Dare to journey into the shadowy recesses of the human psyche? We've got an episode that will keep you on the edge of your seat as we follow Mark, a brave soul grappling with recurring nightmares. In our conversation with the insightful Dr. Malkovich, we unearth the complexities of fear, illuminating its function as a survival tool, but also its potential to morph into a monstrous adversary. On his path to self-discovery, Mark courageously stands up to his school bully, wrestling with his nocturnal terrors, armed with nothing more than a comforting nightlight.
As we delve deeper, the plot thickens. Mark's dreams continue, trapping him in a chilling cycle of flight from a creature of horror. The suspense reaches a crescendo as he turns, finally facing his terror head-on, only to find a reflection of his own fears. This paradox leads him on a path to self-discovery, a journey we are privileged to share through the mesmerizing voice talents of Solmera Trujillo, Martin Miles, and Karen America. A special shout out to Darren America and Karen America for their invaluable input. Don't miss out on this compelling blend of suspense and psychology, an exploration of fear and how to conquer it.
Night Terror, episode 2, written and produced by Sean America.
Speaker 1:
The maniacal grin spread across Pan's features and Mark saw a vein of saliva leaking down his chin.
Speaker 4:
And how do you get a hold of that stuff? You can't stroll into the local Walmart and get explosives.
Speaker 2:
I'll just fly in and steal what I want Army surplus, construction depots, military complexes no big deal.
Speaker 1:
Mark laughed. The absurdity of his dream was too much.
Speaker 4:
You're asking me to raid military complexes, be a felon and co-conspirator in a crime spree Of course It'll be fun.
Speaker 2:
What's a?
Speaker 4:
fun. It's wrong, wrong, whatever do you mean, it's the wrong thing to do. Peter Pan, you're talking about murdering people.
Speaker 1:
I could never do that. Pan's countenance changed and his face grew ugly. He pounced on Mark with inhuman speed, pressing a hunter's knife at Mark's neck.
Speaker 2:
Listen, ponyboy, I ain't asking refuse me and I'll cut your mommy into pieces. Then I'll slash you up. Real good, we're going to do this and then I'll let you go. You can go back to your chummy little life, right?
Speaker 1:
Mark trembled in fear.
Speaker 4:
Looks like I don't have a choice.
Speaker 2:
No, no, you don't. I've got to get some things together. I'll be back next Saturday Midnight Be ready.
Speaker 1:
With that, Peter Pan flew out of the open window and disappeared into the night. The days following Peter Pan's arrival were abysmal. Mark spent half the time dreading the return of the knife-wheeling boy and half the time believing he was losing his grip on sanity. He asked Fran if he could stay home and after taking one look at his pallet and haunted expression, she nodded.
Speaker 4:
I am taking you to see Dr Malkovich. This has gone on too long. I can see he's eating you alive. Yes, I think I need that.
Speaker 1:
They scheduled an appointment with a psychiatrist. Mark and Fran stepped into the doctor's office waiting their turn. An assistant waved them in and Mark sat on the patient's chair. He reiterated his story of the tunnel with the cold light at the end, something horrific chasing him, practically breathing over his shoulder as to the pan apparition. Perhaps he'd get to that later, much later.
Speaker 4:
What kind of tunnel is it? Is it large? Is it subterranean? It is a kind of mountain tunnel, the kind you see on an interstate freeway. There are coal miner lamps along the walls providing illumination. And how does the tunnel make you feel? Is it safe place or a terrible one? It feels familiar, yet strange. If I could get far enough ahead ahead to the end I'd be safe. And what do you think you'll get when you get to the end of it? I don't know. I think the nightmare will end for good Interesting.
Speaker 4:
So you have a journey to make, something to overcome. Tell me, are there things in your life at school perhaps which frighten you or give you stress? The usual Rod Mackinley, the school bully. I've had a few encounters with him. And how did you resolve it? I fought back, I punched him in the eye, I got beat up, but I kicked him in the balls so hard that he now leaves me alone. Okay, so you're brave. That's one of your co-trades, mark. I see that in you.
Speaker 4:
I will tell you something, something I've learned from a lifetime of experience no one can get through this life without courage. We need courage because there are many real monsters out there Head-to-files murderers, grotesque souls, manipulators, toxic people. We need to face them, and face them with courage. I'm glad you punched that bully in the eye and kicked him in the nuts. It was the right thing to do. We have to stand up to bullies in this life or they'll run us over or, worse, destroy us. This is something we simply must do to stand up to them. Now back in the tunnel in your dream. Tunnels can mean many things. I could mean you are in the transition phase of your life. Have you ever looked back over your shoulder? Even a glimpse? No, never. Any inkling of what's behind you, something from your past, or fear of the future? No, I have no idea. All I feel is terror and dread. Let's explore those feelings. What you are afraid of? Fear, you see, is a useful emotion.
Speaker 4:
It keeps us from falling off a cliff, but it can get out of control and become an irrational beast of its own. We must put fear in its proper place. You see, it can rule over us. We have to conquer our fears, and I don't believe, mark, you'll do just that in time. Do you think you can come back next week?
Speaker 1:
Fran looked at Mark and they both looked at Dr Malcovic, nodding in agreement. Fran and Mark drove home. Dr Malkovich had suggested adding a nightlight to help with the night terrors, so they installed one near his nightstand. It was a replica of an old streetlight with a little terrier looking up. It made him feel better. It pushed away the shadows of the imagination. He crept up in his bed, turning on the nightstand lamp illuminating the room with its soft glow. Mark lay in his bed, thoughts running through his head watching the sun go down, the shadows of the late afternoon growing long. Mark read through the Wallace Stevens poem again.
Speaker 3:
Called the roller big cigars. The musker won and bid him whip in kitchen cups cork-y-pessin curds. Let the winches dawdle in such dress as they're used to wear and let the boys bring flowers. In last month's newspapers, let B be the final of C. The only Emperor is the Emperor of Ice Cream. Take from the dresser of the deal backing the three glass knobs that sheet on which she embroidered fan-tails once and spread it as to cover her face. If her horny feet protrude, they come to show how cold she is in dumb. Let the lamp affix its beam. The only Emperor is the Emperor of Ice Cream.
Speaker 1:
As Mark drifted off to sleep, he noted with some alarm it was Saturday again. He began to dream. He dreamt he was at his father's funeral. It was his turn to view the body. It was covered with a sheet. He slowly pulled it off, revealing badly burnt flesh, skull open. In a grin he gasped in silent terror, running out of the funeral parlor. But before he could leave he was stopped by a muscular man in a brown suit. Mark ran past the man, the ice-cream cone dropping to the floor. The sheet narrowed into the familiar tunnel
Speaker 1:
with the cold light. At the end he ran his neck chafing from the starch collar, horrible fear, lurching and building again Something black and terrible behind a lurching and terrible monster. A monster to end him Running in terror. A thought percolated from the depths of his brain Aren't you tired of running this endless running terror? Night after night after night. He was weary of it. Perhaps he could just stop, give up, give in to death, just stop running and turn around. Yes, he was tired, tired of running, stop and rest and let the monster finally take him. So we stopped and turned around In. The nameless thing lunged. He opened his eyes to see it. It was nothing like he expected. It was just himself, naked and shivering, pale and afraid, trembling in the cold night air. Do I look like that, he wondered. He took his dark suit coat and put it around the arms of this trembling self. The image looked at him and reached out, touching his hands, and it dissolved into nothing.
Speaker 3:
Night Terror Episode 2, starring Somera Trujillo as Peter Penn and Tinkerbell Martin Miles as Mark and Dr Malkovich Karen America as Fran. I would also like to thank Darren America, co-writer on this series. I'd like to thank Karen America, tech consultant on this series. I would like to thank all of you who participated in this series. Thanks to you all.