Bride of Shizreen

"Bride of Shizreen" is the fifth episode of the first season of *Travels With T.I.M.,*a segment of *It's All Been Done Radio Hour*. It was the opening segment of Show LXXI. It was performed on May 8th, 2021. It was released as podcast episode 356.

Written by Jerome Wetzel

Directed by Samantha Stark

Previous episode: "Family Ties"

Next episode: "Sideways"

## **The Story**

The episode beings in the chaotic Marketplace of Ka'chon in Litty Firest's general time and area of space. Ezra Ford is impressed, and even Litty admits it could be overwhelming if you're not used to it, but it feels like home to her. Litty excitedly sees something she’s been looking for for years, but before she get get it, a massive armored soldier grabs Litty’s arm, presses button on his uniform, and teleports them away.

Back in T.I.M., Ezra fills the time machine in on what happened and asks T.I.M. what they should do. T.I.M. reminds Ezra of the track they put on Litty, but Ezra expresses doubts about trying to save her, especially because T.I.M. doesn't have combat capabilities. T.I.M. is confident Ezra will think of something, but Ezra is less sure.

Nearby, in the massive control room of a very large spaceship, a flamboyant being sits in a high chair overlooking his underlings. It is Shizreen, Empreror of the Gardnold Conglomerate, supreme rule of a dozen worlds. He is delighted when Litty is dragged into the chamber. He had promised he would eventually catch her, and she admits she should have known it was he who caught her. Litty calls out Shizreen for his cartoonish villain ways, including referring to his workers as minions. She tries to shout to the workers that King Midon on Tharnaria II gives paid healthcare and family leave and that they should defect, but Shizreen says no one escapes his service; his workers worship him. Litty isn't afraid, and thinks his employees will defect when the shooting starts. But Shizreen confidently states that no one dares oppose him.

Shizreen tells Litty that she will be his bride, which she tries to pass on. Unfortunately, he has changed the laws in the Garnold Conglomerate so that he doesn't need her consent, since he's the emperor. He instructs his followers to arrange a wedding arch of flowers and sends for the officiant. Shizreen tells Litty she will grow to love him or he'll murder her, as he has his past three wives. He sends Litty away to be gowned for the wedding tonight, and implies there will be some fun *after* the wedding, too.

Ezra asks T.I.M. about Shizreen's ship, since they have located Litty. T.I.M. reports that more than 10,000 individuals serve on the vessel. T.I.M. also says that the Garnold Conglomerate is an alliance of thirteen worlds with an army so fierce that none oppose them, but not so big that they go out conquering. They mostly keep to themselves. Ezra finds it odd that Shizreen would have such a massive ship, then. T.I.M. mentions a rumor that Shizreen is compensating for small genitals. T.I.M. tells Ezra Shizreen has been married to four females, preferring high-spirited women like singers, gamblers, and criminals, and that he likely wants to marry Litty. Ezra thinks that might be fine, since Shizreen is rich, until T.I.M. tells Ezra about the fate of Shizreen's last three wives.

A few hours later, Litty is chained to the floor of the command center beneath the marriage arch, forced into a white, flowing dress. The Emperor enters with a musical flourish. He tells Litty that if she's a good wife, she'll have all she desires. If not, she won't last long. But at least they'll have their wedding night. His bed has manacles and chains, too. She says that's not OK, and she'll never fit his definition of a good wife. Shizreen orders the ceremony to begin.

T.I.M. suddenly materializes next to the altar. Shizreen is furious. Ezra emerges, to Litty's surprise, and demands the wedding stop. Empress Hilga emerges from T.I.M., too, and everyone gasps. Shizreen is very unhappy, but reluctantly gives into Hilga as she demands he come home, now that she knows the full extent of his activities. Hilga allows Litty to go free as long as she promises never to come back. Shizreen begs Hilga to let him stay out in space, claiming he is devoted to her, as evidenced by the name of the ship and numerous pictures of her. But Hilga vows to cut his space defense budget, and since she's the one with royal blood, he has no choice but to give in to her.

A short time later, Ezra comments to Litty that he thought she'd like the wealth and power that would come from being Shizreen's wife. She says her freedom is more important. Litty compliments Ezra's intelligence in finding Shizreen's wife. She asks if he hadn't been able to think his way out, would he have come in guns blazing? Ezra fumbles, and T.I.M. asserts that he would have. Litty laughs, not believing them. She also admits that had Ezra been the one kidnapped, she would have just taken T.I.M. and fled, so it's a good thing their positions weren't reversed.

## **Guest Starring**

* Kurt Zielenbach as Shizreen
* Megan Overholt as Hilga
* Dan Condo as officiant