The Gentleman From Hell |S1| Ep. 14

Speaker 1 Rusty Quill presents

Speaker 2 Good evening, gentlemen and gentle ladies of hell. First and foremost, thank you for tuning in.
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Speaker 2 Join us at www.patreon.com forward slash Meltopia Meltopia and embrace the darkness.

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Speaker 6 I'm Hannah Bruner, and I'm also thinking about underwear, but I prefer full coverage. I like to call them my granny panties.

Speaker 14 Actually, I never think about underwear.

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Speaker 19 All right, gentlemen, that was the seventh alarm I've set for you. It's nearly eleven.
If we're going to make it to Portafor in time to do anything significant, we must get moving.

Speaker 20 These little late-night adventures of ours need the shift to normal hours of operation adventures.

Speaker 20 I think I might have slept a total of two hours.

Speaker 3 At least you slept. I've just been laying here staring at the ceiling.

Speaker 19 Do you often snore while you stare?

Speaker 3 Okay, maybe I might have gotten in a wink or two.

Speaker 3 Anyway, how's about we grab some rogue coffee and get lunch/slash breakfast on the way?

Speaker 19 I'll miss my personal chef's gourmet meal of every breakfast meet under the sun, but I suppose I can make do with less affair. And I've already filled both your femices with coffee.

Speaker 20 Someone's on top of their game this morning.

Speaker 19 Barely morning, lazy bones. And need I remind you, I am psychic.

Speaker 3 As they say, good riddance to bad rubbish.

Speaker 20 So much for fast food options en route to Porta Foy.

Speaker 20 How the hell do you screw up a cheeseburger that bad?

Speaker 20 I suppose it was your clairvoyance that told you to stick to iced tea?

Speaker 19 When one encounters a franchise called Beef Prince, one needn't be psychic to predict the quality of food.

Speaker 19 Hopefully Portafoy has some respectable dining. Not even the English can survive on tea alone.

Speaker 3 At least they had Wi-Fi, so I could text you as our progress. I wanted to give them something before he figured we'd been doing nothing but striking out and seeing ghosts.

Speaker 20 I'd say secret entrances and hidden tunnel networks should hold him over for a while.

Speaker 19 Did you mention anything about the possible cult?

Speaker 3 Nothing beyond what he could get from the fact we found secret tunnels. I didn't want to say too much else until we had something solid to give him.

Speaker 20 The tunnels and the cult, if that's what we're up against, again, might not even be connected. That mausoleum was made centuries ago.
Same might go for the tunnels.

Speaker 3 Yeah, could be. But there was what looked like a path leading right up to the mausoleum.

Speaker 20 But no prints in the dirt of the tunnel.

Speaker 3 True, but a lot of the ground was solid rock, and the stuff before was all stones and roots.

Speaker 20 We'll have a better idea once we get some decent equipment down there.

Speaker 19 The tunnel and the cult may not end up being connected, but there is some kind of group involved in this. I didn't get even the slightest sense that David was lying to us.

Speaker 19 And given what I saw during my reading, the men that seized his brother, I have no doubt that Alex was indeed being watched.

Speaker 3 Does that mean they drove him nuts? Christ, I see the links, but uh, I'm still lost.

Speaker 20 And what's with the fog? Is it just a coincidence or what?

Speaker 19 When the fog was present, Ben saw both the hyena and the strange man at the farm. I'm curious to know what Alex thought about it, what he might have seen in it.

Speaker 19 Although, strange mists aren't altogether uncommon within the paranormal.

Speaker 3 We've seen the hyena and a whole lot more, and we haven't seen any fog.

Speaker 20 Are mists anything like the smell of rotten eggs? That they sort of give away the presence of the paranormal?

Speaker 19 That's how I was made to understand them.

Speaker 19 During my consultations with paranormal researchers, they often discussed strange, mist-like apparitions, and even showed me photographs where mists appeared only in the images, invisible to the photographers at the time.

Speaker 19 And the photos were all taken at locations where paranormal activity had been reported.

Speaker 3 It's close, but not quite on the money.

Speaker 3 Both Ben and Alex saw it with their own two eyes.

Speaker 3 personally i think we might be reading too much into it rupert said cold sparrow was super foggy remember and we're not sure alex wasn't crazy if some group did somehow drive him nuts the stuff he saw after the fact don't matter makes sense but it's still an odd thing to have in common what doesn't make sense is alex coming back right is rain again i mean nothing besides someone forcing him to take that trip but why why drive him nuts and back again, only to pack him off to Yora, if that's even where he went?

Speaker 20 Can't say it wouldn't be nice to get more details about Alex. Might be able to grab some info from whatever hospital he spent the weekend in.

Speaker 20 Don't think we'd even need those prints or his plate numbers to do it. Most of those search sites we subscribe to should be able to score addresses and whatnot.

Speaker 3 You know how hard it will be to get info on a psych patient in this state? Like pulling goddamn teeth. Need a court order for that kind of shit.

Speaker 20 Do you see any water behind these ears? Obviously, I'm not going through normal channels.

Speaker 20 I just happen to know that nurses and minders have a lot of bills to pay, and that Hughes gave us one hell of an expense budget.

Speaker 3 He did say spend what you need. Voila.

Speaker 20 What do you got, Phil?

Speaker 19 While you two have been discussing leads, I've managed to produce one. With a little help from the now-functioning internet, if you consider two bars functional.

Speaker 19 At any rate, it appears that Ben's lawyer, Mr. Charlie Prist, resides in Port Foy.
I have both his address and phone number. Should we call and make an appointment?

Speaker 3 Only makes sense that the guy would end up being so close by. He seemed to know Ben's father well enough, and then ended up taking him on as his lawyer.
But let's just swing by and see if he's home.

Speaker 3 Always better to talk to someone before they know you're coming. Then give him a chance to polish their story.

Speaker 3 What about the shrink, Raglan?

Speaker 3 Anything turn up on her?

Speaker 19 Nothing recent.

Speaker 19 Doesn't appear to be practicing anymore.

Speaker 3 We can dig deeper into that when we finish looking into everything else.

Speaker 20 Why don't you drop me off at the Historical Society when we get into town?

Speaker 20 There's a little digging I'd like to do, and since Hughes paid them to let us stay in the house, I'm figuring I might have the run of the place.

Speaker 3 I believe the term is donation, but yeah, they should be pretty accommodating.

Speaker 20 Honestly, I'm surprised they haven't let the cat out the bag yet, and we haven't seen a bunch of reporters on our doorstep.

Speaker 3 That's because one of the conditions of the donation was that they keep their yaps shut.

Speaker 19 If we end up having one, I expect I'll be needed for your little chit-chat with Mr. Prist.

Speaker 3 You got it. It was Prist who gave Ben that tape in the first place.
I want to know if he has any reaction when I bring it up. About that and anything else you couldn't snatch out of thin air.

Speaker 19 Ugh, these days, the air seems to be getting thinner all the time.

Speaker 3 Hello there,

Speaker 12 welcome to the Demeter County Historical Society and Museum. Will it be just you today?

Speaker 20 Yep, just me.

Speaker 12 That would be $8.

Speaker 12 Wait a minute.

Speaker 12 I recognize you.

Speaker 12 Aren't you that young man from the FBI who helped put a stop to that awful solder cult?

Speaker 20 Ex-FBI, actually.

Speaker 20 But yes, that's right. I'm Leon Oates.

Speaker 12 Maria Telfer. It's so nice to finally meet you.
Mr. Hughes mentioned you and your partners want to come by and told us to assist you in any way we can.

Speaker 12 So, if there's anything I can do to help you, you just go ahead and ask.

Speaker 20 It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Telfer, and thank you very much for the offer.

Speaker 12 You know, I was absolutely glued to the news that day. Oh, my, all that business with those awful, awful maniacs.
It's just terrible what they did to those poor, brainwashed people. Such a tragedy.

Speaker 3 Yeah,

Speaker 20 yes, it was.

Speaker 20 But what I was wondering...

Speaker 12 Did anyone survive that fire? I mean, what with all those little children, one can only hope?

Speaker 20 No.

Speaker 20 No one survived.

Speaker 12 Horrible. Just plain horrible.

Speaker 12 What kind of a person douses whole families in gasoline and lights them on fire?

Speaker 3 Go on, FBI.

Speaker 3 Take your shot.

Speaker 3 Just see what happens when you do.

Speaker 12 May their sweet souls find peace in the hereafter.

Speaker 12 So, what can I do for you today, Mr. Oates?

Speaker 20 Could I use your restroom, please?

Speaker 12 Certainly. It's right down that hall.

Speaker 3 Thank you.

Speaker 20 Oh, keep it together, Leon.

Speaker 20 You gotta keep it together.

Speaker 20 Just keep your mind on the job,

Speaker 3 focus, breathe,

Speaker 3 Okay,

Speaker 3 gotta focus.

Speaker 12 Now, this is our restricted collections room. If we have anything concerning the city of Isabel or the Olden Sparrows, it should be here.

Speaker 12 You have no idea how many of those paranormal types come in here looking for this or that or the other thing.

Speaker 12 Let me tell you, they'd give their teeth to get in here.

Speaker 12 You see, it's normally off limits to the public.

Speaker 20 Why is that?

Speaker 12 Quite a bit of the collection was donated based on very specific conditions. There's a lot of extremely damning stuff in here, let me tell you.

Speaker 12 And certain families and people only allow their contributions to be viewed if the information proves important

Speaker 12 to historical knowledge.

Speaker 12 But since Mr. Hughes is such a well-respected figure, I'm sure we can make an exception just this once.

Speaker 20 Well, I can assure you, we all very much appreciate it.

Speaker 12 Now, you just take all the time you need.

Speaker 12 If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.

Speaker 20 I won't, thank you.

Speaker 3 Money talks and bullshit walks.

Speaker 19 Well, this is the place.

Speaker 19 647 College Street. It's not quite as respectable as I expected from a retired lawyer.

Speaker 3 Retirements definitely looked better, that's for sure.

Speaker 19 If I didn't know better, I'd say the house was abandoned. It's practically buried in thickets.

Speaker 3 There's a car up back. Looks like he just might be home.

Speaker 19 Mace,

Speaker 19 why didn't you look up Prist's name the last time you came here? It's unusual for you not to be ahead of things.

Speaker 3 Am I about to be demoted?

Speaker 3 You know what I mean. If I wrap tinfoil around my head, would that keep you from poking around in it?

Speaker 19 No, but that shouldn't stop you from trying.

Speaker 3 Marlene called. It's been years since we split, and the bank still calls her about my delinquent mortgage payment.

Speaker 19 Ah, the house in the Hamptons.

Speaker 3 Yeah, and she made damn sure to let me know how badly I screwed up. Anyway, after all that, I was in no condition for sleuthing.

Speaker 19 You know, Mason, I've built up a significant amount of savings, and I'd be...

Speaker 3 Absolutely not. I got myself into this hole, and I'll get myself out of it.
Besides... With the money Hughes is putting down, I'll be living on Easy Street in no time.

Speaker 3 Speaking of which, I'm not gonna make a dime unless we crack this case.

Speaker 3 But thanks for checking in on me just the same.

Speaker 19 You're always welcome, Mason. But do try that tinfoil trick, won't you?

Speaker 3 You ready for this?

Speaker 19 My antennae are fully extended.

Speaker 3 All right,

Speaker 3 let's hit it.

Speaker 3 Mr. Charlie Prest?

Speaker 3 That's me.

Speaker 3 Who are you? Name's Mesa Rhodes, and this here is Phyllis Chambers. We're with Apex Intelligence Solutions.
We've been hired to look into some matters concerning Benjamin Veers.

Speaker 3 I understand you were his lawyer. That was over 20 years ago, fella.

Speaker 3 And in case you ain't heard,

Speaker 3 he disappeared.

Speaker 3 Along with everyone else in Cold Sparrow.

Speaker 3 Don't see what help I could be to you.

Speaker 19 We're looking into some familial claims regarding his estate and other remaining assets. We were hoping you could clear some things up for us.

Speaker 19 We'd be willing to compensate you for your time, of course.

Speaker 3 Compensate, huh?

Speaker 3 Well then,

Speaker 3 sure.

Speaker 3 Come on in.

Speaker 3 It's your time.

Speaker 3 You'll have to pardon the mess.

Speaker 3 Made's day off, don't you know? You from here? Does it sound like it?

Speaker 3 No.

Speaker 3 I'm originally from New York. I was looking to get out of the big city.

Speaker 3 Set down some routes someplace nice.

Speaker 3 Fresh air and uh

Speaker 3 wild dad.

Speaker 3 Have a seat right over there.

Speaker 3 Just uh put all that stuff on the floor.

Speaker 3 Now, uh, you were Ben's father's attorney too, right? Sure was

Speaker 3 Ed was my uh

Speaker 3 first client when I got here. Sounds like you lucked out.
Must have been a nice gig.

Speaker 3 Until Ben

Speaker 3 Ed was uh

Speaker 3 my one and only client

Speaker 3 since hitting Cold Sparrow.

Speaker 3 Didn't need any others.

Speaker 3 Maid

Speaker 3 She came more often back then, too.

Speaker 3 I'll bet.

Speaker 3 Now, Ben and Edward were uh estranged.

Speaker 3 Yeah.

Speaker 3 But don't ask me why.

Speaker 3 Never talked about him or maybe some other relatives?

Speaker 3 We, uh...

Speaker 3 We weren't really buddies.

Speaker 3 I mean,

Speaker 3 we had dinner at his place

Speaker 3 a few times.

Speaker 3 Mostly to discuss business.

Speaker 3 All I know about his um relatives is he

Speaker 3 Excuse me

Speaker 3 is that he inherited all his money from big wigs in Europe. Yeah, like father like son, I guess both of them are pretty reclusive from what I hear.
So uh

Speaker 3 who's this um

Speaker 3 client uh who thinks they deserve a piece of V's fortune

Speaker 3 well there

Speaker 19 I'm afraid our client wishes to remain anonymous, Mr. Prist.
They believe they could be in some danger if word got out about their inquiry into the matter.

Speaker 3 Danger, huh?

Speaker 3 What uh

Speaker 3 what kind of danger?

Speaker 19 Did you happen to see anything unusual during your employment with either Edward or Ben?

Speaker 3 Uh,

Speaker 3 not that I can think of. Uh,

Speaker 3 I mean,

Speaker 3 you know, they were both into some

Speaker 3 odd stuff.

Speaker 3 Edward,

Speaker 3 Edward, you here?

Speaker 3 That uh package you wanted so bad came in. Figured I'd bring it over myself.

Speaker 3 I am uncertain.

Speaker 3 Edward,

Speaker 3 you uh

Speaker 3 you were in there.

Speaker 3 What's that noise?

Speaker 3 Everything okay?

Speaker 3 Hello, Charlie. It's nice to see you.

Speaker 3 And look, you've brought me a present.

Speaker 3 How thoughtful.

Speaker 3 Uh, yeah, it's that package from Norway you've been waiting for.

Speaker 3 Um, say,

Speaker 3 what was that you were listening to in there?

Speaker 3 While I appreciate you bringing me my package, Charlie,

Speaker 3 next time, I recommend waiting till you're invited, before

Speaker 3 stopping over.

Speaker 3 Do you understand?

Speaker 3 Sure. Um, you know, sorry about that.

Speaker 3 No harm done.

Speaker 3 But if you will excuse me, I'm quite busy. I'm sure you know the way out.

Speaker 3 Yeah, I'll uh talk to you later. And, you know, sorry about that.

Speaker 2 The Gentleman from Hell is a Maltopia production. Today's episode was written by Mark Anzalone and performed by Stephen Zivik, Sam Stark, Aubrey Akers, Jesse Van Hove, and Mark Anzalone.

Speaker 2 Sound editing was completed by Stephen Anzalone, and script editing was conducted by Walker Kornfeld. Be sure to rate and review us on iTunes, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.

Speaker 2 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.

Speaker 2 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.

Speaker 5 Popsicles, sprinklers, a cool breeze.

Speaker 3 Talk about refreshing.

Speaker 5 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 MyPlan.

Speaker 5 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.

Speaker 5 Three-year price guarantee applies to then-current base monthly rate only. Additional terms and conditions apply for all offers.

Speaker 7 Coach, the energy out there felt different. What changed for the team today?

Speaker 8 It was the new game day scratchers from the California Lottery.

Speaker 3 Play is everything.

Speaker 8 Those games sent the team's energy through the roof.

Speaker 9 Are you saying it was the off-field play that made the difference on the field?

Speaker 8 Hey, a little play makes your day, and today it made the game. That's all for now.

Speaker 3 Coach, one more question.

Speaker 10 Play the new Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, and Los Angeles Rams Scratchers from the California Lottery.

Speaker 7 A little play can make your day.

Speaker 10 Please play responsibly, must be 18 years or older to purchase light or claim.

Speaker 15 Hey, I'm Paige DeSorbo, and I'm always thinking about underwear.

Speaker 6 I'm Hannah Burner, and I'm also thinking about underwear, but I prefer full coverage. I like to call them my granny panties.

Speaker 14 Actually, I never think about underwear.

Speaker 16 That's the magic of Tommy John.

Speaker 6 Same, they're so light and so comfy, and if it's not comfortable, I'm not wearing it.

Speaker 1 And the bras, soft, supportive, and actually breathable.

Speaker 6 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.

Speaker 6 That's why I live in my Tommy John pajamas.

Speaker 1 Plus, they're so cute because they fit perfectly.

Speaker 6 Put yourself on to Tommy John.

Speaker 1 Upgrade your drawer with Tommy John.

Speaker 15 Save 25% for a limited time at tommyjohn.com/slash comfort.

Speaker 1 See site for details.