A High-Tension Trap: When Harassment Turns Fatal "Small Town Cop Big Time Trouble" | 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.

0:40 Speaker 1: Come in. Welcome. I'm Artemis Black. Judge not, lest ye be judged. Rather a potent statement from a rather well-known book. And yet, all of us, at one time or another, do make a judgment.

1:11 Speaker 2: What does this guy want from us?

1:14 Speaker 3: You weren't speeding, were you?

1:16 Speaker 2: Of course not. This makes us second time down the same road that we have been stopped.

1:21 Speaker 4: Are you sure it's the same cop?

1:24 Speaker 2: You know that it is.

1:29 Speaker 3: Well, then let's.

1:30 Speaker 4: Give him a traffic stop that he will never forget.

1:38 Speaker 1: Our mystery drama, Small Town Cop, Big Time Trouble, was written especially for your way to nightmare by Winslow Swan and Crimson McKenzie. Our stars include William Stafford, Crimson McKenzie, and Winslow Swan. I'll be back shortly with Act One.

2:14 Speaker 1: Someone once said that the police officer may drive a black and white car, but what goes on in their job is a lot of gray. I would agree with that statement. However, our story focuses on a rather unscrupulous officer. Who follows his own laws.

2:43 Speaker 4: It's such a beautiful part of the country. Don't you think so, Neil?

2:49 Speaker 2: I still don't understand why we had to come way out here.

2:52 Speaker 4: Because, sweetie, that is what we were told to do.

2:58 Speaker 2: Ariel, do you ever wonder where our.

3:03 Speaker 3: Now just stop right there. Neil, don't. Don't even go there.

3:07 Speaker 4: Just be grateful that we are allowed to do what we do.

3:13 Speaker 2: Yeah, I guess you're right. Still, sometimes I get the feeling that.

3:20 Speaker 4: Now, listen here, Neil. We have it a lot better than some of the others. I mean, look around you. You know, we could have ended up in.

3:31 Speaker 5: Chicago....

3:36 Speaker 4: Atlanta or, worse, California.

3:40 Speaker 2: Oh, please. I would rather not think about it. I

3:47 Speaker 2: guess you are right. This really is beautiful country. Uh-oh.

3:59 Speaker 3: Neil, you're not speeding, are you?

4:02 Speaker 2: I'm doing exactly the speed limit.

4:06 Speaker 4: I really wanted to get to our next assignment early.

4:11 Speaker 2: Then please don't do anything stupid when I stop.

4:15 Speaker 4: Me?

4:16 Speaker 3: Do anything stupid?

4:20 Speaker 4: I would never dream of it.

4:23 Speaker 2: Oh, no. Not little old Ariel. Good afternoon, officer. Is there anything wrong?

4:41 Speaker 6: Shut the car off, sir. Where are you folks headed to?

4:46 Speaker 2: Well, um.

4:49 Speaker 3: Just out and about.

4:51 Speaker 4: Is there anything wrong?

4:52 Speaker 6: Frankly, yes there is.

4:54 Speaker 2: Officer Loera, I'm sure that I was following all traffic laws.

5:02 Speaker 6: Do you have a valid state license?

5:05 Speaker 2: Of course I do. It's just not in this state.

5:08 Speaker 3: We just arrived yesterday.

5:10 Speaker 6: Planning on living here?

5:12 Speaker 2: That all depends. Are all the people here as friendly as you?

5:19 Speaker 6: I'll be right back.

5:23 Speaker 4: Butthole!

5:24 Speaker 3: What the hell was that about?

5:26 Speaker 2: Please, Ariel. Let's just not start anything that might happen.

5:31 Speaker 4: I am beyond ready to start something.

5:35 Speaker 3: Who the heck does he.

5:36 Speaker 4: Think he is?

5:38 Speaker 2: It's probably nothing. Maybe one of the lights on the back are out and he's just being courteous.

5:45 Speaker 4: Well, he's acting like we were Bonnie and Clyde.

5:52 Speaker 6: Sir, would you step out of the vehicle?

5:56 Speaker 3: Don't you dare, Neil.

5:58 Speaker 7: Sir, are you going to comply?

6:02 Speaker 2: Please, Ariel, let me handle this. Look, exactly why were we pulled over?

6:08 Speaker 6: Sir, if you just step out of your car, we can have you.

6:11 Speaker 1: On your way.

6:13 Speaker 3: Neil, I swear if you.

6:17 Speaker 2: Okay, so now will you tell me why I was pulled over?

6:22 Speaker 6: Turn around and put your hands behind your back. Now!

6:26 Speaker 3: Oh, hell no.

6:28 Speaker 4: Neil, what the heck is going on?

6:31 Speaker 2: Hey, whoa, officer. Just calm down.

6:35 Speaker 6: I said turn around and put your hands behind your back.

6:39 Speaker 2: Do it now. I'm doing it. I'm doing it.

6:42 Speaker 3: Neil, you know good and well that.

6:44 Speaker 2: I'll... Just do what he says, Ariel.

6:47 Speaker 7: That's right, Ariel.

6:48 Speaker 6: Just keep your mouth shut.

6:53 Speaker 3: I beg your flipping pardon?

6:55 Speaker 2: Sir, I'm sure that whatever the problem is, we can work this out.

7:01 Speaker 6: I don't like you. I don't like your car. I don't like the way you're dressed. I don't like your looks. Now shut up!

7:17 Speaker 3: Look at me. I'm actually shaking.

7:20 Speaker 2: Yeah, well you weren't the one in handcuffs. I was going to have a heart attack.

7:26 Speaker 3: What did he even say to you?

7:28 Speaker 2: He told me that it would be an hour... best interest to keep driving and get out of his county.

7:39 Speaker 3: Seriously? The nerve of that douche. Why did he even stop us?

7:46 Speaker 2: You know, he never did tell me.

7:50 Speaker 4: Neil, you know that I have great respect for law enforcement.

7:54 Speaker 3: I mean, I would have to, right?

7:57 Speaker 1: I know.

7:57 Speaker 2: However, there are some who take it just a little too far.

8:02 Speaker 4: That badge does not mean that you're bulletproof and a bully. One day, Officer Loera may find that out.

8:16 Speaker 2: Oh, for crying out loud. Now what?

8:18 Speaker 3: Oh, my God. This is getting ridiculous.

8:37 Speaker 2: Out of the car! Out of the car now!

8:41 Speaker 3: What is this guy's problem?

8:49 Speaker 1: Richard Daly once said, The police are not here to create disorder. They are here to preserve it. I'll be back shortly with Act 2. David Mamet once said, Policemen so cherish their status as keepers of the peace and protectors of the public that they have occasionally been known to beat to death those citizens or groups who question that status.

9:39 Speaker 2: Come on, Ariel. You haven't had a word since we.

9:43 Speaker 3: You mean since we were handcuffed?

9:46 Speaker 4: Since we had a gun? A gun with real bullets pointed at us? Since we were told, told, mind you, to be out of the county before sunrise?

9:59 Speaker 2: What.

10:00 Speaker 3: what is this, the old west?

10:03 Speaker 2: Look, I grant you that he was a bit overzealous.

10:11 Speaker 3: Overly zealous.

10:12 Speaker 4: He was downright, well, I promised I wouldn't use my words anymore.

10:22 Speaker 2: Now what are you doing? What I do best.

10:25 Speaker 3: Research.

10:29 Speaker 2: Oh, my.

10:32 Speaker 3: Well, isn't that interesting?

10:35 Speaker 2: Did you find something?

10:38 Speaker 3: Something?

10:39 Speaker 4: Oh, I found out a lot of somethings.

10:45 Speaker 1: Come on, come on.

10:46 Speaker 2: Don't keep me in suspense. Give already. No.

10:49 Speaker 4: Who do you think has been suspended five times in the last two years for conduct unbecoming.

10:56 Speaker 2: Of an officer?

10:58 Speaker 3: I'll give you one guess.

11:00 Speaker 2: Um, Barney Fife?

11:02 Speaker 3: Absolutely right. First time.

11:04 Speaker 4: Oh, and who do you think has been investigated for questionable officer-related shootings?

11:13 Speaker 2: You have got to be kidding. Oh, my.

11:18 Speaker 3: The last time was only three months ago.

11:20 Speaker 4: 16-year-old kid shot dead during a routine traffic stop?

11:27 Speaker 2: What?

11:28 Speaker 1: Maybe....

11:30 Speaker 2: Maybe that's why we are here.

11:33 Speaker 3: Now, Neil, let's not get ahead of ourselves.

11:38 Speaker 2: Well, now what are you doing?

11:41 Speaker 4: Checking our database.

11:43 Speaker 2: Well, don't be surprised that they don't have anything. You know how backed up they've been.

11:50 Speaker 3: Nothing. Zip.

11:51 Speaker 4: Nada.

11:53 Speaker 2: I told you.

11:56 Speaker 3: Oh, hell no. Not again.

11:58 Speaker 2: Now calm down. Maybe it's not the same officer. Seriously?

12:03 Speaker 3: You know it's the same guy.

12:06 Speaker 2: Unfortunately, I'm afraid that you were right.

12:28 Speaker 6: Sir, would you mind stepping out of the car?

12:31 Speaker 2: No, sir. Not this time.

12:35 Speaker 6: Are you refusing to comply with an officer?

12:38 Speaker 7: No.

12:40 Speaker 4: He's refusing to comply with a complete ass- But what.

12:43 Speaker 2: My compatriot is trying to say is that unless you can give me a lawful reason to step out of my vehicle, I am going to remain here.

12:55 Speaker 7: Do you know why I stopped you?

12:58 Speaker 3: Because you're completely foolish.

12:59 Speaker 2: I didn't know, sir. I have no idea why you pulled this over.

13:05 Speaker 6: Step out of the car or I swear I will make you step out.

13:09 Speaker 4: Are you kidding me?

13:10 Speaker 2: Again? Officer Loera, you really should put that gun back in the holster. And let's talk about this calmly. Show me your hands.

13:23 Speaker 7: Show me your hands.

13:25 Speaker 4: I wouldn't pull that trigger. Officer Francis Loera?

13:30 Speaker 2: How do you know my name? I'm only giving you fair warning. Put the gun away.

13:40 Speaker 1: Gun!

13:41 Speaker 6: You have a gun!

13:46 Speaker 1: Mary Frances Berry once said, When you have police officers who abuse citizens, you erode public confidence in law enforcement. That makes the job of good police officers unsafe. I'll be back shortly with Act 3. Albert Einstein once said, Every kind of peaceful cooperation among men is primarily based on mutual trust and only secondarily on institutions such as courts of justice and police. Dispatch.

14:48 Speaker 7: Need medical and supervisors on scene. Mile marker 13 on Judges Road. 1071, officer involved. Two suspects shot. Officers need assistance. Oh, there we go.

15:07 Speaker 6: Nice, unmarked and unregistered. 38 pistol.

15:11 Speaker 7: Right there on the seat. Good thing I'm such a good shot.

15:20 Speaker 2: Are you?

15:20 Speaker 3: Are you?

15:23 Speaker 2: Really?

15:24 Speaker 7: What the?

15:26 Speaker 2: Don't move.

15:27 Speaker 6: Keep your hands where I can see them.

15:29 Speaker 2: Haven't we already done that?

15:31 Speaker 7: I shot you both.

15:35 Speaker 6: I shot both of you.

15:36 Speaker 4: Yes, you did, Officer Francis Loera.

15:42 Speaker 2: I really cannot stand to be shot. Hurts like, well.

15:48 Speaker 6: You know.

15:49 Speaker 3: I know.

15:50 Speaker 1: Ugh.

15:52 Speaker 4: Stings a little bit, doesn't it?

15:55 Speaker 2: Don't move.

15:56 Speaker 6: Stay right where you are. Dispatch.

16:01 Speaker 2: Officer needs assistance.

16:03 Speaker 1: Now.

16:04 Speaker 2: Look, Neil.

16:06 Speaker 4: He thinks that help is actually coming.

16:10 Speaker 2: Don't you just love this part?

16:15 Speaker 3: Oh, honk.

16:16 Speaker 4: You mean when they get that doe-eye-deer look and have no idea what's about to happen?

16:24 Speaker 2: Yes.

16:26 Speaker 7: I'm warning you. Do not move.

16:31 Speaker 2: Why don't you tell him, Ariel? Oh, goody.

16:36 Speaker 4: This is my favorite part.

16:39 Speaker 6: What the hell are you talking about?

16:42 Speaker 4: Officer, and I use that term loosely. Francis Loera. Born October 13, 1987. Always wanted to be a cop, just like his dad. Just couldn't be.

16:57 Speaker 2: You know, the only difference was that George Loera was actually a good cop.

17:04 Speaker 4: Decorated three times for bravery?

17:08 Speaker 3: Most impressive.

17:10 Speaker 2: Shot in the line of duty when Francis here was only 11 years old. So sad.

17:18 Speaker 4: Maybe that is why Sir Francis has done such horrible things.

17:25 Speaker 2: I'm a good cop.

17:27 Speaker 3: No, you were a good cop.

17:30 Speaker 4: You had the potential to be just as great as your father, if not better.

17:34 Speaker 2: Hey, do you think it was that really bad guy? What was his name? Randall.

17:42 Speaker 3: Randall Parks.

17:43 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, that's him. Maybe it was what happened to him that made Officer Francis Loera the way he is. He was guilty, dammit.

17:55 Speaker 6: We had all the evidence against him.

17:57 Speaker 1: Yeah?

17:58 Speaker 2: And what happened? That stupid DA dropped the ball.

18:02 Speaker 6: That's what happened.

18:03 Speaker 2: The man walked and weeped.

18:06 Speaker 6: He was laughing at me. Right there in open court.

18:11 Speaker 4: And that Really pissed you off, didn't it?

18:16 Speaker 6: I swear I took an oath to myself that I would never, ever let.

18:21 Speaker 2: That happen again. And then there was Billy Marston, right?

18:25 Speaker 6: Now you can't blame me for that one. He went for a gun.

18:30 Speaker 3: Please. You cannot lie to us.

18:33 Speaker 2: Okay, what about Mrs.

18:35 Speaker 6: Johnson?

18:35 Speaker 4: I haven't forgotten about Emily Johnson.

18:39 Speaker 2: No.

18:40 Speaker 1: She was.

18:42 Speaker 6: A drug dealer.

18:45 Speaker 2: She was 73 years old. Who took medication.

18:50 Speaker 4: Yes, and she had just filled her prescription.

18:55 Speaker 2: And you... Well, we know what happened.

19:00 Speaker 6: Who are you?

19:03 Speaker 3: Oh, please, Neil.

19:06 Speaker 4: I want to so bad.

19:11 Speaker 2: Ariel, are you sure? You know how much it drains you afterward.

19:16 Speaker 4: Oh, this?

19:18 Speaker 5: No.

19:19 Speaker 4: I'll have plenty of time to rest before our next assignment. I can't wait to taste his soul.

19:32 Speaker 6: Lady, I swear, if you try anything....

19:39 Speaker 3: Oh, you mean something like this?

19:47 Speaker 2: What the hell? Well, at least you got that part right.

19:54 Speaker 6: She's turning into a... Oh my God!

19:59 Speaker 2: God?

20:00 Speaker 3: You're praying now?

20:01 Speaker 4: You have no idea.

20:05 Speaker 2: What's happening? And I quote, Judge not.

20:11 Speaker 1: Lest ye be judged.

20:14 Speaker 5: Francis Allen Loera, it is time for you to be judged.

20:26 Speaker 3: Ha ha ha ha!

20:27 Speaker 6: Ha ha ha ha!

20:28 Speaker 2: Ha ha ha ha!

20:30 Speaker 6: Ha ha ha ha!

20:43 Speaker 4: Whew!

20:44 Speaker 3: I'm full.

20:45 Speaker 2: You and me both.

20:47 Speaker 4: You have to admit, you had a rather good taste.

21:01 Speaker 1: Neil and Ariel smile at each other.

21:04 Speaker 2: Before leaving the.

21:05 Speaker 1: Remains of their victim on the road. The reports on Officer Loera stated that that she had died in the line of duty. I'll be back shortly with a final word.

21:42 Speaker 1: The police officer puts on a uniform and badge every day that he is on duty, never knowing if he will return home to take them off again. Our story only focused on one rather dubious character. On the whole, the police are a necessary evil. Our cast included Crimson McKenzie, William Stafford, and Winslow Swan. The story was written and directed by Crimson McKenzie and Winslow Swan. This is your host, Artemis Black, inviting you to return with us through the doorway to nightmare for another adventure into the world of your terrifying imaginations.

22:40 Speaker 1: Until next time, slumber peacefully. Epilogue. The butler did it.