Chapter 18: If My Hands Could Shape The Flow

Image Description: A drawing of a waiter holding an empty tray aloft, approaching a grand mansion. A distant figure can be seen in the open doorway. The caption reads, “These people, they expect a different kind of service. You have to give them a little more if you want to stand out.”

## Credits

### Featured Voices

* Lucille Valentine as Paige
* Pip Gladwin as Gren
* Jimmie Yamaguchi as Hayward, aka "Tanner"
* Mintaka Angell as Felix
* Shogo Miyakita as Martin Kensey
* Michelle Kelley as Sofia Kensey
* Siobhan McAuliffe as Gramma Kensey

## Meta Data

### Content Warnings

This episode contains reference to suicidality and two scenes of extremely bloody violence, including character torture.

## Episode Guide

Across the border, in the city of Nesh, an exile attempts to make a fresh start.

## Description

### Paige's Return to the Linger Straits

Paige has been detained and questioned as an international criminal. Eight months of negotiating later, an agreement between the nations was reached and she was transferred to a holding cell in the Linger Straits. She’s interviewed by detectives from the Nesh municipal force, and looked over by doctors. There is an emerging narrative, just as constructed as the one in the Peninsula. Then, she is released.

Paige returns to her apartment to messages of condolences from her coworkers. She sits on the floor and laughs. She knows that no one has managed to find out her final secret - where she goes from here. She goes to a supermarket and picks up supplies.

### Reintroducing 'Tanner'

Gren calls to his coworker, Tanner, to take over the till whilst he steps out. His coworker drops a can and claims to know the previous customer, Paige. Gren instructs Hayward to follow him outside. Gren lights his cigarette and offers one to Hayward before informing him that his work pass was met with “red flags”. Hayward initially panics, to which Gren offers some consolation. In return Hayward informs him that his work pass won’t hold up, and that he can’t go to his embassy. He reveals a little bit about why he left for the Linger Straits to Gren. After a pause, Gren tells Hayward that he might have some extra evening work that Hayward can do as a waiter, which pays in cash and would mean he wouldn’t have to worry about the work permit. Hayward declines and announces his departure.

Hayward opens a beer and calls Felix, who tells him he shouldn’t be calling. Hayward has breached his contract. After Hayward implores that Felix listen to him, Felix tells him never to call again before hanging up.

Following this phone call Hayward wonders what to do with himself. He seems to have hit an unbearable low, one which can only lead to suffering. For a few moments he contemplates a harsh final decision, an end to all of this for himself. Instead, he picks up the phone and calls Gren inquiring about that job he mentioned.

### The Kensey House

Gren and Hayward walk towards the Kensey House, discussing the job. Hayward tries to rope Gren into his plot to capture Paige but Gren isn’t listening to him. Mr. Kensey greets the two of them and shows them their job for the evening. The instructions he provides are incredibly detailed and specific. He stresses the importance of the servers getting involved if guests refuse to participate. Finally, he announces that it is his wife’s 43rd birthday. The conversation is disrupted by distinctive knocking sounds from the pipes - which Mr Kensey blames on the plumbing. Gren proposes singing the birthday song to Mrs. Kensey - he is clearly willing to go above and beyond for this job. Mrs Kensey enters and announces the arrival of the first of their guests. Mrs Kensey rudely ignores Gren’s attempt to wish her a happy birthday. When they have left, Gren and Hayward converse about the job for a bit longer.

Hayward and Gren make the rounds to the party guests. The general chatter falls as Mr Kensey begins to make a speech. Not only is it his wife’s birthday but it is also the “two-week anniversary” of their work with The Holy Trinity of The Petropater. He announces some new rituals for the faith that he would like to share with his guests tonight. He announces Aranissa, the seven year old daughter of someone called Edwin, and asks for a second volunteer from the serving staff. Gren immediately volunteers himself, which Hayward criticises. Gren tells Mr Kensey his name is William. He has volunteered himself for a “blood drawing ritual”. Gren kneels to allow Aranissa to strike him. She hits him and he falls back dazed, he allows her to strike him again because she failed to draw blood the first time. The crowd laughs and applauds the “entertainment” and Gren continues to give his typical customer service whilst clearly in great pain.

The party continues and Mr Kensey announces that his guests look bored. He plans to step it up for the next one. Gren asks for Hayward to help him to his feet, and is chastised by Hayward for his recklessness. In turn Gren chastises him for his bad attitude, telling Hayward that his actions are reflecting poorly on the both of them. Gren truly believes he’s creating a future for himself, and is furious that Hayward sees himself as above it. Mrs Kensey compliments Gren and breaks the argument between him and Hayward. Hayward walks away, rudely, leaving Gren to explain he’s new.

In the kitchen, Gramma Kensey speaks to Hayward. She appears to find the situation just as distasteful as Hayward does. She reveals that Mr Kensey’s parents used to worship the Glooming Guest. All of the workers, including the owners would draw lots, and Mr Kensey’s father knew and partook in this. Gramma Kensey issues a warning about success, before telling Hayward to wait in the kitchen a while longer because the “festivities” of the evening have only just begun.

Mr Kensey asks for another volunteer, and when he is met with silence Gren volunteers himself for a second time. He gives Gren something to drink, and once he’s swallowed it reveals it to be a muscle relaxant. It kicks in quickly and Gren is guided to his knees. Mr Kensey directs Aranissa to hold the knife to Gren’s stomach and cut lines to create a “furnace”. Gren has been chosen as a sacrifice, and with the completion of the ritual turns to coal. This is once again met with applause. Mr Kensey announces his intention to repeat this sacrifice again.

Hayward has watched this all unfold from the kitchen and is, expectedly, horrified. Gramma Kensey instructs him to stop panicking and to leave as quickly as possible through a first floor window. She also tells him to arm himself. He picks up a skewer. Hayward runs through the Kensey House, trying to find an escape as the other servers are sacrificed. Mr and Mrs Kensey notice that ‘Daniel’ is missing. Mr Kensey settles on searching for him, making it a game for the party guests to participate in.

Hayward hides in a bedroom and knocks over a vase, which shatters alerting Mrs Kensey of his presence. He hides in the wardrobe. Hayward warns Mrs Kensey that he is armed and will defend himself. She ignores him, opening the wardrobe anyway. Hayward shoves the skewer through her mouth. She rips the skewer out and bleeds freely, before dying.

Outside, Mr Kensey says goodbye to some guests leaving early.

Hayward approaches Gren, whose heart still beats. He apologises for leaving him like this. Gren grabs him, yelling to alert Martin. Hayward kicks out at him to get him to release him, and as he does so Gren turns to ash. As Hayward gets to his feet, Mr Kensey arrives and proclaims that ‘Daniel’ has ruined the evening. Gramma Kensey corrects him. Mr Kensey calls for his wife, and Gramma Kensey reveals that she’s dead. Mr Kensey lashes out at his mother. Gramma Kensey reveals that the Glooming Guest built the house, and that he is now out of patience. Gramma Kensey welcomes the Guest. As the ceiling collapses, Hayward manages to escape through the door. He sees the Guest as the house collapses. Hayward makes the decision to continue living. The episode ends with police sirens.

## References

1. ↑ Episode Release Announcement on Tumblr
2. ↑ Official episode synopsis at https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/5fec690f8211cf453a1b89e2