Joan and her team pursue their investigation while Talia, Elio and Shinji try to stay low. Despite Marcus’ best efforts, he struggles to gain their trust.
You can find more information, including our full cast list and transcripts, at DesperadoRadio.com.
Credits:
Written and produced by Samy Souissi.
- Elio – Samy Souissi
- Shinji – Tibet Boyer
- Talia – Tami Ige
- Leo – Femi Adebowale
- Marcus – Owen Gardiner
- Joan – Emma Blacklay-Piech
Soundtrack:
- Nomadic sunset – Royalty free celtic music: https://youtu.be/AyWTNZJqEDA
Transcript
Please be advised the content of this podcast contains violence, murder, blood, smoking, alcohol, mentions of suicide and driving sound effects. Please do avoid listening to this in a car. We also swear… a whole lot. So… there’s that.
Previously on Desperado…
ELIO
We’ve now reached Europe after weeks at sea, and were welcomed by mysterious Samar, a traveler from Morocco working for the Path. She helped us escape an ambush from the SCU and then drove us to the Nova circus, a fraught organization ruled by Marcus, one of the most important patrons of the Path. But he barely had time to look at us before the SCU found our tracks again, and an entire squadron of witches descended on the circus, led by Joan, their commander.
Welcome back to Desperado…
SFX: Sirens
ELIO
Joan’s lieutenant escorted us out of the building, as the rest of her coven secured the perimeter. They searched us, double-checked our IDs and split the rest of the circus members in groups for questioning. Next to us, Marcus remained quiet, watching over his friends and family- his lifework ransacked and probed. Gone was his light gait and the smile on his lips. He was the image of lord worried for his subjects, his mahogany cane firmly planted on the ground.
SHINJI
I’m… I’m sorry sir. … If you want us to leave, I understand.
MARCUS
And where the fuck would you go? No, trust me my dear, the world is big but men are all the same. Small and afraid. There’s no escaping them.
SHINJI
I should have been glad… relieved, but instead I felt… trapped. I looked down, trying to make sense of this. Of my troubled breathing and my cold heartbeat. I- I couldn’t move. My body was screaming for me to find a threat, to use this adrenaline, to do something! With hunger gone, my mind was finally processing… and I was free to spiral. These people welcomed me, offered a bed and shelter, offered their trust and…
They were all gonna die.
It was the same boots stomping the ground, the same hands ready to strangle. The same finger on the trigger. It was…
(thinking)
Trapped.
What was I still doing here? They were coming for me, they were all around me, too close to me- I had to leave- why was I not doing anything- FLY! GODDAMNIT!
MARCUS
Now, now.
SHINJI
I snapped out of it… almost immediately. Eyes wide open like… like I’d just woken up from a nightmare. Something about his tone called for quiet, reaching my mind so clearly that I… I could have dropped to the ground, and melted away in that silence.
TALIA
Hide the wings. Hide the wings. Elio, sit him down.
ELIO
Yeah-
SHINJI
They were barely a sketch of themselves, almost materialized but too faint to notice. Even their glow blended with the fairy lights. But a couple more seconds and the worst would happen.
TALIA
Are you okay?
SHINJI
Gazing back from over her shoulder, Marcus was looking at me… only me. But I’m not the one he addressed. And as he spoke I felt the grasp of the Other Mind loosen on my psyche. I recognized it again, and felt how our instincts differed. I was a terrified 19 year old in a strange country, but IT, was immemorial. A spirit bound by nothing but the strengths of its wings. It didn’t understand why I resisted. If I was scared, why… why not just fly away?
MARCUS
Hear the words I speak and the truth they carry. You’re a guest of the Nova Circus, and that puts you under the aegis of Lady Luck. You are safe as you long as you stay with me. Do you understand?
SHINJI
The presence seemed to relax, and retreated slowly. I exhaled, not sure if I should be relieved but… Marcus smiled, and… well I guess the world seemed a little bit better. A little easier. The glow of my wings disappeared.
MARCUS
Good. Now watch.
ELIO
Marcus looked over at the group of officers searching luggages and bags, a few meters away from us. It took me a second to realize he wasn’t silent. He was praying, a distant smile on his lips. And I felt a nudge from all around, the feeling that something important was happening. That I had to pay attention. My eyes fell on one of the officers, turning away from a med kit after inspecting it… as Joan suddenly called out:
JOAN
I need pictures, people! Can I get forensics inside or do you need more of the scenery? Come on!
ELIO
Marcus had moved. His window of action had been of merely a few seconds- but for a moment, all eyes were on Joan. Nobody paid attention to him as he took three steps toward forward, like on a stroll, and readjusted his coat. In the same movement he slipped a hand inside the kit… even with my eyes on him I could have missed it. He grabbed a syrup bottle and brought his elbow to his mouth, coughing loudly into it. The bottle fell inside his sleeve, as a witch finally noticed him. Marcus was told to step back and he raised his hands in appeasement.
SHINJI
He walked back to us and dropped the bottle in my hand.
MARCUS
Take a few drops of this, then flush it down with water.
TALIA
What are you giving him?
MARCUS
An emetic. We’ve got to make him throw up. You two can pass for documented immigrants but no one is gonna believe this boy is from London. I need him to throw his guts out, unable to answer questions- and I can guarantee someone in her coven knows how to sign so… drink.
SFX: Bottle-cap twists off.
SHINJI
Does it get easier…? The hiding? Running?
MARCUS
No. But we get better.
SHINJI
And is it worth it?
MARCUS
For a chance to see you smile tomorrow, yes, it is.
TALIA
…And if not for pretty words, then do it out of spite.
ELIO
To honor those who couldn’t.
SHINJI
I looked down, took a deep breath… And drank.
MARCUS
Good lad. Give it a couple minutes.
SHINJI
(softly)
Yeah.
ELIO
How you feeling?
SHINJI
…I’m… I’m really scared.
ELIO
It’s gonna be okay.
MARCUS
Fear is a bad habit for our kind. Yes, it might help keeping us out of trouble, but we draw power from trust and devotion. Have you ever wondered how far your wings could take you if you weren’t afraid?
ELIO
Fear is human.
MARCUS
But we are more than that.
TALIA
Who do you pray to, Marcus?
MARCUS
You won’t make a lot of friends asking that question around here.
TALIA
I don’t mind.
MARCUS
Well- Oh! Quiet now, I think she’s trying to listen.
ELIO
I followed his gaze and saw Joan stood at the entrance of the tent, her back to us. With the distance, and her lieutenant talking to her, there was no way our conversation could have travelled to her, but Marcus seemed to think otherwise. He smiled, and as if Joan was waiting for that cue, she turned around. She nodded at one of her officers and the two of them made their way toward us.
MARCUS
How’s the treasure hunt?
JOAN
Boxes, and boxes of fireworks. Why?
MARCUS
Fun, but I wouldn’t expect you to understand.
JOAN
I’ve seen children create better lightshows. Why not employ a Quill?
MARCUS
I’m afraid I’m not familiar with that term.
JOAN
Rejects from the academy, the kind of witch that usually have to write down their spells. Quills.
MARCUS
Oh, well I doubt we could afford that.
JOAN
What if you sold some of the idols of worship we found?
MARCUS
(exhales deeply)
They’re props, Joan, If you’d like me to, I can forward you the permit for the sculptures and scepters. For questions about necklaces and ornaments you’ll have to see with the costume department- but I can assure you: They are strictly following the country’s guidelines.
No symbols, no cultural ties and- Joan, frankly, this is a waste of taxpayers money- I’d like to go to bed now.
JOAN
Of course, just one last thing-
ELIO
And she signed an entire sentence, each word clear cut in the air, as if she had practiced her whole life.
JOAN
I had to look it up, but I’m a fast learner.
SHINJI
…And… then I threw up.
SFX: wretching
TALIA
Shit- do we know if he has any allergies?
ELIO
Uh…It could just be food poisoning
TALIA
No, we had the same food- Do you see any swelling? Callum, Callum- Can you hear me?
MARCUS
Let’s get him to the medical tent.
JOAN
We still have questions for him.
MARCUS
Oh well please, ask away! Take your time while he throws up his own guts and let your officers know how you treat the people you vowed to serve!
SFX: more retching from Shinji
ELIO
Marcus lifted Shinji up himself, and started walking away, ignoring Joan’s order. She stood there for a moment, probably considered arresting him for not complying or something, but finally decided otherwise. She turned to me and said:
JOAN
There’s no need to look at me like that. Our uniforms are similar but we’re nothing like our Spanish, or even French counterparts. We are the continent’s frontline in this war and we act as such. We remain vigilant. It might be uncomfortable, it might feel intrusive, but we have no choice. Times and times again this is how we found the enemy trying to plant their seeds in our land. With that in mind, I would advise you to be careful with who you choose to travel. Understood?
ELIO
Yes ma’am.
JOAN
Good. Thank you for your patience.
ELIO
And then she whispered something under her breath, something powerful. And a sleek vehicle came hovering towards her…
SFX: gentle whooshing
…gently carried by forces that could have destroyed me, I was certain of it. But Joan had it on leash. The world all around us was at her service. The thing she had summoned looked like the frame of a racing motorbike, carved in a single piece of wood and covered in occult symbols linked together by lines of elegant runes. It had no wheels obviously, just a saddle and handles. Joan put on a helmet, then straddled her ride. She turned to her lieutenant and said:
JOAN
Meet me back at the ward. We’re done here.
ELIO
And then she took flight on that thing, melding in the darkness.
TALIA
The rest of her coven quickly packed up their stuff and did the same. And you know that feeling you described then, that sense of power they exude just by casually… levitating stuff back to their hands? I really felt that then. Knowing about witchcraft and seeing it in practice are two very different things. Like… what was actually stopping them from crushing my ribs with just a whisper?
SHINJI
Yeah that would’ve been enough to give me an anxiety attack alone, so…
ELIO
Yep!
SHINJI
I’m kind of glad I was out of it.
TALIA
We followed Marcus to the first aid tent and he laid you back on a bed. It was fairly small, about four cots, all empty, and just one nurse.
ELIO
And no real equipment, coming to think about it. Just a medication shelf and a desk- and when the nurse came to check in on you- That’s how I imagined a witch would look like. Old, crazy white hair that seemed to float all round her like she was underwater or something, and very, very intense blue eyes.
TALIA
We assumed it was a nurse, but now that you mention it…
ELIO
Yeah she was probably some sort of mystic healer or-
SHINJI
Okay, I’m just gonna put this out there but- maybe she was just old, guys.
ELIO
Noooo. No.
TALIA
Nooo! Elio’s right, she was witchy.
SHINJI
I would know. I was the one she took care of.
ELIO
Yeah, but you were out of it most of the time, so…
SHINJI
Are you serious right now? She went to medical school, she told me!
ELIO
Witches be lying.
TALIA
Mhm.
ELIO
Every old woman is a witch. Like… there’s no way you spend like… at least 60 years on earth and you don’t pick up a spell or two. That’s just dumb, everybody tries it.
SHINJI
You know there’s literally a death penalty for that in my country.
TALIA
Okay but- look at you though.
SHINJI
Hey- I know you guys are kidding but I’m getting… uncomfortable right now. Like, I think it is dangerous to make claims like that.
ELIO
Alright, alright fine- Sorry. I… didn’t think about it that way.
TALIA
So… the “nurse” came to check in on you, but Marcus quickly dismissed her.
MARCUS
Yes, he’ll be just fine. He’ll just need a change of clothes, some water and some rest.
ELIO
He seemed a lot more relaxed than I think she should have been considering how pale you looked Shinji.
SHINJI
I don’t remember much of it honestly, I think I was on the edge of passing out the whole time. It felt like… like someone was twisting their hand inside of my stomach.
ELIO
Marcus was about to follow-up with some more directive when someone else stepped inside the tent. A thin, black man, with locks that fell down to his shoulders, laced with golden rings. Something in his dark eyes made you want to stand a bit taller, to try and match the pride that lifted his shoulders. And there was something in the way he walked that felt familiar, but I couldn’t quite place it-
TALIA
You said it before. His steps took him a bit further than expected.
ELIO
Yeah. He had Shinji’s walk.
LEO
Marcus?
MARCUS
In a moment dear. I’m dealing with something right now.
LEO
I just wanna make sure they’re all gone.
MARCUS
I’d give it half an hour, but send scouts for me will you?
LEO
Alright.
TALIA
Just like everyone else the man was ignoring us. And having obtained his answer, he almost walked out. Almost. He took one glance at Shinji and frowned.
LEO
Who’s this?
MARCUS
I thought you knew better than to ask those questions.
LEO
No- Marcus what happened?
MARCUS
That’s enough darling, you have your own affairs to tend to.
LEO
Did he throw up?
TALIA
The man reached for Shinji but Marcus grabbed him by the arm.
MARCUS
That’s enough I said.
LEO
Marcus, look at his arms- the shape of his shoulders- are you blind?!
MARCUS
Oh shit.
TALIA
Marcus let go and the man rushed to inspect Shinji. He felt each of his ribs, collarbone, and even inspected his hands and arms- then finally he exhaled, relieved.
LEO
He’s fine. I don’t think he broke anything.
ELIO
What?
LEO
Is he your friend?
ELIO
Yeah.
LEO
So you know what that boy can do, right?
TALIA
Yes! He’s got wings. Can we stop with the eggshells for a second?
ELIO
The man didn’t seem to particularly appreciate that, but still carried on.
LEO
Flight comes at a cost. His bones are lighter, but the rest of physiology is mostly the same. So violent contractions or seizures could shatter him from the inside.
ELIO
But… he’s okay right?
LEO
Yeah, he’s fine. What happened?
MARCUS
I gave him an emetic.
LEO
… Now why the fuck would you do that?!
MARCUS
I clearly didn’t know! They wanted to interrogate him and the boy barely speaks english- I had no idea what he was!
LEO
Jesus fucking christ- That could have been a disaster.
ELIO
Talia and I looked at each other. And there’s no way to describe that mix of terror and fury that came onto us, a lightning bolt would have made less of a shock.
The thorns tattooed on my arms started glowing red and Talia’s dagger dropped from her sleeve to her hand.
SFX: A blade is drawn
She pressed the edge of it against the man’s throat and asked:
TALIA
(with grit)
What did you just say?
LEO
Hey, easy- We’re all friends here!
ELIO
(menace in his voice)
Why is there a crusader in your ranks Marcus?
LEO
I’m not a fucking crusader, what is he on about?
TALIA
And I felt the same wave of silence Shinji described, wash over me. The feeling that it was all going to be alright. I saw Elio and the man’s shoulder relax- and I knew the same thing happened to them. It was only for a moment, just enough for Marcus to get our attention.
MARCUS
There’s no need to make a fuss. Leo my dear, you’ll excuse our new guests but they’ve just arrived from the Americas. And I assume they’re not quite fond of the name Jesus Christ.
Talia, Elio, this Leo, who is, indeed, a Christian. And while Crusaders are the most notorious, there are many other branches to this religion. Most of them fighting against the Crusade, just like you and me.
ELIO
The glow on my skin resorbed, as Marcus’ words echoed memories passed down by La Catrina. Memories that meant I had nothing to fear.
TALIA
If he’s not a crusader, what is he?
LEO
Oh she demands to know! Or do you just need a reason to kill me over beliefs you don’t understand?
MARCUS
Leo-
LEO
Who’s acting like a fucking crusader now?
TALIA
I’m not lowering my dagger. And I want him away from Shinji. Now.
LEO
Marcus?
MARCUS
It’s okay- It’s okay. Leo, we’ll talk about this later.
TALIA
The man looked back at me, anger in his eyes but the rest of his body showed- tiredness.
TALIA (CONT’D)
The same exhaustion I’ve felt all my life, the weight of every wrong thing done to me as one more was added to the list. But still, I didn’t budge. Leo left, and only then did I let down my blade.
MARCUS
There, he’s gone. Now can we talk?
ELIO
Maybe now’s not the right time. I’m sorry if this is-
TALIA
I’m not! You sent Samar for us. You knew we were coming and where we were coming from. You could have prepared for us but instead you chose to rehearse a little dance number!
MARCUS
I did, but the evening did not go as planned and-
TALIA
You’ve been doing this for 20 years! Maybe telling us “we’re sheltering a fucking crusader as well” could have been on top of the priority list instead of taking our clothes away!
MARCUS
He’s not a crusader, and you’re not angry at me. You’re just frustrated and tired and-
TALIA
Fuck you!
ELIO
Talia…
TALIA
Why are you so calm about this?
ELIO
He made a mistake! And so did we! It doesn’t mean we’re enemies.
MARCUS
A mistake? I’ve protected you at every turn throughout the entire night, and without knowing there would be three of you! None of this would have happened otherwise!
ELIO
But there were three of us, yet you still carried on with a plan that was designed for only Talia. As a patron of the Path I would expect you’d know how to recognize an emergency. And while
ELIO (CONT’D)
you might have found bantering with Joan… fun, we shouldn’t have been in that same room in the first place.
TALIA
Thank you! The show was cute but we could have used that time for anything else.
ELIO
He’s still the only reason we’re safe. Let’s not forget that.
MARCUS
I apologize. To the both of you. I didn’t recognize the urgency of the situation and that’s because I can’t.
TALIA
You still don’t see it?
MARCUS
No, I can’t. I haven’t felt fear in more than 20 years.
ELIO
What does that even- what does that even mean?
TALIA
…It’s your faith isn’t it. Who is it?
MARCUS
I’m a servant of Lady Luck.
ELIO
I’ve never heard of that name.
MARCUS
Because she’s my own.
ELIO
You… wait, wait… You created a god?
MARCUS
To me, she was always here. My very first memory is a smile I never recognized, and with it, the feeling that I had nothing to worry about. Ever. And only 20 years later, when I got to my knees and prayed to anyone who would listen- To anyone… who could save my partner’s life… Only then did I see it again. This time she was real.
TALIA
This shouldn’t… work. Just because you believe everything will turn out fine it just– does?
MARCUS
I don’t believe. I know.
TALIA
Nobody knows! You have to be completely insane to think nothing bad will ever happen to you!
MARCUS
Yeah. But it worked out for me. I am by no means invincible, but it makes my life easier. I can find the right words at the right time. Folks are more inclined to trust me or listen, but as I’m sure you realized, the effects on people barely last a few seconds. Luck is fleeting and it’s up to me to seize those moments.
And while I’m pretty useless in a fight, most guns pointed at me have jammed so far. Do with that what you will.
ELIO
And the illusions?
MARCUS
What do you mean?
ELIO
The passports. How did you do it?
MARCUS
Oh no- those are very real. I can show you how, but it’ll take some time. Tomorrow, first thing in the morning, I promise. Is there anything else?
ELIO
I think it’s best if you leave us here for tonight. We appreciate everything you’ve done for us but-
MARCUS
You need some time, of course. Your quarters are ready if you’d like. Fresh sheets.
TALIA
We’re not leaving Shinji.
MARCUS
Very well. Good night.
TALIA
And with a final, sorry smile, he left.
(heavy sigh)
ELIO
Can you pull me a chair?
SFX: chair scraping across hard floor
Wanna talk about it?
TALIA
Did I overreact?
ELIO
Nope.
TALIA
Cool… (a long beat) I think I’ve been on edge for a long time.
ELIO
I can ask if they have a spa around here.
TALIA
Can you keep a weapon in a spa?
ELIO
I mean… who’s gonna stop you? Reception?
TALIA
Good point… So. We have witches, a potential crusader and a madman who created his own god. What do we do?
ELIO
We watch each others’ back.
TALIA
…You know when I was a kid I could hear calls on the radio to denounce people like me, to hunt for us. Literally, mayors and neighbors would call for bloodshed in their own communities, I had to live my whole life in fear… And that… guy just… never felt it. And I keep thinking of that rehearsal we saw and how… We are dying, just… all over the world. But here they’re just… playing clown.
ELIO
Yeah. It doesn’t feel right, but if playing clowns is how they survive then-
TALIA
I hate it. I just… hate it.
ELIO
I think I do too.
TALIA
And it’s fucked up but…I wish I could do the same. Just dance on stage and tour across Europe and not have to worry about a thing. But I was given one year. And I have powers beyond my wildest dreams but it’s still nothing! Everyone we’ve met just tonight could have squished us like insects. I know you felt it! How am I suppose to kill a god?
ELIO
We all have to start somewhere.
TALIA
Really?
ELIO
Mhm.
TALIA
That’s it? That’s all your thoughts?
ELIO
I just don’t think that’s a conversation for tonight. I mean, none of us have the answer so are we just gonna sit there and be anxious about it? No, we’ll do something about it tomorrow. And the next day, and the next day after that. And then… who knows where you’ll be in a year.
TALIA
I could try that.
ELIO
Yeah… My mother used to say it doesn’t really matter how you feel. Not really. If there’s something you’ve got to do, you just do it. And that’s how you survive.
TALIA
Survive, but miserable.
ELIO
Maybe. But she was strong.
TALIA
I’m sorry.
ELIO
Yeah. Everyone is. (beat) I think you should try and get some sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning.
TALIA
We need to keep an eye on Shinji.
ELIO
Yeah, I- I can take the first shift. It’s fine.
TALIA
You sure?
ELIO
Yeah. Really. No worries. Seriously. Get some rest.
TALIA
Okay.
ELIO
And that was our first night in Europe. We could have been sound asleep in some really nice beds but instead we spent it mostly on wooden chairs.
SHINJI
And in the morning, when I woke up… you were gone. I didn’t recognize where I was or… who the man was standing at the end of my bed. I would have asked, but I genuinely didn’t have the strength. I think weeks of exhaustion had finally caught up to me.
LEO
You’re awake. I’m Leo, a friend of Marcus. And I think we have a lot to talk about.
SFX: magic sounds, like beams of light breaking through a window
SHINJI
And his angel wings deployed towards the ceiling, their feathers weaved in the light of dawn…