Speaker 1: Theme party of the podcast episode one, The Reach by
Lindsey Vaughn.
Speaker 2: Come on, Jack, We're almost there.
Speaker 3: I'm swimming as fast as I can. I'm down at
tentacle now remember.
Speaker 4: Okay, yeah, just hurry up, Stumpy, It's just down there.
Speaker 2: Uh okay, this is it? Help me push this?
Speaker 3: WHOA what is it?
Speaker 2: Our future?
Speaker 4: The stories are old, older than my parents, even my grandparents.
I never got to meet any of them, but we're
connected by a common goal to become more than we are.
When the humans started dropping their artifacts in the ocean,
most saw it as a gift, using them as tools
or shelters. But some of us see the truth. We
are under attack. To protect our civilization, my ancestors formed
a secret society known as the Vision. A select few
are chosen by them every generation to continue the mission.
I am one of the chosen. Each of us works
alone in parallel building machines we can use to bring
about the end of the humans and save octopus kind.
Speaker 3: Arder number six clams with a side of snail beds.
That's us, Thank you. Oh these snail bits are perfect today.
All right, you're gonna have some. You usually down them
before I even get a chance to have any.
Speaker 4: H Oh, yeah, hey.
Speaker 3: I know this is a tough day for you. From
the stories your aunt Silla tells, it sounds like your
mom was a really amazing person.
Speaker 4: Each anniversary that passes without finishing the suit, I feel
more and more like I'm letting her down.
Speaker 2: I just.
Speaker 3: I wish I could have known her. I won't pretend
to know what it's like to know who your parents were,
but I imagine growing up hearing stories about them makes
them feel more like a memory and less of an idea.
She didn't finish the suit either, and I'm sure she
would be proud you're continuing the work.
Speaker 5: Coral Woman Tide spoke again today at a peace rally
following a spat of stockpile thefts suspected of being connected
to a group of anti human activists. Let's hear what
she had to say.
Speaker 6: Because of these artifacts, we've made significant strides in medicine
and infrastructure. Our communities are better off than they were
just a few short generations ago. Have there been some
unfortunate tragedies. Of course, no one is downplaying the losses
we have, but we've adapted. We are no longer vulnerable
or helpless. The idea that these artifacts are being dropped
on us as an act of war is outdated and ignorant.
Speaker 5: She will be speaking again later this month at community
gathering in Soul.
Speaker 4: Has no idea what she's talking about.
Speaker 3: I don't know. Her ideas seem to be getting a
lot of support.
Speaker 4: Today, of all days, she gets up there in front
of all those people, and it's an insults everything my
mother worked for.
Speaker 3: Hey, listen, forget about Octavia. I heard there's a new
Goldfish Chase movie playing at the cinema. Apparently Kremlincarp actually
dies in this one. And you've had me working my
beak off in that stuffy workshop. A little fun isn't
gonna hurt.
Speaker 2: I don't know.
Speaker 4: I should really get back. I still have a lot
of soldering left to do on the suit.
Speaker 3: Well. I'd offer to help, but you just about burn
another one of my tentacles clean off last time. I'm
gonna be down to just six at this rate.
Speaker 4: It wasn't that bad, and I told you to be careful.
You're still coming by tomorrow to help me, though, right.
I got a fancy shark couterie board I don't know,
with baked bream and oyster crackers, and I made my
own sea pickles from actual sea cucumbers. Okay, fine, great,
now pass me those snail bits.
Speaker 3: Remind me why I need to paint this thing.
Speaker 4: Because I want to look scary.
Speaker 3: How are sea hotters gonna scare them?
Speaker 4: Can you think of anything scarier?
Speaker 3: But the humans don't even live in the sea, they
wouldn't be scared of.
Speaker 4: Fine, then what do you suggest.
Speaker 3: I suggest just forgetting this whole thing?
Speaker 2: Gem?
Speaker 3: Kidding sort of? Aren't you even a little bit worried
about what I don't know, reaching the surface and getting
destroyed by the humans?
Speaker 6: Not?
Speaker 2: Really?
Speaker 3: Well I am. I keep having these terrible dreams that
your suit cracks open on you and you you know
it'll take care of Ploppy here.
Speaker 4: Well, then let's make sure it's extra dirty and he's
coming with me. Isn't that right, my little pluppy?
Speaker 3: Oh no, it's not just that though. Do you know
how many times I've almost been caught taking things from
the stockpile? I could lose my job. Inventory is a
really cushy gig, and I do not want to go
back to working in the chum factories.
Speaker 4: It'll look so much more suspicious. If I'm the one
snooping around there, runs like me are not authorized to
go near the stockpile.
Speaker 3: I still don't like this.
Speaker 4: I know those otters look awesome. By the way, thanks.
Speaker 3: Two, three, four. I don't think anyone's going to miss
one of these. Okay, next is Tuberware? What the heck
is tuperware? Knock Octavia. I was just about to bring
you the final counts.
Speaker 7: I've been at my desk all day. I needed to
take a little swim. Anything missing this.
Speaker 3: Week doesn't look like it yet, but I will definitely
let you know right away.
Speaker 7: I don't know how to get through to these people.
They don't think past their own selfish urges. We need
to look after ourselves and our communities. There is nothing
up there for us but death. Do you know what
I see when I walk in this room. I see hope.
I see fabrics that will be bandages. I see metal
that will become homes. I see tools to better trap
our food and feed our families. These are gifts. What
do you think about all of this?
Speaker 6: Me?
Speaker 3: Oh, I don't know. People are scared and angry, but
I agree. I don't think anything good can come of this.
I just don't know how we're supposed to make people
understand that.
Speaker 7: Well, some people might never understand, but we need to
keep trying. I was elected by those who want peace,
and I need to do everything I can to make
that our reality.
Speaker 3: And if they still don't listen.
Speaker 7: We make them listen. Well, it's just about lunchtime. Please
be sure to put the finished inventory list on my
desk when you're done.
Speaker 2: Oh good, did you bring the bolts?
Speaker 4: Yeah, but careful, you almost bumped into Ploppy. You're okay, little.
Speaker 3: Good, Sorry, but we really need to talk.
Speaker 2: Just put the boats over there.
Speaker 4: I can't start sealing the upper chamber until the arms
are attacked.
Speaker 3: Okay, but Coral, I don't know here.
Speaker 4: Where I'll be, so it needs to be water tight.
Only the recirculator and the onboard computer.
Speaker 3: Coral, what I'm out. People are starting to ask questions,
they notice things going missing, and I can't keep lying.
These bolts are the last thing I can steal for you.
Speaker 4: No, we've been over this. It's so close to being done.
You know how important this is. I know, but oh
and I'm gonna need more glass for this part up here.
I'm thinking of extending the chamber for better vision.
Speaker 3: And you stop working for like two seconds and just
listen to me. Look when you showed me this all
those years ago and told me how important it was
for you to finish it, I was all on board.
But maybe maybe it's time to put this to rest.
Speaker 4: You've been listening to Octavia.
Speaker 3: She just wants what's best for all of us. Do
you even know how many humans there are now? And
do you think what a rickety suit made of their
own artifacts is going to change the world?
Speaker 4: I do, and I made a promise that means something
to some people. You know, and everything Octavia knows about
humans would fit in the tip of my tentacle. Jem.
They're weak, they have no shells, no exoskeletons, and no
natural defenses. You're missing a tentacle because of them. If
we stop now that sort of thing, it's just going
to keep happening. The tide is turning. I know I'm
not the only one who wants to fight back.
Speaker 3: Don't want to lose you. You're my best friend, But
you're so consumed by your mission you never ever think
about how it affects me. I get that it's different
for you, and that I don't have to live with
the burden of knowing exactly what my mother wanted for me.
I'm sorry, but she is gone. Your mother is gone,
and killing humans isn't going to bring her back from
the dead.
Speaker 4: And leave Ploppy and I have work to do.
Speaker 3: Please don't do this.
Speaker 4: What changed your mind already?
Speaker 1: Is that how the kids are greeting people now?
Speaker 4: Auntie, I'm sorry, I thought you were Gem.
Speaker 1: I didn't realize you talked to Gem like that either.
Speaker 4: I don't, but he doesn't get it.
Speaker 1: Okay, let's have a little sit I brought fish cake
and you can tell me. What's got your tentacles all tangled?
Speaker 4: Some dance? I should quit division? What if what if
he's right? What if I can't do it? What if
this was all for nothing?
Speaker 1: Or look at me? Do you know why I chose you?
Speaker 4: Any meany miny moe?
Speaker 5: No?
Speaker 1: I chose you because you weren't like all the others
in your brood. You were strong, and not just in
your tentacles, but also in your mind. You didn't take
no for an answer, and you didn't let other people
tell you what to do or how to be. And
that's a hard thing in a world like this finding
that potential is well my entire life's purpose.
Speaker 4: Maybe you chose wrong.
Speaker 1: Listen, when I joined the Vision, I accepted this life
knowing I would never have my own kids and that
I would be responsible for ensuring this knowledge makes it
to the next generations. You might not finish this, but
it isn't on your tentacles to carry that burden. The
Vision will live on. Your mother knew that most octopuses
get to live their lives the way they want, each
generation a clean slate. They know nothing of who came
before them. You're special and that means you get to
know things others don't. But because of that knowledge, you
don't get to live as if life is simple and easy.
Jem can't possibly understand, and I'm sorry it has to
be this way. It is not an easy task that
we have asked of you all. I know you feel
alone in this, but there are so many others spread
across the ocean, trying their best in the shadows to
do what needs to be done. We have never been
this close, and part of that is because of you.
You're not the only one that is nearly finished. Her
time has almost come.
Speaker 4: I just wish I could show her what we've made.
Speaker 1: I want her to be proud. I know she would be. Ugh,
you are so much like her.
Speaker 4: Tell me the story of how she met my dad again.
Speaker 1: Okay, snuggle up and grab another fish cake. Let me see.
Your mother always struggled with the circuit boards. Unlike you,
she could never make sense of it. So when she
got to the upper part of the suit here, it
hit her that she was at the end. She would
not be the one to finish it, and it broke
her for a time.
Speaker 4: Oh you think a mechanical suit, it's just gonna Oh yes,
did you hear something?
Speaker 5: Shoot, I didn't hear anything. There's coming from the stock
pile room we go. I'm starving.
Speaker 4: Okay, last thing I need is ah perfect, Thank you, PLoP.
Aunt Sola was right, I can't do this. Do do o?
Speaker 5: Hi o?
Speaker 4: Hi you Okay you look a little inky.
Speaker 2: Oh yeah, just leap for a thing. I gotta go. Okay,
see you later then.
Speaker 4: Okay, PLoP, let's get this stuff back home.
Speaker 2: Last peace, and it's done.
Speaker 4: Look at it, PLoP, we finally did it. Let's go
tell Auntzilla No, I'm not scared. I'm gonna be fine.
It's the humans who should be scared. That's not gonna happen, Octavia.
Speaker 7: So this is where all the artifacts have been going.
Thank you for your help, Jim.
Speaker 2: No, I can't take it. Get off. Please give that back.
Speaker 3: Please, I'm sorry, Coral.
Speaker 2: How could you tell them?
Speaker 7: It's bad enough that you've been sneaking around and stealing
from our people, but dragging everyone into a war with
the Surface that they don't even know is coming. I
will have peace in my Octropolis, and I won't let
you get in my way.
Speaker 2: No, plup, I'm gonna get it back. They took the suit, Octavian,
her guns came and dragged it away.
Speaker 1: Stay there, I'm coming over, Chral.
Speaker 2: It was Jim, he told Octavia. He thinks he's protecting me.
Speaker 1: Shay, Hey, calm down, it's gonna be okay. We're gonna
get it back. How well, I think I know where
she's gonna hide it. Next week during the town hall,
everyone will be busy listening to Octavia give her big speech.
If you can get into her office, you can get
the suit.
Speaker 2: So this is it.
Speaker 4: Then I won't get another chance.
Speaker 2: I'll have to head right for the surface.
Speaker 1: You worry about getting the suit, I'll tell the others.
Are you sure you're ready?
Speaker 4: I am? Damn it?
Speaker 3: Watch out, Jem, what are you sorry? Coral? I just
didn't know what to do. I was scared, and I
thought by going to Octavia I could make you stay.
Speaker 4: I'm sorry I didn't listen to you, and I am
scared I might never see you again. But this is
something I have to do. Run and tell Octavia if
you have to.
Speaker 2: But I'm not giving up.
Speaker 4: I hope you understand.
Speaker 3: If I can't get you to stay, I'm sure as
heck not letting you leave. Still hating me, I couldn't
live with myself. Go be quick and please don't die.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Jem, thank you?
Speaker 8: Okay, hurry up quick, PLoP, get in, good luck, goodbye?
Speaker 2: Okay.
Speaker 4: If I were a cowardly, smelly old octopus, where.
Speaker 2: Would I put there?
Speaker 4: Welcome Coral, calerting all systems online? Would you like a snag?
Speaker 3: Sure?
Speaker 6: Hm?
Speaker 4: Hm, okay, PLoP, let's do this.
Speaker 2: Oh my god, anyone. I don't want to have an
only one that's seen this.
Speaker 4: Coming.
Speaker 2: We're gonna make it.
Speaker 9: One hundred feet ninety feet thirty feet twenty feet hold
of a candy.
Speaker 2: Services.
Speaker 4: WHOA, there's so many PLoP quick, Let's get behind that rock.
Speaker 5: Mom?
Speaker 6: Love?
Speaker 3: What would I do?
Speaker 2: Wow? Look at that sand castle. I love it.
Speaker 4: I want to build one with you.
Speaker 2: I would love to. Okay, I'll go get more water.
Bet I can beat you.
Speaker 4: There, Mom.
Speaker 2: They they have moms families, plumb. I can't. I didn't know.
Speaker 4: I don't know, yeh problem.
Speaker 1: The Reach was written by Lindsay Vaughn, starring Lindsay Vaughn
as Coral and Anthony Romanelli as Gem, featuring Moretta Mose
as Ancilla, Alisa Petrie as Octavia, d Henry Hanson as Ploppy,
Lane Lewis's octopus friend, Jordan Autumncalina as newsperson, Jonathan Harden
as counterperson, Caroline or A Huela as mother, and Lindsay
Vaughn as computer. Additional voices by Alisa Petrie, Anthony Romanelli,
Caroline Orguela, d Henry Hanson, Jonathan Harden, Lane Lewis, Moretta Mose,
Alexis m Camille m and David p This episode of
Theme Party the Podcast was directed by Lindsay Vaughn, Casting
by Lindsay Vaughn, sound design and engineering by Lindsay Pawn.
Production coordination by Lindsay Faughn. Story development by Alissa S. Deban.
The theme song for Theme Party the Podcast was composed
by Bad Machine. Episode art by Alyssa Estebon. This episode
was produced by Lindsay Faughn, the executive producer of Theme
Party the Podcast is Moreta Mos. If you've enjoyed this episode,
please consider supporting us on Patreon by visiting Patreon dot
com slash Lengthy Tangent. Learn more about this episode and
all of our shows at lengthy tangent dot com, and
follow us on social media. Our theme for this season
has been family traditions. I've been moreta Mos and this
has been Theme Party the podcast. We'll just edit that
part out Lengthy Tangent