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND RADIO

BEGINS.

 

RADIO

 

In today’s news, Kevin Wilson,

spokesperson from the EPA,

delivered a speech on the future

agriculture in Detroit. “It has

been ten years, we are still

sifting through the information

the Radiological Emergency

Response teams were able to

collect. Three years ago, we

dispatched another REP team to

continue their soil testing and

radiation levels. Although, the

radiation from the initial blast

is no longer present on the

surface, the crater caused

significant damage to the streets,

 

water and sewer lines. It is still

unclear exactly how much radiation

was released but we..”

 

Bianca turns the channel

PREACHER

 

I think it’s important not to

forget about events like Meteor

landing, it is reminder how

completely out of our control we

really are. Do you think the

people of Meteor City woke up that

morning thinking this is the day I

am going to die, or this is the

day I am going to flee? No.

Tomorrow is promised to no man

that is why you must give yourself

to God, give yourself to him and

he will…

Bianca turns the channel

 

CONSPIRACY CALLER

Why are the stories you hear about

Meteor City not from the people

directly? Where are they? Where

are those stories? It’s been ten

years, we still don’t have any

answer how a fu****g meteorite the

size of three school buses goes

unnoticed? –

 

RADIO HOST

So what are you saying?

CALLER

 

I am saying that you can’t trust

them, they are hiding things from

  1. First 911, Meteor City, what’s

next?

 

RADIO HOST

 

Alright folks, that is all the

time we have for today.

 

STATIC

Phone rings, goes to voicemail

BIANCA

 

Hey mami, it’s me. It looks like I

am almost there. I just drove

through New Detroit. It was so

weird. I can’t even explain it.

It’s nice, I guess but unreal. It

looks like a model of what a city

would look like. It’s like if you

went into the building, it would

just be cardboard. Like it’s

printed on itself or something…

anyway. Just thought I’d check in.

I’ve heard the reception if MC is

pretty spotty, you practically

have to be in New Detroit to get

Wi-Fi. But I just wanted to say

that I love you. I know that you

didn’t want me to come back – but,

I don’t know, I felt like I had

  1. I promise to check in as much

as I can. llámame mamá, necesito

saber que estamos bien, okay bye.

 

Music

Phone rings, goes to voicemail

BIANCA

 

Hey ma, it’s me again. I really

hope you are not avoiding my

calls. Even if you are still mad

at me, you will never guess what

is still here, I can’t believe it.

D’s Diner. It is still here. It’s

on the border of New Detroit and

Meteor City, it looks a little

warned down but it looks a hell of

a lot better the MC does. It’s

probably a long shot but I am

going to go in and see if D is

still there. Por favor mami, call

me back. Bye

 

Turns off the car, the sound of keys, closes car door, walk

on gravel

EXT. OUTSIDE DD’S DINER – NIGHT

BIANCA

 

So, here I am. Standing in front

of DD’s Diner. To this day, the

best diner in the country. My

family would come here all the

time. It was in walking distance

from our church, Malcolm & I had

every birthday party here when we

were kids, so did all of our

friends.(Listing memories of the

diner) I’ll try to take as many

photos as I can. Not sure when I

can upload them but keep a look

out for that.

CAMERA SHUTTER SOUND

BIANCA

 

D’s neon sign is still glowing and

they added a new one..well new to

me..D’S Diner, the home of Meteor

Malt. (Chuckle) Cute. Well, it

looks like my phone still has a

little signal, not much but it is

probably as good as its going to

get. D’s Diner might have to be my

home base for a while. While I

figure out what the hell i’m doing

here at least. I saw a motel half

a mile back. Definitely not the

Four Seasons, but it’ll do for

now. I have no idea long I’ll be

here. On the bright side, the rent

on the border of MC is hella

cheap. Apparently, no one wants to

wake up and look at the

post-apocalyptic Detroit. Well, I

am going to head into diner and

grab a bite to eat, maybe I’ll try

the Meteor Malt.

 

INT. DD’S DINER – NIGHT

GRAVEL, OPEN THE DOOR, BELLS, JUKEBOX SOUNDS IN THE GROUND

 

DELORES

 

Hiya, welcome to D’s Diner, take a

seat where eva ya like.

 

STEPS ON TILE, THE SOUND OF A ZIPPER (TAKING OFF COAT),

SLIDING INTO A BOOTH, JUKEBOX PLAYING

 

BIANCA

 

In all my years of taking selfies,

vlogging, asking strangers to take

artsy photos of me posing, none of

it has felt as strange as sitting

in this diner, looking at this

worn out menu, talking to myself.

From the looks of it, I’m not the

only one talking to myself.

 

DELORES

 

Welcome to D’s Diner, what can I

get for ya?

BIANCA

 

I had to fight the urge to ask her

all the questions on my mind. I

couldn’t believe she was still

here. I am looking at her, she

couldn’t be older than 65 years

old. Why do adults seem so old

when you are a kid? Anyway..she

wore herself like the diner. A

little older, a little worn but

still standing. The diner seemed

to a scientific marvel. It was

always busy- filled with kids

running around, truckers, church

ladies, businessmen, everyone and

anyone. This place could be packed

but there was always an empty

booth or stool for someone to

fill. Something about that scent

of this place… you could bottle it

 

  1. I am surprised they haven’t

already tried to bottle it and

sell it at one of the tourist

traps I drove past in New Detroit.

The smell, I imagine is so deeply

rooted in this place even if the

Meteor did wipe it out, the rubble

would still smell like the sticky

menus and greasy booths.

 

Transition into dialogue

BIANCA

 

I’ll have a patty melt, with fries

and umm- a Meteor Malt. Oh ya, and

coffee. Please.

DELORES

Coming right up.

 

DINER SOUNDS

Transition into dialogue

BIANCA

 

I am not sure when she realized

it, it must of been somewhere

between me entering the place and

me inhaling my patty melt but she

knew who I was. She slid into my

booth and sat facing me.

DELORES

 

So, were you going to say hi or

just eat my food and go on your

own way, Bianca?

BIANCA

 

Hi D, I wasn’t sure you would

remember me. I haven’t been back

since… I didn’t want to be rude

and I –

 

DELORES

 

Nonsense, stand up let me look at

you.

 

Transition into dialogue

BIANCA

 

As I stood up and twirled a bit

for D, the past and present became

intertwined. The walls faded from

their dirty sand color to bright

white with a wash from the red

neon lights. I slid back into the

booth, something caught my eye. I

saw the little carving on the

wooden beam under the booth. I

must have forgotten which one it

was or maybe D moved the booths

around but I was sitting at our

booth. The initials BD, MD, WC

were carved deep into the wood

grain. I couldn’t help but smile.

D and I chatted for a while, about

old times, who was still around,

how her health was and the

development of New Detroit. They

approached her about buying up the

diner. New Detroit Financial,

wanted to due away of the

remaining business and buildings

that bordered Meteor City. She

wasn’t sure what to do, D’s Diner

lasted longer than most, but it

was clear it was just standing.

The only customers she had were

the few truckers that occasionally

delivered in MC and the patrons of

the past who now lived in New

Detroit, wanting to reminisce and

feel nostalgic about the good ol’

days, but that wasn’t enough to

keep the neon lights on.

 

DELORES

 

You know, I think you coming back

is a sign.

BIANCA

What do ya mean?

DELORES

 

I can’t explain but I just have a

feeling, a good one. I haven’t had

a good feeling in a decade. I had

been seriously considering selling

this place. After Darrell died, I

wanted to keep it open, in his

memory but then my sister in

Atlanta died. I thought maybe, I

could move home back to Georgia,

be closer to my family

BIANCA

 

D, you should do what you feel is

best for you. You don’t owe anyone

anything.

 

D nodded her head in agreement.

BIANCA

 

I told D what I’ve been up to for

the past few years, all the places

I’ve been. She seemed a bit sad,

like she wish I would of come home

sooner, but she seemed to get a

kick out of vlogging. How strange

it must of seemed to her. I asked

if her if it was okay to record

our conversations. D, agreed but

made me promise to come back every

day, she would feed me if I stop

by to see her. I promise without a

hesitation because, after ten

years away, I was home.

 

SCORE

 

BIANCA

 

Hey guys, I am just checked into

the Meteor Motel formerly known or

well to me anyway, as the Shady

Shack, some shady shit happen here

back in the day. I can’t imagine

that to be the case now, my car

was one of three in the whole lot.

My room view well – it’s not a

good one that’s for sure. I am

staring at a empty pool, that is

full of old pool chairs and pieces

of a broken fence and some–

 

CURTAIN CLOSES, EERIE SCORE CONTINUES THROUGHOUT SCENES

 

Shit, so there is guy that was

staring at my room, maybe he was

staring at the motel or something

but..I’m going to check and see if

he is still there. Where did he

go? The guy who was staring at me,

was standing under the broken pool

lights, it’s uhh– too dark to get

a good description of him..

 

SHUFFLING SOUNDS, CREAK ON THE BED,PHONE RINGS

Hey mami..what? No, I’m good. I’m

just tired. I’m glad you called me

back. Ma, please I don’t want to

fight about this anymore, okay, i

just wanted to –

ABRUPT KNOCK OF THE DOOR

 

Umm..I think it’s the house

keeping. I asked for towels. Ma, I

gotta go. I’ll call you tomorrow.

 

SHUFFLING, WALKING

 

Hello? Can I help you?

 

KNOCKING CONTINUES

 

What do you want? Seriously, fuck

off.

KNOCKING STOPS

 

I looked through the peephole, the

man who I saw staring at me from

across the pool, was at my door.

His face were nearly covered by a

black hoodie but then he turned

and walked away. I called the

front desk and told them what had

happened but they didn’t seem too

concerned. They asked me not to

give him any money or food if he

asked, they didn’t want to become

a regular thing. I suggested

calling the police, which seemed

to amuse them. They assured me

that they would keep an eye out

for him, I didn’t hold my breath.

I opened the door and looked

around and saw nothing and no one

but something was left at my door.

It was wrapped loosely in old

Detroit Daily newspaper. I picked

it up and return to my room. I

closed the door and check the

locks a few times, more than a few

times, compulsively for a few

minutes.

Wrapped in the newspaper was

something I hadn’t seen in over

ten years. It was my high school

yearbook with a note attached-

“WELCOME BACK”.

I brought the yearbook up to my

nose and I sniffed it. I know that

sounds weird but it still smelled

like my high school. You know that

smell, the smell of lockers and

crusty drinking fountains. I know

 

you know that smell. I opened the

yearbook and read the book plate.

Property of Bianca Diaz

 

[ad break]

 

ELY: The Radio Drama Revival and Meteor City production teams would like to encourage you to donate and support the United Community Housing Coalition, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing eviction, foreclosure, and homelessness in Detroit. Their services help families permanently retain their homes, preserve family assets, and protect neighborhoods from gentrification and blight caused by vacant housing. You can donate to them at uchcdetroit.org/support.

 

ELY: Now, back to Bianca and her strange return to Meteor City.

 

[episode resumes]

 

BIANCA

 

After a very restless night of

sleep, I woke up early and went

for a run through Meteor City. I

ran until it looked familiar,

which was far. It was miles of

abandonment. Block after block of

stripped cars, partially burned

homes, looted stores, and silence.

Unnerving silence. A thick fog

rolled past me as I ran through a

gray Meteor City. The air was

chilly but smelt like hot sewer

and wet cement. Something about

running along these streets,

although empty and missing the

people that made this place their

home, was incredibly familiar,

like my feet knew i was home. I

got turned around a few times

trying to find my old block but

after I spotted the a giant stone

tiger on the corner of Homer

street, I knew I was close. The

tiger had a large crack down the

middle and his tale was missing.

It was still standing though, a

tiger among the rumble. It

belonged to Mr. Duke, I was never

sure if that was his first or last

name but all of us kids called him

Mr. Duke. He had two loves in his

life, God and the Detroit Tigers.

Devoted to both, one more than the

other.

 

I gently put my hand on the

tiger’s large head and swept the

green dust from his eyes. I walked

slowly for two blocks until I got

to my house. Seeing my house like

that.. hit me like a punch in the

gut. All the windows were broken,

the porch was burned. The porch

swing was now on the lawn. In that

moment, I am glad my mom never saw

this, that she never came back to

this place. Her image of our

house, the way she remembered

it… I wish I had that too.

In the distance, I heard a car

come to a stop. I quickly turned

around. There was a New Detroit

patrol car a few hundred feet away

from me. A white man, in his late

30’s, maybe early 40’s stepped out

of his police vehicle. As the

officer approached me, I grabbed

my phone and turned on the voice

recorder.

 

BIANCA

Morning officer.

MCKEE

 

State your business, you are trespassing.

 

BIANCA

 

Trespassing? This was my house.. I

lived in here before the landing.

 

MCKEE

 

Yes, trespassing. This is private

property, this block and another

hundred or so were privately

purchased.

 

BIANCA

 

Privately purchased? Who would

want these? When did they buy

them?

 

MCKEE

 

It’s been that way since I’ve been

patrolling this shithole. You need

vacant this area immediately.

 

BIANCA

 

Is there someone I can talk to

about going inside? I want to look

around, see if anything is

salvageable.

MCKEE

 

Listen, I don’t want to be here

any longer than I have to.

Do you need a lift out of town?

 

BIANCA

 

Uhh-out of town? No, I was

planning on sticking around here

for a bit today.

MCKEE

 

I’d like to escort you to where

you need to go.

BIANCA

I’m fine, thank you.

MCKEE

 

It’s not safe here and without

knowing who owns what, you could

be trespassing and I’d have to

take you in.

BIANCA

 

I don’t feel like you are giving

me a choice.

 

BIANCA

 

I didn’t catch your name

 

MCKEE

Officer McKee, you?

BIANCA

 

Bianca

 

MCKEE

 

You got a last name, Bianca?

 

BIANCA

 

Diaz.

 

MCKEE

 

So Bianca Diaz, I gotta ask, what

is a girl like you doing in this

place? Ya, you know..you ain’t a

reject like the people here.

 

BIANCA

 

Uhh- I just moved back to Meteor

City. My mom and I left after we

were passed testing. This is my

first time back.

MCKEE

 

Mhmm..not much left. I left too. I

live in New Detroit, once a day we

gotta patrol this place, that’s

what the owners want. I guess.

Make sure no rejects causing

further damage or something–

Where are you staying?

BIANCA

 

I am staying at the Meteor Motel.

– B

 

MCKEE

 

I gotta patrol a bit, can you sit

tight for few more minutes.

 

BIANCA

 

Sure. Uhh..so I just wanted to let

you know that I am recording this,

it’s for a podcast that I am

doing.

 

MCKEE

 

You’re recording me without my

consent?

 

BIANCA

 

I don’t need your consent

actually, not here in Michigan but

I thought it would be polite to

tell you..that’s why I told you.”

 

MCKEE

 

Uhh..well.. What’s your thing

about?”

 

BIANCA

 

Meteor City, a kind of where are

they now piece

MCKEE

 

Ahh.. for the anniversary.

 

BIANCA

 

So, is it okay if I record you?

 

MCKEE

 

Sure.

 

BIANCA

 

We drove around for another

fifteen minutes. A lot of stops

and turning around, it’s hard to

patrol when you have debris,

boulders and abandon cars all

around you. I saw a few people,

exactly four people. They were

just walking, they didn’t seem

like they have a place to be or

go, they were just walking. There

was convenient store still opened

but nothing more that I can see.

 

Jesus, where do people get their

food or gas? Do you they have

electricity?

MCKEE

 

Most of ‘em go into New Detroit, I

think there is a shelter that

brings ‘em food a few times a

week. Some streets have power,

it’s shotty but better than

nothing, I guess.

BIANCA

 

What happens in the winter? Most

of these places don’t have

windows. In ten years..this place

still looks like this..I don’t get

it.

 

MCKEE

Beats me.

 

BIANCA

 

I sat in the car as we made our

way back to the border of New

Detroit and what is now Meteor

City. As we approached D’s diner,

I saw man and a dog walking, more

like shuffling around. I’m not

shittin’ you..they both were

missing their..legs not all of

them..but one each.

MCKEE

 

You should stop before you try it.

 

BIANCA

Excuse me?

MCKEE

 

That look you got, it’s sad. It’s

all fucking sad but nothing we can

do it about it. Some people got

out, some are just stuck. But

 

don’t let them con you. He beat

you down in a second.

BIANCA

 

I don’t know if I believe that.

 

MCKEE

 

Well believe it, this is not your

home anymore- this is Meteor City.

The rejects here, they’re barely

even people.

BIANCA

 

Whatever helps you sleep at night.

I can get out here at D’s.

 

MCKEE

You sure?

 

BIANCA

 

Yeah, i’m hungry. Thanks for the

lift, I guess.

MCKEE

 

Wait, just be careful. Here’s my

card, take it.

BIANCA

Uh-thanks officer.

MCKEE

 

You can call me Micky..how long

are you plannin’ on stickin’

around?

 

BIANCA

Uh..not sure yet..

MCKEE

 

Well..maybe if I’m lucky..I’ll see

you around..have a good one ms.

Diaz.

 

BIANCA

 

Officer McKee or Micki attempted a

smile. Micki seemed like a black

and white kind of man. Everything

was something or another. Never

nothing and never both. Just one

or the other. As uncomfortable as

I was with Officer McKee, I really

was hungry. Much to my surprise,

the diner looked busy, well busy

for the border. There was a five

or six cars in the lot. For the

border, that was busy.

 

OPEN THE DOOR, BELLS, JUKEBOX SOUNDS IN THE GROUND

 

DELORES

 

Hi,take a seat at the booth.

 

BIANCA

 

D was standing at the bakery case,

adding pastries when she looked up

at me and smiled. That smile was

enough to erase my whole morning.

 

DELORES

 

Hiya, you okay? You look tired.

Let me get you something to eat.

 

BIANCA

 

Thanks, I just went for a run and

saw my old house. It was.

 

DELORES

 

Oh sweetie, I’m sorry you had to

see that but you shouldn’t go back

there. It’s not safe.

BIANCA

 

So, i’ve been told. D, umm..so

there was this guy outside of my

..”

 

LANDLINE PHONE RINGS

 

DELORES

 

Hold that thought hun, eat up.

 

BIANCA

 

As I was inhaling a cinnamon roll

in front of me, I watched D argue

on the phone, clearly getting

frustrated. She hung up abruptly

and swore, which surprised me, it

shouldn’t of but it did.

 

BIANCA

Everything okay?

DELORES

 

No, that damn truck. The only

delivery company that will deliver

just called and said they ain’t

coming to Meteor City anymore.

They will refund me but I don’t

have time to find someone else.

 

BIANCA

 

Uh.. is there another place you

can get it the stuff from around

here?

 

DELORES

 

None that will deliver to me, I’d

have to go into New Detroit and

get the stuff I need to hold me

over..

 

BIANCA

 

I have a car, it’s not big it

might take two trips but..

 

DELORES

 

No, business has been steady this

week, I can’t close and..I

can’t..April can’t work nights

this week.

BIANCA

 

Well, how about I hold down the

fort? I waited tables in college,

 

I think I can manage it for the

afternoon.

 

DELORES

 

Oh hunny, i can’t ask you to do

that and I can’t afford to pay

you, It’s me and the night girl.

 

BIANCA

 

D, don’t be silly. Keep feeding me

cinnamon rolls and i’ll never

leave but seriously, don’t worry

about it.

 

DELORES

Are you sure?

BIANCA

 

Yes, I am positive, as long as you

are okay with me asking a few of

the customers a few questions. I

won’t pressure them. If that’s

okay.

 

DELORES

 

With these folks, you’d be lucky

to get a hi but go ahead. Thank

you, Bianca.

BIANCA

 

I’m going to stop run back to the

motel and get changed, i’ll be

back in a bit.

 

SILENCE

 

BIANCA

 

Hi, welcome to Ds, take a seat,

I’ll be a right with you.

I turned around to see the person

I just greeted. He was a little

over 6ft and handsome. There was a

large scar from his eye brow down

nearly to his sharp jawline. He

 

was wearing a navy suit and his

hair was slicked back tightly. He

looked out of place here. Throw a

penny in New York and you’d hit a

dozen of him but here in this

dated diner, he didn’t belong. He

looked surprised to see me..

 

WES

Where’s D?

BIANCA

 

She had to run into town and grab

some stuff, the truck was late.

What can I get for you?

 

WES

 

When will she be back?

BIANCA

 

Uhh—I’m not really sure, a few

hours probably.

WES

Coffee and a club

BIANCA

Sure thing

WES

 

To go.

I’ve never seen you around here.

Did D hire you for some reason?

You know, she’s selling this

place.

 

BIANCA

 

Might be

 

WES

Excuse me?

BIANCA

 

Might be, she might be selling

this place. And no, I am just

helping her out for the day.

What makes you think she is going

to sell?

WES

 

Because she is smart and knows

that no one would give her nearly

as much as I’ve worked to get her

for this place.

What makes you think she won’t sell it?

 

COOK

Order up.

 

BIANCA

 

I don’t. She should sell it, it’s

a smart move but doesn’t make it

the right one.

WES

 

Mhmm

 

BIANCA

Here you go—

As I handed the bag to the man at

the counter, I glanced outside to

see the man who I saw at the

motel. Standing in front of the

diner, I forgot I was holding onto

the bag.

WES

You okay

 

BIANCA

 

Yeah, I just… do you see that

guy across the street? In the

hoodie?”

 

WES

 

Yes

 

BIANCA

Do you know him?

WES

 

No, I don’t know him, he’s

probably a reject. They make their

way into New Detroit, and ask for

food and money. Sometimes D gives

them food when it’s slow

 

BIANCA

 

Oh, okay, he’s probably hungry or

something.

WES

 

You sure you are okay?

BIANCA

 

Yeah, I just saw him outside of my

motel last night and he…

 

WES

He what?

 

BIANCA

 

Uh..nothing, thanks for stopping

in.

 

WES

Uhh, thanks.

Can you tell D to call me when she

gets back in?

BIANCA

What was your name?

WES

 

Have I changed that much?

 

BIANCA

 

What?

 

WES

 

Nothing…Wes, my name is Wes.

 

BIANCA

 

My stomach flipped and I felt a

little dizzy. The man standing in

front me was Wes..our

Wes..Malcolm’s Wes..it took my

head a few seconds to focus on his

changed features but it was him.

Wes was my brother’s best friend,

they were inseparable and I was

constantly tagging along. Wes said

nothing as he turned and walked

out the door.

 

OPEN THE DOOR, BELLS, RUNNING ON GRAVEL

 

BIANCA – SHOUTING

Get out of the car…

WES

Okay…

 

BIANCA

 

Before I knew it, almost

uncontrollably my arms were

wrapped around his neck. I was

standing on my toes hugging Wes

with all my might. The guilt, I

felt was overwhelming.

 

WES

 

B-Bianca, I can’t breathe.

 

Bianca

 

Oh I’m sorry. I just…Wes, I am

so sorry.

WES

 

Sorry? Sorry for what?

 

BIANCA

 

For leaving, I thought you were

dead with my dad and Malcolm. If I

would a known you were alive… I

would have come back for you. I

would of..

WES

 

It was a long time ago. Don’t

worry about it. It is good to see

you though, you look good…

 

BIANCA

 

Thanks, you too. You like a man

now, all grown up.

WES

 

(Chuckle)Yeah, that happens.

 

BIANCA

 

Wait, did you know who I was when

you came in? Why didn’t say

something

 

WES

 

I don’t know, I wasn’t sure if it

was you, it’s been a long time, I

looked you up a few years ago but

you changed your hair since then.

 

BIANCA

 

You were going to leave without

saying anything?

WES

 

What was I supposed to say? Hey,

we haven’t spoken in ten years and

you probably thought I was dead.

 

BIANCA

 

Well maybe not that… Look, I gotta

get back in the diner but I want

 

to talk to you, I need to talk to

you.

 

WES

 

Okay, — here take this. Call me

when you’re free.

BIANCA

 

I grabbed the card and wrapped my

arms around his neck again, not

nearly as long. I ran back into

the dinner.

 

SCORE

 

BIANCA

 

It was a few hours before D came

back to the diner with a pickup

truck full of food. I spent an

hour looking up Wes. It seemed

only fair. He was successful and

he was married. His dashing

headshot was on the front page of

New Detroit Financial’s website.

From the wedding announcement, his

wife who also worked for New

Detroit Financial, she was

beautiful. She was tall, blonde

and thin…from the outside, they

looked perfect.

 

DINER BACKGROUND, MUSIC, LOW CHATTER

 

​Delores

 

Thank you for looking after the

place, I don’t know what I would

have done. Close it down for the

day I suppose.

BIANCA

 

No problem, happy to help.

D must have sense my distance.

 

Delores

 

You okay?

 

BIANCA

 

Why didn’t you tell me it was Wes,

the person who approached you

about selling?

DELORES

 

Well, I suppose I figured you two

would run into each other

eventually. He is in here a lot.

 

BIANCA

 

He isn’t pressuring you to sell is

he?

 

DELORES

 

No, I just think he just misses

this place. He’s got a pretty nice

life built in New Detroit, but…

 

BIANCA

 

But?

 

DELORES

 

You know. The same reason why you

came back. You needed to.

 

BIANCA

 

Right.

 

DELORES

 

He is one good looking man ain’t

he?

 

BIANCA

Ya, he is.

 

DELORES

 

You use to chase those boys around

like a puppy. I think you were

mostly chasing Wes.

BIANCA

 

What?

 

DELORES

 

Oh hun, don’t get upset, all

little girls have crushes on their

brother’s friends. But, I think

Wes liked you back.

BIANCA

 

That was a long time ago.

 

DELORES

 

Well it’s a shame that you didn’t

come back sooner. He’s married

now. But I don’t think he’s

happy…

 

BIANCA

 

What makes you say that? You know

what? It’s not any of my business.

 

DELORES

 

Well. Sometimes he comes here,

really late at night. She calls

and he ignores it, sometimes he

takes the call outside and they

argue. It seemed pretty arranged

to me.

 

BIANCA

 

What? Arranged? Like an arranged

marriage?

 

DELORES

 

His wife, is the daughter of the

president of New Detroit

Financial.

BIANCA

 

Well that’s not that weird.

Co-workers develop feelings for

each other all time…

DELORES

 

It just didn’t seem like it was

something he wanted…

BIANCA

Have you ever met her?

DELORES

 

Yep, one time. He brought her

here, he was excited, you could

tell. She well, she complained a

lot and made some commentS about

this place was a waste of land

that New Detroit Financial could

be using.

 

BIANCA

 

Damn, that’s too bad. Anyway, if

you need help again, don’t

hesitate to ask okay?

DELORES

 

You sure, everything is okay? You

look like you got a lot of ya

mind.”

 

BIANCA

 

Yeah, I’m just beat. I’m going to

take off but I’ll stop by

tomorrow.

 

DELORES

 

Promise?

 

BIANCA

 

I promise.

BIANCA

 

I didn’t lie to D exactly, I

really was tired but I just wanted

to be alone. After seeing what I

saw in MC, how uneasy Officer

McKee made me feel, seeing the guy

in the hoodie outside the diner,

not to mention seeing Wes again. I

was fucking exhausted. When I got

to my room, a flashing red light

was on the telephone on the

nightstand by my bed. The message

 

was from the front desk. There was

a packaged for me. I quickly

walked back, there was no one

behind the desk when I got there

but a Manilla envelope addressed

to me, B. Diaz in. As I opened the

envelope, a two keys slid out unto

my hand. One was smaller than the

other. The smaller one looked like

it was for a lock or safety

deposit box. The only other thing

in the envelope was address.

I went back to my room to look up

the address, I didn’t find shit.

The address I was given maybe

wasn’t registered, or it was

something that I couldn’t find

online. My eyes was heavy and I

fell back into the pillows, and

despite all the questions I had

and everything I’ve seen, I was

able to fall asleep.

I was woken up a little after 3am

by an unusual buzzing sound, like

thousands of bugs around a street

lamp, it was low but it is was

almost rhythmic. I reached over to

check my phone but it was black. I

got out of bed and checked all the

lights, there was no power. I went

to my window and peaked out the

curtains, the lights outside were

out, all but one. The pool light

was flickering. I adjusted my eyes

and rub the sleep out of them and

that’s when I saw him again. The

man in the hoodie, his hand was on

the lamppost. Despite the distance

between us, I could have sworn I

saw light come from his hoodie,

like this neon light moved from

his arm and into the lamp.

 

He let his hand fall off the lamp

post, he turned on heels and

walked away into the darkness. The

roar of electricity stuttered and

came back on. The lights came back

on bright, the ceiling fan ticked

above, and my phone was flooded

with notifications. All the lights

outside continue to flicker

through the night.

 

SCORE

 

So, my first full day back home

has been, well it’s real. As

painful as it was to see Meteor

City that way, it felt like space

I had in my head for it, was now

filled. I will be going back to

Meteor City after I do a little

more digging. I’ll find out who

owns what and how I get back to my

old house.

I felt like I was holding dozens

of questions in my chest and they

were trying to escape but the

biggest one was, what the hell am

I doing here? I came back to

document myself coming home, is

that what I doing? Coming home?

This place isn’t my home, well

it’s not anymore. But D was here,

I can’t really explain how close

to her I feel. Like her entire

being is a representation of

everything I lost, we lost and I

know that is not fair. After

seeing the one of the rejects

outside of my room twice and once

at the diner, it shook me. I

fought the urge to leave, to go

back to my life. I want to wrap

this up, to convince myself that

 

what I once had was gone and

should move on. Just coming back

and seeing what I’ve seen should

be enough. But seeing Wes, I

wasn’t expecting that. The more I

thought about it, about him, the

angrier I felt. Wes was family. He

had always been family. Every

thanksgiving, Christmas, spring

break, summer break, always. I

know that we as people don’t owe

anything to each other but. Did he

search for Malcolm and my dad too?

Did he spent weeks looking for

them too? How did he survive? I’ve

been back here in Meteor City for

a little over two days and I –uhh,

it feels like a lot longer. But,

I left anything behind to come to

this place and I am going to see

it through. I am going to find the

answers to my questions, no matter

how many arise. I am going to help

D, for as long as I am here. But

Wes, he complicates things for me.

I don’t know this Wes, and I

probably shouldn’t but I want to

know his story, what happened and

why he didn’t find us. As for the

rejects—God, I hate that term, but

until I know his name, I guess

that’s what I have to call him, as

for the reject, there is got to be

someone who knows who he is. He

obviously lives in Meteor City, he

left my yearbook at my door so he

know how to navigate MC without

being seen. Maybe he knows who

owns my house. As startling as his

random appearances are, I hope

they continue, and they lead to

something. He left my yearbook at

my door, did he also leave the

keys at the front desk. Maybe they

recognized him?

 

It seems like every question that

I have, three more follow. All I

do know is that despite the

weariness that I am feeling, just

below the surface, I feel an

excitement stirring.

My name is Bianca Diaz and

ahh..I’m back in Meteor City.

 

[outro]

 

ELY: If you liked what you heard, you can find out more at wrightwoodstudios.com, and follow them on Twitter at @meteorcitypod.

 

ELY: Radio Drama Revival runs on an endless supply of bagels and coffee and the change you leave in our tip jar. If you’d like to help keep us afloat and featuring new, diverse, unique fiction podcasts and their creators, you can support us on Patreon, at patreon.com/radiodramarevival.

 

ELY: And now we bring you our Moment of Anne.

 

ANNE: In the wraparound recording, Ely said that I would talk about transcripts this episode, and I wasn’t going to, but now that you mention it? Um. Y’all should have transcripts for your podcasts. If you’ve got a script for a fiction podcast it’s really not that hard to even just post that.. For free! Don’t charge money for it. You can do it. Just post it. Just post it on your website. Link to it in your show notes. Share it on your social media. Do your transcripts.

 

ELY: That means it’s time for the credits.

 

ELY: This episode was recorded in the unceded territory of the Kalapuya people, the Clatskanie Indian Tribe, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, and the Atfalati tribe. Colonizers named this place Beaverton, Oregon.

 

ELY: If you are looking for ways to support or donate to Native communities, the Quileute are fundraising to move their at-risk community to higher ground, and out of the tsunami zone, so that their culture and heritage can thrive for generations to come. Their first objective is to move the Quileute Tribal School, which is currently located right next to the beach, endangering the lives of children and the future of the Quileute tribe. You can learn more and donate at https://mthg.org/; the link is in the episode description.

 

ELY: Our theme music is Reunion of the Spaceducks by the band KieLoKaz. You can find their music on Free Music Archive. 

 

ELY: Our audio producer is Wil Williams.

 

ELY: Our marketing manager and line producer is Anne Baird.

 

ELY: Our researcher is Heather Cohen.

 

ELY: Our submissions editor is Rashika Rao.

 

ELY: Our associate marketing manager is Jillian Schraeger.

 

ELY: Our transcriptionist is Katie Youmans.

 

ELY: Our audio consultant is Eli Hamada McIlveen

 

ELY: Our associate producer is Sean Howard.

 

ELY: Our executive producers are Fred Greenhalgh and David Rheinstrom.

 

ELY: Our mascot is Tickertape, the goat.

 

ELY: I’m your host, Elena Fernandez Collins. This has been Radio Drama Revival: all storytellers welcome.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: 2021, episode

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Radio Drama Revival is one of the internet’s longest-running anthology modern audio drama shows (dedicated mostly to programming created after the “Golden Age” of US Radio Drama). We also occasionally dabble in exploring earlier audio works from a cultural/historical perspective.

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