Brevity
Charcoal City... a bustling metropolis to most... but to Dioptase, the world renown and anonymous street artist... a canvas.
When a painting bought by a local tattooist is revealed to be of incredible value, the procurer and her friends find themselves targeted by the corrupt parties that want it for themselves.
In order to preserve the message and keep the painting out of the hands of a villainous mob family, the mysterious creator must intervene while circumnavigating their own complicated connections to the predicament.
Brevity is a mini-series saga of art, crime, family, friendship, labor, and hidden identity.
Brevity
Episode 9
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Drop-Kicked Hornet's Nest... Unanticipated Guest... A Mobster's Vengeance...
Voice Actors: Molly Lynch, Sam McMorris, Amber Aubin, Dan Paragon, Joe Valdes, Tara Kempton, Matthew Abergel, and CJ Cinco.
Written, Narrated, and Produced by Mark Johnston
www.constellationaudio.biz
Photo Credit: Seth Steward
Music by Mark Johnston
Constellation Audio proudly presents Brevity by Mark Johnston. Episode nine money.
SPEAKER_00We continue our coverage of the stunning scene at last night's award gala, where an unknown vandal brazingly destroyed the $2.5 million Dioptis artwork. The same work that had been sold at auction here in Charcoal City earlier this week. We are now reporting, as of five minutes ago, that Dioptes, the artist himself, is seemingly taking responsibility for this calamity through another cryptic mosaic post. This time with only a cartoon image of what appears to be a frozen solid dollar bill cracking at the top and crumbling at the bottom. We can only speculate as to what this message is intended to mean, though it seems to carry a strong indication of a claim to last night's events. In other news, unrest at the Footman's International, where protests are scheduled to begin in the coming days to voice grievances against Union leadership.
SPEAKER_05Colette abruptly shuts off the horrendous news pouring into her high-rise office through the obnoxiously large television on the far wall. She rubs her temples with eyes closed to soothe her migraine from the cruel continued punishment. Last night's outrageous spectacle left her with little sleep and mountains more to worry about. Her father hadn't spoken to a soul since that horrific hemorrhaging of crumpled concrete spilled all over his precious event. His silent, palpable rage boiled so hot that Colette had his driver whisk him away before the mess could even be cleaned up.
SPEAKER_01I've never seen him like that before. And I know what he's capable of.
SPEAKER_05A call comes through the intercom on her desk.
SPEAKER_01Hi Colette.
unknownMr.
SPEAKER_01Archambo would like to see you in his office. Yep. Tell him I'll be right there.
SPEAKER_05Colette makes her way down the hall to her father's corner office. When she arrives, she finds Lawrence already present, sitting on a couch, tinkering with his phone. The boss is standing behind a giant desk with his hands on his hips, back turned to the door, staring out the window like a statue.
SPEAKER_08What in the hell is this bloody crane doing blocking my view?
SPEAKER_01The uh naming rights to the building have been sold, so they're installing the new title onto the north side of the building.
SPEAKER_08So what? We can't call it the Opal Tower no more?
SPEAKER_01Well, we can call it whatever we like, but officially it's now the Fernicon Center.
SPEAKER_08You know the telecommunications kind of Yes, I know of Fernicom, thank you.
SPEAKER_07Lawrence, what the hell happened last night? Uh, Dad, it it was an anomaly. I I was as surprised as anybody. I just know shit you were surprised. Security is supposed to make me feel secure. That is your job, isn't it? I'm sorry, Dad. I failed you. We couldn't catch him. And we have no evidence. That building was so old, it seemed unnecessary to rig up an entirely new camera network for one event. I fucked up.
SPEAKER_08You're damn right you did. And you're gonna make it up to me. I want that snowflake painting. The one those tight-fisted twerps refused to sell us the other day. Now that my auction purchase has been destroyed, the price will certainly have gone up. Not that I intend on paying a dime for it. Tell me we have something on that stingy little bitch.
SPEAKER_01The one Jem who claimed possession of it. She signed in at the front desk when they came in. There is an address.
SPEAKER_08Excellent. Find me that painting. I assume the two of you can handle that. Did I see on the news that she was in communication with the artist?
SPEAKER_01Well, it appears that he sent her a message. No one is sure what came from it.
SPEAKER_08I owe that good for nothing spray paint junkie, a good old-fashioned Art Chambeau adjustment if she has a lead on him. I want it. You got it, Dad. I'm itching to punish him myself. One more thing. What is this about an uprising within the rank and file? Can someone make this bullshit go away?
SPEAKER_01It seems they're planning a demonstration soon to protest against leadership. A source has told me that they are unhappy with benefit payouts and neglect over new wage negotiations. Probably a few other things as well. And I imagine it would involve a work stoppage.
SPEAKER_08Unions don't strike against themselves. I'll ask again. Can someone please make this go away? There cannot be a delay in the earmark shipments.
SPEAKER_07What if we lean on our special soldiers to pressure the other losers into chilling out?
SPEAKER_01Dad, I think the best way to calm things down would be to just write the checks and restart negotiations. The union needs to run smoothly for all the shadow streams to keep flowing. It's an investment in appearance and stability. We can't lose our working class image. Your grandfather I for your wise counsel.
SPEAKER_08But for the time being, I think we should try Lefty's suggestion first. I'm not going anywhere, and this family will always be at the head of the footman. Lawrence, you will need some of your sister's sharp wit and organizational prowess when you take over this enterprise someday. But I like your thinking. A few well-placed threats should take care of it for now. Okay, that's all. Now bring me that damn painting.
SPEAKER_05Coral is cleaning her station at the tattoo parlor when Gage walks in with a puzzled look on his face.
SPEAKER_04Gage, what's up?
SPEAKER_03What are you doing here? Have you heard it all from Jem? She had an appointment with me today, but never came in. I've been trying to call and text her cell, but nothing. That's weird.
SPEAKER_04I've got a break. Let's go crash her spot and see what's up.
SPEAKER_05Christian is startled when he hears the building intercom alert ring into his flat. No one ever comes here. Hardly anyone even knows where I live. He hangs up his guitar on the wall, walks over to the intercom receiver, and presses the button to speak. Hello?
SPEAKER_01CJ, it's your sister. Can I come up?
SPEAKER_06What the hell? What in the world is she doing here? Uh yeah, sure, I'll buzz you in.
SPEAKER_05Christian unlocks the building's ground-level front entrance with the push of a button, then starts scrambling toward the window. He quickly folds up the painting easel and slides it safely under the bed. Scanning the room for more, he spots an open black duffel bag in the corner. Inside the bag is a large collection of half-empty spray paint cans, stencils, and brushes. Christian picks up the bag and walks toward the bed. Before stowing it away, he notices his burner phone sitting on a shelf. He snatches it from its resting place, throws it into the bag, zips the seal shut, and shuffles the duffel under the mattress with the easel. Giving the room one last scan, he sees that there are a few scattered articles of laundry, but nothing else incriminating. Christian takes a deep breath right before a knock on the door echoes throughout the vaulted ceilings.
SPEAKER_04Let us in.
SPEAKER_05After several attempts at knocking, Coral tries the doorknob and finds that it is suspiciously unlocked.
SPEAKER_04Jim, we're coming in. Jim?
SPEAKER_05As Coral and Gage slowly enter the apartment, they quickly sense that something is wrong. The entire residence is thoroughly trashed, furniture toppled to the ground, shelves effectively alleviated of all their contents, couch cushions upturned and debris scattered all across the floor.
SPEAKER_04Oh my god, what happened here? I have no idea. I don't see her anywhere.
SPEAKER_05Coral hears something and walks from the front living space into the adjacent kitchen. She notices a suspiciously placed cell phone directly in the center of an otherwise empty laminate-covered counter. The device is buzzing ferociously on the hard, clean surface.
SPEAKER_04This isn't Jem's phone.
SPEAKER_05She picks up the cheap gray flip phone and opens it to answer the call. Coral holds the receiver to her ear without saying a word.
SPEAKER_07You have exactly 48 hours from this moment to bring the painting and information on the artist to Archambeau Industries, or your friend will suffer greatly. Call the police if you want. It'll only get her hurt. Clock's ticking.
SPEAKER_05Coral slowly lowers the phone from her ear and drops it to the floor. Her face holds a look of complete devastation.
SPEAKER_04What? What is it? They think Jim is the one with the painting. They came here looking for it. I'm so stupid. I let her pretend that she had it when we went to negotiate at the tower. Fuck! Now I'm supposed to trade the painting and bring them Dioptase to get her back. I need to call Christian.
SPEAKER_06Colette, what a pleasant surprise. I wasn't aware that you even knew where I lived.
SPEAKER_01You wrote it into the paperwork that you signed just the other day.
SPEAKER_06Right, of course. Welcome. Come on in.
SPEAKER_05Colette enters the flat and slowly walks around, taking in the living space with both sight and smell. Her fingernails strum a hanging guitar as she passes by.
SPEAKER_01Interesting spot. Quite the hipster holdup.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, you know, I dig it. Oh, the light. It's peaceful. And there's a secure basement garage for my bike.
SPEAKER_01You know, they told me that the perpetrator who destroyed Dad's trophy last night escaped on a motorcycle.
SPEAKER_06Hmm. Smart.
SPEAKER_01So what happened to you last night? You walked away from our table and I never saw you again.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, Larry was pissing me off, and I needed to cool down. I went out to the smoking patio for a while, saw the whole thing from out there. Crazy shit. I mean, what a spectacle. Dad must be fired up, yeah?
SPEAKER_01Mm-hmm. Yeah, you know Dad. He's going complete scorched earth over it. There's some other stuff too that's got him worked up. Gosh, I hope he's not serious, but he mentioned again this morning something about Lawrence being his successor. Can you believe that bullshit?
SPEAKER_06Can I believe it? Yes. Is it a sound decision? Absolutely not. Everyone knows you run the whole operation. Giving the reins to anyone other than you as lunacy. Giving them Solarie is actually hilarious.
SPEAKER_01I honestly don't even know if I want it. The stress from this unholy house of cards is unbearable.
SPEAKER_06Why do you still work for him? Are you that hungry for power? To overlook how fucked it all is? And everything that mom went through?
SPEAKER_01Christian, you were too young. You don't understand. Mom had her demons.
SPEAKER_06I know enough to know that she was put in a shit situation with no lifeline offered. I'll never forgive Dad for that.
SPEAKER_01I know. I was young too. I never wanted to talk about. What's that?
SPEAKER_06Shit, the burner phone. That could only be one person. Uh, pretty sure I've got some old electrical instrument parts under there. Must be uh malfunction or a funky battery or something.
SPEAKER_01Do you want to look for it and check?
SPEAKER_06No, no, it's all good. I'll take care of it later. Uh listen, uh, I gotta get to the shop here pretty soon.
SPEAKER_01Okay, fine. I was just seeing what happened to you last night. Odd that you didn't make an appearance after the fiasco. Just wanted to see if you saw anything different that could lead us to the vandal.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, I don't know. Uh it was just a circus, and I didn't feel like I needed to be there, so I left. Sorry, I wish I had a better answer for you. I didn't have a great view, so I'm probably not much help. I hope you get him, though.
SPEAKER_01Right. Okay, I'm leaving. Don't be such a stranger. I'll try to check in on you more often.
SPEAKER_06Yep, sounds great. See ya.
SPEAKER_05The moment his sister departs, Christian yanks the duffel bag out from under the bed and flips open the phone to call Coral back. She picks up before the first ring concludes.
SPEAKER_04Jim's been taken.
SPEAKER_06Tara Kempton, Matthew Aberzell, and CJ Cinco.