The Disappearance Of Lottie Carmichael Chapter Two

Valeria and Portia go back into the field once more. The cloud of mystery around Lottie reveals new surprises.

Produced by Patrick Emile and Marlo Mysliwiec
Written, Directed, Scored, and Edited by Patrick Emile

CAST: Jovane Caamaño as Moose Prufrock and EMT, Cody Dry as Trip and Cop, Courtney Dyamond as Bernice Hill, Lauren Floyd as Valerie St. James, Lindsey Hall as Lottie Carmichael, Bradford Reilly as Morris Kinnard, Amber Rossi Strasser as Portia Nix, and Evan Michael Woods as Detective Dabney Duritz

Transcript

Writer Wrong Episode 15

The Disappearance of Lottie Carmichael Chapter Two

3.16.2021


Note: Writer Wrong is designed and produced for your listening enjoyment. If you are able, we recommend listening to the audio for your initial experience. All transcripts are generated by human transcribers and may contain errors. Please refer to the corresponding audio episode before quoting in print.

Writer Wrong and “The Disappearance of Lottie Carmichael Chapter Two” are copyrighted works under Title 17, USC. No part of these works may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission from the copyright owner.



INTRO      00:00

     [MUSIC: WRITER WRONG THEME]

Marlo Mysliwiec: Welcome to Writer Wrong where you, the listeners, become the writers. Today’s episode is Chapter Two of three. Now over to your host Patrick Emile.

     [MUSIC: WRITER WRONG THEME OUT]



WRITERS ROOM      00:13

Patrick Emile (PE):

     [MUSIC: WRITER WRONG THEME UP AND OUT]
     [BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP]



THE DISAPPEARANCE OF LOTTIE CARMICHAEL - Chapter Two      00:42

     [MUSIC: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF LOTTIE CARMICHAEL THEME]
     [MUSIC: SHORT FIGURE]

LOTTIE:
(Tearfully upset) I'm sorry. I didn't... He said it was ok! He said—I can't believe this. I'll go. Oh my god, I'm sorry...

BERNICE:
You should be. You should be sorry. But not for me, girl. For yourself.

LOTTIE:
I know.

BERNICE:
Now you know. You didn't know when you showed up here, did you?

LOTTIE:
I...I just—

BERNICE:
Look, sweetheart, you're learning a lesson. You're young. The devil knows I made similar mistakes in my youth. But he will destroy you. You are neither the first, nor the last. And he will spit out your bones when he's bored of you like he has all the rest. I hate him for it. He's a great man, and a selfish bastard of a husband.

LOTTIE:
...I don't know what to say.

BERNICE:
Yes, you do. You'll take your coat, and you'll cover yourself up, and you'll say, "Goodbye." And then you'll get the hell out of my house.

     [SOUND: COAT/ETC]

LOTTIE:
I'm so sorry. Goodbye.

     [SOUND: DOOR CLOSE]
     [MUSIC: QUICK TRANSITION]
     [SOUND: BAR ATMOSPHERE]

ANNOUNCER:
C22...C...22...

BERNICE:
Oh for heaven's sake. Will I never win? Trip, it must be rigged. What does a girl have to do to get a bingo around here?

TRIP:
Your time is coming, Miss Bernice. I can feel it.

BERNICE:
Well not tonight, it seems. Put all these on my tab won't you, Trip? I'll settle up with you this weekend. I must head home before I become over-served.

TRIP:
You got it.

VALERIE:
Ms. Hill, before you go—that was the last time you spoke to her? To Lottie?

BERNICE:
The last and only time. Of course I feel terrible now, the poor thing. I never thought she'd end up dead.

PORTIA:
Well, technically she's just missing.

BERNICE:
Of course, darling. But it has been some time. When you get to be my age, you realize that hope does not spring eternal.

VALERIE:
And you feel that your husband, Dr. Kurnig/

BERNICE:
Ex-husband.

VALERIE:
/Sorry, ex-husband may have been involved, after all? To my knowledge, the Bureau cleared him of suspicion.

BERNICE:
Yes, because of that ridiculous stunt at the clocktower. But, of course, it was all an illusion.

VALERIE:
Can you explain one more time? For the record?

BERNICE:
It was all done with projectors. Some sort of technical smokescreen using pre-recorded movements and such. He's 62 years old! How anyone could believe he'd stand up there moving clock hands for 24 hours, I swear. But anyway, once the girl vanished I'd had enough. I gave him 26 years, most of which I wish I could have back. Once the divorce became finalized, I thought to hell with the NDAs. And then you reached out, and the opportunity to spoil his mystique became too rich to deny myself.

VALERIE:
And you know for a fact he wasn't up there in Old Genie around 6:00pm on June 3rd?

BERNICE:
Not unless he can be two places at once. He was in our flat downtown. I had kicked him out of the house, like I typically did. He called me from the apartment, apologizing about the girl. Like I hadn't heard it all before. He wanted to meet. He said his assistant had everything under control with the projections.

PORTIA:
His assistant?

BERNICE:
Oh yes, that strange puppy of a boy. Peter something or other...

VALERIE:
McClung? Peter McClung?

BERNICE:
That's it, yes. I believe so.

PORTIA:
Holy shit. Val...

VALERIE:
Wait, so did Peter know of Selmer's whereabouts?

BERNICE:
I would assume so. But truly, that's the extent of what I know. For what it's worth, I never saw Selmer as capable of violence. Now I cannot be sure. But I must move on from all of it. Really, ladies, I must be going.

     [SOUND: CAR KEYS]

PORTIA:
Well, we really appreciate your time, Bernice.

BERNICE:
It was my pleasure. And such unexpectedly pleasant company on the eyes. Portia, wasn't it? Come give us a kiss, beautiful.

     [SOUND: KISS]
     [SOUND: STUMBLE]

BERNICE:
Oh my! Apologies, dear. I didn't intend to get so handsy so quickly.

PORTIA:
Oh Bernice—not a problem.

BERNICE:
(Laughing) Cheeky little thing, aren't you?

PORTIA:
Is that real fur?

BERNICE:
As opposed to what, tacky?

PORTIA:
It feels amazing.

VALERIE:
Portia's a vegan, actually...

BERNICE:
Oh? Well whatever do you eat, darling?

PORTIA:
As a matter of fact, I—

VALERIE:
(Not letting her finish that sentence) Ms. Hill, are you ok to drive? We're happy to give you a ride. Or call you a car—for your trouble, and the drinks.

BERNICE:
Stop, I'll have none of that! I'm fine. In the world of professional drinking, I'm quite the veteran. I simply had a mis-step. Good evening to both of you. Especially you.

PORTIA:
Oh! So nice to meet you, Bernice!

VALERIE:
Yes, and thank you so much for everything.

BERNICE:
Careful out there, girls. Griwerrtown isn't what it used to be, it would seem. ....there are enemies. Enemies everywhere...

ANNOUNCER:
(Fading) D13...D...13...

     [SOUND: TDOLC THEME]
     [SOUND: CLICK]

VALERIE:
Alright grave listeners, so that was a partial account of our recent conversation with Ms. Bernice Hill, former spouse to Lottie's mentor, Dr. Selmer Kurnig. P-Porsh? Thoughts?

PORTIA:
Wow. So many thoughts, really.

VALERIE:
Same.

PORTIA:
I was very impressed with her candor. And she was very clear that Kurnig might be of more interest than initially thought. Man, I just wish I could say more.

VALERIE:
Yeah, I know. So listeners, we fully intend to air that conversation in its entirety, however—

PORTIA:
Big "however"—

VALERIE:
However, we did become privy to some information that we feel it best not to divulge at this point.

PORTIA:
Sorry to tease, Diehards!

VALERIE:
We are very sorry. But in the interest of not jeopardizing the investigation, we have to hold off for now. Our hope is to gather a bit more info before we bring these things to light.

PORTIA:
Talking to you, Griwerrtown Investigations Bureau!

VALERIE:
For real.

PORTIA:
Can you call a bitch?

VALERIE:
(Laughs)

PORTIA:
Oops, sorry. One more time. (Beat) Talking to you, GIB! Can you call a girl?

VALERIE:
Yes, please! Special Agent Duritz, if you're listening, check your email. It's your best pal, Val.

PORTIA:
Wait, wait. Can you kill it for a sec.

VALERIE:
Yarp.

     [SOUND: SPACEBAR]

PORTIA:
So, what the hell is the deal with Duritz?

VALERIE:
Dude, I don't know. He has my number, and has acknowledged a text before. But no response when I hit him up the other day. Maybe Bernice went to him, too?

PORTIA:
It really didn't seem that way the other night. I sort of got the impression that she was over it, and talking to us was just a last "fuck you."

VALERIE:
Yeah, no doubt.

PORTIA:
Oh well, I guess.

VALERIE:
Yup. Alright, into the Kinnards segment?

PORTIA:
Or the Benefactual thing?

VALERIE:
Oh, right, right, right. Thanks, P. Ok, here we go...

     [SOUND: SPACEBAR/METRONOME]

VALERIE:
Diehards, while we might be temporarily withholding some info, that isn't to say that we don't have other exciting developments. For one, we'd like to give a big shout out to our newest Benny babe! P-Porsh, would you do the honors?

PORTIA:
Oh, it would be my pleasure. With an extraordinarily generous donation of five hundred dollars/

VALERIE:
/Five hundred clams, y'all/

PORTIA:
Five hundred smackeroonies—we'd like to shower with gratitude @user175M3!

VALERIE:
Thank you so much, User175M3!

PORTIA:
What a contribution!

VALERIE:
Amazing, really. They had this to say: "While it would be a thrill to get a shout out on air, I really just want to say that I'm a big fan and I hope this helps in your efforts to shine a bright light on Lottie's killer."

PORTIA:
User175M3, whoever you are, here's the biggest hug and shout out.

VALERIE:
Thank you, thank you, thank you. (Beat) Grave listeners, I would like to point out, though, that Lottie is technically missing and not officially presumed dead at this point. The best outcome for everyone would be to locate her and bring her to safety.

PORTIA:
No doubt, Val. And Lottie, if for some reason you are aware of us here at Griw? Or DIE!, you can always reach out.

VALERIE:
Yes. And that goes for anyone who might have information and are uncomfortable speaking to the authorities.

PORTIA:
Yup, no judgement.

VALERIE:
Definitely not. Hit us up through the site, or Benefactual...

PORTIA:
Or on any social media: @griwordiepod.

VALERIE:
Ok friends, that brings us to the second of our new developments. Portia and I decided that, after our sit- down with Bernice Hill, it might be a good idea to go out into the field once more.

PORTIA:
Specifically to walk the route of Lottie's last known activity.

VALERIE:
Yes. And while we did that, we decided to pop in to Kinnards, the art shop that luckily had the outward facing camera.

PORTIA:
Luckily in quotes.

VALERIE:
Yeah, I guess you're right. If anything that video only brings up more questions.

PORTIA:
But, at least it's definitive in the sense that we know exactly where she was before vanishing.

VALERIE:
Truth. Anyway, we went in and Morris Kinnard happened to be there and very graciously allowed us to record our conversation with him. So, here is some of that. (Fading) As always, you can find archived audio, video, photographs, case files, etc, on our website griwordie.com...

     [SOUND: CLICK]
     [MUSIC: SHORT TRANSITION]
     [SOUND: DOOR OPENING]

PORTIA:
I've never actually been in here.

VALERIE:
Me, either. It's been here for like 20 years.

PORTIA:
Really?

VALERIE:
Yeah, I read up on it last night.

PORTIA:
I...did not. I'm the worst.

VALERIE:
No, it's all good.

PORTIA:
Excuse me...do you work here?

ART BRO:
Aw nah, sorry.

PORTIA:
Gotcha, gotcha. I saw the coat, or smock, or...?

ART BRO:
It's a French chore jacket. 'Sdope, right?

PORTIA:
I love it.

ART BRO:
Oh word?

PORTIA:
Yeah. Is it vintage?

ART BRO:
Aw nah. Just, like, you know dirty or whatever. I'm a ceramics major. I rent one of the studios in the back.

PORTIA:
Very cool.

ART BRO:
You want to come check it out? We could kick it back there. It's pretty chill...?

PORTIA:
Oh no, sweetie. I just like your coat, that's all.

ART BRO:
Aw shit, my bad. I just thought, like—

PORTIA:
You thought wrong, but that's ok. Chin up, my friend.

ART BRO:
Oh, word.

VALERIE:
So, if you rent studio space here, you must know the owner? Or manager?

ART BRO:
Same guy. His name is Morris. Old dude over there...

PORTIA:
Ponytail?

ART BRO:
Yuuuup.

     [SOUND: FOOTSTEPS]

PORTIA:
Thanks, chore coat!

ART BRO:
Yo, take it easy.

VALERIE:
Excuse me? Hi.

MORRIS:
Hi, there.

VALERIE:
Hi, I'm Valerie St. James. And this is Portia Nix.

PORTIA:
Hi. Portia.

MORRIS:
Hello, Valerie St. James and Portia Nix. What can I do for you?

VALERIE:
Well, we're from the Griw? Or DIE! podcast.

MORRIS:
The what now?

VALERIE:
Giw? Or Die!. It's a local podcast.

MORRIS:
Oh, a podcast. Thought you said, "body rash." I was about to say, "You got the wrong place. DrugsALot's other side of campus, get yourself some Ditch Itch." (Intense coughing fit)

VALERIE:
(Awkward pause) Oh. Um, yeah we're a local podcast? True crime, sometimes investigative stuff...

MORRIS:
Ah, you must be here about the Carmichael girl.

VALERIE:
Lottie Carmichael, that's right. Do you have a moment to chat? We're completely independent. Actually...Portia, do you have a card?

PORTIA:
I do!

     [SOUND: PURSE ZIP]

PORTIA:
Here...is...that.

MORRIS:
(Reading) Griw Or Die. (To Val and Porsh) Hey, I like that! That's very good. (Clears throat grotesquely) Well, sure I'm happy to talk to you. I did already speak with a slew of detectives and lawyers and such, but hey I'm here to help.

VALERIE:
Thank you so much, Mr. Kinnard. Do you mind if I set up this recorder? We can send you any audio we might use in advance. For your approval.

MORRIS:
I don't see why not. But it is just a microphone, isn't it? Don't put me on camera now, I might kill your ratings hahah(laugh turns into coughing).

PORTIA:
Just audio, cross our hearts.

VALERIE:
(To device) This is a conversation with Morris Kinnard of Kinnards Store on 12 St.

     [SOUND: SPACEBAR/METRONOME]

VALERIE:
Mr. Kinnard, just for context can you give us a quick 'who you are and what you do'?

MORRIS:
Sure I will. My name is Morris Kinnard Jr, and I am the owner of Kinnards here at 6262 12Th St. in Griwerrtown. I am the second generation operator of the shop, having taken over for my mother, may she rest in peace, well,...well, about 20 years ago now I suppose. I cater mostly to the art student community here at the college. Materials, tools, you name it. Even some textbooks.

VALERIE:
And do you have any other employees? Anyone who might've also been here the evening of the incident with Lottie Carmichael?

MORRIS:
That I do not. In the past I've had help from time to time, but the problem with students is that they're always finding themselves. And then I'd find myself training up someone new. (Cough, clears throat) I've been a one man band now for the past several years.

VALERIE:
I see. We met someone coming in that said he rents out studio space. Can you tell us more about that? Are there many people coming and going?

MORRIS:
Not so many as you might think. And certainly not without my knowledge. The studios—we've got a darkroom, a woodshop, space and equipment for ceramicists, printmakers, etc—are all in the back there. The store itself closes at 5:00, and the studios then become key-card entry only from the back of the building.

VALERIE:
So, no one was around up here in the front at 6:00pm June the 3rd? Or maybe you were?

MORRIS:
In fact I was.

VALERIE:
Oh really?

MORRIS:
Indeed. I'm usually here till about 6:30, counting the drawer and what have you. Hard to forget that night—that transformer damn near gave me a heart attack.

VALERIE:
I'm sure. Did you go outside? Or happen to see Lottie? I know the GIB and whoever else has probably asked you all of these questions, I really appreciate this.

MORRIS:
Not a problem. I did go outside, but what you see on the tape is pretty much what I saw, too. Mineral oil all about the sidewalk there from the explosion. Burning smell. No sign of the girl, I'm afraid. It's a terrible thing.

VALERIE:
Yes, it is.

MORRIS:
I tell you, I'd give anything to find her if only so I didn't have to look at that monstrosity of a sculpture every time I look out my windows there. Call me a traditionalist, but I think you could've honored her in a more appropriate way. Maybe something (coughs a few times) you know, maybe figurative.

VALERIE:
/Interesting. What do you think about that, Portia?

PORTIA:
Mr. Kinnard, did you know Lottie Carmichael? It just occurred to me that she might have been a customer of yours, given that she's an art student as well.

MORRIS:
I did seem to recognize her after looking at pictures and such with the police, but no, she was not a regular in here. As I understand it she was studying new media, and I service more classical forms here. I wouldn't even know what to put in a new media section. Computers? Concepts? Body fluids? Haha(coughing fit)...

VALERIE:
What do you think, Porsh? Anything else?

PORTIA:
I think that's about it.

     [SOUND: SHIFT FROM "REAL" TO SPEAKER AUDIO]

VALERIE:
Well Mr. Kinnard, I think we've taken up enough of your time. Thank you for speaking with us. Really.

PORTIA:
Yes, thank you so much!

MORRIS:
(Recovering) It was my pleasure, ladies. My pleasure. And good luck in your investigation. I hope they find her.

VALERIE:
We do, too.

     [SOUND: CLICK]

VALERIE:
There it is, folks. Our talk with Morris Kinnard. Thank you again Morris, if you're listening.

PORTIA:
Hope that cough clears up.

VALERIE:
(Laughs) So, on the surface it would seem that we didn't learn a whole lot more about the events in question. Buuuuut...

PORTIA:
The studios, right? Am I right?

VALERIE:
What's the deal with those studios.

PORTIA:
I knew it.

VALERIE:
Diehards, I'm not trying to sensationalize or make something out of nothing here, but it does seem of note to me that there are, like, secure secret-access spaces right there.

PORTIA:
Yeah, just right there across the street.

VALERIE:
Now, it's the back of Kinnards, so to be clear not directly across from where Lottie disappeared.

PORTIA:
No, but still.

VALERIE:
Right. But still. It's possible that she knew, or knows rather, someone who has access to those spaces.

PORTIA:
Like French chore coat-boy?

VALERIE:
Well, maybe not him. Ya'll just an aside: P-Porsh made a friend while we were out there in the field.

PORTIA:
Oh, he was cute. Leave him alone. Just barking up the wrong tree.

VALERIE:
Much more senior tree.

PORTIA:
Oh my gods, how dare you.

VALERIE:
I dare.

PORTIA:
I'm wounded.

VALERIE:
Hi Wounded, I'm Val.

PORTIA:
Wow. See listeners, this is why I make the friends on the excursions. There's your evidence right there.

VALERIE:
Anyway, I do wonder if that quasi-secluded studio space is on the radar of any detectives.

PORTIA:
I hope so. Although, it doesn't necessarily explain away the video. She does just...vanish.

VALERIE:
I know. It's almost like—

PORTIA:
(Big interjection) Aw Hell!

VALERIE:
What is it?

PORTIA:
Motherfu...

     [SOUND: SPACEBAR]

VALERIE:
Dude, what's going on?

PORTIA:
It's me!

VALERIE:
What's you? You're freaking me out.

PORTIA:
No, "It's. Me."

VALERIE:
(Mimicking) What's. You?

PORTIA:
Did you ever do that stupid number code thing as a kid in school? Like when you were passing notes or whatever?

VALERIE:
I don't think so...

PORTIA:
Like one is I, eight is B...

VALERIE:
Oh, oh, oh! Yeah I think I remember that. What—

PORTIA:
User 175M3. Look.

     [SOUND: WRITING]

PORTIA:
The one is an I, 7 is T, 5 is S, M is...M, and 3 for E. "It's me."

VALERIE:
(Beat) What the fuck?

PORTIA:
Right?!

VALERIE:
You don't think...

PORTIA:
You're damn right I think!

VALERIE:
It's just a coincidence.

PORTIA:
No. Girl, no. Come on.

VALERIE:
Ok, but that doesn't mean it's some confession or something.

PORTIA:
No, no, it could just be someone trying to be clever or whatever. (Beat) Or...

VALERIE:
Shit, I have goosebumps.

PORTIA:
Me, too! Like, what is that?

VALERIE:
I don't know. I just figured they were, you know, using some generated name to protect their (trying)anon...ym...ous...

PORTIA:
Anonmynous-ness?

     [SOUND: CELL PHONE PING]

VALERIE:
A-NON-nym-minity...

     [SOUND: FINGER SNAP]

PORTIA:
(Correctly) Anonymity!

VALERIE:
Ugh, thank you!

     [SOUND: CELL PHONE PING]

PORTIA:
I thought I turned this stupid thing off!

VALERIE:
(To herself) Anonymity...anonymity...

     [SOUND: MUFFLED SOUND FROM VIDEO ON PHONE]

PORTIA:
Holy god damn shit!

VALERIE:
What?! What is it now?

PORTIA:
This is unbelievable!

VALERIE:
Dude, not again.

PORTIA:
Look at this! My friend Taysia sent it. It's all over Spreddit. Fucking hell.

     [SOUND: PHONE SPEAKER]

BERNICE:
(Drunk) That's right you, motherfucker! Bingo, you son of a bitch bastard! Bingo!

     [SOUND: NORMAL SOUND]

VALERIE:
No.

PORTIA:
Yeah.

VALERIE:
Wait. Go back.

     [SOUND: PHONE SPEAKER, LOUDER/CLEARER]
     [SOUND: SIRENS FADING IN]

BERNICE:
That's right you, motherfucker! Bingo, you son of a bitch bastard! Bingo!

ONLOOKER:
Lady, are you ok?

BERNICE:
You want to take my best years! Well, I'm taking them back, you coward! Bingo!

     [SOUND: AMBULANCE/DOOR]
     [SOUND: SHIFT TO PRE-RECORDED SOUNDING]

EMT:
Ma'am? Ma'am, please sit down here. We need to—

BERNICE:
Don't you call me ma'am! Hey, come here. Give us a kiss...

     [SOUND: SHIFT TO NORMAL SOUND]

MOOSE:
Darlene, that was the scene behind me just an hour ago. I'm currently at the corner of 12th St. and Mixon, and—as you can see here over my shoulder—the newly installed blood sculpture by Selmer Kurnig has been destroyed. But not by just anyone. That twisted car belongs to Kurnig's now ex-wife, the noted developer and socialite, Bernice Hill. What's more, is that police discovered bones scattered about the scene. And not just any bones, Darlene—human bones. Preliminary analysis seems to suggest that the bones were being housed inside of Kurnig's sculpture, although that's yet to be corroborated by authorities...

     [SOUND: SHIFT TO PRE-RECORDED SOUND]

MOOSE:
Special Agent Duritz! Moose Prufrock, FBT News. Can you tell us anything about the bones? Are they female?

COP:
Alright, keep it moving...

MOOSE:
Do you think this has anything to do with Lottie Carmichael?

DABNEY:
I have no comment. Come on man, this is an active crime scene. Someone get him out of here!

COP:
Let's go, move along...

     [SOUND: NORMAL SOUND]

MOOSE:
As you can see, Darlene answers to these specific questions might have to wait. But again, human bones have been found inside Selmer Kurnig's Violence Of Time II, the recently erected sculpture now destroyed by ex-wife Bernice Hill. At 12th and Mixon—the last known location of Lottie Carmichael. This is Moose Prufrock, FBT News.

     (END OF THE DISAPPEARANCE OF LOTTIE CARMICHAEL CHAPTER TWO)



WRITE OR WRONG?      22:00

     [MUSIC: WRITER WRONG THEME UP AND OUT]

PE:



OUTRO      22:59

     [MUSIC: WRITER WRONG THEME]

Marlo Mysliwiec: Writer Wrong is created by Patrick Emile and Marlo Mysliwiec.  This episode’s story was written by Patrick Emile with music and sound design by KCKSRV. Cast your vote on our website at WriterWrongPodcast.com and be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter at Writer Wrong Podcast. If you like what you’re listening to hit the subscribe button, write us a review, and be sure to tell your friends to share the stories. Until next week, keep writing.

     [MUSIC: WRITER WRONG THEME OUT]

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