Episode 4 Found

While in the middle of another 'performance', Justin finds events taking an unexpected turn. But just as things are starting to look bleak, both he and Tania find help from an unlikely ally.

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SPEAKER_00 0:00

Previously, on the shadow in the light, the guy who let us out of the cage said we were to be slaves. I put some kind of device on my eyes. Those patches on your eyes. I was skeptical when Durettin told me you would make good theatre. They must be some kind of advanced VR device. We just found out what you were brought here to do. You're his entertainment. He's expecting more tomorrow. Episode four Found. We've been back in this room for two hours now, and you still haven't told me your plan. Starting to think you don't really have one. Oh ye of little faith. Patience. For what? What are you plotting? What are your acting abilities like? Acting? Yes. I don't know, not great. Acting was is more ascious thing. Our escape plan depends on your ability to fake pain. Why? What do you have in mind? I'm hoping they'll stop the show to get a doctor. They'll have to call an intermission and everyone will leave. That will be our chance to escape. That's your plan. They'll close the doors. How would we get out? It's an intermission. They won't lock the audience door. We can get out that way. I don't know. What if it doesn't work? Honestly, Justin, your pessimism is starting to become depressing. What happened to your positive outlook on life? I miss her. I know. I'm sorry. I'm sure she got out in time. She did. She's alive. At least. She's alive in our time. Justin. She survived. Oh here he comes. Showtime. Justin Overmore, you've been called. I've got these things on my eyes, so I can't see you. But you don't sound like the regular guard. Yeah, he got promoted. Promoted? Dreddin was pleased with his latest acquisition. I don't understand. He's talking about us. Our captor rewarded him for looking after his new pets. Right? Oh you are more than just pets. You're honored guests. I've never heard slaves being described in that way. Slaves? Oh you are not slaves, at least not any more. What we've been promoted to. Please don't make fun of me. I wasn't. I was making a joke. Joke? Oh, to make me laugh. Sorry, I'm still new to this. I could never tell. I know sarcasm. Please don't do that either. I hate shocking our guests. But you really must show some respect. What makes us so special then? Jetin has been trying to get people from the twenty second century for some time now, but you are a rebellious bunch. None of his attempts have been successful until now. You are a rare find. Is it just us then? The two of us. He didn't Did he get anyone else to get? Now please come with me or our patron will be unhappy that you're late. Better hurry then, Justin. Or they might throw rotten tomatoes at you. Very funny, Hamilton. Oh, I'm afraid it will be much worse than that. Potatoes? Carrots? No vegetables. Shoes? Failure to comply with Dreton's wishes will result in your immediate execution. What? You better go, Justin. I'll see you later. Okay. Careful Careful, there's a step here. Good. Now please sit while I prepare the injection. Injection? What injection? Nothing to worry about. Just something to help you forget. We can't have a good performance if you know it's not real. Now, please don't move. What? What are you No! What's in that? It'll all be over in a second or two. And don't worry. Side effects are rare. Side effects? No, wait, no. No, no, wait, please, come on. I don't I don't need I don't need an injection. I don't I can put on a good performance without it, please. No, no standard procedure, I'm afraid. Hold still. Ah there we go. My arm put on a good performance. And we will speak again soon. Justin. Uh Justin! What's happening? Um Justin. Justin, are you okay? Justin. Justin. Ash what's happening? Justin, we need to go with the station's on fire. This isn't real. Justin, please, we have to get out now. This is not no. Ash. Justin, are you all right? What's happening to you? It's it's getting I can't breathe. Justin, no. No, no. Don't leave me. Justin.

SPEAKER_01 6:58

Just get up.

SPEAKER_00 7:10

What's the matter with you? Get up. We need to get back to the room. Come on. Here, let me help you. Come on. Come on. What? Where are you taking me? This isn't the cage room. Where are we? Can you please take these things off my eyes? Later. We need to get off this ship first. Got the other one. Good. Put her next to this one and seal the airlock. Time to leave. Will someone please tell me what's going on? Where are you taking us? Somewhere safe. Tanya? Strap yourself in, him too. This is going to be a bumpy ride. Tanya what's happening? I have no idea. One minute I was in the room. The next I was being escorted here. Your colleague didn't have to push. I apologize if you were roughly handled, but we had to make sure you got here as quickly as possible. Our friends out there are doing a great job of distracting these pirates, but they won't be able to keep this up for long. When Dreton finds out two of his most prized possessions have gone, he won't be pleased. We need to get out of here ASAP. Friends You're not a god, are you? What really happened to the other one? He didn't get that promotion, did he? No. Let's just say he suffered some unfortunate consequences. You killed him. Killed? Oh no, no, no, nothing like that. Laxatives in his coffee. What? He'll be unavailable for a few days. A few days? Just how much did you give him? It was only meant to be enough to get him out of the way for a few hours. Seriously, the man drinks too much of that stuff. How was I to know he would drink three cups in an hour? Well, I suppose being a guard must be tedious work. He must have needed all that caffeine just to keep him awake. Well, the good news is I don't think that will be a problem for him in the next few days. Ugh. It's enough to make me give up coffee. Okay, here we go. Waste yourselves. And we are free. Sorry about that. No vessel is allowed to leave the ship without the security code. We had to tear our way out. I bit my tongue. Where are you taking us? What's going to happen to us now? I've let my friends know that we're out. They should be coming to pick us up soon. In the meantime, we're going to cut engines and hide behind that moon. That should buy us enough time. Who are you? Who are they? I know you must have a lot of questions, but this really isn't the time. We have a right to know what's going on. I work for the Security Advancement Division of the Planetary Enforcement Bureau. You're a space cop. More like an advisor. It's my job to read reports on unlawful practices and advise on policy changes and improvements. This rescuing business is not my usual gig. It's my first time out in the field. But with company redundancies, we all gotta do what we gotta do. Bureaucrat. He doesn't like bureaucrats. Okay, we're at the moon now. I'm cutting engines. I don't feel so good. What was in that thing you injected into me? It's just a standard memory suppressant. I think I need to lie down for a bit. Maybe it's the lenses. Some people don't react well to them. How do we take them off? They're tied to his brain. We need a doctor to remove them. It's not something you can just pull off. They're here. Did you get them? Yes, sir. They're over there. That one seems to be having a bad reaction to the sight lenses. He needs urgent medical care. Let's get him into the medical bay, ASAP. How's the other one? The other one would like some answers, please. I'm sure you would, but your friend is the priority right now. If we don't get these lenses off his eyes soon, he could go into a coma. A what? It's hard to breathe again. Take those things off him. Get the doctor in here now. Hang in there. Help is on the way. Tanya I feel dizzy I What's happening to him? Justin Justin, are you okay? My eyes I c I can't everything's fading. Justin! Justin! Justin! Justin! Justin! 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 reserved.