Don't Mind | Sealskin Rock | Ep. 9

Welcome, listeners.

I'm KA Stats, the writer and creator of Don't Mind.

This is the penultimate episode of Don't Mind Seal Skinrock, and I am so thankful you have come to spend this time with our story.

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My name is Troy the Valley, and I'm the host of the Glass Cannon Podcast.

This is a podcast where my friends and I sit around and play role-playing games and record it.

Through improvisation, using comedy and drama, we take the rules of whatever game we're playing and we turn it into appointment television.

It truly is infectious fun.

We travel the whole country playing rock clubs, turning games like this into a spectator sport.

So please check it out, the Glass Cannon podcast.

If you want some joy in your life, give it a listen.

Previously on Don't Mind Sealskin Rock.

Morning in the Groat Chateau brought more questions as Melody interrogated her father about the silver.

He admitted that he and Ian had found more, a lot more, and there was a lot of work to do.

Later, when Melody went downstairs, she picked up a call that solidified her suspicions about the chateau's caretaker.

Deciding to explore the East Tower Room against Julia's wishes, Melody found the room littered with the corpses of half-consumed bats.

When she went to the basement to confront her father about leaving the chateau, she found him and Ian working vigorously with bloodied hands to remove silver from the intricate patterns in the rock.

Scared of their eerie fanaticism and shocked by Julia's screams from above, Melody rushed upstairs to find Maxine.

Terrified, the sisters locked themselves away and promised to leave Sealskin Rock the following morning once a boat arrived.

Don't mind.

Sealskin rock.

Mel?

Yeah?

Oh, hey, hey, you'll be okay.

We're leaving first thing tomorrow morning.

As soon as Mr.

Lucas gets here, here.

If you go back to sleep, you won't even notice the time go by.

I'll stay up.

Don't worry.

But what about Dad?

Don't worry, I'll talk to him.

And if he doesn't come with us back to shore, we just won't go far.

We'll sleep in the truck or ask Mr.

Lucas if we can crouch on a sofa for a few days.

Dad can come with us when he's done.

When he's feeling better.

Earlier, what were those sounds?

The grinding noises,

Dad.

Dad and Ian were working nearby, cutting into the walls.

They were cutting through the plaster, wood, and metal.

The metal made that grinding sound.

Through pipes or something?

Yeah, or something.

They finished about an hour ago, but they're still working somewhere downstairs.

I bet the basement.

Thank you, Melody.

Thank you, Max.

My life would be crap without you.

Sane.

I just want to be...

not here.

We...

This...

We'll find someplace.

A real home, alright?

The apartment in Hamilton?

We were there for months.

I had friends there.

I know, but no.

That motel wasn't home.

None of them were.

We'll find a real place, and we'll make it ours, with marshmallow-scented everything, and fresh pancakes on Sundays.

Why?

Why can't we have that now?

Why couldn't we have any of that before?

Because the world is just the shit we fight against.

You know this.

And the world didn't know what it was getting into when it picked a fight with the Morris girls.

Pancakes every Sunday?

With strawberries.

Blueberries.

With blueberries and strawberries.

I had a nightmare.

Makes sense.

We're stressed.

I have nightmares when I get stressed.

Truth, I have nightmares a lot.

Is that why you were crying?

That's fine.

I hate nightmares.

They make me cry too.

It was the same as before, but worse.

You've had this one before.

Wanna tell me about it?

I'll just listen.

No judging.

You're always judging.

Well, this time it'll be silent judging.

Alright.

I was at some stairs, going down slowly, and it was really normal, like a hallway here.

So, not really normal, but you know, normal enough.

The further down I went, the heavier my arms and legs and head felt, which also felt normal, until they got so heavy I barely felt like I could move.

I had to crawl and my hands were getting dirty.

My stomach was touching the stairs and it felt like I was going to fall forward.

Did you?

Sorry, I'll just listen.

They were wood stairs, not fancy like the ones here, but wood like in a garden or a back porch.

But it became metal the further down I went and it got so cold.

The stairs were really shiny, but they still make my hands dirty.

But then I reached a door.

I stood up, but my body was still so heavy.

Usually the door is closed in the dream, and I wake up before I reach it.

This time it was open.

It wasn't supposed to be open.

I knew I had to close it.

I wasn't trying to reach it to open it.

I was trying to lock it, but it was already open.

So I was trying to close it, but it wasn't strong enough.

And I was pushing the door, like, really pushy, but it didn't move.

And then a hand came out and tried to pull me through.

It grabbed my leg and pulled me through the door so fast.

And then I woke up.

You're all right.

You woke up and it was all a dream.

And all of that stupid dream stuff is gone.

Now,

you're in an even worse situation.

A life with me.

Stop, stop.

you're so annoying i love you too

now go back to sleep tomorrow's gonna be busy

talk to me till i fall asleep

sure

remember when we were at the blue ribbon and our neighbors used to fight

they fought about the stupidest things little things and you used to ask me why they were so mad about pasta or toilet paper shoelaces.

And then, when I took you grocery shopping, you realized that different brands cost different amounts and you started agreeing with Mrs.

Davis through the wall.

At first, you thought they hated each other.

Then you realized they were just stressed out.

But in the beginning, hearing them fight gave you nightmares.

We were just stressed out.

Like now.

And once we leave this rock, it'll just become a bad memory.

You and me and dad

will go somewhere new.

I'll start working soon and maybe we can stay somewhere for a long time.

And maybe, if we're really lucky, when we're adults and successful and well off, we'll drive by this place on Route 11 and just say something silly about how we never saw saw a seal.

Maxine?

I'll be right back.

Dad?

Dad, is that you?

We're already packed.

We're leaving tomorrow.

Dad?

It's okay, Melody.

But sadly, your father is still in the basement.

I understand.

You can stay over there.

I don't want to frighten you.

You're here at night now.

I'm here this time.

Yes.

Are you okay?

Now I am.

Why did you tell us to leave and then tell us to stay?

I was struggling.

So sorry you had to hear that.

I

like the retro turban.

It reminds me of Marlene Dietrich.

And how does a young girl like you know about Marlina Dietrich?

One of our motels had a silent films and classics channel.

I'd watch it while washing the laundry at night, so Maxine could sleep.

Ha, well, it does the job.

It's the little things.

Because your.

your hair's falling out,

Maxine bounced up.

Fell out.

It's all gone now.

Sorry.

Um.

Can I ask you something else?

Of course.

I'm not a witch.

Are you...

really Julia?

Yes.

I am.

And I've been Julia for far, far too long.

But I'm finally free.

I'm finally me.

I can feel my fingers.

And I can make my choice.

I was never meant to live this long.

Never wanted to.

It's what he wanted.

Needed.

He tricked me.

The naive coot I was.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to scare you or Maxine.

Thinks it's not just you, though.

This place is messed up.

But I.

But it was a.

I don't understand.

Do you.

Is this a problem you've had for a while?

Like a mental health thing?

No, sadly.

Though years ago, I did wonder if I had gone insane.

When it held me, and I couldn't tell where the end of me was.

You would think so too, in my shoes.

I won't let that happen.

I'm sure you could get some help.

I'm not a professional or anything, but I'm sure there are some therapists or psychologists in town.

Until healthcare has come a long way in the last few years.

As far as the internet tells me.

No, no.

No time for that now.

I have my own way, my own choice to face.

What?

I'm sure there's enough time.

If it's really like, I don't know, schizophrenia or something, then it's not your fault.

The innocent lives lost were more than enough.

The silver was more than enough.

The dedication was more than enough.

Dedication to what?

Is there really

something here?

Something evil.

Something to do with the silver?

It's difficult to accept, yes?

Too good to believe.

Stupid silly girl I was when he offered his hand.

He told me stories, only once, of what they had found.

The Earth had built that prison.

But that's what we do, people.

Going to poke our noses where we don't belong.

What?

What does that mean?

Earlier you said what he wanted when he offered his hand.

Who?

You can tell me.

Please, I need to know.

Is my father safe?

Is Maxine?

He, who in the silver sleeps.

Sleeps?

Who?

Don La Crocked?

Which one?

Why is the silver here?

It's keeping something away, is it?

You don't need to lie.

I know it's here.

My father found it in the basement, in the walls.

He didn't fully understand it.

None of us did.

And he took everything from me.

I'm so sorry.

I had to.

It wasn't what I thought.

I regret it all.

Please forgive me.

Before I reach San Peter.

What?

If it's not your fault then yeah, I forgive you.

You didn't hurt us, just scared us.

Oh, sweet girl.

We're such tired eyes.

Okay.

It's silver.

Wear it.

It's not pretty.

It's useful.

And don't stop the fire, Melody.

Let him burn.

Let it all burn.

Shit.

Maxine!

Maxine, I need you to wake up.

Max, wake up.

Are we leaving?

No, no, no, no, no, we're not.

Not yet.

But something happened.

And I need you to be awake and alert for a bit.

No, I'm gonna grab the baby monitors and go down to find Dad.

You need to lock the hall door behind me, okay?

Lock it, then get back into the bedroom and close the door.

What's happening?

Lock it!

Good.

Listening,

listening

to what's in this to Julia, aren't you?

Bastard.

Dad!

Dad, stop!

Leave it alone!

You shouldn't be here.

Go back upstairs, Melody.

You're not needed here.

Not yet or ever.

I don't care.

We need to go.

Go!

Leave!

That bag of silver.

Take it up.

Take it away.

Make way.

Make yourself useful.

No, Dad, we need to go.

This place isn't safe.

This place isn't right.

There's no.

Miss Julia, just jumped from the window.

She's gone, Dad.

If you'll not help dismantle the silver, then leave.

Take the bag of silver with you.

Leave it at the door.

Dad!

Dad, you hear me?

She's dead.

We need to go.

Miss Julia.

Miss Julia's boat.

She is about right.

Where?

Where is it?

Do as I say.

More bones for the fire.

Honey,

stop burning the bones.

Stop!

There's too much smoke!

You need

Daddy!

If you don't come with us, I'm leaving and taking Max with me.

Ian.

Ian, stop.

Don't I get to stop this?

You don't have to do that.

Don't listen to it.

It did something to Julia, and she killed herself.

We need to go.

Please, Jeff!

Please!

I need you to come with us!

Let go, Mel!

Let go!

It's just metal!

It's just money!

We can get money elsewhere!

I can find you different words!

I'll get a job!

Just want us to leave!

It's not important!

Stop!

Hey, kid, back up!

The silver must leave.

It has to go to the mainland, and we need to make way.

What is this?

Bitch, why are you bringing silver here?

Can't you see what we're trying to do?

Take it off!

Stop!

Both of you!

Ian, get back to work.

We're so close to cutting the final circle.

Melody, get out of here.

We will call you when you're required.

If he does not call you first.

Don't you see that there's something here?

Those old grove men brought something here!

Something horrible!

This place is evil!

Curse!

Don't make way!

Whatever the fuck that means!

Please!

Dead!

Don't listen!

This silver is there for a reason!

It's stopping something!

We need to leave it alone.

The last circle will be cut.

You won't stop it.

No!

You want your silver!

Or you want it, God!

Get it then!

Pick it up!

I'll burn you!

No!

You can't stop the work!

I burned my boon!

Get off her!

It's in the way!

El!

Get out of here!

Dad!

Are you okay?

You're bleeding!

I'll be Lucas!

I'll call Mr.

Lucas!

They're eating you upstairs!

I'll be right back!

It's not!

It's cut!

The cage is broken!

The way it's cut!

It's coming.

It's free.

Get out of here.

Go.

Go.

I've cut it from you.

Made way for you.

Believe me.

Run!

After all this time,

I am

really.

And I am run!

Better than silver.

Better!

Maxine.

Maxine

Can you hear me?

Hello?

He's hungry!

That's not enough!

He's been waiting!

Let's go!

Ian!

Snap out of this!

The house is on fire!

He's so hungry!

Not enough.

Not him alone!

Take away the silver!

For riches!

For glory!

For him!

Made way for him!

Me!

Sigler!

Go!

You deserved that!

What?

Fuck!

Fire!

Hand.

Melanie, there's the fire.

We've got to get the silver.

Whatever we can.

We got to grab it and go.

Where's Samson?

Oh, shit.

No.

I need to get Maxia.

Do you remember anything from downstairs?

Vaguely.

Get your silver if you want.

But you need to find Julia.

She's still in the chateau.

Right.

I can do that.

I'll look for her.

After.

I don't care.

Just find her.

I'm going to get Max.

We're running out of time.

Don't Mind.

Sealskin Rock.

Written and created by K.A.

Stats.

Produced, directed, with additional sound design by Travis Vengroff.

Co-edited and directed with dialogue editing, editing, sound design, mixing, and mastering by Finner Nielsen.

Writing assistance by W.K.

Stats.

Music by Brandon Boone.

And executive producers Dennis Greenhill, A.J.

Punkin, Carol Vengroff, and Michael Viegas.

Starring Marcy Edwards, Lily Pichu, Ewan Sheng, Stefan Konekart, Russ Moore, and Caroline St.

Pei.

For bonus content, early releases, and ad-free episodes, please support the creators at patreon.com/slash foolandscholar.

With your help, we have so many more stories we'd love to bring to life.

This is a Fool and Scholar production.

Thank you for listening.

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My name is Troy of the Valley, and I'm the host of the Glass Cannon podcast.

This is a podcast where my friends and and I sit around and play role-playing games and record it.

Through improvisation, using comedy and drama, we take the rules of whatever game we're playing and we turn it into appointment television.

That's the best way I can explain it.

It truly is infectious fun.

We travel the whole country playing rock clubs, turning games like this into a spectator sport.

So please check it out, the Glass Cannon Podcast.

If you want some joy in your life, give it a listen.

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