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Leanne:

Wasting Company Time presents Tell No Tales, season two. Episode Twelve: Reunion.

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FRANK

I’ll give you both some privacy.

LEO

Wait. (PAUSE) Will you, uh…

FRANK

I won’t go far.

LEO

That’s not what I was gonna… thank you.

FRANK

Of course. Just remember that—

LEO

I remember. You said he’ll feel himself slipping, are you sure?

FRANK

I am certain of it.

LEO

Okay. Okay, thank you.

[SFX: Footsteps, door closes]

[SFX: Recorder turns on]

LEO

(DEEP BREATH)

[SFX: Stasis capsule opens, whoosh as the spirit is released to the tether]

LEO

(GASPS, QUICKLY TURNS TO TEARS) Noah?

NOAH

Wh- Is that you Leo? Where the hell are we?

LEO

Uh, so…

NOAH

Oh god, what’d you do?

LEO

Nothing! You’re in a lab. My boss’s lab.

NOAH

Of course you work in a lab, little nerd.

LEO

Jesus, I’ve literally been tearing myself to shreds to speak to you again, and the first thing you do is call me a nerd?

NOAH

Gotta stay consistent. What do you mean you’ve been trying to speak to me?

LEO

What’s the last thing you remember?

NOAH

I er… I got sick again, right? I relapsed and then… shit. Yeah, no I remember. I died. And then I wasn’t like, dead dead anymore. I was back in mum and dad’s.

LEO

Yeah. Yeah, you were in our old room.

NOAH

Oh shit. I’m guessing mum didn’t like that. I told her the rosemaries weren’t doing her any good.

LEO

D’you mean.. rosaries?

NOAH

Jesus, you’ve literally been tearing yourself to shreds to speak to me again and the first thing you do is correct me?

LEO

(NOT THAT SORRY) Sorry! (PAUSE, THEN GENUINE) Sorry.

NOAH

Oh no, things must be dire. I don’t remember the last time you apologised that easily. So what happened? Why aren’t I still at home?

LEO

Like you said. Mum wanted you to move on. And I had connections at Better Place so… (CRYING) I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Noah. I didn’t want to. Mum was in pieces, I didn’t know what else to do, but I didn’t want to get rid of you.

NOAH

Woah, Leo. Chill. It’s okay. I’m fine, yeah? You did what you had to do. Mum’s not exactly the easiest person to argue with at the best of times. Remember when I told her I wanted Smash Mouth’s All Star as my funeral song?

LEO

(LAUGH-CRYING) Yeah, she didn’t do that. (PAUSE, THEN A LITTLE MEEK) I played it at the wake though.

NOAH

See? You’re fine. You compromised. I’m here now. I’m guessing you did some science shit to make this happen?

LEO

Kind of. Remember my boss at Better Place, Frank? I kinda sold my soul to him.

NOAH

Told you he was the devil. No mortal human irons their ties.

LEO

(LAUGHS) No, he’s… it’s actually a bit complicated, when it comes to him being mortal.

NOAH

Sorry, what now?

LEO

We don’t have even close to enough time. The thing is though, he’s not exactly good. It turns out he’s just been storing all the spirits Better Place removes. You included. I’m working for him on something, and in return, he’s been working on a way to let me speak to you. You’re tethered to that thing, for a bit.

NOAH

Oh, ok, I thought that was some kind of Roomba for nerds.

LEO

(LAUGHS, THEN FALLS SERIOUS) It’s not forever. We get maybe ten minutes, apparently. If you start feeling dizzy, or uncomfortable, please tell me. I have to put you back in the stasis capsule, at least for a while.

NOAH

Alright, sure, I’ll let you know. Is that where I’ve been?

LEO

Yeah, for a bit over a year now.

NOAH

Sick. In that little tube? Seems more you-sized than me-sized.

LEO

Can we not? With the height jokes?

NOAH

I’m sorry little man, I know you’ve been grieving and all that, but I’ve just been vibing, I forget we’re being all serious.

LEO

You don’t remember anything about being in the capsule?

NOAH

Not… especially. It’s a bit like… y’know when you’ve had a bad night’s sleep? And you wake up a few times, and you don’t really remember much of it, you’re just aware that it… it dragged on a bit. You didn’t just close your eyes and all of a sudden it’s morning. Like, I haven’t been wide awake and all on my own for a year, if that’s what you’re asking.

Last I remember, you came home from uni to visit me, things got a bit fuzzy, then I was in our room, then here. I feel like some time has passed between all that stuff, but I couldn’t tell you how much.

LEO

I… wasn’t in uni when you died.

NOAH

What do you mean? I relapsed, and you came home to visit. Mum said that you’d gotten time off uni.

LEO

Mum must’ve lied. I dropped out, when you first got sick. That’s why I was working at Better Place.

NOAH

What?! That was just a summer job, wasn’t it?

LEO

No? I- you really didn’t know about this?

NOAH

No! You went back though, didn’t you?

LEO

Uh. Not- not really. No.

NOAH

You dumb fuck! You were the smart one! You were going to get a degree, and a masters and a PhD and all that shit. What were you thinking?

LEO

I was grieving, Noah! I was… it messed me up. And then… I was just… I was stuck. I couldn’t- I was messed up, and I couldn’t get back to normal, it was too late. It was too late for me.

NOAH

You’re supposed to be the smart one, Leo. You know it’s never too late.

LEO

It is now. I’ve signed away my soul, remember? I almost turned it around, for a minute there. When mum asked me to remove your ghost. I started this whole self-righteous campaign. Rallying for ghost rights. I built this recorder, I fell down this rabbit hole. I was going to take Better Place down. And then I gave it all up. (VOICE BREAKING) Because I’m a mess, Noah. I’m a mess, and I’ve missed you. So much.

NOAH

(SOFTLY) Leo.

LEO

How am I supposed to be the smart one? How am I supposed to- (CRYING INCOHERENTLY, THEN PULLUNG THEMSELF TOGETHER) without my big brother, to talk some sense into me?

NOAH

I’m sorry. I didn’t realise it had been so hard on you.

LEO

In what world would it have been easy?

NOAH

I dunno. Just thought you’d kind of all… carry on.

LEO

Come on. You’re more important than that.

NOAH

Am I? I was a bit of a fuck up, wasn’t I?

LEO

In what sense? Because you got fired a few times? Because you didn’t do so well at school? How’s any of that going to make the people who love you love you any less?

NOAH

I suppose. Never looked at it that way.

LEO

Did you die believing that? Believing that none of us would care?

NOAH

Not that you wouldn’t care. More that you’d… you’d get over it. It was kind of comforting.

LEO

I mean, I’m never going to get over it, Noah. I’m… I’m not just sat at home all the time, if that’s what you mean, but this grief isn’t ever gonna go away, not completely.

NOAH

Can you tell me about your life, then? Just… humour me, okay? Tell me about it, so I know that you’re doing okay.

LEO

I mean… Riley started working at Better Place, remember them?

NOAH

Shit, yeah! They were a good egg, how are they doing?

LEO

Good!.. I think. We’re not in touch so often anymore. But I helped them get a job in research after they graduated.

NOAH

That makes so much sense. Didn’t they want to join the bizzies or something when they were little?

[Note: Bizzies is Scouse (Liverpudlian) slang for police.]

LEO

(LAUGHING) Yeah, I’d forgotten about that. Don’t worry, they grew out of that fairly quickly. I think it was you that explained the concept of ACAB to them when they were like, what, twelve?

NOAH

(SMUGLY) Yeah I did. Someone had to tell them.

LEO

Well, they used their research skills for good in the end, they were helping me find spirits to interview, when I was on that whole self-righteous tirade I mentioned.

NOAH

Not sure it sounds self-righteous to me. Just plain old righteous. So what, you and Matkins just team up against the Big Bad Corporation?

LEO

Yeah, er… us and… (MUTTERED) Julia.

NOAH

(EXCITEDLY) Aaah, you’re holding out on me! Who’s Julia?

LEO

She’s- she’s a friend.

NOAH

Oh my god you love her.

LEO

I do not, she’s… I mean yes she is… (MUTTERED) legitimately the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met, (NORMAL VOLUME) but we’re-

NOAH

She smart?

LEO

Very. She’s trying to get her PhD in Paranormal Theology.

NOAH

Ohhhhh you’re fucked (LAUGHS).

LEO

I’m- I’ve been- it’s fine, she’s not speaking to me anyway.

NOAH

(EXASPERATED) What did you do?

LEO

Why’d you assume it’s something I did?

NOAH

Leo. Show me a social skill. Show me a single social skill you possess, and I’ll apologise wholeheartedly.

LEO

Well that’s just rude, actually.

NOAH

It’s rude ’cause it’s true.

LEO

It’s… not untrue.

NOAH

So what actually happened? You said the same about Matkins, why aren’t you in touch with either of them?

LEO

I didn’t want to drag them down with me.

NOAH

Drag them down into what?

LEO

The whole selling my soul thing. I signed a new contract with Frank, and I’ve had to kind of isolate myself to do it. But it’s not all bad. I get to help people. I made this recorder, the reason I can speak to you, I did that, without any formal qualifications. Every day I help spirits and I help their families hear from them again. It’s not all bad.

NOAH

Has anyone been helping you?

LEO

(PAUSE) Frank has. He put a lot of work into this tether. And… yknow, he’s… odd. He’s got even less social skills than me, but he’s trying, I think. He told me, recently, that… he cares about me.

NOAH

Jesus, forgotten about the gorgeous smart girl already?

LEO

Eurgh, n- no, gross, it’s… more paternal. He’s… he’s been looking out for me. That’s what you asked, if anyone’s helping me, and he is.

NOAH

Kinda like an older brother?

LEO

Kinda. A much, much older brother.

NOAH

Alright. Well, as long as you’re not alone.

LEO

No. I’m- I get lonely, sometimes. But I’m not alone.

NOAH

(PAUSE) So, weird question.

LEO

Oh god.

NOAH

What happened to your accent?

LEO

(SLIGHTLY MORE SCOUSE, AS IF THAT’S GOING TO HELP) What?

NOAH

You sound like a massive wool.

[Note: A wool (short for woolyback) is someone from just outside of Liverpool. Tends to imply poshness, or someone who isn’t a ‘real Scouser’]

LEO

Well that’s just not fair.

NOAH

Why isn’t it fair? It’s true.

LEO

Because I’ve lived in London for like, ten years, of course it’s going to fade a bit.

NOAH

Well maybe you should visit mum and dad more often then.

LEO

Mum and dad are… you dying didn’t exactly help my relationship them.

NOAH

Well, suck it up, me dying didn’t exactly help my relationship with mum and dad either, but I’d still visit, if I could. If they’d let me.

LEO

I think mum could come around. If… (GETTING EXCITED) if- if we improve the tether, help you lead a life with it.

NOAH

Leo…

LEO

(FAR TOO EXCITED) No I’m serious, I can talk to her! I really think there’s a chance here to have you back, properly! To- to be a-

NOAH

(OVERLAPPING) No, Leo, I’m getting dizzy. I feel… fuzzy.

LEO

Oh. Uh… you’ve- you’ve gotta go back. I’ve gotta-

NOAH

Wait a second.

LEO

No, I don’t want to, but if something happens-

NOAH

Just wait a second, Leo. Tell me you’re okay, before you go.

LEO

(UNCONVINCINGLY) I- I’m fine.

NOAH

With feeling. I need to know you’re not letting your life go to shit because of me.

LEO

(STILL UNCONVINCING) I’m not. (MORE DETERMINED) I’m not. I’m doing something important.

NOAH

You happy though?

LEO

Ask me again, next time we speak. I’m trying.

NOAH

Alright, I’ll take it. Fuck, I’m gonna have to, because I feel… bad.

LEO

I’m going to put you back. I- I’ll see you soon though, okay? I’ll- (CRYING)

NOAH

Yeah, I’ll see you soon, Leo.

[SFX: Noah is returned to the capsule. Long pause, Leo turns the recorder off, then begins sobbing. They kick a chair over, and after a moment, throw something that lands with a crash, breaking down in tears.]

LEO

Fuck!

[SFX: Door opens]

FRANK

Leonardo?

LEO

(FURIOUS) Fuck you, Frank. Fuck you. (PAUSE) My brother died and I grieved and now… (LONG PAUSE, THEN STRUGGLING TO GET THE WORDS OUT) I did this all for him. I did it for him. And now look at us, we’re both just trapped here. We’re both just… (CRYING INCOHERENTLY)

[SFX: Footsteps as Frank approaches, and reaches out to hold Leo. There is a small scuffle as Leo fights him]

LEO

(WEAKLY) Fuck you, Frank.

[SFX: Thud as Leo hits out ineffectually]

FRANK

(SOFTLY) I know, Leo. I know

[SFX: More thuds from Leo, but weaker this time]

LEO

We’re both just…

FRANK

I know.

[SFX: Leo holds Frank back, crying becomes muffled]

FRANK

I will continue to be here, Leonardo. Do not think that I am afraid to comfort you in these moments. But it isn’t me that you want comfort from, we both know that.

LEO

I can’t-

FRANK

Call your friends, Leo. Call them, or I will.

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Leanne:

This episode of Tell No Tales was written and produced by Leanne Egan. In it, you heard the voices of Leanne Egan as Leo, Asher Amor-Train as Frank, and Kristian Lawrence as Noah. Thank you to everyone who contributed to our season two crowdfund, but with special thanks again to our backers at the Rogue Employee Tier and above: Rowan Odom, Melvis Mystery, Percy, Angela Egan, Citrus Jr., Johann Kingsley, Sue R, Ivan Heneghan, getsuandhoshi, Rebekah B, and Josie Thomas, for your incredibly generous support of this season. Tell No Tales is distributed by Wasting Company Time Productions, under a Creative Commons attribution non-commercial share-alike 4.0 international license. Thank you for listening, and remember: the dead don’t bite.

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