Lock

This audio drama is best enjoyed while listening through headphones if possible. Content warnings include depictions of violence and child abduction, use of foul language and loud noises, lock written by Christine J. Schmidt and directed by Jack Collard. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Monica? You're late! You're late! You're having. Monica! Get the ass in here now! [Music] [Music] [Music] Hey girl! How's life? Another night of misery over here. My friends aren't home, as usual. I might take that over a tip doing down the hallway like some real life version of Don't Wake Daddy. Except it's. Don't wake mommy! My dad's passed out on the recliner again. I mean, I get it. Nothing looks cozy as hell. I think it was my grandpa's. My mom replaced our couch for the 50th time as if this new couch is going to fix her entire life for something. She let me put the old one in my room. Your room is so big you could throw parties in it. You say that like I haven't. I'm always late to your parties. And you show up smelling like stale pretzels. You got to stop working the closing shift. Oh, it's either drop out of high school or equip my job and I can't do either. Yeah. Hey, at least I bring you drunk idiots free pretzels. Do you shave? So, my mom left me 500 bucks and a note that says for shopping. Wanna hit up the molds tomorrow? I'll already be there. Classic cloapin. I don't know how to do that shit Monica. I really don't. I'll take it over being home any day. I'll pick you up after your shift. Darling. Okay. I got to get to sleep base up so I'm not a zombie tomorrow. Love you lots. Love you loads. What can I get for you today? Do you guys have, uh, let's see, cinnamon sugar pretzels? We sure do. Are they warm? Sure are. Can I get mine to go? One cinnamon sugar pretzel to go. Anything else? So like, uh, if I get it to go, is there any way you can keep the pretzel warm until I get home? We only have these little sleeve bags for them. I'll give you a treat for later. I recommend either enjoying it now or heating it up in your oven later. I know it takes time. But when you do heat it up in your oven, the pretzel gets crispy and it's really nice. I'll even give you an extra side of cinnamon sugar to sprinkle over it later. Whatever. What about some icing too? Okay, uh, here you go. One cinnamon sugar pretzel with some extra goodies. Three, five. You can tap your card here. Have a great day! Dip shit. Oh, monogale girl. How's it going up here? Carbohydrateful. Funny. Did you defrost the puppies at the worst thing I did when I came in? Sometimes I worry you're too good at this job. I appreciate the transactional nature of it. Not just the customers, eventually they take their pretzel and exit my world forever. Plus, you know, I need the job. Me too. I take my job home with me. I sometimes dream in pretzel. No, we don't stick around long enough for that to happen. It creeps up on you, old girl. It creeps up on you. You don't suddenly stop needing a job. Life gets more and more expensive as you go on. You'll blink your eyes and be standing over the fryer. Age 37. Wondering where the last two decades of your life went. All right. Six more hours for you. Let's get going. Guys, guys, guys. Okay. Hey, lady. Can we get some mustard for ourselves? Yes! We don't sell any alcohol here, sir. I think they're going to be our trust to find any rest of it. Have a nice day. Oh, Monika, will you? Ready, bitch? Clocking out now. Thanks, step. Enjoy your night, mongrats. Sorry, sir. Your car declined. Another eight hours of my life down the drain. What a knowing shit to Deb do today. She's actually been a really pleasant recently. I think she's realized I'm the only employee who actually does any work. I wish she would cease this suffering at the hands of fried dough. So that once high school's over, I'll never have to live at home again. I want to go somewhere far away. We should move in together. You really think you're ever going to leave Jersey? What's that supposed to mean? I'm not a freaking mind-reader. You got it too good to struggle with me. I'd never abandon you. Anyways, you're probably going to get into Princeton. So? So, if you get into Princeton, you're going to go to Princeton. Not necessarily. And you'll continue to live at home because you live in a mansion and your parents are never ever there. I'd rather have us. Hmm. All I know is I've got to get out of here. And I've headed somewhere far. What are you going to do? Stop malls and pretzel stands all over the place. You're better than that. I'll be better than that once I have enough mental real estate to find my better than that. Until then, sit. Doh. Mark told me he wants to marry me. Yeah. I want to get my degree first. Yeah. Thanks. It was kind of sweet though. Got down on one knee and everything. He's definitely going to Princeton. Got in early action. See, it's perfect. No, you don't know what you're talking about. Oh, God. Buskers nearby. Let's go back inside. I don't think it's a buskers. It's coming from behind that door to the left of the main entrance. I've never seen that door before. We're out here all the time. We either. We're going to investigate, right? I'll be. Some day our curiosity will end us. I honestly don't care. Yes, you do. Come on. Let's check out this mystery door. All right. Concrete stairs. Soaked in some unidentifiable substance. This doesn't scream saying of the gruesome ass crime at all. What? It smells like eggs. Sulfur. Sulfur means demon. Fucking shut up. Don't scare me. What the? Is this like an underground layer? I don't know, like a secret dungeon? Look, a sign. A very merry welcome to Mary Circle Village. Huh. Super rundown, like neglected. It's actually kind of charming if you look closely. Like, it would have been cute in its day. There are so many little stores. A winter wonderland. In the basement of a mall. With no snow. Or wonder. Hmm, maybe I'll just live down here. I don't join you. We'll make it stylish. Let's see if we can get into one of these stores. Locked. This one's locked, too. All locked. I say we dragged down whoever's playing that thing. Definitely the first one's to die in this war movie. Jern's spinners, players, and whizzlers. It's a very specific toy shop. There's no one here. I very much like to leave. What do you kill you to indulge in the one thing that's bringing me any delight in life? Spinning tops galore. And there's such pretty covers. It was coming from behind, the carnage smoothly. That's the book out of here, so it's on the other side. Good morning, ladies. Or afternoon, evening. What day is it? Saturday. And the time. Evening-ish? Good evening-ish. The name's Jern. Not Jern. Jern. Would you like a spinning top fancy whistle? Ah, Han Monica. Was that you playing all this time? Yes. Did you enjoy it? We heard it all the way from the parking lot. It called to you then. This is a special place or it was. Not many folks come to the shop these days. Hear the only place that's open. Yes, well, in a way. Not in a way. 100% only place open. I can see it all lit up. Mary Circle Village. Like I was there only moments ago. Sorry, but how do you stay in business? It's not about the money down here. What's behind that red curtain you popped out from? Shop store, texture inventory. How did we hear you from all the way in the parking lot? Let's slow down on the questions, my dear. What are you hiding? I said slow down on the questions, my dear. Yeah, slow it down. We all deserve a little privacy, right? We don't need to see behind the curtain. We'll be on our way. No! Something drew me down here, okay? I thought it was the music, but. I feel the pool so strongly now that I'm standing in your shop. There's something behind that curtain for me. You'd be wise not to assume that there's something for you every place you go. I don't assume that. In fact, the opposite. Every place I go, I assume there's nothing for me and I'm usually right. But there is something for me here. I mean, I heard it too, but I don't think I feel the same pool exactly. I feel it. Now, let me see. If you're not interested in making a purchase, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. Have a great night, sir. Come on. Monica. Fine. Have a fine evening, Monica. Get home safely. Oh, he's hiding something behind that curtain. I say, let him hide it. His name is Jern, which is most certainly a made-up name. And if we go back, we will most certainly be chopped up into tiny, unrecognizable pieces and bet to his pet parrot. Every fiber of my being was drawn to whatever was behind that curtain. I still don't know quite how to explain it, but I feel lighter down here. I feel like I'm going to shit my pants. But it was kind of exciting to write, maybe. Yes, a little, I'll admit it. We're dumb teenagers, right? Let's live up to that title. I need to know what's behind there. Have some sort of experience that isn't working at the mall or hiding in my room. You have way too much of a hold on me, girl. Oh, you love it. Come on. Let's go back. Where did he go? Jern? We're back, Jern. I'm going to look behind the curtain. I'll just be right here. Now, this is a door. I think it's made of iron. Did you try to open it? Not yet. Honestly, it looks like the entrance of a tomb to me. Oh, and it feels cold. Like a walk-in freezer. I've got to see what's on the other side. I'm going to open it. It won't budge. What the hell? Maybe that's a good thing. Could be protecting us from whatever's inside. Or whatever's inside. It's so incredible. Only the most determined can get in. Oh, shit. This is exactly what I need. Where did you get that hammer? It's just sitting in the corner. That looks heavy. Careful. Come on. Come on. I'm going to hurt yourself. Hi. Oh, my God, Ron. Don't move either of you. Hi, Jern. Uh, uh, we were just curious. I'll have you know, I'm an employee of the mall. I know. The pretzel stand. How? Sometimes I join you all up there. Above ground, I've seen you. It was my idea to come back. I know that, too. Whatever's on the other side of this iron door is meant for me. What do you expect to find? I'm, uh, I'm not sure. But I've been feeling so lost for so long. Maybe all my life every day feels the same. And I never see it getting better. So Monica, it's all going to get better soon. Once we graduate, I guess I'm hoping whatever is behind that door is my version of a second chance. Yes. Yes. It's meant for you. Both of you. There is an entire world behind this iron door. It's not like the one you're used to. You'll have to use your eyes, ears, and hearts in new ways. Ways you can only learn with time. Once the door is open, you'll have eight hours until it locks. It seems like a lot of time, yes. You'd be surprised. Be sure to use it wisely. I'll play three notes on the harmonica and then I'll unlock the door. At that time, the eight-hour countdown will begin. And we can leave if we want. Before the eight hours is up, yes. But we could stay too. If you don't leave before the eight hours is up, you'll stay forever. Lizzie. I don't know. You're the closest thing to safety in my life. I am? Yeah, I trust you. Do you trust me? I do. I need this. I can't fully explain why. But will you go with me? I'll go with you. Of course. All right, here she is. A snow globe? Oh, there's a little village inside. This is Mary Circle Village in all of its glory. You've opened the iron door and now it's time to go there. All it takes is a step through the frame and a shake, shake, shake. We're really doing this? Yes. Hold on to yourselves. We're on our way. Time and space is stretching before us. A corridor is forming. I can't see. Patience, patience. Soon colors will be so vivid. So bright. Don't be afraid. I'm not afraid. What are you excited? That's what I like to hear. What? What just happened? The whole way is extending out in front of us now. Let's go for a walk, shall we? I think it's made of glass. I'm not sure. It's so dark, you know. Hold on to me, Monica. Please. I got here. We're here. This is it. Mary Circle Village. It looks just like the scene in the snow globe. This is what you don't see when you first come down the stairs to the basement. It's not abandoned. Not really. Now, look up. What do you see? A clock tower. Indeed. This is the center of town. You'll have to return to this door, open it, make your way down this hallway and back to the iron door before the clock strikes eight. If you don't return before then, the door will be locked. Your old world inaccessible to you and you'll live among the Mary Circle Villagers permanently. Do you understand? Understand. Yes. Monica? Hmm, yes. Yes. Wonderful. It's freezing. It's always winter here. There are jackets available at Lanta's Winter Wonderland Outfitters. Just down that path there. Are you coming with us, Jiren? I wish I could, but perhaps I'll see you again. If I don't, I wish you both the best. All right, it's noon. We've got to 8 p.m. Plenty of time. There's so much to dig in. So many people. And they're all smiles. Never seen so many happy people in a row. Monica? Seriously? I'm freezing to death. Let's go. I see the jacket shop. Just up that way. Welcome to Lanta's Winter Wonderland Outfitters and a happy merry circle day to you. Hello. Hello. Looks like we have a couple of new faces in town. Potentials? What do you mean, potentials? Experimenting with merry circle village, seeing how it feels to exist here. Oh, I guess we're potentials. Let's get you two suited up for the weather then. It's something you'll get used to if, you know. So what are your names? I'm Monica, and this is Lizzie. Monica, wow. You are so. What? What am I? I was going to say you're striking. You're so striking. Oh. Wow. Gosh. Thank you. Lans. Lans. Oh, so this is your store. Sure is. Wow. You see, we've got quite the selection here. I've never seen so many jackets in my life. And hats and gloves and scarves. I want it all. Well, let's start you off with a jacket. Oh. See how that feels. Wow. If you decide to stay, we'll fill your entire closet with warm weather gear. What are you thinking of jackets? You know what? They're not bad. So warm. Mine fits great. You look stunning. How do I look, Lans? Good. Yours is good too. Uh-huh. Hey, Monica. Hmm? Maybe I'll see you later. Oh, I'd. I'd like that. Yeah? I'm kicking up a hardy stew in my cottage tonight after work. Would you grace me with your presence? Of course. Mine might be too. Absolutely. Because I've also been known to, uh, enjoy a stew. We would love to come. Thank you, Lans. Um, it was a pleasure meeting you. More than a pleasure. I could keep shopping forever. There are so many cute things. Oh, yeah, but Lans, no chill. Hey, you liked me. I noticed. We didn't pay for these jackets. Your money isn't good here. Oh, sorry. Sorry for popping up out of nowhere. There's no currency in Mary Circle Village. Just kindness and fun. You'll always have what you need materially. No question and no problem. These jackets are so beautiful. I'm not used to wearing something this nice. Oh, you look great. Spiffy. Thanks. Are you sure we don't have to pay? Oh, I'm sure. The things that matter you have. And what's most important? Community. That's what we have in riches here. It's a noble act to love oneself enough to allow oneself to be happy. Not many of us do. I'll leave you girls to it. Explore, indulge, imagine, allow. Okay. That was that already an hour. That was not an hour. I don't know, but at least we're warm and looking spiffy. Oh, oh my gosh, let's get our photo taken. Where? There's a little booth right here. How long is that going to take? Not long. Come on. I want to remember this time. It felt so alive and like, ever. Okay. Let's go. Step right through the curtain and have a seat on those two stools there. Thank you. You look so cozy in your jackets. Are they from Lance's shop? They are. He's really sweet. We just met him. Oh. Oh, yeah. Are you Monica? How did you know? Good news travels fast. Or good gossip anyway. You know, tilt your chin up like so. Good. Word on the Mary Circle street is Lance has taken a liking to you. Lance can't keep his mouth shut, huh? Oh, we all just love him. A town celebrity is sore. I do believe he's inspired the most potentials to stay in you. I'm just going to have you touch shoulders. Wonderful. Let's see your Mary smiles now. Nice and big. Oh. Okay. Look, that was brave. Language. Oh. He's Mary Circle Village and Nope Vanity Zone. It is. A nice change of pace from what I'm used to. So much cursing in my house. You love it here. I already do. Here's your photo. I don't see anything. Me either. It'll develop fully once you've chosen to remain. Have you decided? We haven't. I'm sure it's a really lovely photo. I sure hope it comes in the focus soon. Cheers. So, how are you feeling? I haven't thought about a single one of my problems since we got here. Until just now. Yeah, but like. I'm thinking of them at a distance. What? Don't you think it's almost. It's so cheerful, it's sort of nothing. We must have different ideas of what happiness feels like. I'm sorry. I'm being negative. I'm sincerely glad. You're enjoying yourself. Sincerely glad. Okay, weirdo. Lance is hot, right? I mean, no hotter than more. You dance. Look at that. Come dance with me. Monica, Monica. It's four. Our time is half way up. Come on, let me spin you. Oh, come on. Just getting even colder now, the sun's going down. I think we're almost at Lance's cottage. It should just be a couple more blocks. Are you absolutely positive? There's enough time for us to get back to the clock tower. I've been looking forward to this all day. Let's just make sure we actually keep an ear out with the bell tools. Huh? Huh? Oh, God, thanks for catching me. Always. It's okay. You can slow or pace. No need to slip and break ahead. Then we'll really have a problem. Can't get over how cute your cottage is. You've got a real life for detail. I take little of no credit. Jarrett, down the way, he used to be an interior designer. He came in here and charmed it up for me. I want to meet Jarrett. You're going to make me jealous. He used to be an interior designer? Yeah, before. What does he do now? He's good neighbor. He earns a living by being a good neighbor. We're not holding lands for questioning. Jarrett sounds lovely, but he can't be nearly as lovely as you. Oh, who knows? Thank you. I can totally have my good moments. I could live in a cottage like this forever. It smells like hazelnuts. It's so clean and the chairs are all cushy. Yeah. But like, wouldn't you prefer living with me in a big house near the beach? I'm starting to think the beach is overrated. But you love hot weather. Summer is your favorite season. Remember that SAU wrote in seventh grade? Coffee coats and hot cocoa sound just as good of me. Freezing, frigid conditions over luxuriating in the sunshine? No one actually prefers. I think we should all. Choose what we like best and not make it a matter of disagreement life is good This is not real life. You haven't had any stew Lizzy. Yeah, I'm good about ready to get home How is it already seven shit Monica language? I'm sorry. Just make me so fucking language We really should go though, right? We've got to get all the way back Come on And I have a moment with Lance before we go Sure, I need to step outside for some fresh air anyway She doing okay, it seems like she's had enough of all this Mary circle village isn't for everyone Some people don't understand why anyone would want to stay here But I think you do Yeah, I feel like my life is beginning again Think we can win or over somehow Lizzy is stubborn and she doesn't have it so bad back where we're from she is money a boyfriend Do you think you Have someone here? I'd like that. I'd like that - may I That's the first kiss I've ever enjoyed the first one I actually wanted I want more I So like you've done in there. What do you mean done? Are we ready to go? We've got to get back to the clock tower so Jordan can appear like some freaky fairy godmother and transform our carriage back into a pumpkin. I want to stay No Doesn't this place feel like it's robbing us of our time our real lives Not any more than my job at the pretzel stand The hours scrolling on social media The nights spent hiding in my room until my mom falls asleep and I feel safe enough to go to the bathroom This feels so much better than all that. I really like our old lives. Of course you do of course You see upright or future ahead, but I can't Why did you come with me anyways? You have Princeton you have Mark you have everything. I don't want Princeton I don't want Mark. They don't make me feel the way our friendship does. I just want to take care of you Monica, this is it. It's time. We need to leave. I'm the only thing in your life that weighs you down You don't you you lift me up. You don't get it. If you feel so good to let me go come back with me I'm begging you. No. We only have a couple of minutes before that door shuts forever. Let me go I can't why I love you I Love you more than anything Lizzie you can't save me Want to go don't make me leave without you. I love you too. Please go. I go Oh Turn I'm coming. Please open the door for me No no no no no no What do you like to sample our newest pretzel flavor, alapenio cheddar what is that? Oh, I'm sorry I didn't see that you were on my left pretzels. Oh, oh good. I love the sample Looks delicious. Our staff here can't get enough of them My daughter Lizzie's friend used to work here, but Monica Do you know Monica? I knew her. Yes. This is for it happens, you know in the basement I'm sorry me Still haven't been found Tamanaka seem off during her final shift. Did you see my daughter at up Lizzie? She's just all and beautiful I'm sorry. I can't help you Give me something anything. I only have pretzels. I love my daughter back. If you're not interested in making a purchase I'm going to have to ask you to leave You and your pretzels Go on live your stupid lives Two girls are missing they just appeared right here at this mall and your kid could be next This place isn't safe you're all a danger and you don't Sorry, I'm sorry for all the times I wasn't there I can't Who's there Lock written by Christine J. Schmidt and directed by Jack collard Lock was performed by Nesbacrencia, Cory Hunt, Mia James, Sasquia Marguerite, Immanuel Olusonia, and Rafe Trizzi The studio engineer was Wilfredo Acosta. The editing, sound design and mix was done by Richard Hughes. The music supervisor was Rafe Trizzi Lock was a via Brooklyn production as part of the iron anthology created by Jack collard Executive produced by Jack collard Ian Harkins, Cory Hunt, and Rafe Trizzi Associate produced by Danielle Joy, special thanks to Thames and Collison, Pam Frazier Solomon, and Soundhouse studios for their assistance bringing the iron anthology to life Thank you so much for listening to OR as part of the iron anthology presented by via Brooklyn If you've enjoyed the production, please take a minute to write us a review wherever you happen to be listening and feel free to tell your friends Your enemies, everybody You know what they say about publicity? 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