Pit of Despair

"Pit of Despair" is the thirteenth episode of *Daniel Kravitz, Chosen One (Volume 2)*, and the twenty-sixth installment of the series overall. It served as the finale for *Volume 2* and the opening segment of Show XXXVII, unusual because it is usually a middle segment of the live shows. It is also notable that it is the last episode of the series for 2018, as there was a sizable hiatus before *Volume 3*. It was performed on July 14, 2018 at MadLab theatre in Columbus, OH. It was released as podcast episode 181.

Written by Jerome Wetzel

Directed by Dallas Ray

Previous episode: "Into the Darkness"

Next episode: "The New Class"

## **The Story**

Abby Reynolds has caught Ragina trying to destroy the U.L.P. offices at Oxford by collapsing the building above it. Abby tries to fight, but Ragina catches her in a binding spell, so all Abby can do is verbally spar. They argue over perspective, with Abby saying no one deserves to die. Ragina continues to insist that she is in the right, and sometimes the ends do justify the means. Ragina says she always liked Abby's tenacity, while Abby says she never liked Ragina at all, prompting Ragina to call the other woman more judgmental.

Meanwhile, Daniel Kravitz faces off with Cyril Davies and Rupert Pryce in the headquarters of the U.L.P., right where the previous episode left off. As the ground begins rumbling around them, Cyril accuses Daniel of doing something, but neither Daniel nor the U.L.P.ers know what is causing the shaking. Alexis wonders if this is another one of Daniel's magical Chosen One Powers. Cyril says those are a myth, but Rupert theories the Stun Wave could have been how Daniel knocked out their fellow members. If that is true, those operatives would soon be waking up and coming to aid their leaders.

With time running out, Cyril gives Daniel a choice. Take Grezit the Green and a newly resurrected Josh Wallace and leave and the U.L.P will leave them alone. Because of principle, and because the agreement requires that Daniel abandon Rufus Reginald Rochester and Alexis Augustus Armentrout, who watch the conversation from a metal cage, Daniel refuses. Cyril and Rupert drop a smoke bomb and escape, leaving Daniel and the gang to die.

Locked in the office, Josh says he has no magic now and cannot help them. Alexis tells Daniel that their only chance is to teleport out with the Disappearing Retreat, a power Daniel has exhibited before but has no mastery over. As Daniel tries to find an unlocked door, Grezit lets Alexis and Rufus out of the cage. The two quickly grab some of the most sacred texts of the order and join Josh and Grezit in clinging to Daniel, but it's no use. Daniel can't activate his power. The building collapses.

On the surface, Abby tells Ragina no one deserves to die, but it's too late. Ragina's spell has collapsed the building. Cyril and Rupert emerge. They try to shoot Ragina, but Ragina blocks the bullets with a spell. She then uses more magic to raise them into the air by their throats, weakening her hold on Abby. Both Ragina and the men blame the other for killing Daniel and the others and appeal to Abby for help. Abby stabs Ragina, and shocked, Ragina promptly snaps Cyril and Rupert's necks. Abby stabs Ragina several more times before Ragina can defend herself. As Ragina reminds Abby of her "no one deserves to die" assertion, Abby says she'll make an exception.

Daniel and the others emerge, the Chosen One power having activated just in the nick of time, and find Abby over a weak and injured Ragina. Abby drops the knife with relief, and Daniel gives Grezit permission to kill Ragina. Ragina magics herself away before that can happen. Abby is shocked and happy to see Josh alive.

Looking at the ruins before them, Rufus muses they must restart the U.L.P., though a skeptical Alexis, saddened by the deaths of every one of his comrades, doesn't think they can avoid the corruption that he has found evidence of in generations past, not just the present. Rufus says they can do better, find someone who isn't corruptible. He admits it won't be himself, Alexis, or Daniel, but before he can tell everyone who he has in mind, approaching sirens cause them to flee. As they run, Daniel says, "Let's go home."

## **Guest Starring**

* Amanda Iman as Ragina
* Keith Jackson as Cyril Davies
* Virgil Von Hartzel as Rupert Pryce
* Katie Boissoneault as the Narrator

## **Commercial Commentary**

Following the performance of this episode, there was a commercial called "Anniversary Break 1" dealing with the fallout. Katie Boissoneault took the stage and started a *Holly Harper* bit, but was quickly interrupted by Samantha Stark (playing herself), who wanted to talk about "Pit of Despair."

Katie dropped character and humored Sam as Sam asserted that the finale was crazy, and that she was shocked by Ragina committing murder, Abby stabbing someone, and Josh being back (even though the last was revealed in the previous month). Katie agreed it was insane, but didn't feel it was the appropriate time to talk about it.

Unfortunately for Katie, time ran out before she was able to return to her planned *Holly Harper* bit.

## **Trivia**

* Chris Allen, the regular narrator, took this live show off. Multiple cast members replaced him, with Katie Boissoneault narrating this episode.
* This episode had more extensive rewrites than just about any in *Radio Hour* history, with Nick Arganbright suggesting many of the changes. The choice was made to show a darker side of Abby by having her hurt Ragina, something not present until the final draft. A more explicit ending was also removed.
* Although not appearing in the episode, Zagor the Murderous was present to witness some of the events as they unfolded, including Daniel's teleportation.