Our heroes play some games.
Transcript is below the cut!
INN BETWEEN
Episode: Season 4 episode 10, “The Festival”
Transcript provided by Ria Couoh.
**************
(00:00): PREVIOUSLY ON…
TESSA
Previously on Inn Between…
Inn Between theme plays in the background.
KNOWLES
What happened to our map?
ROSIE
Oh, the city we’re coming up on is gorgeous!
It’s built in the empty shell of a volcano, so it’s the first time in a while we’re actually going to see some sun.
TODE
(excited)
Look how many people there are! Is this a festival?
ROSIE
Careful! It’s steep through here!
Stone and dirt roll down a solid surface.
CASTOR
(panicked yell)
Inn Between theme fades.
(01:02) THE FESTIVAL.
Background sounds of a tavern.
Several sets of footsteps approaching.
CASTOR
I’m alright, really!
KNOWLES
If you can’t walk on your own foot, that… doesn’t count as all right.
ZARA
There go our travel plans for the day.
Chairs scoot as Castor sits.
CASTOR
(dismissive)
Oh, I just twisted it a little! Tode’s berries helped. I’ll be fine in a bit!
KNOWLES
We’ll let you rest the whole day, just to be safe.
(concerned)
We can’t go too far until I figure out what I did with the map anyway.
CASTOR
Then… you should all go enjoy the festival!
ROSIE
Oh, no! We can’t leave you here! That’s no fun.
CASTOR
Come on, we have some time! And I’ll be better soon, I just need to… sit down for an hour or so.
KNOWLES
You sure you won’t be bored?
CASTOR
I’ll read a book! Come get me at lunch.
ZARA
Looks like the festival is already inside anyway.
TODE
Plying their trade indoors, instead of on the festival grounds?
KNOWLES
It is pretty hot out.
TODE
Is it?
CASTOR
See? I’ll be plenty entertained!
TODE
I wonder if Cybilene would be interested in wandering the festival. She was just behind us on the road!
ROSIE
Oh, that’s fun! Me and Stella used to do that at the Egg Sac Festival!
CASTOR
(scandalized)
I beg your pardon?
TODE
(warmly)
Then I’ll go ask her!
Footsteps fading away.
KNOWLES
I will admit, those festival games look awfully tempting.
ROSIE
(excitedly)
Oh! How do you think the odds are on that ring toss?
KNOWLES
(laughs)
Oh? Abysmal!
(conspiratorially)
Unless you know the trick.
ROSIE
You have to teach me.
Uh, Zara, are you coming?
ZARA
(flatly)
Are you kidding?
KNOWLES
You don’t want to come?
ZARA
Why would I want to run around acting childish all day? I’ll stay with Castor.
CASTOR
(dubious)
Uhm… thanks?
ROSIE
Suit yourself, I guess. Come on, Knowles, let’s go.
Footsteps fading away.
ROSIE
(whispers excitedly)
So, what’s the trick?
KNOWLES
Patience, my apprentice.
Door creaks open and closed.
CASTOR
(awkwardly)
So… I take it you don’t like festivals?
ZARA
I don’t like people. Why would I like more of them in the same place?
CASTOR
You don’t like crowds.
ZARA
No.
CASTOR
(considering)
Hm!
ZARA
(imitating him)
“Hm,” what?
CASTOR
Nothing! Just… you know, I don’t know a lot about you.
ZARA
That’s by design, Castor.
CASTOR
Right.
A few pages of a book turn.
ZARA
(scathingly)
I can’t believe you brought so many books with you on a quest.
CASTOR
You never know! Do you want one? I have… Let’s see… Uh…
(reading)
“Symbolism of the Seven Hells” or… Uhm…
(uncertain)
“Demon Princes I Have Known”?
ZARA
(dryly)
Thanks, I’m good.
CASTOR
Okay… Suit yourself…
Page flips.
CUSTOMER
(awed)
That’s incredible!
CONFOUNDO
(grandly, with exaggerated showmanship)
All in a day’s work for the amazing Confoundo!
CUSTOMER
Worth the price.
Metallic coins are exchanged.
CONFOUNDO
Thank you, thank you! Now who is next? Who will be dazzled by my psychic prowess?
CASTOR
Oh!
ZARA
(groans)
CONFOUNDO
Perhaps you, sir?
CASTOR
Sure! Are you a… fortune teller…?
CONFOUNDO
Oh, on the contrary! I see not the future… but the contents of your mind, good sir!
Will you play my game?
CASTOR
Yeah! How’s it work?
CONFOUNDO
(slyly)
We make a little wager.
If I can read your mind, a paltry silver piece you’ll pay me… But! If I fail… I will pay you back two.
ZARA
Sorry, you missed our gambler.
CASTOR
I’ll play!
(beat)
Uh, so… what should I think of? A… a number…?
CONFOUNDO
No, I prefer something more exciting, my good dwarf. Ah, I suggest a color! Any shade you like.
CASTOR
Uhm, okay…
Uh, yeah! I have a color!
CONFOUNDO
(mysteriously, adding suspense)
Mm, a color! Yes, you are… You are thinking… of a color. You are thinking of the color… Mmm…
(loudly)
Periwinkle!
CASTOR
(genuinely impressed)
Wow! That… that’s right! Amazing!
CONFOUNDO
Mm, thank you, thank you! ‘Tis a simple matter for the Great Confoundo!
CASTOR
And here you go!
Metallic clink of a coin.
CASTOR
How do you do that? I’ve been interested in psychic magic, and—
ZARA
(coldly)
It’s a scam.
CONFOUNDO
(affronted)
I do beg your pardon?
CASTOR
Zara, come on…
ZARA
(pointedly)
It’s. A. Scam.
CASTOR
Okay, look, even if it is, it’s a really good trick!
CONFOUNDO
No tricks, sir! No scams, miss!
If you’d like to play again, think of something more… difficult! An object! Or a name, perhaps!
ZARA
You’re not even using magic!
CONFOUNDO
(angrily)
Are you trying to determine my methods with spellcasting? What sort of fair game do you call that?
ZARA
(mocking)
It doesn’t matter, you’re the scam artist!
CONFOUNDO
If you’re so sure, then why don’t you play?
ZARA
Fine. I’ll play.
CONFOUNDO
A color! When you are ready.
ZARA
Got one.
CONFOUNDO
(unfriendly chuckle)
Perhaps I should not be surprised that you are seeing red.
ZARA
Red? You mean… everyone’s favorite color?
CASTOR
I actually think blue is everyone’s favorite color…?
ZARA
I don’t believe you. You didn’t read my mind.
(firmly)
I’m not paying you.
CONFOUNDO
Oh, now which of us is lying?
ZARA
I’m not the one who’s claiming to be psychic without actually using any magic!
CONFOUNDO
I warn you, miss, I’m no one to be trifled with. If you do not fulfill your obligation, you shall be sorry.
ZARA
(unafraid)
Yeah? I’d like to see you try, liar.
CONFOUNDO
(darkly, the words are said with cold, pointed calm)
Would you now, Zara Mallon?
CASTOR
Mallon?
ZARA
(shocked, without her previous vitriol)
What?
CONFOUNDO
You haven’t heard that in a long time.
(taunting)
It’s been far more than a decade, hasn’t it?
ZARA
(panicked)
Wait. Wait…!
CONFOUNDO
Eighteen years since the fateful day your parents told you to leave!
ZARA
Stop.
CONFOUNDO
(with fake sympathy)
At least no one got hurt…
(pointedly)
Not that day.
ZARA
I’m… I’m warning you…
CONFOUNDO
But they knew it wouldn’t be the last time you razed your family home to the ground.
You reduced it to cinders, and you… were just a child!
Think how powerful you would become!
ZARA
(fearful)
Stop… Please—
CONFOUNDO
Oh, but that wasn’t what hurt the most, was it?
ZARA
No… No! Not this—!
(a heavy, ragged breath)
CONFOUNDO
What hurt most… was Larkin. When he was too much of a coward to go with you and doomed you…
(with condescending pity)
To be alone.
ZARA
(yells)
Stop it!
CONFOUNDO
I could go on… and on… and on…
(with cruel amusement)
Things really didn’t get better from there!
CASTOR
(fiercely)
Leave her alone.
CONFOUNDO
What? You’re not curious about what terrors she wrought before she got some control over herself? What she had to do to survive?
CASTOR
I said…
Fire magic blazes, a strong, steady flame.
CASTOR
(furious, emphasizing each word)
Leave her alone.
CONFOUNDO
Not without what I’m owed!
Fire stops.
CASTOR
Here!
Coin hits the table.
CASTOR
Take your stupid coin and leave. I don’t want to see you back here.
CONFOUNDO
(offended)
Not everyone can appreciate the art of the psychic. Good day!
An extended pause.
CASTOR
Zara?
ZARA
(painful, prolonged sobs)
(cries lose volume as she attempts to quieten)
CASTOR
(softly)
Oh, Zara…
ZARA
Don’t. Don’t touch me.
CASTOR
Okay. Okay.
(beat)
(with muted horror)
Your parents really… really kicked you out of your house?
ZARA
(voice small)
Yes.
CASTOR
How old were you?
ZARA
Ten.
CASTOR
Is that… young…? For a tiefling…?
ZARA
(angrily, still tearful)
Yes, Castor! That’s young for a tiefling.
CASTOR
Oh my gods…
ZARA
Well, that’s what happens when you burn down your own house and almost kill your family!
CASTOR
You didn’t deserve to be kicked out of your house.
ZARA
(bitterly)
What do you know?
CASTOR
(with angry disbelief)
I know that when a child spills a glass of milk, you don’t… send them to bed without dinner!
ZARA
I lost my temper and destroyed everything we had!
CASTOR
You were a kid!
(fumbling a little)
You needed… help! Training! Anger management, maybe…
Forgiveness!
ZARA
(soft cries)
CASTOR
When’s the last time you talked about this?
ZARA
(cries)
Never?
(choked)
Nobody knows.
(hotly)
You weren’t supposed to know.
CASTOR
(helplessly)
I’m… I’m sorry.
A pause. Zara continues to cry.
CASTOR
I think I… understand a little better now? Maybe not completely, but I… see.
ZARA
(sniffs)
(dubious)
What do you think you see?
CASTOR
Why you pick fights? Everything’s kind of a fight anyway…. Why you don’t want to make friends…
(sympathetic)
How do you… trust anyone after that?
ZARA
You don’t!
(deep, slow breath)
(resentful, sad)
You learn that the world’s always going to hate you. And there’s nothing you can do about it except rip out a space for yourself!
(powerless)
However you have to.
CASTOR
You know we don’t hate you, right?
ZARA
You don’t know me. You don’t know what I’ve done!
CASTOR
I’ve got a… pretty good imagination!
(with great conviction)
You did what you had to do! You shouldn’t have had to! But… I know you well enough to know that much!
And… you have as much right as anyone to be here. The fact that I have to even say that means that a lot of people in your life have failed you.
(earnest)
And… you didn’t deserve that.
ZARA
(deep, shuddering breath)
If you repeat anything you heard today, I will…
I will slap you silly.
CASTOR
Wow. I… kind of expected you to say you were going to burn me alive.
ZARA
(flatly)
Well, I don’t have any guarantee you won’t try to burn me back, do I?
CASTOR
Aren’t you… kind of immune to fire…?
ZARA
It still stings.
CASTOR
No wonder you were so upset after that first fight, w—when I cast fire and I… didn’t cop to it and they thought it was you.
ZARA
(sarcastic)
Really glad you decided to take responsibility for your actions.
CASTOR
(regretfully)
Yeah…
Have I apologized for that yet?
ZARA
A couple of times.
CASTOR
I guess forgiveness is a pretty big ask… I’ll just… stop bringing it up.
A pause.
ZARA
(softly)
I forgive you.
CASTOR
What? Really?
ZARA
I know what it’s like to feel like part of you is… irredeemable.
CASTOR
Oh… Thanks.
(beat)
(slowly)
Do you… think you could ever… forgive your family?
ZARA
(tartly)
Going home seems awfully important to you for someone who hasn’t seen his family in years.
CASTOR
Oh, I… Uh…
(sigh)
(mournfully)
Can’t. I can’t.
(sigh)
Not yet.
ZARA
Well, I can’t forgive them.
A pause.
CASTOR
Zara?
ZARA
Yeah?
Rustle of fabric. A soft thud.
ZARA
(yelp)
(exasperated)
Oh gods!
CASTOR
(gently)
This okay? Just a… hug?
ZARA
Uhm…
(sigh)
I guess.
CASTOR
I meant it. You belong with us.
ZARA
(softly)
Okay.
Rustle of fabric. Chair scoots.
CASTOR
(pained hiss)
Ow.
ZARA
Are you… sure you’ll be able to keep going tomorrow?
CASTOR
Yeah, I just bumped it. It’s okay.
Page flips.
Door creaks open.
Footsteps.
ROSIE
Castor! Zara!
(sing-song)
Look what I got!
ZARA
What is that?
KNOWLES
(amused)
Allegedly a dragon.
ZARA
(awed)
It’s massive!
CASTOR
Looks more like a giraffe.
(considering)
Or a demon.
ROSIE
What’s a giraffe?
KNOWLES
Do you mind if we hide here for a bit?
(sheepish)
We… may have made some people in charge of festival games… really upset.
ROSIE
It’s not my fault that, between Knowles’ brains and my aim, we’re absolutely… unstoppable.
CASTOR
(warm laugh)
Sure. The more, the merrier.
Chairs scoot as they sit down.
ROSIE
We… miss anything exciting?
CASTOR
Mm, nothing much.
ZARA
Just… don’t make the psychic mad.
KNOWLES
(curiously)
Oh, this sounds like a story!
CASTOR
Oh…
(chuckles)
No, not really. It’s just that the Amazing Confoundo doesn’t take kindly to people doubting their psychic powers!
ROSIE
Really?
A pause.
ZARA
It was… weird. They got all the answers right, but they weren’t using any magic.
CASTOR
Yeah… I’d never seen anything like it. It wasn’t just guesses. They were specific.
ROSIE
Oh, really?
KNOWLES
I’ve heard of this… People with strange gifts?
CASTOR
What kind of gift makes someone psychic without magic?
Have you ever heard about this?
ZARA
If the wizards knew about it, they wouldn’t tell.
ROSIE
Weird!
Background sounds of tavern fade away.
(14:20) OUTRO:
(14:24) NEXT TIME ON…
Inn Between theme plays in the background.
TESSA
Next time, on Inn Between…
CASTOR
I’m fine!
ZARA
You’re getting worse, not better.
SADIYAH
(resentful)
And you don’t want me to take even one single action to make sure you make it to the Glacial Caverns, right?
KNOWLES
(tiredly)
Ugh… What did you have in mind?
(15:03) CREDITS:
HANNAH
This episode, “The Festival,” was written and directed by Hannah Wright with assistant director William Wright. The show is produced and edited by Katherine Ayers.
Castor is Caleb Del Rio. Zara is Quin Leigh. Tode is Anthony Morales. Rosie is Lucille Valentine and Knowles is JV Hampton-VanSant. The satisfied customer is Maxi Molina.
This episode featured the voice of special guest Scottye Moore as the Amazing Confoundo. Find more of their work on Fun Fiction, Deviant, and The Weird.
Our theme song is by Eli Hamada McIlveen and our artwork is by Gabrielle Buxman. Our transcriber is Ria Couoh.
Transcripts for this and every episode can be found on our website, thegoblinshead.com.
Find and follow us on Twitter, @inn_between_. Or support us on patreon, at patreon.com/thegoblinshead.
If you like the show, become a lifelong carnie with real psychic powers! Or leave us a review.
Thanks for listening!
Music ends.
HANNAH
This story was created in the traditional territory of the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute peoples, and edited in the unceded territory of the Salish, Kootenai, and Kalispel peoples.
(15:50) POST-CREDITS:
Background sounds of tavern.
KILLIKER
Knowles!
KNOWLES
Oh! Hello, Killiker. You three… stuck around for the festival after all?
KILLIKER
We did. Max can’t resist the opportunity to make a fool out of the con artists hanging around.
KNOWLES
(chuckles)
Of course he can’t.
KILLIKER
(hesitant)
Say, did you… Uhm… Did you drop this?
Paper crinkles.
KILLIKER
I thought I saw it fall out of your bag.
KNOWLES
Oh.
Paper shuffles.
KNOWLES
(slowly)
Yes, I… must have… Clumsy of me…Thank you.
KILLIKER
No problem at all.
Background sounds of tavern fade away.
EPISODE ENDS.