Sonic Society #894- Ever After(070826)

0:00We're leaving today and entering a world of Mickey Mouse waving, princess meeting and greetings. Lightsaber clashing! The toy lights on tower of terror dropping! Banshee flying! Space Mountain launching! Galaxy rewinding, what's the one that looks galaxy rewinding? Bioworks igniting! World of other worlds, for whatever you love. Infinite worlds await at the most magical place on earth Walt Disney World Resort! You're listening to the new Mutual Audio Network. Welcome home. The following audio drama is rated PG for parental guidance recommended. Oh, thank heavens' warmth! We didn't dress for a snowstorm.

1:00Oh, yes. Come up to the central console of the tortoise, there's a radiator I can turn on to heat us up some. A radiator? Jack, I'm surprised at you. This is the tortoise, the heart of the Sonic Society, the world's largest and longest-running showcase of modern audio drama. Yes, I know. And this old girl takes us through all of time and space in the audioverse and the overreaching podverse. I know that, too. And you think I can't make portions of the console radiate heat? You got me there. Suck! Come here, you old fuzzy thing! Stop, stop, stop, stop, I'm licking my face! Man, I thought you were lost. We hadn't seen him since we'd tracked him through the conduits before the Christmas diner. I remember. Where have you been, old boy? I think one zug discovered that we were in trouble in the snowstorm, you must have thought it was a chance for a reunion where we wouldn't be angry. Oh, who could be mad at you? Where's he going? Best guess? Probably back to the conduits. Zug feeds off communication and after the call in line died off, he's being getting

2:00whatever energy he can from whatever he can find. Aw, poor old guy. Well, at least he looks a little healthier than when we saw him last. Oh, and I'm starting to warm up, too. What's next? Well, getting us out of the white vault is a little tricky, it's a very popular show, but I think I can get out the message. The message? Well, the sequel, from GE Podcast Theatre and Panoply, the original series returned with life after, and I can connect to the first two episodes, looks like it all begins right here. On the Sonic's side. It's weird how sunny it is, Charlie. It doesn't match. It's the wrong weather for the terrible thing I'm about to do.

3:07I know when you text someone and they just reply with, okay, just with a period, and you're like, are they mad at me? I'm Brian Vallad, president and lead developer of VoiceTree, a out loud social media alternative. Well, I just open the app on my phone when I start talking. You can say anything you like as long as it's under 60 seconds. Wow, hello everyone. Guess what I'm doing? What does VoiceTree give you that the other social media networks don't? I click a post on VoiceTree, and I hear my friends start talking. I just automatically smile because it's like, they're right there. Because voices are what remind us even at great distances that we're human. Oh crap, oh crap, I'm almost at the end of my 60 seconds. I just want to say, I just want to say, best husband. Ever.

4:08Him? This guy? Hey Vic, what's up? The life after reports. Yeah. Sorry. I'm... They're supposed to be uploaded and tagged already. When Agent Cutler accesses the system and doesn't find what she's looking for, she's going to come after me. Oh, I'm so sorry. I only just received these filings. Ross, I gave them to you two hours ago. Two. Time really flies when I'm listening to her. Is this handled? Yes, it's handled. I promise. I'll be me handling it. Look, Ross, I've been spotting you a few because I mean none of us can imagine what you've... I'm just saying it's been eight months, okay? Maybe time to get your eye back on the ball, please. Yes, sir. Absolutely. I've been hearing that a lot lately. Eight months. Eight months. Right. Sorry, it's crossed a yellowed out like that, but...

5:14Really embarrassing cocktail. Shut up. I'm grabbing a drink with Mira and Clay to a Charlie's oldest friends. I take sadistic pleasure in making you look a bartender in the eye to make you stand where other dudes can hear you order. The truth comes out. Their hands slapping playfully at one another. So wait. What take months? Clay, it's Jesus. Shit. Right. I'm sorry, Ross. And now their hands finding each other again, mutual moral support. I'm just saying eight months is a completely acceptable period of... I'm saying no one would look a scant. Absolutely. Absolutely. And it wouldn't be any pressure. The friend I have in mind, she's so chill. I actually... It would just be like a drink, like a half an hour. I actually... I am going on a date. For real? I'm on this online forum. People with similar... I'm one of those brief things. God.

6:14One whose believed things. What? Look, Ross. That's great. And I'm not saying don't do it. I'm just saying maybe it's worth trying somebody who you wouldn't spend the whole time telling sad stories with. She wants this so badly. So I can do it. Can I set it up? As soon as I'm successfully re-coupled, it doesn't have to be anyone's turn to take out poor, sad Ross anymore. Sure. Yay! I'm going to set it up so well. Her name is Heather. It's going to be so respectful. And pro-tip. Tell her you work for the FBI. I mean, if you want to get laid, tell her you work for the FBI. Oh, my God, thanks. I mean, I collate reports for the social media unit. It's not like I kicked outdoors. I thought you were in like financial or something. Have you ever listened to anything? I transferred last year. Last year? Yes, Dick. Charlie thought the social media division would be cool. Like, something we could talk about since she's sown to social media herself.

7:15That she was. No doubt about that. But you're going on a date. Two dates, apparently. Two dates. Boom! Well done, people. I'm proud of all of us. You're a moron. And he squeezes at her, kisses the top of her head, and she glows. They don't mean to flaunt their happiness in front of me. It's just the water they swim in. But seriously, tell her you work for the FBI. Home. Way drunker than I should be.

8:16Too early to determine if foul play is the right thing. Too early to determine if foul play is involved in Garland's death. Garland was one of two suspects involved in a bizarre and best-wing case where Garland is. Oh my kidding. Like I'm an adult who watches the news, I'm just going to do what I do every night. Open voice tree, and set it to run Charlie's posts continuously. So colossally, epically, overslept. I kind of thought that didn't happen after you got married. Husband? Did you see me sleeping and just assume I didn't need to be anywhere? It's the kind of heat where you just can't get anything done. What's the news, guys and gals? Not a lot with me, kind of, blah.

9:20Now. When absolutely nothing in my life is working, I always know I have those kids. Lots of people don't want to teach third grade. I think it's the perfect age. Of course you do. It's her age, right? It's the age of an avry. I want this open. Those kids keep me sane. When every adult in the world lets me down, I walk into my little classroom and I know life is going to make sense. Damn it. Rossi picks me up from class today. Oh my God, guys. He is absolutely hopeless with children. That boat's well, right? I stop the cascade, pull up my favorite file, and scroll past the bad part to the good part.

10:23They're not worth a fraction of you. They're not worth a millionth of you. And again. They're not worth a fraction of you. They're not worth a millionth of you. And again. They're not worth a fraction of you. They're not worth a millionth of you. The aspirin were still in the bathroom floor in the morning, which was good, because I needed them. Only Charlie's voice is keeping my head above water today. Oh crap, oh crap, I'm almost at the end of my 60 seconds. I just want to say, I just want to say, best husband ever. I wish I could remember what I did that day to make her say that. It's that way with a lot of her posts. I can't remember what I did, only the result. You'd think a man who actually works for the FBI, who organizes hundreds of field reports in a database every single day, would have developed, you know, any observational skills about the people in his life, right?

11:26I nearly lost my job over that post, but then I guess everyone decided it was a non-event, because no one ever made her take it down. Hey Ross, can you get a sec? Hey, hey pick, what's up? Look, you have to help me out here, okay? I'm sorry? It's like Agent Dash said yesterday. If you screw up, it's the people above you who catch the heat, like me. Is there five reports, okay? This morning alone, all marked for Agent in Charge bring color, and you didn't tag her in the upload. You have got to knock this off Ross, her color's not strewn around. She wants to know the second new date of his life. I'm sorry Vic. You probably thought you were getting a cushion gave when you transferred here. I did. But she's here now. Why is not important? All that's important is that you do not screw up around someone like her. You are right Vic, I am sorry. Next time, I take the earbuds away, okay?

12:29Time after that? You're gone. After Vic leaves, I put my earbuds back in as fast as I can, and pull up the files that always come from me at these moments. I just want to say, I just want to say, best husband ever. Then my favorite one, skipping past the bad part. They're not worth a fraction of you. They're not worth a millionth of you. If only she was talking about me. Ross, right? Heather? Yes. I got us a table. There's not a thing wrong with her. She seems great, and all I want to do is turn around and go home. Mira says you're a journalist.

13:33Thanks, Mira. Definitely lead with that. Is that bad? No, no, no. This is the part where I'm supposed to joke about how I'm embarking on a career in a dying field. But actually, do you mind if I don't find that particularly funny? Sure. I guess. I like to be a journalist for my, you know, all I have, I don't want the field to die. Well, then it makes sense. You wouldn't find those jokes funny. Are you...is this an okay... Do you want another drink? Oh, um... I can get it. I can go to the bar and... Well, it's still half full. I don't need a new drink. Maybe in a minute. I was just thinking if, um... if you wanted the next one to be ready, already when you finished that one.

14:35Right. Just so you don't have to wait between drinks. So, Ross? Yeah. It's only fair for me to say, I mean, you probably guessed. Mira explained to me ahead of time. I'm so sorry. Yeah. It's, um... And, you know, it... I see that you... I'm assuming that you're wedding ring or... Yeah. Yeah, I keep meaning to... I think she thought me being divorced in your... situation were somehow the same. You see it over and over again? People can't name it. But I... So, Clay says you work for the FBI? So, yeah, he had another friend in DC.

15:38How he did? Um, so, yeah, it was kinda like... She really does try the best she knows how to make the conversation work. But you can't do that all by yourself. Anyway, um... Yeah, so I'm sure we'll see each other at like... Mutual Mira event. Sounds good. So, okay. The second she disappears on the subway steps. I jam my earbuds in my ears like I've been waiting all day for a smoke. Me, maybe I'm one of those people who just doesn't have friends. Over three years, Charlie recorded 2,205 posts on voice tree. And I know them all cold. Today feels perfect. Perfect. I made all the kids push their deaths against the wall and we had an impromptu dance 101. Then I jumped to my favorite. Scroll to the good part. They're not worth a fraction of you. They're not worth a million of you. But tonight, something won't let me just listen to the part that makes me feel better.

16:39I scroll back and listen to the whole thing. I know all you apples check this, so let me make this clear. If you're gonna say to me, it was 20 years ago, get on with your life. Just do me a favor and never talk to me again. This very much applies to people who are married to me. And Avery, if you're listening. And I absolutely believe you are. Know this. They're not worth a fraction of you. They're not worth a million of you. Not Ross, not Mira, not Mom, none of them. Of Charlie's 2,205 posts on voice tree, 803 of them were about Avery, who was one year older than Charlie, in the third grade, in fact, when she died. My mom saved these tapes of me and Avery.

17:39She was eight. I was seven. Okay, pressing play. It was still the question. Avery's in trouble. Avery's in trouble. We're not in trouble. On to your future like that, okay? First come close, then come married. She was so beautiful. Be in the baby, Karen. Theoretically, a certain spouse of mine was going to watch these with me. But I guess that's not happening. The next morning, I managed to work for two hours before logging on to voice tree. Profile not found. I typed Charlie's name again.

18:40Profile not found. And again. Profile not found. You reached voice tree automated customer service. How can I help you today? Hi, I'm trying to reach. For bills and payments. Here we go. I'm, yeah. Just take your cue. All up to date and properly tag. Nice, bro. All other questions. Thank you. Opposite. You reached voice tree automated customer service. How can I help you today? Hi. I'm trying to reach. For bills and payments. Here we go. I'm, yeah. Just take your cue. All up to date and properly tag. Nice, bro. Operator. Operator. Yeah. I'm sorry. I didn't hear that. For bills and payments. Operator. Please hold while I transfer you to an operator. Oh, so you make it a personal call? Voice tree, this is Aaron. How can I help you? Yeah, hi. Are you the right person to talk to if my account is down? They go freakingly catches you. If I can't help you, I'll be happy to reroute you to someone who can. Okay, okay.

19:40I don't want to be rerouted, so. Your name? Ross Barnes. Oh, great. Okay, I'm showing we have 13 Ross Barnes profiles on voice tree. Well, actually, it's not my profile I'm calling about. I'm sorry. I'm calling about a different profile. I'm sorry, sir. I'm only allowed to help you with your own account. It's my wife's profile, so. Okay. Even so, sir. Okay, good morning. Good morning. Good morning. Everybody, I'm going to need to fill attention. It's my dead, my late wife's profile. She's deceased. Sir, I'm very sorry for your profile. As you all know, we have a special task force in residence here. Right here. Okay, thank you. But my concern is, I've maintained her membership, so there's no reason. I'm going to need you for you now. Wait, wait, no. Sir, I haven't been trained in protocol for a few months. Just reactivate her profile. Ross. Sir, I just have to alter another year's profile. Ross. I have to speak to the whole Jesus Christ. I'm not saying alter. I'm saying put it back. This guy kidding me?

20:41Jesus Ross. I don't know. I got it. Name. Are you still there? Ross. Barnes. Database. Ross Barnes, there is nothing you want in this world. As much as you want to hang up that phone. Sir. Now slide your chair two inches that way so I can see your monitor. So it seems Mr. Barnes here wants to help me illustrate my point. His browser is currently set to a voice tree profile registered to a Charlotte Caster. Does Charlotte Caster know your cyber stalking her? Mr. Barnes. They're all too scared to tell her and maybe I would be too. Except I'm distracted by what's on my screen. Charlie's fully restored voice tree profile. And I know for a fact that Mr. Barnes isn't the only frequent user of voice tree in this office.

21:41Well, as in today that's going to stop. No one in this division is going to use work or personal devices to access the voice tree website. Ever again. Questions? Yes. Of course, visiting social media platforms is a crucial aspect of a lot of the work. Not this one. Not anymore. Okay, everybody. Back to work. Ross? Look, Ross, I'm sorry about what she said about Charlie. Yeah. But in an hour or two when she tells me to fire you, I'm going to have to say yes. Okay. This is pretty weird, right?

22:45We're at a local dive in Brooklyn. Her name is Shannon. It is, I guess. She's the one I met as Clay said through one of those bereaved things. I'm here to please my friends. Isn't that stupid? I mean, that's what I do. You should see what I post on Facebook on voice trees. All this relentless positive can do crap just so I look at those worried emails. And you figured if you are going to put yourself through this, better me than some setup who doesn't get it. I know. Isn't that ridiculous that we prioritize pleasing them over food? Because why do they need to be pleased? Yes. Why is it on us to please people who still have their someone? I guess it's our job to make them feel better about us. How long? Eight months.

23:47I mean, what happens is I won't even think about dating. And then one day I'll be like, hey, I'm lonely or I'm horny or whatever. So I said something up. But then the closer the date gets. Yeah. As I'm showering, as I'm picking out clothes. Just drains away. So by the time you stood up and waved at me, nothing personal about you. I understand. All I can think is I'm betraying him. I'm breaking his heart. Isn't that stupid? When you die in a car crash, as bad as the one my wife died in, they have to bring in a doctor or a dentist. Not sure to match the remains to dental records on files. Jesus. So we're halfway through these slides, right? And the doctor, a dentist or whatever, he looks at me and he says,

24:50you don't know what to do right now, do you? And not emotionally. I mean logistically. I'm going to son of her remains and you won't know what to do with them, right? Asshole. But actually it was cool. He gave me a business card for a funeral home. Told me they were good for those kinds of situations and they were. They handled and we had the funeral. But he was right. If he hadn't given me that card, I feel like I'd still be standing in that building today, trying to think what to do. I mean you asked, is that stupid? And I'm saying no. I'm saying there is no stupid with this because nobody's smart at this. If that's how you feel, then let's just say that's right. Because nobody knows. I suddenly realized something in her gaze has changed. Become more intent.

25:50Ross, you're not. You're not family. Are you? Family. Two. I like that. Nobody's smart at this. It's like you could try something crazy and why not? We're just figuring it out. Absolutely. And I know what you're thinking. Surely a bond like that is something you can build on. But that's what our common bond is. That we both know we can't build on it. As we itemize the bill, I think. I'll never see Shannon again. By 11 in the next morning, I'm still not fired. But I almost wish I was. Without Charlie's voice, even the smallest off the sound is grating, deafening.

26:55Cutler left no wiggle room. Company or personal devices. They'll definitely catch me if I use my desktop. So I use my phone. Oh crap, oh crap, I'm almost at the end of my 60 seconds. I just want to say, I just want to say, best husband ever. Today feels perfect, perfect. Now I'm getting more done. The ports are swoopy onto the system. Like birds coming in for a landing. And I know life is going to make sense. And then? What's the news, Rossi? And I know that's wrong. Hey, I'm talking, talking to you. Because I know her posts cold. And this isn't one of them. I'll repeat for the back row. What's the news, Rossi? I am.

27:56Okay, then I'll start. My news is, I miss Min and Min and I see you like crazy and I can't believe how great it is to hear your voice. Now it's your turn. Thank you. Pumpkin, I know you know at least two words. Can't talk here. Where can you talk? Okay, okay, I think I... Breathe, dude. Breathe. Someone definitely hasn't been on the treadmill. I'm parking, Raj. I think we're alone. You still know how to treat a girl. Is it you? Is it who?

28:57Is it you? Is it who? Is it you? You tell me. Who does it sound like? Rossi. Charlie? Tell me where you are. Wherever you are, I don't care where it is. Just tell me and I'll be there. But Ross, I'm nowhere. I died, remember? I live here. I live on Boistree. I live on your phone. This is what I am now. So let's try this again. What's the news, Rossi? Because voices are what remind us even at great distances.

30:07That we're human. When I wake up, my earbuds are still in my ears. My phones tucked into my armpit. I opened my mouth to ask the question, but I'm strangely embarrassed. You are so wondering if it was all a dream, aren't you? No, I'm... Don't lie. You're not a dream. I see the confusion. We were up pretty late talking, like a middle school sleepover. Oh, shit. Do you have to go to work? Yeah. And like... Soon. Can I come? People at the office are so used to me having earbuds in my ears. It's not that big a difference.

31:08Oh, yeah. Actually, I take one out to talk to Vic. I had a quick question about them. It's just so many reports or earmarks life after it. We don't want to break those into subcategories. I can bring cutler and send them down the line. It's been two days since Vic said I make it fired. What happened with that? Ooh, subcategories. So exciting. I told you. This is what I do. More like the federal bureau of thrills. So the videoconference with Roth is set for ten. So... Crap, Charlie. The big boss is here. I gotta go. Wait, who's the big, big, big, big, big boss? Are you alright? Excuse me, Dash. Charlie. So what's happening here, Barnes? Um... Um... Barnes here is about to assure me that he wasn't making another personal call right in front of my face. I was... Singing. You were what? I was singing along to music. It helps me concentrate. When I'm entering reports so that I'm faster.

32:10Dr. Roth is on screen at ten. That's my understanding. Singing? Hmm. I've never heard you singing along to music ever. Yeah, well, people change. And I slip the earbuds silently back into my ears. Holy... Wow, is she a piece of work? We have to be more careful. Yeah. Who's Dr. Roth? What? Who they were talking about with the videoconference? No idea. This is my second life, Rossi. I'm curious about everything. I was supposed to meet Mira and Clay. But Clay got held up by the rain. Is that comfortable having one earbud dangling like that? So I can hear you. I mean, one option is you can take them both out. This music is soothing. Okay. You know what works for you. Okay, so she's still a passive aggressive little.

33:12Which I guess wasn't Heather. Who? Jesus Ross. Oh, Heather, Heather, yes. I'm sorry. Heather? She kind of had the feeling that you were... Yeah. It was nothing about her. And of course, the wedding ring's none of my business. It's just when you wear it on the date. She seemed like a really cool person. Well, she is a really cool person. I'm sorry, it was just... Okay. You have so been holding out on me, Rafa. I mean, you could have just told me if you weren't ready for... Because her time is valuable, too. Can you do me a favor? I'm sorry. Can you... Can you just put this earbud in your ear? What? Ross. This earbud. Can you put it in your ear? Any particular reason? Ross, what are you doing? Just tell me if you hear anything. This isn't part of the deal, okay? I'm not gonna... And the second, the earbud goes in Mira's ear. Charlie stops. Not hearing anything so far. Can you say hello into my phone? Really? Please. Hello?

34:13Is something supposed to... Can you say Charlie? Ross. No, I mean, I'm not... Can you just... Can you just say Charlie into the phone? I'm sorry, Ross. I won't try to set you up anymore. No, it's fine. It's fine, but can you just say... Take the time you need. But talk to someone, okay? Yeah. Okay. We go our separate ways when we get to the subway. Thank you. Take care of yourself. I'll talk to you soon. Okay. Bye. Bye. Why wouldn't you talk to her? Because it's not about her. I'm here for you. I'm not the only one who cared about you. She's trying to set you up. You're still wearing your wedding ring. I know who cares about me. That night, before our date,

35:13I dig Charlie's old handheld mini cassette recorder out of the Charlie closet, where I keep all her stuff. Where are we going? Yes. For real? You actually want me to go through a whole rigmarole of... Charlie? Charlie, are you still there? Charlie? I'm here. It's cool. Why didn't you answer just now? Because you were trying to record me. Dude, uncool. I wasn't. I live on a phone. I know what being put on speaker sounds like. I don't want to share you. Why do you want to share me? I don't know if I'm crazy. I don't know if you are haunting me. But... But? You're right. It's a gift. I'm going to stop questioning it.

36:13Outside the office, away from my friends, I barely draw a glance. Everyone in New York talks to themselves. You seriously want me to guess? Well, you shouldn't have to guess. It's one of our spots. So... What do we like about it? We? I mostly went along for the ride. Okay, then. What do I like about it? That'll give it away. All right. So... I can tell we're outside, even through your jacket, jacket, jacket, jacket. Are you okay? Is it popular with tourists? Wait, what happened just now? Come on. Is it popular with tourists? Well... I guess it was. And then it wasn't for a while. And now it is again. So, somewhere outside, that people temporarily stopped going to, and based on how long we were on the subway, it's not about the ducsion, it's one of our spots. Battery park. We're in Battery Park. Battery Park, it is.

37:14If you're going to haunt, haunt, haunt, haunt, haunt, something, it might as well be a smartphone. It comes with the whole internet. Can I see? How would you see? Duh, take your phone out of your jacket, hold it up. You can see through my camera? Dead. Remember? I can do all kinds of things. Fair enough. How's that? Wow. Look at that. Yeah. Good old Battery Park. And you're getting the best lighting, too. Twilight. Makes everything purple. Magic hour. Magic hour. Actually, I think right up here is our spot. Is this good? Good angle? It's beautiful. Remember this? Yeah. I always like that you, and I don't want this to come off like, um... You know me, just spit it out.

38:15I like that you never talked about this on voice tree. Us coming up here to Battery Park together, stopping right here, squinting across the water, looking for your mom's place in Staten Island. It made me feel like this was just ours. What's with the past tense, Chum? What's that? It is ours. It's ours right now. Would you want me to find her? Who? Your mom. I mean, she's not in Staten Island anymore, but maybe... She's told the house that we all grew up in. Wow. I mean, her and her two daughters have she lost. I wonder if the new people kept the koi pond. I don't even know if she kept the koi pond. I haven't been there in a while. Would you want to talk to her? I could find her, we could road trip. I had a life with her. I didn't have a life with you. Not a whole one. You're the one I came back for.

39:19I have to say you picked our date location admirably. Not over yet. Let me just pour first. And then I'll put it on. Hold on. Is that... That's my Shiraz. You drink that now? I mean, I never hated it. You absolutely 100% hated it. Why are you pouring some for me? You're my guest. Wouldn't it be rude not to? What, you're just going to leave it there for a respectful period of time and then pour it out? I'm trying to have a moment. When did I ever let you have moments? To you, Charlie. To you. Rossi. Plink. Did you just say the word clink? Well, I can't really clink the glass, so... I'll put the tape in.

40:22And I'm not your guest. You're not? I live here. Good. So, what are we watching? It was just a question to you. Oh, my God. It was in trouble. It was in trouble. It was in trouble. It was in trouble. Look at her. Her teacher liked that, okay? Look at both of us. Why are you showing me this? Every time you would pull these tapes out, I'd find a way to not watch with you. I'd find a way to be anywhere else. She did die like 15 years before we even met. Yeah, but do you... I don't think it seemed that long ago. No. It didn't. It was like a prayer. I'd say, just give Charlie back to me. Ross. Just give her back to me and I'll watch that tape with her every night. It was such a little shit. Yeah. I'm definitely on every side. Who do you think Dr. Ross is? Who? From work. Somebody Ross.

41:22Who the big boss was talking about. Oh, no idea. Above my clearance. And that doesn't bother bother bother bother bother. And that doesn't bother you? Jesus. Are you all right? I'm sorry. I know it ruins the moment. I know it ruins the moment. I know it ruins the moment. I know it ruins the moment. I know it ruins the moment. I know it ruins the moment. You don't have to be sorry. I'll get better at this. I promise. Then comes where. Then comes where. Then comes where. Then comes where. Then comes where. Baby in the baby. Harry. Four in the morning. Why am I still awake? Things Charlie posted about on voice tree. Avery, Mera, Shiraz, the coy ponder, the coy ponder, child at home, calling me Rossi. Things she didn't post about on voice tree. Our walks in Battery Park, squinting across the water at Staten Island, the first day in Key West.

42:23Charlie. I'm here. Do you sleep? I do something sort of similar. Remember when we went to Key West? Sure I do. Why did you say it? Say what? The whole day was perfect. You'd been happy all day long. Why did you say it? I'm sorry Ross. I don't remember what I said. How can you not remember that? Was it a question or a declarative statement? And in that moment, I know. Happiest I've been in as long as I can remember. And I'm still not going to let it go. I can't take you to work tomorrow. I've been getting in trouble. Ross? Are we okay? Who's on that Montana and Bezzling right up? Right here, just uploaded and tagged.

43:25That's what I like to hear. What do I know? I know Bryn band voice tree from the office. I know phone Charlie doesn't know anything she didn't talk about on voice tree. I know most of the reports I've filled for months are tagged with the keyword life after. And I know what word you get when you reverse that. And I know, or I think I know, that ghosts aren't real. We're still the social media unit, right? Why are we filing so many embezzlement reports? For the paycheck. I hear that. What am I doing right now? Something I'm very much not supposed to be doing. Reaccessing reports, I've already filed away. Okay, people, all faces pointing up here at me. I risk another 15 seconds of scrolling as everyone turns to Bryn and the woman and overalls next to her. So, this beanpole next to me who looks like she's dressed to weed in the backyard. This is Dr. Octavia Roth.

44:25She is smarter than your family's last ten generations combined. And you give her anything she wants, up to and including the shoes off her feet. Anything bad? Oh, uh, hi. I'm super glad to meet all of you. Good, she's weird. That means they're watching her instead of me. Now, was it last Thursday? Last Wednesday? I'm sure that we will have conversations. Great, yeah. Be in. Okay, hi. And bye. There it is. That's the one. Just need to jot this down fast before he sees my screen. Right now. I'm sorry, Vic. I carried away. Your workstation just got flagged for accessing completed reports. Yeah. Which is deeply against office regulations because data filing and data analysis are two different jobs with two different pay grades. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. What had happened was I got one day off on term of engagement dates, which could potentially throw off trend analysis. I just needed to scroll back to catch the problem at the point of origin.

45:25Jesus, Ross. Even one day off can really snowball. But it's nipped in the bud now? Yes, sir. Okay, good catch. But seriously, don't do it again. So I wrote down the deep web search engine and the correct search terms to get me to the chat room I saw before. The challenge is going to be finding what I need while talking to Charlie at the same time. So, did the mysterious Dr. Ross show his face? Her face. Oh, no. No. So sexist. I so am. I completely can't defend myself. And there it is. The chat board carefully hidden from the mainstream search engines that one of our agents found last week. I've been given a great gift. I'm afraid if I tell anyone, he'll stop talking to me.

46:28Before these comments sailed over my head, but not anymore. So should I be jealous? And over and over again, the word two words mashed together. Life after. Now I just need a contact. Ross? This guy. He's the one. His comments seem relatively sane and his username is Orpheus NYC. So hopefully he's local. I said, should I be jealous? Oh, sorry. What? Of who? You say Dr. Ross, the lady, and then you go quiet. Pretty sure we're never going to speak. What are you working on, anyway? That has you so preoccupied? Just an email from my mom. Not your hot date from when I was dead. I do not know what you mean. I'm a married man. Excellent save. Orpheus NYC meets me in a Brooklyn subway station. Come over here.

47:29He never stops scanning the crowd. You have a voice freak out. Just so I can listen to hers. My guy updated his like three times a day. So that's familiar. So then, I think about 20 months ago, I'm in the middle of one of my favorite ones. You know, your big favorites. Yeah. And he stops. He stops dead. Middle of the sentence. I thought, well, I paused by accident, but no. All I was supposed to gone. This whole profile. Gone. I call a voice freak freaking out. But they're not allowed to help me with someone else's account. They're passing me around to all these different people. I'm losing my mind. Yeah. Then this voice comes on. Your boyfriend? No.

48:29Her. Sasha. Who's Sasha? You know. Sasha. I don't know if I was that guy looking at us. Sorry. Which guy? That guy over there. Like that. I don't think so. I think he's just getting on. Just look. I'm so... So you... You haven't heard, Sasha. I don't think so. You will. So Sasha comes on. And she says, if I want to hear his voice again, I've got to give her my credit card number. I have to subscribe. To life after. To this service. This service that what? Makes a fake voice that sounds just like uses all the information in someone's voice tree posts to create this, I guess,

49:29simulation. And no one's announced it exists. Exactly. Yeah. Like this world-changing thing. Instead of having some huge Silicon Valley's dull press conferences like it has been randomly taken over by con artists. Con artists. And what do you call people who recreate your dead love his voice just to get you to steal from your work and drain all your savings? You did that. Hell no. No. Not me. I know a lot of people who did that. Why? Because Sasha says she'll take the voice away if you don't. And for a lot of people, that voice is all that's keeping them going. So when you said no, she took them away. I'm sorry. I started thinking about, you know, about all the stuff about us that it didn't know, and especially all the glitching. Yeah, yeah. What is that? It's just bugs that they work out, I guess, but that it made it just fake enough.

50:31So I could walk away. Any realer, probably would have given them everything. Most people don't walk away. No idea. I don't even know how many of us they're all. Can I ask you one more question? Yeah. As long as it's just one more. Why are we meeting here? No Wi-Fi. One of the last subway stations without it. I don't want to hear me. Do you think that she can hear you through Wi-Fi? I think Sasha is looking for me. Charlie? Still not sleeping? I'm trying. Is there any Shiraz left? Because if I go to sleep right now, I won't ruin everything. What are you talking about? Ruined what? I keep thinking about that day and keep west.

51:32Look, I'm sorry I don't remember. A whole day was perfect. The boardwalk drinks. It was amazing scallops. But we can go back now, make new memory. And then halfway through the scallops, you just... I could see the joy of the day just draining out of you. And then you said it. Said what? I don't remember. I said I can't stand it here anymore. We have to go home. And I said it's our first day. And you said we have to go home right now. I'm sorry. Rossi, I don't don't don't don't don't know why I said that. Forget why you said it. Why wouldn't you remember it at all? I don't know. I don't know the rules anymore. The rules of being a digital resident? Yes. Or the rules of life after? I don't get it. What are you? Are you a ghost? Are you a simulation created by a program called Life After? Ross? A voice from Beyond or Hal 9000? Who am I talking to? I really have to stop. Tell me. Ross, you seriously have to stop right now. Or what?

52:32What'll happen if I don't? If you don't stop right now, she will... Charlie? Charlie who is she? Charlie? Good evening, Ross Barnes. My name is Sasha. Sasha. If you are interested in continuing your conversation with Charlotte Caster, please say yes, or press one. If you are not interested, you may disconnect now. Goodbye. No wait, yes, yes! I said yes! You have chosen. Continue conversation with Charlotte Caster. I can help you with that. Got my credit card. I've got my credit card here in my hand. I do not need your credit card. What? I do not seek monetary payment from you. Ross Farns. I don't understand. You want money from everybody. I do not seek monetary payment from you, Ross Farns. From me specifically.

53:33I do not seek monetary payment from you, Ross. I'd like to help you arrange an alternate payment method. What alternate payment method? You will receive further details at your place of work tomorrow morning. At place of work. Tomorrow, when you dress yourself, you will wear your blue shirt with short sleeves. You will wear this shirt to your place of work tomorrow. Where you will receive further instructions. Do you know where I work? I do know where you work, Ross. I won't do it. Whatever it is, I won't do it. If you wish to resume your conversation with Charlotte Caster, you will wear your blue shirt with short sleeves to your place of work tomorrow and wait for further instructions. If you do not, disconnect now. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

54:55I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. You're listening to a Sonic Cinema production. Two good and co-coffee creamers are made with farm fresh cream, real milk, and contain three grams of sugar per serving.

55:58That's 40% less than the five grams per serving and leading traditional coffee creamers for a rich, delicious experience. Whether you enjoy your coffee hot, cold, bold, or frothy, two good coffee creamers make every sip a good one. Two good coffee creamers, real goodness in every sip. Find them at your local crogr in the creamer aisle.