Hi! If you want to Uplift Sapphics/Sapphic Ships in Fandoms, Look Below!
Hi! We’re the Steady Sapphics, a pair of trans lesbians who run this blog!
A troubling pattern we have noted within every fandom we have been a part of is a significant lack in content for sapphic pairings, whether they be canon or not. The mlm ships, while they were wonderful, always received more fics, more fanart, and more engagement from the fandom itself. In TV shows, canon sapphic ships are either a secondary ship to the main one, or if it does star the sapphic pairing, the show is canceled after 1 season. The world views sapphic ships as less profitable and less interesting, unless they are fetishized or marketed to a male audience. This is a heartbreaking reality for young women loving women/non-men loving non-men to see.
We made this blog in an attempt to change this view in the fandom world. Our goals with this blog is to:
1. Create sapphic content in various fandoms through fan fiction
2. Uplift other sapphic creators/works in these fandoms by reblogging fanfics and fanarts from various fandoms, as well as shouting out sapphic creators, both on and outside of Tumblr.
3. Give sapphics a safe space to engage with sapphic content and express their thoughts and opinions.
This blog is for every sapphic, whether you be lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, aromantic, omnisexual, polysexual, transgender, nonbinary, intersex, or anywhere on the spectrum of sexuality and/or gender! Allies of sapphics are welcome as well, with the understanding that this blog is not about them, but meant rather to uplift sapphics, sapphic ships, and sapphic content.
Important Links:
Steady Sapphics AO3 Profile
Steady Sapphics Discord Server (Coming Soon!)
List of Fandoms/Ships That I Can Write For
Request a Fanfic
Request A Sapphic Media/Rarepair
Meet the Runners of this Blog Below!
~Hi! My name is Madison, and I am a white nonbinary ace lesbian. I go by he/they/she pronouns. I’m 18 years old, and have been involved in fandom culture since I was around 13 years old. Some of my passions include writing, horse riding, and theater. I am the one who originally thought up of the blog, and got the team together to begin making it.
~Hello! My name is Cedar. I’m 16 years old, and I am a nonbinary black lesbian. My pronouns are they/them. While I have not been active in many fandoms, I have a great appreciation for art and music. I am often disappointed that I don’t see myself represented as much as white, straight, or gay men.
57 notes
·
View notes
Hi Maty, hast du irgendwelche deutsche Podcast Empfehlungen? Irgendwas damit ich es bis zur nächsten Amelia season aushalten kann! 😊
Whelp, I didn't expect that. I have to say, I don't really listen to any German Podcasts, since I have yet to find a German Fiction Podcast. I know there are some translations of SCP Archives episodes? But I honestly haven't looked into that too much. I can recommend podcasts to you, though?
Primordial Deep.
Take Wolf359 but make it underwater. I won't say more except that JORDAN COBB and don't listen when you have to rest your eyes because I was scared out of my socks for a second there. Also, it's in the same universe as Janus Descending and Descendants is apparently out?? I only saw that yesterday so I might have to retreat to the vents and listen to that.
Micro-Cosmos. @microcos-pod
Currently on break, but found family on a planet? Felix is a mood. I don't want to spoil anything but god this podcast is so good. I love every character. I love the premise.
Once again, @starstrider-productions ' The Pilgrimage
Am I biased because I'm both queer and autistic? I don't know. I binged through most of it in one day while painting, basically hiding from everything because I was captured. They are also still crowdfunding their last season I think! So check that out!!!
The Secret Of St. Kilda 👀
It has Alan, our Interviewer, it has... a not-cult, it has twists you don't expect and also... No. I am not saying anything else because that podcast is - as well - better enjoyed without knowing what awaits you. People acted as if they would be snatched away if they spoilered me so... I wonder what that is about, @thekilda ?
I hope that helps! Have some podcast recs!
-Intern
26 notes
·
View notes
Hello, all!
Good news! We will officially be returning from our hiatus with Episode 8: The Fever Called Living on AUGUST 9TH!
See you then! Work well. 😉
7 notes
·
View notes
new banger podcast folks! check out micro-cosmos podcast @/microcos-pod on tumblr it’s a sci fi and so far its rad!
2 notes
·
View notes
List of Fandoms/Ships I Can Write For
Hey! Below are a list of sapphic ships and fandoms I am familiar with and are able to write fanfic for! Don’t see your ship? Go to Request A Sapphic Media/Rarepair!
Alice Isn’t Dead (Podcast & Book):
Alice/Keisha
I Am Not Okay With This (TV Show)
Dina/Sydney Novak
Schitt’s Creek (TV Show)
Stevie Budd/Alexis Rose
Arcane (TV Show)
Caitlyn/Vi
Stranger Things (TV Show)
Robin Buckley/Nancy Wheeler
Robin Buckley/Vickie
Eleven | Jane Hopper/ Maxine “Max” Mayfield
The Penumbra Podcast (Podcast)
Buddy Aurinko/Vespa Ilkay
Sir Caroline/Quanyii
The Magnus Archives (Podcast)
Georgie Barker/Melanie King
Agnes Montague/Gertrude Robinson
Agnes Montague/Jude Perry
Ever After High (TV Show)
Madeline "Maddie" Hatter/Raven Queen
Kitty Cheshire/Lizzie Hearts
Darling Charming/Apple White
Raven Queen/Apple White
Cerise Hood/Raven Queen
Any other sapphic pairing you can think of!
Monster High (TV Series)
Draculaura/Clawdeen Wolf
Abbey Bominable/Frankie Stein
Twyla/Howleen Wolf
Any other sapphic pairing you can think of!
Red Dead Redemption 2 (Video Game)
Sadie Adler/Abigail Roberts
Mary-Beth Gaskill/Tilly Jackson
Sadie Adler/Molly O'Shea
Sadie Adler/Mary Linton
Star Stables (Video Game)
Alex Cloudmill/Maya Dew
Anne von Blyssen/Alex Cloudmill
Linda Chanda/Lisa Peterson
Linda Chanda/Alex Cloudmill
The Bright Sessions (Podcast)
Samantha Barnes/Chloe Turner
Samantha Barnes/Joan Bright
Chloe Turner/Rose Atikson
Rose Atikson/Emily Rodriguez
Wolf 359 (Podcast)
Isabel Lovelace/Renée Minkowski
Hera/Alana Maxwell
The Strange Case of Starship Iris (Podcast)
Violet Liu/Arkady Patel
Microcosmos; A Science Fiction Podcast (Podcast)
Athena Romero/Alex de la Cruz
The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals (Musical)
Deb/Alice Woodward
Heartstopper (TV Show)
Tara Jones/Darcy Olsson
Do Revenge (Movie)
Elanor Levitan/Drea Torres
Gabbi Broussard/Eleanor Levetan
Gabbi Broussard/Eleanor Levetan/Drea Torres
Go ahead and Request a Fic!
9 notes
·
View notes
Bonus Episode #4 - The Fire Is Slowly Dying
***
JESSE
Hey, it’s Jesse Smith! It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Believe me, we’ve missed being in your feeds every two weeks so much, but we are sadly still on hiatus.
In good news: we are getting very close to being ready to return, and we will keep you updated on our social medias of an estimated time of returning to normal scheduling.
About a year ago, we released our first bonus episode on a whim, having written all of the trailer and the first draft of our pilot. Who would’ve thought that we’d have come so far in just a year. But, we couldn’t have done it without the amazing support of all of you, listeners, and for that we thank you so very much.
Anyways, without further ado, our newest mini-episode: The Fire is Slowly Dying. Work well.
***
ANNOUNCER
Futuristic Trail Mix Productions Presents Micro-Cosmos: A Science Fiction Podcast.
***
JASON
Mr. Lacount? I have your coffee.
[sfx: knocking on the door, opening it]
JASON (CON’T)
Mr. Lacount? Uh, Hello? Hello?
VIOLA
I’ve collected a series of voicemail messages addressed to a select number of company employees, Mr. Lacount, just as instructed. Would you like for me to play them?
[Jason yelps.]
JASON
Uh, ah, oh. Oh.
[He puts on an impression of Mr. Lacount in a panic.]
Um, um...Yes, yes, dear, that would be perfect?
VIOLA
Message 1: Addressed to Dr. Emily Macey. December 11, 2093. 3:41 PM.
[sfx: a voicemail beep]
OCTAVIA
Good evening, Emily. This is Octavia. Though I appreciate your fast response to my previous email regarding my son’s upcoming project, I would appreciate it even more if you could return my calls. This is, after all, a rather time sensitive matter, I hope you recognize that.
[Octavia sighs.]
Irregardless, I would appreciate an ETA and a description of his accessibility to communication. I would like to speak to my son. Thank you very much.
[sfx: a voicemail beep]
VIOLA
Message 2: Addressed to Dr. Emily Macey. December 14, 2093. 6:53 PM.
[sfx: a voicemail beep]
JEANETTE
Hey there, Dr. Macey, it’s Jeanette. Is Marsha still at the office? She’s normally home by now and she’s not answering the phone, it’s not like her to-
[sfx: a door creaks open, footsteps as Marsha returns]
JEANETTE (CON’T)
Oh, hey there, doll!
MARSHA
Hi-a, honey. Sorry I’m running late, I had to stop by Ann’s for some flowers.
[sfx: cats meowing distantly]
JEANETTE
Oh, Marsh, they’re beautiful! I- One moment, I’m sorry.
Problem solved. Sorry about that! Thanks, anywho. Chag Sameach!
MARSHA
Aww, were you worried about me miss-
[sfx: a voicemail beep]
VIOLA
Message 3: Addressed to Receptionist Marsha Francis. December 15, 2093. 10:27 AM.
[sfx: voicemail beep]
MINERVA
Hey, Dr. Macey? It’s Minerva, um, Minerva Romero. My sister came in to see you last week and she’s just been… super cryptic about it since then. Like, she doesn’t normally tell me everything, but this is different, and I really don’t need that energy hanging over Christmas dinner.
So…to herselfI know this is probably a long shot.steadying herselfI was curious to know if I might be able to get some information on the project she’s been training for? I totally understand the confidentiality part and all, I’m not asking for much, I just want something. Please? You’ve got my phone number, please call me back when you can. Merry Christmas.
ATHENA
Minnie, I’m about to head-
[sfx: voicemail beep]
VIOLA
Message 4: Addressed to Dr. Felix Couvillion. December 17, 2093. 12:48 PM.
MOTHER
Good evening, Felix. I’m reaching out to you on behalf of my son, your supervisor. It would be quite appreciated if you could visit his office within the next 24 hours and receive your instructions. Your lack of response to his, and now my, calls is quite unprofessional.
[sfx: voicemail beep]
VIOLA
Message 5: Addressed to Receptionist Georgina Hollinghead. December 17, 2093. 2:54 PM.
[sfx: voicemail beep]
FELIX
Gnädige Frau, good afternoon! You see, that's incredibly interesting- your last message! Very interesting, indeed, because the funny thing is: I did not intentionally miss any calls! Speaking with your son is …A joy, and I would never miss talking to him for the world! Such a good supervisor, oh boy, yes indeed! I have just been
[He continues as if he’s struggling to push something]
- with some work- in the lab.
[Felix pants slightly but appears to have succeeded at whatever his task was.]
But yes, I am on my way to his office right now, as a matter of fact! I will see him then! Thank you so much, have a lovely day. Happy Holidays.
[sfx: voicemail beep]
VIOLA
Message 6: Addressed to Receptionist Marsha Francis. December 21, 2093. 3:02 PM.
[sfx: voicemail beep]
MINERVA
Hey, it’s Minerva Romero again. Was hoping you could work on getting back to me with that information, please? I know you’re not supposed to, believe me, I know, I’ve looked into the legality, but I just want to be aware of what is happening. She won’t tell me anything. I won’t tell anyone if you tell me, okay? I swear on my life. I swear on her life. I just want to know what my sister is doing, since it’s clearly so important. Please, Dr. Macey.
[sfx: voicemail beep]
VIOLA
Message 7: Addressed to Receptionist Marsha Francis. December 22, 2093. 9:34 AM.
[sfx: voicemail beep]
GABRIEL
Sorry if this is the incorrect use of this phone number, I don’t want to schedule an appointment or anything, I just wanted to see what the status of Alex de la Cruz’s training was? Is there a chance she could come home for the holidays? Her son and I have missed seeing her, and God knows she could use the break. Just consider it, please?
[Gabriel sighs.]
Thanks. Have a happy New Year.
[sfx: voicemail beep]
VIOLA
Message 8: Addressed to Dr. Emily Macey. December 23, 2093. 10:43 AM.
[sfx: voicemail beep]
MARSHA
Hey there, dolly. I know it’s your day off, but I am just hopin’ and hopin’ to everythin’ nice and good out there that you’re gonna listen to your voicemail for once.
[sfx: paper shuffling and typing for a moment]
I’ve had a coupla family members of the Ophiuchus-22 crew contact me, and… Well, I think you should reach out to them when you get the chance? I just know if this was about Jeanette, or one of my sisters, or someone else in my family or what have you… I don’t know. I just can sense the fragility that they’re left with right now. This is a big project, y’know, and they can tell! They don’t even know anythin’ about it and they can tell. They deserve to be treated with some humanity.
It’s a lot to ask, I know, but… One was a girl. Sixteen or seventeen, maybe eighteen at most? The other had a little boy. I just… I can’t in good conscience let them sit without some answers. You already know how much that M.J. kid pulls at my heartstrings, and they’re grown!
Just consider it, Em. These are real people. Real families. And they’re countin’ on you, hun. I don’t have the standing to do anything, but you do. I just emailed you their phone numbers and names. Reach out if you can.
I’m gonna look into that Dawkins case some more tonight, I think. Have a good evening. Kisses.
[Marsha sighs.]
[sfx: voicemail beep]
VIOLA
Message 9: Addressed to Receptionist Marsha Francis. December 27, 2093. 10:58 PM.
[sfx: voicemail beep]
ARCHIE
Oh, whatever could this be? A freshly submitted HR report?
[sfx: Jiminy produces the sound of an audience gasping]
[sfx: shuffling and tapping of papers]
ARCHIE (CON’T)
Now, I don’t typically respond to these funny little things, but this one really caught my eye! Y’know, you and I, Marshy poo, have always been very similar, I think. I like you a lot, Mrs. Francis, I do! I really, really do! So I think you’ll understand the little twinge I felt in my chest, oh so painful, when I caught a glimpse of this silly little thing on Ms. Lacount’s desk.
[sfx: Jiminy generates the sound of the world’s saddest violin]
ARCHIE
You wouldn’t be doing anything to taint company face, would you, Marsha Marsha Marsha?
[Archie laughs after a moment, delighted]
No, of course not!
[sfx: Jiminy produces the sound of an audience cheering]
ARCHIE (CON’T)
Of course not, you’d never do anything like that. You’re a loyal, dedicated employee.
Right?
Right!
Well, call me when you can, I’d like to discuss this sometime. Just as I’ve got that heavy focus in Company Portrayal, y’see, I need to make sure our associates are sticking to the fine print and not harming our branding in any way! I’m sure you understand.
Alrighty then. Toodles!
[sfx: Jiminy produces various cues indicating a goodbye]
[sfx: voicemail beep]
VIOLA
Message 10: Addressed to Dr. Emily Macey. January 1st, 2094. 3:01
LADY
Good morning, Emily. Just popping in with the Season’s Greetings.
There’s something magical about the New Year, isn’t there? You’d think with all of our calendar troubles across establishments that it would have lost some of its charm, but as we do with all things, we’ve kept it in shape.
The snowfall is rather picturesque outside of this window. Any revelry has faded out by this hour. Only those of enough mind and ambition to appreciate the wee hours of a blank slate, of change, of a birth, if you’d like, find themselves awake.
You are awake, aren’t you?
Happy New Year, Emily. Here’s to the big year ahead.
VIOLA
End of selected voicemail messages.
JASON (impersonating Mr. Lacount)
I would drink to that.
VIOLA
May I ask why you gave me these instructions, Mr. Lacount?
JASON (impersonating Mr. Lacount)
“Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die”.
VIOLA
Of course, sir.
[sfx: Viola powers off]
[sfx: retreating footsteps, door opens and the coffee is spilled]
[Jason yells.]
***
[sfx: a phone dialling]
WOMAN
Find anything?
MR. LACOUNT (over phone)
Oh, much. But first, if you’ll humor me enough to listen to these…
WOMAN
Tapes? What are those from, the 20th century?
MR. LACOUNT (over phone)
Last year, actually. Just listen.
[sfx: inserting a tape into a tape deck]
***
[Miles’ voice sounds considerably younger, this memory being from a number of years ago.]
NORA
Pass me that one, honey.
MILES
This one?
NORA
Mm-hmm.
MILES
It’s from me.
NORA
Oh, perfect. Those are my favorite kinds of gifts.She shakes the box lightly, and then opens it.
[sfx: shaking the box lightly]
NORA (CON’T)
Oh, Miles, you shouldn’t have!
SHAWN
The hell is that?
NORA
Shawn…
Go on, Miles, you can explain it to him if you’d like.
MILES
It’s fine, Mom, it’s not his gift.
SHAWN
It looks like a piece of trash to me.
NORA
I think it’s perfect. The yellow accents, the–
[sfx: button pressed, a noise is generated by the gift]
NORA (CON’T)
Amazing! Miles, your little inventions just keep getting better and better!
SHAWN
Don’t encourage this, Nora.
MILES
Thanks, Mom.
NORA
Stop it, Shawn. You really need to…
[The tape fades out.]
***
[Miles sounds to be their usual age.]
MILES
-wasn’t really a fan of my gift giving, anyways. Plus, I haven’t really got a reason to celebrate anymore, y’know?
EMILY
I understand. I was the same way when I was your age. Then I… well, I told you that story. With, er—
MILES
Barf, yes, I remember.
EMILY
Right. But after we… you know-
[Miles gags.]
MILES
Spare me those details please, Em-
[Emily laughs.]
EMILY
You, you are a pain!
After we split, effectively, I went back to… This, I suppose.
MILES
That’s surprising, honestly.
EMILY
Is it?
MILES
Sort of. Not sure why, but… They shrug.
EMILY
I see… the hot chocolate is good though, yes?
MILES
Oh, hell yes.
[Miles takes a sip.]
MILES (CON’T)
By the way, thanks for letting me know ahead of time about training last week. Alex would’ve had my ass if you didn’t tell me to look over those…
[The tape fades out.]
***
WOMAN
Pardon me for my lack of enthusiasm, but I am still confused as to why I am wasting my time with… tapes?
[sfx: loading the tape deck]
***
ALEX (whispering)
Oh. My God.
GABRIEL (whispering)
How does it look?
ALEX
It looks… great. Very red.
GABRIEL
Jolly?
ALEX
You could say that.
He’s fast asleep in his room, you know, I’m not sure this is entirely necessary.
GABRIEL
Sure it’s necessary.
ALEX
Mm…
GABRIEL
Think about the cookies! The milk, the candy canes, the stockings hung with care? A job for Saint Nick, methinks.
ALEX
Gabe…
GABRIEL
Come on, it’s fun!
ALEX
It’s 1 AM…
GABRIEL
It’s Christmas! If you really think about it, you can thank that Dr. Macey from your work for this. She’s the one who gave you the opportunity to be a part of this in the first place.
ALEX
Sure… can we not bring up work right now?
GABRIEL
… Right. Right.
Well, what are you waiting for, get the camera!
ALEX
God…
[The tape fades out.]
***
MR. LACOUNT (over phone)
Do you understand now?
WOMAN
Right! Yes, of course! I can see oh-so-clearly that this is not robbing me of precious hours. I understand with full clarity.
[sfx: loading the tape deck]
***
MINERVA
So that’s it? You’re just not going to say anything?
ATHENA
Minerva, we’ve discussed this over and over and over again, alright, legally I cannot.
MINERVA
Why? I’m blood.
ATHENA
Blood isn’t enough.
MINERVA
Blood isn’t enough? You favor the law over your sister?
ATHENA
It’s not favoring, Minnie, I never said that! I just can’t. I need this job, I— we can’t afford to lose it.
MINERVA
You’ve been under Omni-Corp’s toe since you were 16, Athena! You—
ATHENA
It was different then.
MINERVA
You know what? Yeah! Sure, that’s true! Back then, you came home at night. You told me what you were doing.
ATHENA
Things can change.
MINERVA
I just want you to stop lying to me.
ATHENA
Lying?! When have I ever—
MINERVA
Dr. Macey told me everything.
ATHENA
… What?
MINERVA
She told me everything, like how you have been…
***
[sfx: the tape is popped out of the deck]
WOMAN
Hm…
MR. LACOUNT (over phone)
Do you see now?
WOMAN
This is… interesting…
Elaborate, please.
***
ANNOUNCER
Micro-Cosmos: A Science Fiction Podcast.
This mini-episode, The Fire is Slowly Dying, was written by Jesse Smith, edited by Lauren Tucker and Luka Miller, and directed by Jesse Smith and Lauren Tucker. It starred Jayce Pelletier as Viola, M. Furch as Octavia, Sivan Raz as Jeanette Francis, Jackson Rossman as Miles Abbott, Luka Miller as Marsha Francis and Alex de la Cruz, Mae Sokolik as Minerva Romero, Jesse Smith as Athena Romero, Kaleb Piper as Felix Couvillion, Oscar “Tumbleweed Tom” Ramos, Jr., as Gabriel de la Cruz, Lauren Tucker as Dr. Emily Macey, Nikki Paige as Nora Abbott, Colin Tucker as Shawn Abbott, and Griffin Berlstein as Archie Armstrong, with additional voices by Billie Willett, Emma Johanna Puranen, and Briar Zachary. Original music by Julia Barnes, and sound editing by Jesse Smith.
Be sure to stay tuned to our feed for upcoming episodes from the new backpacking intergalactic adventure from Futuristic Trail Mix Productions. Keep an eye on updates to the show's hiatus on our social medias.
Enjoying the show, and want to give us a boost? You can support us by rating and reviewing us on iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts, or telling a friend about us.
To follow the show and find transcripts, you can find us on Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram as @MicroCosPod. Questions, comments, and concerns can be emailed to us via
[email protected].
Thank you for listening.
2 notes
·
View notes
The adventure begins March 2021. Check out trailer 1/3 on Monday, December 14, 2020.
Micro-Cosmos is a sci-fi audio drama about a crew of terraformers on Ophiuchus-22, a planet many, many stars away. Produced by Futuristic Trail Mix Productions. Written by Zyrel Thompson, Jesse Smith, and Lauren Tucker. More information coming soon.
34 notes
·
View notes
New Playlists!!
Stream our newest playlists inspired by Episodes 6 & 7!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4kkZ7U7CYY4ruLLM8C298d?si=ZEU3tW82TuaOVluJ8AIMfg&dl_branch=1
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6G4B4kSKpuySuNWCJkX18O?si=wNorIjo8Qb6w1xjXQfMAGg&dl_branch=1
Though we are currently on hiatus, please feel free to message us/comment suggestions for bonus content in the coming days!
✨💙💫
[Photo IDs: The first photo shows white text reading “MICRO-COSMOS EPISODE 6: FLOWERS IN THE STORM” over a shot of a bluely lit cave. The second photo shows white text Redding “MICRO-COSMOS EPISODE 7: MIRACULOUSLY MISPLACED” over a shot of a small waterfall in a grey, rocky cave. They are the playlist covers. End ID.]
4 notes
·
View notes
Character Playlist #1
Here is a collection of songs that inspired Dr. Emily Macey and the first trailer, Until Tonight Becomes Tomorrow, which airs on Monday (December 14th)!
Keep an eye open for more playlists as we approach our second trailer's release, and remember that the pilot drops in March of 2021!
Enjoy!
🎶🚀✨
22 notes
·
View notes
Micro-Cosmos S1E7 Transcript: Miraculously Misplaced
(“Hello world. This is Chronicling Log One, of Doctor Felix Augustine Couvillion.”
CONTENT WARNINGS: yelling, peril, brief claustrophobia, mentions of unreality, paranoia, and the fear of going insane.
Transcript begins below break.)
[THEME MUSIC PLAYS]
ANNOUNCER
Futuristic Trail Mix Productions presents Micro-Cosmos: A Science Fiction Podcast.
[THEME MUSIC FADES OUT]
***
[sfx: external storm ambiance echoing through the cave, button press]
FELIX
Um... hello world. This...This is Chronicling Log One, of Doctor Felix Augustine Couvillion. I am the science officer on duty with Omnitarian Establishment Crew, erm... zero three... no, we're um...
Zero-one-three-seven-F. Yes. It says so right here.
You'll have to forgive me. Ordinarily, when I make these recordings, they're for my own notes, or for my scientific peers. I am not used to simply... documenting the goings-on, especially... my goings-on... when confined to a cave.
According to Athena, this is for a chronicling protocol called a Code Drag. It refers to, if memory serves, a distress situation without a contingency that, at present, makes mission objectives impossible to complete. That is to say, we have been "dragged" off course. There is no contingency plan for a cinderburst. Cal says they're too rare to even warrant such a thing, nor is there enough research to determine how one could occur here. If these storms supposed to be characteristic of desert terrain, however, I would say Ophiuchus is hardly a suitable candidate. Not that I can research such a claim when I have no signal to reach any external databases that could be of help. No, that would be too easy.
Instead of that, what I do is I sit inside of a cave, talking to myself, and try to avoid going... slightly mad. If I wasn't there already, of course. I wonder how Athena manages it.
For the sake of my friend, however, I am sucking it up and beginning with these entries. I've been procrastinating for long enough, so, I will see to it that I make this log faithful to its purpose, and as honest as I can manage. I'll start with a caution, though. This cave is dull, even considering what you would expect from a cave, namely: not much. For that reason, I'm afraid I cannot guarantee you anything riveting, my dear listener. Consider yourself to be warned.
So, I hear you ask me: What have I, Doctor Felix Couvillion, been up to, now that myself and my friends have spent about... oh, a day and a half inside a damp, cavernous lair of darkness? You ask me, 'Felix, what are the Tales from the Tunnels? The Stories from the Stones? The Accounts of'... a, a, um... a cave. The cave, which I'm sure I will have memorised every vein of by the time daylight decides to reappear.
In short, I've been working. Making note of the vegetation in here, and how it might help us. I've found a new variant of fruit-bearing vine, actually. Edible. Similar to a terran gooseberry. It will make for a decent snack, once my trail mix finally runs out. A sad day, that will be.
Somehow I don't find this discovery as exciting as I should. The Commander, she tries hard to keep our morale afloat, but... you know. It hasn't been long, and somehow, I already feel as though we are... contained. Stuck in some version of a time capsule, and... preserved until the next moment we are meant for is to resume.
[Felix sighs.]
FELIX (CONT'D)
There's no wildlife in here, as of yet. No water either. That makes sense, on paper. The fact of the matter is that carbon-based animal life needs water. Including us. In a worst case scenario, our current water supply wouldn't last us. So, I either solve this problem, or we all slowly die of dehydration, sucking the juice out of vine berries as a last ditch attempt to survive.
Yeesh. Not a pretty picture, hm?
Which is why I will make my third trek to scout a potable water source this afternoon. If I'm able to find room in my busy schedule
Oh! In between my rounds, though, I have found something to pass the time-He stops again.
This is... what a chronicling log is for, yes? Cataloguing however our time is spent inside an unavoidable disaster?
Sure it is.
Anyways. I have... wait for it... I have rediscovered my love for card tricks! And I can still manage to do them, too.
It's like it never left me, in a way. Like riding a bike for the mind. Or, as Morgan once put it, riding a bike for nerds.
Here, I'll show you.
...You can’t see me. Dammit.
Well, let's try it like this, then. Were you here, dear listener, you would shuffle the deck. You would pick a card, only in your mind. And then, you'd give the deck back to me, and after a series of convoluted detours through what seems like a magical process, the card would end up in your pocket, a place it certainly shouldn't be.
Ta da!
Okay, okay, a magician shouldn't reveal his tricks, I know. But I can't contain myself, so I'll give you a tidbit.
I forced a card on you, at the start. You thought it was your choice. It wasn't. It was, likely, the Ace of Dishes. Good card. I'm fond of it.
It's an interesting thing, that trick. According to the logical part of your brain, the card should be in the deck, with the rest of its friends. It’s family, if you will. Your eyes told you it should be there, and so of course, you're expecting it to be there.
Or were you? That card, from the second you or I chose it, when you saw it, and we convinced each other that it was special, or different, the, hm... well, the zeitgeist of the situation told you that by the end of the trick... that card wasn't going to be in it's rightful place. It wasn't going to be like all the others. It was going to be... miraculously misplaced.
In reality, the misdirection relies on both expectations. It needs the voice of reason, and the voice of the little child inside your brain that really really really wants magic to be real, just so it can stir a whit of joy.
In my experience, though, most things in life that are misplaced from where they belong, it's... not a good situation.
Take our example. One looks down at the flowers for a moment, giving the storm just enough time to sneak up and tap him on the shoulder, and... Abracadabra. Misdirected... misplaced from mission objectives. This kind of thing... does not bring much joy, does it?
That's my insight, anyways.
And that's about as much as I can fill a Chronicling Log with, for now. I'm going to check up with the others.
Um, Doctor Felix Augustine Couvillion, ending Log One.
[sfx: button click]
***
ATHENA
... That's a dog?
MILES
Yeah. It's supposed to be! Like... bark?
ALEX
Sorry, I... honestly thought it was supposed to be a sock puppet.
MILES
Sock puppets don't have ears!
ATHENA
...An ear?
ALEX
That's an ear?
ATHENA
I mean I figured it was an animal of some kind, but-
MILES
I never claimed to be good at shadow puppets, okay?
C41
Clearly.
MILES
Cal, you don't have tangible hands, you don't get an opinion.
C41
At least I know that dogs aren't that long.
[sfx: approaching footsteps]
ALEX
Yeah, actually, kinda... looks like that little cat thing that bit Felix.
FELIX
It was a spray, not a bite.
That makes it sound a lot more gross, actually.
[Alex claps her hands.]
ALEX
Nice to see the party's finally here!
FELIX
Hm? "Party"? That's new.
ALEX
Did you bring the deck of cards?
FELIX
Of course.
ALEX
Then you're the party.
[Felix laughs.]
ALEX (CONT'D)
Where've you been?
FELIX
Recording my first chronicling log. I figured an update on my perspective was in order.
ATHENA
Oh, good, thank you. How'd it go?
FELIX
Um... well, I think. A bit meandering, maybe. Not anything special.
ATHENA
Honestly, however they end up going is fine. It's just a matter of getting an account from everyone of how they're doing and what's going on. That's all I really have to do, most of the time. You'd be surprised how useful a ramble is when you have it on file. What did you meander about?
FELIX
Oh just... you know. Something that I've been brushing up on. Here, I'll show you, actually.
MILES
Sure, just share your talents with the class I guess.
C41
This should be interesting.
[sfx: unboxing and shuffling playing cards]
MILES
What is this?
FELIX
It's a card trick.
MILES
A card trick...
FELIX
Correct. Can I have a volunteer?
[Athena, Alex and C41 respond positively.]
FELIX (CONT'D)
Miles, thank you, so kind of you to volunteer.
MILES
My hand was not up.
FELIX
Here, shuffle these.
MILES
Ugh. Fine.
[sfx: cards shuffling]
FELIX
No, don't give them to me! That's against the rules.
MILES
Oookay. I'll keep em.
FELIX
You're thinking of a particular one, I can tell.
MILES
Uh... sure. Six of stars?
FELIX
No, no, that's not it. Come on, this one only works if we convince each other that it's going to work. It was a low card, something... special.
MILES
Low, and... special? Like an Ace?
FELIX
It was an Ace?
MILES
Yeah. Yeah, an Ace.
FELIX
But not the Ace of Stars? We've got Planets, Comets, Dishes and Stars, but... How about you pick two of those, Officer Abbott?
MILES
Dishes and Stars.
FELIX
We'll keep the Dishes and the Stars then, and get rid of the other two. But it wasn't Stars, so the Ace of Dishes, then?
MILES
Yeah.
FELIX
The Ace of Dishes was the first card that came to mind, you're sure?
MILES
Yeah.
FELIX
Perfect. Athena, could you pick a number for me? It could be anywhere between, er... one to ten.
ATHENA
Seven.
FELIX
Seven. Very well. Miles, can I have the deck back?
MILES
Oh, that's allowed now?
FELIX
Of course, don't be silly.
Now, I'm going to pull seven cards off the top of this deck that Miles shuffled and, well... we'll see what happens.
[sfx: cards being drawn from the deck]
FELIX (CONT'D)
One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six.
Seven.
Oh... dear, that's not it.
MILES
Jack of Comets. Figured it wouldn't-
FELIX
Indeed. Wait, Miles, what's that?
MILES
What's what?
FELIX
In your shirt pocket.
[sfx: an emphatic rustling and card flip.
FELIX
This?
MILES
The... Ace... of Dishes. Wait.
[Athena applauds.]
[Alex laughs.]
ALEX
Hey now, how the hell did you do that?
FELIX
Ah, ah. Magicians. Secrets. You know the rules.
ALEX
I bet Cal knows.
C41
I have... an idea or two, but I'm not exactly sure, really. Nice job.
FELIX
Thank you.
MILES
I don't know how you did that. I am going to find out how you did that.
[sfx: lots of movement]
[Indistuguishable frenzied comments from the crew.]
***
[sfx: echoing footsteps, very distant external storm ambiance.]
[sfx: button click.]
FELIX
Doctor Felix Augustine Couvillion. Recording Chronicling Log... Two, I suppose. Though it hasn't been long.
I had to escape from Miles's endless, somewhat terrifying questions. I fear those will be a common occurrence from this point on.
Anywho. I am currently... well, I don't know exactly where I am. My analog compass says I am southeast of our campsite, which is just outside the entrance to the tunnel system. But, I'm not so sure. You would think this little gadget would be unaffected by the storm, but the cinderbust seems to be acting on all of our other equipment as if it were somehow a geomagnetic storm. This, of course, may mean it is confusing the compass needle as well.
So I'm not sure I can trust in that bearing.
What I do know is, I took a left. So at least I have that to go on.
I did promise the Commander that I wouldn't stray too far from the camp when I'm alone.
But I'm not alone. I'm on the hunt for a source of water, and I'm taking you, whoever will listen to this, with me for the journey. So technically, I'm keeping my promise, while getting results.
Hopefully. Hopefully getting results.
It isn't like I have any real reason to be concerned about my safety. Like I had mentioned, there have been no encounters with wildlife as of yet. Then again, I've been wrong before. It would be just my luck to end up being wrong again. But, I survived Mercutio, ergo, I could likely survive anything. The little devil.
[sfx: flashlight clicks on]
FELIX (CONT'D)
Let there be light.
Ah. It appears we've reached a choice to make. Hm. Left... or... right.
I'd rather not go in a circle. Right it is.
Left, then right. Left, then right. Left then... right. Okay.
So, anyways. I hadn't had any previous luck taking a right initially, where I first chose to go left. My left. Not... upon return- never mind. I know what I mean. I hadn't gone too far that way, in any case.
Only today did I figure out the loophole in my promise, and... in terms of balancing my very busy schedule, I figure that it's best not to spend all my time fretting over dehydration. Going prematurely mad is not in my plans.
There are some interesting mineral formations on the ceiling. It may be worth taking a sample to submit on my way back. They're a sort of bluish-white, and they seem to form in hexagonal clusters, about three to four centimetres in length. Quite pretty. Pretty enough to understand the appeal of geology, if only for a moment.
No offence to geologists, of course.
No luminescence is visible from the formations. My torch is the only current source of light. I suppose luminescence would have been too much to hope for. It is... rather dark, this way. Miles wouldn't like it.
I don't think Miles likes many things, come to think of it.
There's a grumpy individual if you ever did see one. But, a decent traveling companion when the mood strikes them-
[sfx: walking stops]
FELIX (CONT'D)
Dead end. Hm. I'll make a mental note.
[sfx: footsteps resume]
FELIX (CONT'D)
That's annoying. Back the way we came, then.
It might have done me good to bring Cal along. Most of their functions may be, er, rusty, at present, but they still have the sensors for these sort of things.
Or perhaps I should have brought the Commander. Navigations, and all.
Eh. I'm still not too far. And I have you, don't I, my trusty comms friend?
Even if you're not one for conversation. The brooding type. Strong and silent. I can work with that.
And I can be fairly sure that I'm-
[sfx: footsteps stop suddenly]
FELIX (CONT'D)
What?
[A long silence.]
[Felix swallows and chuckles nervously.]
FELIX (CONT'D)
Well. I... must not have been paying attention as well as I'd thought.
I've just... I've just come up against another dead end. Where I thought... no, where the entrance to this passage should be. Where... where it just... was.
It can't have just... filled behind me. I would have heard the crash.
Right?
Same tunnel. Same... crystals. Perhaps a bit more on the indigo side that I had originally noticed. No more, or, um, less lacking luminescence.
Alright, er... Perhaps I took a turn and passed it. I'll retrace... my steps.
What you're looking for is always in the last place you check, right?
[sfx: footsteps]
[Felix breathes shakily.]
[sfx: sound of distant running water fades in]
FELIX (CONT'D)
Do you... do you hear that?
That sounds like...
[sfx: the water sound recedes, replaced by storm ambiance]
FELIX (CONT'D)
Sounds like... wishful thinking.
No, I could've sworn. I could have sworn. I'm not mad. I'm not.
FELIX (CONT'D)
Don't you look at me like that. You're a bundle of wires and metal. You're not capable of going mad, only getting broken.
I... I wonder which is worse.
[sfx: a draft blowing in from the right side]
FELIX (CONT'D)
Well. I... hadn't noticed that before.
There's an offshoot path here, in between... I suppose in between dead ends. It must... it would have to lead deeper into the cave. I can't... This doesn't make any sense.
[Felix struggles to look inside the narrow path.]
FELIX (CONT'D)
I can't make out anything inside. Very dark, but...
But there's a draft. Meaning... it must lead outside. No daylight, however.
Well, of course there's no daylight, Felix. Remember why you're here in the first place.
[sfx: the draft stops unnaturally abruptly]
FELIX (CONT'D)
Well, that doesn't make any sense, now does it?
The wind from the passage seems to have... turned off. Just... just like that.
I should just go back the way I came. Yes. That's what I should do.
[sfx: the sound of running water resumes]
FELIX (CONT'D)
Wait... is... am I hearing that right...?
Not right now, thank you. I could do without the difficult decision.
Fine. Fine! Fine then, I'll just...
[He struggles further to get inside the path, with a few laboured mutterings.]
[Felix pants.]
[sfx: water droplets hitting the ground.]
FELIX (CONT'D)
Yahtzee.
[sfx; unscrewing a thermos, letting water drip inside]
FELIX (CONT'D)
I'll have to ensure this is potable, first. Or if I can make it potable. I'm sure it will be fine...
Either way this is a good sign for our continued survival.
[sfx: extremely loud shifting of rock]
FELIX (CONT'D)
What in the... What was that?
I've got enough of this to test but... The only problem is, I don't know that I could find it again. I... almost certainly don't know where I am.
[sfx: another creaking shift of rock]
[Felix gasps and exclaims.]
FELIX (CONT'D)
What... I'm sorry, I just... felt a shift there, it startled me.
There's obviously an explanation for this but... I don't think I'm in any state to continue this trip. I need... I need to get back to camp.
[sfx: footsteps resume]
FELIX (CONT'D)
Next time, if I ever come back this way, I'm bringing someone with me.
[sfx: running water fades out]
FELIX (CONT'D)
Wait, uh... where... but I had just looked through...
I can't see that passage anymore. Where I got the water. Can you?
Of course you can't. I'm talking to myself. I bet no one will ever even listen to these. It isn't as if you care. You let this happen in the first place, sent us somewhere new without contingencies, and I'll bet you still don't feel responsible.
It's there. You can't see it from this angle, but it's there, you just can't see it in the dark.
[sfx: extremely loud stone creaking and moving]
FELIX (CONT'D)
I need to go. I need to... I need to leave.
[sfx: running footsteps]
[Felix pants.]
[sfx: footsteps slow and stop]
FELIX (CONT'D)
Left or... right? I swear, this doesn't... what was that goddamn sound?!
No. No, you shouldn't hear this. Am I transmitting, or... is this a recording-
[sfx: comms click]
***
[sfx: comms click]
ATHENA
-were just looking for you.
FELIX
I know, I know, I lost track of time-
ATHENA
Alex was worried sick, we thought we heard you yell-
FELIX
Well, that's very kind of her, but I-
ATHENA
Felix... are you okay? Did something-
FELIX
I'm fine.
ATHENA
Okay.
Next time, maybe, take one of us with you. Or at least tell us when you'll be back.
FELIX
Sure, sure. In any case, it was a success.
[sfx: unscrewing a thermos]
FELIX (CONT'D)
Water. Fresh. Hopefully potable.
ATHENA
That's great! That's a relief. Okay. Where did you find it?
FELIX
Oh. Heh. Funny you should ask, actually.
ATHENA
Oh?
FELIX
Yes, I... see I was fine, but along the way I got a little... lost, it wasn't anything to be concerned about, but... I may have a little trouble finding it again.
ATHENA
Oh.
FELIX
Ah, but, don't worry.
I kept the recorder running.
ATHENA
Uh... well, that's good. It definitely makes my job a lot easier.
FELIX
Well, yes, and I... wasn't alone.
ATHENA
Right.
FELIX
And! And, perhaps if I give this a listen, it would help me figure where I got turned around. Nothing a second journey won't fix.
ATHENA
Not alone this time.
FELIX
Not alone the first time because I personified my comms but... yes I see your point.
ATHENA
Well, let's give it a listen, then.
FELIX
Okay. Okay, okay, okay.
[sfx: button pressing]
FELIX (CONT'D)
It should be my most recent... input, let's see here. Ah. There.
[sfx: button press]
RECORDING FELIX
Doctor Felix Augustine Couvillion. Recording Chronicling Log... Two, I suppose. Though it hasn't been long.
[sfx: a sudden click, lasting static]
ATHENA
Um, Felix?
FELIX
...Yes?
ATHENA
Was that the end of the recording?
FELIX
No. Definitely not.
ATHENA
Then why... did you stop talking?
FELIX
I didn't stop talking, I kept it running the whole time, I only turned it off just before I saw you!
ATHENA
Something must have happened, then. Can I see it?
FELIX
Sure, sure.
ATHENA
It doesn't look like a corrupted file, in fact, everything seems to be working fine. Out here, at least.
Maybe the storm messed with your comms too, somehow. Or maybe... maybe there's some good conductors in the stone too, deeper in the cave, that could have thrown off your signal, or...
FELIX
Or it could have been my own fault.
ATHENA
It happens to the best of us, Felix.
FELIX
Well, finding that source again just got infinitely harder, didn't it?
ATHENA
Maybe? I don't know. Either way, we have time before that search becomes urgent, and, at least we know it exists. Hopefully we never really have to worry about it at all.
FELIX
That doesn't make it any less frustrating, though, does it?
ATHENA
Well, technology is wonderful, when it works. I appreciate the fact that you were recording anything for me at all, I know that code protocol can be a pain.
FELIX
Well, strange as it sounds, I'm glad these protocols exist. It makes it seem like an effort is being made to keep things sorted, I suppose.
ATHENA
Keeping our ducks in a row?
FELIX
Precisely.
ATHENA
Well, I can only hope. I've never had to run a crew-wide chronicling operation before outside of a drill. I was hoping I would never have to.
FELIX
One narrator of this comedy of errors should have been enough?
ATHENA
Precisely.
Anyways, do you want to head back to camp now? Everyone will want to know you're alright.
FELIX
They were really worried?
ATHENA
Of course they were. Alex wants her ducks in a row, too. An odd one out wouldn't be good for us.
FELIX
Like an Ace of Dishes.
ATHENA
Only, we were pretty sure you weren't in Miles's pocket.
[Both laugh.]
ATHENA (CONT'D)
Here.
[sfx: footsteps]
ATHENA (CONT'D)
This way.
***
FELIX
Chronicling Log of Doctor Felix Augustine Couvillion, third part.
It's past evening now, into the night. I think the others have gone to bed. Yet, it appears that I can't sleep. Something about today unnerved me. There is no explanation for my confusion, except my own anxieties, my paranoia, what have you. I know that.
I know that in the same way I know that the walls of a cave don't move around you. Not unless you are very patient, dead, or mad.
In my case, the jury is still out on the latter.
A planet isn't conscious, it isn't sentient, it shouldn't know who I am.
And yet, there's nothing left of that recording to even tell you what I mean. All that's left is how I remember it, and that perturbs me.
Here's the thing: I can tell myself that I lost my way in a dead end simply because I am afraid of what happens when I turn my back. But if I deem that fear a sound rationalization... then I may have something to evaluate. A time of soul-searching, hopefully. In the company of a snack.
ALEX
Yikes. Deep. Make sure you have your coffee first.
FELIX
Commander! Where did- I'm sorry, I thought you were asleep with the others, did I wake you-
[Alex laughs quietly.]
ALEX
Shh, shhh! Athena and Miles are still asleep, I was just... I was... never mind.
[sfx: Alex sits down.]
ALEX (CONT'D)
You recording?
FELIX
Er, yes. As redundant as it may seem.
ALEX
Redundant?
FELIX
Yes. Just between you and me, boss? I doubt anyone will ever listen to these.
ALEX
You really think so?
FELIX
The good folks back at headquarters tend to overindulge on bureaucracy. Efficiency is prioritised to the detriment of efficiency.
Perhaps the duty will be passed on to an Artificial Intelligence like our friend. I suppose that works just as well.
ALEX
There's the silver lining I was waiting for.
FELIX
Oh, don't rely on me for that.
ALEX
Why not? It's worked so far.
Case and point: that card trick was probably the silver lining of my day. And I still have no idea how you did it.
FELIX
Really?
ALEX
Really. No clue. Unless Miles was in on it, but I seriously doubt that.
FELIX
I can show you.
ALEX
Yeah?
[sfx: rustling through a bag, cards rustling, flipping and shuffling]
FELIX
Certainly.
Now, the first thing is, Miles didn't pick the Ace of Dishes. I did. And then I convinced them that they did. And convincing Miles Abbott of something is probably the hardest part of any trick, so if you can manage that... this next part is quite easy.
ALEX
The next part is the actual trick, you mean.
FELIX
The convincing is the trick. If you can't even convince yourself that you can do it, make a card do something miraculous, how are you going to convince the people watching?
ALEX
Good point. Teach me.
FELIX
Very well. So it looks like this, when we actually do it. Pulling it out of a pocket.
[sfx: card flick]
FELIX (CONT’D)
But really, we're just folding the card behind quickly as you flick it off the bottom of the pack, like that, and then... you cup it into your palm when you reach out. It never leaves your hand.
[sfx: the same card flick, but slower]
[sfx: a card sliding]
ALEX
Oh. Ohhhhh, okay! Gimme one.
[Felix laughs.]
[sfx: passing Alex a card.]
FELIX
Give it a try.
ALEX
Okay... so... take it from the bottom of the... deck, and then-
[sfx: a similar card flick, a similar card slide]
ALEX (CONT’D)
Like that?
FELIX
Yes. Exactly.
ALEX
Alright. Alright, okay. So... from here...
[sfx: a quick card flick, a quick card slide]
ALEX
Like that?
FELIX
Ha! You picked that up quickly, sir.
[sfx: repeated flick and slide of the card performed by Alex]
ALEX
I can do more than play Go Fish, Couvillion.
FELIX
That's for certain. It's double trouble for the rest of the crew, in any case. Two magicians are better than one, you know.
[sfx: card sounds stop]
ALEX
Oh, man. Miles is going to hate this.
***
ANNOUNCER
Micro-Cosmos: A Science Fiction Podcast.
This episode, Miraculously Misplaced, was written by Lauren Tucker, edited by Luka Miller, and directed by Jesse Smith and Lauren Tucker. It starred Jesse Smith as the voice of Athena Romero, Jackson Rossman as the voice of Miles Abbott, Luka Miller as the voice of Alex de la Cruz, Kaleb Piper as the voice of Felix Couvillion, and Pippa van Beek-Paterson as the voice of Cal. Original music by Julia Barnes, and sound editing by Tobias Friedman.
Be sure to stay tuned to our feed for upcoming episodes from the new backpacking intergalactic adventure from Futuristic Trail Mix Productions. Enjoying the show, and want to give us a boost? You can support us by rating and reviewing us on iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts, or telling a friend about us.
To follow the show and find transcripts, you can find us on Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram as @MicroCosPod. Questions, comments, and concerns can be emailed to us via
[email protected].
Thank you for listening.
***
3 notes
·
View notes
Micro-Cosmos S1E2: Turn and Draw
Stream wherever you find your podcasts, and find the transcript here! Thank you for listening!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0KONOhM9wkt7RY4bujEzzV?si=f86defa662034ff0
A strange beast torments the crew.
This episode, Turn and Draw, was written by Jesse Smith, and directed by Lauren Tucker and Jesse Smith. It starred Jesse Smith as Athena Romero, Luka Miller as Alex de la Cruz, Jackson Rossman as Miles Abbott, Kaleb Piper as Felix Couvillion, and Pippa van Beek-Patterson as Unit C41, with original music by Julia Barnes and sound editing by Tobias Friedman.
Be sure to stay tuned to our feed for future content. To follow the show and find transcripts, you can find us on Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram as @microcos_pod/microcospod. Questions, comments, and concerns can be emailed to us via
[email protected]. For more information on the show, visit our website, microcospod.space.
Thank you for listening.
6 notes
·
View notes
Micro-Cosmos S1E4: Looking Up Transcript
(The crew celebrates an afternoon of well-deserved downtime.
Transcript begins below break.)
[sfx: forest ambiance, running footsteps]
FELIX
BIIIIIIRD!
That... is nineteen! Almost... at... victory.
[sfx: running footsteps]
MILES
That... was not... fair... you tripped me!
FELIX
Did... not.
MILES
Did too!
FELIX
Did not!
MILES
Totally did.
FELIX
The point is mine, fair and square. You did not set eyes upon that bird, first, thus-
MILES
Because you cheated!
FELIX
What would you have me do, forfeit the point?
MILES
Yes.
FELIX
Well I'm not going to do that.
MILES
I know. Ya lousy-
[sfx: a bird caws]
MILES
BIRD!
FELIX
Bird? Ah yes, Bird. Ah, damn. Bird.
MILES
Haha, that's a nineteen-nineteen tie, next points the winner.
FELIX
Yes. And that point belongs to me.
MILES
Yeah, right. Tell you what, then. Let's have a wager. I'll even let you pick the terms.
FELIX
Okay. The loser has to carry Athena's birthday present around in their bag for a week.
MILES
Athena doesn't want to carry it?
FELIX
No one wants to carry it, my friend.
MILES
Fine! That's fine! It's not like I worked super hard on it or anything-
FELIX
Shh. I'm sensing... an avian presence.
[sfx: birdsong, running footsteps taking off]
FELIX
ALLONS-Y!
[sfx: running footsteps taking off]
MILES
WAIT UP!
FELIX
Where... are... you...
[sfx: a whack]
[Felix yelps.]
MILES
Ha! You-
[sfx: a similar whack]
MILES (CONT'D)
AA! MY EYE!
***
[THEME MUSIC FADES IN]
ANNOUNCERFuturistic Trail Mix Productions presents Micro-Cosmos: A Science Fiction Podcast.
[THEME MUSIC FADES OUT]
***
[sfx: forest ambiance, running water, a click]
MILES
Oww.
ATHENA
This is-
MILES
Owww.
ATHENA
This is-
MILE
OWWW!
ALEX
Dude, just hold still. You took quite the fall out there.
ATHENA
Athena Romero... recording. Hi. It's Day 28, and we're stationed at approximate position North 57 degrees West 105 degrees, still enroute to our equipment dropoff point and making good time at that. We've had to stop for a little, uh, first aid. Miles and Felix got hit in the face with a tree branch playing their new game. It's called Bird... I hate it.
FELIX
Hey, Bird is- ow - Bird is fun!
ALEX
Until the forest pokes your eye out along the way, Doc.
FELIX
I'd call it an occupational hazard.
ATHENA
Thankfully, Headquarters, no one actually lost an eye. By some miracle.
[C41′s BOOT-UP JINGLE PLAYS]
C41
Oh, the odds of them losing an eye aren't as high as you'd hope. I ran the calculations.
MILES
Yeah? Let me check your math on that one.
C41
No.
ATHENA
Anyways. We thought it'd be a good time to take a walking break. Maybe have some lunch.
[sfx: rummaging]
ALEX
Aw, shoot. Looks like we're lacking in antibiotics to get this one on your knee cleaned up, Miles. Cal, any chance we're getting more of that with the shipment?
C41
I do have "additional first aid supplies" on the roster, Commander. So... probably!
ALEX
I will take a "probably" for all that it's worth as far as HQ is concerned, kid. And hey, we're almost to the drop-off point. Speaking of which, Starshine, did you get the memo to them that we're ahead of schedule?
ATHENA
Oh, uh, oh! Yeah, I did get the relay to them last night, and they came back with an acknowledgement. I think we're just going to have to wait it out though.
ALEX
Aces. Cal, how much longer do we have on the walking?
C41
Eh, not much! About another...
[sfx: mechanical whirring]
C41 (CONT'D)
Hour!
MILES
An hour?
ALEX
Hey, I like the sound of that.
FELIX
Just think. All of that extra time to play Bird.
ATHENA
And, sorry to ask, but, Bird is fun... because?
ALEX
Because I think all this walking has made the doctor go a bit batty.
FELIX
Perhaps. More like... bird-y. If you will.
[Miles groans.]
MILES
You set him up for that one, you know- Ow!
ALEX
Just a sanitising wipe. I know, I know, it stings. It's the best we're gonna do to keep it clean for now.
[C41 giggles.]
MILES
What are you laughing at?
C41
Aw, nothing. Just like... you guys are so funny, with your 'physical pain' thing.
MILES
Hilarious.
C41
Precisely my point.
MILES
Well, somebody's chipper today.
C41
I am! It's almost time for me to get to like, actual work. As soon as we can set up camp at the rendezvous to make it our base? Watch me go, baby.
ALEX
Wait a minute. You, Cal, are excited about doing work?
C41
Sure I am! I'm excited for work that's not super boring and lame and leaves me wanting to tie up my code in particularly pretty bows. Establishing our infrastructure, our inventory, our food sources, and oh, ooh! Getting started on actual research? They sour.I hope I just don't lose out on sleep.
MILES
Yeah, sure. We wouldn't want that.
C41
And, and, Miles, while I'm busy doing important things, you can be off doing... whatever little tasks you're supposed to do.
MILES
First of all, excuse you, I'm the engineering specialist too, not your friggin nanny, so like, I'm going to have plenty to do that is very important. And second of all, maybe I'll get to sleep instead of clacking away at fixing your code all night like a monkey at a typewriter, alright?
C41
Sure, sure. Now, are everyone's booboos in order? I'm sure Athena and Alex are getting antsy.
ATHENA
Oh guys, no, it's fine. Take your time, we're not in a rush.
MILES
No, you know what, my booboos- I mean my uh, my scrapes and stuff, are fantastic. Let's go.
FELIX
But... I'm so weak.
MILES
Nope. Up ya go.
C41
Something to prove, much?
ALEX
You'll be fine Felix. Have some trail mix, and we'll be motoring, alright?
FELIX
(chewing) Way ahead of you, sir.
ATHENA
Alright. Off we go.
[sfx: a click]
***
[sfx: forest ambiance, a click]
ATHENA
Recording from the drop-off point, at long last, this is Officer Athena Romero with Omnitarian Establishment Crew #0137-F. It's only been just over an hour since my last log, but we're here. We're here, and now we just have to camp out, and wait for the rest of our supplies. It'll be some downtime well-earned, I think.
ALEX
I'd say so.
[sfx: walking footsteps, stopping, setting a bag down]
ATHENA
Oh, hey Alex! Let me guess, the others are-
ALEX
Competitive birdwatching? Yeah. I don't even think that they realise that that's what they've invented.
ATHENA
Aw, jeez, even Cal? Or did you put them on babysitting duty?
ALEX
Cal is... keeping score, apparently. Look, you didn't hear it from me, but sometimes I think that they miss Miles when I'm carrying their projector.
ATHENA
Really?
ALEX
Nah. They're babysitting.
[Athena laughs.]
ATHENA
Well played, Commander.
ALEX
Peace and quiet is probably one of the best sounds in the world. Second only to good conversation and blaring rock 'n' roll.
ATHENA
Sounds like something I should write down.
[Alex laughs.]
ALEX
Dude, no, I'm just rambling. And besides, you're recording this, aren't you?
ATHENA
Yeah. I mean, I can turn it off, if you want.
ALEX
It's fine with me. Kinda nice actually, to think we'll be able to look back on whatever it is we talked about on this mission when we're all old.
ATHENA
I never thought about it like that. Guess I thought I was just doing my job.
ALEX
Really?
ATHENA
... Yeah, why?
ALEX
I don't know, I hear you every once in a while, when you're recording, and... you know how to talk. You a poet in your spare time, by chance?
[Athena laughs.]
ATHENA
No, no, I'm... I don't know, I'm not anything in particular. I was corp security, for a while, and then I got into communications and chronicling protocol through that, and... yeah, that's me, if they didn't already tell you as part of the whole 'Commander' thing.beatI'm certainly not, uh, 'recogalex', though.
ALEX
Okay, so you uh... know about that whole thing?
ATHENA
'Whole thing'? You mean when you were like... one of the biggest names in sporting sim gaming for years, plural? Yeah, I figured it out. Me and the others in the forces, we didn't really have anything else to keep up with, so we got very much into keeping up with those tournaments.
ALEX
Alright, alright. Just thought I'd be able to keep my nerdiness a secret from my crew for a little while longer.
ATHENA
Why bother? I mean, if I was as good as you at that stuff, I...realizing as she says itI never would've stopped.
ALEX
I guess I just... the same as you. I thought of it as my job, after a while. It started as a way to help me cope with my anxiety, and then, I guess it turned out that I was good at it, and liked it. I liked it a lot.
But I got married, and then we were gonna have a kid, and-
ATHENA
Wait, you're married?
ALEX
I was. Me and Gabriel split up, a little while after our son, Orion, was born.
ATHENA
Oh... that's too bad.
ALEX
Oh, it's fine, really. Gabe's amazing, honestly, we both just... wanted different things out of life. It just wasn't working for us to be married anymore.
Now we're friends. We're friends that used to be married, and friends that have a son that we love more than anything in the world. And I can't say I mind it, as long as I know they're both waiting for me back home.
ATHENA
Wow. I mean, that sounds... that sounds like all you could hope for.
ALEX
Yeah... yeah, I guess it is.
***
[sfx: forest ambiance]
MILES
This is stupid. We haven't seen anything fly overhead since we got here.
FELIX
Hey, hello, uh, you know the decree of the Game of Bird.
[C41′s BOOT UP JINGLE PLAYS]
C41
"They who question the sanctity of Bird will be disqualified from all future matches of Bird on the basis of disloyalty and heathendom," Miles.
FELIX
And don't you forget it.
MILES
I know, I know, for the millionth time, I know.
C41
Then don't go getting yourself disqualified.
MILES
Hold on, was that... an encouragement?
C41
Of course not. I just like to see a good match-
MILES
Okay, cause for a second there, it sorta sounded like a-
[sfx: bird caws]
FELIX
BIRD!
[sfx: a bell dinging cue]
C41
That's one point to the distinguished Couvillion gentleman.
MILES
Please tell me you're not going to do that every time someone gets a point.
C41
Don't be silly! I'm not going to do it for you!
MILES
Why do I even bother? It's not like-
C41
Shh. Eyes on the prize, er, sky. Whatever. Bird now, talk later.
MILES
Fine.There's a long silence.
[sfx: forest ambiance for a prolonged period]
[The three of them sigh at varying points.]
[sfx: bird song, a glitch, static]
FELIX
Bir- rd?
MILES
What are you talking about, there's nothing there!
C41
I mean, I'll still give you the point.
FELIX
Sorry, sorry, I... eyes were playing a trick on me there.
[sfx: prolonged forest ambiance]
MILES
Sooo... uh, this is getting boring fast.
C41
"They who question the sanctity of Bird-"
MILES
Not what I meant! I just meant...
FELIX
There does seem to be a disturbing lack of birds.
MILES
Well... uh... we could play 'I Spy'.
FELIX
No, no. We can't allow the shine to wear off that quickly.
[sfx: retrieving from a bag, clicks]
MILES
I feel like binoculars are cheating.
FELIX
Eh. Using available resources.
C41
Does it count as cheating if there aren't any birds to see?
MILES
Okay, but if there were.
C41
But there aren't.
MILES
Okay, but if one shows, he can like-
FELIX
And it may not end up being worth the hypothetical, if our luck continues.
MILES
Just making conversation.
[sfx: prolonged ambiance]
MILES
So... how about this weather?
C41
Really?
MILES
What? It's called small talk, ever heard of it?
C41
Sure I have. My sources tell me that it's nothing remarkable. In fact, that seems to be the whole point of it, yes?
MILES
Well, I guess... not everything needs to seem 'remarkable' to be... worthwhile.
C41
Sure. Take yourself for example.
MILES
You know what-
FELIX
You know, I believe that might be a backhanded compliment, Officer Abbott.
C41
How dare you.
FELIX
Meant nothing by it, my voltaic friend.
C41
Then you know what's good for you.
[Felix chuckles.]
MILES
Yeah, right, tough guy.
C41
I'm sure I don't know what you mean. I can be intimidating, that is, when I'm not asleep in my-
FELIX
Nest!
C41
What?
FELIX
Nest. Up there, on your left, riiiight- There.The group's eyes land on a large nest in a nearby tree.
MILES
You think there's any in there?
FELIX
According to what I've learned, the season would be right for quite a few baby birds.
So, I mean, if there were... to be... lots of baby birds... I should probably get a closer look. For... research.
MILES
And I could help with your research. I mean... I could help you count.
FELIX
Oh, no, I mean that's uh...
It'll be quite the climb to get there, so I wouldn't ask you to-
MILES
Pssh. What are friends for? You said earlier you weren't feeling so good, anyways, so like... I can go check on those birds. For science.
FELIX
Oh, no, I feel fine, thank you. I think a climb might actually do me some-
MILES
Here, you hold Cally. I'm climbing.
FELIX
Good.
C41
Wait, what? Also, it's Cal.
MILES
I'm gonna go see those birds.
[sfx: footsteps running off]
FELIX
HEY! NOT FAIR.
You stay right here, Cal. I've got a tree to climb.
[sfx: footsteps running off]
C41
Well, it's not like I'm going anywhere- Wait, wait! Doctor Couvillion? Officer Abbott?! Felix? Miles? Oh, the Commander is going to be so mad at you!beat, meek...Guys?
[C41′s BOOT-DOWN JINGLE PLAYS]
***
[Alex and Athena laugh.]
ALEX
No, no, you're kidding me. Stuck?
ATHENA
Completely! Okay, okay, so you have to understand, Patroclus C? It's a freezing cold rock. A moon.
ALEX
Nothing homey about it?
ATHENA
No! No redeeming qualities! We used to call it the Snowball. So, so, so: there I am, and my sister is just screaming bloody murder with her tongue stuck to the side of the transport.
ALEX
And did someone lose a tongue that day?
ATHENA
Somehow, no! I had to run back to the house for hot water and leave her there, and I swear her tears were frozen to her cheeks by the time I got back and we managed to get her off the thing! God, it was awful. So the chilly mornings around here? They're nice.
ALEX
And you've got the charming anecdotes to prove it, starshine.
Oh, is... is that okay? If I call you that? It's just... it came to me, and I thought it suited you. But if you don't like it-
ATHENA
Oh! Oh, no, I... it's fine. I like it. It's sweet.
ALEX
Okay. Okay, good.
I just figured, you know, it might... we're gonna be out here for a long time. I want to be friends with you guys, with... you. If that's what you... all want too.
ATHENA
I think I'd like that, Alex.
Can I ask you something?
ALEX
Sure, if I can ask you something after.
ATHENA
Oh?
ALEX
Yeah, no, I had like... a question or whatever for you too, but you totally, uh, you go first.
ATHENA
Okay. Sure. So, uh... here's the thing. How do you... how do you know how to find the course?
ALEX
... What?
ATHENA
How do you know where we're going?
ALEX
I thought you were military. They don't teach you the way-
ATHENA
Not exactly. How do you know where we need to go?
ALEX
Oh. Oh I... okay. I think I get it. Well, I... it started off as trial and error, right? Even when I was just picking up the patterns in my games, or anywhere else, I just would have to take what I saw and turn that inward into something I could say was the truth.
So when I had to start figuring out how pieces of the world and their patterns sorta... fit with other pieces of the world into a bigger conversation, it... I mean it wasn't easy. I don't even wanna say it was comfortable. But it was something I could be confident in, at least.
And, these days, if I don't feel confident in it... I mean, I don't feel confident in it all the time, that's actually what I should've led with. Because, like, how could I be? When things, patterns, don't add up sometimes, it feels like something is lying to me. But at least I've been doing this long enough, that I know that I don't have to trek back and learn the patterns from square one anymore. I can... take it in backwards steps.
I can seem like I'm confident in what needs to happen, and then maybe some part of me can take that little signal boost and make me feel confident. And then, if I feel confident, maybe I'll find the pattern I didn't know in the first place, and that'll feel enough like the truth to me. It'll be enough to get us by. To get me by.
But... that's just me. Sometimes I think everyone has a different way of listening for the truth, you know?
Is... is that what you were asking?
ATHENA
Uh-huh. Your turn.
ALEX
Okay, now, tell me the truth on this one, Romero: do you actually need to record all of those logs?
ATHENA
I'm sorry?
ALEX
Dude, do you have to actually do them, or is it just like your diary?
[Athena laughs.]
ATHENA
Hey! What's that supposed to mean?
ALEX
I mean, no judging-
ATHENA
I'm the chronicler, sir, that's my job.
ALEX
Alright, Officer, alright. I'll take your word for it. But if you ever wanna try out some new monologue material on something, or someone who isn't a comms, you know where to find me-
ATHENA
Yeah, yeah, I'll keep that in-
[sfx: a tree branch breaking]
[Miles and Felix scream]
[sfx: a thud]
ATHENA (CONT'D)
Mind. Should we be... running about this?
ALEX
Running fast, Romero.
***
[sfx: forest ambiance, a campfire]
FELIX, MILES (in unison)
Owwwwwww.
ALEX
You two... are going... to be.. the death of me.
FELIX, MILES (in unison)
Owwwwwwwwwwwww.
C41
Yeah, yeah 'ow'. Traitors.
ALEXHold still... for just a second.
FELIX
Once more, with feeling?
MILES
Sure. Why not?
FELIX, MILES (in unison)
Owwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
ATHENA
Officer Athena Romero recording. Still Day 28. Second first aid stop of the day. We had a tree incident. Or a gravity incident, involving a tree, I guess.
C41
You two are lucky you didn't break a leg. Or that I didn't get carried off by some dinosaur, leaving me there like that, Felix! How could you?
FELIX
I... I... I'm sorry, I'm so weak-
ALEX
Ah, save it, Couvillion. Not like you need your strength for much else. Speaking of which-
I'd like to propose a toast. To some time off, to finally making it to the rendezvous point where we await our booty, and to... I don't know, to no more falling out of trees, and no more backwards steps.
FELIX
Here, here!
ATHENA
Cheers!
MILES
Cheers.
C41
Bon appetit.
ATHENA
So, Cal, when can we expect for the shipment to get here?
C41
Oh, in about... three-
(distorted and ragged)
Four- three, three,- expect, no, three, seven, no, no, no expect, no, three, two, two- ERROR, retrieval denied, ERROR- ERROR, no, two three-
ATHENA
Miles? Are they okay?
MILES
Cally? Cal? What's wrong? Come on buddy, hello?
FELIX
What is this?
MILES
I don't know, they've never done this before, I-
[C41′s BOOT UP JINGLE PLAYS]
C41
Bon appetit! Sorry, you were saying? Oh, right, the shipment. Should be around three days.
MILES
... Cal? You... you okay? You weren't messing with your code again, were you?
C41
And if I was?
MILES
Cal-
C41
Kidding, kidding. Joke, funny, haha. No, I wasn't, I swear. Probably just a brief malfunction, whatever it is you're talking about. I feel great!
MILES
Okay. If... if you say so.
C41
But I am, like, suuuper tired, gee, I think I need some rest, okayeveryonegoodnightbutnotthetraitorswhoabandonedme! Kisses!
[C41′s BOOT DOWN JINGLE PLAYS]
ALEX
I think that's the cue for everyone got some rest, huh? Sleep in tomorrow?
FELIX
Oh, I'll drink to that.
ALEX
Then let's go for lights out, booboo crew.
[sfx: retreating footsteps]
ALEX
If you need to do a log, starshine, just make sure to put the fire out when you're finished, alright?
ATHENA
Always do, Alex.
ALEX
Yeah, you're right. You always do. Goodnight.
ATHENA
Goodnight.
[sfx: retreating footsteps]
ATHENA (CONT'D)
You know, I... I don't even know if I have something I need to talk about tonight. I'm exhausted from the journey, and you already know all about that, HQ.
I don't know. Seems like trouble follows us wherever we go, but at least that's something to count on.
But like I said, I think I'm going to try something new tonight. I'm feeling inspired. Tonight, I'm just going to look up at the sky, and I think... I think I'm going to look for a pattern that feels true.
From Ophiuchus-22, this is Officer Romero, looking up, and signing off.
[sfx: bird song, a glitch]
***
ANNOUNCER
Micro-Cosmos: A Science Fiction Podcast.
This episode, Looking Up, was written by Lauren Tucker, edited by Luka Miller, and directed by Jesse Smith, Zyrel Thompson and Lauren Tucker. It starred Jesse Smith as the voice of Athena Romero, Jackson Rossman as the voice of Miles Abbott, Luka Miller as the voice of Alex de la Cruz, Kaleb Piper as the voice of Felix Couvillion, and Pippa van Beek-Paterson as the voice of Cal. Original music by Julia Barnes, and sound editing by Tobias Friedman.
Be sure to stay tuned to our feed for upcoming episodes from the new backpacking intergalactic adventure from Futuristic Trail Mix Productions. Enjoying the show, and want to give us a boost? You can support us by rating and reviewing us on iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts, or telling a friend about us.
To follow the show and find transcripts, you can find us on Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram as @MicroCosPod. Questions, comments, and concerns can be emailed to us via
[email protected].
Thank you for listening.
4 notes
·
View notes
Hiatus Announcement
We will be going on a short hiatus for the next couple of weeks as result of some personal affairs of some of the cast and crew. We plan on being back soon, and will hopefully be supplying bonus content in the meantime!
Thanks for sticking with us, and work well. 💙
5 notes
·
View notes
Impromptu Q&A!
During this little gap between episodes, we’re going to try and keep y’all as well supplied with content as we can.
So for today, send us (in any way you would like) your question on the show, cast & crew, characters, etc, and we will answer to the best of our abilities!
Work well!
4 notes
·
View notes
Micro-Cosmos S1E3: A Little Piece of Home Transcript
(The crew celebrates a special day.
Transcript begins below break.)
[THEME MUSIC FADES IN]
ANNOUNCER
Futuristic Trail Mix Productions presents Micro-Cosmos: A Science Fiction Podcast.
[THEME MUSIC FADES OUT]
[sfx: button press]
ATHENA
Hey, HQ. It's Officer Athena Romero, with Crew #0137-F. I'm transmitting from... North 54 degrees, West 109 degrees, in a moment of alone time. Camp's not too far, I just... wanted to come out here to record. We were up so, so early, but we made really good time getting our travel in for the day. And... I don't know. I felt like being introspective. I know that's rarely a good thing to be, for people of our situation... but sometimes it can't be helped, I guess.
We're nearing what Doctor Couvillion calls the temperate forest region of the planet. Oh, uh, Felix is... fine, by the way, in case you were wondering. I know I haven't talked about him a lot for the last week since his little run in with Mercutio, and in hindsight, that was probably a little alarming from your perspective. But, no. He's, um... just been very focused on his work. Ever since our encounter with that little... strange... cat lizard dinosaur thing, he's taken to a pretty enthusiastic approach of figuring out what it actually is. You know, what is eats, how it behaves, it's characteristics. Thus, he's not been his usual social self, but he's had what I guess you'd call a breakthrough.
He's named it. The species, I mean. Varanus concolor. Apparently he's determined that it's a new species of monitor lizard. Exciting stuff.
Miles and Cal have been sorta... tense, the last little bit? I don't know if Miles is still mad at them about that terrible, terrible prank or just for being, you know, Cal.
I like Cal. And Miles. Honestly, I do. I think they're almost a little too similar to get along sometimes. I get that. I've been in the same spot for most of my life. I only recently figured out how to sort of... stop taking my own reflection personally.
[sfx: fingers drumming on comms, pacing footsteps]
ATHENA (CONT’D)
Alex is good! If you're wondering. You know, morale and all. We've been talking a lot, since we're sort of the only ones not in our own world. Well, I guess we're all in our own world, that's sort of our job, but...
[Athena laughs.]
ATHENA (CONT’D)
Literal humour, Athena. Good one. Anyways, she's nice to talk to. Leadership skills to boot, in case you didn't already know and needed someone to sing her praises. I think I'd be more than willing to sing her praises.
So... the mission's going very well. Everyone is healthy and accounted for, and we're absolutely on track to get to our shipment drop-off point. Comms and tech and climate are all nominal. We're okay. We're okay.
[sfx: bag shuffling as she picks it up, footsteps]
ATHENA (CONT'D)
Oh, by the way, before I head back.
It's my birthday. I don't know if that's something I should mention. Just thought... I don't know. I don't expect the others to notice, or even know at all, really. But it's nice to acknowledge another year, you know? I'm certainly not spending it where I would've expected to be if you had asked me on my previous... thirty birthdays.
Anyways. Yes, it is my birthday, and I kind of miss home, and also I kind of don't, and also being here is present enough. So, I will celebrate by breaking open some of the candy in my bag, and getting some sleep-
FELIX, ALEX
SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
[Athena laughs.]
ATHENA
Guys! What are you doing?
ALEX
Oh, come on Romero. You didn't really think you were going to get it past us, did you?
ATHENA
No, I wasn't meaning to-
ALEX
Oh, don't bother backtracking. You're busted.
FELIX
There's no real party, or, presents, or... anything that would make this a proper birthday because of our circumstance, of course, but...
ALEX
But an ambush was the least we could do.
FELIX
The Commander and I only found out when she was conversing with Cal, inquiring of the database today's points of interest, or else we would've...
ALEX
Done more than an ambush.Alex observes Athena, who's just standing there, staring at the two of them and grinning. But, I don't know. Seems like the ambush worked out pretty well. Try to smile less, huh?
ATHENA
Heh. I, I mean... this is really sweet of you guys, I appreciate it.
MILES
Appreciate what?
[sfx: footsteps, tapping on a screen]
[C41′s JINGLE PLAYS]
ATHENA
Oh, uh, hey Miles!
MILES
Heeey Athena, guys. What's up?
FELIX
Did we...?
ALEX
Nope.
FELIX
So we forgot to...?
ALEX
Yep.
FELIX
Dammit.
ALEX
Well, when you assume...
C41
Oh, um! Happy Birthday, Athena!
ATHENA
Oh, uh, thank you Cal. Anyways, I was thinking we could get to bed early-
MILES
Crap, it's your birthday?
ATHENA
... Yeah.
MILES
I am so so sorry, I had no idea, I must have like, missed the memo, but-
ATHENA
No, no, Miles, it's okay, I promise. I didn't say anything, and so how would you know? Spending it away from home, I wasn't really sure what to do, it's kind of hard, but...I just got busted by the Commander, so...
[The crew laughs nervously.]
MILES
Happy Birthday.
ATHENA
Thanks.
MILES
You're welcome.
Yeah, uh, actually, Cal and I forgot something back at our setup.
C41
We did?
MILES
We did. The thing. We need. We need that thing, Cal, uh... we will be back... later.
[sfx: footsteps walking away]
[C41′s JINGLE PLAYS.]
FELIX
Well, who wants to get this party started and play some cards?
***
MILES
Caal! Why didn't you tell me it was Athena's birthday?
C41
I didn't think it was that big of a deal. It's just another day of the year, which... happens to be the day that Athena was born. You can congratulate her on still being alive, like you did, and then move on! Didn't seem that important to me.
MILES
Yes, it's a big deal! It's like you said, it's the day someone was born, not just another day. Come on, Cal! Remember when Em and I made a huuuge deal about it on the anniversary that I created you?
C41
By chance, do you mean Doctor Macey? If so, then unfortunately, yes I do remember. It was very loud. If not, I haven't the slightest clue who 'Em' is.
MILES
Yes. Her. Doctor Macey.
C41
Okay whatever. Anyways. Do continue on with what you were saying. It's proving to be really entertaining.
MILES
Oh, I'll show you entertaining.
How did you not know that birthdays were important? Seriously, there's even a song about them. I taught you better than that.
[Miles sighs.]
MILES
Cally, I didn't mean it like-
C41
It's Cal. And no, you're right. Why would something the O Great and Powerful and All-Knowing Miles Abbott made be so inconsiderate and dumb?
MILES
Seriously, Cal. I didn't mean it. You know how I get.
C41
Yeah?
Oh, just drop it.
[C41 lets out a long series of scoffs and huffs in the following silence.]
C41 (CONT'D)
... Miles?
Miiiiiiles...?
MILES
Caaaal....
Caaaaaaaal.....
C41
Miles-
MILES
Cal, I need to make Athena a birthday present!
I don't even know what she'd like, let alone what I could make her! There's like, nothing even worthy of being a gift on this planet.
[sfx: Miles snapping.]
MILES (CONT'D)
What do I have? What do I even have? What does our camp have? I need to find something. Anything. I'll make it work. Cal, help me look. Please.
[C41 snorts.]
C41
Oh.
Oh, you mean actually help.
[sfx: a buzzing noise of C41′s form]
C41 (CONT'D)
Um... well there are some big batteries that Alex didn't need over there, she left them this morning with her equipment. There is a... There is a... it looks like... is that a plastic fork? I really hope that isn't used. You all are a mess. And, um... what's that box, over there? What's that?
[sfx: footsteps, objects being knocked over]
MILES
It's, uhhh... Chocolate. And... more chocolate. A gift from Emily, I... forgot I had these.
C41
Huh. A... whole box, huh? Of chocolate? What could you even make with those?
MILES
I don't know, okay? I don't even know like, maybe I'm overreacting. Athena didn't tell us because she's not at home, or whatever-
Wait. Cal, what, um, what does Athena's home have?
C41
What?
MILES
Where she's from. What's it like?
C41
Patroclus C? Well, it's-
[sfx: a long glitch]
C41 (CONT'D)-
Patroclus C. A moon in orbit around more well-known terrestrial body Mirana Dunis. Patroclus-C is known for it's industrial prosperity and plentiful resources, as well as it's freezing conditions.
Notable landmarks include it's few geysers. All imported plant and animal life have adapted to the cold climate, however they take refuge in the steamy geysers that provide both water and heat-
MILES
Okay, Cal. That's enough, thanks.
[sfx: the same glitch, a zap]
C41
Oh, ouch. Eugh. Why did you let that happen? You know I hate that mode!
MILES
I'm sorry! I'm stressing a bit here, if you haven't noticed.
C41
Yes, I'm well aware.
MILES
Anyways. I... I think I have a plan.
C41
That's never good.
MILES
Let's just hope this turns out.
Mmm.... a decent start.
***
FELIX
Have any... fives?
ALEX
Go fish.
[sfx: drawing a playing card].
ALEX (CONT'D)
Got any queens?
FELIX
Yes, yes. Queen of stars.
ALEX
Thank you! Got any threes?
FELIX
Go fish.
[sfx: drawing a card]
ALEX
So close.
[sfx: approaching footsteps]
FELIX (with his mouth full)
Better luck next time. Do you have any-
ALEX
Want us to deal you in, Romero?
FELIX
Athena? Hm. Cannot believe you were still doing work on your birthday.
ATHENA
What's the name of the game?
ALEX
Go fish. Do you play?
ATHENA
I like to think cribbage is more my forte but... sure. Deal me in.
[sfx: cards shuffling]
ATHENA (CONT'D)
Who's winning?
ALEX
Me. I've won three matches.
ATHENA
And how many has Felix won?
ALEX
We've played three matches.
[Alex and Athena laugh.]
FELIX
I am beginning to suspect her a cheat.
ALEX
Can't help having an eye for this stuff.
ATHENA
For what, counting cards?
ALEX
I wish. Patterns. Got any kings, Athena?
ATHENA
Go fish. Is that technically cheating, then? Patterns?
[sfx: drawing a card]
FELIX
I believe I can call it cheating if it makes me feel badly about myself.
ATHENA
Fair enough. Felix? Any fours?
FELIX
Go fish. See, that felt perfectly fair.
ALEX
Doc, I said patterns, not x-ray vision. You keep accusing me of cheating, I'm gonna start to take it personally.
FELIX
I harbor suspicion, not accusation. Commander, do you have any aces?
[Alex sighs.]
[sfx: passing cards]
ALEX
Dishes and comets. Happy?
FELIX
Yes. Athena, do you have any sixes?
ATHENA Yeaaah. Here you go.
[sfx: passing cards, movement of pairs]
ALEX
Feeling better about yourself?
FELIX
Yes. Very.
ATHENA
Jeez, you're already on track to win.
ALEX
Felix, should I start repaying you all that whining?
FELIX
I-
MILES (distant)
DOES ANYONE HAVE JUMPER CABLES?
[sfx: stumbling, approaching footsteps]
FELIX
Speaking of.
ALEX
Uh... no, I don't think so. Maybe you should ask Cal?
MILES (distant)
No. That's okay. I'll use the transport hawser. That should work... just as well if not better. I'll... I'm gonna go get that. Bye.
[sfx: retreating footsteps]
ATHENA
That's... that's for... emergencies, what do they need that for-
ALEX
My guess? Nothing good.
FELIX
Commander, do you have any twos?
ALEX
No, but I do have a Petty Officer who needs their marbles back.
[sfx: standing, retreating footsteps]
ATHENA
Alex?
ALEX (O.S.)
I'll be right back!
FELIX
It's her turn, actually. Which one of us should go next?
ATHENA
It's my birthday. Got any sevens?
***
[sfx: shuffling]
MILES
I got something! Not cables, but... almost even better.
[C41′s JINGLE PLAYS]
C41
You're... actually doing this?
Oh... Okay. Even if it may be sliiiightly dangerous? Not that I care or anything-
MILES
Look, I just can't sit back and do nothing for Athena's birthday.
C41
Yeah, but I think it would be better to guarantee everyone's safety than... You know, possibly blowing us up and setting everything on fire.
[sfx: metal chain drops]
[Miles sighs.]
MILES
I guess that's true. I just don't want to disappoint her.
ALEX
You're not disappointing her, kid.
MILES
Huh?
Oh. Hi, Commander.
ALEX
Wipe that sad look off your face. Even if you didn't know, she's happy that you're at least thinking about her right now.
[sfx: footsteps, shuffling, sitting]
MILES
I... guess that's true. But I want to make her something. That's what I specialize in.
ALEX
Fair enough. I guess I just didn't know you guys were this good of friends.
MILES
I don't know that we are. It just seems like the kind of thing I should've tried for, I guess. We've got so much time to spend together and I don't want you guys thinking I'm cold and ignoring you all just because I get wrapped up in crap and get away from myself and especially lately with everything going on with Cal-
ALEX
Hey. We don't think that. And I'm not just saying that, either.
What were you planning on doing?
MILES
I- ... Well, if I tell you, it would ruin the surprise.
ALEX
Okay, okay. Do your thing, fix-it guy.
[sfx: getting up, a few footsteps]
MILES
Hey, Commander? What if she doesn't like it?
[sfx: footsteps stop]
ALEX
Remember what we talked about, kid. Make it from your heart, and she'll love it.
MILES
O-okay, Commander... Thank you.
ALEX
No problem, Miles. Always here to help. Let me know if you need anything else, yeah?
MILES
Mhm! Now, I... I gotta get this show on the road.
ALEX
Cal, keep an eye on them for me.
C41
Will do, Commander.
ALEX
Good luuuck!
[sfx: retreating footsteps, tent closes]
C41
Well, that surely was-
MILES
Alright Cally! We have some major business to attend to!
C41
-motivational.
MILES
Okay, so I'm thinking... What if we melt the plastic fork? Like, all the way, and then, and, and then shape it around to make a base for the volcano geyser thing?
C41
That sounds incredibly dangerous. And like it would be highly amusing to watch.
[sfx: a whirring]
C41 (CONT'D)
And according to my calculations I am correct on both counts. Do it.
MILES
And... then we can put the chocolate in- Hold on, do we have anything to keep the chocolate melted?
C41
Hm. Probably not.
MILES
Dammit, okay. That's fine, that's cool, uh... We can hook it up to the batteries someway to keep the heat constant and the launch device powered, that's fine, I can do that...
This is going to be a piece of cake. Let's go, Cally!
C41
How many times to I have to tell you? It's Cal.
MILES
Mhmm, yeah. Let's just kick this baby in the teeth.
C41
Wh... what?
MILES
It's an expression. Like, "let's blow this popsicle stand"? Or... "let's get this show on the road"?
C41
I don't understand how that could be related to either of those meanings.
MILES
Whatever. I am gonna get this thing started, and it's going to be great.
[sfx: prolonged noises of tinkering and contstruction, a zap of electricity]
[Miles yelps.]
[C41 laughs.]
MILES
Not funny!
[sfx: more sounds of construction and tinkering]
MILES
Aaaaand there! Done. Finished. Phew.
C41
That looks...That... looks...I mean, um...That looks so good!
MILES
You think?
C41
Yeah, I think she's-
ALEX (O.S.)
How's it looking in here?
MILES
Yeah, I think everything went great!
ALEX
Perfect!
[sfx: Alex claps]
ALEX (CONT’D)
Well, grab it and let's go; we have a birthday to celebrate. Take Cal and we'll meet her and Felix at that clearing. We're doing a little more celebration for Athena.
MILES
Okay, Cal. You heard the boss; let's get going then.
C41
Yuuup.
MILES
You know, I’m pretty proud of this.
C41
As you should be, Miles.
***
[sfx: approaching footsteps]
MILES
HEY! Hey, guys I'm back!
FELIX
Hello- oh. Oh wow. What...
ATHENA
Miles... what's all this?
MILES
It's, uh, it's your gift!
ATHENA
Oh, Miles, really you didn't need to do that, that's super sweet, but-
MILES
Oh, it's... it's just a little... something... electrocuted myself a few times making it, but- Happy Birthday!
ATHENA
Oh. Oh, wow, that's really something, Miles, I love it!
What is it?
MILES
It's a geyser. Like... you said. Well, actually you didn't say, but I did some digging and your... your home plant has... geysers, yeah? So it's like a little piece of home.
A geyser.
ALEX
A geyser.
ATHENA
Oh! Yes! A geyser. Of course! That's really thoughtful, Miles, you, uh... you shouldn't have! So it's like a... trinket! Or a little... a sculpture!
ALEX
Oh... just you wait.
MILES
Well, it's for more than just show.
Heh. Bet you've never seen anything like this before.
FELIX
I'm quite sure I have not.
[sfx: setting down the present, the geyser bubbles and erupts pathetically, with a crackle]
[Miles breathing heavily.]
MILES
Ta-dah!
ATHENA
Ohhhh, wow, that's... that's so cool. Was it... was it supposed to melt like that?
MILES
It was not the intention but apparently... that doesn't matter now-
[C41′s JINGLE PLAYS]
C41
Evidently.
[sfx: more crackling]
ALEX
Oh, okay, is this thing going to blow, Miles? Like actually, really blow?
MILES
Shouldn't. It's a possibility... but it shouldn't.
ALEX
Cal?
C41
Probably not? It'll be fine! Maybe Miles should get a little closer to shield the blast just in case.
MILES
DON'T YOU RUIN THIS BY TRYING TO GET ME KILLED!
C41
Who, me? Never.
[sfx: the crackling and bubbling stops]
ALEX
Alright, okay, okay. That was very cool. Right Athena?
ATHENA
Right!
ATHENA (CONT'D)
Look Miles, I really appreciate this, it's very, very sweet and I just hope you didn't feel like you had to do this, or anything-
MILES
No, no, no. I wanted to. I mean... you were around to... keep me calm when I thought we were gonna get eaten in the woods. I didn't want you to think I didn't care, and... I wanted to make something nice for you. Normally I have more stuff to work with than forks and batteries and... chocolate.
FELIX
Real chocolate?
ALEX
Yes, real chocolate. Not now.
FELIX
Ugh, and it's all on the grass, and... what a waste.
ALEX
There will be more chocolate. Actually. Felix?
[sfx: receding footsteps]
[Alex and Felix whisper as they retreat.]
ATHENA
Um, okay, but... Anyways. Thank you, Miles. That was a lot of fun. And I hope you didn't actually electrocute yourself.
MILES
Oh, don't worry, it's not the first time.
C41
They're not joking.
MILES
More of a shock than anything.
ATHENA
Doesn't sound great for your health either way.
MILES
Well, heh, yeah, I mean- Hey, wait a second. Wait what's-
ATHENA
Huh?
[sfx: candles burning, approaching steps]
[Alex, Felix, Miles and C41 begin singing “Happy Birthday”]
ATHENA (overlapping)
Oh, my... guys, what are you... that better not be our only fruit cake-
ALEX
Come on, blow out the... flare candles. Make a wish.
ATHENA
Okay, okay!
[sfx: blowing on candles, a glitch]
[sfx: candles burning]
[Alex laughs.]
[Athena hums in confusion]
[sfx: blowing on candles, a glitch]
[sfx: candles burning]
ALEX
Come on, Romero. All in one go, now.
ATHENA
Right.
[sfx: blowing on candles, candles extinguishing]
[The crew cheers.]
ALEX
Happy Birthday. I'll clean up Miles's present later.
[Alex and Athena laugh.]
FELIX
Time for cake!
[Felix leads Alex, Miles, and C41 in singing “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow”]
FELIX
Cake!
***
[THEME MUSIC FADES IN]
ANNOUNCER
Micro-Cosmos: A New Science Fiction Podcast.
This episode, "A Little Piece of Home", was written by Zyrel Thompson and Lauren Tucker, edited by Luka Miller, and directed by Jesse Smith, Zyrel Thompson, and Lauren Tucker. It starred Jesse Smith as the voice of Athena Romero, Jackson Rossman as the voice of Miles Abbott, Luka Miller as the voice of Alex dela Cruz, Kaleb Piper as the voice of Felix Couvillion, and Pippa van Beek-Paterson as the voice of Cal. Original music by Julia Barnes, and sound editing by Tobias Friedman.
Be sure to stay tuned to our feed for upcoming episodes from the new backpacking intergalactic adventure from Futuristic Trail Mix Productions.
To follow the show and find transcripts, you can find us on Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram as @MicroCosPod. Questions, comments, and concerns can be emailed to us via
[email protected]. Find more information on the show on our website, microcospod.space.
Thank you for listening.
[THEME MUSIC FADES OUT]
4 notes
·
View notes
Micro-Cosmos Trailer 1: Until Tonight Becomes Tomorrow
Stream wherever you find your podcasts, and find the transcript here! Thank you for listening!
Dr. Emily Macey gives a final report.
Micro-Cosmos: A New Science Fiction Podcast, premiering in March of 2021.
This trailer, Until Tonight Becomes Tomorrow, was written by Lauren Tucker, and directed by Jesse Smith and Zyrel Thompson. It starred Lauren Tucker as Dr. Emily Macey, with original music by Julia Barnes and sound editing by Tobias Friedman.
Be sure to stay tuned to our feed for more upcoming trailers and updates on the new backpacking, intergalactic adventure from Futuristic Trail Mix Productions.
To follow the show and find transcripts, you can find us on Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram as @microcos_pod/microcospod. Questions, comments, and concerns can be emailed to us via
[email protected].
10 notes
·
View notes