Speaker 1: Content Warnings for this episode are listed in the episode description.
Listener discretion is advised. The collection of Boira Graves. Episode
four is The Library Card by Lindsay Fawn.
Speaker 2: Now, slowly release yourself from Hong Kastle morning a second
to check in with your inner dark and acknowledge it
and thank it for bringing you balance. Breathe in, encourage
your body to come forward.
Speaker 1: I hear it, and I have no interest in playing
their game today.
Speaker 2: Stay and shadow.
Speaker 1: I am quite all right to wait it out. Thank you.
Speaker 2: Now, slowly unfold your body, sitting down on your shroud and.
Speaker 1: Graveyard see Kiki. No need to fuss ourselves over it and.
Speaker 2: Into corpse popse. We shut our eyes and imagine the
earth falling over them.
Speaker 3: Hello, I'm Nancy. I live two houses down. I just
wanted to apologize for my boy. They just have so
much energy. I can't seem to keep them inside or
still for more than two seconds.
Speaker 1: Please, it is quite all right. It really was no bother.
Speaker 3: No it was, and I'm so sorry. I've told their
father if he doesn't keep them occupied for the rest
of the day, I was going to drain our bank
account take his truck to California, change my name and
restart my life. Oh and I brought you some cookies.
Speaker 1: Would you like to come inside?
Speaker 3: I would love to.
Speaker 1: Hey, why don't we go have a seat and enjoy
these delectable looking cookies.
Speaker 3: What a lovely home you have and so clean?
Speaker 1: Oh thank you. Please the seat, and watch out for Kiki.
She can be quite intrusive.
Speaker 4: Thank you.
Speaker 3: Oh wow. I could never keep knick knacks out like
this with those boys running around.
Speaker 1: I have collected these items over my lifetime. They are
very special to me, each with its own story. I
could share one with you if you'd like.
Speaker 3: Oh, that would be lovely. I never get to just
sit down and interact with other adult human beings.
Speaker 1: You do certainly have your hands full.
Speaker 5: Ah ah, just.
Speaker 1: What I was looking for. This here is a very
old library card. It belonged to a woman named Ruth.
She too needed a little escape. Let me just ah,
there's my tuning fork. If you're ready, I now present
to you the library card. Like many housewives of the time,
Ruth enjoyed a good romance novel.
Speaker 6: The Road to Norwich was long, and at the end
of it my future. The future I neither asked for
nor want. My father traded me like a prized mayor
to Lord Green, a man I had never even met
my entire life, was hastily thrown into a chest before
the ink had dried on my marriage agreement, and held
into the back of the carriage only slightly more forcefully
than I myself was thrown. Being the youngest of two
sons and four daughters, my mother was happy to see
me finally out of the family home so she could
focus her time and attention on what actually mattered to her,
my brothers and their children.
Speaker 4: Good morning, Ruth.
Speaker 7: Did you have a nice weekend?
Speaker 6: I did, thank you and yourself.
Speaker 7: Oh. I took a drive up to see my mother
and had a nice little visit.
Speaker 6: Oh, how lovely it was.
Speaker 7: She's getting up there in age, so I try to
go as often as I can.
Speaker 6: Of course, I lost my own mother last year.
Speaker 7: I am so sorry to hear that.
Speaker 6: Oh, thank you. Well, I won't keep you. I started
an exciting new romance novel that I'm dying to get
back to.
Speaker 7: Ooh, I love a good romance which one I believe.
Speaker 6: It's called The Golden Ring by.
Speaker 7: You know what.
Speaker 6: I don't know who the author even is.
Speaker 7: I don't think I've heard of that one. I need
to talk to Fred about adding new books without telling me.
I see a very confused looking young man in the
periodicals who may need my help.
Speaker 6: Of course, please come find me.
Speaker 7: If you need help with anything.
Speaker 3: I will.
Speaker 6: Hm ah, there you are.
Speaker 8: Now?
Speaker 6: Where was I stop? Yelled the coachman from the front
of the carriage.
Speaker 4: What is it?
Speaker 6: Why have we stopped? I asked, peeking my head out
through the front curtain. The light glinting off the thief's
blade was the first image my eyes caught, and I
quickly pulled my head back inside. Panicked, I fumbled through
my belongings for the small dagger my father had given
me before I departed. Just as my fingers found the handle,
the carriage door swung open. My eyes widened as I
stared at the intruder, frozen in fear, unable to draw
the dagger and defend myself.
Speaker 9: Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt.
Speaker 6: You, his voice said calmly. Who are you, I demanded?
Speaker 9: Just a fellow traveler, he.
Speaker 6: Said, with a slight laugh. He glanced down at my
trembling hand and reached out to hold it.
Speaker 9: I told you you don't have to be frightened. Let
me take what I came for and you could be
on your way.
Speaker 6: As he pulled his hand away, he slipped the large
golden ring from my finger. Still frozen, I watched as
he dug through my bag. Outside the carriage, I could
hear someone rifling through the rest of my belongings. The
faint sound of the coachman pleading drifted in through the
open door.
Speaker 9: Thank you, ma'am, said the thief.
Speaker 6: But he didn't leave. His eyes lingered on mine for
a moment longer. My chest rose and fell sharply with
each breath, and I struggled to compose myself. His gaze
dropped slightly before he finally pulled himself away and closed
the door. I hesitated, then pulled the curtain aside to
check if they had gone, before daring to check on
the coachman. Oh, good evening, darling. How is work?
Speaker 10: What's for dinner?
Speaker 6: I made your favorite part roast. I used your mother's.
Speaker 10: Recipes, so my mother was almost as bad a cook
as you are. And look at the state of this silver.
You're home all day? Why can't you manage to polish these?
Speaker 6: I'm sorry, I will do it first thing tomorrow. How
are you enjoying the pot prost?
Speaker 10: Please also make sure my blue shirt is pressed tonight,
of course. Oh this is Ralph. Yeah, he wants to
cash out now. That idiot is going to be kicking
himself in a week. Okay, okay, I'll talk to him tomorrow.
Speaker 6: Everything, okay, don't worry.
Speaker 9: I'm not going to hunt.
Speaker 6: I'm sorry. What did you say?
Speaker 10: I said, don't worry about it. You wouldn't understand any
of it. I'm sure.
Speaker 6: I was wondering if maybe we could take a trip
to the shore this weekend and watch the water.
Speaker 10: You know how trips like that get you all worked up.
We can have a lovely weekend right here at home.
I don't see a need to go anywhere.
Speaker 6: I do hate being stuck in the house all day.
Speaker 10: The pot roast wasn't bad. You're improving. I'll be up
in my study if you wouldn't mind bringing me a
brandy Good night, dear.
Speaker 6: Of course, Good morning, ruthe, good morning. I couldn't wait
to get back here today.
Speaker 7: How come you never check any books out? That card
lets you bring things home?
Speaker 6: You know Ralph doesn't approve of any of this. He
thinks books give women ideas.
Speaker 7: Oh, they certainly do. That's exactly the point I do.
Speaker 6: Hear a dashing thief calling my name, and I have
plenty of ideas in that regard.
Speaker 4: Enjoy.
Speaker 6: It is going to take a lot to get used
to such a large house. Mary, my personal attendant, followed
me to my bedchamber, like she followed me everywhere, Lord
Green insisted. I stopped at the door and turned to her.
Thank you, Mary, But I think I will prepare for
bed myself tonight. Yes, my lady, she replied politely, followed
by a curtsey. It's going to take a lot to
get used to that as well. I opened the door
and immediately noticed something strange. The curtains were billowing inward
from an open window, a window that had been firmly
shut when I left for supper. Cautiously, I stepped inside,
peering around the door frame, half expecting some one to
jump out from the shadows. But something on the bed
caught my eye. The lantern flickered and a flash of
metal gleamed on the pillow. I closed the door behind
me and crept forward. My heart skipped a beat. It
twas my ring and beneath it a folded note. My
hands trembled as I picked it up and read the words,
written in a precise, confident hand, you are worth more
than gold. I rushed to the window, hoping to catch
a glimpse of the intruder. I thought I saw a
flicker of movement, a dark shape vanishing into the trees
of the edge of these state grounds. But I couldn't
be sure. My mind flew back to the carriage, the
thieve's hand on mine, the way he had looked at me,
and now he had returned my ring. Why would he
do such a thing? I couldn't sleep. The window whispered
through the cracks on the old window frame, carrying with
it the scent of damp earth and baked bread from
the kitchens below. I lay on the grand bed, staring
up the canopy overhead. Every sound startled me. A creek
in the hallway, an owl in the distance. My thoughts raced.
I got up across the room and pushed the curtains aside.
The moon hung low and full above the trees. Estate
was still, and then I saw him. He was standing
just beyond the tree line, motionless, as if he had
been there for hours. A silhouette, long and lean, half
shadowed by the moonlight. I couldn't see his face, but
I felt him watching me. Shiver ran down my spine.
I should have called for someone. I should have been afraid,
but I wasn't. I stayed at the window, staring back.
I'm not sure if I was hoping he would leave.
Come closer, Ruth, Ruth, can you hear me?
Speaker 1: Oh?
Speaker 4: Sorry, I.
Speaker 6: Guess I was a little lost in the book.
Speaker 7: I've got to close up the library now.
Speaker 6: So what Oh, dear, I need to go. Sorry, dear,
I lost track of time. I ran into a friend Addie.
Speaker 9: Did you get my letter?
Speaker 1: I did?
Speaker 10: You did?
Speaker 4: What?
Speaker 6: Huh?
Speaker 10: Ruth?
Speaker 6: Oh, I'm sorry about dinner. It won't happen again, I promise.
Speaker 10: Oh, I'm sure. Bring it up to my study. I'll
eat alone tonight, of course.
Speaker 6: Dear, right away, let me take what I came for.
Speaker 11: I'm not going to are you you come back cruise?
Speaker 6: Just leave it at the door, okay, I'll just be
in bed, good night.
Speaker 11: I'm not going to you.
Speaker 5: Who are you flying to me?
Speaker 4: Oh?
Speaker 2: Hi?
Speaker 10: Route?
Speaker 6: Where where is it?
Speaker 3: Where?
Speaker 5: Where is it?
Speaker 6: The sound of a twig snapping brought us back to
the real world. I looked around, expecting to find my
husband standing over us, looking down at his half dressed
wife wrapped around another man, But there was no one.
The forest was quiet and still. I turned back and
rested my head on theo's bare chest. His breathing was
still heavy, but he began to slow. As I stroked
his arm, my mind drifted back to that day in
the carriage, his fingers sliding down my hand, his dark
eyes staring into mine. I traced my hand down his arm,
feeling for the ring I placed on his little finger
so many months ago. I slid my hand down further again.
He asked, with a small laugh.
Speaker 9: You usually running off by now.
Speaker 6: Lord Green won't be expecting me for some time. He
doesn't bother me until he sends an attendant to fetch
me for Subba.
Speaker 9: I feel such rich when I think of him touching you.
He pulled me.
Speaker 6: Tighter, kissing my neck. Then let's stop talking about him,
I replied, pressing in closer. THEO grabbed my shoulder and
looked me in the eyes.
Speaker 9: I would do anything for you, anything, please.
Speaker 6: They are not this again, and you're hurting me.
Speaker 9: We can run away. Take what we can and start
a new life.
Speaker 6: I wriggled from his forceful grasp. I have told you
before the world doesn't work that way. This needs to be.
Speaker 4: Enough for you.
Speaker 9: Is it enough for you?
Speaker 6: I turned my eyes away, not wanting to meet his gaze. No,
but I don't have a choice. He moved in closer
and stirred even more deeply into my eyes.
Speaker 11: Tonight, I will wait for you in our spot at
the edge of the forest. We will start our new
life together.
Speaker 6: A silence passed between us, heavier than before. I listened
to the wind shifting through the trees, to the steady
rhythm of his heart beneath my cheek. See you said
nothing more. He just held me tighter, as if he
could keep me there with the strength of his arms alone.
And for now I let him try.
Speaker 7: Ruth, Ruth, Hey, are you okay?
Speaker 6: Oh okay, yeah, I just I came to see theo bo.
Speaker 4: Ruth.
Speaker 7: I am worried about you, but I don't have a choice.
Speaker 4: What what choice?
Speaker 2: Oh?
Speaker 6: I'm sorry, I didn't sleep well last night.
Speaker 7: There's something wrong. You've been staying later and later lately.
Do you need me to call someone, maybe your husband?
Speaker 6: No, Lord Green can't know about this. I mean, I
just please don't worry. I'll be fine, Ruth. You're scaring me, Beverly.
I appreciate your concerns for me. You're such a dear friend.
I'll just be over there.
Speaker 7: Everything is fine, okay, you know I am here if
you need anything.
Speaker 6: Lord Green hadn't yelled, he hadn't struck me. He simply
looked at me with quite disgust and started to walk away.
You can't just keep me looked up in here, I shouted.
He turned back slowly, his hands still on the door handle.
I don't think you understand, he said, voice low. I
could do much more than lock you in your room.
After what you've done. There was something in his eyes
I hadn't seen before, not rage, exactly, something colder. Final.
He stepped toward me. I moved back, instinctively, trying not
to let him see the fear creeping in. I was
a fool to think I could trust you. I won't
be making that mistake again. He reached for my arm.
I jerked away.
Speaker 9: Don't touch me.
Speaker 6: He grabbed harder this time. I fought him, ned scraping
at his sleeve, and he pulled me close his breath
hot against my cheek. That boy, he said through his teeth,
We'll hang for this. I'll see to it myself. No,
I gasped, you wouldn't. I twisted hard, breaking from his grip.
As I straightened, I slipped my father's knife from the
top of my stocking, praying I wouldn't need it. But
he lunged again. His eyes widened as he froze, inches
from my face. A warmth spread between us, blooming from
where my blade.
Speaker 5: Had pierced him.
Speaker 6: He collapsed, the thud echoing.
Speaker 5: Through the room.
Speaker 6: I stood frozen, the only sound as the wind against
the window panes. I waited for him to move.
Speaker 9: He didn't.
Speaker 6: I sank to the floor, trembling. I hadn't been too,
but it didn't matter.
Speaker 9: He was gone.
Speaker 5: And I was free.
Speaker 11: Mm hmm, confinely.
Speaker 10: I want you, Ruth Ralph.
Speaker 6: Oh, I'm sorry, I I I was just taking a rest.
Speaker 10: What is this? Where did you get this? When do
you have a library card? Have you been going there?
What have you been reading? How did you even get
a library card without my signature?
Speaker 2: Can't you keep me?
Speaker 8: Walked up in here?
Speaker 10: I am your husband, I can and I will won't.
Speaker 6: Keep me from him.
Speaker 1: Who who have you been seeing?
Speaker 8: Answer me?
Speaker 10: Do not walk away from me.
Speaker 6: I can explain everything.
Speaker 4: Ruthie, put that down.
Speaker 9: What are you doing?
Speaker 6: It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you.
Speaker 10: Give me the knife.
Speaker 8: Oh you're almost.
Speaker 5: Hm, I can't find me.
Speaker 6: I ran down through the kitchens and out to the
back door. If I could just get to theo, everything
would be okay. I breached the door and felt the
cool evening air on my skin. I hadn't noticed before
how hard my heart was racing, but now I felt
as if it would beat right out my chest. I
stopped to catch my breath, looking back up at the
window where Lord Green lay dead. I'm sorry, I whispered,
knowing he couldn't hear me. I never wanted it to
end this way. I turned back around and quickly headed
toward the tree line at the edge of the estate.
I left at the fountain and then lay right at
the large rotting stamp. Almost there he Nervous excitement welled
up in my body as I got closer to her.
I knew would be waiting. The clearing came into view,
and I quickened my pace, breaking through the unkempt shrubs,
my last barrier to freedom. I twirled around, looking for
my beloved. The moonlight reflected off something laying in the
center of the clearing, not tightened in my summer. I
could feel my heart beat in my throat. I approached
the small shining object, hoping that I was wrong, but
I wasn't. The forest was quiet and still.
Speaker 1: Beverly found Ruth's body the next morning. She was already cold.
From what I can gather from old newspapers and public records,
no cause of death was ever determined. Ralph's body was
discovered later that day.
Speaker 3: Holy shit, I'm sorry, but wow, oh that poor woman.
Speaker 1: It is one of the more tragic pieces in my collection,
to be sure.
Speaker 3: And what was with that book? Do you have that too?
Speaker 1: I tried to find the book for safe keeping, but
none seem to exist with that title and story.
Speaker 3: Well, I think that's enough spookies for one day. I
should go check on the boys and make sure they
haven't killed each other yet. Bad joke.
Speaker 1: Of course, you are welcome back anytime, even if you
just need a place to hide out for a little bit.
I promise nothing here is going to whisper back.
Speaker 4: Thank you.
Speaker 3: It was lovely to meet you.
Speaker 1: You as well, take care.
Speaker 3: It was nice to meet you too, Kiki.
Speaker 12: Oh you know, Kiki, I do have an item from
two little boys who also didn't listen to their mother.
Maybe we invite them in next time they come ringing
and give them a little scare. I know, I know
I can't do that, but wouldn't it be so worth it?
The Library Card was written by Lindsay Vaughn, starring Alisa
Petri as Moira and Shay Strong as Nancy. Featuring Alissa
Hood as Ruth and Evelyn, Marcia Dunbar as Beverly, Anthony
Romanelli as Ralph, Nick Slawerski as Theodore, Jonathan Harden as
Nancy's husband, and Isaac C and David C as Nancy's kids.
Directed by Lindsay Vaughn, Assistant directors Jonathan Harden and Elisa Petrie.
Casting by Lindzay, Sound design and engineering by Lindsay Fawn.
Head writer for the Collection of Moira Graves is Jada Mendoza.
Theme song by Jordan Horban, Episode art by Alyssa Esteban,
Production coordination by Alisa Petrie, Story development by Alyssa Esteban.
The Collection of Moira Graves is produced by Moretta Mose
and Lindsay Faughn, and the executive producer of the Collection
of Moira Graves is Alisa Petrie. If you've enjoyed this episode,
consider supporting us on Patreon by visiting patreon dot com
slash Lengthy Tangent. Learn more about the Collection of Moira
Graves and other shows at lengthy tangent dot com, or
by following us on social media links in the show notes,
this has been the Collection of Moira Graves presented by
Lengthy Tangent.
Speaker 9: We'll just edit that part out Lengthy Digent