Episode Transcript
Quorum: The Gambler’s Tale
“Outstanding Debts,” Part 7
INTRODUCTION
HOST
Welcome to Jabberwocky Audio Theater.
HOST
This podcast is made possible by listeners like you — thank you. Visit our website at JabberAudio.com/support to learn more, or go to Patreon.com/TeamJabberwocky.
RATING ANNOUNCER
The following audio theater is rated AD-PG, so parental guidance is suggested.
ANNOUNCERLAND
MUSIC: THEME MUSIC BEGINS
ANNOUNCER
There has always been a gray area between the just and the unjust. The lawful and the lawless. A nebulous region where the trappings of authority share little crossover with the course of justice. And where those who attempt to shine light into the dark recesses of power are often the least expected.
(BEAT)
April 2011. Sought out by multiple unknown adversaries — from Las Vegas gangster Wiktoria Sałkiewicz to what seem to be two different factions of black-SUV-driving pursuers — poker player Jimmy Harmon has followed a trail of bread crumbs given to him by a Las Vegas dancer named Amber. Deciphering Amber’s cryptic message, Harmon and fellow poker player Peeps discover the body of a prostitute — Jasmine — half-buried in the Nevada desert.
(THE FOLLOWING EXCERPTS ARE REPLAYS OF THE SCENES FROM THE PREVIOUS EPISODES.)
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS WALKING
PEEPS
Holy… Is that what I think it is? ’Cause if so, I am getting seriously skeeved out right about now.
JIMMY
If you’re thinking it’s a shallow grave, then I think you might be right.
ANNOUNCER
Tracing the body back to a local brothel, Harmon is rebuffed in his attempts to gather more information. But the savvy Peeps is able to assemble conclusions from seemingly obscure details.
PEEPS
Jasmine takes some off-the-books gig, figures she can make some extra, and heads up to the Lyon Majestic… But that’s where things go horribly awry.
JIMMY
How do you —
PEEPS
Someone — the B team, if you will — does a half-assed job of covering it up out at the railroad junction, and our goon is supposed to finish the job. Only he gets a little three-sheets-to-the-wind, and loses his instruction sheet. And says too much to the pretty girl gyrating on his lap.
ANNOUNCER
Barely managing to evade their pursuers, Harmon resolves to return to the city to confirm their suspicions and investigate further.
JIMMY
I’m thinking I need to check out the Lyon Majestic.
PEEPS
Are you out of your mind? Even under the best of circumstances, you wouldn’t get within a mile of that place!
JIMMY
True enough. But I’m thinking we go underground.
PEEPS
What do you mean, underground?
JIMMY
As in literally.
ANNOUNCER
Jabberwocky Audio Theater presents: Quorum: The Gambler’s Tale. Tonight’s presentation: “Outstanding Debts,” episode seven.
MUSIC: THEME MUSIC ENDS
LAS VEGAS DRAINAGE TUNNELS – ENTRY
SOUND: CAR APPROACHING, STOPPING
SOUND: CAR DOORS OPENING, CLOSING
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS ON GRAVEL, RUSTLING NOISES
SOUND: DRIPPING WATER, ECHOES
JIMMY (V.O.)
The thing about a big city like Las Vegas is that unless you’re going to set up roadblocks, it’s nearly impossible to catch someone coming in or out. Sure, some of the folks after us might be cops, but even if so, I had the feeling they were operating off the radar, which meant they weren’t going to be calling in reinforcements. And so far, that assumption had panned out.
PEEPS
Oh, today is apparently my day for bad smells. Ugh.
JIMMY (V.O.)
Thing is, once you’re actually in the city proper — especially on the streets around the casinos, it’s another story. Cameras everywhere. And no telling who’s watching.
JIMMY
Relax, Peeps. Just… just don’t step in anything.
JIMMY (V.O.)
So if we were going to get closer to a big casino — especially one as high-end as the Lyon Majestic — we were going to have to find another travel path.
PEEPS
Jesus. Where did you hear about this place?
JIMMY
The storm-drainage tunnels? Read about them in a Daily Mail article last fall. City started building them back in the nineties, but kind of abandoned the project. There’s a whole labyrinth under the city. Something like two hundred miles of tunnels. Now something like a thousand homeless people live down here.
PEEPS
Jeez, just when you think you know a town.
JIMMY
Yeah, they don’t exactly highlight this in the tourist literature. Just, y’know, keep an eye out for scorpions.
PEEPS
Scorpions?
JIMMY
Probably nothing to worry about.
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC FADES IN
LAS VEGAS DRAINAGE TUNNELS – UNDERGROUND
(TUNNEL ECHOES, WATER TRICKLING)
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC FADES OUT
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS SPLASHING
JIMMY (V.O.)
This was one of those ideas that sounded better in theory than in practice.
PEEPS
So you don’t know where we are?
JIMMY
I have an idea.
PEEPS
I thought you had a map or something.
JIMMY
No, I just thought… y’know…
PEEPS
Please tell me you didn’t think your phone would guide you.
JIMMY
Well… I didn’t…
PEEPS
’Cause you do realize we are underground, right? GPS needs to actually be able to see a satellite to work.
JIMMY
Well, I’ll know for next time, okay?
PEEPS
Jeez, I’m surrounded by idiots.
(CRUNCHY’S VOICE IS TENTATIVE, SCRATCHY; CLEARLY A LONGTIME SMOKER)
CRUNCHY
Who you callin’ an idiot?
PEEPS
What? Oh, no, I didn’t see… No, just him. He’s an idiot. So I guess I’m not technically surrounded by idiots, but he just makes it feel that way. Magnitude of his idiothood.
JIMMY
Oh, um… hi. We didn’t mean to intrude. We’re just trying to get through…
CRUNCHY
You more reporters? Or just curious thrill-seekers?
JIMMY
No, neither. We’re just trying to stay out of sight of…
CRUNCHY
Ah, it’s cool. Most of us don’t judge. They call me Crunchy. I kind of keep an eye on this area.
JIMMY
Crunchy? Nice… um… nice to meet you. I’m Jimmy, and this —
PEEPS
Peeps. Go ahead and call me Peeps.
JIMMY
So you watch out for this area?
CRUNCHY
Yeah. Tom and Cindy have their place up ahead. They got it pretty well secured against floods, but last week someone came and knocked half their stuff down.
PEEPS
That’s rude. Even by the standards of this town.
CRUNCHY
Yeah. So I just… y’know, try to get a feel for anyone we don’t know coming through.
JIMMY
We definitely aren’t trying to cause any trouble. We’re just trying to get to the Lyon Majestic.
CRUNCHY
Wow. You are way off. You need to be going back that way. Damn, you’d kept going this way, you’d end up out by the tracks.
PEEPS
So you can see why this bozo makes me feel like I’m surrounded by idiots, eh, Crunchy?
JIMMY
Very funny. So, um… Crunchy. Do you know where we should be heading?
CRUNCHY
Here, I’ll show you far enough to get you on your way. There’s a tunnel that’ll put you up right near the Lyon Majestic docks. Lucky for you there’s even a little utility shower, case you want to clean up. If, y’know, you’re planning on going in.
JIMMY
Um, yeah, that’s kind of the plan.
PEEPS
And just one more thing you hadn’t thought about.
JIMMY
I’m improvising.
CRUNCHY
Come on — this way. I’ll give you the grand tour.
PEEPS
Lead on, fearless guide.
(TO JIMMY)
I like this guy.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS SPLASHING
PEEPS
So how long you been down here, Crunchy?
CRUNCHY
Think it’s… let’s see, ’bout three years now. Came out thinking I’d find work, but ended up living under the stairs at the Belle Époque. Got rousted out of there, and ended up coming down here.
JIMMY
Home sweet home.
CRUNCHY
It ain’t all that bad. Hell, it’s about fifteen degrees cooler down here. And if you know where to go up, you can hit the casinos. Check the machines for chips. I actually found almost a grand one time.
PEEPS
Not a bad haul.
CRUNCHY
All in a day’s work.
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC FADES IN
LYON MAJESTIC – LOADING DOCK
(INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY, TRUCKS, BEEPS)
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC FADES OUT
CRUNCHY
Come on… tight squeeze through that last part.
PEEPS
Oof… Good thing I haven’t eaten in more than twelve hours. Would’ve had more than a doughnut if I knew it’d be my last meal…
SOUND: STRUGGLING NOISES
JIMMY
And… oof. Thanks… Crunchy.
CRUNCHY
Glad to be of service. Wow, lots going on here today.
JIMMY
Yeah — there’s a big prize fight tonight. I was kind of counting on that giving us some cover.
CRUNCHY
Well, getting into the hotel might be easier, but they’ll have lots of extra folks on the casino floor. Gotta go through the casino to get to the arena. Or maybe you can get there through the shops…
JIMMY
No, we’re not going to the fight, we… We should be good with just the hotel. I hope.
CRUNCHY
Whatever. Now there’s still cameras here, but you should be able to make it to that little clean-up spot there without drawing attention. It’s stocked enough to deal with last-minute needs on the dock.
PEEPS
Last-minute needs?
CRUNCHY
Someone gets messy out here, but has to go into the hotel proper. Happens more often than you’d think.
PEEPS
Makes sense, I guess.
CRUNCHY
Now, you ain’t gonna be able to get through any of the secure areas, but you can jig around to the right there and it’ll take you into hotel reception.
JIMMY
Crunchy, you’ve been… well, this has been a huge help. Here.
SOUND: CLOTHES RUSTLING
SOUND: PAPER RUSTLING
CRUNCHY
My lucky night. Y’all have a productive evening!
JIMMY
Here’s hoping.
SOUND: CONCRETE SCRAPING
PEEPS
I swear, there’s an angel looking over your shoulder.
JIMMY
Let’s hope that angel’s still on the clock. Now all we have to do is get cleaned up so we look at least somewhat presentable, get into the hotel without drawing attention, get up to room twenty-three seventeen, and then figure out what the hell’s going on.
PEEPS
Oh, yeah. No problem. And here I thought this might be difficult. Glad to know you’re in control.
JIMMY
Relax. There’s a reason I had you grab my stuff from the Limelight before we skipped town.
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC FADES IN
LYON MAJESTIC – FOYER
(BUSY CROWDS, HOTEL AMBIANCE, CASINO IN THE BACKGROUND)
MUSIC: TRANSITION MUSIC FADES OUT
JIMMY (V.O.)
Vegas hotel security is pretty tight, especially around the casinos. Still, the hotel part isn’t too much different from any other big-city hotel. And with crowds like this milling around, security was mostly gonna be concerned with perceived threats. And me and Peeps? We were strictly harmless.
JIMMY
(IN HIS ATROCIOUS AUSTRALIAN ACCENT)
G’day, mate! Here for the big Barney? Gonna be a bit of an open slather, y’ask me. A right ripper!
HOTEL GUEST
Um… yeah, I’m sure it’ll be… what you said.
PEEPS
What the hell are you doing?
JIMMY
What’s the point of us getting all disguised if we aren’t gonna act the part?
PEEPS
What part are you acting exactly?
JIMMY
An Australian accent is all I can really do.
PEEPS
Who the hell gave you the idea you could do that?
JIMMY
Oh, ye of little faith. Over here.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS LEAVING
LYON MAJESTIC – ELEVATOR LOBBY
(SOMEWHAT MORE SUBDUED, MORE REVERB)
JIMMY (V.O.)
If the room we were looking for was really on the twenty-third floor, as the number twenty-three seventeen would seem to indicate, then normally there’d be no way a couple of randos could get up there. The higher the floor, the greater the security.
SOUND: ELEVATOR BELL, ELEVATOR DOORS OPEN
MUSIC: SOFT MUZAK-STYLE JAZZ
LYON MAJESTIC – ELEVATOR
SOUND: ELEVATOR BUTTON
JIMMY
Damn. Figured that’d be too easy.
PEEPS
Not letting us up?
JIMMY
Not yet.
JIMMY (V.O.)
Thing is, if this card was what I thought it was, then we might just be in luck.
JIMMY
Here goes nothing.
SOUND: ELEVATOR DOORS CLOSE
JIMMY
Yes!
PEEPS
Success, I take it?
SOUND: ELEVATOR RISING
JIMMY
These new cards use RFID instead of magnetic strips. So we just wave the card in front of the sensor, and it thinks we’re cleared to go up to twenty-three.
PEEPS
Yeah, well, what if they’d reported the card as missing? Which it was — or else we wouldn’t have it.
JIMMY
That was the gamble. That they’d either not have reported it, or even if they blanked room access, they might not have blanked floor access.
PEEPS
And if your oh-so-foolproof plan didn’t work?
JIMMY
Well, then we were no worse off than we were before we got into the elevator.
SOUND: ELEVATOR DOORS OPEN
LYON MAJESTIC – SOKOLOV’S ROOM
(A MUFFLED ARGUMENT CAN BE HEARD COMING FAINTLY OUT OF A HOTEL ROOM — THE FOLLOWING DIALOGUE RUNS UNDERNEATH THE HALLWAY ACTION)
SOKOLOV
I’m sick of sitting here twiddling my thumbs. Christ, when am I going to get back out into the real world?
AGENT “ROACH”
Are you kidding? After what you pulled? You think you’re ever getting out of this room?
SOKOLOV
Well, seeing as how you kind of have to take me out of here tomorrow, that’s kind of an empty threat, no?
AGENT “ROACH”
Yeah, we’ll just see if you end up making it until tomorrow, you little —
AGENT “JOSHUA”
Calm down. Speaking of which, just how did he manage to pull off that little stunt?
AGENT “ROACH”
What…? I mean, we had him under lockdown the whole time… except I guess when —
AGENT “JOSHUA”
We’ll discuss your flagrant security lapse later. Right now we have more loose ends to deal with.
AGENT “ROACH”
We haven’t seen any hint that they’ve come back into the city. Richman’s been checking regularly with —
AGENT “JOSHUA”
And you’re absolutely certain about that?
(BEAT)
I didn’t think so. Check in with Richman again.
SOKOLOV
Look, we’re all on the same team, here. One little indiscretion does not undo my… what’s the word… my legacy.
AGENT “JOSHUA”
Your “legacy” is the only reason you’re not rotting in a prison cell right now. One more day. One more day and all of this would have been over.
SOKOLOV
Hey, I’m all for wrapping this all up tomorrow. On schedule. I’m all about dotting the I’s, crossing the T’s. Kind of what I’m known for. Or… was known for. I just want to go down and watch the fight!
LYON MAJESTIC – HALLWAY
(RETURN TO THE PRIMARY SCENE, RUNNING CONCURRENTLY WITH THE PRECEDING DIALOGUE)
JIMMY
Okay, be cool.
PEEPS
Where do you of all people get off telling me to be cool? I think you abandoned any pretense of cool with that act downstairs.
JIMMY
Um… okay, fair point. Let’s just… see what we’re dealing with. Okay… don’t see anyone so far. Looks like twenty-three seventeen would be off down the left hall… Here, let’s go over to the ice machine alcove.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS WALKING DOWN HALLWAY
PEEPS
And you don’t think walking around all sneaky-like is gonna attract attention?
JIMMY
Nobody’s watching.
PEEPS
Not here, no. But on the cameras?
JIMMY
No cameras.
PEEPS
What?
JIMMY
Dirty little secret in Vegas. More cameras per square foot than anywhere in the country. Except… you guessed it… guest-floor hallways. No cameras.
PEEPS
You’re kidding.
JIMMY
Nope. True story. Guess they figure it’s not worth the expense. All the risk is downstairs. At least for the hotel, that is.
(BEAT)
Okay, so twenty-three oh nine is across from us, so twenty-three seventeen should be down the hall there.
SOUND: DOOR OPENING
JIMMY
Hang on, someone’s coming out of the room!
AGENT “JOSHUA”
(DISTANT)
Listen very carefully. There is not a chance in hell you’re going to the damn fight. Goddammit, you will stay in here until I say otherwise. You’ve caused us way more problems than you are worth. Jesus, I cannot wait to be rid of you.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS WALKING DOWN HALLWAY
SOUND: KEYCARD CHIRPING
SOUND: DOOR OPENING
AGENT “JOSHUA”
(DISTANT)
Christ, if I didn’t have orders. Please somebody tell me we have something on those two from the desert…
SOUND: DOOR CLOSING
JIMMY
Not good.
PEEPS
Is it just me, or is that the same sunglasses-wearing psycho who took down Amber? Agent “Joshua,” for lack of a better name?
JIMMY
Sure as hell looked like it to me. And from the look of it, they’ve at least got a couple of rooms blocked off down there. If they —
SOUND: DOOR OPENING
JIMMY
Make that three rooms.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS WALKING UP HALLWAY
JIMMY
Coming this way. With an ice bucket. Follow my lead.
PEEPS
No, do not even think about —
JIMMY
(OBNOXIOUSLY AUSTRALIAN)
Crikey, ya Sheila! How we supposed to get ice without the bucket? Can’t be drinkin’ that plonk warm. Oh, hey, mate. Don’t suppose you’ve got an extra bucket on ya, eh?
AGENT “ROACH”
Um… I don’t… I only brought —
SOUND: DOOR OPENING (LOUDLY)
AGENT “JOSHUA”
Think we might have a hit. Just got a call about a lobby cam IDing the son of a bitch! Come on.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS RUNNING UP HALLWAY
AGENT “ROACH”
On it! Here, you can take my bucket.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS RUNNING DOWN HALLWAY
SOUND: ELEVATOR BELL, ELEVATOR OPENING
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS ENTERING ELEVATOR
SOUND: ELEVATOR CLOSING
PEEPS
Well, that was a freebie.
JIMMY
Um… yeah. That was definitely unexpected. Had to chance that ice-bucket guy wasn’t on chasing-after-us duty before. Or at least wouldn’t recognize us.
PEEPS
Well, don’t stand there with your jaw gaping open. Let’s take a look while we can. See you later, agents Roach and Joshua. And by that I mean I don’t really want to see them later. Just an expression.
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS WALKING DOWN HALLWAY
PEEPS
I cannot believe this. Your angel must be working overtime.
JIMMY
Did they seriously leave the door ajar?
PEEPS
Guess they were in a big rush to go get you.
JIMMY
Point taken. We don’t have long.
SOUND: DOOR SLOWLY OPENING
LYON MAJESTIC – AGENTS’ ROOM
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS ENTERING SOFTLY
PEEPS
So this is where Roach and Joshua have been spending their time. One of their rooms, anyway. Guess whoever they’ve got in twenty-three seventeen is probably still there.
JIMMY
Wait… whew. The adjoining door is closed. Still, keep it down.
PEEPS
Roger. Just get whatever you need and let’s get the hell out of here!
JIMMY
Hey, a laptop — maybe now it’s finally time for me to do what Wiktoria wanted me to do in the first place… Oh, come on.
PEEPS
What is it?
JIMMY
Idiot left the machine open and unlocked. Not even any challenge here. If these guys are government, I am seriously disillusioned about our so-called intelligence community.
PEEPS
So you have what you need? Can we go?
JIMMY
Well, no. I still need to find something. Anything. So I guess there’s still some challenge involved.
SOUND: TYPING ON LAPTOP
JIMMY
Look, while I check, why don’t you take a look at those papers over there. They look official.
PEEPS
Should I be wearing gloves?
JIMMY
Um… probably. Guess we should have thought of that before. Just… maybe we can just wipe things off when we’re done.
SOUND: PAPERS RUSTLING
PEEPS
So… this doesn’t really feel like a prisoner situation. I mean, not to denigrate your remarkable infiltration skills, but if we can get here this quickly…
JIMMY
Yeah. Maybe he’s more being detained. Or watched. Or maybe they’re more like protecting him? Find anything on your end?
SOUND: PAPERS RUSTLING
PEEPS
It looks like they just printed out some notes. This looks like an agenda or something, for… what’s today… Thursday? So tomorrow, looks like. Courthouse… deposition… and then a press conference at one. Our boys have a very busy day.
JIMMY
Okay, hang on… yeah, they’ve got that in their calendar here. And these… these look like personnel files. Someone named Peter Sokolov.
PEEPS
Hey, his name is on this paper here. Looks like… whoa, a statement of charges… like, criminal charges. Something about money laundering, bank fraud, wire fraud… UIGEA violations… possible seventy-five-year sentence… whew, that’s harsh.
JIMMY
UIG… why does that last one sound familiar?
PEEPS
UIGEA. They spell it out here. Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of two thousand six.
JIMMY
Oh, right. I remember hearing about that. They couldn’t go after the gaming sites, since they’re not based in the US, so they tried to get around that by saying US banks couldn’t do business with those sites. Made a big splash, online poker sites were worried at the time, but ended up being no big, since there were so many ways to work around running payments through US banks anyway.
PEEPS
Well, this sure doesn’t sound like “no big.”
JIMMY
Well, it’s no skin off their nose. A law with no teeth, since their businesses are all outside US jurisdiction. Hang on, let me take a look at this guy’s file… says here he works for some payment company, Quickbill. Never heard of it. Wait a sec, let me see that sheet.
SOUND: PAPER SHUFFLING
JIMMY
Whoa, I thought it’d be easier to understand. It’s always so simple in the movies. Big clues written in bold red type…
(BEAT)
Okay, okay. They mention Quickbill here. Based in Utah. Payment processing company. Oh, looks like this Sokolov guy doesn’t work for them, he owns the whole company.
(BEAT)
Wait, so this says Quickbill has been miscoding transactions. Funneling funds to offshore sites.
PEEPS
Which would be the money laundering.
JIMMY
Right. If a US-based bank is involved, that changes things… Let’s see… Sealed indictment handed down back in March… something about State’s Evidence… I don’t get it. What does this have to do with the “money man” behind the… oh, I am such an idiot.
PEEPS
No argument here. Been saying that for a while now.
JIMMY
(GETTING LOUDER)
Dammit. I’ve been figuring everything will fit together nice and neat, if I can just figure out the connections. And I’ve been completely wrong.
PEEPS
I never thought anything about this was neat.
JIMMY
All this time we’ve been assuming that the so-called “money man” was some kind of financier. The bankroll behind the Limelight deal.
PEEPS
I haven’t been assuming anything. This is all you.
JIMMY
Fine, I’ve been assuming. But this has nothing to do with that. Or not directly, anyway.
PEEPS
Okay, I don’t follow.
JIMMY
The “money man” is Sokolov. He’s not an investor, he’s a banker. We’ve been following a dead end this whole time. I mean, there may be some connection, but we’ve walked into some kind of federal case here. Something big is happening tomorrow, but it’s not about the Limelight, or Wiktoria, or anything —
SOUND: DOOR OPENING
SOKOLOV
Hey, if you guys are back from your little jaunt, can you see about getting me another… who the hell are you guys?
JIMMY
(REVERTING TO HIS AUSTRALIAN CHARACTER)
G’day, mate! Yer cobbers said we could come in, see ’bout grabbing a middy.
SOKOLOV
No, no, no, you’re not supposed to be here. Nobody’s supposed to know about…
(SHOUTING)
Guys! Hey, guys!
JIMMY
Hooroo, ya ratbag!
SOUND: DOOR BANGING OPEN
LYON MAJESTIC – HALLWAY
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS RUNNING
PEEPS
And here you go telling me to be quiet.
JIMMY
Sorry, I got excited!
SOUND: REPEATED HITS TO ELEVATOR BUTTON
PEEPS
Are we seriously waiting for the elevator?
SOKOLOV
(DISTANT)
Are any of you damned idiots still here? They’re getting away!
JIMMY
No, I guess we’re not. Quick!
SOUND: STAIRWELL DOOR OPENING
LYON MAJESTIC – STAIRWELL
(AMBIENT ECHO DURING SCENE)
PEEPS
Tell me we’re not running down twenty-three floors. I try to keep active, but I am nowhere near in good enough shape for that.
JIMMY
Maybe not.
(SHOUTING)
Hey, you! You’re not supposed to be in the stairwell!
SMOKING GUEST 1
Oh, jeez, we just… the room’s nonsmoking, but we just thought if we left the door ajar…
SMOKING GUEST 2
We’re not hurting anybody.
JIMMY
Okay, but hotel security’s coming, and they are not going to be nearly as forgiving as I am.
SMOKING GUEST 1
And you are…?
PEEPS
(AGGRESSIVELY)
We are the ones telling you how it is. You can either listen and get back to your rooms, or you can get thrown out on the streets!
JIMMY
In fact, we will escort you back to your rooms.
SOUND: STAIRWELL DOOR OPENING
JIMMY
Here we go!
SMOKING GUEST 2
Hey, slow down.
PEEPS
No time, no time. They’re right behind us.
SOUND: SCUFFLING
LYON MAJESTIC – HALLWAY
SOUND: STAIRWELL DOOR CLOSING
SMOKING GUEST 1
So now do we —
JIMMY
Shh!
SOUND: MUFFLED FOOTSTEPS IN STAIRWELL CLOSING, RECEDING
JIMMY
All right. Looks like you two just dodged a bullet.
PEEPS
Don’t let it happen again!
SOUND: FOOTSTEPS WALKING DOWN HALLWAY
SMOKING GUEST 2
Those two are damn strange.
SOUND: ELEVATOR BUTTON PRESS
SOUND: ELEVATOR BELL AND DOORS
SOUND: ENTERING ELEVATOR
LYON MAJESTIC – ELEVATOR
PEEPS
That was not how I planned to be spending my day.
JIMMY
No, but…
(LAUGHING)
You know, after everything that’s happened, I think I’m starting to enjoy the adrenaline rush.
PEEPS
More likely low blood sugar. When was the last time you ate?
JIMMY
Yeah, that’s probably got something to do with it.
PEEPS
Too bad we didn’t manage to grab anything. I mean, I hung onto these.
SOUND: PAPERS RUSTLING
PEEPS
But that’s just their little money-laundering, state’s evidence thing. Maybe we can use it. Nothing related to the body in the desert. Real evidence. So we’re back being stuck again.
JIMMY
I guess I was being a little overly optimistic. What evidence were we really going to get? I mean, it’s not like they’d keep records of the prostitutes they bring in. Or maybe she was for Sokolov. I don’t know. Maybe it’s enough for me to bring to Marshall.
PEEPS
Marshall? Now who’s Marshall?
JIMMY
Crazy detective who was grilling me about Will’s death. I’ve got his number. Put it in my phone after, just in case… I don’t know. He might be able to piece it together. We know who they are, where they are. I bet someone can place them with Amber. As for that witness-protection thing the agents have going on there… I guess I’ll tell Wiktoria about it. Even if it’s just to say it’s not these guys after her. And if I can find her. She was pretty banged up, but I don’t know that she’s gonna risk going to the hospital. Beyond that, I don’t know where to look.
PEEPS
So what’s the plan?
JIMMY
Let’s get back to the tunnels, same way we came. Then I guess I see if I can get back to the Limelight? It’s possible Wiktoria will go back there. I don’t know. I just need a minute to think. This is all happening way too fast.
SOUND: ELEVATOR DOORS OPENING
LYON MAJESTIC – ELEVATOR LOBBY
AGENT “JOSHUA”
There! There they are!
AGENT “ROACH”
Jesus, those are the two from upstairs!
AGENT “JOSHUA”
What? What do you mean upstairs?
JIMMY
Oh, son of a bitch.
MUSIC: CLIFFHANGER MUSIC CUE
ANNOUNCERLAND
MUSIC: CLOSING MUSIC BEGINS
ANNOUNCER
You’ve been listening to Jabberwocky Audio Theater. Tonight’s production: Quorum: The Gambler’s Tale — “Outstanding Debts,” episode seven of ten. Produced by Jabberwocky Audio Theater, in association with WERA-LP: Radio Arlington, ninety-six point seven FM, Arlington, Virginia.
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Featured in the cast were Cameron McNary as Jimmy Harmon, Yasmin Tuazon as Rachael “Peeps” Leblanc, Michael Gabel as Crunchy, William R. Coughlan as Agent “Joshua,” Bjorn Munson as Agent “Roach,” and Brian Crane as Peter Sokolov — with additional voices by Anna Coughlan, William R. Coughlan, Brian Crane, and Kevin Murray.
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Recorded at Arlington Independent Media, with supplemental recording at Tohubohu Productions in Burke, Virginia.
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Music by Brooks Tegler, with special thanks to Don Lerman for providing supplemental music for this episode. For specific music information, see our show notes at jabber audio dot com.
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This week’s episode was produced by Bjorn Munson, and written and directed by William R. Coughlan.
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For all the latest episodes and information on Jabberwocky Audio Theater, visit jabber audio dot com.
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If you’re enjoying Quorum and the other yarns we spin at Jabberwocky Audio Theater, be sure to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or your podcast provider of choice. Check out our Patreon page at Patreon dot com slash Team Jabberwocky for exclusive content, and to help us continue to bring you further tales of mysterious suspense and high adventure.
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Until next time, this is Marsha Rehns, saying thanks for listening… and tune in next week for the next episode of Quorum: The Gambler’s Tale!
MUSIC: CLOSING MUSIC ENDS
ANONYMOUS POKER ROOM
(SECLUDED POKER ROOM AMBIENCE)
SOUND: CARD BURN, THREE CARDS DEALT
SECRET DEALER
The flop… seven of spades, five of clubs, and eight of clubs.
SOUND: CARD BURN, ONE CARD DEALT
SECRET DEALER
The turn… six of spades.
SOUND: CARD BURN, ONE CARD DEALT
SECRET DEALER
Here’s the river… seven of clubs.
CONCLUSION
HOST
Hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Text © William R. Coughlan, under license to Jabberwocky Audio Theater. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.