Tear Down

"Tear Down" is the fourth episode of *Morning Show* (Season Two)*,* a segment of *It's All Been Done Radio Hour,* and the fourteenth episode of the series overall. It was performed on August 28th, 2021 as the first segment in Show LXXIV. It was released as podcast episode 369.

Written by Jerome Wetzel

Directed by Samantha Stark

Previous episode: "Conflict of Interest Part 3"

Next episode: "False Flag Day"

## **The Story**

As the episode starts, *Morning Show* begins another broadcast. Pat Shock is pleased that they are now syndicated in three markets outside of Ohio, but Gus Goodall is less so. Pat reports that construction crews will begin demolishing what's left of the U.S. Capital in a few hours, despite protestors outside the fence trying to prevent the act. Speak of the House Nick Mulrooney has asked for calm and order, though he's also been riling people up for months by saying President Anderson is out of line and should be stopped. Pat sees this as a sign that Congress won't be going back to D.C. and will, indeed, move to Columbus with the executive and judicial branches, as Anderson wants. Gus is strong against this, wanting the federal government to leave Central Ohio. An election is eight months away, and Gus hopes Mulrooney can stall until then so a new president may not move the legislative branch.

Listening to the show in the federal offices in the old insurance building, Janice Thompson comments that Gus has become fully anti-Anderson, and remarks that she thought Shelley Meyers was going to reign him in. Shelly says there's no controlling Gus. Janice calls Gus a villain people can rally against, which Shelly doesn't appreciate. Janice says it's just a classic hero-villain pairing, with Pat as the hero. Shelly doesn't think people should be demonized for their convictions, and Janice drops it, asking instead of Shelly has the local news stations lined up to cover President Anderson's speech. Shelly confirms this, then asks if tearing down the Capital is the right thing to do, and if Anderson has the authority to do it. Janice says that's above their paygrade and remarks Shelly seems off today. Shelly admits to working long hours, but loving it. While Janice says Shelly is doing a great job (and the press secretary thinks so, too), she's afraid her subordinate might burn out before she can move up the ladder, as she should. She orders Shelly to join her sand volleyball tournament on Sunday afternoons. Shelly tries to decline, but is forced to agree to participate.

Back at WUBD, *Morning Show* ends and Lea Zichi compliments their work. Gus asks how many angry calls he got today and Lea tells him 37, less than half his all-time record. Pat thinks it's a good thing, but Gus wants to get people fired up so things might change. Brooks Dylan interrupts, saying he needs to talk to Gus. Gus follows him out and Lea wonders how much trouble Gus is in.

In Brooks' office, Gus prepared for the worse, saying he knows their political positions don't align. Brooks asks why he would ream Gus, and says Gus doesn't know his political positions. When Gus replies they're kind of obvious, Brooks says Gus making half-based assumptions is working in the show's favor, and they're in talks with several other markets for expansion. People like the drama and tension between the hosts. Gus vows to try to be nice and Brooks tells him not to change a thing. Brooks then says Gus will fly to D.C. this weekend to appear on a national Sunday morning political show. Gus is surprised, claiming to not know much about policy, but Brooks says it'll help launch the show nationwide and already told them Gus would do it. When Gus asks if he's being asked to toe the party line, Brooks says no, just avoid trashing the station if you can, but speak your mind. Gus doesn't have any plans so reluctantly agrees to go. Gus messes up Lea's name and makes Brooks doubt it.

Early Sunday morning, an alarm wakes up Shelly, who wants to watch Gus' interview, much to Guy Norris' chagrin, as he's trying to sleep. Shelly is surprised to see Gus wearing a suit.

Host Nora Jones asks Gus about the destruction of the capital and Gus says sacred institutions should not be torn down, not understanding when fellow panelist Mindy Bernard thinks Gus is comparing government to religion. Gus wants the Capital rebuilt on the same spot and cops to being a NIMBY when Mindy presses him. Gus doesn't care, and complains about the problems the federal government has caused by moving to Columbus. Mindy points out that restaurants, bars, and hotels would disagree, but Gus says traffic is horrible for those who live there.

Nora asks how Gus how it feels to be someone people love to hate, and asks if the negative attention gives him pause about his views. Gus says it's not his fault if people are dumb and they should listen to him more. When accused of arrogance, Gus says he's not confident about many things, but is very passionate about how his city is being treated.

Pat and Lea are also watching the show, and Pat turns it off at this point, calling Gus' performance a national embarrassment. Lea says it's good for the show. Then she offers to make Pat feel better if he takes his pants back off. He willingly agrees.

## **Guest Starring**

* Ryan Yohe as Brooks Dylan
* Katie Boissoneault as Janice Thompson
* Samantha Stark as Nora Jones
* Shannon Marie Watts as Mindy Bernard
* Joe Morales as Guy Norris