(theme song plays)

MASON

Daethie and her team went out scavenging, which means Aaron and Jule are on guard duty at the front of the mall. Remember, if you see a zombie, report the zombie—don’t try to fight it on your own, that’s how you get a bite!

That’s it for who’s on guard today, let’s see… In other news, keep an ear out for Mrs. Wilder because she’s due to give birth any day now! Oh, and Tairam says we’re low on rations again, so don’t expect anything too fancy from the kitchens today. And finally, some good news: the evacuation is in only five days!

Now, speaking of Mrs. Wilder, I’ve invited her here with the kids for an interview!

WILDER

(fondly) You’ve known me for three years, Mason, I think you can call me Wimofrey.

MASON

(content sigh) You know I’ll never do that. Anyhow, Mrs. Wilder, why don’t you properly introduce yourself?

WILDER

To the camp? Everyone already knows me, I watch over Lily and Xander.

MASON

Yeah, but, like, what if someone is out there listening to this broadcast right now? It’s not like there’s anything else to listen to in the middle of the apocalypse.

WILDER

I suppose it couldn’t hurt. My name is Wimofrey Wilder, I handle the childcare in our little survivor’s group. I’m nine months pregnant, hoping the little one won’t come along until after the military’s evacuated us to that fancy new moon colony!

MASON

God, but it would be just our luck for it to happen in the last five days before then.

WILDER

Oh, honey, please don’t go manifesting it.

MASON

Right, sorry. So, Mrs. Wilder, I’ve known you ever since I moved to Kitmouth, and you’ve always seemed like an expert on the city.

WILDER

Born and raised here!

MASON

Hell yeah! So, in your opinion, on a scale from Arkmunster to Blackpool, how well suited is Kitmouth to the zombie apocalypse we’ve come to know and love?

WILDER

Well, love is a strong word, dear. But frankly, I think we’re far better off than those poor folks in Arkmunster. You know, there’s a reason they got evacuated first. Their streets are full of potholes.

MASON

And you think that makes the zombie apocalypse worse for them?

WILDER

It certainly can’t help.

MASON

Fair enough. And what would you say to any traveling Arkmunstrians looking for another evacuation outlet?

WILDER

I’d say ‘Come on over, but don’t you go pretending we’re any worse than your home just because our HOA allows gardens.’

MASON

A warm welcome indeed. [sound of something dropping] Oh shit, Lily-

WILDER

Lily, we don’t throw things. Maybe it’s about time we head back to the daycare.

MASON

Alright, alright. Anything else you’d like to say to our mostly-undead audience?

WILDER

Sure. (bitterly) George, if you’re out there, I hope your business trip was awful, and please know that I don’t expect you home in time for dinner, let alone evacuation.

MASON

Have you ever considered couples counseling?

WILDER

He’ll chase anything with a pulse, dear, he’s worse than these zombies. You find me a therapist without one and maybe I’d consider it.

[sound of her leaving and shutting the door]

MASON

Right. Well, at least she’s got the whole camp here to support her with the baby. She’s practically like a mother to me- don’t tell her I said that, though.

Ahem. Aaaanyway, I’m gonna play some funky music, and… Huh, this is weird, we’re… getting a call. That doesn’t usually happen. Maybe Tairam is trying to get my attention?

[call pick-up tone]

WILL

(panicked) Hey, is this the radio person?

MASON

Uh, yeah, it’s Mason! Who are-

WILL

No time, I’m kind of in a pickle right now. I’m surrounded by zombies.

MASON

If you can make it to the old mall, there are a bunch of other survivors here.

WILL

That’s my goal, but right now I’m surrounded.

MASON

Where are you? Maybe we can send someone.

WILL

I’m in this old radio shop, but the zombies are pounding on the doors.

MASON

Oh man, that’s by the hospital everyone flocked to when the virus first sprung up, no wonder there are zombies on your tail. That’s really far away… Okay. At least one of the radios must work, that’s how you heard me, right? Turn the volume all the way up and throw it through one of the windows.

WILL

Uh, why?

MASON

I’ll make a ton of noise and it’ll draw all the zombies towards wherever you throw the radio. Then you can escape while they’re distracted.

WILL

(unsure) I guess that could work… Be quiet while I get ready to throw it.

(

[silence, the sound of will moving towards the window, the window smashes]

WILL

[whispered] Now!

MASON

HEYYYY ZOMBIES! I’M RIGHT OVER HERE, A HUMAN RIPE FOR THE TAKING! I HAVE HELLA BRAINS, TOO!

[sounds of will opening the door and running away as mason yells, heavy breathing and running]

WILL

[out of breath, quiet but pleased] You did it! I managed to escape, I’m headed down the street now.

MASON

That’s great! So, what’s-

WILL

Sorry, I have to go, my battery is low. But I’ll call back when I’m closer to the mall!

[call hangs up]

MASON

Um… I guess back to… business as usual?

[walking sounds as wyncyn enters]

WYNCYN

Hey Mason, how’s the broadcast going?

MASON

Oh, Wyncyn! Are you on your break?

WYNCYN

Yeah, finally. Sesra and I were listening to the show though, what’s up with that new guy?

MASON

The survivor? (contemplatively) I… don’t know. He didn’t even give me his name, he just hung up. And he’s pretty much on the opposite side of town; I don’t know if he’ll be able to make it here in time for the evacuation, not on his own.

WYNCYN

You know, if there’s another survivor nearby, we should probably tell Tairam. Maybe we could even send a search party!

MASON

(disbelieving) With what rations? You know how strict he’s been recently, he’s not gonna like the idea of a stranger joining us. He was barely okay with Esme joining a few days ago.

WYNCYN

Well, what are you gonna do? Not tell him?

MASON

No, of course I’ll tell him. Hell, he might be listening right now. Tairam, there’s a person out there who needs our help.

WYNCYN

Tairam hates the radio station, you know that.

MASON

Right, well. I tried to tell him, didn’t I? All my listeners can attest to the fact that I tried to tell Tairam. It’s not my fault he never listens to my broadcasts.

WYNCYN

Riiight. Anyway, you could maybe send Daethie looking out for this new guy. She’s out scavenging with Elris and Sylrie right now.

MASON

Daethie is almost definitely listening right now, but we’re on the opposite side of town from that radio shop on Daemarrel. It would take days to get there.

WYNCYN

Damn. Anyway, I’d better get back to the kitchen, it’s almost time to start sorting out lunch. Do you want me to bring you yours?

MASON

Nah, I think I can make it over there today. Thanks, though!

WYNCYN

No problem. See you soon!

[footsteps, door closing]

MASON

Well, you heard him; it’s just about time for our regularly scheduled lunch break. Let’s have some music until I get back; until next time, survivors!

(theme song plays)

(ad start)

(music plays)

Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, the story was just beginning. The story of four speakers, beings granted power over the universal language, over words and the power they represent.

Meet Tabitha the Fox:

“My dear, your wits are not nearly as powerful as your beauty. Learn from this, my dear,” is what he’ll call up to the crow.

Margie the Innkeeper:

“I think you might need some help. And I really mean that like nicely, not trying to say you’re weird or anything, I think we’re all a bit kooky in this town!”

Viola the Librarian:

“No, Edward, there are no ghosts in the library. We’ve been over this many times; there are no hauntings in this library, we’re not built over a burial ground, no one died here, there are no ghosts in the library.

And Orion the Newcomer:

“I wanna give it a chance even though it’s not looking good. I’ve only spent the day in this town and I’m sure it’s better than where I came from anyways.”

As classic literature springs to life in the small town of Fox Jumps, the Speakers must learn to tell their own story.

Storybook Ending is an Actual Play Podcast using Spell the RPG by Whimsy Machine Games. Find us biweekly on Wednesdays wherever you listen to podcasts.

(soft music plays)