Episode 27- Back To School

Hi, this is Frances Hughes, the assistant director and editor of Witherburn After School News. If you're a fan of Witherburn After School News and want to support us, a great way would be to join us on Patreon. With a $5 monthly donation, you can gain access to ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and our Discord. You can also make a one-time donation on our Ko-fi and gain access to the Discord along with a special Discord role. You can find the links to our Patreon and Ko-fi in the episode description and on our website, WitherburnNews.com, or you can go to patreon.com/witherburn or ko-fi.com/witherburnafterschoolnews. Thank you to all our supporters. We couldn't do this podcast without you. Hello, Witherburn. Did you miss me? Shocking everyone and disappointing others. I'm back. That's right, your most reliable source for local news is back on the air after a quick summer break. Witherburn After School News is new and different this year, mostly because I can't hide my identity anymore. But we could talk about that later. It's a bit of a slow week this week, with school starting back up, but I still wanted to do something fun. So I decided to go around school and do interviews. No real rhyme or reason to them, just talking to people I found interesting. I figured it would be a fun way to ring in the new school year. Plus, I liked doing interviews, but the secret identity thing kind of got in the way of that. I thought it was fun, but some people were less than excited about me interviewing them. It doesn't matter. Let's get to the interviews. Hello. I hope this thing is recording. I think this red line means it's on. Oh, I didn't notice that. Great. Okay, everyone, I'm here with Ivy Groter, President of the Pagan Club, and Vice President of the Student Council. How was your summer, Ivy? It was nice. I mean, the town was filled with reporters, police, and tech doctors for some reason. So I couldn't really do much, but other than that, it was great. Oh, sorry, that doesn't sound great. I mean, it wasn't that fun, but at least I wasn't one of the students involved in the case. I mean, from what she's been telling me, Robin spent half her summer talking to the police and the other half avoiding hounding reporters. So sure, I couldn't always go to the diner for some ice cream, but it's a big deal, really. Oh, you've been hanging out with Robin. Oh my God, yeah. This summer, we started hanging out outside our roles in Student Council. She couldn't really do much around town because, well, you know how people are. They aren't good with boundaries. Anyways, she texted me and told me she was going to go stir crazy if someone didn't come over. And ever since then, we've been hanging out like every day. But now that you're back and down, I'm sure she'll want to hang out with you and catch up. No, she hasn't really talked to me. Oh, well, I'm glad you and your radio show are back. You were such a big help when the Pagan Club was trying to get approval. Oh, it was no problem. And how's the club going, by the way? It's going great. We just reached 13 members. We're doing a lot of fun stuff, too. Like we did a terror workshop, which brought in a lot of people. It was such a success that we're thinking about doing it again this year and maybe some palm reading. Then, of course, we're going to have the equinox relations and oh, I'm very excited about you. Yes, it's very nice. I feel like this club allows for me not to be the girl who does the creepy witch stuff. You know, now I'm just the girl who happens to be Pagan. It's nice. Not being seen as different from once, though the church still thinks I'm convincing people to try devil worship. I was going to ask about them. Yeah, they are still making a fuss because my club got approved. But I feel like the students here get it. Well, OK, they don't all get it, get it. But they understand that I'm not like making goat sacrifices or praying to Satan. And that was the goal of this club to dispel the rumors. I think I've been successful. That's that's really nice. Yeah, it's also nice talking to new people. A lot of the new students are interested in more cold stuff, talking to ghosts and all that, which I guess makes sense when everyone's friends are dead. I mean, I'm personally not good with spirits or the afterlife or anything like that. I have never really had an act for communicating with the other side. I mean, I tried obviously when Eva died, but I got nothing. I was in the club, I've been having more luck, but I guess I don't have the sixth sense. I forgot that you were friends with Eva. Yeah, she started to act weird last year and we kind of grew apart. I can't blame her. Finding out your dad is in a murderous goal when make anyone act a little strange. I mean, do you want to talk about it? It seems like you haven't really had time to process it. So much happened at once. No, no, I'm fine. Sorry, I was just thinking out loud for a second there. There is something I wanted to ask you. Yes, yes, of course. What do you want to know? Well, oh, you're probably gonna judge me for it. It's kind of a stranger class. It's okay, Ivy, you can ask me anything. I'm an open book. Well, okay. Funny you mentioned a book because that's what this is all about. I'm not following. Well, I was hoping you could bring in that book you found on the Clarks property. A lot of us are curious. What was in it? What could this god of death possibly be promising people? Also, I think no, what? I mean, I lost the book that night. They couldn't find it anywhere. And it must have slipped out of my pocket and gotten picked up by something. Oh, well, it's fine. It was a weird ask anywhere. Yeah. Yeah. Well, any more questions? No, I think that's enough for now. Hello, we are here with the Golder twins, Hannah and Kennedy. Say hi. Hello. Hi. Well, okay. Not that close to the mic. Yeah, back up a bit. Thanks. Anyways, let's get to the question that the most listeners have on their mind. Are y'all excited about football season? Oh, you know it. Yeah, I just have a feeling that this year will be our best year yet. Plus, I know Hannah is going to set some records. Dude, dude, we've been working on her kick all summer. Really? He's over exaggerating. Yeah, I worked on my field goals, but I spent most of my summer working on my penalty kicks. Oh, and my corner shots. I mean, I love football, but I'm still focused on bringing the soccer team to state. She's too modest. She can kick a field goal from the 50 yard line. I've seen it, dude. I did that once and then I couldn't do it again. That's not much help in the game. Still, dude, she did it. I know like nothing about football, but even I know that's impressive. See? See? She agrees with me, man. Okay, all right. We get it. We get it. What's the next question, Alice? Actually, Hannah, this is another one for you. Your soccer season was so amazing last year. How are you expecting to top it? No, I'm not. Oh, really? Explain. Oh, well, I have the motto that doing your best is all you can really do. Usually that means you're going to get better. If you're practicing an extra five hours a week or even just an extra hour, then you're most likely going to get better. But maybe the person on the other team practices 10 extra hours a week, then you'll lose. Or maybe you sprain your ankle and once you heal, you can't do that trick shot that you used to do. Goals need to be something that you can control. And the only thing you can control is whether or not you're trying your best. Oh, okay, I see. She also has a killer bicycle kick that I haven't seen a single goalie stop. So, you know, that definitely helps. You know, Kennedy can make a 70-yard pass like it's nothing. But hey, hey, why are we talking about me? The question was about you. Oh, can't I gloat about my brother? You were talking about me so much. I figured I would just share the love. Hey, I mean... He can also bench like 300 pounds. Tell her about it, Kennedy. Okay, I think we got a little off topic here. How about you tell me how your summers went? It was actually pretty boring. Oh, except we saw this weird thing in the woods. Oh, yeah. Man, I can't believe I almost forgot about that. Really? Tell me about it. What did you see? Well, we were doing a run on that trail, the trail by the river. You know the one that goes by Mr. Picklers? Yeah. It was right around sunset because we were trying to beat the heat. So, we were wrapping it up when we see this person in the woods. He's not doing it justice. We had been feeling strange all run, like something was following us. And then we see this man, but he didn't really look right. In what way? He didn't have any skin. It was all like muscle and blood and like these weird, unblinking eyeballs. He was standing so still too. Like, he wasn't even breathing. Yeah, it was weird. We just decided to ignore it, though, especially with all the weird stuff that happened last year. It's just, it was so creepy. Okay, it sounds like you saw the legendary Skinda Tom. See? Dude, I told you she would know some creature to pin it on. Dude, she's like a walking monster textbook. Come on, give us those monster facts, dude. Well, Skinda Tom isn't exactly a monster. More so an urban legend. He was a Tennessee playboy back in the day. The years depended on who you ask. He fell in love with this girl and her fiance got jealous and skinned him alive. Now he wanders the woods. Some say he's lonely. Some say he's looking for revenge. It varies. But there has to be some logical explanation, right? Oh yeah, it was probably some dumb YouTube prank. You know how these weirdos have been coming into town. Yeah, yeah, you're right. Now we are having lunch with the one, the only Amelia Farro Garcia. Quite the introduction. Well, you are quite the student. Speaking of, how's it feel to be top of the class yet again? To be honest, not great. Wait, really? Why not? Well, Hunter had said, actually, never mind. It feels good. I'm glad my hard work paid off. Are you sure? Amelia, you can talk to me, you know. I know, I just, it feels silly, that's all. Okay, let's just move on. You have been killing it at your ballet competitions over the summer. Any thoughts of being a full-time ballerina after high school? No, sadly. I love to dance, don't get me wrong, but ballet is my hobby, not my passion. I'm actually really hoping to get into Princeton so that I can study pre-law. That's impressive. I'm sure you're a shoo-in. Still, how did it feel to win a state-level dance competition this summer? Probably would have felt better if reporters didn't hound me afterwards and ask me about the Clarks. You're joking. I'm not. Literally no one asked me about my dance. Do these people have no shame? Apparently not. I mean, seriously, you had to escape the state so gossip columnists wouldn't harass you. You would be surprised at how many people still found my number, though. Thank God I'm not the only one with that problem. You know, sometimes I feel like you and Robin are the only ones who get it. I know I didn't go through what y'all went through, but, um, like, these podcasters and gossip columnists, they hear that Hunter was talking about me and they act like, like, like, I'm the key to breaking open the story. I'm not just Amelia. I'm always, um, I, I'm always tied to them. Yeah. Yeah, I get what you mean. It's not even, it's just frustrating. It's like everything I do now is connected to him. I'm so brave for simply living my life after this. I feel like you're brave. No, I'm just, no, no, I mean, hear me out. He could have literally ruined your whole life. Not because of anything he did, but because of what he could have done. You could have easily said, I quit. I don't want to think about it anymore. I just want to get out of this town and move on. But you didn't. You still did what you love despite the questions and you still did community service despite the fact that this town was basically falling apart. I think facing the judgment head-on is brave, even if it's just you continuing to be you. Okay, yeah, I get that. See, this is what I mean when I say you and Robin are the only ones who get it. Sometimes when people talk about him and not me, not my accomplishments, I feel like he is winning. Like he was right about me. God, Hunter was not right about anything. I mean, his grades prove that. Hell is what? He insulted me enough while he was here. Now I'm going to get a couple punches in. What's he going to do? Write me a strongly worded letter. Oh my God. No, no, you're right. And you should say it. We have gotten so off track. This is barely even an interview anymore. Okay, okay, let's get back on topic. How's your father's bait shop doing? I heard he's hoping you take up the family business. Well, I will always support my dad's business and it will always be a part of my life, but he knows I have other dreams. Oh, I guess that's our time. You know, you should come on my show. I would love to do a longer interview with you. I would like that. I'm not doing an interview with you. Come on. Dice, the listeners loved you last time. Well, yeah, of course they did, but you won't collab with me. I told you I don't like being on camera. And I told you we can make you a vtuber. I'm not going on stream with you. Then I'm not doing your little radio show. Oh, come on. Don't you want to talk about your esports team or just tell me how your summer went? No, my lips are sealed. Dice! Nope, they're sealed, which sucks for you because I got some cool stuff coming up. Really? You should tell me all about them. I will tell you every little detail if you join me on stream tonight. You're so childish. Oh, I know, but you know, you could go interview Robin. She's right over there. Go bother her. I don't. I don't think Robin wants to talk to me. Please. Robin always wants to talk to you. Nope. I've been trying to call her all summer and I've heard nothing. I just... I don't think she sees me the same after everything. Or maybe she just needed time like you did. Look, you and your girlfriend aren't going to get over this rough patch if you don't talk. She is not my girlfriend. Sure, she's not. Go get your girl. Oh. Hey, Robin. How was your summer? Oh, it's you. It was fine. Good. Good. Well, I'm going around and interviewing a few people. Would you like to... I don't want to be a part of this anymore. A part of what? Your show. It almost got us killed, Alice. And now you're back at it again like nothing happened. I'm not acting like nothing happened. Yes, you are. You're back with the same old drama and the same old reports like everything is fine. Well, it is. It's over now. We have to go back to normal eventually. Normal is gone. Half the town is either dead or in jail. The FBI is here along with stupid, true crime YouTubers trying to make a buck off us. Then you continue doing the same thing that got us into this situation. Oh, so you're blaming me? No, I just... I'm a different person, Alice, and I think you are too, deep down. It's hard not to change after that, but I can't keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. I need to move on, and I think you do too. Move on? Robin, come on, let's just... I'm not helping you with the afterschool news anymore, okay? I need to get to class. Oh my god! What if they don't like me? What's there to dislike? I'm not like you. You say that like it's a bad thing. Well, it kinda is. I promise you it's not. You're perfect, and my family's going to see that. We'll just have to make it through the next few months. Maybe there'll be a few judgements and uncles, but we can deal with that. You said the rest of your family wasn't like your mom and dad. What if there's more than just a few judgmental looks? I won't let anything happen to you. I promise. Shit, damn it! Of course it's you, you little freak! I told you to stay away from us! Give me that... And that's all I've got. It was fun interviewing people, and I hope to do it again soon. You know, it's kind of nice not having a secret identity. Maybe I can do more fun stuff like this. Okay. Actually, that's exciting! Anyways, don't forget to tune in next week witherburn. I'm the reporter, signing off. Witherburn After School News is written and directed by Jordan Oliver. Assistant directed by Spencer Samson and Francis Hughes. Edited by Francis Hughes. Alice is played by Jordan Oliver. Robin is played by Alyssa Godfrey. Scarlett is played by Shawna Proctor. Bo is played by Zach Hancock. Ivy is played by Kat Morales. Dice is played by Miles Hannah. Amelia is played by Miranda T. Grazas. Hannah is played by Grace Elliott. And Kennedy is played by Trey Solis.