Deceit of Clay

"Deceit of Clay" is the ninth episode of *Daniel Kravitz, Chosen One (Volume 3)*, and the thirty-fifth installment of the series overall. It is the second half of a two-part story. It was performed on March 14, 2020 at MadLab theatre in Columbus, OH as the third segment of Show LVII. It has not yet been released on the podcast.

Written by Nick Arganbright and Jerome Wetzel

Directed by Nick Arganbright

Previous episode: "Witch Hunt"

Next episode: "Conspiracy Theories"

## **The Story**

One day later, at the U.L.P. headquarters, Kai Akane is watching The Oracle. Suddenly, he receives a call on the ultra-secure line. It's Alexis Augustus Armentrout. Kai tells Alexis that Abby Reynolds is busy and Daniel Kravitz and Rufus Reginald Rochester are on a mission, but agrees to take a verbatim note that he'll deliver directly to Abby. Alexis says he found the person who left the voicemail, and they're safe. But things are dicey in The Subworlds because a monster named Monbo is raising an army. Those who aren't joining Monbo are severely penalized. Alexis must stay to protect someone, but will pass along more information if he gets it. He urges Kai to try to persuade Abby to move the base, as staying and fighting is a bad idea.

In York Pennsylvania, Daniel, Alfredo, and Corey Addison have gone to the Hebrew rehab center where Leavitt Halpern was recently staying to look for clues. Detective Porter had reported that Anne Ackermann swore she knew nothing about the golem and he found nothing to indicate she was lying. This is Corey's first field mission, and Alfredo is excited to get out from behind his books, which worries Daniel.

A loud crash and screams send them running around the building. They see giant muddy footprints and a hole in the second-floor of the rehab center. Levi is holding an old book and standing in the alley. He limps away and Daniel gives chase as the golem forms. Daniel tells Levi he understands what it's like to be an outcast, while Corey proclaims that feelings are dumb. Daniel compares himself and Abby to Levi and Annie, and the tact may be working, but then Levi reveals he can't always control the golem and it attacks Daniel.

Daniel's Stun Wave doesn't affect the golem in the slightest. Alfredo picks up the book Levi dropped, and discovering it to be the book of Yiddish magic they'd come to town looking for, begins casting a spell on the golem. Levi pleads for Alfredo to stop, especially after the golem drops Daniel. Levi jumps in front of the golem, and try as he might, Alfredo can't stop the spell quickly. The golem envelops Levi to protect him, but both boy and beasts are ripped to pieces. As Daniel comforts a distraught Alfredo, the remains of the golem slip away.

Rejoining Rufus and Grezit the Green, Daniel gives Rufus the book. Corey is excited, glad the mission is over, but Rufus won't leave town until they deal with the golem. Corey tells Rufus his heart is his greatest weakness, while Daniel returns it's Rufus' greatest strength. Rufus comes up with a plan, but instructs Corey to stay behind, as he doesn't trust her in this delicate situation.

Back to the abandoned construction site from the last episode, Daniel and Grezit lure out the golem and fight it. As it limps, Daniel realizes that Levi may still be alive, too, merged with the creature. Alfredo says that Yiddish magic is unpredictable, and Rufus confirms with notes from the book that this may have happened. The golem itself is a bit confused, but seems to confirm that to be the case. It shifts form to look like Levi, though the image is a little off.

Levi admits to summoning the golem, but didn't put it against the gang to protect Annie. The real reason he used the spell was to make a version of himself without the facial scarring, and that's what he sent to school in his place, but it was unpredictable. Annie arrives, invited by Rufus. Levi is ashamed, shifting back into the golem shape. But at her urging, he reveals his face - his *real*, scarred face - and she comforts him. It's going to be OK.

Corey appears on a steel beam above, proclaiming the group too weak to do what needs to be done. She warns Annie to back away from the golem. Annie refuses, and they argue over whether it is a monster. Rufus orders Grezit to stop Corey, but it's too late. Corey blows the water tower nearby, and the water within rushes at the group. Daniel and Rufus try to protect Annie. However, it's the golem/Levi that does so, creating a shield around them all. Unfortunately, it can't hold together long against such an onslaught. Showing Levi's face to Annie one last time, the creature dissolves, forever destroyed.

Grezit pulls Corey to the ground. Corey claims to have saved them. Rufus disagrees, furious, stating Corey killed Levi in cold blood. Corey doesn't understand his anger, calling the golem an 'it' and a killer. Rufus says they could have saved him. As Alfredo escorts Annie away, Daniel, unnaturally quiet, says he'll deal with Corey when they get home.

In Montana, Abby is questioning not-Josh Wallace and growing very frustrated. When Kai joins them, Abby has Kai hook not-Josh up to a tractor battery. With not-Josh still claiming to not know who he is, Abby shocks him over and over again. Not-Josh screams and cries and eventually passes out. A stunned Abby, understanding what she just did, leaves to get air.

Alone, not-Josh asks Kai why he didn't actually hook him up to the battery. Kai returns it was for the same reason he told Abby not-Josh wasn't lying when he said he didn't know who he was. Not-Josh asks who Kai really is. Kai returns "You first."

## **Guest Starring**

* Keith Jackson as Alfredo
* Dana Bauman as Corey Addison
* Sam Clements as Kai Akane
* Nicolas Brunet as Leavitt Halpern
* Kristin Green as Anne Ackermann
* Nick Arganbright as the golem
* Darren Esler as the narrator

## **Trivia**

* The ranch scenes were written by Jerome, while the golem plot was penned by Nick.

* This script was originally called "Golem Part 2," then "Golem Part 2: Deceit of Clay" before settling into its current title.
* In the original drafts, which were written before Joe Morales announced his exit, Alexis was featured heavily in both parts.
* Per Nick, "Deceit of Clay" and its preceding episode, "Witch Hunt," were written as an attempt to do something akin to the *Batman: The Animated Series* episode "Heart of Ice," featuring Mr. Freeze as the villain, where the audience and the hero are sympathetic to his tragic plight.
* Photos for this show were taken by Kristy Arter.