The Gentleman From Hell |S1| Ep. 32

Rusty Quill presents.

Good evening, gentlemen and gentle ladies of hell.

First and foremost, thank you for tuning in.

Your support keeps the flames of the gentleman from hell burning bright.

If you're enjoying your descent into the infernal depths of our world and want to dive even deeper, consider supporting us on Patreon.

There, you'll unlock exclusive content, including original art from Mark Angelon, housed in the legendary Gallery of the Damned, deep lore and world-building treasures within the memorabilia of the House of Sparrows, and coming soon, the Testimonies of the Damned, a Patreon-exclusive audio series that expands the twisted mythology of the gentleman from hell.

Plus, fans of the wider Meltopia universe will uncover a trove of exclusive lore, audio dramas, artwork, behind-the-scenes videos, and much more.

Ready to explore the deeper circles of horror?

Join us at www.patreon.com forward slash Meltopia And embrace the darkness.

Coach, the energy out there felt different.

What changed for the team today?

It was the new game day scratchers from the California Lottery.

Play is everything.

Those games sent the team's energy through the roof.

Are you saying it was the off-field play that made the difference on the field?

Hey, a little play makes your day, and today, it made the game.

That's all for now.

Coach, one more question.

Play the new Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, and Los Angeles Rams scratchers from the California Lottery.

A little play can make your day.

Please play responsibly, must be 18 years or older to purchase play or claim.

Popsicles, sprinklers, a cool breeze.

Talk about refreshing.

You know what else is refreshing this summer?

A brand new phone with Verizon.

Yep, get a new phone on any plan with Select Phone Trade-In and MyPlan.

And lock down a low price for three years on any plan with MyPlan.

This is a deal for everyone, whether you're a new or existing customer.

Swing by Verizon today for our best phone deals.

Three-year price guarantee applies to then-current base monthly rate only.

Additional terms and conditions apply for all offers.

It's that time of year again, back to school season.

And Instacart knows that the only thing harder than getting back into the swing of things is getting all the back-to-school supplies, snacks, and essentials you need.

So here's your reminder to make your life a little easier this season.

Shop favorites from Staples, Best Buy, and Costco all delivered through Instacart so that you can get some time back and do whatever it is that you need to get your life back on track.

Instacart, we're here.

Hey, I'm Paige DeSorbo, and I'm always thinking about underwear.

I'm Hannah Berner, and I'm also thinking about underwear, but I prefer full coverage.

I like to call them my granny panties.

Actually, I never think about underwear.

That's the magic of Tommy John.

Same, they're so light and so comfy, and if it's not comfortable, I'm not wearing it.

And the bras, soft, supportive, and actually breathable.

Yes, Lord knows the girls girls need to breathe.

Also, I need my PJs to breathe and be buttery soft and stretchy enough for my dramatic tossing and turning at night.

That's why I live in my Tommy John pajamas.

Plus, they're so cute because they fit perfectly.

Put yourself on to Tommy John.

Upgrade your drawer with Tommy John.

Save 25% for a limited time at tommyjohn.com/slash comfort.

See site for details.

ACAS powers the world's best podcasts.

Here's the show that we recommend.

This area was sort of a shark tank for predators, not just the Green River Killer, but others.

In Who Took Misty Copsey, I'm investigating the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl who vanished from the Washington State Fair in 1992.

How?

Why?

She was so sweet and so young.

What happened to her?

Listen to Who Took Misty Copseat, wherever you get your podcasts.

ACAST helps creators launch, grow, and monetize their podcasts everywhere.

Acast.com.

Here at Meltopia, we like to support our fellow writers.

So we're glad to introduce you to a wonderful writing group called Worldsmiths.

World Smiths is a warm and welcoming online fantasy writing group for aspiring speculative fiction authors with a focus on the fantasy genre.

They run a Discord server where they host sprints, help generate ideas, give feedback, and support burgeoning writers.

For more information, please check out WorldSmiths.com or their Discord server called Worldsmiths.

If you're an aspiring fiction writer, be sure to check out this wonderful community.

It's nearly 3 a.m.

again.

The fog is lapping at my window.

And I feel unaccountably strange.

Fearful.

With the sleeping pills I've been taking, I find it difficult to believe that I'm awake at all, let alone shivering from nerves.

The last few nights I've resolved not to record my anxieties, as I've been told that just such a habit might be reinforcing my patterned wakefulness.

But ever since that...

that

bird or whatever the hell it was

Well, it just seems only practical at this point.

Besides, even when I do sleep, I only suffer one nightmare after the next.

These most recent ones concern nothing I recognize.

I am brought kicking and screaming into the deep earth.

The darkness so thick it seems to ripple as I pass through it, like some gelatinous membrane separating one thing from another.

The passage narrows as the darkness eases, revealing a tall chamber piled with corpses, all of of them in varying states of grotesque mutilation.

In the center of it all stands a great wooden throne.

The figure sitting upon it, leering at me, is little more than a boy, a tarnished and crude crown balanced upon his ruddy head.

The look on his face as he studies me,

monstrous.

I'm dragged to the foot of the throne, inches from the creature's probing eyes.

When he speaks to me, it's a hiss of a word.

Soon

is all he says.

After that,

all I feel is

dissolution.

My body and mind falling away from one another.

How?

Just how can the fog be so thick, night after night?

Well,

I know by now that I won't be going back to sleep anytime soon.

So I think I shall while away the hours with a good book and a roaring fire, and perhaps a bit to drink.

Sleeping pills be damned.

My god, there's smoke everywhere.

Oh wait, it's not smoke.

There's no smell.

I think...

Yes.

It's fog.

And it's everywhere.

The entire downstairs is completely blanketed.

I can barely make out the furniture.

No power.

It must be a fuse.

The electricity upstairs is working just fine.

But

how did the fog get in?

Rupert is spending the night in town.

Perhaps he left the front door open when he departed.

But if I remember correctly, the security system would indicate as much.

At least I think it would.

But there's no power down here.

I'm no weather expert, but I can't imagine fog could enter without benefit of an opening of some sort.

Jesus, I...

I suppose I should look.

God knows what could wander in if the door is open.

The fog is so thick I can barely see.

The door is closed and locked, as usual.

Well, I'll check the fuses in the morning.

I'm certainly not wandering down there now to look.

Though I do wonder if I could see above the fog from the third-floor balcony.

Now that Rupert has most of my father's things out of the study, I should be able to squeeze through.

The elevator must be on a separate breaker.

I can see the light above the door.

Forgetting that I have an elevator.

I can't help but think about that damn bird from the other night as I walk around in the dark and fog.

Why wouldn't I?

It isn't every day one encounters such strangeness,

especially when it's associated with such a

string of strange events.

While I am tempted to assume the bird was some kind of diseased and crippled animal, it

just does not square with my sense of things.

The trouble with experiences like these is that you're inevitably forced into accepting mundane explanations.

No alternative is ever permitted.

Even if I spent the evening with Bigfoot, carefully plucking burrs from his shaggy coat, I'd still feel compelled, when recounting the story to others, to accept their far more mundane interpretation of events.

No matter how strained or improbable their scientific explanations might be, twisting the laws of time and space into impossible knots.

So long as they didn't break those laws outright, they are always preferred.

And so it goes with my tale of an undead bird.

The power seems to be just fine up here.

Looks like I was right.

The fog does not reach up here at all.

That's

not right.

What am I looking at?

I am certain that I am facing the city.

And yet,

the shapes in the fog

are not those of the city.

I...

It's not cold, Sparrow.

I can see vast towers, strange buildings.

Could it be the backlighting from the city, casting distorted shadows upon the fog?

No, no, I must pay careful attention.

Record each detail.

I must be sure.

An unsettling architectural motif clings to every building within view.

Through the veil of fog, I can see

unwholesome structures.

Buildings that appear to lurch uneasily, hunched and twisted, as if nursing hidden wounds.

Suspended somewhere between houses and churches, triangles and rectangles.

These structures defy any familiar comparison.

Their forms are utterly alien to any architecture I've ever known.

There are towers.

My God, they...

They reach upward beyond the fog, into the darkness above the city.

I have no idea how far they go.

Extremely crooked things.

I can't help but wonder how they're staying upright at all.

There's something else.

The fog.

It seems to be parting slightly.

Something.

Something looming over this.

No!

No!

Oh my god, no!

I don't get it.

Why are Ben's experiences in the mansion so different from ours?

Different from ours, yes.

But not so different from Alex Harmon's.

At least, not of his brothers, to be believed.

Different accounts of the same paranormal event aren't uncommon.

We say it are practically every category of high strangeness.

It's one of the major reasons we began looking at alternative explanations for the paranormal.

Sure,

but a pattern's a pattern, even if it is an outlier.

I mean, it's not like they're seeing completely random things.

They both line up with each other.

I just don't see how some weird city in the mist connects with the sparrows.

Unless it's supposed to be Isabel, but from what we know of it and what he described, I don't know.

Doesn't sound like the same place.

Not to mention whatever he saw at the end of his ordeal when he dropped the recorder.

It doesn't sound like anything we've come across.

Thank God.

I thought he might be describing Guy, Lord of the Left-Handed.

Lord knows I had roughly the same response when I saw the thing.

Maybe.

But whatever it was, it was big enough to see at a distance.

We also don't know how extensive the sparrow's abilities are.

The things we saw in in the hospital, and

well, a lot of that seemed like it could have been some kind of projected hallucination.

Illusions.

For all we know, half of what we've seen, what Ben saw too, could have been these things.

Damned kind.

Messing with reality or our heads.

Or both.

And let's not forget the parting words of whatever the resonator ran off.

It said they spread across the earth, corrupting everything in their path until the end of time.

Or words to that effect.

illusions sound like the least of their abilities.

I don't know.

Illusions would have to be directed at our minds, which the resonator should shield us from.

But

like we've only just realized, the resonator also helps cohere supernatural manifestations.

So I'm thinking more of a blending of our reality with another.

So you think Ben was...

what?

Looking into some other reality?

It's a theoretical possibility.

Well, at least one possibility has proven to be more than a theory.

And it's left us with a fairly big problem.

You mean the resonator?

Right.

While I've blended the chime into all the resonator sonic emission profiles, that leaves us with the problem of the main resonator.

Well, so.

I mean, it works, right?

Yeah, probably far better than when I first switched her on, but what do we do with it while we're away?

It may be able to keep the paranormal at bay, but not so much for real flesh and blood adversaries.

Ah, I gotcha.

So what's to stop those whack jobs from coming in here while we're gone and smashing the thing into little pieces?

Bingo.

She's too big to lug around with us, and I have no idea how we'd set up some kind of security around her.

It's been sitting here the whole time and nothing's touched in.

And that's after the portable units helped us navigate the hospital and figure out that thing in the box wasn't normal.

Hell, the portal units weren't even put back in the van after whatever happened at the hospital.

But now she's actually taken a bite out of the thing.

Could make all the difference in the world.

If they did destroy it, how long would it take to rebuild?

Huh.

Well, now that I think of it, not too long, actually.

But that's just it.

It's never really tried to do much to stop us.

Nothing apart from knocking Mason out and stealing our drone.

Everything's just been an attempt to terrify us.

It didn't even mean to give me a heart attack, which is why the witch saved me.

I think once we have a better idea of what they want from us, we'll have a better chance of stopping them.

If that's even possible.

Look, we've definitely made some progress, especially with the upgraded Resonator tech.

We just gotta keep plugging away.

So,

let's plug away.

What leads we got left.

Uh, we got Chris's place to check out, the priest, Father Gaffney, all the books that Lochtrim mentioned, trying to get Loctrim back on the horn, whatever mental health records we can find on Alex Harmon while he was committed, the wax cylinders under the.

Hey, couldn't we check out those tunnels now?

I mean, at the very least, we could grab the cylinders.

with the upgraded units we should be a hell of a lot safer going down there right

after what dr locktrum said about the underground

i hesitate to say we'd be a hell of a lot safer

but the units should certainly keep everyone significantly safer than ever before it's the closest lead we've got and i'm thinking those recordings could be a gold mine of information Oh, I dread the very idea of going down there.

You're staying topside with me, Phil.

We should have one team team above ground, just in case.

I'm not sure that's a good idea.

We need my clairvoyance down there.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd rather not spend the rest of my life living in the shadow of this thing.

I've got the best chance of uncovering things it doesn't want us to know.

Yeah, but Phil, what about your uh

my heart is better than it's ever been.

She saw to it personally.

I'll be fine.

Well, I imagine we won't be trying to pull this off till around noon tomorrow.

So, in the meantime, I want to run the units through their paces a few more times and then top off their batteries.

While you do that, I'd like to go through some of the books from Ben's library.

After what Dr.

Lochtrum said,

I'm wondering if he doesn't already possess some of those translations.

Just stick to the boxes we brought up from the basement.

We can haul up the rest when we have time to bring the resonator with us.

I planned on it.

I'm eager to look at his copies of the Wither Diaries.

Dr.

Lochtram didn't mention it, but there's rumors that Wither once possessed translations of certain metaphysican writings,

and that he used what he'd learned to inform much of his personal ideas concerning cosmology.

Yeah, you all have fun.

As for me, I'm taking a nap before I take first watch.

I'm more tired than people who are actually asleep.

There you are.

One single malt scotch for the gentleman.

Thank you.

And an elder flower spritz for the young lady.

Thank you very much.

I'll be back in just a moment to take your orders.

Enjoy your drinks.

Are there any other numbers we could try?

There is only their business number.

Apex Intelligence Solutions.

I couldn't find any contact information concerning the Ingersoll sisters.

It's been hours since you called them.

You don't think.

It's certainly within the realm of possibility.

Yes.

Still, let's not abandon hope just yet.

The cell reception was unreliable until we finally left the house, so it's conceivable that they attempted to return the call, but were unable to get through.

Furthermore, if our own communications were being interfered with, it stands to reason that theirs might be as well.

My hope is that by remaining in motion and keeping to public spaces, we might avoid further disruption.

At least long enough to re-establish contact.

Why, Dr.

Loctrum, I've read all your works.

What a coincidence.

Running into you

here.

Dad?

It's all right there.

Do you think we could talk privately?

Bill, I need you to meet Lenore at the entrance to the restaurant and escort her to the car.

Dad, I can't just leave you.

Bill's waiting for you.

I'll call when I finished here.

But...

I'll be fine.

Now go.

Better do as your father says,

little lady.

If you so much as Lenore,

that's enough.

Now wait for me in the car, please.

Fine.

But we're only just outside if you need us.

There's some bravery there.

Perhaps too much.

Never mind her.

What do you want from me?

I want you to leave well enough alone, Doctor.

I will not let you destroy those people.

Not if I can help it.

And who,

pray tell,

will help you?

You know what will happen if you lay a hand on me.

On any of us.

Hiding behind brittle yellowed pages is a fitting reflection of the shield you've crafted for yourself.

We've shown you patience thus far.

Are you certain you want to test its limits?

Like the patience you showed my colleagues?

My friends?

Precisely that kind of patience.

But you were more cunning than your butchered friends, weren't you?

Stealing,

hiding,

bargaining.

Oh, how we savor such

skills.

Your life and the life of your precious daughter might continue, Dr.

Lactrum, wielder of a paper shield.

But you must turn back.

Now.

In times like this,

I'm reminded of the play, Bats and Birds.

What is it that Bartholomew the Wren says?

Oh, yes.

Sometimes you hear the devil out, just to know which road not to take.

So be it, then.

But you might also do well to recall a certain proverb.

The road to hell is paved

with good intentions.

Oh,

I see you have a guest.

Should I bring the drink menu back?

No, I was just leaving.

Enjoy your meal, Doctor.

Oh,

and do tell your lovely daughter.

I'm looking forward to seeing her

again.

The Gentleman from Hell is a Maltopia production.

Today's episode was written by Mark Anslone and voiced by Stephen Zivick, Sam Stark, Aubrey Akers, Jesse Van Hove, Kelly Baer, Mark Anselone, and Matt Van Hove.

Sound editing was completed by Stephen Anselone, and script editing was conducted by Walker Kornfeld.

Be sure to rate and review us on iTunes, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.

And follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at Meltopia.

If you want unique art and animations of Meltopia's stories, visit our YouTube page or click on the link in the show notes.

And for more exclusive content, such as additional lore, stories, and art, be sure to check out our Patreon at www.patreon.com forward slash Meltopia.

Popsicles, sprinklers, a cool breeze.

Talk about refreshing.

You know what else is refreshing this summer?

A brand new phone with Verizon.

Yep, get a new phone on any plan with Select Phone Trade-In and MyPlan.

And lock down a low price for three years on any plan with MyPlan.

This is a deal for everyone, whether you're a new or existing customer.

Swing by Verizon today for our best phone deals.

Three-year price guarantee applies to then current base monthly rate only.

Additional terms and conditions apply for all offers.

Coach, the energy out there felt different.

What changed for the team today?

It was the new game day scratchers from the California Lottery.

Play is everything.

Those games sent the team's energy through the roof.

Are you saying it was the off-field play that made the difference on the field?

Hey, a little play makes your day, and today, it made the game.

That's all for now.

Coach, one more question.

Play the new Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, and Los Angeles Rams Scratchers from the California Lottery.

A little play can make your day.

Please play responsibly.

Must be 18 years or older to purchase light or claim.

Hey, I'm Paige DeSorbo and I'm always thinking about underwear.

I'm Hannah Bruner and I'm also thinking about underwear but I prefer full coverage.

I like to call them my granny panties.

Actually, I never think about underwear.

That's the magic of Tommy John.

Same, they're so light and so comfy and if it's not comfortable, I'm not wearing it.

And the bras, soft, supportive, and actually breathable.

Yes, Lord knows the girls need to breathe.

Also, I need my PJs to breathe and be buttery, soft, and stretchy enough for my dramatic tossing and turning at night.

That's why I live in my Tommy John pajamas.

Plus, they're so cute because they fit perfectly.

Put yourself on to Tommy John.

Upgrade your drawer with Tommy John.

Save 25% for a limited time at tommyjohn.com/slash comfort.

See site for details.

ACAS powers the world's best podcasts.

Here's the show that we recommend.

This area was sort of a shark tank for predators, not just the Green River Killer, but others.

In Who Took Misty Copsey, I'm investigating the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl who vanished from the Washington State Fair in 1992.

How?

Why?

She was so sweet and so young.

What happened to her?

Listen to Who Took Misty Copseat, wherever you get your podcasts.

ACAST helps creators launch, grow, and monetize their podcasts everywhere.

Acast.com.