Murder or Just a Sick Game? "Let's Play a Game" – A Chilling Mystery Podcast

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. Carl Jung once said, One of the most difficult tasks men can perform however much others may despise it, is the invention of good games.

1:04 Speaker 2: Calm yourself, Andrew, and just tell me what happened.

1:08 Speaker 3: I told you, Lyle. I murdered Rita.

1:11 Speaker 2: But how? How did you kill her?

1:14 Speaker 3: We were just playing a game, that's all. We were just playing a silly little game.

1:19 Speaker 2: Are you positive that she's dead?

1:22 Speaker 3: Yes, Lyle. She is most definitely dead. She's just lying on the bed. Bruises on her neck where I must have strangled her. Lyle, you have to help me. Please.

1:40 Speaker 1: Our mystery drama, Let's Play a Game, was written especially for Duraway to Nightmare by Winslow Swan and edited by Crimson McKenzie. Our cast includes Darren Marler, Patience Adams, Mick Davis, and Crimson McKenzie. I'll return shortly with Act One.

2:01 Speaker 4: This is Winslow Swan, inviting you inside the world of my imagination. A world of mystery, madness, and murder. Ten Tales from the Maelstrom. Now available at Amazon.com.

2:38 Speaker 1: Actress Cate Blanchett once said, if you age with somebody, you go through so many roles. Your lovers, friends, enemies, colleagues, strangers, your brother and sister. That's what intimacy is, if you're with your soulmate. And as the years continue to pass, many couples find it more difficult to keep that spark alive.

3:23 Speaker 2: Hello? Hello?

3:25 Speaker 1: Who is this? Lyle.

3:27 Speaker 3: It's me, Andrew.

3:28 Speaker 2: Andrew? Do you have any idea what time it is?

3:32 Speaker 3: I know, Lyle.

3:33 Speaker 2: I know.

3:34 Speaker 3: I'm sorry it's so late, but I need your help.

3:39 Speaker 2: Sure, Andrew. I mean, I only have to be up in, let me see, five hours anyway. What's so urgent that I cannot wait until.

3:48 Speaker 3: I've killed Rita.

3:50 Speaker 2: Rita? I'm sorry, Andrew. I think we have a bad connection.

3:58 Speaker 3: Lyle, I've murdered my wife. She's dead.

4:01 Speaker 2: Tell me exactly what happened.

4:03 Speaker 3: I don't know. We were just playing a game. A silly little game.

4:09 Speaker 2: What sort of game?

4:11 Speaker 3: She wanted to... I don't know how to say this. Spice things up a bit. She wanted to play a victim, and I was supposed to be the intruder, and then.

4:22 Speaker 2: I get the idea.

4:23 Speaker 3: But what happened?

4:25 Speaker 2: How did you kill her?

4:27 Speaker 3: That's just it, Lyle. I'm not sure. I don't know.

4:30 Speaker 2: What do you mean you don't know? How could you not know?

4:33 Speaker 3: I must have had one of my spells. I don't know. I blacked out. When I came around, she was lying on the bed with horrible bruises on her neck where I must have... Oh, dear God, I must have... I must have.

4:53 Speaker 2: Pull yourself together.

4:55 Speaker 3: Lyle, please. You have to help me. You're my attorney. Please. Just tell me what to do.

5:03 Speaker 2: First, you're going to calm down. Then, get a suitcase. Fill it with all the valuables in the house. Jewelry, silverware, anything of value. Open the safe. Take out everything. Do you still have those diamonds in the safe?

5:18 Speaker 3: Yes, of course I do, but I don't understand. What am I supposed to do with all of this stuff?

5:24 Speaker 2: Go around and make sure all the windows are locked. When you leave the house, make doubly sure you lock the door. Do you understand?

5:32 Speaker 3: Yes, but I don't get it. I mean, I don't understand what you're asking.

5:38 Speaker 2: You get over to my place as soon as possible. And don't forget to bring the suitcase. Don't, under any circumstances, take a cab or a bus. Hide in the shadows and walk.

5:49 Speaker 5: No.

5:50 Speaker 2: Run.

5:51 Speaker 1: Run?

5:53 Speaker 3: You live almost a mile away, Lyle.

5:55 Speaker 2: Just get here as fast as you can. We will think of something.

6:18 Speaker 1: Thank you, Lyle.

6:19 Speaker 3: I needed that.

6:20 Speaker 2: Did you get everything in the suitcase?

6:22 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think so. I did what you told me.

6:24 Speaker 1: The jewelry?

6:25 Speaker 2: The diamonds?

6:27 Speaker 3: Everything. I even found some cash. I stuck that in there, too.

6:29 Speaker 1: Good.

6:31 Speaker 2: Now, be honest with me. Have you told me everything about what happened tonight?

6:36 Speaker 3: Yeah, of course I did. Lyle, what am I supposed to do now?

6:45 Speaker 2: As your attorney, I must advise you to turn yourself in. At least, that is what I would have told you. But we have a problem. A very serious problem.

6:58 Speaker 1: What?

7:00 Speaker 3: What problem? Tell me, Lyle.

7:02 Speaker 2: Have you forgotten that just last week, you asked me to begin divorce proceedings? Something about you and another woman?

7:09 Speaker 3: Uh, yeah, um, yeah, Lucy. Lucy Baker. Lucy Baker. I still love her, Lyle. I really do love her.

7:21 Speaker 2: Yes, well, that is all well and good. But you have just handed the police what they so commonly call a motive. Oh, come on.

7:31 Speaker 3: I would never do that. What are you saying, Lyle?

7:33 Speaker 2: I probably could have gotten you off the temporary insanity plea. Now, there isn't a chance. No, Andrew, you're going to have to get out of the country for a little while.

7:43 Speaker 6: Out of the country?

7:45 Speaker 2: But.

7:46 Speaker 3: How am I supposed to do that, Lyle?

7:47 Speaker 2: The bank opens in about three hours.

7:51 Speaker 1: I want you to go.

7:51 Speaker 2: To King's Arms and get a room. It's a seedy hotel a few blocks from here. You won't be noticed. Then, when the bank opens, go and withdraw everything you can in cash and bring it back to me.

8:04 Speaker 3: But, I mean, the bank won't be able to get everything. Besides, there are the business holdings, the stocks, the bonds, the other accounts.

8:15 Speaker 2: I've thought of all that. Here, sign this.

8:20 Speaker 3: What is this?

8:21 Speaker 2: It's a power of attorney. It will give me access to all your holdings.

8:25 Speaker 3: I don't understand. If I'm giving you power of attorney, how am I supposed to survive in another country if I don't have any money?

8:33 Speaker 2: That's why you are signing this document. I'll be able to wire you as much as you need. Now, sign it. Okay.

8:39 Speaker 1: All right. Very good.

8:48 Speaker 7: Now, get going.

8:50 Speaker 2: Make sure you get a room and come back here as soon as you are done at the bank.

8:55 Speaker 3: Okay, alright, okay.

9:03 Speaker 6: Do you trust him, Andrew?

9:06 Speaker 3: I don't know, Lucy. I've known Lyle for, gosh, decades. He's not only my lawyer, but He's been a really good friend. I mean, that's why I called him first.

9:20 Speaker 6: And you signed the paper?

9:22 Speaker 3: I didn't know what else to do. I booked the room and then came over here. I wanted to see you at least one more time. I may be gone for quite a while.

9:34 Speaker 6: I've never trusted lawyers. I don't really trust anyone, and neither should you. Listen, Andrew, why don't you test him?

9:44 Speaker 3: Uh, test him... In what way?

9:48 Speaker 6: Go meet with him. Do whatever he tells you. Then, when you leave, stay close to the door and listen to what he does.

9:58 Speaker 3: What's that going to prove?

9:59 Speaker 6: Just do it, Andrew.

10:04 Speaker 3: Well, here it is. I managed to get about $ 12, 000 out of the account. It's all I could grab.

10:10 Speaker 2: That's good, for a start. How much were the diamonds worth?

10:13 Speaker 3: Last time we had them appraised, they were just over $ 100, 000. Maybe a bit more now.

10:20 Speaker 2: I'll see what I can do. Now, what room are you in at the hotel?

10:24 Speaker 3: Room 1113.

10:25 Speaker 1: All right.

10:26 Speaker 2: Now, go there and wait for my call. We may need some sort of signal. I'll call you, and you wait for it to ring three times. Then I'll hang up and call back one minute later. That will let you know that.

10:40 Speaker 1: It is me.

10:41 Speaker 3: Three rings, wait one minute, then you call back.

10:45 Speaker 1: Right.

10:46 Speaker 2: After I'm finished here, I'll come and I'll get you. Same thing when I get there. I'll knock three times, wait one minute, then knock once.

10:56 Speaker 1: Do you understand?

10:57 Speaker 3: Yeah, I understand. I can't thank you enough, Lyle. You are not only a good lawyer, but a faithful friend.

11:07 Speaker 1: Thank you.

11:07 Speaker 2: Thank you, Andrew.

11:09 Speaker 1: Now, get going.

11:10 Speaker 2: I've got a lot of calls to make.

11:12 Speaker 1: Oh, wait.

11:13 Speaker 2: Before I forget.

11:19 Speaker 1: Here.

11:20 Speaker 2: And a box of shells, too.

11:22 Speaker 1: What's this?

11:23 Speaker 3: A gun? No, no, Lyle. I don't need a gun.

11:27 Speaker 1: Look, Andrew.

11:28 Speaker 2: You're a fugitive now. If anyone finds out I'm helping you, I could go to jail. You may have to fight your way out of a bad situation. A gun always helps. Now, get out of here.

11:39 Speaker 1: All right.

11:40 Speaker 3: Okay, I understand. I'll wait for your call.

11:49 Speaker 2: Now to take care of business.

11:56 Speaker 1: Yes, operator. I need the police.

11:59 Speaker 5: Andrew Price, my client, just confessed to killing his wife. Yes, I told him to turn himself in, but he's gone crazy. He has a gun and threatened me with it. Yes, I'm his attorney, but he refuses to listen, to reason. He's at the King's Arm.

12:14 Speaker 2: Hotel on Brown Street, room 1113. I must warn you,

12:19 Speaker 2: He's armed and said he wouldn't be taken alive. Yes, I'll be here if you need me.

12:26 Speaker 7: Thank you.

12:29 Speaker 3: Such a dear friend. Andrew!

12:33 Speaker 2: But I thought you.

12:34 Speaker 3: Lucy warned me not to trust anyone. Including you.

12:38 Speaker 5: Andrew, put down that gun. You don't want to kill me. This was all part of the plan to help you.

12:44 Speaker 3: Help me? Help me, Lyle? You know the punishment for two murders... is the same as for one? Did you know that?

12:51 Speaker 7: Andrew, no! Andy, what have you done?

13:00 Speaker 8: Rita?

13:03 Speaker 3: No, it can't be. You're dead. You're dead.

13:07 Speaker 4: I killed you.

13:08 Speaker 3: You're dead.

13:11 Speaker 1: Andrew runs from the room and out.

13:13 Speaker 4: Into the street.

13:15 Speaker 1: He can't believe what he has just seen. His wife, Rita, alive? Or a ghost? I'll return shortly with that too.

13:28 Speaker 7: The only witness to her murder cannot speak. Until now.

13:35 Speaker 2: Click.

13:36 Speaker 7: A Tale of.

13:36 Speaker 9: Revenge by Winslow Swan.

13:39 Speaker 7: Now available on Amazon.

13:42 Speaker 9: Revenge is a dish best served cold.

14:04 Speaker 1: American astronomer James F. Bell III once said, Fear is an insidious virus. Given a breeding place in our minds, it will eat away our spirit and block the forward path of our endeavors.

14:24 Speaker 6: And you actually saw her?

14:27 Speaker 3: Yeah, Lucy, I.

14:29 Speaker 1: I did.

14:31 Speaker 3: Rita was just standing there in the doorway. I could even... I could even see the bruises on her neck.

14:37 Speaker 6: And what about Lyle?

14:39 Speaker 3: I shot him. He's definitely... Definitely dead. Lucy, I am so tired. You have no idea what I have been through tonight.

14:52 Speaker 6: It's all right now, my love. Lucy is going to take care of everything.

14:59 Speaker 1: What's this?

14:59 Speaker 6: I poured you some tea. It'll help you relax.

15:04 Speaker 3: Thank you so much, dearest. I'm just so tired.

15:09 Speaker 6: That's all right. Drink your tea and I'll go and get you a blanket.

15:23 Speaker 3: Thank you, my sweet girl.

15:25 Speaker 6: And I see you drank your tea. That's good, Andrew. Just lay down and close your eyes. Your Lucy is going to take care of everything. yes it's me oh he's sleeping like a baby nothing to worry about no I haven't called the police yet I wanted to hear your voice lover is Lyle I mean did Andrew really

16:07 Speaker 6: well then I suppose we only have to split everything two ways don't worry As long as you have the paper he signed, we are set for life.

16:18 Speaker 3: Put the phone down, Lucy.

16:22 Speaker 2: What? Andrew?

16:24 Speaker 6: But you should still be- Asleep?

16:26 Speaker 8: Yeah.

16:27 Speaker 3: You know, you said that I shouldn't trust anyone, you remember that? Well, I took your advice. And I applied that logic to you. Good thing I did. I poured the tea into the potted flowers beside the sofa when you went to get the blanket- Now hang up the phone.

16:47 Speaker 6: Andrew, you don't understand. I'm only trying to help you. Please, Andrew, don't... I.

16:52 Speaker 3: Can't believe it. I. I am so sorry, Lucy. I really thought of anyone, you, would be the one I could trust. The one who would help me.

17:16 Speaker 7: Killed another one, Andrew?

17:18 Speaker 2: What?

17:19 Speaker 1: No.

17:20 Speaker 3: Rita. No, you're dead. I killed you.

17:24 Speaker 1: You're dead.

17:33 Speaker 2: Hello? Hello?

17:39 Speaker 7: This is Rita Price.

17:41 Speaker 8: I'm at 1492 Willow Acres Drive, the home of Lucy Baker.

17:47 Speaker 7: She's been murdered by my husband, Andrew Price.

17:52 Speaker 6: No, he's here.

17:55 Speaker 7: You won't have any trouble getting him.

18:02 Speaker 1: Rita hangs up the phone. She calmly walks over to her husband... and retrieves the gun from his hand. She sits calmly on the sofa and waits for the police to arrive. I'll return shortly with our final act. 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. Australian screenwriter Terry Hayes once said, Murder is like potato chips. You can't stop with just one. Nobody's ever been arrested for a murder.

19:16 Speaker 1: They have only ever been arrested for not planning it properly.

19:28 Speaker 7: Yes, it's me. I simply walked into the room and Andrew fainted dead away. Oh, such wicked things you say.

19:41 Speaker 8: Now, now, all of that will have to wait. There will be the trial, of course, and... then the sentencing. Oh, probably the death penalty. Well, of course I've thought that out.

20:01 Speaker 7: When I'm on the stand, I will.

20:04 Speaker 10: Carefully tell the jury that I was only playing a silly little game with him, and he thought.

20:12 Speaker 7: He thought that he had killed me. I tried to stop him from killing Lyle and Lucy, but I was.

20:20 Speaker 2: It.

20:23 Speaker 10: Was too late.

20:25 Speaker 7: At least he saved me the trouble of getting rid of him. You know that I don't like to... share.

20:38 Speaker 8: Yes sweetheart I have the paper that Lyle had him sign oh don't worry.

20:44 Speaker 7: We're gonna be set for life hang on I thought I heard someone come in.

20:57 Speaker 8: No I'm not getting nervous I think someone is actually in the house.

21:03 Speaker 7: Well I don't know Andrew?

21:13 Speaker 3: Rita, hang up the phone.

21:15 Speaker 7: But how?

21:17 Speaker 6: I thought the police.

21:18 Speaker 3: I escaped from the hospital, Rita. Now hang up the phone.

21:22 Speaker 7: I'll call you back in a bit.

21:28 Speaker 1: Why, Rita?

21:29 Speaker 3: Why all of this trouble just to get my money?

21:33 Speaker 7: Because, Andrew, I hate you. I've always hated you.

21:39 Speaker 10: You're a despicable little worm of a man and I cannot stand.

21:42 Speaker 7: The sight of you!

21:46 Speaker 10: Where.

21:48 Speaker 7: Where did you get that gun, Andrew?

21:51 Speaker 3: In the desk. Beside the front door. You know, where I always keep it. Or did you forget about that, Rita?

21:58 Speaker 2: What.

22:00 Speaker 7: What are you gonna do?

22:03 Speaker 3: What do you think I'm going to do?

22:05 Speaker 2: No!

22:06 Speaker 7: You can't!

22:08 Speaker 2: I can.

22:09 Speaker 7: I can help you, Andrew.

22:13 Speaker 3: Oh, can you, Rita? Can you really help me?

22:17 Speaker 7: Please, Andrew, don't!

22:19 Speaker 3: Sit down, Rita. Don't move.

22:31 Speaker 7: Please, Andrew, let me help you.

22:48 Speaker 3: Do you have any idea the hell that I have been through tonight? Do you even understand what it's like to feel the kind of fear that I have felt tonight? That icy grip at the back.

23:01 Speaker 1: Of your neck?

23:02 Speaker 7: Please, Andrew. We can work this out.

23:05 Speaker 3: I want to play a little game, Rita. Just a silly little game. This is a. 22 caliber revolver.

23:13 Speaker 1: See?

23:14 Speaker 3: It holds six bullets. Very small, tiny little bullets. From far away, they probably wouldn't do much damage. But close up, well... And as you can see, I've only loaded the gun with one bullet.

23:28 Speaker 10: Please, Andrew!

23:29 Speaker 9: I didn't mean.

23:33 Speaker 3: Are you familiar with the game Russian Roulette, Rita?

23:36 Speaker 10: Please, Andrew!

23:39 Speaker 3: You see, in case you don't know, I spin the cylinder, and then I cock the gun. And then I hold the gun to your head. And then, and this is the fun part, I pull the trigger. Please, Andrew!

23:55 Speaker 7: I'll confess. I'll tell them, please.

23:58 Speaker 10: I'll tell them everything.

23:59 Speaker 3: And now it's my turn, you see? So now we spin the cylinder again. And then I cock the gun again. And I hold the gun to my head this time.

24:08 Speaker 2: And.

24:08 Speaker 3: Ah-ha! Oh, that was a close one.

24:15 Speaker 7: I'll do anything, Andrew.

24:17 Speaker 3: I'll do anything you want.

24:18 Speaker 1: Anything.

24:19 Speaker 3: Oh, calm down. We're just playing a silly little game, Rita. You see, I don't have anything to live for. I mean, I've already killed two people, so at best... At this point, I'm going to get what? Life without parole? Ooh, exciting. Hey, and at worst, I'm going to get the death penalty. So either way, I'm a dead man, you see? But you, well, you have everything to live for. Please, Andrew! A whole new life with your new friend and all of my money. So you see, my dear darling wife, only one of us is going to walk out of this room.

24:55 Speaker 1: Well, alive.

25:04 Speaker 3: Please, Andrew! I love that sound, don't you? Okay, this could go on all night. It's your turn now, my dear Rita. Are you ready?

25:17 Speaker 2: No! No! No! No!

25:39 Speaker 1: And as we close the curtain on our little tale, I will return shortly with a final word.

25:47 Speaker 9: If you'd like to support us, visit our merchandise store. T-shirts, caps, mugs, and so much more. Visit doorwaytonightmare.com today.

26:16 Speaker 1: Oh, I can hear the groans even now that our play does not end fairly. But then, life never ends fairly. So, I will leave you to your own conclusions, your own dreams, and your own Nightmares. Our cast included Nick Davis, Darren Marler, Patience Adams, and Crimson McKenzie. The story was edited by Crimson McKenzie and directed by Winslow Swan. And now, a preview of our next tale.

26:59 Speaker 4: I don't think you have anything to worry about, Mrs.

27:01 Speaker 1: Hampton.

27:02 Speaker 7: But how long, Dr. Mason?

27:05 Speaker 10: How much longer can Stanley even survive?

27:09 Speaker 7: I mean, look at him.

27:12 Speaker 10: He hasn't been able to move since his stroke last year.

27:15 Speaker 3: Well, with good care that you've been giving him, he'll probably live, oh, possibly another 30, maybe even 40 years.

27:23 Speaker 2: 40 years?

27:23 Speaker 1: 40 years of cooking, cleaning.

27:24 Speaker 7: Him, looking after him?

27:34 Speaker 10: And that damn bell is driving me past the point of insanity.

27:48 Speaker 1: Doorway to Nightmare is brought to you in part by Swanage Publications. This is Artemis Black, inviting you to return with us to the Doorway to Nightmare for another adventure into the terrifying world. of your own imagination. Until next time, slumber peacefully. Epilogue The Butler Did It