Episode 2.04.5 transcript - “You’re untameable”

ADAM RAYMONDA: Windfall is intended for a mature audiences, see our show notes for more information. Listener discretion is advised.

[MUSIC: Windfall Theme starts]

[SFX: A wooden desk creaks under the weight of a younger Argus, who stands on it. Cupboard doors open and things are moved around. After a few moments, the door closes and he climbs down, opening a drawer in the desks and rifling through papers in it.]

VERN: (from the other room) Argus? Where are you?

ARGUS: (shouting) I'm back here!

[SFX: Still rustling through the desk, Argus finds a notebook and pulls it out from the pile. He flicks through the pages and pulls an old chair back, sitting down.]

VERN: (APPROACHING) What have you gotten yourself into now? You better not be making a mess of my things.

ARGUS: I was just looking for mom's journal.

[SFX: Vern enters through the door from the shop and approaches.]

VERN: And why would you need a thing like that on a day like today? We've got customers out there kid, I might need your help.

ARGUS: It's for school. Isn't Cas out there with you? Are you sure you need me? This is really important.

VERN You're my number one charmer, little man! Besides, are we talking about the same Cas here? You and I both know he scares people away.

ARGUS: (LAUGHING) You're right.

[SFX: Vern takes a step forward and tries to grab the journal back from him, but Argus grabs onto it, struggling.]

ARGUS: But Vern, I need it!

VERN: It's best not to dredge up the past, Argus. This journal's not going to do anything but get you in trouble.

ARGUS: We were learning about the history of the towers today and Mr. Shimko was lying to us. He said that all the builders were volunteers from around the city who loved Queen Wanda, and that isn't true!

VERN: (sighing) No, it isn't. But your mother's account isn't going to convince him otherwise. Your teacher isn't from around here, kid.

ARGUS: What does that have to do with anything?

VERN: Well, he's a Wanda-fearing man sent by the Wolfpac to tame a wild beast like you. But I know a secret.

ARGUS: Oh yeah?

VERN: (whispering) You're untamable.

[SFX: Argus laughs. At this moment, Vern gently takes the journal away and puts it back in the drawer in front of him.]

ARGUS: You always say that.

VERN: Now, I need you to promise me something.

ARGUS: Maybe.

VERN: I will let you have this journal, whenever you want. I will answer whatever questions you have, but you have to keep anything I tell you to yourself.

ARGUS: Why, though? Why can't we learn about the truth in school?

VERN: Because history is taught by the people who won, Argus. Not the people who fought.

ARGUS: That's stupid.

VERN: I know it is, but you have to go to school and listen to whatever Mr. Shimko tells you.

ARGUS: Mom and Dad and the people like them -- they weren't given fancy apartments in the towers that they built, and I get so mad when he says otherwise.

VERN: You know that, and I know that.

ARGUS: Okay, I promise.

VERN: Good, now let's get back to the shop. I left Shaima and Cas out there all by themselves and they're hopeless without us.

[SFX: Vern starts to leave.]

ARGUS: Vern, how did mom and dad die?

VERN: (stopping, letting out a deep breath) This isn't the time or the place for that conversation, buddy.

ARGUS: But you just said you'd tell me anything I wanted to know!

VERN: All you have to know about your mother and father is that they were strong-willed, good people. They loved Windfall and the people in it, and they wanted nothing more than to keep this city safe for everyone.

ARGUS: And that got them into trouble with the Wolfpac?

VERN: Yeah, something like that.

ARGUS: So, how come you didn't get into trouble with the Wolfpac? You didn't help them try to protect our people?

VERN: (soft, but serious) Because, Argus. Unlike your mother, and your father, and now you -- I knew how to keep my head down and not ask the kind of questions that would get me killed. And if you want to survive for as long as I have, you'd best learn to do that too.

[SFX: Before Argus can respond, Vern walks out of the room, closing the door behind him. After a moment of silence, Argus reopens the drawer and pulled out the journal again. As the pages flip, we hear him turn over in his sleep, shuffling. Oz sits up beside him.]

OZ: Still can’t sleep?

ARGUS: (deep breath) No, I can’t stop thinking about my Uncle Vern. Or what he’d think about what we’re about to do tomorrow.

OZ: Vern is a pious man?

ARGUS: (an earnest laugh) No, it’s definitely not that. Wanda’s name has always been a curse in our household… but he’s always taught me to keep a low profile. To not make waves around the neighborhood, and to always wear a smile on my face, even if the person talking to me is saying something stupid, or cruel, or wrong. Said that’s how he’s been able to keep his head on his shoulders after… well after my parents couldn’t.

OZ: No one person can ever truly tell you what is right, but I’ve seen you, day in and day out, at this camp. You’re the kind of Proximan who understands how to walk a delicate tightrope. You’re always the first to share your meager rations with a sick fellow prisoner, while simultaneously shouldering the extra burden of their work when the guards come by to assess our progress. You simply can’t turn a blind eye. You won’t.

ARGUS: I know. I’m not going to, my friend. My resolve is as strong as ever, even if my nerves are still a bit shot. I just can’t help but imagine what he’d say to me right now. Whether he’d try to convince me that I’m making the wrong choice, or if I could maybe, finally, help him understand that my mom and pop? They’d made the right one. And that now’s his chance to do the same thing.

OZ: Has there ever been a part of him that’s regretted not taking up arms with them, all those years ago?

ARGUS: Never once. He isn’t the kind of man who likes to look backwards. Every day we spent together has always been a gift to him, and he always made sure we knew it. I really admire that about him. He’s a strong man, and a good natured one. Even if he loses his temper once in a while, when a salvage job isn’t going quite like he’d hoped. He’s never shown me anything but the utmost love and support.

OZ: I can already tell that he’s a good man. He must be, anyway, since he raised someone as generous and strong as you.

ARGUS: I don’t know about all of that…

OZ: I’m serious. You may have doubts about what he’d think of all this, but you wouldn’t be the man you are today without his care and influence. I can’t help but think that, deep down, he’d understand the choice you’re making. And that he’d be willing enough to at least hear you out, even if he didn’t.

ARGUS: I hope you’re right. Because if this goes the way I hope it does, I think our fight will only be just beginning. And I may need him yet.

OZ: I’m afraid you’re right. It sounds, to me, like the two of you will have a lot to talk about. Once we get out of here. About what we can do next.

ARGUS: Yeah, I guess we do…

ADAM RAYMONDA: Windfall is a Rogue Dialogue production. This episode was written and directed by Bob Raymonda.

Here’s our cast in order of appearance:
Marcus Xavier Stewart … Argus
Bob Frame … Uncle Vern
Alexander Danner … Oz

Dialogue editing by Bob Raymonda.

Sound design, mix, and score by me, Adam Raymonda.

Our logo is by Sam Twardy.

Episode 5 will be out in just a few short days, but in the meantime, we hope you’ve enjoyed our first bonus release of the season! We were so excited for the chance to get back in the booth with our friend Bob Frame, whose Uncle Vern died toward the end of season one. In other news, our sister show Forgive Me! Is crowdfunding! We’re looking to produce our fourth season, and are really thrilled with how these scripts are coming out. Check out the link in the show notes to help us bring it to life!

If you enjoyed our show, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

That’s all for now, but listeners, don’t forget to ask yourselves: What Would Wanda do?