Shadows in the Smoke S1E46 - "What's Wrong With Hutch"

Shadows in the Smoke S1E46 – “What’s Wrong With Hutch”

Kim
Shadows in the Smoke is intended for mature audiences and may contain material that some people find disturbing. Please see the episode description for content warnings, and listen with care.

[Shadows in the Smoke theme]

Kim
Good evening, hunters. Today’s episode is a little unusual. We’re not beginning in the Day. We’re not even beginning in a true cycle of play. We’re having the holiday party that you all won as part of the Nutcracker threat.

Natalia
Party!

Cassandra and T.
Yay!

Kim
You deserve a little treat.

Natalia
Maesie gets absolutely hammered.

Cassandra
[Laughs] I’ve got the ambrosia for you, dog. Let’s drink.

Kim
Let’s be honest. Things have been pretty chaotic the last several cycles. I think we all need a moment just to relax. If it’s possible for hunters of Hargrave House to relax.

Tell me how it is you’ve decorated your home, as you await the arrival of your guests?

[Cheery Handel music]

T.
Hutchinson has strewn star-spangled bunting, as if it were the Fourth of July, all over the front porch of Hargrave House, and under every windowsill.

Natalia
Oh, god!

T.
So that the outside is a garish red, white, and blue.

Natalia
Maesie’s leaning into the human way of celebrating this season. So there’s a lot of tinsel. There’s… Somehow a Christmas tree has been brought into the house. Who knows where that came from?

T.
Oh, more than one.

Natalia
More than one!

T.
Birnam Wood is come to Dunsinane.

Natalia
One of them is covered in, like, seaweed and shells and whatnot. But that one is like up in the hallway next to her room. Just to keep, for her.

Cassandra
I love a themed tree.

Natalia
Mmhmm.

Robert
Rabbit has actually been away for a couple of days, since his encounter with the Coven. But as he gets back, he sees that the rest have started decorating the house, and joins in. And so, you know, starts doing garlands on the staircase and ribbon bows with dried orange slices and stuff like that tied to them, hanging all over.

Cassandra
Given what has transpired for Ena recently, and feeling a sense of detachment from humanity and human-ness. I don’t think Ena contributed anything to the decorations. I don’t think she could be bothered. And her contribution is several gorgeous crystal bottles of ambrosia, just scattered everywhere throughout the house. She wants folks to get drunk. That is her idea of a good time, at the moment. The rest of it? She can’t be bothered.

T.
I would like to posit that we flooded and froze the ballroom into an ice rink.

Natalia
Ooh!

Cassandra
Oh, that’s cute!

Natalia
I love it.

Cassandra
I like that. I’m gonna say, with that in mind… Ena is in the ballroom, and there is an open bottle of ambrosia on a bench. And she is athletically skating around this giant rink. It’s giving Olympics. It’s giving Alysa Liu. She’s out here.

Kim
It’s giving quad god.

Cassandra
It’s giving quad god!

Kim
The literal quad god. It’s Ena Thanero.

Cassandra
It’s me!

Kim
So let’s go ahead and read this reward. You’ve unlocked a scene in which the hunters host a Hargrave House holiday meal. The hunters may invite any guests they wish to appear. I the Mastermind is invited, they will bring a gift that counts as a Mastermind Clue. Each hunter may name one item in their Personal Quarters and give it to another hunter, who may add it to their Personal Quarters unmarked.

So, who all are we inviting to this Hargrave House holiday fete?

T.
I’ve invited Rebekka Salomon.

Kim
Lovely. She’ll definitely be in attendance.

Robert
I’ll be inviting Mistress Beaumont.

Kim
She’s not going to be able to go ice skating with you in the ballroom, considering that is still anathema to fae, but I’m sure there are other festivities to take part in.

Natalia
I would love to invite Beulah Thrum and Sacha Delov.

Cassandra
Aww!

Kim
I love that. Beulah could use a night out, honestly.

Natalia
I told Simon I would take care of her, so.

Kim
Miss Thanero?

Cassandra
Well, I sent an invitation to the Man in the Sun Mask.

[Otherworldly ambience]

Kim
And that invitation went unanswered. Point of order, actually. You have not seen the sun since your last Day Phase. It’s not perpetual night. It’s just been behind clouds, out of view, for the last several days.

Cassandra
In lieu of that, I think for my invite, I’m going to extend an invitation to Theodora.

Kim
She will be here. But, she will of course be fashionably late.

Cassandra
Typical.

Kim
Hunters. Your guests start arriving.

[The hum of a crowd. Cheerful Handel music]

Kim
They are all dressed in their finest for this holiday festivity. It is very rare to receive an invitation to Hargrave House. In fact, there are several people here that you don’t necessarily recall inviting.

T.
Oh, just like citizens? Just regular-ass Londoners?

Natalia
You star-spangled the whole goddamn house! What do you think is gonna happen?

T.
I think there’s going to be fireworks.

Kim
And soon your halls are filled with partygoers. Some you know well, and some you have only just met tonight.

I have a Paint the Scene, here. What here is imperfect, but entirely good?

Natalia
The idea of a perfect evening is one where nothing goes wrong. But in the dining room, a young man is pouring himself another glass of champagne and turns too quickly away from the table and bumps straight into another young man, spilling the champagne all over the front of his shirt. And yet, neither of them seems to mind about this chance encounter and mistake.

T.
It bears remarking that the setting, Hargrave House itself, is imperfect but entirely good. For although it houses ne’er-do-wells and things that could sometimes be described as creatures of darkness, its mission is for the safety of these people to whom its doors are finally open. And though the decorations are a hodgepodge of traditions and garish celebration, it is good.

Cassandra
To piggyback on that, I don’t think any holiday celebration is complete, in my personal experience, without a little family squabble.

T.
[Chuckles]

Cassandra
And I think we see a myriad of classes of people mixing together. And naturally, they’re not all going to see eye-to-eye. They have very different feelings about one another. But I think we see all of these people mingling together, and letting the conversations wander into that territory that can invoke arguments. But even though those arguments are happening, it’s still good that they are. Because maybe they can find a point of understanding.

Robert
And to sort of sum it all up, as Rabbit is reflecting on maybe the last holiday party he’ll spend at Hargrave House, he thinks about how this place has been not perfect. It’s definitely had its share of problems. But it was exactly what he needed, when he needed it.

Kim
The doors of Hargrave House are thrown open and a dozen exquisitely dressed and costumed individuals come in, led by Mistress Beaumont. All of them members of the fae that are returning to London, after Rabbit’s battle with the Coven. They immediately take up residence within the music room of Hargrave House.

[Magical, dreamlike ambience]

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
I’m glad that you could all make it. I’m more glad that there’s all of you here to make it, and a place for you to make it to.

Kim
Mistress Beaumont kisses your cheek.

Mistress Beaumont (Kim)
It is very good to be back in Londinium once again.

[Jaunty piano music fades in]

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Well, don’t get too used to it. You and I have somewhere else to be in the not-too-distant future.

Mistress Beaumont (Kim)
We do. I must squirrel you away, back to our home.

Kim
And she pats your hand.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
But one last party, here in the mortal world. One last celebration, at the height of our court’s power.

Mistress Beaumont (Kim)
I see you survived.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
I did. It was close, but I’m… I’m doing alright. I don’t know if you read the paper very much, but there’s an article in today’s that might be of interest to you.

Mistress Beaumont (Kim)
Oh?

Robert
Rabbit hands her a copy of The Telegraph, folded not to the front page, but several pages in, where a small article says, “Herne’s Oak at Frogmore House Struck by Freak Lightning Storm, Burned Down.”

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
A bit of an extracurricular I was on.

Mistress Beaumont (Kim)
I see. I trust you will tell me the significance of such an event?

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Oh yes, gladly. We’ll have plenty of times to swap stories on our travels.

Kim
I like to imagine there’s two pixies just going, like, ham on the piano right now.

Robert
Just bouncing up and down.

T.
They’re doing the Big scene.

Kim
Yeah. [Laughs]

Robert
Somewhere between the Big scene and the scene from Who Framed Roger Rabbit, with…

T.
The dueling pianos?

Robert
The dueling pianos, yeah.

Mistress Beaumont (Kim)
Will you miss London, when I take you away?

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
I suppose so. But you know, that’s part of life, isn’t it? Nothing stays the same forever. Change is inevitable. I figure in this instance, I’m better off leaning into it than trying to fight it.

[Jaunty classical music]

Kim
Miss Douglas. Sacha Delov is a gifted ballet dancer. But he is a god on the ice rink.

Natalia
Ooh! Yay! Oh my god, I love that so much. Maesie has never ice skated before in her life, so she is marveling at the way in which he moves and he glides across the ice. She is standing so precariously, hands, arms fully out and trying to keep her balance at this thing she’s never done.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Alright. Sacha, how do I move forward?

Sacha Delov (Kim)
You just, uh… Move your feet, miss.

Cassandra
I think Ena comes and does like a full circle around them and blows Maesie a little kiss and takes off on a jump

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Alright, we all get it! You’re good at sports!

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
I’m good at everything, darling.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
How’s the ballet going?

Natalia
She’s taking very cautious little slidey, short steps.

Sacha Delov (Kim)
It’s going quite well, miss. It’s been a bit of a, uh… restructuring period?

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Oh?

Sacha Delov (Kim)
That is what our new artistic director says. After your last performance, miss, we never saw Zelia Gagnon again.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Well, that’s odd. Um, perhaps she saw my talent and realized that I was the best she was ever going to teach.

Sacha Delov (Kim)
[Laughs] Or perhaps she saw me as lead mouse and thought that she could not do any better.

When you said you had a ballroom, I did not know it would be on ice.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Well it normally isn’t. This is a special occasion. We flooded it and froze it, just for this. Usually it is floor, and you can dance. This is a different kind of dance. So it’s technically still a ballroom, I suppose.

Sacha Delov (Kim)
It is very impressive.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Well thank you. I’m glad that you could come to Hargrave House. I told you that you were welcome anytime, so… Thanks for coming.

Kim
Miss Douglas, as you take a couple cautious skates forward and start to stumble, you are caught by Miss Beulah Thrum, who catches your hand and pulls you back to standing.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Beulah! I didn’t know you were here!

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
Well you did invite me, Miss Douglas.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Of course I knew you were coming, I just did not know that you were here yet, I suppose.

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
How very nice of all of Hargrave House to leave some ice skates. Had I known that skating would have been on the docket, I would have brought my own.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Why is everyone so adept at skating? Why?

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
It’s quite a fun thing to do when it’s cold out.

Kim
And she links her arm with you as she starts gently pulling you around the ballroom.

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
Also a nice way for us ladies to get close to someone, with a good excuse.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
[Chuckles] Is this your excuse to get close to me?

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
We are friends, are we not? I do not need an excuse to skate with a friend.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Very true.

Natalia
I pull her off to a corner of the ice where there are fewer people around.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
I have something I need to tell you, and it may sound odd.

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
Alright.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Do you believe in spirits?

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
Why, I believe so. I believe that there must be something of the soul, of the spirit, that is left after the body dies.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
I was visited by Simon.

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
Oh!

Kim
She says. And for the first time you see a little bit of her merriment crack.

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
Oh. How was he?

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
He was well. And he wished me to extend to you that he misses you very much. And he wanted me to make sure you were alright.

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
Oh… My Simon, still fussing about me. That is good.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
I’m sorry he was taken from you.

[Slow, unsettling ambience]

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
It was horrible. This beast coming out of the water. I’ve never seen anything like it. All of these tentacles, all of these… I don’t know. I’ve never seen such an animal like that.

Natalia
That tickles a spot in Maesie’s brain.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
I don’t mean to ask you to relive that moment. Did it look like a horse but very, very wrong?

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
Now that you mention it… I suppose so, yes. Though with eight legs.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
I have seen the same creature. It is truly monstrous.

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
It was! It was threatening to pull a young girl into the water. And then I came in to rescue her, and poor Simon got caught in the fray.

[Jaunty classical music fades back in]

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
I am so sorry. I truly, truly am. Let us not speak of it anymore, and let us enjoy today.

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
Yes. You are very wise, Miss Douglas. Thank you for telling me about my Simon.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
If you ever wish, I am practicing my skills of communing with the other world. I’m not very good at it, yet. So I haven’t learned to find exactly who I’m looking for. But if there’s ever a time that you wished to speak with Simon, I would be happy to try and assist.

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
Thank you, Miss Dougals. I think for right now, I would like to focus on present company, if I may.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Of course. And I would love to introduce you to a wonderful skater.

Natalia
And she pulls Beulah over to Sacha.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
You two skate so beautifully, so much better than I ever could. I have something I need to go take care of right away. But you two should have fun.

Natalia
Maesie leaves them. The smile on her face – that is genuine, for having brought together two of her friends – immediately melts away into just pure anger, at what she has just learned.

Kim
Mr. Hutchinson, where are you?

T.
Much like me, whenever my parents would throw holiday parties when I was a kid, Hutchinson is up in his room with a good book.

[Menacing ambient tones. A fire crackles]

T.
In this case, he is burning it. All of his books are assembled into a bonfire in the middle of his room, and the door of the cage has been laid over it as a grill. And he is cooking meat, letting the smoke go up to the parapets of the belltower.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Augustus. Beaufort. Hutchinson.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
[In a gruff voice] He’s not in right now.

T.
And the man that turns to look at you is still the body of Augustus Hutchinson, but it has been soiled. One eye is missing, and over it is tied the silk handkerchief that used to belong to his father. The other is affixed with Richard Harlowe’s monocle, in honor of the occasion. His suit is coated in brown, dried blood, and looks like it has not been removed in the weeks since last you saw him. He has grown a beard. He has not shaved at all. And has put on weight – a potbelly is beginning to push against the buttons of his coat.

And at the end of our last session, I was told to find a holy symbol of Moc’h? But we never established what it is. Affixed to his right arm, where once his hand was, is a flesh hook that has been tied there with cord.

Kim
Whoa! Whoa! Whoa. You cut off your arm?

T.
Just the hand.

Kim
[Quietly] Oh, Jesus Christ…

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
So we’re doing a costume party, are we? Well allow me to join in.

Natalia
Maesie’s eyes roll over black. Her claws sharpen, and her teeth start to elongate as well.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
So I’ve just learned some very pleasant news. That someone in this room, namely you, killed Simon Piedmont.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Name doesn’t ring a bell.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Allow me to remind you.

Natalia
Maesie steps up and just grabs him by the face.

T.
He wouldn’t allow that.

Natalia
Okay.

T.
As she comes up, he swings the hook at you, and assumes a defensive, animalistic position.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Ah! Other side of the flames, little one. Hutchinson feels that you oughta be protected, but I’m very hungry.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Yeah, that seems to be your M.O.

Simon Piedmont was a friend.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
You’ve had a lot of friends, haven’t ya? Keep an eye on them while you’ve still got them, because they are looking plump.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
What is happening to you?

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
My cork’s been un-stoppered. The man that I’ve been put inside can’t contain me anymore. The purpose is driving now, little sea pig.

Natalia
Maesie doesn’t say anything to that, cause this thing is not to be reasoned with. This thing is not her friend. And she leaves.

T.
He thunks the meat hook into a piece of… something. And lifts it up, and holds it to her.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Do you want a snack for the road?

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
I want nothing from you.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Happy Independence Day.

T.
He tears into it, and lets the blood soak down his beard.

Natalia
She goes. Namely to find Ena.

Kim
Where do we find Miss Thanero?

[The hum of a crowd. Jaunty music]

Cassandra
Ena has continued to skate for most of that interaction, I think. And having enjoyed a little dance with Sacha and Beulah after Maesie left, she’s sitting on a bench, removing the skates, and preparing to head to her quarters for an outfit change.

Kim
What were you wearing while skating? I feel like this is an occasion for multiple fit checks, over the course of this party.

Cassandra
I think so, too. As a hostess would, I think depending on at what point we are in the evening, she would absolutely change. I think while she was skating, she was very playfully wearing a silk green jumpsuit that was lined in white fur. And then, like, a fur hat as well. But definitely pants. Like… She would not skate in a skirt, because it would get in the way of the athleticism of what she’s trying to do. So it’s just this beautiful, very winter… Somewhat Christmas-coded outfit. And she’s removing her skates and preparing to head up and change. And I think that she would bump into Maesie, maybe in the hallway outside of her quarters.

[The music quiets]

Maesie
As she exits from Gus’s room, she drops back into looking like a normal person and not a weird, demonic sea-creature thing. And she bumps into Ena.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Have you already had too many, my darling?

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Uh, no. There’s… Something wrong with Hutch.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
What isn’t wrong with Hutch?

Cassandra
And she opens the door and gives Maesie like a little hand gesture to follow her into her rooms.

Natalia
As she closes the door behind her…

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Um, it’s… It’s not him. It’s whatever lives inside of him, is taking him over in his normal body. It’s never done that. And I don’t… I don’t know what to do. I know that you’ve had your issues, and I’m not asking you to forgive him, or anything. But I’m concerned that this thing will harm us, or someone else. And I can’t have that.

Cassandra
Ena starts stripping off this green jumpsuit. Very unceremoniously. She’s not being modest at all in front of Maesie period, right now.

Natalia
Maesie’s unfazed.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Well, I can tell you what it is here for, and it is here for me. So while the onus is on me to solve it, I am trying to find a way that doesn’t involve the complete destruction of the man housing whatever that is inside of him.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
I feel like you should come see it. I don’t know that this is a thing that we have time for.

Cassandra
Ena does not hurry in getting dressed. She walks to a wardrobe and pulls out a beautiful red velvet gown, done in the Grecian style. And it has one long sleeve, and then the other has a completely bare arm. And she just languidly puts it on and goes to the mirror, and…

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Ena, he has a beard!

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Darling, I think—

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
And a hook for a hand!

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Alright, Maesie. Alright. Alright.

Cassandra
She turns to Maesie, to do up the back of the dress.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Will you do me up, and then we can go?

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Yes, fine.

Natalia
Maesie starts buttoning up the back of the dress.

Cassandra
Now that Ena is redressed in this new red velvet gown, instead of going to the door, she goes to a side table and picks up two glasses, sets them down, and fills them with ambrosia and passes one to Maesie.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Here, little pearl. Take the edge off.

Cassandra
And Ena shoots it.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Go on! I’m not drinking alone!

Natalia
Maesie downs it too.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Alright. Let’s go see what’s wrong with Hutch.

Cassandra
And she goes to her door, flings it open, beckons Maesie out, and closes it. And ascends the landing to go and see what all the fuss is about with Hutch.

Kim
You smell it before you see it. All of this cooking meat on this book bonfire. And indeed, Mr. Augustus Hutchinson – or, the man that was Augustus Hutchinson.

[A fire crackles. Unsettling, monstrous ambience]

Cassandra
Ena takes it all in, for a moment. And within her, there is concern for what’s happening to him. But she’s still mad at the lie. At the withholding. And feels that this is a bit of just punishment, even though it is something that she’s likely going to have to deal with, sooner rather than alter.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
I thought only women went into hysterics when a beau scorned them.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Well if it isn’t the jammiest bit of jam at Hargrave House. I hardly call this hysterical. I think I’m finally giving into Hutchinson’s needs.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
You haven’t the slightest idea what he needs.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Oh, but I do. He’s screaming, right now. He needs you to go. I’ve wanted you for a long time. It was only his soul, kept me from chomping down on you. But you destroyed that. Left an empty vessel for me to fill. And as soon as the body matches the will…

T.
He licks his teeth.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
He’ll get his just desserts.

Cassandra
Ena looks this person, part-creature, up and down. Takes in all of the self-inflicted destruction.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
You might think you’re getting what you want. But at the end of the day, you’re just a puppet. Someone else pulling your strings. And once your purpose has been served, I can’t imagine you’re very long for this world.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
I don’t need to be. I don’t fear death. I am purpose. Everybody’s coming in here, bitching about fulfilling their needs. People hurdle around “puppet” like it’s some sort of insult. It’s comforting to know what you were puto n this earth to do. That fishmonger over there ached after that woman, and I helped her remove the only obstacle between her and what she wanted. Her heart’s desire’s downstairs. I can smell her. And ain’t no beau standing in her way.

T.
He walks along the other side of the fire, toward Ena.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
So why don’t you tell me what it is you want, and I’ll see if I can’t get it for you as a parting gift.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
There’s nothing that I want for you. I simply want your master.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
He’s coming. And he is gonna be coming hard, for you. [Chuckles]

But while we’re on the subject of gifts, there is one last little remnant old Gussy wanted you to have.

T.
And he kicks over the box.

Cassandra
Ena looks down at it.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
A token.

Cassandra
She reaches down and picks it up, and opens it.

T.
And inside, there is nothing.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
That’s what you made him into. And it’s all that you deserve.

T.
And the creature spits at you.

Cassandra
Normally, a slight like this would absolutely merit instant retribution. But given that we have a house full of… as you’ve been saying, Kim, looky-loos… Now is not the time. She reaches into a pocket and pulls out a lace handkerchief, and delicately starts to wipe the spit off of her face.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
You’ll pay for that.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
We’ll see. Hungry?

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
No. I’m quite full.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Me too. Do give my regards to your brother, when next time you see him.

Cassandra
Ena cocks her head at that, now catching on to a potential connection with where her brother might be, and also what has already happened to Simon. She’s starting to put the pieces together.

T.
The creature flips a steak.

Cassandra
She just looks at him, with a very masked expression. And turns back to Maesie, who’s been I assume standing int eh doorway?

Natalia
Yeah.

Cassandra
And she gives Maesie a look of understanding. Of not quite knowing at this particular moment how to solve this, but that it needs to be solved. And I think it’s a look that tells Maesie that Ena is going to need her help with this.

Natalia
Maesie grasps all of that, and gets that Ena is on the same page with her.

Cassandra
She looks back over her shoulder.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
I’ll leave you to your party. Do try and not terrorize the guests, though. They’re here for an enjoyable evening. Not a monster.

Cassandra
And she leaves and walks down the stairs.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Ena, wait!

Cassandra
She does not turn around.

Natalia
Maesie is still in the doorway, and hasn’t stopped looking at him. Is that really him?

T.
There is a moment where you see his eye changes. And then it flashes, just as quickly, back.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Sorry. Just a bit of indigestion.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
There’s no need to apologize. I know you don’t mean it. Hutch, we’ll come for you. Know that.

Natalia
And she turns and closes the door, and runs to her room to write out a sign that says, “Off limits, unless you really want to die” and just affixes that to Hutchinson’s door.

Kim
Mr. Hutchinson, were you giving the box that used to contain the heart of Ena’s lover to Miss Thanero?

T.
I was. But now it is just an empty box.

Kim
Please remove that from your Personal Quarters, T. And Miss Thanero, please add an empty box, sans heart, to your Personal Quarters.

[Jaunty, jangling piano]

Kim
Mr. Lloyd, I believe that even above the noise of the music room, as the fae are having quite the raucous sub-party within your party, you’re hearing the slamming of doors happening from upstairs in Hargrave House.

Robert
Rabbit makes his excuses to Miss Beaumont and delicately slides out of the room, not wanting to call too much attention to himself. Sort of slinking upstairs, to see if he can get eyes on what the issue is, and if it’s something he needs to worry about.

[Music fades away]

Kim
I like to think you come up to the landing right as Maesie has shut the door and is affixing the sign to the front of it.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Has he finally lost his fight, then?

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
It appears so, yeah. He still seems to be in there, at least. But I think the roles have reversed, and it’s keeping him inside, now.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
I can’t say I know exactly what he’s going through. Every face I ever wore was my own, but… It can be hard to keep control of something like that. And when you give up, that’s it. There’s no coming back. I think he’s all of a sudden become a much more pressing problem.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
You could say that. I really thought that you would be the first one to go.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
[Chuckles] Me too, to be perfectly honest. I’ll see what I can do.

[Magical, dreamlike ambience]

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
I think it’s about time I taught you one more useful bit of magic.

Robert
And with that, Rabbit is going to gather some of the items he would need to perform a binding ritual.

Natalia
Maesie comes along and assists.

Kim
What all is required?

Robert
Well given that this is technically falls under Rites of Salt and Smoke, a sacrifice is one thing that will be needed. But other than that, Rabbit takes a small bag of sand, draws a line in front of the door to Hutchinson’s room with it.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Sometimes if you really want the magic to work properly, it’s better to use your own blood.

Robert
And he hands a knife to Maesie.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Just a drop will do.

Natalia
She slices open her palm

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Whoa! Okay, okay, okay… squeeze it onto the sand. Onto the sand. Great, great…

Robert
Rabbit pulls her hand back and instantly pulls out a clean rag and bandages the hand up.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Don’t give too much of yourself if you don’t have to.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
You haven’t seen what’s in there.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
No, but I think this should hold him, at least for tonight.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Right.

Kim
So just a clarification question for all of us, here. I realize I did not have you roll Rites of Salt and Smoke. But still, what was the effect you were going for, Mr. Lloyd and Miss Douglas?

Robert
Trap a specific person or creature? And in this case, I’m not sure which of those I’m trapping, but…

Natalia
Creature. It’s a creature. I can confirm that.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
I have a little bit of a gift for you. Seems seasonably appropriate, and… Well, you know, I won’t have much use for it any more.

Robert
I am naming the last thing in my Witch’s Cupboard as Rabbit pulls out his carpetbag that he has carried with him this whole time, and hands it to Maesie.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
The woman who raised me, who taught me magic, who loved me, gave me this. I’ve always found that it’s had what I needed in it, when I needed it. And I hope it can be the same thing for you.

Robert
So if you would like to add Rabbit’s carpetbag of tricks to your Personal Quarters.

Natalia
Maesie takes the carpetbag. The smell of just old fabric is very comforting, and it reminds her of Rabbit. She’s like…

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
I have a gift for you. It’s not as nice as this, but please… Just come with me.

Natalia
She like drags you to her room, and she goes to her bookshelf and she takes her conch shell off the shelf, and gives it to you.

[Gentle ocean waves]

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
So it will sound like the ocean, anywhere, all the time. And, um… Sometimes when you’re gone, I’ll go and I will scream at the ocean, and maybe you’ll hear me. I don’t know how effective it’ll be at communication, but we can try.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Honestly, the way things work in the other realm? Maybe more effective than you think.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Good. I don’t… I don’t want to fully lose contact with you once you’re gone. I don’t know if I can write letters across… Wherever… I don’t understand exactly where you’re going, but I don’t know if they have mail men.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
There’ll be ways for you to contact me. Me contacting you might be a bit harder, but I’ll do my best.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Good. Okay. I need to not cry. It’s a party.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Yeah, no, we leave this nonsense up here and rejoin our guests downstairs, I think.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
I think so. You should get some of Ena’s ambrosia. It’s really good. I think there’s bottles of it around. I’m gonna go find one. I’m gonna go find one. I’ll be right back. No, I’m not. I’m not gonna be back. Leaving it up here. Okay, bye.

Natalia
She just takes off.

Kim
Miss Thanero, after leaving Augustus Hutchinson – or what was Augustus Hutchinson – where do we find you?

Cassandra
After that interaction, Ena went back into her rooms – first, to grab a couple of things. And one of those items is a gift for Mistress Beaumont. So she has that in hand, and heads to the music room to find Mistress Beaumont.

[A gentle Chopin nocturne]

Kim
You find her seated on a very plush chair, and enjoying this impromptu concert being performed by various members of the fae courts.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Well, isn’t this lovely?

Cassandra
And Ena crosses over and sits in a chair across from Mistress Beaumont.

Mistress Beaumont (Kim)
My kind have much to celebrate, as of late. It is our homecoming to London.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Well, we are certainly glad that you were able to rejoin us, unscathed.

Mistress Beaumont (Kim)
Whatever our Mr. Lloyd did, it seems to have worked.

Cassandra
Ena smiles a little bit, knowing her hand in that.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Yes. He is a man of many talents. And a great shot.

Mistress Beaumont (Kim)
Oh, yes. Very many talents…

Kim
She says, with a hint of a smile.

Cassandra
Ena smiles back, given that they had drunken breakup night not too long ago. She gets it. She knows what’s been going on.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Well I’ve brought you a little something.

Mistress Beaumont (Kim)
[Gasps] Look at you! It’s rare for a host to give a guest a gift, but… I will allow it. May I?

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Of course.

Cassandra
And she passes over a small box that is wrapped in cloth that looks like starlight.

Mistress Beaumont (Kim)
Very fine. I almost hate to tear it open.

Kim
But she does.

Cassandra
And inside there are two sets of needlepoint supplies, accompanied by a very intricate pattern.

Kim
Is the pattern the same on both hoops?

Cassandra
It is.

Kim
What is the pattern?

Cassandra
The pattern is a very intricate olive tree, with a spiderweb up in the branches.

Mistress Beaumont (Kim)
It’s lovely.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
I thought maybe, if you had time this evening, we could do a bit of it together. See how far each of us can get.

Kim
She has already threaded two needles, and hands you one of them.

Cassandra
Ena takes the proffered needle, grabs her own hoop, gives Miss Beaumont a wink, and starts sewing.

Kim
And I think that’s how you and Mistress Beaumont spend the better part of an hour, is just sitting and listening to music and quietly embroidering together. Not a contest, for once. Just an act between… dare I say, friends?

Cassandra
I think given everything that has transpired, that’s a fair statement.

Kim
I love that.

Some time passes. And Mr. Hutchinson, you hear a soft knock at your door.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
[In a British accent] Who is it?

Rebekka Salomon (Kim)
It’s Rebekka Salomon.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Oh hello, hello, you basket of oranges, you.

Rebekka Salomon (Kim)
I had heard that you were… indisposed.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Yes. I’m a bit poked up about it, but I believe I did overdo it powdering my hair this afternoon, and, well… I’m afraid I’m not feeling quite up to dick.

Rebekka Salomon (Kim)
I would come in, but it seems as though you are…

Kim
She gives a cautious look to the line of sand in front of your door.

Rebekka Salomon (Kim)
In for the night.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
The truth is, you see… That Miss Thanero and I had a damn good swine-up, and… Well, it seems she bound me here. That’s what I get for making baskets with powerful women. I’d backsling it, but I’m afraid I’ve only got the one door in and out. If you could do me a favor and just open it up for me, I’ll explain everything right away.

Kim
Rebekka Salomon, no stranger to the demonically possessed, does not move to break the line in front of your door.

T.
There is a push against it.

[Unsettling ambience]

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Hah… Come now, Becky dear.

Rebekka Salomon (Kim)
John. You don’t quite sound yourself.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Well I haven’t quite been feeling myself, but I figured in the spirit of this green and pleasant land in which I find myself, I might as well embrace the local customs.

Rebekka Salomon (Kim)
And who are you today, Mr. John?

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Well just that, aren’t I? Mr. John. I think that’s fairly appropriate. I’m afraid brandishing my Christian name, if you’ll forgive the expression, has earned me the attention of a Yankee bluebottle, and I’d just as soon return to anonymity. Thus the affectation of my dialect, and the return to an old name. I can explain everything. Just… Open up and, please, let’s have a drink about it.

Rebekka Salomon (Kim)
I don’t think I should, old friend.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Why’s that? You… You wouldn’t suspect your old friend Mr. John of holding a candle to the devil, would you? I’m not keeping kosher these days, but I assure you, I’m still my jolly old self.

Rebekka Salomon (Kim)
Oh, I’m sure. But perhaps it’s best that you lie down. Maybe we speak later. Perhaps tomorrow. It is a very lovely party. I’m sorry you’re missing it.

T.
There is the thunk of something metal into the wood frame of the door.

[Ambience gets more dangerous and threatening]

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
[In a monstrous voice] Open the door, you nickymeter, or I’ll eat your throat.

Rebekka Salomon (Kim)
I don’t think so, old friend.

Kim
And she lays a hand on the door, a bit sadly.

Rebekka Salomon (Kim)
You were making such progress.

Kim
And then she walks away.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
[Voice dissolving into growls] Rebekka! Becky! Becky! C’mere Salomon!

T.
And the door is wrenched aside. A hole torn in the door with a meat hook, and he presses his one good eye up to it, watching her go.

Kim
Some more time passes. The party rages on. Mr. Hutchinson just rages.

[Theodora Brathwaite’s theme]

Kim
When the front doors are opened by a man in sapphire blue livery. And crossing the threshold of Hargrave House is Mrs. Theodora Brathwaite, exquisitely dressed. Beautifully coiffed. And carrying several packages in her arms.

Cassandra
Ena has taken a small break from the needlepoint, opting to go around the party and play hostess for a moment. And I believe she’s talking to Merricat about refreshing the food table when Theodora and her henchman walk in.

Kim
Following behind her are several footmen, also in sapphire blue livery.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Well, I suppose someone decided to make an entrance.

Cassandra
And without welcoming her, she pours herself another cup of ambrosia.

Kim
Mrs. Brathwaite clocks the glass. Says nothing.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
I do believe it is important to make an entrance. What is the point of arriving at a party before anyone important sees you? Late is better.

Cassandra
Ena takes a sip of the ambrosia, and just chuckles to herself.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Well I suppose better late than never. Although never would have been a good option, too.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
And tell me, how many glasses of that have you drunk, our dear hostess?

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
As much as I please. It is my ambrosia.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
And where are the rest of your roommates?

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
My companions are out and about, enjoying the party. Entertaining our various guests, as good hosts do.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
I recall when I would have a fete every week at Brathwaite Hall. Truly, a wonderful time.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
It might have been a wonderful time for you. But I can’t imagine your guests wouldn’t grow bored of seeing the same location, week after week.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
You speak very boldly for one who has not yet secured an invitation to my verdant grounds. We should seek to remedy that, I think.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Don’t rush on my behalf. I feel like your parties are dreadfully beneath me.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
I’m entertaining the coterie of exotic guests. Some very, very old friends. I think they’d like you.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
I’m sure they would. What’s not to like?

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
Elmore? Hold my things. I have hunters to assemble.

Kim
And she hands her packages off to this aging, stooping butler, and starts busying herself about the party. She travels first to the ice rink in the ballroom, and sees Maesie Douglas, I think, back, skating with Beulah.

Natalia
A quite drunk Maesie Douglas. Skating better than before, weirdly enough. Cause at this point, she’s sort of… She’s picked up a little bit of the nuances of moving on ice, and doesn’t really care that she’s not very good at it, so… Weirdly, it is instilling her with confidence to skate better.

Kim
This time I think it’s Beulah who stumbles a little bit, at the sight of Theodora Brathwaite peering in the doorway.

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
Is that Theodora Brathwaite?

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
No! Why? Ugh…

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
Do you know her?

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
[Sighs] Sort of? She’s sort of… I mean, I’ve spoken with her on occasion. But it’s more of a friend of a friend. Ena really knows her. [Sighs] She’s dreadfully annoying.

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
She’s quite powerful. Quite wealthy.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Yeah.

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
Although I daresay not as wealthy as she wants to be? I don’t know. Her name came up a few season ago in the papers.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Yeah she’s had like a bunch of noblemen staying with her. We think they’re all vampires. I mean… We think they’re all…

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
Europeans?

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Yeah. That’s what I meant. So sorry. Slip of the tongue.

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
I must have missed those columns. No, the ones I was reading about were dreadfully dull. Something about her wanting to stop an import tax from being set, and manipulating Parliament to see that the vote would go her way. And then Queen Victoria meddling, and seeing to it that Mrs. Brathwaite didn’t get what she wanted.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
She’s always sticking her nose into other people’s business.

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
Oh dear, she is coming this way.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Oh, god, no! Oh, no…

Kim
Mrs. Brathwaite, walking on the ice, showing no difficulty in doing so, just strides over to you.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Good evening.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
Miss Douglas, don’t you look merry?

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Wish I could say the same to you.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
Pardon me, fair creature. I must borrow Miss Maesie Douglas.

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
Oh! Ah, yes. Of course. My name is Beulah. It’s so nice to meet you. I have heard wonderful stories about your parties over at Brathwaite—

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Beulah, stop talking.

Natalia
Maesie just shoves a bottle of ambrosia at her.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Go have this. Don’t give any to Sacha. He’s too young.

Beulah Thrum (Kim)
Alright, then.

Kim
And Beulah skates away, but is still looking at the two of you over her shoulder.

Natalia
Maesie skates to get off the ice, assuming Theodora is going to follow. And just starts looking for Ena.

Kim
Oh, yeah. Mrs. Brathwaite is just walking very steady, even strides with you across this ice.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
So were you invited, or do you just show up wherever you want to go?

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
Oh, I was quite invited. By Miss Thanero.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
[Sighs] Course she did.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
Please gather in the foyer. I have gifts for you all.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Lucky me!

Kim
Where does she find Mr. Lloyd?

Robert
After checking in on the fair folk in the music room, Morgan has stationed himself near the stairs. Deliberately trying not to look like he’s guarding the stairs, but being able to keep an eye on anyone trying to go up or down.

Kim
Mrs. Brathwaite joins you on the landing.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Hello. We seem to only run into each other at parties.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
Parties are the place to be seen.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Also in my experience, the place to see others. Was there something I could help you with?

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
Oh yes, Mr. Lloyd. You would help me very much by heading downstairs to the foyer. I’ve brought gifts for you all.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Well if you’ve brought me a gift, it would be rude of me not to give you something in return. Let me nip over to my room really quick, and I’ll meet you down there.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
I wouldn’t think so, Mr. Lloyd. Downstairs. Now.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Very well. I’d hate to be the one to breach etiquette, but it seems you’re more than happy to be that person.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
We are not in fairy, Mr. Lloyd, no matter how much you might wish it so.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Well, the rules of hospitality apply equally as much in this world. It’s just the, uh… the cost is a little less.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
Well, it seems as though I am missing one more hunter. Excuse me.

Kim
And she brushes past you and goes upstairs.

Robert
Morgan does a specific whistle, and Cait appears from nowhere and, with a nod of his head, Morgan directs him after her. And then heads downstairs.

Kim
Mr. Hutchinson, you hear someone ascending the stairs towards the rampart and parapets. And then you see, through the large hole you have made in your door, Mrs. Theodora Brathwaite.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
I’ve been waiting for you.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
Well don’t you look a pretty picture, Mr. Hutchinson?

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
I told Salomon, Hutchinson’s not here right now.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
Well whoever you are, your presence is requested downstairs.

Kim
And with a quick movement, she strikes the heel of her boot against the line of sand in front of your door.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Hmm. Well, looks like my ship’s come in.

T.
And he presses through the gap he has gashed in the door.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Ladies first.

Kim
Mrs. Brathwaite pauses for a moment, to appraise you. There’s a broad, wicked smile on her face. This has pleased her.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Do I got something on my cheek?

T.
I scratch at it with the hook.

Kim
Yes. You’ll do quite nicely. Quick! Downstairs with you.

T.
He smiles and lopes down the stairs.

Kim
Mrs. Brathwaite descends your grand staircase, very slowly. Like it is her own home.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Gods, can we hurry this up already?

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Ena, you invited her! And now she’s gone and let him out of the room… [Sighs] Why can nothing be simple?

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
Well, what a lovely fete. I must thank you, dear Ena, for inviting me.

Cassandra
Ena rolls her eyes.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Of course. We like seeing the highest among London society within these hallowed halls.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Then why is she here?

Cassandra
Ena just puts her hand over Maesie’s mouth.

Kim
As Mrs. Brathwaite reaches the foyer, she crosses to Elmore, this old, hunched butler, and plucks one gift from the top of the pile that he is holding. It is, of course, wrapped in the finest sapphire blue wrapping paper.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
What sort of guest would I be if I did not bring gifts to my most gracious hosts?

Kim
She crosses first to Miss Douglas.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
For you, child.

Natalia
Maesie holds it for a second, as if waiting for everyone to get their gifts first. And then goes…

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Oh, just me? Just me, open it now? Okay.

Natalia
And starts unwrapping it.

Kim
It’s a very small box. Inside is a spool of sparkling sapphire thread, and a very long, sharp needle.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
Thank you, um… Sewing is more Ena’s thing. But how would you know that?

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
I’ve heard that you need a bit of help to fix that tattered pelt of yours. I thought I would lend my assistance.

Natalia
Maesie picks up the needle and kind of just points it at her. Not threateningly close, but a little threatening.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
How did you hear that?

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
Child, I have eyes everywhere. Even beneath the waters. Of course, you don’t have to use my gift. But I do think it would be of use to you.

Miss Douglas (Natalia)
For some reason, it makes me feel like it would also be of use to you. Forgive me if I am skeptical.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
I think skepticism is healthy in a young girl. However, considering the help that you have relied on, what’s one more drop in the bucket?

Kim
She crosses next to Mr. Lloyd, and hands him a sapphire blue gift.

Robert
Morgan takes it and opens it up.

Kim
Mr. Lloyd, you and you alone would recognize this to be a bottle of exquisite fae wine, from the personal cellar of Queen Mab herself.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
You must have gone through great pains to get something as unique as this.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
You are a hard man to shop for, Mr. Lloyd.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Well as I said, it would be rude of me to take a gift and not give you one in return. Fortunately, I can only give you what I have on me at the moment.

Robert
And with that, Morgan pulls a candle out of his pocket. That, when he hands it to her, the wick bursts into flame.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
Whenever you hold this candle, it will be lit.

Robert
And I am giving up an item from my Personal Quarters. That is a candle that lights in the presence of evil. I believe Nat gave it to me when we were giving gifts in the very beginning.

Kim
What a throwback to our very first episode!

Natalia
Full circle, baby!

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
Charming. I thank you, Mr. Lloyd. And drink this in good health. It is so very fleeting.

Mr. Lloyd (Robert)
And may that candle light the way to wherever it is you’re going.

Kim
She crosses next to Augustus Hutchinson.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
I wonder, in your current state, if you will appreciate this gift. But, it seems rude to have you go empty-handed.

Kim
And she hands you a small box.

T.
Spears it with the hook.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Empty-handed? Me? Never.

T.
And with his free hand, tears off the wrapping.

Kim
As you spear the package with your hook, you hear a little tinkle of glass. And as you tear the paper away, you see that it is a framed photograph, the glass now shattered and cracked. The photograph is of a young woman. Looks to be about Maesie’s age. It is your daughter. Could you describe what she looks like?

T.
She has very sharp features. A pointed chin. Prominent cheekbones. There is a hardened, determined look in her eye. She has not been treated well by her grandparents. But she has her mother’s spirit, and is keeping her chin up to spite them. She’s of darker complexion – she’s mixed. Lean. And would be wearing poor clothing. Nothing fancy. But the maid’s uniform of a well-to-do house who still wants to show off their wealth, even if they don’t provide it to their help.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
Oh look, you broke it.

Mr. Hutchinson (T.)
Long time ago.

T.
And out of his one good eye, the creature… Hutchinson… whoever this is, begins streaming tears.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
And finally, for the fairest hostess.

Kim
She hands you a box.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
I had quite the find in the Americas. Found a veritable city of the stuff. I thought I could give you a small piece. Open it.

Cassandra
Ena looks at the box, and then looks back at Theodora and just holds eye contact as she slowly pulls the ribbon from the box and opens the lid.

Kim
Inside is a golden apple.

Cassandra
Ena finally looks down, sees what’s in the box. And giving nothing away, puts the lid back on it.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
My, my. What fine gifts you’ve given this evening. All of them extremely thoughtful. I’ve gotten something for you.

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
Oh?

Cassandra
Ena signals to Merricat to bring a beautiful mahogany box over to Theodora. And it is wrapped exquisitely in a sapphire ribbon.

Kim
Theodora pulls at the ribbon, and opens the box.

Cassandra
Inside, on a velvet blue cushion, is an hourglass, carved from polished olive wood and banded in silver. And below it in the box is a note that says, “ Time is not conquered, it is observed.”

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
I thank you, Miss Thanero. A good reminder. For others, perhaps.

Miss Thanero (Cassandra)
Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure about that.

Kim
She slams the box closed and hands it to Elmore.

I should note, hunters. The implication of the gift she gave to Miss Thanero is your Mastermind Clue: that Theodora Brathwaite has come into an incredible amount of gold.

Cassandra
Hmm…

Theodora Brathwaite (Kim)
It really is a very fine house.

Kim
She says, as she walks the perimeter of the foyer. Appraising it.

Kim
I will so hate to see it destroyed, but alas, such things must be done. Good night, hunters. I will be seeing you tomorrow.

[Shadows in the Smoke theme]

Kim
Shadows in the Smoke is a Kitten Marlowe production. This episode was edited and produced by Kim Dalton, and featured a theme song by Jake Pierle. You can find out more about us by visiting KittenMarlowe.com, signing up for our newsletter, or following us on socials. For Discord access, an exclusive behind-the-scenes show, and more, visit Patreon.com/KittenMarlowe and join sexy singles in your area, our Kitten Marlowe patrons, in supporting artist-driven storytelling. Thanks for listening.