Shownotes Transcript
This episode of The College Tapes contains depictions of kidnapping and distress. Listener discretion is advised. Can you help us out? I'm not sure, but I may have an idea on how to get more information. That's it? That was pretty anticlimactic. Frankie. I'm just saying, that was some act-out shit. Act-out? Like in a TV show. So that's it. What's it? This is ridiculous. Caitlin. Turn it off. Pardon? Mark?
I don't... I don't... Yeah, I don't want to see this. What's wrong with you? Just focus for me. Where am I? What are you... Where'd the energy go? I'm... You're atypical. It's okay. I am too. What the... Let me go! I can't do that. We need your help. You're important. What the fuck are you talking about? Who are you? Holy... Holy shit. They were right. You really are one of them. Professor Beck, why were you in the book?
What's going on? We have bigger problems than that. I know who kidnapped your friend. From luminary and atypical artists, you're listening to The College Tapes. This is episode 13, Preteritum Sancto, by Lauren Shippen.
Beautiful Anonymous changes each week. It defies genres and expectations. For example, our most recent episode, I talked to a woman who survived a murder attempt by her own son. But just the week before that, we just talked the whole time about Star Trek. We've had other recent episodes about sexting in languages that are not your first language or what it's like to get weight loss surgery. It's unpredictable. It's real. It's honest. It's raw. Get Beautiful Anonymous wherever you listen to podcasts.
What? You do? See? I told you. How do you know that? Yeah, professor, how do you know that? He's telling the truth. What I just saw. It's what you can do, isn't it? Your ability? Yes. What... what is it? I can see pasts. Like... mind reading? No, not at all.
Well, there's sometimes an emotional component to it. Certain emotions are so loud they bleed through the past. Look, that sounds super interesting and I definitely want to ask more about it at some point, but do you want to tell us who took Ben? Of course. I'm sorry, I... It's been a long time since I've looked into people's past, but Ben, yours was so strong. I... I never would have looked without your permission. I don't do that.
But this time... No, it's okay. I'm... I'm confused though. I don't remember anything. So how did you? Like I said, it's not mind reading. I'm not seeing your memory, not really. I'm seeing the past. Played out in front of me like it's happening now. So you actually saw? Yes. Full audio-visual hallucinations? Well, they aren't hallucinations per se, but... Oh my god. I need to... I need to sit down.
You saw them. The person who kidnapped me. Yes. And I don't... I don't understand it. I knew that he was a bit lost, but I never thought... Who? Who was it? A former student of mine. Neil. Neil... What? How is that possible? Is this some kind of fucked up rivalry between schools? We're not Harvard, you know. Neil... Simmons? Yes. What, you know this guy? Yeah, we took a class together my sophomore year.
He's a kidnapper now? That's why I say I don't understand. Neil was a good student. Kind, hardworking. I knew he was atypical, but... He was what? Oh, interesting. Whoa, so this is some kind of atypical on atypical crime? I mean, we kind of already knew that, right? The bandana the kidnappers were wearing did have the symbol for an atypical secret society on it. Sordalis Eximius. The Exceptional Society. That's what you were going for, right?
You're a member, aren't you? I... Yes, I was. I thought it was shut down. He promised me. If I had known it was still operational, I would have kept a closer eye on Neil. I should have known that he would have been drawn in by them. By the idea of being exceptional. I have to say, I'm extremely impressed. But what does this have to do with me? Why would he... I mean, what did the society even want with me? They...
My fair share of alchemists, but the work that you've done for the Order... It's... I've never heard of anything like it. Yeah, well, I had a lot of time to perfect it. You are quite exceptional. I'm sorry, I... This is all more serious than I think you realize. The book you mentioned, do you have it? Uh, no. No, it's in a safe place. The bells! What time is it? Shit!
I have an exam across campus in ten minutes. I think this is a little more important than a test. Some of us actually care about school, Caleb. Whoa, back off there, girly. Excuse me? Hey, can everyone just take a deep breath? Listen, we appreciate the crash pad and everything, but we're clearly inconveniencing you, so we'll find somewhere else to stay. Hey, now, that's not what she's saying. It's not? No offense, Adam, but you didn't exactly loop me in on the decision to host Facebook.
Four random people for an indefinite amount of time. Come on, Caitlin. We're not random. Not to mention you then dropped a bomb on everything I thought I knew. We didn't have anywhere else to go. Ben was in danger. Yeah, speaking of which, I feel like we should focus on the fact that we now know my kidnapper's name. Yeah, the kids got a point here. Yes, they do. We should go back to the police. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Now wait just a second, guys. The police? We can't go to the police. I would just let them tire themselves out first. What? What?
Look, they barely even realize we're here. The AM then! We really want to get them involved. How's things been going at the AM? They've been doing better.
Yeah, well, they weren't any help when Ben was missing. To be fair, no one was. No one saved me. I was let go, and I still don't know why, so I just... That's because you didn't give them a chance. This is so much bigger than us. But we don't know who we can trust. So what? We're just gonna fight this dangerous cult ourselves? I don't see why not. Adam! Adam!
Why is it your problem? And I know I don't know you that well, Sadie, but why is it yours? We aren't atypical, and this seems very much not our wheelhouse. What about justice? I thought that was your thing, caring about the problems of people who aren't you. It is, but this isn't a justice issue. I mean, it is, but...
Not one that can be handled by the system, especially if you refuse to go to the authorities. What you're talking about is revenge. I'm not looking for revenge. I just want answers. And I hope you get them. Really, I do. But it's not your problem. Go on. Go to your class. I'm so glad it's been so brief. Really, you're not forcing me to talk about it? Not at all.
Can everyone just go a little easy on her? She just found out about atypicals like an hour ago and trust me it sucks to be kept in the dark. Hey, I never kept you in the dark. Oh really? Guys. No, not really. I don't know, Katelyn. I feel like I've tried everything to get him to talk about his synesthesia but I just... He's just stopped. I don't know why. I'm fine, really. Caleb, I know when you're not fine. Will you just drop it? Seriously, it's okay.
You spent two whole months at that internship and you've barely told me anything about it. I don't think you're okay. Oh my god, Adam, it was just an internship. At the AM! If something happened, you know you can tell me. You can tell me anything. Hey, Adam, it's me. Again. I know that you had debate club tonight, so just text me if you guys are going out afterwards. I know you usually do, but just, I miss you. Okay, bye. Got this.
Yes! My boyfriend is the pinball wizard! Oh my god, put me down, you meathead! The people need to know! You're an idiot. And I've never been this happy. Caleb? Yeah, okay, I get that it doesn't sound like a problem, but I'm not... I'm not explaining it right. Yes, Alice, of course I want him to be happy. I just... I don't know if I believe it. You know that I love you, right? Of course. Yes.
Of course I do. It's just, I want to be sure because recently you can feel it, right? Like, like in your way, I mean. Yeah. Yeah, I can feel it. Good. That's good. Yeah. Hey Caleb. Sorry I missed you. I totally forgot that we were supposed to FaceTime tonight. I had that guest lecture thing I was telling you about and a bunch of people from my seminar wanted to go to the new gallery and I just lost track of time. But I'll call you tomorrow or you can call me if you get this. It's not that late yet, so I'll be up.
Okay. I love you. I just don't get why you didn't come over after. I wanted to get more time with the authors. What about more time with your boyfriend? Summer's almost over. And then it's junior year. College is almost over, Caleb. And I want to be ready for what's next. I've been at this crappy bookstore job the whole summer and finally there's a chance for me to get some actual face time with real authors. Adam, my dad is a novelist. You have face time with a real author every time you come over.
I invited you to come, Caleb. You could have been there with me. You don't want your meathead of a boyfriend weighing you down. Don't do that. Do what? Use something good between us to be down on yourself. I just miss you. I know. That's why I invited you to come. You never weigh me down, Caleb. I love you so much. I love you too. Okay then. That's good. Caleb? Yeah. Yeah, it's good. Are you sure? Of course. It's just...
You feel... You can still feel how much I love you, right? I know you said you could, but it hasn't faded or anything. No, definitely not. I can feel it, like, really strongly. It's just not all I feel. What do you mean? Forget it. I'm sure it's just Alice downstairs messing with the balance. So, that's it then. Yeah, I guess. It's... it's the right thing. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, I know you haven't been happy in a little while. Neither have you. Are you? What?
Are you sure? What do you mean? You know that when I get depressed it's not because... Oh god, no, of course. It's not that at all, I promise. And I mean, it hasn't been that way for a while, right? Yeah, it's been good mostly. Finally got the meds right, for the time being at least. That's good. I want you to be happy. I... thanks. I want you to be happy too. Yeah, yeah. We, uh, we just grew apart, right? No one did anything wrong.
Right. It just happens, I guess. People go to college, grow apart. Right. Maybe... Maybe? Maybe someday we'll have it all figured out. And then, I don't know, anything could happen, right? Then what would you suggest we do? I don't know. I'm not saying I'm the expert, but... Wow, not claiming you're the expert. What a revelation. Out. Everyone out!
All this arguing is getting you nowhere! And Miss Park is absolutely right. I am? You need to look after your friend. But this isn't your concern. I will handle this. Wait a second. Excuse me. This is very much my concern. I know more about this than you do. You're all just kids. And this is extremely serious business.
Go back to wherever you were staying, lock the doors, hunker down, and I will let you know when this is dealt with. No. I want to- This is not up for discussion. I know that you don't know me, but I am telling you to stay out of this. Ben? Yeah? You'll be safe. You have my word. Professor, wait. Um, excuse me. I still have a lot of questions. Shit. Please, I won't ask again. Oh, I thought it was one of the students. Yeah.
The lungs on those kids, huh? I miss having the stamina for those kinds of fights. Yeah, I would say me too, but I definitely still do. Give it a few more years. Fair enough. Are you okay? I'm fine. I'm a pre-law professor. Dealing with argumentative students is literally my job. I mean, I meant with all the...
Alright, I'm just gonna rip off the band-aid here, because it's always awkward. Like you heard, I share people's powers, and it's pretty imperfect, but I just saw what you saw, and it was a lot, and that's coming from someone who's known Caleb and Adam for years and had to hear every agonizing piece of their breakup straight from Caleb for months. Oh, I see. Yeah. That's... wow. I know. Any ability. Mm-hmm. That must be... awful. Yeah, it's...
Not usually the reaction I get from people, actually. I mean, sure, I guess it must be handy sometimes, but only in a controlled setting. I imagine the rest of the time it's overwhelming. I used to live with a bunch of atypicals before I even knew that's what we were called. And just sharing a space with them had its challenges. Sharing their powers, too. Yeah. Yeah, it definitely has its downsides. Do you want to... Oh, sure, thanks. Thanks.
It's a little easier now. A few years ago, I took this serum thing manufactured by the AM. Well, by Oliver, actually, and it took my power away for a little bit. It was in the worst possible circumstances, but all things being neutral, it'd be nice. You... your power was gone? Just for a day or two. It's been a little duller since then, easier to control, which has been great, to be honest. But they could make it permanent. You looking to get rid of yours? No, I...
As weird as it is sometimes to see things, I have pretty good control. Strong emotions can sometimes push the past onto me, like now, but mostly I can choose. I wouldn't get rid of it. Part of me. But I had a friend once. And he would've wanted out? More than anything. His ability, it hurt him. It made him a target. Made him a target how? What happened with that young person out there? Well, atypicals have been kidnapped before.
What do you mean?
There's a group. Another group? Yes. Older than the AM. Older than Sadalis. Oh, yeah. The Order. Oh. You know about the Order? Yep. Right. Well, that'll speed this up probably. Then does the Vahfi mean anything to you? The what now? The Vahfi. Why does that sound like a fuzzy animal from Star Trek? Yeah, well, they're anything but fuzzy. They poisoned Sadalis, but I think the core group is much larger. How large are we talking here? It's impossible to say.
They are deep underground. A collection of atypicals and those interested in atypicals. Interested how? In learning about them, using them, using their powers. Sounds like the AM to me. No, the AM has its faults, from what I've heard. That's putting it mildly. But all groups, no matter how well-meaning, are imperfect. Even the Order has made their mistakes through the years. But the Vahfi doesn't make mistakes, and they're not well-meaning.
And you think they took Ben? That they took your friend? I don't know for certain. The man who, well, after we got Blaze back, we were so focused on finding the person who had taken him. But I could see everything. Everything that happened when he was kidnapped. And it was part of a much bigger operation. What happened to him? To your friend? When we found him, well, really, he found us. And he was in pain and we couldn't...
It's weird, isn't it? Even now with all the technology and social media and whatnot, we can still lose track of people. Though I guess maybe sometimes that's for the best.
behind the curb now, what with my several years in captivity. Also the coma. Right, right, the coma. So I'm not totally up on everything that's out there, but you don't even have a Facebook? Why would I? I don't know, to keep in touch with friends long distance? Creep on the people you hated in high school to see how crap their lives are now? The memes. I literally don't want any of that. Are you sure? Have you seen memes? Oh my god, I haven't seen the memes. I'm so behind on my memes!
Hey, is bay a word? Bay? Sam said that it was, but she was, you know, a figment of my coma imagination, so I don't know where that's coming from. I have no idea. I mean, why would you want to keep up with people? You really don't have a lot of friends, do you? Well, I've got you now. Why would I need anyone else? Is saving strange men from captivity the way you make all your friends? You can call me your knight in shining armor. It's okay. I won't bluff.
Oh, thank you, kind sir, for rescuing me. However will I repay you? Just keep finding good radio stations and, you know, singing along terribly to them. What? Come on, I'm a great singer. But come on, seriously, you don't keep up with anyone? You should be grateful for that, you know?
If I had people keeping the lights on for me, I wouldn't be able to take care of your sorry ass. Yes, I'm ever so grateful to be getting a grand tour of every one-star motel west of the Mississippi. Don't say I never got you anything. Uh, Beck? Professor. What? You went away there for a second. Did you see something? You mean, you didn't? Nope. Just watched you go kind of glassy-eyed. I'm assuming it was something from my past. Guess you can't turn it on yourself, huh?
Well, that's a real haunted house with all sorts of jump scares. What flavor of trauma was it this time? Robert? Uh, yeah. I've known a couple Roberts. What did you say? You knew Damien? Damien, that's what he...
I knew his real name was Robert, but he never used it. I can't believe he kept it. Kept what? The name we gave him. What? The atypicals I mentioned. The ones I lived with. Robert was one of them. You… when… Well, fuck. The hits just keep on coming today. What did you see? Just the two of you in a motel, goofing off. Oh, good. One of the good ones.
Not a lot of those. Yeah, well that was a... strange summer. Yeah. I think I know a bit what that's like. So you... I mean, he... You guys lived together? Yeah. It wasn't really... by choice. Look, we could dwell on the past all day. Yeah, that might be necessary, 'cause I have a lot of questions about this. But we have bigger issues to deal with. What, the society? I thought you had it handled. I... exaggerated.
I needed to buy a few minutes to get my head straight on after the... The CW-style teen drama? Right. So you don't have it handled. I saw something. Something else. I'm not sure if you saw it, too. What is it? I need to talk to your friend. The other actual adult. Oliver? You mentioned Professor Blackwell. Yeah, he's the one that kicked this whole thing off, at least for us. You know him? I did. He is not someone to be trifled with. If Oliver is in contact with him...
We're ready to go. Oliver? Oliver! Shit. What were you saying about Blackwell being bad news? We need to find your friend. The College Tapes is brought to you by Luminary and Atypical Artists. The series is written by Lauren Shippen, Brigham Snow, and Megan Fitzmartin. This episode was written by Lauren Shippen.
In it, you heard the voices of Chris Gardner as Beck, Zach Barak as Frankie, Emily Kirk as Sadie, Zach Infante as Ben, Andrew Nowak as Mark, Victoria Grace as Caitlin, Alex Gallner as Adam, Brigham Snow as Caleb, Declan Michaelin Laird as Neil, Christian Brune as Oliver, David Carey Foster as Blackwell, and Charlie Ian as Damien. This episode was directed by Lauren Shippen and sound designed by Brandon Grugel. The series was sound designed by Misha Stanton and Brandon Grugel.
Original score by Evan Cunningham. The College Tapes is produced by Lauren Chippin, Brigham Snow, Lillian Holman, and Evan Cunningham. Thank you for listening, and stay strange.