Metra Ep 3 - Your Sap Is Bitter

The revolutionaries learn that their Process has triggered some devastating fallout.

Sam proposes a new direction, and Aggie bristles at a judgmental counterpart. Cori attempts a dangerous quest for some of the mission’s missing pieces.

The team gain new allies.

Songs:
“A Nymphian Interlude”

Written by Emily and Ned Hartford
Music and Lyrics by Ned Hartford
Dialogue Directed by Emily Hartford
Produced by MythMakers Media

Featuring: Jeannette Bayardelle, Cherrye J. Davis, Corinna Schulenburg, Fred Inkley, Alia Munsch, Cristina Obando Sanchez, Sierra Rein, Stephanie Bacastow, Stephanie Willing, Kristen Vaughan, Walker Schneckenberger, and Luke Wyngarden

Sound Editing and Design; Instrumentation Arranged and Performed; Vocals Arranged; and all Audio Produced, Engineered, and Mixed by Ned Hartford

Content Note: Implied violence and discussion of violent event.

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https://pod.link/1843713183
IG and Bluesky:  @metrathemusical
metrathemusical.com

Support Metra at ko-fi.com/metrathemusical

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:13

Mythmakers media presents Metro A climate revolution with songs.

SPEAKER_07 0:30

A serial scripted audio podcast to make it starring Jeanette by Adele as a glove for noses.

SPEAKER_00 0:51

Jeremy J. Davis as Corey. Corinna Schulenberg as Sam.

SPEAKER_07 0:57

And Fred Inkly as Tyler. Featuring Aliah Munch.

SPEAKER_00 1:05

Sierra Ryan.

SPEAKER_07 1:06

Christina Abando Sanchez as a wonderful tree nymph chorus. Yeah.

unknown 1:18

Change the world. Change the world.

SPEAKER_03 1:24

Welcome. We three tree nymphs are here to present to you episode three of the scripted serial audio podcast of Matra, a climate revolution with songs. Recap. Aglofonos brought aboard Corey. Corey brought aboard Sam. And then Sam was no longer aboard.

SPEAKER_04 1:46

Sam left. And now things are about to get much, much worse. Sing with me, sisters.

SPEAKER_12 4:24

Innocent people suffered because of me. You harmed no one. I thought the risk was worth it. We warned people what might happen. Outsiders work with the bubble factories. They caught off the bubble garbage. They empty their septic systems. All the dirty work. If Jorgensen disappeared, there might be reprisals. I didn't think that there would be It didn't occur to me to think about the refugees. She blames herself for the burning of the camo to me.

SPEAKER_13 5:33

She wants to give up to quit.

SPEAKER_12 5:36

I understand if you're here to blame me. I deserve it. So just get it over with. Say what you're gonna say.

SPEAKER_11 5:48

You're the one who's gonna go. Why not? I'm wasting everyone's time.

SPEAKER_10 5:54

And when you're gone, I'll stay here with her. I think you said it would take about a year and a half to two years. I hope you've got a good boat and crew lined up. Angry oceans these days. I used to love the ocean. But the water got so hot. Massive die-offs. I remember the last time I ever went to the shore. A whole pot of whales, humpbacks, had washed up beach, heaving. There was a mother. Next to her was her baby cuff. She looked at me. She looked to me. Like she was begging me for help to save the life of her child. I never went back to the beach again. Cory, if you do survive, just know. By the time you get back with all her nymph sisters, I'll have put together and trained the myth making teams. Just know. I'll be here. I'll be doing the work that I can do. The work that has to get done. Yeah, I don't I don't know if I can do this. You can't. And I can't do it either. You're not making any sense. We're doing it now. The process needs to be better. How? Right now, the subject is just abducted by unknown assailants to us and thrown right into the myth. The demand to choose comes so quickly. It's like a threat. We need to give them more time to let it all sink in, to get on board. We need to add to the process. Add stories like more myths? Absolutely not. Maybe stories about us. All the mythmakers will tell their own stories about everything they've lost and suffered and endured, about all the things that make them willing to risk everything to bring down the bubbles.

SPEAKER_11 8:25

Okay.

SPEAKER_10 8:25

Okay. And I want music. There is already music. Correct. Right now in the process, you sing to subdue the subject. You sing to transform the subject. But why do you sing? What is so special about singing?

SPEAKER_13 8:42

Make it clear to me. Singing vibrates on a level close to that of magic. Okay.

SPEAKER_10 8:47

Singing invites magic into the process. Yes. Exactly. And that's why we need more music in the process. Music speaks to people's souls in a magical way. And we need to reach people's souls. A waste of time. Not to me. And I don't think it will be a waste of time for our myth making teams. I think it could bring an element of joy to this endeavor for all of us.

SPEAKER_12 9:09

How does that work with the myth making teams? Singing?

SPEAKER_10 9:12

Who provides music? I don't know yet. But I'll have that figured out by the time you get back. I promise.

SPEAKER_11 9:22

I sing.

SPEAKER_10 9:24

I've never heard you sing.

SPEAKER_11 9:26

I haven't. I like it for a long time.

SPEAKER_12 9:33

You know what? I'd like to sing.

SPEAKER_10 9:36

And sing you will. How about a clappiness? While Corey's gone, gathering up your nymph sisters, we can write some songs together.

SPEAKER_13 9:48

I will allow you to write songs with me. You know, I was a writer. So you dare assume yourself worthy of my time and talent? A talent owned over centuries?

SPEAKER_12 10:00

And Aggie. That's why you'll be in charge of the music. You will write the songs. And Sam will help. Sam will she will be in charge of the songs.

SPEAKER_10 10:14

I will be in charge of the spoken word. You're going to rap. Rap. Remember rap. I loved rap. Kendrick. Megan. Tyler.

SPEAKER_12 10:26

TLC. Missy.

SPEAKER_10 10:29

Old school.

SPEAKER_12 10:31

Older school.

SPEAKER_10 10:32

Yeah. No, I I I feel more comfortable calling what I'm might be capable of as a spoken word.

SPEAKER_12 10:40

A glovenose?

SPEAKER_13 10:44

I am only agreeing to this so that Corby may travel unencumbered by Worby as she gathers my sisters. Human being Sam, consider yourself lucky to have such an opportunity bestowed upon you. I will need accompaniment. Get me a lutinist.

SPEAKER_10 10:58

You mean somebody who plays a loot? Yes. That might be hard.

SPEAKER_12 11:03

I want to That is a great idea, Aglofanos. I am sure we can find you someone. If not exactly a lootinist, then maybe how about a guitarist? A person who plays guitar? Which is like a big loot. It's just like a loot, but bigger.

SPEAKER_13 11:22

Fine.

SPEAKER_12 11:22

But guitars are bigger than loot, right?

SPEAKER_10 11:24

I think so.

SPEAKER_12 11:25

Okay. Music's in.

SPEAKER_10 11:27

Great. So I'm in. And so is Sergeant Jorgensen. Yes. A trophy. No. A reminder of how it could become all too easy to kill another human being.

SPEAKER_04 11:48

Dear serial audio fiction podcast listener.

SPEAKER_02 11:53

We hope you will allow us this interjection about the glothanose and her angry rejection of Sam's unwitting offer of songwriting education.

SPEAKER_14 12:10

Perhaps this explanation will provide elucidation when you weigh the array of melody and rhyme that you say through today's to the test of time. Do you wonder where the inspiration might have come from? For the most awesome music that you love to hum. It was green imps. We bring it when we sing it when we sing, we bring wing, wing to the thing, yeah. Make it sparkle, make it sing, but we never get credit for the thing we bring in the oops. That the buckers at the ring in the forest was the single such junction of a dream for a screen lips. We gave the goats just on high riding into the woods when the heaven was too high. We took over for the guy. We wrote a green tree. We bring it when we swing it when we swing, we bring wing, wing to the thing and train. Make it sparkle, make it sing. But we never get credit for the thing, we bring it away. People got a lot of nerve. Not giving trainers the credit. We deserve some pain now. You understand why Aggie got so angry with Lauren Wedding Sand.

SPEAKER_03 13:46

But Aggie gets over it eventually. But it takes a long time. Because that was Aggie back then.

SPEAKER_14 13:55

Back in the year 2045.

SPEAKER_08 14:07

We approach the shore. We will wait until night to dock, as you wish.

SPEAKER_12 14:13

You'll receive your final payment when me and my cargo are safely ashore.

SPEAKER_08 14:18

That is deal. You know, I kept in many years. Mini cargo. Cargo with secret. Maybe stolen, maybe drugs, guns, young women. The other little green people. My crew, very scared. I tell them, do job, do work. No questions. That was the deal we made. No questions. Little green people. Many months we travel, stop many places. You leave boats, come back with more little green people. But you'll no worry when you go. You'll no worry what might happen to all little green people on ship with crew.

SPEAKER_12 15:02

Why should I worry? Are you suggesting an honorable person like yourself might do something dishonorable? You might break a deal?

SPEAKER_08 15:10

I say to myself, these little green people must be very powerful. Smart assumption, Captain. The over years, mini cargo. Ask no question. But this time.

SPEAKER_12 15:24

You asked. And though I wasn't part of the deal, I answered.

SPEAKER_08 15:30

Tree nymph. Big answer. But I think this quarry, she seems smart. She must know that this thing, these little green people, might be of value to other people. People with money. People who pay money for to know such a thing. Why is she not worried what I might say for that money? Once you and your little green people off boat. Why not worried?

SPEAKER_12 16:03

Why do you think, Captain?

SPEAKER_08 16:05

In Russia, we have stories of spirit of woods. Nymphs. But I grew up, so just stories. Well now if little green tree people real.

SPEAKER_12 16:21

And if tree nymphs are real, what other folk tales might be real? What other mythical creatures might exist?

SPEAKER_08 16:31

But my little girl in Russia, my Bobushka, but my bad little girl, she said to me about Lish.

SPEAKER_12 16:40

The old man of the forest, a demon of the woods who can shape shift into a bear or a wolf or a giant moving tree. A demon with a nasty temper. Oh, if she and Leshi get mad, they are capable of doing very, very bad things to get their revenge. Especially if you fight with the forest. What are the creatures there? Like tree nails. Your grandmother told you this when you were a little girl growing up in. You grew up outside that tiny coastal town of Katyrka, didn't you? Oh, but that was many years ago. When your grandmother died, your your family moved across Russia to Baltis. At 18, you joined the Navy, and when the oceans rose, you and your brothers and their families all moved inland to Bagrashinov. All your brothers' children must love their Chotia Kira so much. Yes. Do they know about Weshi? Do you tell them about Baba Yaga? Oh, but you wouldn't want to scare them, would you? Kira Kupchin. You know what they say about your childhood home. Oh, you can leave. You can never leave it behind.

SPEAKER_08 18:24

We will dock tonight. You and your cargo will get off my ship.

SPEAKER_12 18:30

And you and your crew will receive a final substantial payment.

SPEAKER_08 18:35

And we will forget you ever exist.

SPEAKER_12 18:39

Well, that was the deal, Captain. Because then everybody stays safe.

SPEAKER_10 19:02

Wow. Um I'll just close this door, okay? Hard to keep up with you in this heat. You're pretty fast. Tree nymphs are fast. Um Spritely. Get it? Spritely, Sprite.

SPEAKER_13 19:30

I am not a Sprite. I was joking. And I'm definitely not a tree spirit. No, you are not. Obnoxious, outrighteous spirit.

SPEAKER_10 19:39

Okay, I know that visit didn't work out the way we'd hoped, but overall, I mean the Hodenoshone Faith Keeper was very nice, right? And I thought that was very cool. The way he summoned up that tree spirit. The whooshing noise, the sparkles. Humans are easily impressed. I don't think that tree spirit, I don't think she disliked you.

SPEAKER_13 20:07

She said, You're sap as bitter.

SPEAKER_10 20:10

Yes, that was.

SPEAKER_13 20:11

You're sapp is bitter because you carry vengeance in your core. Just like a tree spirit. So superior, so above it all, judging me. Thinking she's better than me because tree spirits are immortal and tree nymphs are not. Oh. May I ask you how long do tree nymphs live? When they aren't murdered by evil kings like my sister was? Yes. Thousands of years. May I ask how old you are? Thousands of years. I don't fear death. I only fear running out of time. She's back.

SPEAKER_10 21:02

Oh friend, you look exhausted. I am. Okay, you're safe.

SPEAKER_12 21:08

We were lucky.

SPEAKER_10 21:09

You should rest.

SPEAKER_12 21:11

I've got a hundred tree nymphs in an abandoned warehouse about a quarter mile from here.

SPEAKER_13 21:15

The seafouses are on them, please.

SPEAKER_12 21:17

Then let's go. I'll rest later.

SPEAKER_13 21:18

Good.

SPEAKER_10 21:19

Someone who appreciates the value of time.

SPEAKER_12 21:21

Nice to see you too.

SPEAKER_10 21:23

You should know. We just met with the Hudenoshone Faith Keeper who told us the tribal council's decision.

SPEAKER_12 21:29

Which is they're on board.

SPEAKER_10 21:31

Great. Sort of. The tribal council will support our Confederacy of rebellion against oppression. Great. With the exception that they will not participate in running the process. He seemed to think the path we are on is the pre slope. Yeah. But they will help us however they can. Otherwise, you know what?

SPEAKER_11 21:53

Good enough.

SPEAKER_10 21:54

And my bubble source got me a lead on a prospective monarch, someone who could get. Us access to the bubble's security system.

SPEAKER_12 22:03

Great.

SPEAKER_13 22:03

Uh tell me about it on the way to the safe houses. I come on, Aggie. Are you certain I should be seen with you? From what I've been told, my sap is too bitter.

SPEAKER_12 22:11

Oh I won't. Let's go.

SPEAKER_09 22:19

Good to meet you, Corey. Sab speaks so highly of you. Hope I live up to the hype. Thanks for providing a safe house. We do what we can do. Good to see you again, Glavanel. Good day, human purvey of Lutz. Lutz. You dreams are so funny. Debbie.

SPEAKER_02 22:40

Okay. Stop for now.

SPEAKER_10 22:42

Teenagers. Horri! Diane here has provided musical instruments to the mythmaking teams. She and her son and daughter have spent two years giving music lessons to team members. And Diane's family are a myth making team themselves.

SPEAKER_09 22:59

That's great. My girl Debbie's a fine singer and pianist. Just like her mother, thank you very much. And my boy Max, a fine guitarist. Just like his father was. This was our shop. Boarded up now. You'd never know, but just 15 years ago, we were the biggest music store in Albany. Then when everything started falling apart, we had to move into the store just to protect it from the looters. Stress of it all got to my Jimmy. By that time, the hospital had closed. Only healthcare was the free clinic for outsiders. We carried Jimmy to the bubbles. Stood outside waiting for the clinic to open. Max went to the gates, begging them to let us in, begging for a doctor, begging for help. Nothing. I watched my husband die. My kids watched their father die.

unknown 24:11

I can't.

SPEAKER_09 24:15

I can't. I'm sorry. Jimmy had a kind heart.

SPEAKER_12 24:23

Just not a strong one. It must be hard for you. Uh raising two kids. Thank you for everything you're doing.

SPEAKER_09 24:32

We're happy to help however we can. Not like we're selling many guitars these days. Shame. We have some beauties. Building used to be a bank. We we store the vintage gear in the vault. Nobody to sell it to anymore, though. Shame.

SPEAKER_08 24:54

No way. Make him walk around. Make him walk around.

unknown 24:57

Woo!

SPEAKER_09 24:59

Whoa! Debbie, tell the tree nymph to stop, please.

SPEAKER_08 25:07

But I didn't get my turn yet.

SPEAKER_09 25:09

Debbie.

SPEAKER_08 25:09

Mom says stop. Relax. Don't get your turn.

unknown 25:13

Don't worry, you will.

SPEAKER_09 25:15

Sorry about that. Teenagers. They both have just been so excited to get a tree nymph. With the food shortages, they didn't get to have pets when they were younger.

SPEAKER_13 25:26

Tree nymphs are not pets.

SPEAKER_12 25:28

Diane, the tree nymph is not a pet. Oh.

SPEAKER_09 25:31

I'm sorry. I know. The kids know. Forgive me. They've just missed out on so much. Not like how I grew up. It's just hearing my kids laughing like that for a change. And it'll be nice closing my eyes tonight, not having to worry. Much less having to sleep with one hand on a baseball bat.

SPEAKER_12 25:52

I get it. But it's really important that people don't know that you have a tree nymph.

SPEAKER_05 26:02

Crazy!

SPEAKER_09 26:05

I'll be right back. Alright, you two. That's enough. Debbie?

SPEAKER_12 26:13

Okay. Trying to keep tree nymphs a secret is going to be more challenging than I thought. We need to move forward with the plan.

SPEAKER_10 26:22

But we need the mark to get access to the bubble security system.

SPEAKER_12 26:26

And that needs to happen now. We need to lure the mark out of the bubbles. And from what you tell me about him, I think I know how.

SPEAKER_01 26:39

A climate revolution with songs.

SPEAKER_07 27:03

Yeah. Episode three features the compelling vocal performances of Stephanie Bacchus is our soprano soloist. Stephanie Willing is Captain Kirchin. Christian Vaughn is Diane. Walker Steppenberger is Debbie and Luke Windgarden is Max. And our stellar ensemble of Jonathan Greg, Go in the Colour, William Peaton, and Ned Hartford. Dialogue directed by Emily Hartford. Singing sessions directed by Tom Mulby. Songs written by Aglofinus, Corey, Sam, and yours truly, Tom Mopey. Music and vocal arrangements, as well as sound editing and sound design by Tom Mulpey. All audio produced and recorded and mixed by Tom Mulpee at MythMakers Media Studios. Principal casting by McCorkoCasting. Additional casting by MythMakers Media. Public relations and media outreach by Tink Media. Visit our website, Metrothemusical.com for a detailed list of credits and thanks. Follow us on Instagram and Blue Sky at MetraTemusical One Word. Metra, a climate revolution with songs, is a production of Mythmakers Media. Copyright Ned in Emily Hartford. All rights reserved. Remember. Change the myth. Change the world. You great a plus wondrous motherfucking fabulous climate revolutionaries. That's a reference from one of the later episodes, so when you get there, you're gonna be like, oh yeah, I recognize that.