An Unquenchable Thirst for Revenge: "The Cask of Amontillado" Poe Adaptation

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. Nothing on Earth consumes a man more quickly than the passion of resentment, wrote Nietzsche. And for some, the slightest affrontment by someone could be the foundation for revenge.

1:10 Speaker 1: We shall have a good laugh over this jest of yours, Montresor. Yes, a wonderful jest. I shall toast to your imagination.

1:19 Speaker 2: With Amontillado?

1:23 Speaker 3: Yes, the Amontillado. Now undo these chains and let us be away from this dark and dank place.

1:32 Speaker 4: After I finish putting up this wall, Fortunato, then I shall toast to your health.

1:40 Speaker 3: You will never, never get away with it, Montrezor.

1:48 Speaker 1: Won't I? Our mystery drama, The Cask of Amontillado, was adapted from the classic by Edgar Allan Poe and written especially for Doorway to Nightmare by Winslow Swan and edited by Crimson McKenzie. Our cast includes Darren Marler, Crimson McKenzie, Robert Jackson, and Winslow Swan. I'll return shortly with Act One.

2:21 Speaker 5: The only witness to her murder cannot speak. Until now.

2:28 Speaker 4: Click.

2:29 Speaker 5: A Tale of Revenge by Winslow Swan. Now available on Amazon. Revenge is a dish best served cold.

2:55 Speaker 1: German playwright Friedrich Schiller once wrote, Revenge is barren upon itself. It is the dreadful food it feeds on. Its delight is murder, and its end is despair. And so begins Edgar Allan Poe's tale of Revenge.

3:30 Speaker 6: Yes, Cat, I know.

3:34 Speaker 4: But our good friend Detective Forsythe should be here soon for our weekly aperitif.

3:54 Speaker 7: Good evening, Mr. Montresor.

3:56 Speaker 4: Come in, Daniel. We have been expecting you.

4:04 Speaker 7: And how is Mr. Whiskers?

4:09 Speaker 4: Well, apparently missing you.

4:12 Speaker 7: Oh, nice kitty.

4:14 Speaker 1: Yes, you are.

4:14 Speaker 7: Yes, you are. Yes, you are.

4:16 Speaker 4: Oh, I find it amazing how much she loves you.

4:21 Speaker 7: I've had a way with animals ever since I was a child. Especially cats.

4:26 Speaker 4: Well, now, you didn't stop by to visit my cat. I believe I have a bottle of bought here that you might find extremely good.

4:37 Speaker 7: I'm hurt, Mr. Montresor. Of course, I only come to visit Mr. Whiskers. And of course, the wine is welcoming. You've lived here for quite a long time, haven't you?

4:53 Speaker 4: Oh, yes. Yes, my family goes back three generations. I moved back here and took over the vineyard and winery when I was 30, after my wife passed away.

5:07 Speaker 7: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up any bad memories.

5:12 Speaker 6: Oh, that's quite all right, my dear boy. Now here, try this.

5:17 Speaker 8: Oh, that is quite good.

5:23 Speaker 7: I understand you have an excellent cellar.

5:25 Speaker 4: Oh, one of the finest in the country. Quite vast. It literally hooks into the underground catacombs under the city. My own ancestors are buried in them.

5:36 Speaker 7: I hope they leave the wine alone.

5:41 Speaker 4: I would never begrudge someone a fine glass of wine. Now, Daniel, you have the air of someone who has a rather serious question for an old man.

5:54 Speaker 7: You are highly perceptive, Mr. Montresor.

5:57 Speaker 8: As a matter of fact, I do. I've been working on some old files. I came across a rather unusual one from 50 years ago. Does the name Fortunato mean anything to you?

6:11 Speaker 4: Fortunato. I haven't heard that name in some time.

6:19 Speaker 6: What about him?

6:20 Speaker 7: First and foremost, he was my grandfather. Did you know him?

6:24 Speaker 2: Oh, yes.

6:25 Speaker 4: Yes, I do remember Fortunato. And you say you are directly related to him?

6:31 Speaker 5: Amazing.

6:32 Speaker 7: According to the report, he slightly disappeared.

6:35 Speaker 8: There was no record of him leaving the country or even the city.

6:40 Speaker 7: Do you remember anything about him?

6:45 Speaker 4: Hmm. You know, I believe this port will not sit well for a story. We need something more suited for the occasion. Let me go down to the cellar. I believe I have just what we need. I am so glad that I had the elevator put in to go down to the cellars. I'm not in the shape that I was in years ago.

7:25 Speaker 6: Now then, what do you think of this?

7:28 Speaker 7: A bottle of wine?

7:30 Speaker 4: What about it? No, no.

7:33 Speaker 6: No, not just any wine. But a bottle of Amontillado.

7:37 Speaker 2: And one that has been stored.

7:39 Speaker 4: For half a century.

7:42 Speaker 7: Then it's probably gone bad.

7:45 Speaker 6: Oh, possibly, possibly.

7:47 Speaker 4: But it definitely has to do with what I'm going to tell you.

7:51 Speaker 6: See, detective? I... was Fortunato's best friend. I also planned... very carefully....

8:02 Speaker 2: And executed.

8:04 Speaker 4: his murder.

8:05 Speaker 3: You see.

8:24 Speaker 6: We were business partners in the winery.

8:27 Speaker 4: I had recently moved back to my old homestead with my daughter, Millicent, when Fortunato and I met.

8:35 Speaker 3: I do believe, Mr. Montresor, that your business sense is quite sound. The vineyard is in good shape, but the winery could use some help.

8:45 Speaker 4: Which is why I came to you, Fortunato. You are much more knowledgeable than I in these matters.

8:51 Speaker 3: Well, I'm I'm happy that you recognize a learned man such as myself.

8:57 Speaker 6: So, you will help me?

9:00 Speaker 3: I would like my attorney to go over these figures and see if it would make a sound investment. You understand, of course.

9:08 Speaker 1: Oh, of course, of course.

9:09 Speaker 4: Please take all the time that you need.

9:12 Speaker 2: I'm sorry, Father.

9:13 Speaker 5: I didn't know you were in a meeting.

9:16 Speaker 3: And who is this lovely young creature?

9:20 Speaker 4: Oh, forgive me, Fortunato.

9:22 Speaker 6: This is my daughter, Millicent. Millicent, this is Mr.

9:25 Speaker 4: Fortunato.

9:26 Speaker 5: I'm very pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Fortunato.

9:31 Speaker 3: A very well-mannered young lady, Montresor. Very well-mannered.

9:38 Speaker 4: I've raised her since her mother passed away when she was only a child.

9:43 Speaker 5: Will you be staying with us, Mr.

9:44 Speaker 2: Fortunato?

9:45 Speaker 3: Oh, heavens no. But you will be seeing a lot of me, if everything goes well.

9:51 Speaker 5: I look forward to it, Mr. Fortunato.

9:54 Speaker 3: Yes, and so do I. Why don't the two of you come up for Carnival next week?

10:00 Speaker 1: Week?

10:00 Speaker 2: What is carnival?

10:02 Speaker 3: Oh, just a small party that wakes this little town up every year. Every October, just before Halloween, we have one. Great for the tourist trade. This year, it's on my grounds. There will be rides and games and a costume contest. Oh, please, you both must come as my guests.

10:22 Speaker 5: Do you think that we could, Father?

10:23 Speaker 1: Oh, yes.

10:25 Speaker 6: Yes, my dear, I'm sure that we could.

10:28 Speaker 3: Wonderful. I can't wait to see you in costume, Miss Medicine.

10:33 Speaker 4: Unfortunately, I was not able to go. You see, Daniel, business matters kept me, but I wanted my daughter to experience carnival for herself. I remember her beautiful dress she.

10:52 Speaker 6: Wore, that of a queen.

10:55 Speaker 9: It was nearly midnight when I heard her come in.

10:58 Speaker 4: Millicent?

11:06 Speaker 6: Is that you, dear? Yes, father.

11:11 Speaker 1: Well, now. How was the carnival?

11:13 Speaker 4: Oh, Father. Millicent, what has happened?

11:17 Speaker 5: I'm so sorry.

11:22 Speaker 4: It wasn't my fault.

11:24 Speaker 1: There, there. There, my child.

11:26 Speaker 9: Now tell me, what is going on? Millicent, your dress, it's been torn. And your face. Someone hit you?

11:40 Speaker 5: He hurt me, Father. I tried to make him stop, but he.

11:46 Speaker 1: Who?

11:48 Speaker 4: Who has done this to you?

11:49 Speaker 6: We must go to the police.

11:51 Speaker 4: At once. No, Father.

11:53 Speaker 9: We can't.

11:55 Speaker 7: He said he would ruin you if I ever.

11:58 Speaker 4: ever... No, please, Father.

12:01 Speaker 7: Promise me.

12:02 Speaker 6: But who has done this to you? You must tell me. Only if you swear to me.

12:10 Speaker 7: You will not tell anyone.

12:14 Speaker 1: All right.

12:15 Speaker 6: I promise. Now, who was it?

12:21 Speaker 2: Fortunato.

12:23 Speaker 7: He took me to his room and... Damn him.

12:30 Speaker 1: Damn him.

12:31 Speaker 4: To hell.

12:46 Speaker 1: English novelist and poet George Eliot once wrote, I know forgiveness is a man's duty, but to my thinking, that can only mean as you are to give up all thoughts of taking revenge. It can never mean as you're to have your old feelings back again, for that's not possible. I'll return shortly with Act Two.

13:17 Speaker 7: It is in all of us.

13:19 Speaker 3: Waiting.

13:21 Speaker 4: Watching.

13:21 Speaker 5: Growing. Evil Within by Winslow Swan. Now available on Amazon.

13:29 Speaker 1: The Iroquois Confederacy leader Hiawatha once said, Instead of a man of peace and love, I have become a man of violence and revenge.

14:00 Speaker 8: I had heard stories of my grandfather's unnatural ways and his so-called habits, but I never dreamed.

14:09 Speaker 7: What happened, Mr. Montresor?

14:12 Speaker 4: I watched helplessly. As my daughter wasted away and eventually succumbed to an illness. She only lasted six months from the time that Fortunato confronted her.

14:28 Speaker 2: She died?

14:31 Speaker 7: What was this illness?

14:37 Speaker 4: Some type of disease that she never had. Until he had her.

14:45 Speaker 7: I'm so, so sorry, Mr. Montresor. I had no idea.

14:51 Speaker 1: Oh, I.

14:52 Speaker 6: Don't blame you, dear boy.

14:54 Speaker 1: No, my.

14:56 Speaker 6: Sights were set on your grandfather.

14:59 Speaker 4: Fortunato.

15:10 Speaker 6: It had been a year since the incident. I never spoke a word about it to anyone. Oh, but I planned carefully and methodically. My entire being was set on the complete immolation of Fortunato. Carnival had come around again, and I set my plan into action.

15:39 Speaker 3: Ah, so many young women this year at Carnival. I could have my pick of any of them. Watch where you are! Montrezor! I haven't seen you since... Well, it's been quite a while. What have you been doing?

16:00 Speaker 4: Oh, Fortunato, I do apologize. When our deal fell through, I had to look for capital elsewhere.

16:10 Speaker 3: Apparently you found it. I hear that your vineyards are doing quite well. Not as well as my own, mind you. But, well, tell me, why are you in such a hurry?

16:21 Speaker 4: Oh, I'm on my way to see Lucchese, about a shipment of Amontillado that I received this afternoon.

16:27 Speaker 3: Amontillado? During Carnival?

16:30 Speaker 4: Impossible!

16:32 Speaker 6: Well, I do have my doubts.

16:35 Speaker 4: And it is said that Lucchese has every bit a palate for wine as your own.

16:41 Speaker 3: Are you trying to insult me? Lucchese wouldn't know an Amontillado if it fell on his head.

16:49 Speaker 6: Well, as I said, I have my doubts. Now, Fortunato, I do apologize.

16:54 Speaker 4: I must hurry and see him before.

16:57 Speaker 1: Nonsense!

16:58 Speaker 3: I will come and check out this Amontillado.

17:02 Speaker 1: But that cough of yours.

17:06 Speaker 4: My cellars are deep, and the mold on the walls would Well, it would only exasperate your condition. No, I will go see Lucchese and.

17:15 Speaker 3: Forget Lucchese. He knows nothing about wine. As for my health, I'm fine. Now, come. Let us go and see this new acquisition of Amontillado. Oh, you were right about your cellars.

17:37 Speaker 4: Well, they joined directly with the underground catacombs. Oh, that cough. Come, let's go back. I can see Lucchese in the morning and.

17:47 Speaker 3: Nonsense. Let us continue.

17:50 Speaker 4: Fortunato, you are an important man in the village. If anything were to happen.

17:57 Speaker 3: What could happen? Now, how much.

18:01 Speaker 4: How much.

18:02 Speaker 3: How much further is this Amontillado of yours? How much further, Montresor?

18:15 Speaker 1: Oh, please.

18:17 Speaker 6: I beg of you, Fortunato.

18:19 Speaker 4: Let us return. I have a bottle of burgundy that we can.

18:23 Speaker 3: Forget it. I've come this far. Let us continue.

18:34 Speaker 6: Right in there, Fortunato.

18:36 Speaker 4: Do you see? That small nook.

18:41 Speaker 3: I don't... I don't see anything. Only chains on the wall. Hey, what are you doing?

18:48 Speaker 4: I'm chaining you to the wall, Fortunato.

18:53 Speaker 3: What does it look.

18:54 Speaker 4: Like I'm doing?

18:54 Speaker 1: Now....

18:59 Speaker 6: Now, Fortunato.

19:04 Speaker 2: That cough is very bad.

19:08 Speaker 1: Please....

19:10 Speaker 4: Won't you come back to the house with me?

19:15 Speaker 1: No?

19:16 Speaker 4: Well, then I shall simply have to leave you here.

19:24 Speaker 3: What are you talking about?

19:25 Speaker 4: Did you know, Fortunato, that as a boy I learned a lot about mason work?

19:34 Speaker 1: Oh, yes, I.

19:36 Speaker 4: I can blow the wall rather quickly. This nook, for instance. It shouldn't take me very long to.

19:43 Speaker 3: Wall you inside.

20:12 Speaker 1: Fortunato watches in fascinated horror as his friend begins to lay down the bricks in front of him. I'll return shortly with Act 3. Meet Jerry Connors. Family man. Business man. Psychopathic killer. The Convincer by Winslow Swan. Now available on Amazon. Jerry Connors, he can convince you to do anything, even die.

21:01 Speaker 1: English writer and dramatist Thomas Otway once said, Revenge, the attribute of God's, They stamped it with their great image on our natures.

21:21 Speaker 3: What an excellent jest, Montresor.

21:24 Speaker 6: Yes, yes, I believe it is.

21:27 Speaker 2: An excellent jest.

21:30 Speaker 3: We shall have many a good laugh over a glass of wine.

21:33 Speaker 4: I will, that's for sure.

21:37 Speaker 3: Montresor, you cannot be serious. You will never get away with it.

21:42 Speaker 4: Do you see a flaw in my plan, Fortunato? Oh, I have studied it very carefully for a year now.

21:53 Speaker 3: But you'll slip up. You'll talk. You'll confess to someone eventually. You can't mean to do this.

22:01 Speaker 4: Do you doubt my sincerity? Oh, I intend to see the end of you, Fortunato.

22:12 Speaker 3: But why? Why would you do such a thing?

22:18 Speaker 6: You really have to ask?

22:24 Speaker 3: For the love of God, Montrezor!

22:27 Speaker 4: Yes!

22:29 Speaker 1: For the love.

22:32 Speaker 3: Of God!

22:47 Speaker 7: What did you do then?

22:49 Speaker 4: After I placed the last brick, I put some bones in front of the wall. For over half a century, they have not been touched.

23:02 Speaker 7: I'm sorry, Mr. Montresor, but I'm going to have to place you under arrest.

23:07 Speaker 4: Arrest?

23:09 Speaker 3: For what? For what?

23:11 Speaker 2: Murder!

23:13 Speaker 7: You just confessed to an officer of the law the willful act of murder!

23:17 Speaker 1: Murder?

23:18 Speaker 4: Who said anything about murder?

23:20 Speaker 6: No, dear boy.

23:22 Speaker 1: Justice?

23:24 Speaker 4: Justice for my dear angel, Millicent.

23:30 Speaker 8: I must warn you to remain silent, that anything you say can and will be used against you. I will try to get you the best attorney that I can.

23:40 Speaker 7: My God, Mr. Montresor, there isn't any statute of limitations on murder.

23:45 Speaker 4: Oh, please. Please tell me, detective, where is your evidence?

23:52 Speaker 7: You confessed to the crime of.

23:54 Speaker 4: I told you a story.

23:57 Speaker 6: Nothing more. I don't know.

24:00 Speaker 4: Where Fortunato is any more than Mr. Whiskers does. As far as I know, he left this town and was never heard from again.

24:13 Speaker 7: But Your daughter?

24:16 Speaker 4: Oh, yes, yes, yes.

24:17 Speaker 3: It is true.

24:19 Speaker 6: She died, but of what?

24:21 Speaker 3: I don't know.

24:22 Speaker 4: You see, it was all just a story. But please, go get a search warrant. My wine cellars are vast and expensive. I wouldn't even.

24:35 Speaker 6: Know where the small.

24:37 Speaker 4: Nook is now.

24:41 Speaker 6: Are you sure? If You had been me. What would you have done?

24:52 Speaker 7: I applaud you, Mr.

24:53 Speaker 2: Munchersaur.

24:54 Speaker 7: It seems that you have managed to do the unthinkable. Commit the perfect murder.

25:03 Speaker 4: Leaving before I open the Amontillado?

25:10 Speaker 7: Yes, Mr. Munchersaur. And I don't think that I shall be returning Good night, sir.

25:19 Speaker 1: Yes, Mr.

25:24 Speaker 4: Whiskers, I know. I shall miss him too.

25:30 Speaker 2: A glass of Amontillado for you, Fortunato.

25:48 Speaker 4: You were right. I did confess my crime. And to your grandson, I would call that poetic justice. And so, I toast to you, Fortunato, with a glass of Amontillado in pace requisite.

26:22 Speaker 1: Translated to English, it simply means rest in peace. I'll return shortly with a final word.

26:34 Speaker 5: If you'd like to support us, visit our merchandise store. T-shirts, caps, mugs, and so much more. Visit doorwaytonightmare.com today.

27:00 Speaker 1: In the original story, Poe only mentions that Montresor had been insulted by Fortunato, but the insult is never mentioned. We hope that our version of this perfect murder story perplexes you. and meets your expectations. Our cast included Darren Mahler, Winslow Swan, Crimson McKenzie, and Robert Jackson. The story was edited by Crimson McKenzie and directed by Winslow Swan. And now, a preview of our next tale. Come here.

27:46 Speaker 2: Whatever you do, Don't make any sudden movements.

27:57 Speaker 1: Sean?

27:58 Speaker 7: What is it?

28:00 Speaker 4: It's... It's a spider. But it's as big as a.

28:09 Speaker 6: A full grown cat.

28:13 Speaker 7: Kill it, Sean!

28:14 Speaker 2: Before it.

28:16 Speaker 5: It kills me!

28:20 Speaker 1: Doorway to Nightmare is brought to you in part by Swanage Press. 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.

28:44 Speaker 4: Epilon.

28:45 Speaker 5: That darn butler did it. The butler didn't do it!

28:52 Speaker 7: Hey guys, this is Crimson.

28:54 Speaker 3: And this is Swan.

28:55 Speaker 4: And we'd love to know what you think of the stories.

28:58 Speaker 5: Even if it's bad.

28:59 Speaker 4: So leave us a comment.

29:01 Speaker 5: Or give us a thumbs up.

29:02 Speaker 4: Thank you!