Don't Mind | Sealskin Rock | Ep. 1

Welcome listeners to the newest story in the world of Don't Mind.

I'm K.A.

Stats, the writer and creator of the stories told here.

Don't Mind is an anthology podcast with each season following a new story.

The first season followed the tale of Dr.

Kingston and Neil Mitchell as they explored the mysteries of a small English village in Don't Mind Cruxmont.

If you haven't heard the story, you can go back to listen anytime.

This episode starts a brand new story, Sealskin Rock.

All stories in the Don't Mind world are disconnected, so you can begin with this tale and return to listen or relisten to other seasons or stories at any time.

During the season, episodes will release every two weeks.

Thank you for joining us, and if you enjoy our shows, please consider supporting Fool and Scholar Productions on Patreon at patreon.com/slash foolandscholar so that we can bring more indie works like this to life.

Now, let's begin the dive into Don't Mind Sealskin Rock.

Don't mind.

Sealskin rock.

Dad, don't hit the pothole.

How?

Never mind.

Well, there wasn't any going around it.

Shit.

Need your meds?

Need better suspension.

Need a whole new truck.

There's not a lot out here.

What are you talking about?

Over there's some grass and over there's a rock and just on this side we have an ocean.

And oh look, more ocean.

That's the Gulf of St.

Lawrence, not the ocean.

My bad.

So on the left is grass and on the right we have water.

Lots of water.

Just so much super cool water.

Look, I know it's not super exciting right now, but when we get to the rock, it'll be great.

It's a classic old building, and you can explore and relax.

Classes, Dad.

We're supposed to be doing our schoolwork, remember?

And I'm sure you can do all that and still have time to enjoy it while we're there.

Melody, take a look in the glove compartment.

What are those?

Those are two-way radios.

No, these are baby monitors.

Same thing.

Found these ones at the pawn shop down the street from the motel.

Good ones.

Cheap too.

I used to play with radios when I was a kid.

Me and the two guys down the road used to stake out three spots around the lake and

well, it was fun.

And these will work just like that, so you can explore.

You can explore and report back to me in real time.

Yeah, it'll work.

Could be fun.

Thanks, Dad.

Um, are we nearly there yet, or could we pull over to get more stacks out of the back?

We we should be nearby.

We already turned off the 11.

What's the map say, Mel?

Um,

maybe

we should be there any time now.

The map doesn't have much about this road.

Then keep an eye out for a house and a dot.

You're back?

Want your mitt?

Yeah, two.

I gotcha.

Here you go.

Thanks.

Look!

There!

A house and a dock.

Is that it?

Is that the boat?

Is that the one we'll be taking?

Might be.

Let's park, and then I'll check if this is the right place.

Can Melody get yes, Mel can hop out to get more snacks, but you really might not need them.

If this is the right place, we should just be loading our stuff onto the boat.

No need to wait around.

I just don't want to be in this truck anymore.

Well, that's good, because it's not coming over to the rock.

I'm going to the house.

Melody, don't go far from the truck.

Yep.

What kind of snack do you want?

Sweet or salty?

Crunchy or chewy?

I need more of those squishy redfish candies.

Squish fish.

Sure.

Careful.

They're already open.

All right, girls.

This is the place.

We'll get everything loaded over to the boat and we'll lock up the truck.

Don't leave anything behind.

Take the trash out, too.

We're going to leave the truck with him, uh, Lucas.

And he'll take all the trash we have out to a dunk.

Right?

Good.

Right.

It's not that far, Max, so should we just use the crutches?

Yeah.

Can you grab him?

Sure.

Here, you got this?

Yeah, thanks.

Good.

I'll grab the chair.

Wait, can you help me with the jacket first?

I'll get the wheelchair.

Help your sister.

I think she's got this, Dad.

I'll grab the food boxes.

And don't do anything to hurt your back.

Believe me, I know.

Grab my violin?

Yep.

You fixed the strap?

Yep.

I don't think you've ever been on a boat.

I know.

I hope it'll be fun, but I think it'll make me seasick.

Oh, I hadn't thought of that.

When you were in a boat last time, did you get seasick?

It was a speedboat kind of thing, and we were on a light, so we weren't at sea.

I don't remember feeling sick.

Wait, is that it?

That's where we're going?

Where?

Right there.

Yeah, that's it.

Sealskin Rock.

It's more impressive up close, and the boat ride out there won't take long.

This is going to be so cool!

Does it even have Wi-Fi?

No, seriously, does it have Wi-Fi?

Don't know yet, but we'll find out soon enough.

Hi, I'm Maxine.

Are you Mr.

Lucas?

Yes, I am.

Good to meet you, Maxine.

Hi, Mr.

Lucas.

I'm Melody.

Melody.

I shake your hand, but...

Here, let me take some of that for you.

Thank you.

You know, we're lucky.

It's a real clear day, and the gulf is calm.

Should be a smooth ride out to the rock.

I'm tired.

Can I sit down?

Of course you can.

Let's get you in the boat and in a seat.

I'm gonna keep bringing stuff from the truck.

Do you want anything specific, Max?

Nah, I've got candy still.

I'm fine, just winded.

Go help Dad.

We'll do.

Faster we get there, faster I can get a shower.

What's left?

Just the big clothing suitcase.

Close the tailgate once it's out.

Otherwise, the truck's all locked up.

Are we missing anything?

No, don't think so.

Took everything from the front seat, and Vaxine has her backpack.

Goodbye, truck.

This is a bit heavy, Dad.

Please have away, buddy.

Please have away the way.

Let me help with that.

Go ahead and get on.

Take a seat, and make sure you hold on to anything light.

Thank you.

Please be careful.

It's heavy.

Don't hurt yourself.

Hey, Melody.

I'm sorry, but I ripped your coat.

Hasn't been my coat for over a year.

It's yours.

Oh, that's not bad.

We can fix that.

That everything?

Yeah, let's get on over while this weather is still good.

All right.

Hold on, little ladies.

And if you feel sick, don't lean over the edge too far, okay?

It's louder than I thought it would be.

But faster, too.

I hear this is your first time on a boat.

Yeah, it's fun!

Mr.

Lucas, do you go out to it often?

Sealskin Rock?

Maybe about once a year before Anne Rock bought the place.

I don't stay there.

I just drop stuff off.

I'll be coming out to the Rock almost daily now that you'll be out there, though.

You'll meet Julia when we get there.

She's the only worker at the chateau.

She'll know most of what you need, I'd wager.

She's been the caretaker for a few years, though it's certainly in need of a lot more help than she can provide.

I can't say, though, that the chateau is not a wheelchair-friendly place.

At least, not from what I've seen.

It'll be fine.

Maxine can use crutches, too.

The wheelchair just makes certain parts easier.

My sister's that way.

She's got diabetes.

I can't feel much in her legs some days, though.

They still work.

I hope you'll find the chateau a nice home for the while, little ladies.

It's a beautiful old place.

I think it'll be great.

Way better than the motel.

Just look at this view.

Yeah.

Don't worry about Wi-Fi or the chateau or anything for a second.

Just enjoy the ride.

Yeah!

Sure.

It's so pretty.

It's so creepy.

It looks European.

Looks like a lot of work.

How long do you reckon you'll you'll be out here?

As long as it takes.

Months?

I won't have a real answer until I get a look around the place and dig a little deeper.

What about the girls?

Couldn't they be in school?

Due to Maxine's illness, we do online schooling.

It allows us to keep an eye on her.

It's not an illness.

It's not like I'll contagious.

I had meningitis when I was little, and it messed up my muscles, and now I get tired really fast and sometimes have seizures.

But I'm not sick or anything, really.

hemexine is great at school work she's smart enough that she helps me on mine too

well i dropped off a box from a telecom company a few weeks back so hopefully you'll have no issues getting all that school work in so there will be one

the woman who works here julia she'll help you get connected but just know that if you need anything from the mainland or if there's an emergency there's a radio in the lobby that reaches my house on the shore you guys will be making a lot of requests for food and supplies and such.

And I'll either pick up a list when I come to drop things off, or you can radio over.

I wake up early, but I go to sleep early too, so no late-night calls unless it's something important.

Got it.

Thanks, Mr.

Lucas.

Oh, we have radios too.

They're old baby monitors, but maybe it'll work.

Don't think these will reach too far, but they'll be fun to use around the island.

Wow.

Look at those stairs.

Someone carved those.

Wonder how long that took.

It looks like a castle from down here.

But I will totally need help getting up it.

Well, the dock's right there.

Stay seated till I tie us up.

Welcome to Sealskin Rock.

Home to the Grot Chateau.

You can stand up now.

Be careful when stepping from the boat to the dock.

Let's go!

Mel, help your sister up the stairs.

I'll get the stuff from the boat.

No, I'll take the suitcase.

It'll mess up your back.

I'll help bring those up.

You girls just go on.

I'll bring up the food boxes first.

That all right?

Yes, thank you.

I'll start with the wheelchair and the food.

We'll go up ahead of them.

It'll take them a while.

Ah, shit, my back.

You okay?

Yeah, pulled a muscle this morning.

Keep going.

Should I bring something?

No.

Just focus on the steps.

Use one crutch and hold the rail.

Once you get tired, tell me, and you can hop on my back.

Falling looks like a death sentence.

I'm gonna bring your violin and backpack up.

If we get up to the house in time, I'll come back down to help bring up the rest.

Ready?

I'm ready.

Let's go.

This is so cool.

Let's just get to the house, okay?

This is going to take forever.

We've got nothing else to do, so take your time.

A bench!

Ah, perfect.

Can I put you down for a bit?

Of course.

Thanks.

Glad to know it's not just me.

What?

You don't think those online gym classes are working?

This place is like a castle.

Yeah,

but it's a chateau.

What's the difference?

It's French.

Ah.

Come on.

Let's get inside.

I really want a shower.

Got enough photos?

Yeah,

now I do.

Just look at this place.

I told Darcy I'd send her some photos.

This is awesome.

No problem.

Come on.

I want a shower, and you need one too.

You reek.

Well, duh, I've been holding on to you.

No, thanks.

I'll walk the rest.

Oh my god!

No!

Look at this place!

Look at the glass!

What?

What?

What?

What?

Is that real, you think?

That's so creepy.

Hello.

Oh, hi.

Hi.

I'm Elody, and this is Max.

Maxine, uh, we're Samson's kids.

The Mortises.

Yes, your father said you were on the way up.

It's nice to meet you.

I'm Julia Softaire.

Julia or Julie is fine.

You both look exhausted from the walk.

Your father and mister Broadrock have already been up and down a few times, but I know those stairs are not to be trifled with.

Yeah, sorry.

I had to stop a lot.

Did the real estate developer hire you too?

No, and yes.

I've worked here for a few years, taking care of the estate.

When the chateau sold, I moved over to their employ.

I keep a record of all our smaller expenses, mind the books, tend to what I can, and of course I man the front desk, now that the renovations are planned.

I know the ins and outs of this old place.

Miss Julia, you're so pretty.

I love your hair and your lip color.

It's so retro.

Do you thrift?

I watch a lot of thrift videos, and we thrift a lot.

You can find the best stuff.

That's so kind of you to say, Maxine.

I've always enjoyed this style.

Though sometimes I can say it's not too practical when I'm working in the courtyard or tidying up.

Yeah.

If you're out here alone, doesn't it get lonely?

Sometimes.

But I tend to enjoy the quiet and a good book.

And I see people like Mr.

Broadrock from time to time.

What about at night?

I don't stay here at night.

I have my own little boat that I take back to shore.

My apartment is not too far away.

The building has its own dock.

You go out on the water at night?

In the dark?

Sometimes.

Certainly so in the the winter when the days are so short.

So you won't be here at night if we need something?

If there's ever an emergency, there's a radio in the drawing room.

Well, my office, really.

You can use it to call mister Broadrock.

But while I'm here during the day, you can ask me for anything you might need.

Like Wi-Fi?

Yes, like Wi-Fi.

Luckily.

I was told that you'll need to download some school work.

Yeah, and other stuff.

Well, good news, bad news.

We have Wi-Fi, but it only works in the drawing room, part of the library, this hall, and this bit of the foyer.

So, it won't work in our room?

I'm afraid not.

And where is our room?

Ah, another bit of good news, bad news.

The only room we have that can accommodate the use of a wheelchair is, strangely enough, on the topmost floor.

And the elevator is not currently operational.

Hasn't been for many years.

But the reason the rooms upstairs can accommodate a wheelchair is because it used to be the personal rooms of Jean-Paul de Lagrat, and they are the most beautiful rooms in the whole chateau.

They have large balconies, beautiful windows, and a large glowfoot tub that he had imported from France during the chateau's construction.

Well, if that's the only room that can accommodate my wheelchair, I guess we'll just have to take it.

Well, good, because it's also the only one I prepared.

Why did he need a wheelchair?

Don La Groat.

We heard he was a silver prospector.

He was, but even rich men get old, very old.

In his later years he used a wheelchair and kept to the topmost floor of the estate.

Now, to get to the rooms is rather simple.

See those stairs?

Those great big phenomenal marble steps?

No, sorry.

I must have missed them.

No!

Yes, those gloriously shining steps, I polish myself.

You You take those up until there's no more up to go, then take a left.

Halfway down the hall, you will see a large double door on the right.

That is the entrance to your rooms.

There's a big sitting-room with storage first.

Then on the left is another set of double doors, which bring you to the master bedroom.

Your father said that is for both of you to share.

That room has the attached dressing room and a bathroom that can accommodate a wheelchair.

Back in the sitting room is also a smaller door on the right, which leads to a small prep room and the attached servant quarters with its own bathroom.

That's for your father.

Think you can find it?

Yep, and I really want to take my shoes off, so let's

yeah, right.

Let me just get the backpack.

Thank you, Miss Julia.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

I'll see you girls later.

We've already gone really far coming up from the dock.

We We can take breaks at the landings.

Yeah,

things.

These windows are amazing.

The wallpaper has texture, and the railing is gorgeous.

Can you imagine how much this cost?

Nope.

You're going to have to explore this place.

Take the radio and tell me.

The water bottle is empty.

Let's get you upstairs and then you can take your meds.

Yeah, sure.

Wanna just carry me up then?

It'll be faster, and my legs are giving out.

Sure.

And the faster I get you up there, the quicker I can get a shower.

Win-win.

Come on.

Use one hand to hold my neck and hold the crutch in the other if you can.

If not, I'll just come back for it.

Fine.

Now, Allie.

Don't move like that.

What happened?

You okay?

I thought

I thought I saw something.

Maybe a cat.

I'll have to ask Julia about that later.

There may be cats here.

Don't start cursing.

You okay to keep going?

Yeah,

sure.

Sorry.

I'll get the crutch once I drop you off.

Then I'll shower.

Good.

Your hair's looking greasy.

Well, it doesn't usually get such a front-row audience.

Do you think they'll repair the elevator while we're here?

Is that something dad can do?

I don't know.

We can ask him later.

Look, that looks like the door she was talking about.

Can you?

Sure.

It's amazing!

Look at the doors!

We can open them, right?

Go!

Go!

I'm like, we're like royalty.

Let me

I'm gonna get the crutch.

I'll be right back.

Definitely getting my workout in.

Hello

Miss Julia

Hmm.

Alright.

Who needs this many stairs, really?

Here you go.

Thanks.

I'm about to take a nap.

I've got nothing left.

That's fine.

I'm going to shower.

Hey girls.

A tower fit for princesses, eh?

Here's the wheelchair, Maxine.

Did you make it up okay?

How are you feeling?

Like I just said, tired.

I'm gonna nap.

We can explore later, right?

Take a nap, rest up, test out the shower.

You both will share the big master bedroom.

You can explore later, okay, Melody?

But be careful.

Julia says no one should go in the little tower rooms on the east side of the building.

The floorboards are rotting out and it's dangerous.

The basement, too.

Otherwise, it should be fine to explore.

But take a flashlight.

Not all the rooms have functioning electricity right now.

And don't break anything.

We're here to try and fix this place.

Where are you going?

The meds kicked in, so I've got work to do.

Rest up.

All right, I'm gonna take a shower.

Max, make sure to take your meds.

And do you.

Sorry.

Hey, Mel.

Hey.

Max, what's up?

We slept for a few hours.

Oh, that's good.

How are you feeling?

I don't think I'm up for exploring.

That's okay.

We can do it later.

I thought maybe you could go and we could use the new radios to talk.

You could tell me what you see.

You sure?

That's not boring for you?

If we always wait for me, we'd never explore.

Come on.

Fine, but just this floor for now.

Once you feel better, we can look around together.

Yeah, sure.

Okay, so here's yours.

Yours is the baby size.

So you you just leave it on and I can hear you.

I have this one.

And now you can hear me.

Okay.

Maybe I'll turn it on once you get out of the room.

Go.

Go.

Right.

Fine.

I'm going.

I'm going.

Relax.

Can you hear me now?

Clear enough.

Good.

So, where do you want to to start?

What do you see?

The hallway we were in before.

I went right out the doors, so the stairs are ahead of me, but there are a couple of doors on the way.

On the left or right?

Both.

Come on, Mel.

Describe it!

Like,

the hall is made of wood.

Even the floor has these, like, little decorations in it.

Little wooden mosaics all around the edges, near the walls.

Intarsia!

What, more French?

No.

Intarsia is when you make designs a mosaic on a foot.

At least, I don't think it's French.

Maybe?

Well, there's a lot of that.

Yeah, there's a lot in here, too.

Oh, I'm going to try and get to the balcony.

Just wait if you can't make it.

I'll help.

I can come back.

It's not that far.

And there's a chair out there.

Don't come back.

You haven't even been in one room yet.

Okay.

There are two doors.

One on the left and one on the right.

The right room would be next to our room.

Want me to check it out?

Max?

Yeah,

but actually describe it.

It's no fun if you don't.

So the doorknob is dusty.

I think it's bronze or copper or brass.

Something shiny, but not really gold.

Oh my god.

What?

What?

Describe it, Mel.

There.

There are just shelves upon shelves of.

No!

Of freshly cleaned linens.

It's a closet, Max.

A very well-kept linen closet.

You jerk!

I thought you saw something!

I did!

Just nothing exciting.

What about you?

Did you go to the balcony?

Yeah, the chair is uncomfortable, but the view is nice.

Winded me, though.

Not a good day.

See anything out there?

I think I can see a lighthouse.

I wish we had binoculars.

Oh, or a telescope.

This seems like the kind of place to have a telescope.

The map said the nearest one might have been the point Eskuminak lighthouse?

I'll look again later when the sun sets.

Your turn.

Go through the next tour.

Sorry.

We have to be careful.

Julia may have cleaned our rooms, but the rest of this place is still dusty.

Your allergies would be going crazy out here.

Well, maybe not in the linen closet.

To some extent, I can feel it even in our rooms.

Now open the other door, the one on the left.

Fine.

And describe it.

Stop forgetting.

Okay, okay.

The doorknob is similar.

Something brassy, but with more dust.

The door is like...

maybe mahogany?

A darkwood.

With inset little squares lots of dust there too

this looks like it may have been a sitting room or an office there's a big old desk really thick like it had a large section of what was maybe green leather before but it's all cracked and peeling now

I think someone came in and messed up the place.

The windows are intact, really pretty glass, but the walls are a mess.

They're big sections where the beautiful wallpaper's been peeled off.

Someone took a knife or something and cut some of it away.

What else?

A lot of spray paint, neon green, a little bit of white.

It's not even good.

Like, it's just words, and it really ruins the aesthetic.

Can you read it?

What's it say?

Sure.

Uh,

lots of stupid shit.

Darren and Lindsay are supposed to be together forever.

Apparently.

Some creepy stuff, too.

So far, you haven't read anything, Mel.

Read the creepy stuff.

Yeah, so there's one in green.

They're all in Eon Green, but it says, close your eyes, and from dusk to dawn.

No, I think those go together.

So close your eyes from dusk to dawn.

There's another one.

It's on the wallpaper.

Says, In the Silver Sleeps.

In the Silver Sleeps, what?

Doesn't say.

Give me a second.

I'm gonna put the radio down.

Sure.

What did you find?

What are you doing?

Under the wallpaper, there's the same thing.

I don't know what that

I took more wallpaper down.

That said, not to destroy anything.

It's already a mess in here.

I barely did anything.

But I took down more of the wallpaper, and underneath, in the wall, maybe the plaster or something, someone scratched the same thing.

In the silver sleeps, in the silver sleeps, in the silver sleeps, over and over again.

So creepy.

Did you say it scratched in?

Yeah, with the knife Something.

Wait.

What the?

What'd you find?

It wasn't a knife or nail.

It was a fingernail.

I touched it.

I'm showering again.

I'm coming back.

And I'm showering again.

This space next.

Don't mind Sealskin Rock.

Written and created by K.A.

Stats.

Produced, directed, and with sound design by Travis Fengroff.

Co-edited and directed with Dialogue Editing, Editing, Sound Design, Mixing, and Mastering by Finner Nielsen.

With script editing 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 Chung, Mark Muir, and Catalin St.

Pei.

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

You can also get a limited edition sealskin rock coin made of metal if you sign up today.

This is a Fool and Scholar production.

Thank you for listening.

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Yo, this is important, man.

My favorite Lululemon shorts, the ones you got me back in the day, I think they're called Pacebreakers.

The ones with all the pockets.

I just got back from vacation and I left them in my hotel room.

And, dude, I need to replace these shorts.

I wear them like three times a week.

Could you send me the link to where you got them?

Oh, also, my birthday is coming up soon.

So, anyways, thanks, bro.

Talk soon.

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