King Falls AM - Episode Eight: Electrolocaust Now
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Summary: August 15, 2015 - Sammy & Ben have planned a tribute to King Falls AM's resident jazz legend Chet Sebastian, however an impromptu, and selective power failure, takes out most of the station's broadcast tools, leaving the boys to fend for themselves.
[podcast intro music]
[KFAM intro music]
Sammy
Good evening, King Falls. You’re listening to 660 on the radio dial and I’ve gotta tell you, we’ve got a heck of a show this evening. We’re paying tribute to King Falls’ musical legend and Ben’s old boss, jazz maestro Chet Sebastian. We’ll be discussing [static/buzz] 40 years of— [sound of things powering down]
Ben
[confused] What the hell?
Sammy
Uh— W-what did I touch?
Ben
I don’t think it was you. [sound of Ben getting up]
Sammy
Sorry, ladies and gents. It seems we’re having a slight technical difficulty here. Uh- ye- hey, my computer’s down, Ben.
Ben
Yeah mine too. Sammy, I don’t know if they can even hear us. We might be… out out.
Sammy
*sigh* Well, okay then. Uh. We’re live and we’re winging it, folks!
Ben
[smugly] Au contraire, my friend! You should know: I’ve got a backup plan. And a backup for the backup plan.
Sammy
[incredulous] Uh-huh.
Ben
Lemme just pull out- the- [rustling] trusty— smartphone, aaand— [dull clatter]
Sammy
And?
Ben
It’s off.
Sammy
Well.*laugh/huff* Good thing you’ve got a backup for this.
Ben
It’s… an expression. We’re, *anxious sigh* we’re flying blind, Sammy. Check your phone.
Sammy
It’s, uh, it, it is off, uh, let me guess, the ghost—sorry, apparition—
Ben
Thank you.
Sammy
Of Marconi[1] just visited the station and just decided to start yanking wires.
Ben
Maybe Merv forgot to pay the electric bill.
Sammy
The lights, the mics, it’s not electricity, this is selective. [disgruntled] Uh, you know, but thanks for being so cheap and old, Merv, it may have spared 660 from the wrath of Skynet.
Ben
Yeah, the board’s lit up and so are the phones. I, I don’t get it.
Sammy
King Falls, have you gotten whacked by this random and seemingly mischievous power outage?? Uh, you, you’ve heard our story, let’s hear uh- wait, can they hear us?
Ben
Good call. [sound of Ben getting up]
Sammy
I, I don’t understand why some of this stuff is working and some of it is out! [slightly desperate] What are we doing, Ben? Y-y— [radio interference in bg] Now’s not the time to go rogue!
Ben
[in bg] Radios are working, Sammy. [closer] We’re live.
Sammy
*sigh* Well, you’re hearing our story right now, King Falls, let’s hear yours. If you’ve got a phone that’s- working, give us a call or tweet us @KingFallsAM—
Ben
Can’t check the Twitter.
Sammy
Damn it! *sigh* Let’s take a call, Ben.
Ben
But- the- schedule!
Sammy
Dude, what schedule?! The one locked in the computer that zoinked out, or the one that’s locked in our iPhone that won’t power up?
Ben
[muttered]Damn your logic. Line one!
Sammy
You’re live on the air with Sammy and Ben. Hope you’re well on this weird-ass evening.
Line 1
[slightly suggestively]Hey, Shotgun!
Sammy
*exasperated sigh* Hey, man. What’s your name again?
Line 1
Not important! *chuckles* I-I jusht wanted to check in with my favorite AM radio hosht and tell you you’re coming in loud and clear on my end. Loud and clear! Ha ha! Haaa. [realizing] Am I on the air?
Ben
You’re live, sir.
Sammy
So how are things in your neck of the woods? Any technology issues? Things not powering up and on for you?
Line 1
Not a problem in the world, Shotgun, ha ha.
Ben
Is he gonna keep calling you—
Line 1
Shotguuunn Shammyyyyy
Sammy
*sigh* Was there anything in particular you needed?
CALLER
That’sh it! Love the show. SHOTGUN SAMMYYY!!!!
[click, dial tone]
Ben
[curiously] What did you do in your past life, Sammy?
Sammy
[muttered] You don’t even want to know.
Ben
*snickers* Line seven, good evening, you’re on King Falls AM.
Line 7
[guy sounds stoned] Hey Ben, hey Sammy, you dudes doing okay up there?
Sammy
All things considered, we’re doing well! Uh, and who are we speaking with?
Doyle
Ohh-h-h, this is Doyle. Doyle Bevins, out in Hollybrook Estates.
Ben
Hey, Doyle. You having any issues with your computers? smartphone? what-have-you?
Doyle
Oh, yeah! ‘Bout- ‘bout five minutes ago, all my toys just shut off. TV, ‘puter, phone. Sounded like a transformer just shut doowwwn.
Sammy
Oh! So you had a transformer blow up by you! A- y- c— you know, could that have caused that way up here, Ben?
Ben
I—
Doyle
Oh, no, nothing like that! Like- like it was Bumblebee[2] powering down like a [gutteral] guchuchuhh aguchuchuhhh.
Sammy
…Oh…
Ben
Right. Regardless, Hollybrook is a good five miles outside of town. I don’t know if that would’a hit us.
Sammy
Doyle, thanks for calling in and letting us know what’s going on with ya.
Doyle
Oh, sure thing, bro, but. *chuckles* That’s not why I caallled.
Ben
Oh! Uhhh, o-okay.
Sammy
What’s on your mind tonight, Doyle?
Doyle
Well, before all this new age funky-junk started, I was having some really crazy stuff going on here in the apartment.
Sammy
Crazy stuff? Uh, wh-w-what kind of stuff?
Doyle
Supernatural stuff.
Ben
I’ve got nothing, I’ve never heard of anything going on in Hollybrook.
Doyle
Ohohoh, it is in-sane, Ben. It’s like I’m living in some sorta Cybertronian spacecraft.
Sammy
Cybertrone— I- I’m not familiar wi— Ben?
Ben
It’s a Transformers reference. It’s not real.
Doyle
Hey. It’s real, Ben.
Sammy
Can you give us an example?
Ben
Without referencing a Mike Bay movie.
Doyle
Sure thing, bro. So, I’ve got this toaster, right?
Ben
Mm-hmm?
Doyle
Sometimes— late at night— BOOM! It’ll pop up the scariest damn thing you ever laid eyyes onn.
Sammy
So it makes the noise like when the bread is done.
Doyle
Ghost Toast, boyyys. It pops— but ain’t nothin’ there.
Ben
Doyle… We’re gonna take another call.
Doyle
Ohohoho! not good enough for you, Ben, not Spooky-Kooky enough, huh? I’ll do you one betterr.
Ben
[dryly] You’d have to.
Doyle
Sometimes— late at night— my fridge starts making this Scary hummin’ noise, like HUMMMUMUMUM—
Sammy
Doyle.
Doyle
—MUM HUMUMUMUM-HUHHH—
Sammy
Doyle.
Doyle
—MUMM HUUMMUMUHUH-UH-UH-KUH— *coughing* *clearing throat* You get it.
Sammy
Doyle. Are you only experiencing this phenomenon with your appliances?
Doyle
[impatiently] Ca- can I finish, Sammy? Is that- is that cool? Can I finish?
Sammy
I’m sorry, of course.
Doyle
Alright. So like I said, it’s just a hurmming so [quietly, sharing-a-secret-like] I sneak in the kitchen, all Vatican assassin-like. [louder] Sling open the door– ACRACKACHOW! – ain’t nothing happening, boys. Mayo and mustard just looking at me like they wanna hop on a sanndwich.
Sammy
[“you’re crazy and i’m gonna go”] Alright, Doyle. We’re gonna take another call. Please be careful out there, with the appliances and such.
Doyle
Hey, do y’all want me to make a video and send it? *scoff* Pft-Duh! Maybe the electronics are zapped so I can’t prove it, man! It’s a big old vicious circle, bros!
[click, dial tone]
Ben
Dear God.
Sammy
Take care, Doyle. *sigh* Line nine, you’re on with Sammy and Ben.
Creeper
[creepy guy from episode 2 who calls to “listen to Sammy”]Long-time listener here!— Second-time caller.
Sammy
[click, dial tone] Nope! Not tonight. I don’t want that. Let’s go ahead and take liiine…
Ben
*pointedly clears throat*
Sammy
Uh- yes, Ben?
Ben
Huhhh, wel- ah- we- we- we need to- play an ad, Sammy.
Sammy
Play an ad? You know the computers are off, right?
Ben
Mhmm.
Sammy
Don’t look at me like that! Don’t even think it!
Ben
*whispers*God. [singing to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”] ♫Whenn- You’re- Hunngry and you know it come to Rose’s!♫
Sammy
No.
Ben
♫If you’re starvin’ and it’s showin come to Rose’s!♫
Sammy
Ben, please.
Ben
♫We’ve got waffles and cranapples–♫
Sammy
Beenn!
Ben
I’m just trying to make sure that the clients get their money’s worth?
Sammy
I understand that, but you know what? there’s no better way to do that than talking about just how delicious Rose’s Diner can be. Personally, I’m one for the country breakfast. What do you get down there at Rose’s?
Ben
Umm, well it’s a fact you just- can’t beat Rose’s fresh doughnuts.
Sammy
And from what Troy has told us, they make a mean bagel as well!
Ben
I’ve been going to Rose’s all my life? Never had a bad meal there, not one!
Sammy
You know, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stopped by for a great meal and good conversation. So if you’re in the neighborhood, just passing through, or wanna feel at home away from home, stop by Rose’s Diner! Right off the interstate.
Ben
Exit 44.
Sammy
There you go.
Ben
You’re good and I’m hungry. [quietly] Man, I could go for the signature pancake puppies.
Sammy
Whatever stops that singin’.
Ben
Okay, plea—I- I’ll have you know, Mr. Sheffield cast me as the lead in King Falls High School’s rendition of Grease.
Sammy
Alright, Zuko[3], well let’s take some calls! Good evening, you’re on with—
CALLER
[static/interference]
Ben
TIM!
Sammy
Ca-can you hear us, Tim?
Pete
Sorry, sorry let me turn my radio down.
Sammy
[quietly, disappointed] False alarm.
Ben
What do you want, Pete?
Pete
This isn’t Pete! My name isss… Escobar. And I wanted to tell you that this is the absolute worst broadcast in the history of radio. You two oughta be ashamed!
Sammy
We’re just trying to make the best of a bad situation, Pete.
Pete
Escobar!
Ben
I thought you weren’t ever listening to King Falls AM again, Pete.
Pete
I’m not listening! I’m assuming.
Sammy
Well you know what they say when you assume something, right, Pete?
Pete
ES. CO. BARRRIBA!
Ben
Don’t you have some mowing or clipping up to do at Beauregard’s manor?
Pete
Racist! But you know dang well no one goes up there after sundown! Ese?
Ben
So you admit your employer is a vampire. Hmm. Interesting.
Pete
I didn’t say- I didn’t- I didn’t say that! I just don’t wanna whack a weed that ain’t a weed! Ben— start living right. All that scary stuff’s fryin’ yer brain.
Sammy
Pete. Escobar. Do you have a reason for calling?
Pete
Alright, pushy! Alright, you know what? I swear, I ain’t listening to you ever again, you brow-beating ruffians! Nunca! Nunca, now, I tell ya. [click]
[dial tone]
Sammy
It’s gonna be a long night.
[sound of electrical powering down]
Ben
Look at the phone lines! We dropped all the calls. Li- line one? Hello? … You’re on with King Falls. Ugh, Nothing. We can’t fill four hours like this, Sammy.
Sammy
I’ve got an idea! Gimme your keys, Ben.
[rustling]
Ben
This can’t be good.
Sammy
Be right back!
Ben
Sammy!
[footsteps running away, door closing]
Ben
[singing] ♫Strandeeed at the drive iin, braannded a foool♫[4]… Yeah, I still got it. Okay folks, just uhh— lemme just check to see if our regular phones are working, make a little call out. [muttering] What is this, a rotary phone? Sheesh!
[sound of a rotary phone being dialed, ringing]
Emily
Hello?
Ben
Hey, Emily, it’s Ben! H- I hope I didn’t wake you!
Emily
Not at all, I’m listening. What’s going on with the show? and the electronics?
Ben
I know, right? I- I just wanted to make sure you were *sniffs* Oh! uh, hey, we’re live, by the way.
Emily
As live as can be, right?
Ben
Right. *awkward laugh* But, yeah, I just wanted to make sure you were okay with all the— weirdness happening tonight.
Emily
I’m fine! Thanks for thinking of me. Good thing I’ve got a land line, I guess.
Ben
[awkwardly] If you didn’t I would’ve had to, come over to check.
Emily
Oh really? …That’s an interesting thought!
Ben
Huh-h- mm- yeah. Y-you know, to- make sure that you’re safe and sound. Like a gentleman?
Emily
Oh, of course.
Ben
Oh! Uh, so, the other reason I called: um, in all your studies or research, do you ever recall any kind of electronic or- or electromagnetic pulses here in the Falls?
Emily
Not to my knowledge. Obviously, I’ll dig more into this later today at the library, but it’s new I think. [door closing in bg] Lucky us!
Ben
Lucky us.
[footsteps quickly coming closer]
Sammy
Alright! what’d I miss?
Emily
Hi, Sammy!
Sammy
Hi, Emily! … Hope you’re doing alright tonight.
Ben
Hey, I’ll, uh, call you later, okay?
Emily
Sounds like a plan!
Ben
Night! [click, dial tone] Don’t look at me like that, Sammy.
Sammy
[clearly amused and judging Ben] Ah-I didn’t say a word. Crazy power outages and electrical malfunctions— do you call your mom first? Your brother? Nope! You call your local librarian, Emily Potter.
Ben
So?
Sammy
So it’s cute!
Ben
Whatever. W-w-what are you up to over there?
Sammy
Well, this is a record player, borrowed from Mr. Chet Sebastian’s office. This is not how we planned the evening, but, thank you, Chet!
Ben
And?
Sammy
Well, I figure since our fancy— new, high and mighty tech is out, then we’ll just have to bring back some old trusty, reliable stuff to pass the time.
Ben
It’s a little telling that most of our broadcast equipment hasn’t gotten shut down.
Sammy
Merv, take a note. Upgrade our WKRP radio shack so we can take a night off when everything goes belly-up, huh?
Ben
Let me mic that thing up.
[sound of needle on record]
Sammy
Alright ladies and gents, you’re listening to King Falls AM, that’s 660 on the radio dial. With me as always is my co-host Ben Arnold and this? This is a little Chet Sebastian jazz to help you through this weird-ass night. Thanks for being a legend, sir.
[jazz music plays]
[CREDITS]
References:
[1] Marconi - Guglielmo Giovanni Maria Marconi, 1st Marquis of Marconi FRSA was an Italian inventor and electrical engineer, known for his pioneering work on long-distance radio transmission, development of Marconi's law, and a radio telegraph system. He is credited as the inventor of radio.
[2] Bumblebee - designation B-127, is a fictional robot superhero in the many continuities in the Transformers franchise. One of the most well known characters from the Transformers.
[3] Zuko - Danny Zuko is the male lead from the popular movie Grease.
[4] “Stranded at the drive-in” - from “Alone at a Drive-In Movie”, one of Zuko’s songs in Grease
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