Last Chance | Escaped Convicts & Cursed Choices: An Audio Drama

0:05 Speaker 1: 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 to nightmare.

0:25 Speaker 2: Nightmare.

0:38 Speaker 1: Welcome. I'm your host, Artemis Black. If you have ever been on vacation, I'm sure that you have seen them. The small, out-of-the-way gas station that, well, doesn't quite belong where it is. Of course, you are extremely grateful that it is there. when you notice that you are almost out of gas.

1:07 Speaker 2: Howdy. Hope you boys are doing okay today. What, with the sun being so dang hot and all? Headed out over the desert?

1:15 Speaker 3: Just headed up to, uh.

1:17 Speaker 4: Keith, I'm sure this old man isn't interested.

1:20 Speaker 2: Oh, I wasn't trying to pry. Sometimes I guess I get overly curious. Ha ha ha ha ha. You know I'm the last gas station before the next town. A couple hours away.

1:36 Speaker 4: Yeah, that's what I figured. And hey, after you put the gas in, how about emptying the cash drawer for me?

1:44 Speaker 2: You sure you want me to do that?

1:47 Speaker 4: Believe me, old man. I'm very sure.

1:53 Speaker 1: Our mystery drama, The Last Chance Gas and Snake Emporium, was adapted from the short story and written by Winslow Swan and edited by Crimson McKenzie. Our stars include William Stafford, Raven Adams, Jonathan Rosignol, and Crimson McKenzie. I'll be back shortly with Act One. There are many places along the highways of this country that hold unusual and sometimes exotic attractions. From the world's largest ball of string to museums dedicated to serial killers. They are not usually advertised. mostly a solitary sign along the highway with an exit number.

3:00 Speaker 1: But within them, you can find the rarest and sometimes strangest of artifacts.

3:13 Speaker 4: Give me another beer.

3:15 Speaker 3: Don't have any more.

3:16 Speaker 4: What do you mean, we don't have any more?

3:19 Speaker 3: Just what I said, Billy. We don't have any more. You drank the last one about an hour ago.

3:26 Speaker 1: Damn.

3:27 Speaker 3: I told you we should have stopped and grabbed some.

3:30 Speaker 1: Oh, sure.

3:31 Speaker 4: Stopped and been recognized or have some cop decide to start asking questions.

3:36 Speaker 3: Yeah, I said I was sorry.

3:39 Speaker 4: If it wasn't for you, we could have stayed in Vegas. But no. What did you have to go and do?

3:47 Speaker 3: Well, I was bored.

3:50 Speaker 4: So you were bored. So what? You had TV.

3:55 Speaker 3: I got tired of soap operas and talk shows.

3:58 Speaker 4: So what did you do? You just had to pick up that girl, didn't you?

4:02 Speaker 3: Hey, she was fun, you know? Don't you remember fun?

4:09 Speaker 4: Yeah, I remember the fun look on her face when you were done. Look, Keith, don't you get it? We just got away from state prison, and I don't particularly want to go back. So far, you put us right on the fast track.

4:26 Speaker 3: I said I was sorry.

4:28 Speaker 4: Doesn't do us a whole lot of good. Now we got a body in the trunk that you, and I do mean you, are going to have to dig a hole for.

4:38 Speaker 3: No, she's a nobody. We could have dumped her in the alley.

4:42 Speaker 4: For someone who used to watch all that CSI crap on TV, you sure didn't learn a thing.

4:48 Speaker 3: What do you mean?

4:49 Speaker 4: You left so much DNA on her, I'm surprised you don't wear a neon sign on your back that says arrest me.

4:56 Speaker 3: Hey, I was more careful than- Careful?

5:00 Speaker 4: Pulling her intestines out and wrapping them around her neck is careful?

5:05 Speaker 3: Jeez. You should have seen the look in her eyes.

5:08 Speaker 4: When I- Spammy. All I want to do is get rid of her and get as far away from here as possible.

5:21 Speaker 3: Do you think that there is any possible way you could help me?

5:27 Speaker 4: Hey, your kill, your hole.

5:31 Speaker 2: Thanks. A lot.

5:33 Speaker 4: If you had been smart, you would have done what I told you to do and stayed put.

5:39 Speaker 3: You think this is deep enough?

5:41 Speaker 4: About two feet?

5:42 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think so.

5:44 Speaker 4: Then push her in. Make sure you fill the entire hole up.

5:48 Speaker 3: Don't I always.

5:50 Speaker 4: Isn't that how they caught you in the first place? I mean, killers are pretty stupid now.

5:55 Speaker 3: What do you mean?

5:56 Speaker 4: Shallow graves, really. No, I don't have time to- You got time now, don't you? Now hurry up. Let's get out of here. We're gonna need some gas pretty soon.

6:15 Speaker 3: I haven't seen any place since leaving the county line.

6:18 Speaker 4: Well, it's either we find gas or we start walking.

6:21 Speaker 5: Oh, hey.

6:22 Speaker 3: Did you see that?

6:23 Speaker 1: What?

6:24 Speaker 3: That sign back there. I think there's a gas station just up ahead.

6:28 Speaker 1: Great.

6:29 Speaker 4: Now, you got any money?

6:31 Speaker 2: No.

6:31 Speaker 3: Now, you know better than that.

6:33 Speaker 4: Well, maybe the owner will be a reasonable person.

6:39 Speaker 1: The End.

6:59 Speaker 2: Welcome to the Last Chance Gas and Snake Emporium.

7:03 Speaker 4: Hello yourself. Think we could get some gas?

7:06 Speaker 2: That's what I'm here for. You boys headed out towards the desert?

7:14 Speaker 3: Well, actually we were.

7:16 Speaker 4: Going camping. Thought it might be nice to get away.

7:21 Speaker 2: You can certainly do that out here. Okay, there you go.

7:30 Speaker 3: Hey, do you really have the world's largest snakeskin?

7:35 Speaker 2: Sure do. 118 foot long. Pounded out back one day and put it in. Of course, I got some live ones, too.

7:46 Speaker 3: Well, I'd like to see.

7:47 Speaker 4: Key, we got things to do, remember?

7:49 Speaker 2: Well, I guess 30 will cover the gas. Want me to check the oil?

7:55 Speaker 4: Nah, that's okay. You can just... Hand me everything out of the register.

8:00 Speaker 2: I beg your pardon?

8:03 Speaker 4: Oh, I think you heard me.

8:04 Speaker 2: Son, you really want to do that?

8:07 Speaker 4: Yes, Dad. I really want to.

8:10 Speaker 2: Why don't you boys just go on your way? Don't worry about the gas. Consider it my going-away present to you.

8:19 Speaker 4: Did you believe this old guy, Keith?

8:21 Speaker 3: Sure is a comedian.

8:23 Speaker 1: I'm warning you, son.

8:26 Speaker 4: Get me.

8:28 Speaker 2: The money now you really don't.

8:36 Speaker 4: Damn hurry up grab the cash Keith let's get.

8:39 Speaker 1: Out of here you would think that this would be the end of our story But remember, you entered the doorway where nothing is ever as it seems. Stick around for Act 2. Act 2 Billy and Keith, two escaped convicts who are currently on the run across the Nevada desert. They believe that they now have nothing to fear.

9:47 Speaker 4: You haven't said anything since we did the old man. What's up? Eh.

9:52 Speaker 3: I was just thinking about that girl.

9:57 Speaker 1: What about her?

10:00 Speaker 3: She was kind of nice, that's all.

10:04 Speaker 4: Hey, it's okay. I'm sure there are plenty other victims we can pick up for you.

10:09 Speaker 3: Yeah, I suppose. Hey, what do you think that old man meant?

10:17 Speaker 4: About what?

10:18 Speaker 3: I mean, he wasn't scared or anything when you were pointing that gun.

10:23 Speaker 4: Yeah, I noticed that. He just stood there, looking at me. Gave me the creeps.

10:28 Speaker 3: Yeah, me too. How much further to the next town?

10:32 Speaker 4: I don't know. A couple hours, I guess.

10:35 Speaker 2: Whoa, stop!

10:37 Speaker 4: What the hell?

10:38 Speaker 3: Turn around. Go back.

10:40 Speaker 4: What's eating you, man?

10:41 Speaker 3: Just turn around and go back a little.

10:43 Speaker 2: Why?

10:44 Speaker 3: I thought I saw something.

10:45 Speaker 4: Out here, in the middle of nowhere? Yeah.

10:47 Speaker 3: Will you please just go back a little?

10:58 Speaker 4: What do you think he saw?

10:59 Speaker 3: I'm not sure. Wait, stop the car.

11:19 Speaker 4: What the hell are you looking at?

11:21 Speaker 3: See for yourself.

11:28 Speaker 4: What is so important that... that hole? The sign.

11:33 Speaker 3: Right there. Last Chance Gas and Snake Emporium.

11:39 Speaker 4: Okay, so it's another sign. Big deal.

11:43 Speaker 2: No, Billy.

11:45 Speaker 3: That's the same sign we passed before we got there.

11:47 Speaker 4: Oh, sure. Like the old guy would only put up one sign? Come on, get in the car. Come on, Keith. It was just a stupid sign on the other side of.

12:02 Speaker 3: Then how do you explain that?

12:03 Speaker 4: It can't be. It just can't be.

12:24 Speaker 6: Howdy.

12:25 Speaker 2: Welcome to the Last Chance Gas and Snake Emporium. I'm Eli, the sole owner of this place. Well, you boys look like you've seen the ghost. Um, no.

12:40 Speaker 4: No. We've just been driving a long time.

12:44 Speaker 3: Billy, it's him.

12:46 Speaker 4: Shut up, Keith.

12:46 Speaker 2: Want me to pick her up?

12:48 Speaker 4: Um, yeah. We're trying to get to the next town before it gets dark.

12:54 Speaker 5: Really?

12:54 Speaker 2: Thought you two were going camping in the desert.

12:59 Speaker 3: Hold it right there. Now what the hell is going on?

13:02 Speaker 4: Easy, Keith. We don't want to scare the old guy.

13:05 Speaker 2: I would do what your friend says, Keith. It wouldn't be a good idea. Didn't work out too well the last time.

13:16 Speaker 3: What's going on, Billy?

13:18 Speaker 4: I don't know.

13:20 Speaker 2: Now just hold on, Keith. Billy's trying to work it all out. Ain't you, Billy?

13:26 Speaker 4: What are you?

13:28 Speaker 2: Oh, I'm sure you boys will figure it out. Now, why don't we just call it a day? Gas happens to be free today.

13:37 Speaker 3: Screw you!

13:44 Speaker 4: Give me the gun, Keith.

13:52 Speaker 1: There.

13:53 Speaker 4: That will do it. Let's torch this place and get the hell out of here.

14:04 Speaker 3: What do you think he meant?

14:06 Speaker 1: Who?

14:07 Speaker 4: That old guy?

14:08 Speaker 3: He said that it wasn't too late. What do you think he meant by that?

14:15 Speaker 4: Who the hell knows? Besides, two old guys and two fires in one day makes a guy hungry, you know?

14:22 Speaker 3: What do you mean.

14:23 Speaker 4: two think about it we just passed two count them two different gas stations.

14:29 Speaker 3: But it was the same old.

14:31 Speaker 4: Guy no no we only thought it was the same guy deserts play funny tricks on the mind.

14:40 Speaker 3: Yeah yeah okay yeah i guess you're right jesus billy what's going on look don't you see it No. No.

14:55 Speaker 4: Last chance gas in Snake Emporium. Just like the last sign?

15:02 Speaker 3: Let's get away, Billy. Turn around. Go the other way. Just fast.

15:15 Speaker 1: Billy and Keith see the sign, appearing to grow larger and larger before their very eyes. Turning the car around, they drive in the other direction. I'll be back shortly with Act Three. The desert of our western states can be a place of wonderment and beauty. For some, such as Billy and Keith, it can be a place of sheer terror.

16:14 Speaker 3: Can't you go any faster?

16:15 Speaker 4: I've got it to the floor now.

16:17 Speaker 3: What's going on, Billy?

16:18 Speaker 4: I don't know. Just hang on. We're going to be as far away as.

16:23 Speaker 3: Stop!

16:30 Speaker 1: No.

16:31 Speaker 4: That's impossible.

16:34 Speaker 3: Last Chance Gas and Snake Emporium. Don't you see it? Don't you see the sign?

16:41 Speaker 4: It can't be.

16:42 Speaker 3: We can't get away, Billy.

16:43 Speaker 2: Billy?

16:45 Speaker 6: It's like the thing is following us. It's our last chance to get cast and see some snakes. Kill the old man and blow up the place.

16:55 Speaker 4: Shut up and pull yourself together. We just got turned around on the road, that's all.

17:00 Speaker 3: Please, let me go. It was all Billy's idea. I'll go back to prison. I'll be good. Just let me go. Hey, watch it.

17:12 Speaker 4: Get in the car. or the next one goes in your head.

17:16 Speaker 3: We can't get away from it, Billy. Don't you see that?

17:21 Speaker 4: Just get in the car. I'm going to show you it's just another gas station, nothing more.

17:40 Speaker 2: Howdy. Billerette for you. I don't think you're going to need this.

17:52 Speaker 4: Anymore, Billy. I didn't mean... I shot you. I shot you!

18:01 Speaker 2: You know, I gave you boys three chances. I thought maybe you just might do the right thing for once in your.

18:10 Speaker 1: Damn miserable life. Yes, I can be wrong sometimes.

18:18 Speaker 3: Billy, what is going on?

18:20 Speaker 2: I suppose I should have seen you both for what you are.

18:24 Speaker 4: What's happening?

18:28 Speaker 1: Just a couple of rats.

18:31 Speaker 2: Just a couple of low-down, thieving, murdering, desert rats. Howdy, Sheriff.

19:00 Speaker 7: Well, hey there, Eli. How you been doing?

19:03 Speaker 2: Oh, about the same. How's little Maggie?

19:07 Speaker 7: Just got the results back from the doctor.

19:10 Speaker 2: Good news?

19:11 Speaker 7: Not a trace of that cancer no more. She's actually playing outside.

19:16 Speaker 2: Oh, that's great to hear.

19:19 Speaker 7: You know, it's funny. Ever since she rode along with me that day and you gave her that hug, she's been so much better. And now, now that cancer's gone. Completely gone.

19:35 Speaker 2: Well, it wasn't anything I did. Glad you didn't object to an old man giving your daughter a hug.

19:44 Speaker 7: You, I can trust.

19:46 Speaker 2: Is that the only reason you stopped by, Sheriff? Well.

19:50 Speaker 7: No, not really. Have you seen these two by any chance?

19:57 Speaker 2: Can't say that I have. Who are they?

19:59 Speaker 5: Billy Wheeler and Keith Turner. Escaped from prison last week.

20:04 Speaker 2: Look kind of mean, don't they?

20:06 Speaker 7: Well, both convicted of murder and... Probably stuff we don't even know about.

20:11 Speaker 2: Well, if I see them, I'll call you.

20:14 Speaker 7: Please do, Eli. I just wouldn't want anything to happen to you.

20:19 Speaker 2: Now hush up, you two. Dang desert rats.

20:30 Speaker 7: I take it you're feeding that ugly big snake from the desert?

20:35 Speaker 2: Call the peace officer. I give it some food and it leaves me alone.

20:43 Speaker 7: You ever seen it?

20:45 Speaker 2: No, ma'am. Don't care to. I got the skin and that's as close as I want to get.

20:52 Speaker 1: Ew.

20:53 Speaker 7: Kind of big rats you got there.

20:55 Speaker 2: Desert rats. Comes around here sometimes so I can catch them for food. Yep. Just dirty, stinking, thieving, murdering desert rat.

21:27 Speaker 1: Eli picks up the cage and glares at the two rats who cower in fear. He smiles at the sheriff before heading toward the back of the Last Chance Gas and Snake Emporium. I'll be back with a final word.

22:06 Speaker 1: Along the highways of our great nation, there are many interesting and amusing sights to see. Museums, attractions, roadside stores, and somewhere towards the desert is an old man waiting patiently for someone to get a last chance. Our cast included William Stafford, Raven Adams, Jonathan Rosignol, and Crimson McKenzie. The story was edited by Crimson McKenzie and directed by Winslow Swan. And now, a preview of our next tale.

22:52 Speaker 2: This is considered a rescue mission. Top priority. Something's happened, and we have been ordered to find out what.

23:00 Speaker 1: This is Dr.

23:01 Speaker 2: Julia Wells. She's the one that is officially in charge.

23:05 Speaker 5: Yesterday, we received a message. It was short, and we haven't been able to contact them. The message simply read, We are all dying.

23:19 Speaker 1: This is your host, Artemis Black, inviting you to return with us through the doorway to Nightmare, for another terrifying adventure into the world of your own imagination. Until next time, slumber peacefully. Epilogue. The butler did it.