Omen 101: Odd Jobs in Almas
Transcript & Credits
Narrator: Omen is intended for an adult audience. The story explores mature themes and contains instances of dramatized violence. Full transcripts of each episode can be viewed at omen cast dot com.
SCENE 1
[[SFX: exciting music]]
[[SFX: running, Gwen, Toby, and Quent panting]]
Gwen: [[winded, cheerful]] Who knew dwarves could run so fast!
Toby: [[winded, irritated]] You certainly have a way of motivating people, don't you?
Gwen: [[winded, defensive]] And what is that supposed to mean?
Toby: [[winded, sarcastic]] Oh, I don't know. Maybe leading with, "Hi, my name is Gwen! Did you kidnap the blacksmith's daughter?" wasn't the best way to begin the interrogation!
Gwen: [[winded]] Oh my goodness, you're absolutely right! [[shouting]] Excuse me, sir!
Dwarf: [[winded, far off]] Leave me be! I didn't do nothin'!
Gwen: [[winded, shouting]] I'm terribly sorry! I forgot to introduce my friends! The shorter one you threw your drink at is Tobias--
Toby: [[winded, shouting]] Thanks for that, by the way!
Gwen: [[winded, shouting]] --and the tall one in the guard costume is Quentin!
Quent: [[winded, annoyed]] It's a uniform, Gwen.
Gwen: [[winded, shouting]] We just want to talk to you for a moment!
Quent: [[winded]] Do these alleyways seem narrow to you guys? I don't think they're up to code.
Toby: [[winded, annoyed]] I don't think your priorities are up to code.
Quent: [[winded]] Hey--I'm practically running sideways back here! If this street gets any more cramped I'm gonna get--
[[SFX: metal scraping, music stops]]
Quent: [[sheepish]] --stuck.
Toby: [[annoyed]] Really? You had to wear the pauldrons today, huh?
Quent: [[struggling grunts]] Just hurry up and untie my surcoat!
Toby: [[grunts]] I can't reach! Hey, Gwen! Help me get "soldier boy" here out of… hey, where do you think you're going?
[[SFX: metal ladder rungs]]
Gwen: [[cheerful]] Up, obviously! I'll track our friend from the rooftops. You can help flush him out!
Toby: Oh, so I'm your bird dog now? This isn't a quail hunt, Your Ladyship.
Quent: [[struggling grunts]] Just go, Toby! I'll meet up with you. Here, take my sword.
Toby: And do what with it, exactly? Vault over the buildings? I'll pass, thanks.
Gwen: [[calling, distant]] Quentin! I can see your uncle's shop from up here!
Quent: [[calling]] Stay on the perp, Gwen!
Gwen: [[distant]] Whoo hoo!
Toby: [[sigh]] You and I are going to have a talk later about this "community service" idea of yours… and why I was included in it.
Quent: [[struggling grunts]] The dwarf's beelining toward the Shipyard. If you head north, you can cut him off. [[struggles]] Go!
Toby: [[calling over his shoulder]] You owe me for this.
[[SFX: running on cobbles]]
Toby: [[calling]] Hey, Gwen! Which way did he go?
[[SFX: running, busy streets/harbor ambience]]
Toby: [[shouting]] Gwen! Can you hear me?
[[SFX: running slowed to a walk]]
Toby: [[irritated/mocking]] "Come on, Toby! The Eagle Knights could really use our help! Please, Toby! This could be our chance to become Pathfinders!" [[grumbling]] Idiots. This is what I get for sticking out my neck for--
[[SFX: dagger unsheathing]]
Dwarf: [[threatening]] Call for help and I'll open yer throat, boy.
Toby: [[strained]] Well, we certainly wouldn't want that, would we?
Dwarf: [[demanding]] Who sent you? What do you know?
Toby: [[strained]] Look man, I don't know anything and I don't want to know anything. We just took an odd job off the bounties board yesterday.
Dwarf: [[angry]] Don't you lie to me! Which one of those bastards ratted me out? Was it Kibiln?
Toby: [[strained]] Ow! Hey, take it easy! It was Roland, okay?
Dwarf: [[confused]] Roland? Who in Hell is that?
Toby: [[strained]] You know, Rusty Roland? That creep at the pawn shop? You sold him that bellows pulley the Nesmith girl was seen carrying.
Dwarf: [[incredulous]] Hold on… yer really just lookin' for the girl?
Toby: [[strained]] My moronic friends are, yes. Look--if you tell me where she is, we can just both go our separate ways and call it a day.
Dwarf: [[darkly]] I don't know where they took her… and I can't have you followin' me. Sorry, lad.
[[SFX: rushing movement, heavy weight falling]]
Dwarf: [[wind knocked out]] Oof!
[[SFX: dagger clattering]]
Gwen: [[cheesily]] Care if I… drop in?
Dwarf: Augh! Get offa me, you stupid cow!
Toby: [[furious]] Gods, Gwen, are you completely insane!? He could've taken off my head when you landed on him!
Gwen: What? Oh! I didn't know he had a knife.
Toby: [[flabbergasted]] What did you think he was holding to my jugular?
Gwen: [[defensive]] Well I came from behind, didn't I? I'm not made of eyes. [[cheerful]] Anyway, we caught him! I told you we'd find a lead.
[[SFX: running slowed to a halt]]
Quent: [[huffing]] Gwen! Are you alright?
Toby: [[annoyed]] I'm fine, by the way.
Gwen: Oh good, we're all here! Now what? [[excited]] Ooh! Is this the part where we take turns asking questions and hitting him?
Dwarf: Get yer arse offa me!
Gwen: [[glares]] Hmm. I'll go first!
[[SFX: punch, Dwarf grunts in pain]]
Quent: [[taken aback]] Gwen, stop! That's against protocol!
Toby: Yeah, we start with the legs first. [[darkly]] Makes it harder for kidnappers to run away.
Dwarf: [[panicked]] I didn't kidnap nobody! Lemme go!
Toby: Your copious usage of double negatives tells me otherwise.
Gwen: [[theatrically aggressive]] That's right! So you'd better start talking before my partner here gets mad. [[stage whispers]] He's crazy!
Quent: Alright, that's enough. Get away from him, both of you.
[[SFX: rustling cloth/leather, manacles clinking]]
Quent: Okay, friend. We are going to have a long chat about Hannah Nesmith down at the Aerie.
Dwarf: [[panicked]] No, please! I didn't take her! I swear!
Quent: [[skeptical]] Is that right? You seem pretty jumpy for an innocent bystander.
Dwarf: I was just the courier! It was a simple handoff!
Quent: To who? Who hired you?
Dwarf: [[exasperated]] I don't bloody know! I was just supposed to get the brat across the Merchant's Bridge. So I sent her on her way and I said I'd bring the pulley back to her da's smithy. I only hocked the thing 'cause I needed the silver to get to Absalom!
Toby: [[condescending]] Yeah, sure. And I suppose all this was to feed your poor starving family, right?
Dwarf: [[frantic]] You don't understand! Takin' side work in town is forbidden! I was fixin' to shove off and disappear as soon as I collected. If you don't let me go now, I won't get another chance!
Gwen: [[concerned]] Why? Who do you work for?
Quent: [[confused]] And why don't they want you skipping town?
Dwarf: [[terrified]] If I tell you that, they'll come lookin' fer me. Please, I'm beggin' you. Let me--
[[SFX: gore splatter, rifle report]]
[[simultaneously]] Quent: [[shocked]] Whoa! Whoa!
[[simultaneously]] Gwen: [[sickened]] Oh Gods!!
[[simultaneously]] Toby: [[grossed out]] Ugh! Pleh! It got in my mouth!
Quent: [[dumbfounded]] Was… was that a spell? You heard that too, right?
Toby: [[interrupting]] Shh! Shut up a second!
[[SFX: rapport echo, busy streets/harbor ambience]]
Quent: [[whispering]] What is it? What are you looking at?
Toby: [[distracted, quietly]] There's a hole in the brick behind us, Quent. The projectile passed clean through his skull.
Quent: Projectile!? [[grossed out]] Well, I wouldn't exactly call it clean. But if something did take the poor sod's head off, it's definitely not a bolt. [[pause]] Can muskets do this?
Toby: Up there! In the belltower! Someone's running!
Quent: Come on! We might still be able to… [[worried]] Gwen?
Gwen: [[muttering to self]] It's not real. It's not real. It's not real…
Quent: Gwen? Are you--
Gwen: [[yelps, panicked]] Don't touch me!
Quent: [[alarmed]] Sorry! Sorry. [[pause]] Do you… do you want to stay here while we--
Gwen: [[panicked]] No! Don't leave me with him!
Toby: [[serious]] Look at me, Gwen. [[pause]] Look at me! This missing person case just got promoted to full-blown murder. Whoever did this is--stop looking at him! He's dead, okay? There's nothing you can do about it.
Quent: [[concerned]] Toby, I don't think--
Toby: [[interrupting, determined]] This is your job, Gwen. You volunteered for it. You promised the Nesmiths we'd find their daughter. You tracked down this lead. But now we've got a kid to rescue and a murderer to catch. So are you going to finish this thing or what?
Gwen: [[weakly]] Yes? [[more confident]] Yes, I am. [[deep breath]] I'm sorry I snapped at you, Quentin.
Quent: [[surprised]] Oh! Yeah no, don't worry about it.
Toby: [[impatient]] Alright, that's settled. Can we go now?
Quent: Right. But let's stick together this time. I've got a feeling things might escalate.
Gwen: [[shaken]] How could things possibly get any worse?
[[SFX: OMEN MAIN THEME]]
SCENE 2
[[SFX: street ambience, wind]]
Quent: Well… maybe it was a trick of the light.
Toby: [[frustrated]] Don't start with me, Quent! I know what I saw.
Gwen: Hmm… tall, pale, and clean-shaven? That sounds an awful lot like the chap Rusty Roland mentioned, doesn't it?
Toby: It can't be a coincidence! Someone with that exact description asked about the dwarf minutes before we arrived at the pawn shop!
Quent: [[doubtful]] But a shot from this height? I dunno, Toby. I've watched the musket brigade during target practice and they never got anywhere near this far away.
Toby: [[frustrated]] Do you not smell that? It's blasting powder!
Gwen: Now that you mention it, there is something a bit… burn-y in the air.
Quent: Well then how do you explain the lack of any black powder residue?
Toby: I don't know yet.
Quent: And that weird thunder crack?
Toby: [[crabby]] I don't know yet.
Quent: And the ludicrous distance?
Toby: [[aggravated]] I don't know yet! Look--I'm not saying there wasn't some sort of enchantment involved or that we're not dealing with the greatest theoretical marksman on the planet. Does every little detail need an explanation before you follow up on anything?
Quent: I mean, yeah, kind of. We were hired on as investigators.
Toby: [[sarcastic]] Then maybe you should try investigating a little, hmm? Might be useful.
Quent: [[angry]] Maybe you should investigate how to pull your head out of your--
Gwen: [[interrupting]] What about those people down there?
[[simultaneously]] Toby: What?
[[simultaneously]] Quent: What?
Gwen: Those people on the street. We didn't see anyone come down from the tower, but perhaps they did.
Toby: That's… not a terrible idea actually.
[[SFX: walking]]
Gwen: I'm going to go speak with them.
Quent: I dunno, Gwen. In this part of town, you'll be hard pressed to get any information without a few greased palms.
Gwen: I've never heard of that spell. But I do have a lot of money!
Quent: [[amused]] What, you're planning on handing out copper all afternoon?
Gwen: [[laughs]] Of course not! I have a much better plan than all that.
Toby: [[distracted]] Quent--give me your field journal.
Quent: What? Why?
Toby: [[impatient]] Just give it here!
Quent: [[fed up]] Fine! I've only managed to jot down the basics so far. Besides, I thought you had a perfect memory--
Toby: [[interrupting]] Is this building up to code?
Quent: What?
Toby: [[annoyed]] Would you just think about what I say before blurting out, "What!?" all the time? I'm trying to find the height of the belltower, hence why I'm asking if this meeting hall is up to code.
Gwen: Meeting hall? I thought this was a church.
Quent: I think it used to be. And yeah, municipal buildings and public spaces have really strict Council regulations.
[[SFX: scribbling on paper]]
Toby: Perfect. So if we assume each floor is roughly three meters high… And we're--what would you say? Two blocks from the scene of the crime?
Quent: Two and a quarter. Wharfside properties have to include wider road access.
[[SFX: scribbling on paper]]
Toby: [[impatient]] Yes, yes. [[pause]] Hmm. No, that can't be right.
Quent: Trust me, it is. Uncle Lewin forced me to sit in on the zoning ordinance committee.
Toby: No, you clod! Look! Unless our assassin jumped or flew off the belltower, it's highly improbable they were able to flee before we got here.
Gwen: Don't forget shapeshifting or teleportation! [[deflated]] Though I don't sense any magical auras.
Toby: [[dismissive]] That's great, Gwen.
Gwen: There was that tether with the colorful flags leading down to the square.
Quent: [[skeptical]] The decorations for the Fair?
Gwen: I know it sounds overly dramatic, but someone could have ridden the rope all the way down to the fountain.
Toby: [[considering]] That's… slightly less improbable.
Quent: But if that were the case, there'd be dozens of witnesses.
Gwen: [[cheerful]] Well then, let's ask them!
[[SFX: door opening, street ambience]]
Gwen: [[calling]] Excuse me, everyone! Can I have your attention please? Thank you, hello! Good afternoon! We are looking for a tall and pale hooded person who fled this building. I'm offering a shiny gold piece to whoever can tell me--
Transient 1: She's giving away gold!
Transient 2: Hey lady! I know where they went!
Transient 3: No--I saw them! Give it to me!
[[SFX: small crowd rioting]]
Toby: [[flabbergasted]] Gwen! What in Hell are you doing!?
Gwen: [[harried]] Ah! No need to push!
Quent: [[calling]] Back, citizens! Get back! Disperse in an orderly fashion immediately!
Toby: [[struggles]] Just… give me the damn thing, Gwen! [[grunts, throws coin]]
[[SFX: coin tinkling, crowd fighting]]
Quent: Hurry--this way! While they're distracted!
[[SFX: running]]
Gwen: [[winded]] Goodness gracious! You'd think they'd never seen money before!
Toby: [[annoyed]] Okay, new rule: Gwen isn't allowed to talk to anyone!
Gwen: [[defensive]] How was I supposed to know they'd go berserk!?
Toby: [[dumbfounded]] How were you--? Do they not have peasants in Taldor!?
Quent: [[restrained, patient]] Gwen, most of those people have never even seen a gold piece before.
Gwen: [[defensive]] Hmph! Well it isn't for lack of employment opportunities. Your uncle hired me almost as soon as I arrived here.
Quent: [[sigh]] The average household income in Almas is around five gold per year.
Gwen: You must be joking! How am I supposed to live on that salary?
Toby: Remind me never to take Her Ladyship on a roving tour of rural Andoran.
Gwen: [[incredulous]] Are you saying farmers make less than five gold a year!? How is Andoren cheese so expensive?
Toby: [[belittling]] Oh, but it isn't really! There's just a two hundred-percent markup for Taldan trade ships. We call it the "gormless fop" tax.
Gwen: [[offended scoff]] Cheeky! [[to Quent]] Does Tobias always get this cranky when he doesn't know what to do next?
Quent: Yeah, pretty much.
Toby: [[crabby]] Well the trail's gone cold, hasn't it? If you two geniuses have any ideas, let's hear them!
Quent: [[sigh]] Until someone can identify what's left of our only witness, there isn't much we can do.
Gwen: [[shudders]] What was it he said? Something about the Merchant's Bridge? Maybe we should--
Soup Hag: [[suddenly]] I may know of what--
[[simultaneously]] Toby: [[startled]] Aah!
[[simultaneously]] Quent: [[startled]] Aah!
[[simultaneously]] Gwen: [[startled]] Aah!
Soup Hag: [[startled]] Aah! Sarenrae's tits! You lot scared the piss outta me!
Quent: [[catching breath]] Scared you?
Toby: [[annoyed]] Yeah--what the Hell, lady!? Are you trying to give us all heart attacks?
Soup Hag: [[flatly]] I've literally been sitting here the entire time.
Toby: Well… cough or something before chiming in next time! It's common courtesy.
Soup Hag: [[offended]] Oh yes, and what would a simple peasant know about being polite, hmm? We're all just cutthroats and pickpockets, eh? Sooner stab you than look at you, and all that tripe.
Toby: That is actually a startlingly accurate description.
Quent: I apologize for my friend's lack of manners, ma'am. We didn't mean to--
Soup Hag: [[condescending]] Ooh! City guard come to sort everything out, eh? [[spits]] Where were you when them big trading companies bought us out, hmm? Where were you when they boarded up all the workshops? Busy taking kickbacks, I'll wager.
Quent: [[dryly]] I was ten at the time.
Gwen: Hello, I'm Gwen! [[cautious]] Did you… want to tell us something?
Soup Hag: [[suspicious]] Hmph. And what have we here? Taldor get too small for you, elfling? Ran away with daddy's coin purse to play Little-Miss-Hero in a smaller pond?
Gwen: [[uncomfortable]] Mmm… not exactly.
Toby: Whelp, I've just about had enough local color for one day.
Quent: Yeah, we need to report back to Drakeheel anyway. C'mon.
Soup Hag: Wait! I've seen your pale man!
Gwen: [[hopeful]] Really?
Toby: Oh, sure you saw him.
Soup Hag: I did! Two days ago! He was crossing the Merchant's Bridge… with a girl.
Gwen: [[excited]] A girl? Was she blonde? With a grey ribbon in her hair?
Quent: [[suspicious]] What did this "pale man" look like?
Soup Hag: [[coy]] Hmm… so many details. My memory isn't what it used to be.
Toby: Well, I'm not hearing anything worth paying for. Shall we?
Soup Hag: [[hurriedly]] They went into a building!
Quent: And I suppose you saw which one?
Soup Hag: I did, indeed! [[theatrical]] But… a poor old widow's life is so uncertain. What shall I eat? Where shall I sleep? And what of my children?
Toby: Children!? You've got to be kidding--
Gwen: [[interrupting, sympathetic]] You poor thing! Here… take this.
[[SFX: coin tinkling]]
Soup Hag: Why thank you, dearie. You are too kind. I do seem to remember the girl had blonde hair and a gray ribbon--
Gwen: [[excited]] That has to be Hannah!
Soup Hag: --and the man she was with… he was tall and wore a hood. But he turned to look over his shoulder and I saw his ghastly pale face.
Quent: Clean-shaven?
Soup Hag: As a newborn babe.
Quent: And the building?
Soup Hag: [[theatrical]] Oh, but the rains are so cold in the spring! Even the strong-willed catch their death in the streets! What is a poor old widow to do?
Toby: Seriously!?
Gwen: [[sympathetic]] How horrible! Here, you must find a warm inn to stay at until summer!
[[SFX: coin tinkling]]
Soup Hag: Bless you, sweet child. [[matter-of-factly]] It was the old Pepperbox warehouse on Elderbloom. The man must've had a key for the door. Led the girl inside by the hand without any fuss.
Quent: Hmm… that place has always been abandoned. I'll bet it's been empty since before the People's Revolt.
Toby: And this mystery man… You wouldn't happen to have seen him recently?
Soup Hag: [[theatrical]] Oh, but how I long to travel to my ancestral homeland of Rahadoum! To look upon the Arch of Aroden once more before I die! What is a poor old widow to--
Quent: [[clears throat]] May I see your bilking license, ma'am?
Soup Hag: [[quickly]] You know, now that you mention it--I did see a tall hooded fellow not half an hour ago. Believe it or not, the crazy bastard rode that rope down from the belltower on a wooden staff!
Gwen: [[triumphant]] Ha! I knew it!
Toby: So he just… crashed into the fountain?
Soup Hag: [[matter-of-factly]] Nope. Landed like a cat a few feet from the ground and started hauling ass north, towards the Merchant's Bridge. I didn't see his face but he had a similar build to the one with the girl. Might be your guy.
Quent: Alright, ma'am. I just need your name to verify you as an eye witness--
Soup Hag: [[interrupting, theatrical]] Oh my! Look at the time! I must be off dearies! [[walking away]] Toodle-oo and fare thee well, brave adventurers!
[[SFX: clinking coins, Soup Hag cackles to herself]]
Gwen: What a nice old lady.
Toby: [[sarcastic]] Oh yes, she was quite the find.
Gwen: People in Almas are quite helpful, aren't they?
Quent: [[disapproving]] Hrm. I suppose there's only one way to find out. We'll need a warrant first, though.
Toby: [[dismissive]] Pff. What for? We have probable cause.
Quent: Hearsay from an unverified source is hardly probable cause. We do things by the book from here on out.
Gwen: [[worried]] But Hannah might be in there, Quentin!
Toby: [[theatrically worried]] For two days!
Gwen: For two whole days! She could be alone, or hurt… We must have a look, surely.
Toby: [[teasing]] Gwen paid two gold for this information, Quent. Three if you count the riot she started. Don't we owe her the satisfaction of following up on this new development?
Quent: [[sigh]] Fine. We'll quickly look for anything suspicious on the way to the Aerie. Fair enough?
Gwen: [[delighted]] Oh! Thank you, thank you! I do hope today has a happy ending!
Toby: Or, at the very least, a satisfying one.
Quent: [[stern]] Five minutes and then we're getting a warrant. Got it?
[[simultaneously]] Gwen: Got it!
[[simultaneously]] Toby: Got it.
[[SFX: TRANSITION MUSIC]]
SCENE 3
[[SFX: harbor ambience, knocking on wooden door]]
Quent: City Guard! Open up!
Gwen: [[calling, distant]] Hello? Hannah, are you in there?
[[SFX: knocking]]
Toby: [[clears throat]] Umm… Quent? You didn't happen to notice that padlock, did you?
Quent: [[annoyed]] Yes, Toby. There's a padlock on the door.
[[SFX: knocking]]
Gwen: [[calling, distant]] Hannah! We're here to rescue you!
Toby: So… how is someone supposed to let us in?
Quent: [[annoyed]] What are you… oh. [[saving face]] I mean, it's still a good idea to check the front entrance first. Have to make it official and all.
Toby: Right, right. And I suppose you've already assessed what's wrong with this picture?
[[SFX: Gwen walks over]]
Gwen: Is that lock brand new?
Toby: [[frustrated]] Gwen! Don't just… tell him! How else is he supposed to learn?
Gwen: Oops! Sorry!
Quent: It's okay, Gwen. Toby's just jumping to conclusions again. Property owners are allowed to replace old padlocks, you know.
Toby: Even if said property looks like it could fall into the river at any moment?
Quent: [[dismissive]] It's probably an historical landmark.
Gwen: Hmm. Aren't those sorts of buildings supposed to look nice and have tourists walking about the place?
Toby: Thank you, Gwen. At least someone is paying attention. And look-- this is prime waterfront real estate. I don't see why the owner wouldn't knock down this creephouse and build something they could sell.
Quent: I'm sure the… [[checking]] Pepperbox Trading Company or whoever bought this place from them has their reasons for chaining it up.
Gwen: It does seem as if they're keeping something in, rather than shutting people out. Otherwise the locks would be on the inside, right?
Toby: I'm not entirely sure that makes sense, but I like the way you're thinking.
Gwen: [[cheerful]] Thank you! I am rather sleuthy today, aren't I?
Quent: This is a waste of time. Come on, we've got paperwork to fill out.
Toby: What's the hurry? Let's at least check if the back entrance is locked. I'll bet you a silver there's a padlock just like this one.
Quent: [[sigh]] Even if there was, it wouldn't mean anything.
Gwen: Well, I'm going to take a look. [[calling]] Hannah! Yoo-hoo! Hannah Nesmith!
[[SFX: walking]]
Toby: You go ahead with her, Quent. I've got some notes to look over.
Quent: [[suspicious]] What are you talking about?
Toby: [[innocently]] Just taking down a description of the place. If you want to stand here and watch me, you're more than welcome.
Quent: Fine. Maybe I can find a condemnation notice or something around the loading dock. [[calling]] You see anything, Gwen?
[[SFX: walking]]
Gwen: [[calling, distant]] I'm picking up some strange auras back here!
Quent: [[calling]] What, like magic?
Gwen: [[calling, distant]] I think this warehouse is… warded? I'm not certain.
[[SFX: faintly, a lock being picked]]
Toby: [[calling]] Hey, guys! Come look at this!
[[SFX: walking]]
Quent: Did you find the-- [[suspicious]] Alright, what did you do?
Toby: [[innocently]] Nothing.
Gwen: Ooh! The padlock wasn't even closed properly!
Quent: [[flatly]] Toby. Did you pick that lock?
Toby: [[mock offended]] What? How dare you! I just pulled on it and it came off!
Quent: [[sigh]] Just give it here.
Toby: Why? So you can lock us out of our only promising lead?
Quent: Until we get permission to look around, yes. I won't let you jeopardize our--
Gwen: [[calling]] Hannah! Are you in here?
Quent: [[alarmed]] Gwen, no! Get away from there! Hey! What--
[[SFX: shove]]
Gwen: [[perturbed]] Do try and calm yourself, Quentin. And in the future, I'll thank you not to jostle me about like a pram.
Quent: [[embarrassed]] I wasn't… I mean, I wasn't trying to--
Gwen: [[fed up]] Honestly! I'm surprised you of all people would let a few silly rules keep us from rescuing a little girl.
Quent: Look--I'm sorry I grabbed you, alright? But if we don't do things correctly, then the Council could throw out evidence we find or even dismiss any charges brought against a suspect.
Gwen: [[indignant]] That is ridiculous. What good are laws if they don't help people when they need it most?
Quent: [[sigh]] Can we argue about this later? Right now, the best way to help Hannah is to secure a--
[[SFX: metal thunks against wood]]
Toby: [[innocently]] Whoops!
Quent: [[angry]] Did you seriously just throw the lock in there?
Toby: [[innocently]] I… dropped it.
Quent: [[flatly]] No you didn't.
Toby: [[innocently]] I tried to catch it but it rolled down my arm.
Quent: [[through gritted teeth]] Where… did… it… go?
Toby: [[shrugs]] Over in that shadowy corner maybe?
Gwen: [[excited]] Ooh! I can see very well in the dark!
Quent: Absolutely not! We are not trespassing under any… [[sniffs]] Ugh-- what is that?
Toby: I was wondering how long it would take you.
Quent: [[disgusted]] It's like someone set fire to the men's room at Soggy Walls… during happy hour.
Toby: You're on the right track, but not quite there. Care to take a guess, Gwen?
Gwen: [[sniffs]] [[laughs]] Oh… I don't think I should say.
Toby: [[teasing]] Aw, come on-- it's not like we're in polite company.
Gwen: It wouldn't be lady-like. Besides, I doubt you two would find it very pleasant. Just forget I said anything.
Toby: [[amused]] You hear that, Quent? She doesn't think we can handle it.
Quent: [[rolls eyes]] Go on, Gwen. Try us already.
Gwen: [[amused]] Alright, then. I was going to say it smelled a bit like a lady's neglected laundry during her monthlies.
[[simultaneously]] Toby: [[disgusted]] Ugh! Gods, Gwen!
[[simultaneously]] Quent: [[disgusted]] Aww! Come on!
Gwen: [[amused]] I did warn you.
Toby: [[annoyed]] It's stale blood and sulfur, alright? That's what the smell is.
Gwen: Oh! I thought I recognized it!
Quent: How do you even know that, Toby? And what does that mean? Was this an old slaughterhouse or something?
Gwen: [[laughs]] No, silly! Every first-year caster is taught to identify that scent. It means someone's been fooling around with… [[sudden realization]] planar binding. [[calling, panicked]] Hannah! Hannah, sweetheart, can you hear me?
Quent: [[sigh]] Now see what you've done? Why did you have to go and get her hopes up like that?
Toby: Why do you always insist on doing everything the hard way? We could have been in and out of this rathole in five minutes if you had just let me--
[[SFX: smashing wood]]
Quent: [[panicked]] Oh no, no, no! No!
[[SFX: running]]
Quent: Gwen, what in Hell are you doing!?
Gwen: [[winded, determined]] The aura is strongest over here. Come on!
Toby: Whoa! A secret staircase!? Nice find, Gwen!
[[SFX: walking down stairs, wood creaking]]
Quent: [[nervous]] We really shouldn't be in here.
Toby: [[chuckles]] "Not up to code" enough for you, Quent? Or is the shoddy craftsmanship making you nervous?
Quentin: We're violating like twelve different rules of conduct right now.
Toby: Yeah well, whatever's making that smell is violating my senses. We getting close, Gwen?
Gwen: [[serious]] There. The aura is emanating from behind this door.
[[SFX: door handle jostling]]
Quent: Locked tight. Might be trapped too.
[[SFX: lockpicks jangling]]
Toby: Yeah, I got this.
Quent: [[angry]] I knew it! How long have you had those lockpicks?
Toby: [[dismissive]] Eh. I picked them up a few months ago. Just give me a couple minutes to--
[[SFX: Gwen grunts, door smashes]]
Toby: Or that works too, I guess. [[horrified]] What in the--
Quent: [[horrified]] Iomedae's Light! What was going on here?
Gwen: [[serious]] This cellar was used to perform an extraplanar calling. [[pause]] Recently. Two days ago, maybe even yesterday.
Quent: Hold on a minute. Are you saying a devil was standing in this basement!?
Gwen: Something certainly was. See? You can still make out the diagram.
[[SFX: bones rattling]]
Toby: Hmm. A lot of blood has soaked into the ground, but it looks like it's been dry for years. A few animal bones here and there, but no sign of any bodies… strange.
Gwen: [[distressed]] It just doesn't make any sense. Why would someone bring Hannah down here?
Quent: I mean… wouldn't it be to… you know?
Gwen: [[upset]] No, that can't be. Even if they had meant to… offer her to something, that would risk breaking the binding circle.
Quent: Then there's a chance Hannah wasn't even here, Gwen. [[warmly]] And as long as there's a chance, we'll keep looking.
Toby: Uhh… guys? I hate to be the bearer of bad news but--
Gwen: [[gasp]] Oh no!
Quent: Is that--?
Toby: A gray ribbon. Hannah Nesmith was here.
[[SFX: dramatic stinger, OUTRO MUSIC]]
CREDITS
Narrator: Omen, episode 101: "Odd Jobs in Almas" was written and edited by Tim Krause. Featuring Mamito Kukwikila as Gwen, A.J. Beckles as Tobias, and Charlie Wes as Quentin. Additional voices provided by Sam Eisele, Sarah Rhea Werner, Phill Usher, Brandon Jenkins, and Tom Laflin. Original music composed by Matt Lee.
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