Episode 11: The Other Side

A familiar scene, from a very different place.

The Greatest Matter was written & directed by Conor Reid

It was Recorded at The Podcast Studios, Dublin and produced by Hilary Barry

Editing, Sound Design, and Original Music by Conor Reid

The show is a HeadStuff Podcast. For more on the network, all the great shows, and details on how you can support the podcast, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com

CAST

Dramaturgy & Script Support from Peter Dunne

Artwork & Design by Matt Mahon

Marketing & Promotional Support from Claudia Grandez & Hilary Barry

Transcript: The Other Side

HENRIETTA:        Eve,I need to contact Margaret. I’m running out of time.

EVE:                       You have departed the world of time, Henrietta. This plane is beyond the temporal. You are beyond the temporal.

HENRIETTA:        I know but I… you can cross back to the living, how do you…

EVE:                       Henrietta. There are no terrestrial restraints. No temporal or spatial boundaries here. We can assist the living, we can communicate across the plane. But you must learn to disconnect from the world of the living, in order to reconnect. You are not of that world any more. Your daughter needs you, you say. Then communicate with her!

HENRIETTA:        How?You are going to communicate with this Beatrice Scott medium. The Italian professor is there! Talk to him, tell him to help Margaret, she’s in danger! She’s…

EVE:                       (annoyed, heavy effect on voice)No!

HENRIETTA:        (upset)Why?

EVE:                       Because that’s not how this world functions, Henrietta. You will develop, you will continue your evolution along this great path. And you will re-learn the boundaries of the temporal, the spatial, and the physical.

HENRIETTA:        (upset) I…I just…

EVE:                       Speak to him, this Professor. Speak to him in Italian.

HENRIETTA:        I don’t speak Italian!

EVE:                       (slight sigh)This is precisely what I’m attempting to convey, Henrietta. This is what you have consistently failed to appreciate. You are beyond language. We are all languages [“all languages” in several languages layered behind her – tutte le lingue, toutes les langues, gach teanga, todos los idiomas, etc]

HENRIETTA:        I know, I…

EVE:                       So try. Now… they are here. Can you feel the connection growing, the uprush of the subliminal? Listen

[We hear the earlier séance scene, muffled, heard as if through a wall and from a slight distance.

BEATRICE:           I can feel something…Yes….Yes, she’s coming

[FX: strong gust of wind. Creak, window bangs shut. Whispering of multiple voices layered over each other rises in volume]

Guests are excited: She’s here! Eve is here!

                                (Beatrice’s voice has changed [effect] and she is now speaking as the spirit guide “Eve”)

EVE:                       (to Henrietta) Ah,the connection has been made.

(to séance) Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. You’ve called me back once more from the other side?

CAREY:                 Eve, so nice to hear your voice again. You have met everyone here, except for our special guest, Professor Lombroso.

We would love to show him what you are capable of. Last month you were so kindly able to assist us in speaking to the spirit of Patricia’s mother. She would love to speak to her mother again if you could…

EVE:                       Yes, of course. Let me see what I can do. I cannot guarantee it but… 

                                (to Henrietta, whispered) Now, Henrietta, observe how I develop the connection with Patrick’s mother.

[FX: More hushed chatter, etc before a hum starts to build. It gets louder and multiple voices are heard before resolving into an elderly voice]

VOICE:                  (to Eve) Are they here, Eve? Patrick? Is that you, dear?

PATRICIA:            Mam?! Mam, yes it’s me!

VOICE:                  OhPatrick, my dear, how are you? How’s your sister?

PATRICIA:            We’re good, all good. It’s so wonderful to hear your voice again.

VOICE:,                 Patrick? I can’t hear you, what’s… Patrick?

PATRICIA:            Yes? Can you hear me, mam? (worried, to others) What’s happening?    

HENRIETTA:        Aiutila! Professore! Professore, può aiutarla! (to self) How did I do…that?

B. (HERSELF):     What’s happening? Did you contact Eve? I can’t feel her anymore, is…aah!

EVE:                       No, I’m here, I’m here but I can’t seem to….

HENRIETTA:        Gretta! Può aiutarla!

B. (herself):        Stop! What’s happening? What’s…(screams)!

                                [Sound of glass breaking. Bang. Photographer exclaims: “My camera!”]

Several guests gasp, chatter, “oh my god, what’s going on?”, etc” ]

[FX: Sounds fade out]

HENRIETTA:        I did it!

EVE:                       Henrietta, I can’t say I appreciate you disrupting my communications with the living, and breaking a connection with another spirit. But I will admit, I am impressed. You are finally developing your abilities.

HENRIETTA:        I wanted to say more to the Professor, I had only begun, what happened?!

EVE:                       Your methods are still a little crude, but we’ll get there. Now let us begin another lesson, shall we? You have so much more to learn.