Leon Egan:

What you’re about to hear is a pilot episode from a fictional show, developed from characters and events in my book, Listen Closely. If you’d like to learn more about the book, check out the links in the show notes. But for now, enjoy the episode.

The Night Market Opening Theme (By AMC) begins

The Merchant:

(OVER INTRO MUSIC) Welcome, wanderer. I see you’ve travelled far, and it’s getting dark. But worry not, for you’ve stumbled upon The Night Market. What good timing! I have a pot of tea. Sit a while, have a cup, and let me show you the marvels I’ve collected. Rest, weary traveller, for tonight, the wonders of the world come to you.

Opening theme ends

[SFX: Tea pouring and some shuffling]

The Merchant:

You still look ill at ease, wanderer. Is it your first time here? Ah, how special. But no great surprise that you found us by accident. This market can be difficult to seek out. Possibly because those pesky restrictions of space and time are a little less restrictive here than they might otherwise be. Yes, we set up every night. And yes, here, every time. But no, here does not always stay in the same place. No need to puzzle about it. You’ll understand, eventually.

Have any of my wares piqued your interest? I see your gaze catching on… oh! You have fine taste! This is a valuable item indeed, perhaps the most valuable in my current collection. Beautiful gem, is it not? And its beauty is not even the most fascinating thing about it. How familiar are you with Queen Ava of this region? Ah no, of course, you’re only passing through. Well, she had quite a history – lovely woman, mind. I sold her a trinket once that spins straw into slightly heavier straw. Odd thing, come to think of it. Though not my place to judge.

Anyway, this gem, this was from her engagement ring. See the strange jagged edges of the stone? The way it seems almost to have grown around something that no longer exists? It was a beautiful piece, two shards of chaos, two rare gems, slotting together perfectly. This one was thrown away long ago. They say her Fiancée, Phoebe, disappeared. She came from nothing, see, and the royal court was none too pleased with Queen Ava’s choice of suitor. (BEAT, THEN MOURNFUL) It’s no difficult feat to discern what happened. Ava was never quite the same afterwards.

(PULLING THEMSELF TOGETHER) In her grief and heartbreak, Ava tore this stone from her ring, stood on the bridge on which she and Phoebe first met, and cast it into the river. She hoped some day it would make its way to her love, and in return, her love would make her way back home. Of course what happened instead is that, many years and several hands later, the stone has found its way here, into my collection. Perhaps by purchasing it, taking it out into the world again, you could renew Queen Ava’s hopes of it finding its true owner? (BEAT) No? A little too rich for your blood, I see. No, no, do not fret. I appreciate your candour, wanderer. And if I am to be perfectly honest, I agree. It is in the mundane we, as humans, find value. Or, mostly human in my case. Though we are not here to discuss my history.

Here, take a look at this. (BEAT) You seem confused. Yes, that is a car key. As in, an object one may use to unlock a car. No, you are not mistaken, look.

[SFX: Car key beeps, slight fabric movement]

(MUCH FURTHER AWAY) Mundane in form, though perhaps a little unusual in function.

[SFX: Car key beeps again, voice returns to original position]

This is an item I call the Tempered Transporter. Everyone dreams of teleportation, do they not? Almost a cliché, isn’t it. (MOCKING) If I had a superpower, it would be… teleportation. Fools. Such magic is too nuanced, too complex, to wield without decades of training. To close one’s eyes and appear thousands of miles away in an unknown location? No, too many have been lost far below the earth’s crust, or quite in the middle of stray objects they hadn’t been expecting. Nasty business.

This Tempered Transporter has its helpful limits. You may only teleport somewhere within your current line of sight. Ah, but you are so close-minded to look at me with such scepticism! It is worth more than you might think. All you need is a little… perspective. Think of the tallest building you can see from your home. Can you picture it in your mind? Good. Now imagine, if you were to suddenly be standing atop that building, what could you see from there? Where could you go?

Yes, I see you starting to understand. Modest, but useful, if only you are clever with it. I shall leave it here for now, allow you time to think it over.

Ahh, now this, wanderer, is an item I do not show to just anybody who passes through my market stall. This tin here contains something the original label called a Skin Thickening Agent. I’m not a fan of the name, myself. Takes a little of the magic out of it. I like to call it The New You. Careful! A little goes a long way, so be sure not to touch it until you are certain you would benefit from it.

Its purpose? Well, it is a shield, so to speak. Simply apply to the skin, and become someone new. Someone tougher, someone hidden. You’ll never have to face the world again, never have to be seen. Certainly never vulnerable. The best part? It absorbs quickly, and like a moisturiser that promises long-term hydration, can keep your true self disguised for up to forty-eight hours. It is only a thin layer, but even that between you and the world can make a big difference.

It comes in many varieties, too. Who would you like to present as? A calm and confident leader? A cheerful and enigmatic friend? Someone who has never once looked out into a group of people and felt a chasm between yourself and their strange, unknowable social order? You choose!

(PAUSE, THEN SOFTER) You seem interested, Wanderer. For perhaps the first time tonight, there is fire in your eyes. What is it about this item? What part of yourself do you wish to bury beneath a second, tougher skin? No, you do not have to tell me, I understand. But I also understand the yearning that pours from you. You want this. Maybe more than anything you’ve ever wanted. It’s heartbreaking to see.

(RETURNING A LITTLE TO THEIR PROFESSIONAL DETATCHMENT) This product, wanderer, is intended for brief and infrequent use. A job interview, perhaps. Or a first date. Not this. Not this deep, desperate desire I see in you to be somebody else, anybody else, for as close to forever as possible.

Exercise caution. When relied on for too long, the withdrawal can be quite severe. Your every nerve will feel exposed, if only emotionally speaking. The world will see you, right down to your core, and you will face it with nothing but the pulsing tender heartbeat through your own skin as protection. The world might not want to hurt you, but it could if it did. And that might be the most terrifying thing imaginable.

Yes, I’ve quite made up my mind. I cannot sell you this item, wanderer. No, I am sorry, but I cannot in good conscience allow you to disappear forever beneath this shield. It would protect you, yes. But what would be left to protect, when the person you are has been hidden for so long? No. It would not be kind to you. but perhaps an item you need will come my way soon.

(PAUSE, THEN SMALL LAUGH) Trust me, you will be back here again. You did not understand what I told you about those pesky limitations of time and space. You may not be returning here, but you will surely stumble upon this market again. And I will be waiting, your humble Merchant, ready with another pot of tea.

In the meantime, take the Tempered Transporter. Half price, as an apology. Now, those limitations of time and space will be a little less limiting for you, too.

[SFX: Car key beeps a few times, increasingly distant, continuing as The Merchant speaks]

(LAUGHING) Goodnight, wanderer! I’ll see you next time!

Closing theme begins

Leon:

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of The Night Market. It was written and produced by Leon Egan, and performed by Maggie Bain, who also plays Jude in the Listen Closely audiobook. Theme songs were created by AMC. All concepts and characters were inspired by the book Listen Closely by Leon Egan. Thank you for listening, and we’ll see you next time, Wanderer.

Closing theme ends