Episode 52 - Memories

## Memories

White wire (?) surrounds the image, a large suspension bridge in red that is covered with enough water that the road is hidden.

### Author

William A. Wellman

Diggory asks for advice, Percy begins a journey, and Riot wakes up. The theme of tonight's episode is Memories.

***Content Warnings:** Death + Injury, Emotional Manipulation, Drowning*

## Intro - A Loathing Ocean

Nikignik narrates to the Dreamers, describing to them someone who's memories were not their own. They tried to remember, in the sleepless early hours of the morning, where the memories that were not their own stopped and their own life began, who's memories they might by, and by extension who they were. They realise that there was a bridge between the old life and the new, long swallowed by the waves of the past, and never again will they cross it. Their name, body, and spirit had changed, as they were not drowning in memories as they had once thought, they now help the past in their hand like a seashell, and willingly return it to the waters if unremembered time, able to walk the shore of dream.

Nikignik sits hidden on a bookshelf amongst a collection of children's books in the Scoutpost infirmary. They talk about how the books had kept the sick and injured company and entertained over the years, about how some who had thumbed through their pages had never walked again from those sunlit beds, and like the fables contained in the books themselves haunted those who remined,

## Story One - Whatever Form It Takes

Diggory Graves tells Huntington Waites to stay still as Mrs. McGowan sew up the damages caused by the Griffocaughs from Episode 51 - Maps. Diggory tells them that she was only trying to help them, but Huntington reaffirms that their injury was hardy a scrape. Diggory tells them of the time a Griffocaugh kicked their arm off (see Episode 4 - Bodies) and that they had not enjoyed it, but Huntington tells them that judging by their stiches it had done far worse (see Episode 24 - Storms), and Percy Reed speaks up, telling them that the comment was uncalled for, and that Diggory was lucky to be alive. Stitchery Pins makes their presence known form the doorway, dismissing Mrs. McGowan of her work informing her that they (see Creations of Irene Mend) could take care of their own maintenance, taking her place next to Huntington and beginning to repair them. Diggory tells Huntington that they'd fared much better against the Griffocaugh than they had, and Huntingtin informs them that this was not unexpected, as fighting was in Huntington's design, and Diggory was not make for combat, and Diggory aggress with them, looking over at Percy who was examining the shelf of children's books.

Stitchery makes haste work of finishing repairing Huntington, but before the two of them can leave the infirmary, Diggory asks them to stay as they wanted to talk to them. Stitchery tells them that if it was important, they should gather the family, and Huntington asks them what it was they wanted to talk about. Diggory tells them that they were going to ask them to keep a secret, but Stitchery tells them that there were no secrets amongst the Mendies. Diggory informs them that they just had to keep it as secret from Bern and Violet Keene until that next day. Diggory tells them of Riot Maidstone's plan to leave the Scoutpost (see Episode 50 - Radios) to rescue her mother (see Episode 22 - Mountains), and how she had asked them and Percy to go with her. Diggory tells them that they weren't sure if they should go, as Riot was a good friend of their and some part of them had known her mother, and as such if they met Valerie they might remember more and understand who they were meant to be. Diggory tells them that they thought of the Scoutpost and its inhabitants as their family, that they'd never forgive themself if something were to happen to them while they were gone, asking if they should go with Riot. Huntington tells them that they absolutely should, putting on their vest and leaving the door open as they left. Stitchery tells them that it was not an easy life that they had been made for, and if they thought they had found a way to make the voices quiet, then they should take it without apology. Diggory thanks them for their input and tells them that they supposed they would be gone by morning.

### Interlude - Pensive Day

Nikignik tells the Dreamers that they might expect the end of their species to end all holidays, but now more than ever those who survive look o the past for the comfort of tradition. Even Fort Freedom can be bothered to celebrate things such as Ester, Independence Day, Christmas, and Fall Festival. The Church of the Hallowed Name had many festivals, all of which are unspeakable, Downing Hill Public Library had reading week, and Froglin Town had two annual festivals, thanking their queen for tadpoles and thanking Lolgmololg for her blessings. The Scoutpost celebrate three solstices and an equinox, as well as many religious holidays as requested by its residents, but they had introduced a new holiday in the form of Pensive Day, named after Walter 'Walt' Pensive to recognize bravery and understanding in their Scouts on the third Sunday of June.

## Story Two - Goodbye, Scoutpost

Percy Reed lays on the ceiling of his and Diggory's room in the Scoutpost, and confides in them that he didn't think he was ready to leave the Scoutpost, as it was the nicest home he'd ever had. Diggory relates to this, telling him that they'd never seen a home outside of the Hallowoods, and they didn't know what to expect. Percy asks them where they felt like going, and Diggory tells them that they still felt like going North, and California was in the wrong direction, but they were with Percy so they didn't care. Percy goes quiet, and Diggory asks him if he was okay, that they could still turn down Riot's request, as they knew that the last few months for Percy had been heavy (see Episode 48 - Regrets), and Percy vents to them about his father being dead, and his childhood, and him being the last member of the Reed family, expressing fear that what was wrong with Solomon might end up also being what was wrong with Percy. Diggory reassures Percy that he wasn't his father, and while he doesn't believe this Percy thanks him.

Diggory tells Percy that it was time they left, and Percy tells them that he was ready. They slip into the courtyard and cross to where Riot had parked the RV, avoiding guards with ease. Once there they are quickly joined by Olivier Song, who was carrying a stuffed backpack. Riot asks them [Olivier] what they were carrying, and they tell her that it was their things as they didn't know when they'd be back. Riot asks what the things they'd packed in the RV earlier had been in that case, and Olivier tells her books, as they wanted to do some reading on the trip. She tells them to get into the RV and asks if Diggory was okay with opening the front doors, which they tell her they are. They begin to open the gates and the Scoutpost alarms go off, but The RV Gang had already crossed to the other side of the gates. They find a quantity of trucks on the other side, and Bern Keene standing in the middle of the road with her arms crossed (see Episode 51 - Maps).

### Marketing - Shaped By The Past

Lady Ethel Mallory interrupts Nkignik with her Marketing segment. She tells the listeners that it had been important to them at Botco that while designing the Prime Dream that their focus didn't stray from the product users. That the emptiness of dream was not filled with Botco programming, but instead by the lived experience of those who resided within it. If someone wanted to explore the streets of Chicago as it once stood, then it was made possible by the millions of residences who shared the space. When someone lived in the Prime Dream, then they became part of the greater whole.

### Story Two, Continued

Percy flies out in front of the approaching RV and lights up as bright as he can to get it to stop, which it does. Riot winds down the window and tells Bern to move, that she wasn't going to run over her, but she would drive around her. Bern tells her that as much as she would like to be there to stop her, she wasn't as she knew Riot would find her way out one way or another, so they were just there to say goodbye. Violet walks out from behind the wall followed by the Mendies, each of them carrying a jerry canister. Violet tells them that they were going to miss them, and Percy and Diggory thank them for welcoming them into their home, and Bern and Violet tell them that it hadn't been any trouble and that they were kore than welcome back any time. Violet gets the Mendies to hand Riot the jerry cans, and she at first denies the offer, but Bern tells her that they'd rest easier knowing that they were safe. Percy notices Al standing on an inner Scoutpost balcony and waves goodbye to him, Al waves back. Riot climbs out of the RV and hugs Bern, Violet telling her that she hoped she found her mother and that she had a safe travel.

Diggory tells them that they would do everything they could to ensure the groups safe return, and steps to the side to say farewell to the other Mendies, who all give their own personalised goodbye to them before Violet brings the sending off to an end by telling Riot that she was sure she was anxious to be going. Bern asks which rout they'd be taking, and Riot tells her that it'd be the shortest one possible, being down from Ontario, pass by Toronto and going towards the border at Detroit. Bern tells her that Cities wouldn't be safe so they should camp outside them when possible. Riot notes this and thanks Violet and Bern profusely for everything they'd ever done for her and climbs back into the RV. Percy tells them all they they'd be back, and Diggory also enters the RV, though Percy instead opts to sit on the roof. The RV starts up again and drives into the Hallowoods away from the Scoutpost.

### Interlude - Remember In Reverse

Nikignik explains to the Dreamers how Indies are born, describing to them an individual awaking for the first time in an orchard within grove of starlight and finding themself unformed, similar to a forgotten memory. Nikignik tells them that he entered this universe as an awakening of light and a cosmic calling. And yet it was only once one had already lived a part of the way through their life that they begin to ask what it is they want to be. And it wasn't until one had entered the world and become familiar with its flow that they found satisfaction in a name, a way of presenting themself, acquire an existential consistency that they know to be right. It was the cumulation of what one had been, and what one was currently, incomplete until their last breath. Nikignik expresses that they'd been alive longer than the heart of the earth, and yet they felt they were only now remembering how to live.

## Story Three - Weird News

Also Riot (will be shortened to 'Riot' for simplicity) flies through the air above a beach form within the Prime dream and enjoys what she describes as freedom. There is a buzz from her bed side table, and she is woken up, tugging her dreaming visor off her head to find the cold morning sun. She tries to go back to sleep, but hears a knock at the door, which she bids entry too and Melanie Flores enters the room carrying with her 'Riot's breakfast, also with her is Doctor Velma Burfield, telling her that Dr. Burfield was just there to check up in her, but Riot expresses no interest in this, asking if it could wait until after breakfast, Melanie tells her that it was already noon, and Velma begins to give 'Riot' a physical evaluation, which 'Riot' asks if it was really necessary as she'd been fine for weeks (see Episode 48 - Revelations). Velma lies to 'Riot' and tells her that since she'd suffered exposure to the black water, they just wanted to make sure she was alright, and Melanie manages to convince her to allow Velma to finish her check-up, finding everything to be in order and leaving. Melanie asks 'Riot' how she was really feeling, and she tells her that she felt a little weird, but the Prime Dream was exciting. She also tells her that her mum kept acting strange because of 'the whole memory thing', talking about how she couldn't remember alot of their time in the bunker together (see Also Riot), but it wasn't her fault she had a mental condition. Melanie offers to explain it to Valerie again, but 'Riot' turns down the offer.

Melainie tells 'Riot' that she had some 'weird news' for her, and 'Riot' ask what it was. Melanie tells her that her dad had asked to see her. 'Riot' pauses and asks Melanie what she meant, and Melanie tells her that he was in the Prime Dream and had been the one to tip off Botco reunion organisers where to find her and her mum, and now that she was found and safe, he wanted to talk to her. Melanie tells 'Riot' it was okay if she didn't want to meet him, but 'Riot' tells her that she would so Melanie tells her that she'd organise it and book them in for lunch sometime that week. 'Riot' tells her to 'make it dinner' as she didn't know anything about him. Melanie tells her that if she was uncomfortable to just let her know. 'Riot' asks if she could go back to sleep, and Melanie allows her, telling her to 'sleep tight'. Riot goes back to sleep and into the Prime Dream.

## Outro - Memories

Nikignik waxes poetics about Memories, talking about how one decided to keep so few of them, a countless number of days lost to time as if they never happened at all. All one carried with them was perhaps a set of flickering colours from when they were young, a few shining moments, and a few dark places they wished they could forget. And when that person was gone all the things that mattered to them, their feeling and passion and excitement and grief and loss and numbness were washed away. But perhaps it was for the best that the past s buried, to allow one to smile again in the moment. Their head might hold less of the past then his, but his life had also been longer than they could comprehend, and he would still be making memories when they could comprehend no more. Time would pass and he would forget who he was now, but he promises that he would remember the Dreamer, and the little world they lived on.