Broadcasting Black Magic: "The Practitioner" (Supernatural Thriller)

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. Come in. Welcome. I'm Artemis Black. On October 27th, 1920, the first commercial radio station began broadcasting. And while radio has changed over the years, there has always remained one constant. Revenue.

Speaker 2: This is Evan Ray, playing the hits and bringing the news on KAB, your hometown station. Stay tuned for the 5 o'clock report coming up next.

Speaker 3: Every hour, on the hour, KAV News and Weather. Some report, nothing happens in this town.

Speaker 1: Nothing.

Speaker 2: Don't worry, Ruth. I'm sure something will pick up. Even small towns have their little mishaps.

Speaker 1: Our mystery drama, The Practitioner, was written especially for Doorway to Nightmare by Winslow Swan and edited by Crimson McKenzie. Our cast includes Annie Mick and Darren Marler. I'll return shortly with Act One.

Speaker 4: There, underneath your bed, there is something, and it's waiting, waiting for another story. No one is afraid of monsters anymore. And other stories to read to the thing under the bed by Winslow Swan. Paperback editions available at Amazon.com. Audiobook edition available at Spotify. Eight terrifying tales for you to enjoy and to read to the thing under your bed. Get it before the thing gets you.

Speaker 1: The world of radio has a rather fascinating history. A station broadcast to the area, music, entertainment, sports, and most importantly, the news is Captured by a small box, either in your home or even your car, radio can be akin to magic. The one thing that will keep a station on the air is money. And the only way to make that commodity is through advertising.

Speaker 2: You wanted to see me, Ruth?

Speaker 3: What's on the air right now?

Speaker 2: Don't worry. I got the automation equipment going. You said it was important, so I came right in.

Speaker 3: Have you seen this? I mean, really looked at it?

Speaker 2: The Arbitron book, right? Yeah, I've seen it.

Speaker 3: Last place. Dead last. We cover three states. We compete with over 15 other stations. And we are dead last in the ratings. How am I supposed to sell any advertising to anyone?

Speaker 2: I know, Ruth. I know.

Speaker 3: I took over this station ten years ago and things were going pretty well. But now? I've let go everyone on staff because I couldn't afford to pay them. The only reason you are still here is because I gave you stock in the station. Which, by the way, is worth absolutely nothing.

Speaker 2: Unless, of course, something happens and I become the owner.

Speaker 2: Problem is, well, I want it.

Speaker 3: Laugh all you want to, Evan, but this is serious.

Speaker 2: Basically, what you're saying is we need more listeners, right? Yeah, I agree. I've tried with the morning talk show, but, well, unfortunately, not a lot happens in this town to talk about.

Speaker 3: Newsworthy, anyway. I mean, we live at the crossroads of bum Egypt, and you sure do got a purty mouth. Biggest news story this past year was that truck overturning on the highway. Nothing ever happens here.

Speaker 2: What if, hear me out here, what if something did happen? I mean, something really wild.

Speaker 3: Do you have something in mind?

Speaker 2: Okay, just hear me out, and then decide. The president has not made a decision on the bill, but wants to go forward with Congress. That's the national news. And now, on to the local scene. Police are baffled at the rise in vandalism over the past week. Several homes have been targeted with satanic symbols, including Mayor Samuel Andrews' residence. In a written statement, the mayor assured the public that the sheriff's office is giving the matter its full attention. And now a look at the weather from the National Weather Service.

Speaker 3: Yes, ma'am. We still have a few spots on Evan's Morning Show available. I can have the contracts today. And thank you.

Speaker 2: Hey, Ruth. So, how was our morning talk show today?

Speaker 3: Are you kidding? I just sold another block of time. Don't look now, but your stock may actually be worth something.

Speaker 2: See, I told you. We just needed a little push in the right direction.

Speaker 3: I'm surprised that no one caught us.

Speaker 2: How many people are out in this town at three in the morning?

Speaker 3: Wonderful idea, Evan. Paint a few symbols on some houses and voila! We have listeners again.

Speaker 2: People are scared, Ruth. That's what it takes. Gotta give the people what they want, right? I'm just curious, Evan. About what?

Speaker 3: Well... I knew what a pentagram was, so that's what I painted. But you? You did words and symbols I've never seen before.

Speaker 2: Let's just say I know a lot about the dark arts. While my friends were collecting comic books, I was at the library reading everything I could about the craft.

Speaker 3: Does that mean that you also practice?

Speaker 2: Oh, no. No, heavens no. I... I only just read about it, you know, studied it. Nothing more. Besides, that'd be like playing with fire.

Speaker 1: That old black magic has me in its spell. That old black magic that you weave so well. I see fingers up and down my spine. The same old witchcraft. When your eyes meet mine. A popular song from Johnny Mercer, and rather appropriate for our little tale, which will continue with Act 2 shortly.

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

Speaker 4: Click.

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

Speaker 1: Russian doctor, writer, and playwright Mikhail Bulgakov once said, Everyone knows. Once witchcraft gets started... There is no stopping it. Fabulous 1340.

Speaker 2: KAB. Coming up on The Morning Show, what exactly is the Sheriff's Department doing about all of this vandalism? You know, it's been three weeks now, no arrests have been made, and more homes have been painted with those weird satanic symbols. Get your thoughts together and give me a call on the action line at 555-8271. And where has the mayor gone? He was last seen two days ago, and now he has just vanished. Can't take the heat? Avoiding the questions, Mr. Mayor?

Speaker 3: Well, at least we aren't dead last in the ratings anymore.

Speaker 2: Wow, got a new report already. So, where are we in the ratings now?

Speaker 3: Next to last.

Speaker 2: The vandalism story... is starting to weaken, I have to admit it. But the mayor disappearing, I really thought that'd stir things up for us.

Speaker 3: I thought so too.

Speaker 2: So where did you stash him, Ruth?

Speaker 3: Me? I thought you had something to do with it.

Speaker 2: I can't take credit where credit isn't due. KAB, home of the hits.

Speaker 3: Evan, put me on the air, now!

Speaker 2: Okay, all right, Ruth. Hang on a second. What's going on?

Speaker 3: Major news story. And I mean major.

Speaker 2: Okay, let me give you an intro. Three, two... We have a special news bulletin. On the phone is Ruth Gordon. Ruth, you're on the air.

Speaker 3: The body of Mayor Samuel Andrews was discovered this morning by maintenance workers in his basement. According to reports, it seems to be a satanic ritual murder. Police are investigating, but no suspects have been named. I will bring a full report during the.

Speaker 1: 5 o'clock news.

Speaker 3: This is Ruth Gordon reporting for KAB News. Back to you, Evan.

Speaker 3: That's correct. No, I don't have that information. I'm sorry, but I cannot confirm or deny that part. Yes, of course. I will let you know. Goodbye.

Speaker 2: Man, things are really starting to pop around here.

Speaker 3: That was the network on the phone. They're sending a team down here to cover the story.

Speaker 2: Yeah, well, murder tends to do that to the news.

Speaker 3: I've always said, if it bleeds, it leads.

Speaker 2: You can say that again. Hey, so what are you not telling the public? Let me in on it.

Speaker 3: I saw the body, Evan. The mayor's head was severed and placed... placed at his feet.

Speaker 1: No kidding.

Speaker 2: Wow, that is weird.

Speaker 3: The part the sheriff didn't want me to report was his heart was removed. They haven't been able to find it.

Speaker 2: So whoever did this took the heart as a... what, a trophy?

Speaker 3: It's the theory they're working on. And perhaps some sort of a cult has been forming.

Speaker 2: Stranger things have happened. On a local scene, police are searching for Amanda Stevens, who disappeared yesterday. According to reports, she was last seen entering her home on Davenport Lane when she got off the school bus. Amanda is 17, with brown hair, hazel eyes, and weighs approximately 110 pounds. She was wearing a cheerleader's outfit, as she had just come from practice at the high school. Police are asking for any help that the public can provide. Now, from the National Weather Service...

Speaker 2: Hey, Ruth. I only got a few minutes for this commercial break, and then I'm back on the air.

Speaker 1: What's up?

Speaker 3: Sit down, Evan.

Speaker 2: Ooh, a sit-down conversation. Alright, what's going on?

Speaker 3: I believe you know exactly what's going on. And I want it to stop. Now.

Speaker 2: What? I don't know what you're talking about, Ruth.

Speaker 3: Oh, come on. That girl. The one who vanished?

Speaker 2: What about her? I only report the news. I don't make it.

Speaker 3: Are you trying to tell me that you had nothing to do with it?

Speaker 2: Let me ask you this. How are the ratings going?

Speaker 3: What's that got to do with.

Speaker 2: And how about the advertising, huh? Have you sold any more blocks of time?

Speaker 3: I want this to stop. Now.

Speaker 4: Do you, Ruth?

Speaker 2: Do you really?

Speaker 3: It's getting out of hand, Evan.

Speaker 2: Hey, don't forget you started this with our paint job.

Speaker 1: Remember?

Speaker 3: And now I'm ending it. Do you understand? It all stops today.

Speaker 2: Does it? I'm kind of liking the ratings going up, Ruth.

Speaker 1: Anton LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan, once said, The Satanism advocates practicing a modified form of the Golden Rule. You should do unto others as you would have them do unto you. But if your courtesy is not returned, they should be treated with the wrath they deserve. I'll return with our final act in a moment. 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.

Speaker 1: Emily Dickinson once wrote, Witchcraft was hung in history. But history and I find all the witchcraft that we need around us every day.

Speaker 2: The body of Amanda Stevens was found today in the wooded area known as Devil's Cove. Sources inside the sheriff's office are calling it another ritualistic murder. Residents are being asked to come forward with any information. It's 14 past the hour. We'll have your weather coming up next.

Speaker 3: What's on the air at the moment?

Speaker 2: Don't worry about it. I put everything on automation. We have plenty of time to... talk.

Speaker 3: Evan, I'm very tired. I've been on the phone all day with advertisers, the network, and the sheriff's department.

Speaker 2: Really? Do they have any new information for us?

Speaker 3: She was only 17 years old. Bright, athletic... Everyone liked her.

Speaker 2: Well, obviously somebody didn't.

Speaker 3: Now that's sick.

Speaker 2: Now don't give me all of that high and mighty bull, Ruth. Just a few weeks ago, this station was dead last in the ratings. Last. And now, because of our reporting and my morning talk show, we are number one. One, Ruth. You can't deny that.

Speaker 3: I don't deny it. I just don't like the way it It happened.

Speaker 2: I told you, Ruth. Once you get started.

Speaker 3: But it has to stop. Look, the station is doing great. We don't need to do anything else to generate news.

Speaker 2: What do you mean by we? All I did was paint a few symbols on some houses.

Speaker 3: And that is all you did? You can't fool me, Evan. You knew everything there was to know about the symbols, the Latin words, the whole thing.

Speaker 2: Yes, I did. You know, Ruth, these things always come in threes.

Speaker 3: What do you mean by that?

Speaker 2: Oh, I think you know what I mean, Ruth Gordon.

Speaker 3: Oh, I do know, Evan. I most certainly do.

Speaker 2: What is so funny?

Speaker 3: You are getting me to think that you are the ritual killer. Or perhaps you think that I am.

Speaker 2: Well, aren't you? I followed you, Ruth. I saw you with the mayor and that girl. I should call the sheriff's office.

Speaker 3: But you won't, because there is no evidence against me. Nothing. You say you studied the dark arts, but do you practice them?

Speaker 2: What? What is that?

Speaker 3: I took control of this radio station because it was always a dream of mine. My contract means that every 10 years, I have to honor the deal. What?

Speaker 1: Who is that?

Speaker 2: Who's here? Who's here? Only you and me and the devil.

Speaker 3: Makes three.

Speaker 1: Evan feels the fear well up within him. He realizes that simply... Knowing a subject hardly makes.

Speaker 4: You an expert.

Speaker 1: I'll return shortly for the final word.

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.

Speaker 1: It's my understanding that there is a position open now at radio station KAB for an announcer the pay isn't much but the owner will give you a small stock option would you like to apply for the job Our cast included Darren Mahler and Annie Mick. The story was edited by Crimson McKenzie and directed by Winslow Swan. Music for Doorway to Nightmare was provided by Kevin MacLeod. And now, a preview of our next tale.

Speaker 2: But what could they possibly want?

Speaker 5: It's the D.O.S.S., Alex.

Speaker 2: Department of Social Safety?

Speaker 3: What a crock. Whatever they want.

Speaker 5: It isn't going to be good.

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.

Speaker 5: Epilogue The butler did it?

Game plan