S1 E1: Code Red

Shhh, it's starting. There are kids in this world who are different. Special. I think it's a hoverboard. They look like us and they act like us. But they are not us. Thor, love our nature. Who wants a selfie with the grim reed girl flying in the water? Fine, good treasure, I should fall. It's a broken walking exactly like mine, dog. Run! Cheesy and shows. Marry some power. Imagination amplified. Hey kids, yeah, you. Podcast listeners. All of a pruit here. Maybe you're listening in the back seat of your parents' car or on your phone. Sorry to interrupt, but I can do that since I'm the sponsor. That means I pay the bills. So if your mom or dad is listening, tell them not to pay attention. I created this podcast for you. The kid who believes anything is possible. Like 11-year-old Mars Patel. Take a listen as I drop you into the hallway of HG Wells Middle School and into the middle of a mystery. Mars and his pals Jonas and Cady haven't heard from their friend Aurora in. How long has it been, Mars? Five days. Five days what? You know what he's talking about, Jonas. Oh great. He's under a vorthing again. It's not the vorthing. She's gone. A person is made of matter. A person has mass. She's not gone. She's not not gone. Five days since Aurora disappeared, she isn't responding to text or call. She hasn't posted anything on Instagram all week. There's no one at her house. Just because someone forgets to say goodbye doesn't mean she's missing. I mean, wouldn't her parents be freaking out? We don't even know where they are. Cady, you feel me on this, right? I always feel you, Mars, whether I like it or not. And you're sure you didn't have one of your weird vibes from her in the locker room? No. Aurora was. like she always is. In her own world. Drawing in that sketchbook when you're supposed to be getting changed. She said she'd be right out and then she wasn't. It still hasn't made any sense. Where did she go? I'm probably going to regret saying this. Attention, students and faculty. This is a cold red. Please keep calm and proceed with lockdown protocols. Is this a real one? No, it's probably a drill. In here, you want to hide in the janitors closet? You'd rather pack into the sign flat but have to fix grade? No way. Last time someone knocked off my glasses and I was blind for a week. Out of the house. Everyone into the nearest room. Stay quiet. Keep away from the doors and windows. Wow, it's really dark in here, huh? Ow. Ow. I think something's really happening out there. The energy in the school totally changed. You're having one of your headaches? Like, why do you tell something's going on? I don't know. It's not that bad. Yeah. Sometimes a headache is just a headache. Could it be because that stupid alarm won't stop going off in our ears? In a few minutes? Uh oh. Uh oh. Uh oh. What, Jonas? I gotta go. Now? You can't. You know my deal. Those are irritable man and I forgot to take my meds. It's a cold red. Yeah, well, I'm about to have a cold brown in my pants. The bathroom's like a 10-second run. What if someone's in the hall? Then I'd juke them out. Just like clearing the level on Assassin's Quest. Except this is not a game. Everything's a game, Mars. Everything's a game. Jonas, you need to listen to me. My head is. Uh, believe me. You'll be glad I gave it. Come on, man. See you guys on the other side. He'll be okay. I mean, we could still. No. We hang here. We wait till it's over. It's okay to admit that you're scared. You know I hate it when you read my thoughts. I can't read your thoughts. I just feel things. Yeah, well, it makes me feel weird. Like you're all up inside my head. Sorry, I just can't help it sometimes. It's always been this way. Since we were little kids, I felt this connection to you. So I was thinking the dance is coming up. And I know you were going to ask Aurora. I'm not that you told me that. And not that I felt it. I just guessed. But what if we should probably be quiet, you know, in case someone's out there. Right. I'm sure Aurora's fine, Mars. You'll hear from her soon. I'm tension, strength and gravity, the lockdown is it. So that's it? We're safe. Yeah, another false alarm. Guest Jonas was right. I'm going to go find him. Okay, see you guys at detention. I'll save you. You can see. Mars and Gladby were together. Yeah. Jonas, go read it's over, do. Jonas, you with me? Yeah. Close the last time, anyway, so Jonas. [Music] Hey, Aurora, it's me, Morris. Again, I have no idea if you're getting these recordings and putting up in the cloud. My text is bouncing back. Emails too. People keep telling me I worry too much. I don't know. If you are in some kind of trouble, I just, I want you to know I'm looking, okay? I'm going to find you and Jonas too. So anyway, till I do, I'll just keep recording. [Laughter] Welcome detention to Ellers. For those law-biting citizens making their first appearance here, I am Mr. Q. And yes, I am at least as cool as you've heard. However, I do expect you to use this time productively. I know you've got standardized gift tests coming up. I don't need to tell you how important they are. If you have any pertinent questions about how things work in here, feel free to ask the experts. Mars Patel in subordination. Do you know how unfair it is that we are expected to be in school by- Caddy Patchet. Let me guess. Defending Mars. He actually had a point this time. He usually has a point. Randall Toothpick read. What'd you do this time, pick? The security on the library computer is so basic. How can you call it security, won't? All you have to do is decode the password and send it to- I've said too much. Mr. Q, my begin taking attendance. All you, Toothpick. Who are you missing? JP McGowan. 43rd straight day detention. A new record. Thank you very much. Unnecessary roughness, JP. No. It was totally necessary. Ask Jaden Walsh if he'll ever throw Jell-O at Toothpick again. Grab a seat with your friends, JP. Hey JP. Hi, Caddy. Hey Mars. You're anything from Jonas, JP? He's probably one of his gaming comas. He goes MIA when he's locked in. He went into the bathroom during code red and never came out. It happens. It's happened twice now. And like Mars said, nobody besides us seems to be asking questions. Are we talking about Jonas? I was wondering why he wasn't with us today. We don't know where he is. He wasn't excused from detention. And nobody said anything to me. Is this another Aurora situation? Careful Mr. Q. He doesn't like it when you call it a situation. I think we should just call it what it is. They're missing. Why do you think that is, Mars? I don't know. Aliens, CIA assassinations. Ooh. Maybe one of those time-space warmels. JP, you don't think it's weird that they both disappeared? I think we've all got problems. And I think Mars is trying to pull us into another one of his conspiracy theories. It's not a theory. Two of our friends dropped off the face of the earth. 14 students on the list. 12 students present. Two students absent. Jonas Hopkins and Aurora are grishuits. Thank you Mr. Reed. Look, maybe they'll both show up tomorrow and explain that they got some weird vires that paralyzes your texting fingers. Or their parents move them to a country with no Wi-Fi. Whatever it is, nobody seems to care even notice when it's kids like us. What do you mean kids like you? Outcasts, misfits, freaks. Okay, too thick. I think he gets it. Losers, odd balls, weirdos. It's so cute. You're looking at me like I'm insane. Actually, Mars, your teachers might not appreciate the way your brain fires, but I do. So if you're convinced something's going on and if Katty feels it too, then who might've tell you different? Oh, Mr. Hugh. Don't tell me you're on his side. I didn't say that. But I already know I can't stop Mars Patel once he's made up his mind. You're learning. That's good. Good? I'm having a hard time seeing how any of this is good. Come on, JP. Help us look. Not this time, Mars. Tell the alien CIA's sassons I say hi. At Proof Rep, we understand the extraordinary kid. We're looking for students who think differently. I'm very, very happy. If you think you have what it takes to join me, then use it on our website at ProofPrep.com and take the net to the stars. Hope you don't mind hearing me make myself dinner all over. Galaxy clusters, again. I know, I know. But cereal is all we have now, so I've got a lot to figure out. Thanks for joining us. From our electric cars to our phones to the way we power our homes, there's not a family in America that doesn't use something that can't be from the minds of all of our crew. You always make fun of me for having all of our Proof picture in my locker room. So, as you know, the guy is from Rox. No. I've invented hundreds of things. I've designed vehicles for private space flight and creative tech for self-sustaining plans that can grow in any environment. But really, I believe my true calling is education. To the stars, I like to say. The school I created through it prep. Mom, what are you doing home? I'm not really here. Just need to change my shoes. I'm doing the restaurant in 15 minutes. Galaxy clusters again? Really? Didn't I leave you some of that? You didn't. Well, I will tomorrow. I'll get up early and cook. I promise. Mars, are you recording us? No, I just. I was sending something to Aurora. Hello, Aurora. How are you sweetheart? What? Mom, can I talk to you about something? Sure. Just let me find my. Sorry, keep going. Okay, just. We're talking to Mr. Cue and's tension today and I. The tension? Again? Yeah, but I didn't do anything this time. Because Wellington got all mad because I told her the Earth is dying and it's all her generation's fault. You need to listen to your teacher's money. I hate it when you call me that. That Mr. Cue makes it too fun for your kids. Detention is supposed to be horrible. You know who doesn't go to detention? Kids who make it to prove it, but. Mom, I'm trying to talk to you about Jonas. I love that you have friends. I know it's been hard for you at times. But if Jonas and Cady and the others keep lending you -intention. -Mom, I'm trying to explain. You're special, Mars. You're so special. I've always known it. You are the reason I work two jobs. So you can go to a good school and grow up to be important. Special. Okay, baby. I love you. Mwah. Do your homework and go to bed at a decent hour. We're talking in the morning. Yes, sir. Good night, Roorum. I'm gonna find you. Mars. out. [Morris' "Morris" plays] Becky don't miss the cafeteria, Roorum. At least from Moon Jonas right here, we filled the whole table. Now it just feels empty. Hey, Mars. Hey, Roorum. Miss you. The menu Centator Touch was aside. They had front fries. I didn't get upset, though. Not too much. Journalist like fries. Yeah, yeah, he did. Does. You guys do anything? Are you just gonna keep recording us for the rest of our lives? I'm trying to keep a record of what? The day we all finally dropped out from the healthy lunch. Hey, JP. You're cool with this, Caddy. It's a lot, but I think sending a recording star Roorum helps him process his feelings. Even though his girlfriend never responds. She was the dear friend. My girlfriend. Uh-huh. I'm just wondering if you'd be keeping a record if someone other than a Roor would disappear. Would he be this upset if it was. I don't know, no. Of course we would, JP. We'd miss you just as much. Hey, I didn't say me. Sorry, kinda obvious. But we're a team, right? Mars. I've been thinking about a Roorum Jonas and patterns. You're good at solving this, too. Excuse me. I said, excuse me. Are you guys free-table or the hearing impaired table? Can we help you with something, Erika? These two empty chairs? I'm taking them. Sorry, we need these chairs. Like, why? There's six people at this table. Are the other two people like real people? Okay, time for you to go. Spoiler alert. You know what he's coming to sit with you losers. Leave now. Hey, don't touch me. Help! It's a tagini! Call for that! Help! Get out of the way! Help! Get away from me! What are you doing? Get off me! Help! Stop! Stop! [music] Why do you look at the material, Roorum? Tumor makes a detention. But hey, they didn't take away your chair. Jonas's mom! That's Jonas's mom going to his locker! Mrs. Hopkins. Mars. Yeah, hi. Where's Jonas? Jonas? Yeah, Jonas. Yeah, Jonas, you're son. Where is he? Jonas is. he's great. Wonderful. Okay, but where? Mars, I just came here to pick up his medication. You know for his stomach, we're about to go away on a family trip. I wasn't planning on seeing anyone. I don't understand. During the cold red, Jonas just disappeared. Oh, Mars. You look so worried. You don't have to be worried. This is a great thing. Like a dream come true. A dream? Who's dream? All of us. Let's be honest. Jonas's record in school was less than stellar. He spent all of his time playing those silly games. He didn't think they were silly. Right. Well, I all but given up on him and then. And then what? Mrs. Hopkins, what are you talking about? Are you okay? I'm wonderful, Mars. It was lovely to see you. I didn't tell Jonas you said hello. I don't understand. Why aren't you telling me where he is? You'll understand eventually. Oh, and Mars, I know you've had your own struggles. Maybe one day this will happen for you too. What will happen? I don't. Mr. Hopkins. Did you hear all that, Aurora? The heck just happened. [Music] To listen without ads, go to gzmshows.com/subscribe. Today's podcast is brought to you by Pruitt Industries and Pruitt Prep. Pruitt takes you to the stars. All of a Pruitt again. Look out your window. See the blue sky. The clouds. The moon. The planets. It's all going to be yours one day. I built my school. Pruitt Prep for kids just like you. We put it on an island so we can make it special. Does that sound fun? Or maybe a little scary. The students at Pruitt Prep are the brightest, most original thinkers in the world. Do you think maybe that's you? Here's a question. I am waitless, but you can see me. Hmm. Put me in a bucket and I'll make it lighter. What am I? Think you know the answer? At Pruitt Prep, we like to say two "the stars." And I believe it. I live it. Every day. And I know you do too. So plug back in. Think of the answer. And I'll be back with you again. Sooner than you think. Hey, Roar. Seven days now since he disappeared. Two since Jonas went missing. Feels like a year. How weird was his mom? She took everything from his locker. It's like he was never there at all. Of course we know where Jonas really lived. So that's where we're headed to get answers. Hope it's not too loud for you. Sorry I'm late. Mr. Kuse taught me how to ask about Jonas. Why does it always smell like roasted armpit in here? All our kids smell like stinky boys. Because they're filled with stinky boys. Attention, pink balls, soldiers. Two hot dogs. For the practice of one, five minutes only. Anyone else think it's twisted to have pink ball and video games under one roof? It's basically murder, training camp. Jonas loved it here. He also loved gummy bears on his pizza. Strange to see Jonas's picture up there in the wall. Only five people in the country have ever scored higher than 10,000 on breaking entering. He's in quite a steam company. Now, the dream of people are to be a good boy. Look at that bony guy. He has the paintball announces. It's a sick birthday party. Let those people slide. Hey, bony. Mars Patel. So glad you're here, man. You've seen Jonas. Some dude is closing in on his high score on breaking and entering. I love that game. I like to be the cops. Jonas was always the bad guy. Yeah, he was hardcore. When he wasn't having a tummy ache. We need your help, Body. Jonas disappeared from school two days ago. Disappeared. Like poof. We were wondering if we could check his locker. It's against pals' rags, but as a system manager, I do have a master key. Come on, guys. Hey, Chris. Cover for him with. Tell us again what Jonas's mom said. It wasn't so much what she said as what she didn't think. Like pretty much anything. And she was acting weird. For a human. All right, you know, can we just check out the locker and get out of here? Whoops. Did that thing get unlocked? Don't know how that happened. Open at your own risk, dudes. This could go very wrong. I once said Jonas stuff had a meatball parm sub in there. All right, well, someone just opened the day thing already? One, three, one, two, empty. Just like a school locker. It's gone. All of it. What do we do now? Mars has another plan, right? Mars always has a plan. Do you, you genius? We're breaking into Jonas's house. Breaking and entering? Are we the cops, the criminals? Because you know the criminals get shot most of the time. You know having a plan is not the same as having a good plan. He's not going to let us say no. We're going to find Aurora and Jonas. Even if we could shot the process. Here's one to draw on the sketchbook, Aurora. Me and the rest of your friends hiding in the bushes outside Jonas's house. You would have loved this mission. Another game. Only we're breaking into his place. I know it was my idea, but to be honest. I'm not even sure what we're looking for. Shhh. Can you hand the narration for once so we can just do this? Don't let the room in the basement. I've snuck him in and out a million times. This way. Since when does Jonas have a dog? He was allergic to every animal on Earth. Dogs made his throat close up. Maybe his parents knew he wouldn't be living here anymore. They had a voice today time. Wuff. You said they were going away. They left their new doggy home alone. I can handle jombers. She's going to use her powers. Shhh. How long before we go in after her? Give it a minute. Guys, come on through. I've got the puppy. Man, she is good. You finally noticed. That's the fissious animal. It looks like a beanie bill. Okay. Like we planned you'd pick. Loose Dan Garn. The rest of us ends his basement. And you sure you remember the alarm code? Unless they've changed it. The last number is a seven. How do you know? I remember the code. I thought it was an eight. It's a seven. I really think it's an eight. You guys gonna stand here all night and discuss this? Seven. Okay, you're the number sky. Go with seven. Is it off? I think so. One dad's in point zone. A light would be nice. I thought you said he lived here. He does. He did. He used to be tricked out. It's totally empty. Just like the lockers. Not even a bed or a lamp or a poster on the wall. Everything's gone. Including Jonas. Can we go? I think I've had enough creepy for one night. That sounds like a pretty good idea. Not until we find something. Like what? Anything. Jonas said it himself before a code wreck. People don't just disappear, right? Can we at least look upstairs? Oh man! What was that? Expensive! No! What is that sound? It's outside. Ow! Is your head. Is it hurting again? Maybe it's just. Ow! Is it that bad? Okay, I usually don't believe in the whole caddy's magic head thing. But why take chances? You guys can't hear that? Sirens. Police sirens? I thought you guys said the alarm was off. It's probably not for us. Probably? Did you guys just get a text message? Yeah, did you? I just got a text. It's from Jonas. Is it me or those sirens getting louder? I don't understand the text. Abmasters? What does that mean? You're hearing how close it is right? Toothpick. Was the alarm definitely disabled? Maybe if I lost them, brown young code wasn't me. You know you're in the house. Don't make this coming afternoon. What do we do? Run! Run! Ah, you're still here. Do you like the theme music? I wrote it myself. Remember when I asked you, "I am waitless, but you can see me." Put me in a bucket and I'll make it lighter. Well, go to fruitprep.com and give me your answer. If you get it right, I'll send you something you can't get anywhere else. Remember, if you like my podcast, go to iTunes and subscribe. You can even let me know how much you enjoy the show by leaving a comment. Because even if I owned Apple, And I almost bought it twice, Everyone needs to be liked. Even mysterious billionaires like me. Find your next adventure at gzmshows.com. Shhh, it's sorry. Gzm shows imagination amplified. Looking for something to listen to with the whole family? Looking for something to listen to with a wisecracking roast? Do you like learning fun new facts? Do you like sound effects? If you answer yes to any of those questions, Then gzm's family-friendly game show The Big Fib is just the podcast for you. 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