Metra Ep 7 - This Isn't About How We Got Here Today

The story of Cori.

Songs: 
"Ceres' Curse reprise"
"Cori in the Limo"
"Bechtel Man"
"Cori Rides a Train"
"Cori Starts to Dream"
"Cori Underwater"
"Cori Sheds Her Skin"
"Cori Comes Home"

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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, and Sierra Rein

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

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Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:13

Mythmakers media presents.

SPEAKER_13 0:30

Serial scripted audio podcast. Story. Jeanette Bayodell as a glove for those.

SPEAKER_11 0:52

J. Davis is Corey. Corinna Schulenberg as Sam.

SPEAKER_13 0:57

And Fred Inkly as Tyler. Featuring Aliah Munch, Sierra Ryan, Christina Abando Sanchez. And our wonderful tree nymph chorus. Yeah.

SPEAKER_14 1:22

Welcome, Mythmakers. We three tree nymphs present to you episode seven of the scripted serial audio podcast of Metra, a climate revolution with songs. We left off where we always seem to leave off with men of wealth and power lying in order to grab more wealth and power. Lying to the world. Lying to themselves. So certain they will never ever be held accountable for their lies. Their deceit. Not tonight. Evil kings. Not tonight.

SPEAKER_00 2:03

Now say goodbye to all you love. Say goodbye to all you love. Say goodbye. God I'm hungry.

SPEAKER_16 2:27

I really am hungry. Good. Oh my God. I'm really, really hungry. I I need food.

SPEAKER_06 2:36

Not much I can spare. The rations we get are tight, and there are folks who depend on me to get one square a day. And I've got folks passing through from the south. Families out in that weather. Walking, just trying to survive from place to place until they can find a safe haven. I'm more important than Sunday. Uh refugees. I'm sure that's what some of the Border Vigilantes said too, as they stood on that wall.

SPEAKER_09 3:00

Right next to the government tree.

SPEAKER_06 3:02

And mowed down all those poor, thirsty, starving people coming up from Central America and Mexico, but just mowed them down by the thousands.

SPEAKER_09 3:12

The ones they blamed before the trans vote.

SPEAKER_06 3:15

The Border Vigilantes believed a myth they've been taught that the wealth their nation possessed was their God-given right because of their hard-working, inherently good white Christianity.

SPEAKER_09 3:25

While conveniently ignoring that their wealth was in no small part built on slavery, theft, and murder.

SPEAKER_06 3:31

And they so righteously believed this myth that they happily killed poor refugees to defend it.

SPEAKER_09 3:37

Funded by right-wing billionaires who egged them on. I am not right wing. I am so hungry. Yes. Hunger has a way of making labels meaningless. I mean, I'm sure some of the refugees we get now, folks from Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, or people who stood on that wall. Maybe some are even armies of Christ. Maybe some are even the folks who tried to kill me. Who knows? It's hard to care about that when people are starving to be able to do it. I think you are too kind to them. They would not do the same for you. No, they probably would not. But if the only kindness we give depends on the kindness we receive, then what kind of world are we in?

SPEAKER_06 4:18

So Tyler, you see what we can do? It's called the process, and you're ass deep in it. How far this goes, how much this hurts, it depends on the choice that you make.

SPEAKER_08 4:31

I have done nothing wrong. A man killed my sister. Man like your father. And now you're not.

SPEAKER_06 4:44

But if you make one move for the door, she'll hit you with a hunger hurt so bad. Well, you don't want to know how bad that's gonna feel. So you just sit there and pay very close attention. Because now you get to experience my moment of personal transformation. The story of Corey. This is gonna get weird.

SPEAKER_09 5:06

Yep. Here we go. The story of Corey. Sitting in the back of the limousine, she suddenly finds herself taking stock, reflecting on her life's journey, and it's a moment she finds shockingly unique because Cory. Scholarship arriving from school, horizontal, white classmates, who cleaned her straight simply completed grades, completed because of her race.

SPEAKER_02 6:12

But I was just smarter and worked ten times harder. So wipe that stupid smoke off your face.

SPEAKER_09 6:25

Well, her mother shocked as Corey talked about getting a business degree. Be a free clinic doctor, be a civil rights lawyer, be the teams that you want to see.

SPEAKER_06 6:42

But real change comes from money, ma. Money is what bites history.

SPEAKER_09 6:52

Just the little sled as it approached a crowd of angry protesters. Police and riot gear confronted the crowds. Corey could see the faces of the protesters. Corey could hear them shout, read their signs, condemning the conference, condemning the greed of the wealthy, condemning the elitist capitalist system that Corey had vowed to use, to usurp, to somehow, some way, someday bend to the greater good. Damn! No! Stop it! Hey, they're just they're just protesting. As the police attacked the protesters, the limo rolled off. Corey looked down at her clenched hands and realized she had unknowingly scratched them raw. Drops of blood started her knuckles. Before she could find a tissue, the limo stopped. The driver turned and announced, Mom, you have arrived. Oh yeah. They took her back. She checked in to the conference. Davos. The twenty fifteen economic forum.

unknown 8:36

Corey had arrived.

SPEAKER_09 8:46

She went to her room, collapsed into bed, but couldn't sleep. Maybe I just need a drink. Something to eat. She went down to the VIP lounge, got a cocktail, some pate and cheese, checked her phone, and that's when she saw him.

SPEAKER_16 9:05

No, not again! This is someone different this time. Oh my god! No, not him! Not him! I am not!

SPEAKER_17 9:14

I am not! I am! I am Heinrich Gans.

SPEAKER_06 9:20

Um, yeah. Yes. Yes, you are.

SPEAKER_17 9:24

Is this seat taken? Funny way to ask for a seat by telling me who you are. The room is crowded. I was hoping my name might curry favor with the woman who has an open seat at her table.

SPEAKER_19 9:37

Alright.

SPEAKER_17 9:39

Since you so graciously allowed my imposition, at least let me buy you a drink.

SPEAKER_09 9:45

To Corey's surprise, she said, all right. To Corey's continued surprise, she found herself enjoying the conversation.

SPEAKER_17 9:58

You know, Corey, that crude oil short made you quite a reputation as a savvy prognosticator.

SPEAKER_06 10:06

Well, really, Mr. Gantz. Heinrich, I insist. Well, Heinrich. Despite my good fortune with that one call, I really have to insist that my company's long-term growth has been more attributable to the algorithms I developed that helped ensure my fund's success.

SPEAKER_17 10:23

Yes, blah, blah, blah. Excuse me? You received inside information from the Saudi Prince's Minister of Oil himself. Over delicious cocktails just like these. According to my inside sources, the Saudi Minister of Oil. He says you're quite charming. I didn't charm. He just told me. Corey, there's nothing you need to be ashamed of. He liked you. He decided to help you. And you decided to take his help.

SPEAKER_06 10:57

I I decided to do what was best for my investors.

SPEAKER_17 11:02

Perfectly understandable. Because inside information is what keeps all of us on the inside. It keeps out the riff ref. Speaking of inside information, your hedge fund currently holds a considerable amount of stock in one of my energy companies.

SPEAKER_06 11:25

Against natural gas.

SPEAKER_17 11:27

Yes. So you didn't just need a random open seat at any table. I try to eliminate as much randomness as possible. I needed this seat at your table because I like to know the people who can have an effect on my profit margins. For reasons I cannot discuss. I would greatly appreciate a long hold on Gantz Gas.

SPEAKER_06 11:51

If it benefits my investors.

SPEAKER_17 11:54

If not them, it will benefit you, Corey. You see, I can be quite generous in showing my appreciation and quite expressive with my displeasure. So, Corey, how savvy are you?

SPEAKER_06 12:16

I think I see against gas as a good long-term prospect.

SPEAKER_17 12:27

Savvy choice, Corey. Contact your banker at UBS after we speak. You'll find an initial token of my appreciation wired into your account. May there be many more. How do you know about my Swiss bank account? Information is my strong suit, remember? You shouldn't scratch at that. You're bleeding. I it happened getting out of the limo. Yes. Even a limousine has its share of risk.

SPEAKER_06 12:57

So, Heinrich, what sessions will you be attending? 7 p.m. World Hunger Panel looks interesting. A public forum?

SPEAKER_17 13:07

No, thank you. We leave those to the press and plebeians. The real action goes on in the private forums. Perhaps the private climate change panel? No press, no outsiders. It starts soon. You should get a seat.

SPEAKER_06 13:23

You're not going? I'll be there.

SPEAKER_17 13:26

I am the moderator.

SPEAKER_06 13:27

You moderating a panel on climate change?

SPEAKER_17 13:31

Does that surprise you?

SPEAKER_06 13:40

I am in the room. Heinrich leads the panel. Welcome to the panel! First, there are the climatologists discussing the rising sea levels, the melting ice caps, the desertification, the loss of coastland, mass extinctions. Jesus Christ. And Heinrich, calm and nodding through it all. Very interesting. The world is fucked, and one of the leading world fuckers alive is leading a climate change panel? This is crazy.

SPEAKER_17 14:21

Then Heinrich introduces our final speaker, a surprise guest. An old friend of mine whom I'm sure you all know, huh?

SPEAKER_06 14:30

Oh, everyone recognizes his name and the company he's from Bechtel. And uh the Bechtel mayor.

SPEAKER_08 14:38

Hi there, Heinrich.

SPEAKER_06 14:41

Beckto. Almost every horrible thing going on in the world. They've got tentacles in overthrowing governments, starting wars behind the scenes, and then getting the contracts to do the rebuilding. And remember what happened there. He and Heinrich are like the oldest, best besties ever. Just warmly shaking the head. A hand on each other's shoulder.

SPEAKER_08 15:03

Good afternoon, fellow Davos attendees.

SPEAKER_06 15:06

But why is the head of Becto speaking at a climate forum?

SPEAKER_03 15:10

This isn't about how we got here today. We all know how we got here today. We got you listen all the way. I'm glad it's not the ball that's burning with bones on the wall, that's not fucking off the bone. With the water on the coming on it.

SPEAKER_05 17:16

Oh, I love me. Oh does not. Any questions?

SPEAKER_09 17:32

And that's when it happens.

SPEAKER_06 17:35

Excuse me? Question. Um, hi. So what are we going to do?

SPEAKER_08 17:41

I would suggest investing in the companies that would make the corrugated metals for the relocation camps. Invest in the firms making ready-to-eat rations for the coastal refugees. Invest in private security. There are investment firms already starting climate change funds to take advantage of all these common opportunities.

SPEAKER_06 18:02

But what about fighting climate change?

SPEAKER_08 18:04

I'm sure the invisible hand of the market will solve that problem, at least for those of us in this room. But in the meantime, of course, our parents are important. Perhaps for those of you with higher profiles who have to be concerned about public opinion, I would suggest starting your own foundation that promotes research and discussion into green technology.

SPEAKER_06 18:29

But we could do something to stop it. We, yeah, the people in this room, we, with our money and power and influence, we could affect massive change. We could solve this problem. Think of the world you've been leaving your children, your grandchildren. Because today is the day my hedge fund dumps every last fossil fuel stock. Going green, baby. Go fuck yourself.

SPEAKER_16 19:27

What do you do to my mom? How do you dare you? I am not my father. That's not your story. That is fucking impossible. My father died over ten years ago. You'd be in your seventies or sixties at least.

SPEAKER_06 19:45

She needed more time with me, so she slowed things down for a bit. I am not some fool! Neither am I, Tyler. Not anymore. Not when so much depends on not being fooled. I spent years believing that myth is like the invisible hand of the market would magically make the world a better place. Myth is like fiduciary duty begins and ends with the good of the stockholder. The accumulation of wealth is a sacrosancy. Greed is good. Myth created by wealthy men to excuse their overwhelming desire for more money and power and their willingness to destroy anyone and anything that got in their way. That also made me realize my whole life was a lie. Just like your life is. What are you getting at? I don't know what you're talking about. Okay. Your choice is. So we continue. I realize that meaningful change from the inside of corrupt system was impossible. And that is something that you now need to realize. Because if you don't think it's going to go well before any of us, are you gonna sit here and very close attention as I tell you the rest of my story? You might even enjoy the ride. Oh, I was done with the limo. So I check out. Look at the next flight back to JFK. I try to get a limo to the airport, but I am told that suddenly, apparently only for me, there are no limos available. So I Uber, but on the way to the airport, I suddenly changed my mind, and I had the driver take me to the train station instead. And I got on a train. Heading southeast anyway, no way.

SPEAKER_04 21:47

Hard to get somewhere when your whole life's been a waste. Playing it sexy, not a sexy cursing just as much as they. My smile and chunks, my soul is one of screen on it. Do it with the money I make some day with some day. Well the witch boys play I become a part of a part of a system.

SPEAKER_07 24:15

I laid death staring at the ceiling, wide awake, dreaming I was in the ground floating in the floor, wrapped in a cocoon, and I was feeling the pool of blood red things get dark before the door.

SPEAKER_19 25:22

Such a peaceful place to cease to be. I could lose myself so easily. But above, I see the surface.

SPEAKER_18 25:35

Are those clear skies? Yes, I still have a purpose. So I kick and rise. I swim and survive to reach a land uncharted. I'm still alive. So let's get this party started.

SPEAKER_02 25:55

Ty, return. It's time to join the story tonight. You learn to dream like Corey.

SPEAKER_04 26:05

You're naked, breathless, super soaking wet. You're shaking in the darkness all alone. And yet you feel a rhythm, feel a beat, and it's starting to sus. Dream's becoming fabulous. At the edge of the forest, uh, what do you see? Oh, I felt the red heads and they burn so sweet. In the sky, fireflies are really light up the night. Surprise you realize you two are blowing so bright. That's a dream. It's freaking fabulous. Great plus wondrous, motherfucking fabulous. Give it up, dead, dead, baby. Just falling from my eyes. The hard buttons on the swings and starts. A place is so familiar that I've never been before.

SPEAKER_05 27:21

A song so strong is all I hear.

SPEAKER_12 27:28

Corey, Corey Comedy.

SPEAKER_15 27:45

Time for you to wake and shake. So that was some dream.

SPEAKER_19 28:02

Right time. So yeah.

SPEAKER_02 28:12

Got off that train. Got on a boat. A boat that had a name. Metro. Wow. Well, how big? That name seems so familiar to me. Took that boat to an island off the coast of Greece. All along I hear the song. Yeah, that singing wouldn't cease. That night at the inn, I threw on a robe and I followed that singing to a dark-wooded grove. A sacred grove.

SPEAKER_06 28:46

A singing, a tree. My past, my future, calling out to me. Her.

SPEAKER_18 28:54

True, and after all that I had been through, this tree nymph said.

SPEAKER_15 29:02

Horry, I've been waiting for you.

SPEAKER_04 29:09

And that's how the youngest black female hedge fund owner in history became a big class.

SPEAKER_13 29:44

Starring Jeanette Bayardell, Sheree J. Davis, Corina Schulenberg, and Fred Hinkley. Featuring Alia Munch, Christina Albando Sanchez, and CM Ryan.

SPEAKER_11 30:01

Thank you, listeners, for joining us on Metra's journey so far. We have resources for finding your place in the climate movement at Metrothemusical.com. And if you love the show, please rate or review us and tell your friends. And if you'd like to support Metra, you can find a donation link in this episode's show notes.

SPEAKER_13 30:24

Dialogue directed by Emily Hartford. Singing sessions directed by Tom Mulpee. Songs written by Eclofinus, Corey, Sam, and yours truly, Tom Mulpey. Music and vocal arrangements, as well as sound editing and sound designed by Tom Mulpey. All audio produced and recorded and mixed by Tom Mulpee at MythMakers Media Studios. Principal casting by McCorco Casting. 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 Metra the Musical, all one word. Metra, a climate revolution with songs, is a production of Mythmakers Media. Copyright Ned and Emily Hartford, all rights reserved. Remember, change the myth, change the world. You great A plus, wondrous, motherfucking fabulous climate revolutionaries. So now you've heard the episode where that reference comes from, so should all make sense. See you on the streets.