When a Holy Man Steals a Dark Secret: A Chilling Mystery Tale "The Vicar's Mistake"

0:00 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Winslow. This is Crimson. And if you like what we're doing, hit the like button. And if you want to hear more, subscribe.

0:10 Speaker 2: When you sleep, you enter into another world. Beyond that world lies the doorway to nightmare. Nightmare. Come in. Welcome. I'm your host through the doorway to nightmares. It has been said that there are no secrets in a small town. You know the sort of town that I mean. Where everyone knows everyone and secrets are simply the local gossip that is passed around.

1:09 Speaker 3: Oh yes, the birthday party for Katie.

1:11 Speaker 1: Yes, she's been looking forward to it for a very long time.

1:15 Speaker 3: Ah, such a darling girl. Lovely girl, and I can see why she adores you. Does Katie know about her parents?

1:23 Speaker 1: What are you talking about? Just what sort of priest are you?

1:27 Speaker 2: Oh, this.

1:30 Speaker 3: Well, it does afford access to people's homes. And their lives.

1:36 Speaker 2: Their secrets. Their secrets. Our mystery drama, The Vicar's Mistake, was adapted from the short story and written especially for Doorway to Nightmare by Winslow Swan and edited by Crimson McKenzie. Our stars include Robert Jackson, Brenna Faith, Winslow Swan, and Crimson McKenzie. It is sponsored in part by Swanage Press. I'll be back shortly with Act One. Many people leave the rigors of living in the larger cities for the tranquil joy of a small town. They prefer the easygoing ways of the people, being greeted by name at the local businesses, and relaxing with friends.

2:41 Speaker 2: It is quite nice.

2:44 Speaker 1: We have 172 souls living in this small town. Some of the families founded our little community. Nothing much changes here. Arguments are few and settled quickly. Oh, we are not a lawless town by any means. Our sheriff, Jack Moses, has been protecting the citizens for 24 years and will probably be doing it for the next 24. The leaves change in the fall and come back in the spring. The snow comes in the winter, and our little city pool promptly opens on the first day of summer. It's a town where everyone watches out for everybody else, especially if a problem arises.

3:26 Speaker 1: I had a problem arise last week.

3:32 Speaker 2: Mr. Kessler?

3:34 Speaker 1: Oh, yes, Father? Is everything okay?

3:37 Speaker 3: Of course it is. Nothing to worry about.

3:40 Speaker 2: May I come in?

3:41 Speaker 1: I suppose so. Now, before you begin, I just want you to know that we are not Catholic.

3:50 Speaker 3: Oh, no one is perfect. Oh, just a small joke, Mr.

3:54 Speaker 2: Kessler.

3:54 Speaker 1: Well, can I get you something to drink? Some lemonade?

3:57 Speaker 3: That would be wonderful.

3:59 Speaker 1: Why don't we go to the den? I'll get you a glass. Now, what can I do for you?

4:08 Speaker 3: This is very good. I take it that your wife makes the lemonade fresh?

4:12 Speaker 1: Yes, she's a stickler for all things fresh.

4:16 Speaker 3: Where is she now?

4:16 Speaker 1: Oh, just in town getting some last-minute supplies for the party.

4:20 Speaker 3: Oh, yes, the birthday party for Katie. Sweet 16?

4:23 Speaker 1: Yes, she's been looking forward to it for six months now.

4:27 Speaker 3: She shouldn't be so anxious to grow up. Such a darling girl. And from my understanding, a brilliant student.

4:35 Speaker 1: Hey, Dad. Well, hello, sweetheart. How was school today?

4:39 Speaker 3: Oh, it was okay.

4:40 Speaker 1: Oh, Katie, I'm sorry. This is Father. Um, you know, I don't believe I got your name.

4:48 Speaker 3: I don't believe that I gave it.

4:50 Speaker 1: Well, it's nice to meet you, Father.

4:53 Speaker 3: Dad, I'm going upstairs to get ready for the party.

4:56 Speaker 1: Oh, that's fine, hon.

4:58 Speaker 3: I'm not sure what to wear.

4:59 Speaker 1: Well, don't worry. Your mother will be home soon. I'm sure that she'll help you. It's a very special night. And everyone is coming? Everyone is coming.

5:08 Speaker 3: Okay.

5:10 Speaker 1: Thank you, Daddy.

5:13 Speaker 3: Lovely girl. And I can see why she adores you.

5:16 Speaker 1: You know, you never did tell me your name, Father.

5:19 Speaker 3: Does Katie know about her parents?

5:22 Speaker 1: Well, Carol and me are her parents.

5:26 Speaker 2: Really? Really.

5:27 Speaker 3: Are you sure that you just didn't adopt her?

5:30 Speaker 1: I think that you had better tell me who you are, and I mean right now.

5:33 Speaker 3: You may call me Mr.

5:35 Speaker 1: Benjamin. Uh, forgive me if I don't shake your hand.

5:38 Speaker 3: Pity, I was hoping that we could be good friends.

5:42 Speaker 1: So, what's with the priest outfit?

5:45 Speaker 2: Oh, this.

5:48 Speaker 3: Well, it does afford access to people's homes. And their lives. Their secrets.

5:55 Speaker 1: Well, if you're not a priest, then just what are you?

5:58 Speaker 3: Why, I'm simply a businessman. I conduct my business not in the usual manner like with an office or with a telephone. No, I prefer to conduct my business in a more personal level.

6:12 Speaker 1: And just what is your business?

6:16 Speaker 3: Oh, coercion, extortion. Simply put, blackmail, Mr.

6:23 Speaker 2: Kessler.

6:24 Speaker 3: Pure and simple blackmail. And, um, I am here to blackmail you.

6:34 Speaker 2: A rather ugly word, blackmail. And to some, more heinous a crime than murder. However, the blackmailer must be careful not to become a victim of the latter. I'll be back shortly with Act Two. How many secrets do you have? Secrets that you would not want other people to know, maybe even those closest to you. Imagine the horror of a complete stranger telling you that they know your secret and will be willing to keep it that way.

7:31 Speaker 1: For a price. Blackmail?

7:34 Speaker 2: Yes, Mr. Kessler.

7:36 Speaker 3: I happen to know Katie's real parents.

7:39 Speaker 1: We are her real parents.

7:41 Speaker 3: Can we please stop pretending? You know as well as I that you adopted Katie when she was two. When her mother murdered her father and then killed herself. Remember now, Mr. Kessler?

7:57 Speaker 1: Honey, I'm home. I'm in the den. I thought I would never find the cake. You know, Katie, how particular she was about the. Oh, I'm sorry.

8:09 Speaker 3: I didn't know you had company. Why, hello, Mrs. Kessler.

8:13 Speaker 1: I'm Mr. Benjamin. Pleased to meet you. Carol, it is not a pleasure to meet this man. I don't understand. Well, this man has a business proposition for us.

8:25 Speaker 3: Actually, the proposition was for you, Mr.

8:29 Speaker 2: Kessler.

8:29 Speaker 1: I have no secrets from my wife.

8:31 Speaker 2: Paul?

8:33 Speaker 1: What is he talking about? It seems that Mr. Benjamin here knows about Katie. Oh, no. Paul? So what do you want, Mr. Benjamin?

8:45 Speaker 3: Well, let's get down to the brass tacks, as they say. I found out through a little research that Katie's mother went completely insane, stabbing her father through the heart with a wooden stake like some sort of a vampire. Afterwards, she took.

9:02 Speaker 2: Her own life.

9:04 Speaker 3: My question is, have you ever divulged this information to Katie?

9:10 Speaker 3: Your silence answers my question.

9:12 Speaker 1: Stop this, now! Yes, Mr. Benjamin? Please, tell us what you want.

9:19 Speaker 3: Why, money, Mrs.

9:21 Speaker 2: Kessler.

9:23 Speaker 3: That's what blackmail is all about.

9:26 Speaker 1: And exactly how much money are we talking about?

9:30 Speaker 3: Oh, I think that, hmm, let's see. Let me see here. How about, say, $ 20, 000 will suffice?

9:39 Speaker 1: You must be joking.

9:40 Speaker 3: When it comes to money, I never joke.

9:44 Speaker 1: I can't come up with that kind of money.

9:46 Speaker 3: Oh, but I think that you can. If my information is correct, you have $ 4, 000 in a joint account, $ 8, 000 in Katie's college fund, and the rest, I'm sure that the equity of the house... will secure alone.

10:01 Speaker 1: And how did you know all of that?

10:03 Speaker 3: Oh, I have my sources. They keep me well informed. Never mind the rhyme, only the reason. The only question that you should have is how you will.

10:13 Speaker 2: Pay the money.

10:14 Speaker 1: And what happens after we pay you?

10:16 Speaker 3: Just keep coming back for more and more and more, don't you? I can assure you, Mrs. Kessler, that is not the way that I work. I find that a one-time payment is much more simpler than dragging something out. After all, you can't get blood from a stone.

10:34 Speaker 1: And what if I were to just shoot you now and save us all some trouble?

10:39 Speaker 3: Well, yes, you could do that. It would be very foolish.

10:44 Speaker 1: Why do you say that?

10:45 Speaker 3: I am not alone in this little venture. I do have a partner. If I don't check in with him, the information that I, or rather that we have, will become very public in a very short amount of time. Paul, put the gun away.

10:59 Speaker 2: Alright.

11:02 Speaker 3: Now, I know that it is Friday, and it is already after five. So I will give you until Monday at five to get the money together.

11:09 Speaker 1: Oh! You poor, foolish man. He really thinks that we're going to pay him.

11:18 Speaker 3: What are you two laughing about? Imagine what Katie's friends at school will say if they find out.

11:22 Speaker 1: Oh, Mr.

11:23 Speaker 2: Benjamin.

11:26 Speaker 1: You said you had a partner? Have you been with him recently?

11:31 Speaker 3: Why is that your concern?

11:33 Speaker 1: Because his scent will be on you. It will make it so much easier to find him.

11:46 Speaker 2: Have we missed something? Paul and Carol Kessler do not seem as concerned about the secret of their adopted daughter. Moreover, they are amused by it. Something has turned around. and perhaps we shall find out what it is when I return with Act 3. Mr. Benjamin has arrived at the home of Paul and Carol Kessler with a secret. He is willing to keep that secret if the Kesslers pay him $ 20, 000 blackmail. However, this only amuses the couple.

12:48 Speaker 3: Just what are you two laughing about?

12:51 Speaker 1: Oh, Paul. Look out the window. It really is a beautiful sunset.

12:58 Speaker 3: I'd better go help Katie get ready for her party.

13:01 Speaker 1: It was nice meeting you, Mr. Benjamin.

13:03 Speaker 3: Have you two lost your minds?

13:05 Speaker 1: Oh, no, Mr. Benjamin. Not at all. Paul, why don't you call the sheriff? I'll be helping Katie. Goodbye, Mr. Benjamin.

13:19 Speaker 3: I don't think that it would be wise to call the sheriff.

13:28 Speaker 1: Hello, Jack? Yes, yes, the party is still on. Oh, she definitely wants her uncle to be here for her special night. Yeah, that's right. Well, that was why I called. Carol was going to get that special present, but it seems that it's not really necessary right now. Well, it seems that some man has broken in. Oh, I think he was insane. I'm really sorry I have to put you on the spot like this and make you do some work, but he is dead. Yeah, yeah, messed up pretty bad. I really don't think there is a lot left of him.

14:22 Speaker 2: Oh, no, Jack.

14:24 Speaker 1: I have no idea who he is. Yeah, that's right. Oh, no, no. It won't interfere with the party. The body, or what's left of it, is in my den. We can just close the door and we'll take care of it after everyone leaves. Oh, I really appreciate this. Oh, yeah. Fishing on Saturday?

14:49 Speaker 2: Hey.

14:50 Speaker 1: Sounds wonderful. I think we could both use the break. Okay, Jack. I'll see you in about an hour. Thank you.

14:58 Speaker 3: A brilliant performance, Mr.

15:02 Speaker 2: Kessler.

15:03 Speaker 3: Now, I will expect you at 5 o'clock on Monday.

15:06 Speaker 1: I'm afraid the plans have changed. Especially for you, Mr. Benjamin. You see, your information was wrong.

15:18 Speaker 3: My information is quite reliable, I can assure you.

15:22 Speaker 1: Oh, you were right about her mother killing her father and then committing suicide. That much was correct, but it wasn't with a wooden stake. It was with a bullet. A silver bullet.

15:36 Speaker 3: Um, I think that I should leave now.

15:40 Speaker 1: Oh no, I think that you had better just sit there. We did promise Katie a special present. You see, Katie knows all about her parents, which is why she's been so excited to turn 16. Look out the window, Mr.

15:55 Speaker 2: Benjamin.

15:56 Speaker 1: The sun is almost gone. In a few minutes, a full moon will be rising. Here we go, Katie.

16:06 Speaker 2: Okay, turn a little.

16:09 Speaker 1: Now, take your hands off your eyes. Okay.

16:13 Speaker 2: Mr. Benjamin, are you still here?

16:14 Speaker 1: Well, Katie, this is your special night, and you deserve a special present. You mean... That's right, sweetheart. Your very first kill.

16:30 Speaker 3: Oh, dear God, no!

16:31 Speaker 2: No!

16:32 Speaker 1: No!

16:33 Speaker 2: This isn't how it's supposed to go.

16:35 Speaker 3: This is not what I wanted.

16:36 Speaker 2: Not fair. Not fair.

16:38 Speaker 1: Not fair at all. Not fair at all. Now, Katie, don't be greedy. Your uncle will be here soon. And you know how much we all love and never look down on leftovers. Oh, look at us.

17:09 Speaker 2: Which proves the point that some secrets should never be sought out. They should lay within the person, kept under lock and key, and never revealed. I'll be back shortly.

17:42 Speaker 2: I understand that the party for Katie was a huge success. Everyone had a wonderful time, even her uncle, the sheriff. Katie wasn't stingy. Everyone had a small bite. Our cast included Robert Jackson, Winslow Swan, Crimson McKenzie, and Brenna Faith. The entire production was under the direction of of Winslow Swan, and the story was edited by Crimson McKenzie. Hi, it's Crimson.

18:18 Speaker 1: If you enjoy these plays, please hit that like button. That way we know. Don't forget to subscribe and share it with all your friends.

18:25 Speaker 2: And now, a preview of our next tale.

18:33 Speaker 1: Adam, have you noticed anything? What are you talking about? Look at the earth. There's something very, very wrong. Doc, it's Mother Earth.

18:43 Speaker 2: Big, blue, and wonderful.

18:46 Speaker 1: Personally, I cannot wait to set my feet back.

18:49 Speaker 3: On terra firma.

18:49 Speaker 1: Where are the lights?

18:51 Speaker 2: What lights?

18:52 Speaker 1: We should be able to see the lights from every major city down there. Where are they at?

18:58 Speaker 2: I don't know. Doorway to Nightmare is brought to you in part by Swanage Press. This is your host, inviting you to return with us through the doorway to nightmare for another adventure into the world of your terrifying imagination. Until next time, slumber peacefully. Epilogue The Butler Did It