Can Your Reflection Betray You? "Upon Reflection" – Eerie Urban Legends

0:00 Speaker 1: Doorway to Nightmare is brought to you in part by Swanage Press. It lies in wait amidst your dreams, where nothing is ever how it seems. It is a portal to a terrifying world beyond the doorway. Nightmare. Come in. Welcome. I'm Artemis Black. Depending on what your particular definition of boxing is, the sport was officially recognized in 1884 when the marquee of Queensberry rules were introduced. But go back further to 1719, when James Figg became the first modern boxing champion, marking a milestone in the history of the sport.

1:17 Speaker 1: Even as early as the 16th century, unregulated contests in England were held, known as prizefighting.

1:33 Speaker 2: I think that right cross did it, Joe.

1:36 Speaker 1: Yeah. Eight rounds.

1:39 Speaker 3: I didn't think the kid had it in him.

1:42 Speaker 1: Hey, look, Joe.

1:44 Speaker 2: He ain't breathing.

1:44 Speaker 4: What?

1:45 Speaker 3: What do you mean, he ain't breathing?

1:49 Speaker 1: Well, look.

1:50 Speaker 2: The doc's with him now, and he's shaking his head. Joe, you killed him.

1:57 Speaker 5: No.

1:57 Speaker 1: No, I couldn't have.

1:59 Speaker 2: They're bringing in Stretcher. Jeez, look at his face.

2:03 Speaker 1: His eyes.

2:04 Speaker 2: They ain't moving. Face it, Joe. You killed him.

2:08 Speaker 1: Our mystery drama, Upon Reflection, was written especially for Doorway to Nightmare by Winslow Swan and edited by Crimson McKenzie. Our cast includes Dave Arkapov, Patience Adams, Crimson McKenzie, and Winslow Swan. I'll return shortly with Act One.

2:32 Speaker 6: Have you heard any good books lately? Audiobooks from Winslow Swan, now available on Spotify.

2:55 Speaker 1: From the dawn of humans on this planet... We are a people of violence. From war to sports, we have cheered as the inhumanity to each other grows more and more. From the Roman Colosseum, where gladiators were pitted against each other, to the world of boxing, we cheer as two people beat each other. In the words of American boxer Sonny Liston, A boxing match is like a cowboy movie. There's got to be good guys, and there's got to be bad guys. And that's what people pay for. To see the bad guys get beat.

3:43 Speaker 3: I guess I should lie down on the couch.

3:47 Speaker 1: Huh, Doc?

3:48 Speaker 7: Wherever you are most comfortable. I do wish you would let me turn on more lights, though.

3:53 Speaker 1: No, no lights.

3:55 Speaker 2: Told you on the phone, I don't want no lights on.

3:59 Speaker 7: It's going to make it more difficult, but I suppose it will be all right. Now, please, Mr. Harris, why don't you make yourself comfortable?

4:10 Speaker 3: I guess you know who I am.

4:12 Speaker 7: Yes, Joe Harris, middleweight champion.

4:15 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's right.

4:17 Speaker 3: And I suppose you know what happened last Saturday night.

4:21 Speaker 7: Why don't you tell me? I only read the newspaper report and saw the news on TV. I'd rather hear it from you. Dr.

4:30 Speaker 3: Bridges, you've got to understand. I didn't mean to kill him.

4:34 Speaker 1: It was just.

4:36 Speaker 3: You know, one of those bad accidents that happened in the ring.

4:42 Speaker 7: Please, Joe, start at the beginning.

4:50 Speaker 2: Man, the crowd is out for blood tonight. Sold out every seat for this event.

4:56 Speaker 3: Then I guess we better give them a good show.

4:58 Speaker 1: Eh, Max? Show?

5:01 Speaker 2: You think this is a show? You're defending your title tonight.

5:05 Speaker 3: So what? That kid won't even lay a glove on me.

5:09 Speaker 2: Brian DaSilva is the number one contender, Joe. I've been telling you, get to the gym more often. But did you?

5:19 Speaker 1: Nah.

5:21 Speaker 2: You ate whatever you wanted, you rarely exercised, and you almost didn't make the weight limit. Max, buddy, calm down.

5:30 Speaker 3: I got this.

5:31 Speaker 2: Yeah, sure you do, Joe. Sure you do, and when you lose tonight, I'm out of a job.

5:38 Speaker 3: Max, I promise, if, and I do mean if I lose, I'll pay your salary out of my own pocket.

5:47 Speaker 1: For a whole year.

5:49 Speaker 3: And by then, you can whip me into shape, and we'll be on top again.

5:54 Speaker 2: Joe, if you lose tonight, I won't be able to get you a bout in Jerkwater, USA.

6:01 Speaker 5: Where the heck.

6:16 Speaker 2: Did that right cross come from, Joe?

6:20 Speaker 4: Huh.

6:21 Speaker 3: I've been hitting him with live jabs all night. I guess he wasn't expecting my right.

6:25 Speaker 1: Hand coming from out of nowhere.

6:27 Speaker 3: The kid's good, though.

6:29 Speaker 1: Real good.

6:30 Speaker 2: Hey, Joe, something ain't right. The kid, he ain't moving.

6:37 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, Doc is looking at him now.

6:41 Speaker 2: No, Joe, Doc is shaking his head. The kid is dead.

6:47 Speaker 1: Oh, come on, he can't be.

6:51 Speaker 3: It was only a right hook.

6:52 Speaker 1: Look it.

6:53 Speaker 2: They're bringing in the stretcher now.

6:55 Speaker 1: Come on.

6:56 Speaker 2: Let's get back to the dressing room.

7:07 Speaker 3: Well, Max?

7:09 Speaker 2: Doc says it's brain hemorrhage. Says the right cross you gave him must have caused an aneurysm. He was dead before he hit the mat.

7:19 Speaker 1: What?

7:21 Speaker 3: I didn't think that I hit him that hard.

7:24 Speaker 1: I mean, come on, Max.

7:27 Speaker 3: You know I never would have.

7:28 Speaker 2: I know, Joe.

7:29 Speaker 1: I know.

7:30 Speaker 8: Why don't you do it?

7:39 Speaker 4: Why?

7:41 Speaker 2: Hey, who are you?

7:42 Speaker 7: I'm the wife of the.

7:47 Speaker 8: Man your beluga murdered.

7:51 Speaker 4: Murdered! Why?

7:54 Speaker 8: Why did you have to hit him so hard?

7:57 Speaker 3: Ah, look, Mrs. De Silva. You gotta understand. There are risks in every sport.

8:04 Speaker 2: He knew what he was getting into the moment he got into the ring.

8:08 Speaker 4: Murderer! You killed him! With your bare hands, you killed him!

8:15 Speaker 2: Look, Mrs.

8:16 Speaker 1: De Silva.

8:17 Speaker 2: Joe and I are very sorry for what happened, but you gotta understand.

8:22 Speaker 6: I don't have to understand anything.

8:24 Speaker 4: You.

8:28 Speaker 4: You stupid, murdering monster! That's what you are.

8:34 Speaker 8: You're a monster! A twisted maniac! You're not even human! You're a monster!

8:49 Speaker 1: According to statistics, since the introduction of the Marquis of Queensberry rules in 1884, there had been over 500 deaths either during a match or after. In 1953 alone, there were 22. It is estimated that there are one or two deaths due to boxing per year. I'll return shortly with Act 2.

9:20 Speaker 5: Mystery.

9:20 Speaker 4: Horror.

9:22 Speaker 6: Thriller.

9:24 Speaker 1: Suspense.

9:25 Speaker 4: Novels and short story collections from Winslow Swan, now available from Amazon.

9:47 Speaker 1: American boxer Jerry Cooney once said, all of the sports have a safety net, but boxing is the only sport that has none.

9:59 Speaker 7: Let me turn on a little more light, Mr. Harris, please.

10:02 Speaker 1: No lights! At least, not yet.

10:08 Speaker 7: All right, Mr.

10:09 Speaker 4: Harris.

10:10 Speaker 7: Continue.

10:10 Speaker 8: A monster!

10:19 Speaker 4: Do you hear me? You didn't have to kill him.

10:24 Speaker 3: Believe me, Mrs. De Silva, I didn't mean it.

10:27 Speaker 1: It was just an accident.

10:32 Speaker 4: I hope you rot in hell. I hope you never know any, any kind of peace. My husband's face will haunt you for the rest of your life, you ugly, miserable life.

10:47 Speaker 1: Please, Mrs.

10:48 Speaker 3: De Silva, look, if there's anything I can do, you can.

10:52 Speaker 8: Take your hands off me! Your killer hands! Your monster hands!

10:59 Speaker 3: I didn't mean anything. I know how hard this must be, but.

11:04 Speaker 4: An inhuman beast like you? A twisted, bloodthirsty beast? You... You couldn't possibly know what I feel.

11:16 Speaker 1: Come on, Mrs. DeSilva.

11:18 Speaker 2: Let me call you a cow.

11:20 Speaker 7: That's what you are.

11:22 Speaker 5: The both of you.

11:24 Speaker 4: Bloodthirsty monsters. Twisted, sadistic monsters.

11:40 Speaker 2: Come on, Joe. She's just.

11:43 Speaker 3: Upset?

11:44 Speaker 2: She didn't mean it.

11:47 Speaker 3: Yes, she did, Max. Maybe, maybe she's right. Maybe we are both monsters.

12:02 Speaker 7: It is my understanding, Mr. Harris, that the inquest ruled it an accident. The case was closed.

12:09 Speaker 1: Oh, sure, closed to the authorities.

12:11 Speaker 3: But not to Mrs.

12:12 Speaker 1: DeSilva.

12:13 Speaker 7: Did she try to contact you after the match?

12:16 Speaker 3: Tried to? Oh, she did much more than just try.

12:24 Speaker 3: She calls me all the time.

12:27 Speaker 4: You're a bloodthirsty monster. A twisted, ugly, inhuman beast.

12:33 Speaker 3: She'd slip notes.

12:34 Speaker 1: Under my door.

12:35 Speaker 3: She'd corner me in the streets.

12:38 Speaker 4: Look, everyone!

12:40 Speaker 2: There goes Joe Harris!

12:43 Speaker 4: The monster!

12:45 Speaker 2: He killed my husband! He's nothing more than an animal!

13:04 Speaker 3: Now look, Mrs.

13:05 Speaker 1: De Silva, I've just about had it with you.

13:07 Speaker 4: No, it's me.

13:09 Speaker 2: I take it she's been calling you too?

13:12 Speaker 3: What do you mean?

13:13 Speaker 2: I've been getting the same phone calls.

13:16 Speaker 4: I'm a monster.

13:17 Speaker 1: A bloodthirsty monster. Joe?

13:21 Speaker 2: Can you hear me? You still there?

13:26 Speaker 1: I'll... I'll call you back, Max.

13:32 Speaker 5: No.

13:35 Speaker 3: It's not possible. My hands... They're... They're changing. And to claws. An animal's claws.

13:49 Speaker 1: Oh, dear God, no!

13:57 Speaker 7: When did this change begin to take place?

14:00 Speaker 1: Last night.

14:02 Speaker 3: After I talked to Max. I was holding the phone when I noticed my hands were.

14:09 Speaker 1: They were.

14:10 Speaker 3: growing into something like a claw.

14:15 Speaker 1: I felt my feet growing.

14:17 Speaker 3: I looked into the mirror and saw.

14:20 Speaker 1: Oh, dear God.

14:22 Speaker 3: I watched my face as it changed, too.

14:26 Speaker 5: It was.

14:28 Speaker 1: distorted.

14:30 Speaker 5: Grotesque. A.

14:34 Speaker 7: a.

14:35 Speaker 3: monster.

14:37 Speaker 6: Mr.

14:37 Speaker 7: Harris... I'm sure that you are over-exaggerating the severity.

14:43 Speaker 5: Of- Turn on the lights.

14:45 Speaker 1: See for yourself.

14:54 Speaker 4: There.

14:54 Speaker 7: The lights are on.

14:56 Speaker 1: Don't you see?

14:58 Speaker 3: I am a monster.

15:02 Speaker 7: No, Mr. Harris. You are no more of a monster than I am.

15:10 Speaker 1: They say, whoever they are, the mind is a powerful muscle within the human body. It can create things for both the good or the detriment of humans. But what it can do to ourselves is beyond comprehension. I'll return shortly with our final round.

15:35 Speaker 6: If you'd like to support us, visit our merchandise store, T-shirts, caps, mugs, and so much more. Visit doorwaytonightmare.com today.

15:47 Speaker 1: American motivational speaker Earl Nightingale once said, Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become a reality.

16:26 Speaker 3: Hey, what is that? What are you getting there?

16:27 Speaker 7: A mirror, Joe. A simple mirror.

16:33 Speaker 5: No!

16:33 Speaker 3: I don't want to see what I look like.

16:37 Speaker 7: But you look perfectly normal, Joe. It is your subconscious mind that has made you believe you have become this monster.

16:47 Speaker 3: No, it was Alistair Silver. She must be some kind of a witch. She cursed me. No, Joe.

17:00 Speaker 7: Now please listen to me. You are not a monster. I'm not going to make you look into the mirror if you don't want to. But it will be the only way to break this delusion from your mind.

17:16 Speaker 3: You really only see me? Not this hideous thing?

17:29 Speaker 7: For a professional boxer, you are quite handsome. Very little scars to speak of.

17:34 Speaker 1: Ah.

17:38 Speaker 3: I can't look in the mirror.

17:42 Speaker 1: Not yet.

17:43 Speaker 7: Of course not. Take your time. Just stay in touch with me. Let me know how things work out.

17:50 Speaker 1: I guess the doctor's right.

18:04 Speaker 3: My hands look Well, like hands. They're normal. My feet seem to be okay, too.

18:13 Speaker 1: Hey! Gotta watch where I'm going.

18:17 Speaker 3: That shop has a full-length mirror. Oh, come on, you big baby. Even the doc said you were fine.

18:26 Speaker 1: Look in the mirror.

18:28 Speaker 3: What do you have to be afraid of?

18:48 Speaker 1: Maxwell Lewis speaking.

18:51 Speaker 4: Did you hear the news, Max?

18:54 Speaker 1: Mrs.

18:55 Speaker 2: DeSilva, I'm tired, okay? I just want to go to bed. You should try to get some sleep too. I'm hanging up now, Mrs.

19:03 Speaker 4: Joe Harris is dead.

19:10 Speaker 2: What did you say?

19:11 Speaker 4: Oh, Joe Harris? The twisted, bloodthirsty monster. He's dead.

19:22 Speaker 2: What the hell are you talking about?

19:24 Speaker 4: He went to see Dr. Bridges because he wanted to be cured. But there's no cure for a curse.

19:38 Speaker 2: Lady, you need to get some professional help.

19:42 Speaker 4: I cursed him, Max. He turned into a monster because I cursed him. But I lived. the curse just before he saw the therapist. Oh yes, I followed him and when he left the building, I put the curse back. He passed a mirror and he saw He saw the grotesque thing that I had cursed him to become.

20:15 Speaker 2: What are you talking about?

20:19 Speaker 4: He ran into the street and was hit by a bow.

20:26 Speaker 2: He's really dead?

20:29 Speaker 4: Yes, Max. Thankfully, my husband's killer is dead. And the man who trained him?

20:41 Speaker 2: You?

20:42 Speaker 4: Hideous, bloodthirsty, twisted... Monster! Monster!

21:13 Speaker 1: Max drops the phone as he looks at his hands. They begin to change as the laughter from Alice DeSantis fills his ears. I'll return shortly with a final word. Mystery. Horror. Thriller. Suspense.

21:36 Speaker 6: Novels and short story collections from Winslow Swann, now available from Amazon.

21:55 Speaker 1: As we close our curtain, I leave you with the words of American spiritualist and author Robert Collier. Our subconscious minds have no sense of humor, play no jokes, and cannot tell the difference between reality and an imagined thought or image. What we continually think about, eventually, will manifest in our lives. Our cast included Dave Arkapov, Patience Adams, Crimson McKenzie, and Winslow Swan. The story was edited by Crimson McKenzie and directed by Winslow Swan. And now, a preview of our next tale.

22:44 Speaker 4: Oh! Adam, you have no idea what it's like.

22:50 Speaker 7: You could always divorce him.

22:52 Speaker 9: And be left with nothing? I signed a prenup. It is very, very binding.

23:04 Speaker 7: Then there's only one thing to do. You still love me, don't you, Irene?

23:11 Speaker 4: More than any man I've ever known.

23:14 Speaker 7: Then the solution is simple. We have to kill him.

23:18 Speaker 1: Somehow. This is Artemis Black, inviting you to return with us to the doorway to Nightmare for another adventure into the terrifying world of your imagination. Until next time, slumber peacefully.

23:36 Speaker 4: Epilogue.

23:37 Speaker 6: That butler did it.