Episode 3 - Lost

While Tania uncovers some rather unusual secrets about their captors, Justin is thrown into isolation in a dark room, where he soon realises he may not be as alone as he thinks.

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SPEAKER_03 0:00

Previously, on the shadow in the light. What's happening now? I think we're being attacked. I never thought it would end like this.

SPEAKER_02 0:08

Good. You're both awake. What's going on? You are no longer in the 22nd century.

SPEAKER_03 0:14

Surely you don't believe all that crap about time travel. The pod chronometer. The display said it was twenty-two seventy-two. A hundred and fourteen years with no way to go back home. Justin Overmore Day Day five. I think To be honest, I've lost track of time since I've been here. Since they put me here. I was never afraid of the dark, even as a small child. But being trapped here in this room. No windows. No light. Maybe that was the idea. I haven't seen Tanya. I hope she's alright. She may be a pain in the arse. But I don't want anything bad to happen to her. I've been trying to find my way out of here. But with no light. It's difficult to even locate the door. They've put some kind of device on my eyes, so I don't see when they come in to give me food. Am I being punished? I wonder. The guy who let us out of the cage when we first got here said we were to be slaves. This is slavery. I guess they must do things differently in the 23rd century. Still can't believe it. Never thought this would happen to me. I used to talk about time travel to Ash. Ash. She must be long gone by now. All of them. All of my friends. Lise Brian. All gone. I wonder if they got out in time. I hope so. God, I hope so. I've been trying to remember what happened that day. The station fire. It's all patchy. I remember waking up that morning and going into work. Everything seemed fine. I had just walked Ash to a desk and Oh god Ash. I miss you so much. I know my love. What? I miss you too. Ash What are you doing here? Is that any way to greet your wife? I remember there was a time No, no. What is this? You can't be. Ash is she's dead? No not dead, my love. I would never leave you. This isn't happening. This can't be happening. Aren't you happy to see me? Yes. Oh gosh, yes. But I thought I thought I'd lost you. So did I. I've missed you. I wondered where you were all these days. We made it to the escape pods. We Lisa and I. She was talking to me when the fire alarm started. We both made our way out together. Lisa Lisa's okay. Yes. Yes. We drifted around for a bit. A day or so when something attacked us. You were attacked too. It was scary the whole time. I kept wishing you were there with me. So you know that we're not in our time anymore. That's what he told us. The god. God is that who you think he is? Isn't he? He's our captain, Justin. He's the one who attacked us. What? He said he was If he told you he was a god, he lied. He claimed to be an ally. Why would he lie? To get you on side. But if you don't play the game, his true colours are revealed. You said you and Lise escaped together. Where is she? She's in that corner over there. She can't get up right now. She's resting. They did something to her leg. Did what? What do they do? I don't know. I really don't want to think about it, Justin. I don't want to think about what they might do to us. I won't let them harm you. I know, my love. How long have you both been here? Shortly before they brought you in here. We think this is some kind of deprivation room. A punishment for anyone who crosses them. I didn't. I don't remember doing that. But then my memory hasn't been that great lately. My love, what did they do to you? It wasn't them. Tanya said I hid my head when Tanya Tanya is here too. Yes. She was in the escape pod with me. You shared an escape pod. How? I don't remember exactly. She told me I accidentally stumbled into one of the wheeler core ones and she followed me. What were you doing in a wheeler core pod? Apparently there was a lot of smoke. I couldn't see where I was going. Apparently? You don't remember? Not that bit, no. I remember working in my office before the alarm sounded. I remember thinking it might just be another drill, so there was no reason to panic. But when I opened the door I could smell burning. It was getting warmer. Then there was screaming and shouting in the distance, and I knew it wasn't a drill. I tried to make my way to workstation one to come get you, but there was so much pushing and crowding that by the time I got there, you were gone. My memory gets kind of sketchy after that. The next thing I remember was waking up in the escape pod with Tanya. I see. Where is she? Tanya. I don't know. The last time I saw her we were in the cage room. It was just after we'd eaten. The cage room? I don't know what else to call it. Where were you taken to? Did they take her? She was called. For what I don't know. I don't want to think about it. I just hope she's okay. And you, Ash. Are you alright? Did they mistreat you? Not physically. My slave didn't like the way I was looking at him. We got into an argument and I ended up here. And Lise? Apart from my injury, she's fine. Injured slaves are worthless apparently. We have to get out of here. Who's there? It's me. Tanya. Yes. Are you all right? I feel a little dizzy, but other than that I'm okay. What do they make you do? Accounts. What? As tedious a task in this century as it was in ours. No seriously. I am being serious. Apparently they find it amusing to watch. I don't understand. In this culture, they don't have any entertainment. It's illegal to be unproductive. They use slaves, as they call us, to entertain them. By watching us do taxes. Accounts, and yes, among other things. But I suppose a society that has never been entertained would find almost anything amusing. What did they get you to do? Nothing. I've just been in here the whole time with the others. Others? Yeah, I know it's dark, so you can't see them. But Ash and Lisa here. Really? Hello? Anyone there? Hello? How did she find out about all that? She must have gotten pretty chatty with her slaver. Yeah, how did you find out about all that? Turns out if you cooperate, they are willing to talk. Low threat, I assume. Right. She always did have the gift of the gap. I wonder what else they talked about. What are you saying? I'm saying there's something not quite right about all this. In what way? I'm not sure. Just a feeling. Justin? And I would be careful around her too. Why? She can't be trusted. Tanya's okay. So it's Tanya now, huh? Not too long ago it was Hamilton. Honey, are you jealous? I'm not jealous. I'm just saying she can't be trusted. Justin! And what made you say that? Well the whole story about the escape pod. Bit of a coincidence how both you and her ended up in the same one. Out of all the ones in the station. I guess I just had a lot on my mind. Worry about you, trying to make sure I get out in time. But you've practiced that drill as much as we have. You know to go to the ones for our company. Why would you go to the wheeler core section? On the other side of the station? I don't know. Doesn't make sense, but why would she lie? Lie? What really happened? On the day of the station fire? What are you talking about? If she's lying about that, then what else has she been lying to you about? Come on, Justin. Don't you see the pattern? What are you saying? How come she can just walk in here like nothing happened? A slave who does the accounting? And if she was so cooperative like she claims, why is she put here? In the deprivation room? I don't know. She's betrayed you. Betrayed? She's obviously struck some kind of deal with him. No. Then how do you explain it? I can't. It's in her blood. Always has been. She's a traitor. Tell me the truth, Hamilton. Justin, I don't know what you're talking about. Or who else you're talking to? I think that blow to the head is starting to affect your mind. I knew you should have had that checked while we were still on the pod. Lies. What did you talk about with our captors? How did we end up on the same pod? What really happened on the station? Justin Are you okay? Answer the question. Here. I managed to steal this off the guard who threw me in here. He really should have secured it properly to his belt. What is that? Some kind of gun. Justin, who are you talking to? You were behind all this, weren't you? All along. Behind what? You're working for them. We Lakor? Don't play dumb with me, Hamilton. You struck a deal with them. You kidnapped me and brought me to them. For what? Money? Power? You were delusional. That's what you crave, isn't it? You really don't know what you're talking about. You need medical help. You take another step closer, Hamilton, and it'll be you who needs medical help. Justin, please. I mean it. You come any close, I'm twenty button, I'll kill you. What's happening?

SPEAKER_01 14:17

Bravo! Bravo! Turn up the house lights, please. I must say I was skeptical when Dreton told me you would make good theatre. But I was wrong. That was an excellent performance. Same time tomorrow.

SPEAKER_03 14:40

What just happened? I think we just found out what you were brought here to do. You were being manipulated. But not by me. Those patches on your eyes. They must be some kind of advanced VR device. You're his entertainment. And from the sound of it, he's expecting more tomorrow. That's it. We've got to get out of here. We do. And I think I might have a plan. You've been listening to The Shadow in the Light. All characters performed by Anna Ebert. Written, directed, and produced by Anna Ebert. Original music, sound design, and editing by Anna Ebert. Copyright 2026. Anna Ebert. All rights were