Ninth Story Studios, James Story a voice. Welcome to the lift, get
ready to take a ride. Hello, I'm Daniel Foytek, and I thank
you for joining us for a special episode of Victoria's Lyft. Today, we're
presenting the second of five mini episodes for Christmas, called a Little Lyft for
the Holidays. Full sized episodes are coming, but until then, let's join
Victoria for today's tale, one Last Crimson Ball by Lee Andrew Foreman, told
by Mary Murphy and Amber Loverlin Nate Collins. Thank you to all of you
for being a part of Victoria's Christmas celebration. Check back tomorrow for our next
tale. I search this familiar place, knowing the ornament must be somewhere.
I don't know how I lost it, but something tells me i'll find it
eventually. As I make my way down the hall, I find an unfamiliar
girl standing at the end. She looks at me with bright eyes. What's
the matter. I can't find my favorite Christmas ornament? What's your name?
James? Hi, James, I'm Victoria. I'll help you find it.
Really, of course, how about we look downstairs? Great idea. I'll
lead the way. She follows me down the kerb staircase to the foyer,
where the yearly Christmas tree stands tall and mighty. What a beautifully decorated tree,
I guess so, but mother didn't seem to pick a very good one
this year. It smells bad and half the lights don't work. I'm sorry,
James. Shall we keep looking for your ornament? Perhaps it's in your
room. I've looked everywhere, but we'll try again. She follows as I
ascend the stairs and down the hall to my bedroom. I stop short when
I see the door slightly. Ajar, what's wrong? I'm not sure.
I can't explain it, but I'm afraid try. James, tell me what's
bothering you. I'm scared of what's in my room. I can't recall why,
but I feel like if I go in there, something terrible happen.
It's okay. I'll be there with you. You won't have to go alone.
I stepped forward, courage backing my heels. Inside, all looks as
it should, all is expected. My toy soldiers are still on the window
sill, my firetruck on the shelf. But there's a scent filling the air.
It's not borne to my senses, yet I can't quite place it.
I don't understand. Something is wrong, But what is it? I think
you know the answer, James. I think you can remember if you tried.
I don't think I want to remember. I think I forgot for a
reason. Is this it? The girl turns to me, and in her
hands is my precious keepsake, the object of yearly tradition. Christmas isn't complete
until it's hung on the tree. Oh wow, you found it? I
did. Would you like to go hang it? Yes, right away?
Go ahead, James, hang the ord of it so Christmas will be complete.
I run downstairs, not realizing I've left my new friend behind, But
when I reached the foyer, she's already standing in front of the tree.
She extends her palms, the shiny red ball resting within them. I take
the precious decoration from her hands and step toward the towering pine. My eyes
seek the perfect location, and when I find it, I place the metal
hook over the branch. By the time I release it, the green needles
quickly brown and begin to fall. The remaining lights blink out one by one.
My precious ornament cracks and shatters before my eyes. I step back.
Fear grips my heart. The once beautiful room moves forward in time. It
ages into cayse. Wallpaper feeds and peels away. Woodwork warps and cracks with
the increasingly damp, moldy scent that filled my bedroom. My clean, well
kept home deteriorates in a near instant. I look to Victoria cheers well in
my eyes, what's happening? I think you know, James. I think
you've always known. It's hard to accept, but it's time. I look
down at my body. Notice how not only my clothes, but my very
skin is pale and faded. My own form is a vague, nebulous mist,
a memory of what once was. Christmas was a long time ago,
wasn't it It was? I've been alone here? How that I no one
lives here anymore? That's right, James. But it's okay to hold onto
the memories we cherish. Sometimes we need them, but eventually we have to
move on. It's time to go, isn't it. Yes, I can
take you to the next place. I think I'm ready. I've hung the
ornament one last time. Christmas is complete. Thank you to our supporters for
making the show possible. Today's episode featured Mary Murphia's James and Amber Loveling is
Victoria. Today's custom score was created by our resident composer, Niko Vites of
the Inky Pop Print. Our work is by Jesse Hawk of the Inky Pop
Print. Our author is Lee Andrew Foreman. Story editor and producer is Daniel
Foytek of Ninth Story Studios. Until tomorrow, keep your music box wound and
beware of strange music boxes placed under indoor evergreen trees