Our first 2020 Showcase Selection is The Path Down- Subdivisions by Leslie Gideon.
Content Warning: Sudden Noises
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Transcript:
Episode One: Subdivisions
SETTING: A DINER
Sound Effect: Restaurant ambiance.
Sound Effect: A fork clatters on a plate.
Vanessa: I needed this fruit tart.
Dexter: How’d you even find this place?
Vanessa: I looked up cafes and diners near campus, filtered out anything that was less than ten minutes away, so it wouldn’t be crowded with other people from school, and ta-da! Cool new diner.
Dexter: Smart. But yeah, that first lecture was rough.
Vanessa: I can’t believe she gave us an essay assignment. On the first day!
Dexter: Me either. All my other professors just gave us the syllabus and had us say fun facts about ourselves.
Vanessa: Did you talk to anyone interesting?
Dexter: I ended up talking to this cute guy next to me in my intro to animation class about sci fi movies.
Vanessa: Nice.
Dexter: I wish she’d given us an easy first day. Dante’s Inferno seems really dark.
Vanessa: It’s basically a tabloid. With poetry.
Dexter: Weird twist, but I’m listening.
Vanessa: Think about it. He wrote a whole book just to roast a bunch of celebrities and politicians.
Dexter: Roast?! (He laughs)
Vanessa: No. That was an unintentional pun, Dexter. I refuse to take credit for that. (She pauses) Besides, the whole story is a roast. The professor just thinks we don’t understand the grand masterpiece of the Divine Comedy like she does.
Dexter: When’d she say that?
Vanessa: She didn’t. She just thought it. Her thoughts are so loud.
Dexter: I guess having telepathy isn’t exactly exciting, if you’ve heard people’s opinions on old books your whole life.
Vanessa: Yeah, exactly.
Dexter: You usually only use it when you need it, right?
Vanessa: I….no. I actually can’t turn it off.
Dexter: What? Really?
Vanessa: A lot of people with superpowers have…issues controlling their abilities.
Dexter: You hear people’s thoughts all the time?
Vanessa: Not Exactly. I don’t have perfect control. Yet. But I can ignore it if I try.
Dexter: Do you usually try to ignore it?
Vanessa: Yeah, of course. (A long pause) I might order another fruit tart. These things are heavenly.
Dexter: Mine are better, though.
Vanessa: Oh, do you bake?
Dexter: Yeah. My mom taught me when we were kids. I remember the first time I made a cupcake. I was ten. My brother was fourteen. He kept hovering over me the entire time to make sure I didn’t burn the house down.
Vanessa: Oh, is there…? Did…? Did you?
Dexter: …You okay?
Vanessa: Oh! Nothing! Nothing. I’m good. I was saying, did your family-I mean, do you and your brother… always spend so much time together?
Dexter: Not a lot, but him and I are actually hanging out for a bit later today.
Vanessa: Did you grow up around here?
Dexter: I’m from the next town over.
Vanessa: Wanted to stay local?
Dexter: Something like that, yeah. (He pauses) I think I might order one of those breakfast platters. I need something solid especially after that first lecture of doom and-oh no.
Sound Effect: A door opens, accompanied by a ringing bell.
Vanessa: What? What is it?
Dexter: Of all the places.…
Sound Effect: Footsteps approaching.
Bellamy: Dex? What are you doing here?
Dexter: Currently, I’m drinking hot cocoa. Why are you here? I thought we were meeting up later.
Bellamy: We still are. I thought I might as well run some errands beforehand. I’m here for coffee.
Dexter: Right. (He sighs) Vanessa, this is my brother, Bellamy.
Vanessa: Hey!
Dexter: This is Vanessa. We’re in the same literature class.
Bellamy: Pleasure to meet you.
Vanessa: Likewise.
Bellamy: I don’t remember seeing this place when Dexter moved into the dorms. How is it?
Vanessa: This is the first time we’re checking it out, but we’re definitely going to come back.
Bellamy: Great! I like knowing all the places my little brother might run off to.
Vanessa: If you come back here, you have to try their fruit tarts.
Bellamy: (He chuckles) I’ll keep in that in mind.
Dexter: You said you were running errands.
Bellamy: Right. I’ll just get some coffee to go. See you in a bit, Dex.
Sound Effect: Footsteps departing.
Dexter: (He sighs) Sorry about that.
Vanessa: About…what?
Dexter: My brother being…you know.
Vanessa: I…don’t know. But don’t worry about it. He seems alright.
Dexter: He’s so overbearing! It was his bright idea for me to stay close to home for college.
Vanessa: I mean, it must be nice being near your family.
Dexter: Yeah. I guess.
SETTING CHANGE: VANESSA’S APARTMENT
Sound Effect: A tape recorder clicks on. It whirs continuously
Vanessa: So, I had classical literature this morning, and the professor decided to hit the ground running with our homework. So I’ve set aside some time this weekend to get that done. (She pauses) Wait, I should use the checklist my specialist back home gave me for my diary log. (She sighs) Okay. Step one, assess mood. I’m…busy. I need to make sure I’m not overloading myself, but I should be fine. (She pauses) Step two, one difficult moment. Nothing’s really been hard so far. I’m allowed to pass on the steps, right? (She pauses) Step three, one moment of triumph. Dexter and I will went to this cool diner after class and I was able to focus entirely on our conversation. Like the other people’s thoughts were there, because they always are. But I really managed to block them out. It was nice. I had…fun. (She pauses) Actually, something did come through. I…I can’t spend too much time on that right now. I’ll unload all that tonight. (She pauses) Uh, step four, one goal or task for tomorrow. I should probably finish today before I work on tomorrow. My next class starts in a little bit, intro to economics. I’ll need to focus. Actually, I should try to get there early.
Sound Effect: A tape recorder clicks off.
Vanessa: Lucero? you here?
Lucero: Hey! how was your first day?
Vanessa: Good! Sorry, I didn’t hear you come home. I was doing my diary log.
Lucero: It’s all good. I was actually just getting my uniform before I head to work.
Sound Effect: Lucero stuffs their uniform into their backpack.
Vanessa: I have no idea how you do both school and work at a coffee shop.
Lucero: Well, I have to pay for school somehow.
Vanessa: …You know, my offer still stands.
Sound Effect: They drop their backpack.
Lucero: Not this again.
Vanessa: At least let me pay for your textbooks.
Lucero: You really don’t have to. As long as I can keep up my hours. I’ll be fine.
Vanessa: (She sighs) If you insist. But if you ever need help, you know I can-
Lucero: Drop it, Nessa.
Sound Effect: Their backpack rustles. A zipper is closed.
Lucero: I’ll see you later, okay? My shift’s starting soon.
Vanessa: When will you be back?
Lucero: Not until 10. I have a closing shift.
Vanessa: Aw, I was hoping we could grab dinner.
Lucero: Are you free tomorrow?
Vanessa: No. I’ve got classes and clubs all day tomorrow.
Lucero: Damn. (They pause) All right, we’ll figure this out later. I really have to go.
Vanessa: Have fun.
Sound Effect: Lucero walks away. They open, then close the front door.
SETTING CHANGE: A PARK
Sound Effect: Park ambiance fades in.
Dexter: How’d your errands go?
Bellamy: I picked up a new walker for grandma.
Dexter: How… How is she?
Bellamy: She’s having one of her good weeks. She mainly just watches game shows and tells me stories about dad.
Dexter: That’s good, if she’s holding steady conversations.
Bellamy: I’ve been thinking… maybe we should get her a home nurse attendant or something to look after her when I graduate.
Dexter: Is that what she wants, Bellamy?
Bellamy: I don’t think she’s in a place to decide things like that anymore. But I’m taking care of it. (He pauses) How’s your first week of college going?
Dexter: I had my first intro to animation class. We’re mainly learning the basics for the moment, but they have these top of the line computers in the lab. I can’t wait until I can start using them.
Bellamy: It sounds like you’re having fun already. Not too much fun, though, right?
Dexter: I haven’t even been here that long yet.
Bellamy: Dexter. I remember what freshman year can be like.
Dexter: You’re still in college!
Bellamy: I’m in my senior year! It’s different. The first time you’re away from home is full of…temptation.
Dexter: Gross.
Bellamy: I’m serious. The last thing I need is a call at three in the morning saying-
Dexter: No! No, no, stop. I don’t want to hear my big brother’s wild college stories! No, thank you.
Bellamy: Saying you’re hurt or in trouble or worse. Getting a call like that once in my life… was… it was-
Dexter: I know.
Bellamy: What’s wrong?
Dexter: I’m fine.
Bellamy: Are you getting enough sleep-?
Dexter: I said I’m fine!
Bellamy: All right then. Just… please be careful, okay?
Sound Effect: Park ambiance fades out.
SETTING CHANGE: VANESSA’S APARTMENT
Sound Effect: A phone call is made. The phone rings twice and is answered.
Vanessa: Buenos días, mami!
Emilia: ¿Dime, cómo va todo? How are classes going?
Vanessa: I had economics today.
Emilia: Que bueno, ¡pero dime más! Give me all the details!
Vanessa: (She laughs) Okay, okay! We didn’t go too in depth or anything, but the textbook has a lot of good industry concepts.
Emilia: Good, good, good! Once you graduate, we’ll get you all set up here.
Vanessa: Awesome. Is mom around?
Emilia: No. She’s making a chicken wing run during halftime.
Vanessa: ¡Dime que vamos ganando! What’s the score?
Emilia: Nil-nil so far, but there’s been five shots off the crossbar so far. I think mom had to go get some air just to calm down!
Vanessa: She’s that excited?
Emilia: Yeah, I knew we’d convert her over from Aussie football.
Vanessa: I managed to catch a few matches, but it’s not the same without you guys.
Emilia: I know. I’ll tell her you called.
Vanessa: I miss you. (She pauses) But I’m doing okay. Pretty good even.
Emilia: Ay, how did you know I was going to ask when I’m not there?
Vanessa: I know you, mami.
Emilia: So everything’s okay?
Vanessa: Sí, mami, I promise. (She pauses) I actually need to wrap up a few things before the day is over. I’ll talk to you soon. Good night. Love you.
Vanessa: (To herself) I’m glad they’re doing okay.
Sound Effect: A tape recorder clicks on. It whirs continuously
Vanessa: So, I finished my classes for the day. Econ is more about concepts and vocabulary than anything else. The class itself is a little more crowded than I like, but I can make it work. And I think I’ve got a solid outline for my classical essay. (She pauses) Right, I should finish up my checklist. Step four, goal or task for tomorrow. I should ask Lu when they’re free for brunch. I know our schedules are about to fill up fast, so we’ll have to work a little harder to hang out. I’m sure we’ll figure something out. As for what happened at the diner. (She pauses) I think Dexter would rather not talk about his family. No, no, there’s something specific he’s avoiding. I have no idea why because he also really loves his family. But the one clear thought I got from him was don’t talk about them anymore. It could get bad. Maybe they fought recently? But we ran into his brother and he didn’t seem mad. What doesn’t he want to…? (She pauses) No. It’s none of my business. (She pauses) If he ever wants to tell me about himself, he will. I can’t let myself slip like that. Again. I’ll have to start expanding my mental training. I might call my specialist back home at some point. (She pauses) I should go get ready for bed.
Sound Effect: A tape recorder clicks off.
