Second Sight | The Ruthless Gambler & The Psychic: 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.

0:39 Speaker 1: Come in. Welcome. I'm Artemis Black. Have you ever thought about the world of ESP? There are many aspects to what is referred to as extrasensory perception, from empathy to telepathy. Our story tonight deals with what is commonly referred to as second sight.

1:08 Speaker 3: I still say it's wrong, and that is the end of it.

1:12 Speaker 4: But have you ever thought about it?

1:15 Speaker 1: Just once?

1:16 Speaker 3: Never, Roger. And why are you even thinking about it?

1:23 Speaker 2: Overdue.

1:25 Speaker 1: Overdue.

1:27 Speaker 2: Overdue. Oh, here's one.

1:30 Speaker 4: Final notice.

1:32 Speaker 3: I get it. Okay. We have a little debt to worry about. What?

1:38 Speaker 2: A little debt?

1:40 Speaker 4: That's like saying the Hoover Dam holds back a little water.

1:45 Speaker 3: I still say that it's wrong.

1:48 Speaker 4: Is that the only reason?

1:49 Speaker 2: Or are you afraid?

1:55 Speaker 1: Our mystery drama, Second Sight, was written especially for Doorway to Nightmare by Winslow Swan and edited by Crimson McKenzie. Our stars include William Stafford, Crimson McKenzie, I'll return shortly with Act One.

2:12 Speaker 3: Mystery. Horror. Thriller.

2:16 Speaker 2: Suspense.

2:18 Speaker 3: Novels and short story collections from Winslow Swan, now available from Amazon.

2:26 Speaker 1: There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy, wrote Shakespeare. And while there are those who refuse to believe in anything that cannot be scientifically explained, everyone can agree that sometimes strange things do occur.

2:46 Speaker 3: I remember the first time. The very first time it happened. I was only eight years old. I remember hugging my Aunt Hilda during a Sunday service and telling her not to take the interstate going home. Unfortunately, she did anyway.

3:10 Speaker 3: The next Sunday, I was attending her funeral. Ever since, I will get these feelings. premonitions of something that will happen. I never know when the vision will pop into my head. I have no control over it. I do remember when I met Roger.

3:40 Speaker 1: Stupid cabs!

3:43 Speaker 3: Don't you see me?

3:44 Speaker 4: Now how could they miss such a beautiful woman?

3:49 Speaker 3: Very funny.

3:50 Speaker 4: Sorry, I wasn't trying to be. My name is Roger and.

3:55 Speaker 3: And you want to invite me to dinner. You're going to be late for your meeting.

4:00 Speaker 4: How do you know I'm going to a meeting?

4:07 Speaker 3: Finally, a cab.

4:10 Speaker 2: Oh, Roger.

4:12 Speaker 3: Don't take number 17 bus.

4:15 Speaker 4: But I have to.

4:16 Speaker 3: Trust me. Meet you at Capital Grill tonight at 8. If you don't take that bus....

4:25 Speaker 4: Now what the heck was that all about?

4:34 Speaker 3: He listened to me, and we met for our first date. Six months later, we were married. We now have a small apartment, one car that we're still making payments on, and Roger is looking for a more lucrative position. And me? Well... I'm still pursuing employment of any kind.

5:02 Speaker 1: Any luck?

5:04 Speaker 3: Either I'm underqualified or I'm overqualified.

5:07 Speaker 2: Well, don't worry.

5:09 Speaker 4: Everything's going to be all right.

5:11 Speaker 3: I'm sure it is.

5:12 Speaker 4: We could always hang out a sign and you could read fortunes.

5:16 Speaker 3: Not funny, Roger. Not funny at all.

5:20 Speaker 4: Wasn't meant to be, Angie.

5:21 Speaker 3: If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times that.

5:25 Speaker 4: You never know when it happens. Yeah, I know. It's too bad you can't pick the lottery numbers.

5:33 Speaker 3: Who says I can't?

5:35 Speaker 4: Do you mean you can?

5:39 Speaker 3: Sure. Anyone can. I just don't know if they'll be the right ones.

5:44 Speaker 1: Haha, very funny.

5:46 Speaker 3: I do wish I could. But in all honesty... I would be afraid to use the gift in that way.

5:53 Speaker 4: How can you call it a gift if you don't know when it happens?

6:00 Speaker 3: Oh, very funny, Roger. Ha ha ha.

6:04 Speaker 4: What did I do this time?

6:06 Speaker 3: You printed a page of the newspaper with racing results. That's what.

6:10 Speaker 4: What are you talking about?

6:13 Speaker 3: The sports page. Look at the date.

6:16 Speaker 4: What are you going on about? That's today's date, see?

6:19 Speaker 3: Okay, sport. Joke's over. When did you print it? And more importantly, how much did it cost?

6:26 Speaker 4: Angie, honey, I swear, I don't know what you're talking about.

6:31 Speaker 3: Are you telling me that you don't see the date marked clearly that shows three days from now?

6:37 Speaker 4: What I see is today's date.

6:41 Speaker 3: Okay, this is weird.

6:44 Speaker 1: What do you see?

6:46 Speaker 3: These are the racing results from the horse racing across the country.

6:50 Speaker 4: And you can see the winners.

6:52 Speaker 3: Right there in black and white.

7:03 Speaker 1: Quick.

7:05 Speaker 4: Start writing them down.

7:06 Speaker 3: Roger, what's got into you?

7:08 Speaker 4: Will you just write the winners down?

7:14 Speaker 1: Okay.

7:14 Speaker 3: Okay. All of the winners for the race is down in Miami. So what?

7:20 Speaker 2: Oh, babe.

7:22 Speaker 4: We are going to make a fortune.

7:25 Speaker 3: What are you... Oh, no. Now, wait a minute, Roger.

7:28 Speaker 4: I can't... Look, look, look. It's very simple. You just go down to the betting shop and you make a few wagers.

7:36 Speaker 3: But that's profiting on my gift. I can't do that.

7:39 Speaker 4: Did you see these? We're already two months behind in rent, three payments behind on the car, and I'm surprised they haven't shut the electric off yet.

7:52 Speaker 3: But, Roger, something will come along.

7:55 Speaker 4: Something has. You just saw eight winners in a race that won't run until three days from now.

8:04 Speaker 3: And what do we use for money?

8:07 Speaker 4: Let me worry about that.

8:14 Speaker 3: Somehow, Roger came up with $ 100. Despite my fears, I went down to a local casino where I placed my first bet. Something told me perhaps I should have just simply turned around and walked out of that place. Mr. Stapleton?

8:40 Speaker 2: That's me. Come on in and close the door.

8:47 Speaker 3: I understand that you wanted to see me.

8:49 Speaker 2: If you happen to be Angela Stratford.

8:52 Speaker 3: I am, sir.

8:53 Speaker 2: Then please, have a seat. Would you like something to drink or eat?

8:59 Speaker 3: I would like to know why I was summoned to your office.

9:02 Speaker 2: Please, don't be so nervous. I'm the manager of operations for the casino. I always like to meet our big winners.

9:12 Speaker 3: And am I one of your winners?

9:16 Speaker 2: Indeed you are, Miss Stratford. Indeed you are.

9:20 Speaker 3: How do you know my name?

9:21 Speaker 2: I have your winnings right here on my desk in this satchel. Close to $ 250, 000 in.

9:31 Speaker 1: Cash.

9:32 Speaker 3: But how did you know.

9:33 Speaker 2: How did I know who you are? How do I know that you live at 133 Sutton Avenue? That your middle name is Helen? It's quite simple. You left your purse sitting on the table and one of my men brought it to me.

9:51 Speaker 3: Oh, I see.

9:54 Speaker 2: Naturally, I looked through it to find a driver's license so that I could return it to the rightful owner.

9:59 Speaker 3: Namely you that was very kind of you.

10:02 Speaker 2: I also found something else something that has me a little troubled.

10:12 Speaker 3: What did you find a.

10:16 Speaker 2: Piece of paper with the names of the winners from the horse races. The strange thing is that the paper is a page from one of those desktop calendars.

10:29 Speaker 3: What's so strange about that? I used it because I couldn't find a piece of paper.

10:34 Speaker 2: Oh, I completely get that. You naturally tore off a sheet to use. I do that all the time, but what I don't do is go back three days and use that sheet.

10:46 Speaker 3: Oh, my. Did I?

10:48 Speaker 2: Yes, you did.

10:49 Speaker 1: See?

10:50 Speaker 2: Three days ago, and right under the date, the winners of every race that ran today. Would you care to explain to me how that happened?

11:05 Speaker 1: We know how it happened. But how is Angela going to explain it to the rather menacing looking gentleman sitting behind the desk. Will he even believe her? Let's pause for a moment and wait to see what happens when I return with Act 2.

11:26 Speaker 4: If you're enjoying these stories, come over to our YouTube.

11:30 Speaker 2: Channel Doorway to Nightmare where we add a few pics to color your imagination.

11:38 Speaker 3: See the faces behind the voices too. Come on, you know you wanna.

11:46 Speaker 1: Will Rogers once said, horses are smarter than people. You never heard of a horse going broke betting on people.

11:57 Speaker 3: Please, Mr. Stapleton.

11:59 Speaker 2: Call me Archie. After all, we are friends, aren't we?

12:05 Speaker 3: I can explain everything.

12:07 Speaker 2: I'm sure that you can. Just take your time.

12:11 Speaker 3: You won't believe me.

12:14 Speaker 1: Ms.

12:14 Speaker 2: Strafford, Angela, if I may, I have been in this business a long time. I got a guy out there who comes in every day, every day, and sits in that same spot. He manages to pick almost 90% of the winners. Has never bet a nickel. He just likes to watch the ponies run.

12:39 Speaker 3: Please, if you will just allow me to.

12:42 Speaker 2: And then you waltz in with ten winners in a row, all written down. Nice and neat. Now you gotta admit, that is quite a trick.

12:53 Speaker 3: I saw them. Three days ago.

12:55 Speaker 2: I beg your pardon? I.

13:00 Speaker 3: saw them. Well, not really saw them like I was watching the Rays.

13:05 Speaker 1: Angela.

13:07 Speaker 2: You better walk me through this because I'm having a hard time following you. What do you mean, saw them?

13:14 Speaker 3: Three days ago, I was looking at the paper and I... Well, call it a prediction of the winners.

13:24 Speaker 2: You mean, you're one of those, what you call, psychics?

13:31 Speaker 3: In a word, yes. I just never know when... It's going to happen.

13:39 Speaker 2: And you can pick up a paper and get the results three days from now?

13:44 Speaker 3: Maybe. I just don't know.

13:49 Speaker 2: Here you go. Today's paper. Pick me out ten winners three days from today.

13:56 Speaker 3: But I don't know if I can. I never know when I may see anything.

14:02 Speaker 2: Well now, you had better at least Right. You see, if you don't pick me out, the winners, the money you won today will stay here. Along with your brains on the floor. Get me?

14:26 Speaker 1: So what did you do?

14:28 Speaker 3: I gave him the winners.

14:30 Speaker 4: You mean it happened again?

14:32 Speaker 3: Yes. I don't understand it.

14:35 Speaker 4: Well, you're not going to go back there. At least he gave you the money and we are officially caught up.

14:43 Speaker 3: He wants me to come back. In three days.

14:47 Speaker 4: Oh, hell no! There's no way I'm going to let you go back.

14:52 Speaker 3: Honey, look out the window.

15:00 Speaker 4: What am I supposed to be looking at?

15:02 Speaker 3: Is there a rather large man standing on the corner looking up this way? Uh, yeah, there is. That's why I have to go back. If I don't, that man has orders to eliminate both of us.

15:20 Speaker 4: This is insane.

15:22 Speaker 3: You want even more insanity? After I picked the winners, I saw the front page.

15:28 Speaker 1: So what of it?

15:29 Speaker 3: Don't you have An appointment at the Hawkins building in three days?

15:34 Speaker 4: Well, yeah, you know I do.

15:35 Speaker 3: Roger, don't go. The building is going to catch fire. There won't be any survivors.

15:50 Speaker 2: Angie, come on in. How's my little golden goose today?

15:55 Speaker 3: I just came back to tell you that I am not... going to pick any more winners for you.

16:01 Speaker 2: Why, sure you are. You know, we cleaned up last week. By the way, this is your share.

16:09 Speaker 3: I don't want it.

16:10 Speaker 2: Oh, Angela, you cut me to the quick. I promised you 40% of all the winnings, didn't I?

16:17 Speaker 3: It isn't the winnings. I told you, I never know when this second sight is going to happen. And so, I have made a decision.

16:28 Speaker 2: And it's your Final decision?

16:31 Speaker 3: I'm afraid so. You will just have to pick your own winners from now on.

16:45 Speaker 1: Here.

16:47 Speaker 2: Take a look at these photos.

16:51 Speaker 3: Where? Where did you get these?

16:54 Speaker 2: That is your sister, isn't it?

16:56 Speaker 3: Yes, but.

16:56 Speaker 2: Beautiful families. There she is playing with the adorable little girl, your niece.

17:02 Speaker 3: You wouldn't.

17:04 Speaker 4: Me?

17:05 Speaker 2: Do anything to that sweet, precious family? Of course not. What sort of monster do you take me for? No, Angela. I wouldn't do anything to harm them. But I do know people who would not hesitate to.

17:27 Speaker 3: They don't know anything about.

17:29 Speaker 2: Will you keep picking winners?

17:31 Speaker 3: I told you, I never know when it will happen. And what if I'm wrong?

17:37 Speaker 2: Then I suggest you not be wrong. Understand? Alright.

17:45 Speaker 3: Give me the newspaper.

17:50 Speaker 1: Alan Turing once wrote... These disturbing phenomena seem to deny all our scientific ideas how we should like to discredit them. Unfortunately, the statistical evidence is overwhelming. I'll return shortly with Act 3.

18:13 Speaker 4: You can find more episodes available at youtube.com slash C slash Doorway to Nightmare Join us and see where your imagination will take you.

18:29 Speaker 1: Another week has flown by and, fortunately, Angela has been able to keep picking the winners of all the horse races. At least, for now. So, what are we going to do?

18:45 Speaker 3: I don't know, Roger.

18:47 Speaker 4: You can't keep this up. Maybe if we just... I don't know. Sneak out of town and move.

18:55 Speaker 3: He's got someone watching us all the time. Not to mention my sister and her family.

19:01 Speaker 4: There has to be something that we can do.

19:12 Speaker 1: Well?

19:14 Speaker 2: Aren't you going to invite me inside your humble abode?

19:17 Speaker 1: Who is it?

19:19 Speaker 3: Won't you come in?

19:24 Speaker 1: Oh, it's you.

19:27 Speaker 4: You will forgive me if I don't offer you something to drink.

19:31 Speaker 2: Now, is that any way to talk to your partner?

19:34 Speaker 3: Partner? Are you kidding?

19:36 Speaker 2: Then call me your employer.

19:38 Speaker 4: You know, you've got some nerve coming in here.

19:40 Speaker 2: I simply came to get the winners for this weekend. I thought I would save your lovely wife a trip down to my office.

19:49 Speaker 3: Hmm.

19:50 Speaker 4: Me tell you something you lowlife miserable.

19:55 Speaker 3: I haven't even had a chance to look at the paper won't you give me just a minute.

20:03 Speaker 2: I'm planning a little trip to Vegas this weekend I can really clean up out.

20:09 Speaker 3: There Here you go. All written down nice and neat.

20:18 Speaker 2: And I do thank you. Say, I got a crazy idea. Why don't the two of you come out to Vegas with me?

20:29 Speaker 4: If you think that we.

20:31 Speaker 3: We would love to.

20:33 Speaker 2: Great. I'll pick you up Friday. That is, after I go to the bank.

20:38 Speaker 3: The bank? Which one do you use?

20:41 Speaker 2: First National over on 3rd Street. Why do you ask?

20:45 Speaker 3: Perhaps we should start using that one.

20:48 Speaker 2: Well, after your cut of the winnings, it might not be such a bad idea. I'll see you both on Friday.

21:02 Speaker 4: Would you mind telling me what the devil that was all about?

21:07 Speaker 3: I don't think we'll have to worry about Archie after Friday.

21:14 Speaker 1: What do you mean?

21:16 Speaker 3: I saw the front page after I wrote the winners down.

21:20 Speaker 1: And?

21:22 Speaker 4: Come on, what did it say?

21:23 Speaker 3: I saw Archie's picture on it. You see, the bank is going to be robbed on Friday. There's going to be a shootout. Unfortunately, Archie is going to be caught in the middle of it. He's not going to survive. Now, let's make our own plans for a nice Vegas trip. along with the winners of the races.

21:51 Speaker 1: Naturally, Angela and Roger won every single race. They took their winnings and bought a rather nice home in the country, where they're raising their two sons. As for Archie, I understand that it was a nice funeral. I'll be back shortly.

22:16 Speaker 2: Angela never read the.

22:17 Speaker 3: Newspapers again, or even went to a casino. As she predicted, things began to get much better for them.

22:44 Speaker 1: As for her second sight, as far as I know, she still has it. She just never knows when it will happen. Our cast included Crimson McKenzie, Winslow Swan, and William Stafford. The story was edited by Crimson McKenzie and directed by Winslow Swan. And now, a preview of our next tale.

23:13 Speaker 3: Yeah. Thanks for the beer, Mr... Simmons.

23:17 Speaker 1: Jake Simmons.

23:18 Speaker 4: It was my pleasure.

23:19 Speaker 3: Well, thanks again. You don't meet too many friendly people anymore.

23:24 Speaker 4: Shame, isn't it?

23:27 Speaker 3: Why do you keep staring at me? I didn't come in here to get picked up, if you know what I mean.

23:34 Speaker 1: Forgive me, Alex.

23:36 Speaker 2: I was just noticing how much you resemble my son. Really?

23:42 Speaker 1: Yes, it is. Quite remarkable. Here, I've got a picture of it.

23:47 Speaker 3: Wow. We could pass for twins.

23:50 Speaker 1: That is exactly what I was thinking. 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. Epilogue. The butler did it.