Dances in the Shadows Podcast
2009 Halloween Spooktacular
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Below you’ll find the unedited script and show notes for this pod cast episode. Its a first for all of us here at malflic.com. We hope you enjoy it and have a safe and happy Halloween.
Malflic Halloween Spooktackular Podcast 2009
Show Notes
Our Story begins on stormy night in an ancestral family home. Every family has its secrets, things that are only spoken about in whispers if at all. Diva senses something is not quite right as she begrudgingly gets ready for a Halloween party. Somewhere between a few quiet moments and a wicked storm all hell breaks loose…
No Kidding this one is really Rated PG and Family Friendly. Oh it’s sick but not a sick joke as Malflic takes a turn telling scary stories about things that go bump in the night all in the name of a little Halloween fun. The narration and female leads characters are voiced by his own daughters Diva & Lilly (who this week decided she wanted to now be called by her middle name Kayliegh). So…moving right along.
As always you can find out more about the author at malflic.com where you’ll find his first adult oriented Novel “ It had Been Years” available for free.
This episode is a based on “Dances in The Shadows” A Fictional Story by Michael Malflic
Cast
Malflic – Host, Mark, Male Chanting
Kayleigh Malflic – Narrator
Diva Malflic – Diva & Creature
All Music and Sound Effects were Digital Juice Royalty Free Products.
Recorded on Sony Acid Software with Alesis Equipment and MXL Mics
Episode Photo “Summer Moon on a Cloudy Night” Copyright 2009 Diva Malflic
“Dances in the Shadows” Script
Malflic
Welcome to the Exercising My Demons Halloween Spooktackular. As always I’m your host Malflic. Today you’re joining us during the time of year where the modern world celebrates; or fears the dead honoring ancient pagan customs, and perhaps even the bravest of souls worry just a little bit more about what evils is out there lurking in the night. Ghosts, spirits, vampires and perhaps the most terrifying of all political candidates and social activists who are roaming the world with nefarious intentions. God only knows how much sleep I’ve lost worrying about those demented beings showing up at my door. For most of us though it’s the time of year where seemingly normal people dress up as hideous monsters, as angels, and demons and dress as sexy creatures in exotic costumes outside of the bed room. Which is nice since it makes it that much easier for the Goth kids to go out and not be viewed as Satanist freaks and real demons to roam around unnoticed. Seeing as I like the shadows and have met many of the most interesting people in them that’s out topic for today. With that in mind, In the name of all that is unholy, undead, and downright terrifying sit back relax let you imagination run wild and so we begin…. Dances in the shadows
Narrator
It was a moonless night. The kind of night where the sun gives way to total darkness just a little too quickly and the moon has all but ceased to exist. The kind of twilight where stars don’t dare to shine, not even a little and in the dead of night. No matter how dark it is at any given moment there are shadows lurking not that far away that are even darker. The house had a chill to it that meant the end of summer had most certainly given way to fall. The tree outside had shed its leaves and the bare branches cast unrelenting images of boney hands the house’s large ancient windows.
(The Phone rings)
Diva:
Hello. (pause)
I just walked in and haven’t even started to get ready yet.
(disgusted) It’ll be at least an hour.
Besides when was last time I wasn’t fashionably late.
So what are you wearing?
I don’t know Costume parties always have a way of being so lame.
OK, OK…I’ll be festive just for you.
Narrator
As Diva rattled alone though the big old house, down into the basement and back up carrying a bag filled with out of style clothes and remnants of costumes of year past. She threw them into a heap on the couch.
Picking out an outfit that reminded her of her first grade teacher
Diva
I’ve got it! (Excited tone)
I’ll come as a witch disguised as a teacher.
Narrator
It was an inside joke. Even now she wasn’t convinced that her first grade teacher didn’t roam the night on a broom stick. In truth it was a fair question considering how miserable the woman still was.
Diva
Fine I’ll hurry.
No you’ll just have to guess which one me when people arrive. And I’d better not find you frolicking with any woodland creatures when I get there!
I told you. It’ll be a surprise…but I promise you’ll like it.
Narrator
That was it the conversation was over; no fare wells no good byes. Soon after diva discarded her phone and purse, and she danced through the shadows. Up the old stairs that creaked and moaned with her every step, pausing momentarily on the landing to adjust the thermostat in hopes of taking the chill out of the air.
Diva;
Ahh. This damn place. Too hot in the summer, freezing cold in the winter and too far from everything.
Narrator: the furnace bellowed forcing gust of tepid air through the cold metal pipes and up through the floor registers. Just then a shadow in the foyer seemed to move and caught her eye
Diva; Gasp…(in a tentative voice) Hello? is anybody there?
Narrator ; but the wind just howled, and the creaks of the furnace in the old house filled the silenece while the ancient oak on the front lawn lurched ominously forward toward the house. Diva spoke out loud to comfort herself.
Diva: It almost looks as if the tree was dancing. It looked like it was dancing just like I had been in the hall way. Oh it couldn’t be.
Narrator You see it’s the things one never considers that haunts them the most. So while she drew her bath, the wild winds howled. As she sat in the candle light not actually intending to hurry the tree outside continued to sway and dance.
Then it happened.
Diva Door! (Startled voice) Hello?
Narrator: then she heard (insert foot steps)
Her mind had a way of playing tricks on her.
Diva: Maybe if I hurry I won’t be late.
Male: / Narrator: Time is nothing she had ever stopped to consider. Its relentless never ending march forward. Dive scurried quickly down the stairs. Redialed the phone. The plan was to expedite the time line. She hurried into a dress. Pulled her hair back, and slipped into to her highest heels. The all night drug store would offer her a chance to pick up a halo and wings on the way and there you have it an instant angel.
Narrator: Suddenly Diva had no desire to be alone. It was one of those moments when her mind was playing tricks on her.
Diva: it feels like some one is watching me.
Narrator she said to herself as she waited for an answer. She dialed her Phone
Phone Voice mail
You’ve reached Mark….I’m off doing I probably shouldn’t be so leave a message and I’ll ring you back.
Diva: (angry) Mark You jerk! I knew you wouldn’t answer the damn phone. Look I’m leaving now and should be there in about 20 minutes. Call me back as soon as you get this.
And quit laughing because I’m serious and on my way
Narrator: (read slowly) The shadows moved. Diva Gasped and then stood perfectly still. The floor creaked again. (tensely/nervous) She knew that noise. It was the same one the floor made when she walked over it. (normal voice) The house had been in the family for years. But it had always been rented out until she moved in.
Diva; (Scared) Who there? God Damn it I can see you moving!
Narrator: (Slowly) But on one answered back. Instead the wind just howled (3 second pause) and the rain threw itself violently against the house. Diva grabbed her hat and she grabbed her coat and she ran out into the street. She could feel someone following her. It was like the old tree was bending over to grab her as she went past.
Diva; Soaked! I’m so glad the car has heated seats.
Narrator: Once she was sure she wasn’t followed. The very second she was convinced that it was only her mind and that nothing was after her Diva made her way to the car.
Diva: (Humming a tune)
Narrator: Feeling more like herself again Diva Sung and Danced in the rain. The old tree towered over head with branches swaying in the wind and moving eerily along with her as she made her way past the side of the house. To the back, care free.
She started her car. (5 second pause)
Threw it into reverse and then pulled back toward the street. (slowly) That’s when her mind started .
Diva: Insert a long Gasp
Narrator: (Quickly/ Startled) She thought she saw an old woman…(Pause/ Slowly) dancing naked in the rain. Skinny, hunched over and skeletal. (pause) Diva’s eyes darted to the house, and then the street. (pause/ slowly) Senses tingling. (pause/ Quickly) Heart Racing!
The she saw it a branch that had fallen from the old tree. It was there in the middle of the driveway. Once again she found herself outside the car. Standing in the rain.
Diva: At least I’m not wearing any make up for this monsoon to smear. Wretched old wood.
Narrator: she said as approaching the fallen branch. (Pause/Errily ) A branch stuck out like an out stretched arm. The bark was bare and rotted. To Diva it felt like she was grabbing a dead hand.
She Felt Weak, as she pulled it to the edge of the driveway.
Her very being began to wither, her face became tired and drawn. Soon she could barely stand. And as she slumped to the ground, falling into a small hole in the edge of the garden the branch wrapped itself around Diva. (pause) and with a might shove hurled her into the garden.
Creature; Now who is wretched old wood? (insert a demented shriek and an evil laugh) Of course you danced so beautifully. But now I’ll be the one that is dancing.
Narrator: The branch now stood there in the rain. Now longer withered (pause), no longer twisted or wretched rather a woman stood there glowing like an angel in a silvery white dress long Curly hair and a radiant and obviously evil smile.
Creature; Do like my face?
Narrator: She cackled watching the last glimmer of life leaving Diva’s blue eyes. The Creature kicked dirt over what had been Diva’s body but now looked like like a broken sapling with a tuft of overgrown crab grass.
Creature You always looked so much like me. Even as a child. I’d watch you play, so young so full of life. A life that I had every intention of having once again for myself.
Narrator; Diva couldn’t move she felt like stone, but she could still hear her own thoughts. She remembered her grandmother telling tales of the old tree out front and how it was as much a part of Diva’s family as she was.
Creature: Let’s hope for your sake that Mark really does fancy a few woodland creatures.
Narrator: And with that she drove off (pause) disappearing like a ghost into the night. The image of the woman’s face still swimming in Diva’s head as she laid there not certain what had become of her or why she couldn’t move. Except with the wind.
Soon after the Shimmering creature that had left Diva arrived where Mark was. She followed the sensation of his very being to find him. Stepping out of the car and entering the build her Soft white dress and black boots glistened in the emerging moon light.
Mark: Look at her. She’s glowing, literally her skin is shimmering.
Narrator: If only he had known what he was saying. Perhaps he would have thought twice. But no he found her intoxicating as she dance across the room toward him.
Mark: You got here quicker than I imagined.
Creature: (Coyly) It felt like an eternity.
Mark: By anyone’s standards you’re early.
Creature: (speaking out loud but mainly to herself) You have no idea what an eternity is. Well at least not yet. This is a night where sick thing are lurking in the shadows. Dark things you have not yet even begun to imagine are lurking in the night. Waiting for you.
Mark: There is something so different about you tonight Diva.
Creature: Yes something beautiful and deranged. Something ancient and mystical. Magic is floating in the night. (teasingly) and the magic you can all most taste it.
Mark: actually I was thinking you might have had a few drinks already since you weren’t so uptight but sure magic. After all it’s Halloween.
OK go ahead and dance just leave me here
Narrator; and the person thought to be Diva did. She slid into the crowd, she danced perfectly the entire night. Skin shimmering, dress float like a ghost. And everyone was watching her. The night was hers and only hers. As 11:00 drew near she began to gather an assortment of women dressed as fairies, and witches. Inviting them all to leave with her and come to party that would end all parties.
Creature: There will be Dancing and music. Food and Drinks and when the moon is just right and the shadows have cast themselves perfectly against the time that has passed and the eternity that remains you will see sights like never before.
Narrator
So despite the odd invitation and the social that had made Diva seem not quite like her self they followed. As promised the house was filled with music, the bodies and souls of her guests undulated with reckless abandon. The Old Oak outside swayed in the winds casting its shadow through the windows. Across the street .
Narrator
By then the rain had long since stopped by The Party Raged on. Until in unison with the shadows of the moonlight Celestial music floating through the air she ran outside.
Creature: They’re here!
(Chanting outside)
Everyone come outside its time, its time its finally time. All of you fairies, and witches the magic is upon us
Narrator: (slowly) There were 13 men in long brown robes gathered around the tree. It seemed that they were singing but no one could understand their enchanting words. The tree still swayed with the music even through the wind had died completely.
(Deep scary voice) That’s when it happened.
Male Voice
(Almost in an evil nurse rhyme Voice)
The Chants The chants
We call out her name
From stone to flesh
I’m man again
And woman comes from barren wood
When she’s back to life where all is good
So give you souls and grant her your youth
Because while stone is forever her bones seek the truth
So Glisten in moon light skin so devine
She now lives eternal and sadly its time
To turn you to the things she is when she sleeps
Just a twisted old branch that is part of the tree
A witch a witch
Dances on air
Across the moonlight
Oh children beware
A turn of fate, a twisted truth
On a dark night when you danced in the rain
Her blood did flow is the young girls veins
Near an old tree in the wind who moved when it swayed.
She dance s again, like death in the night
And everything wrong and it just feels so right.
Narrator
The Branches fell from the trees on the party guests. They grabbed them draining their life and their beauty and their youth. The fallen branches that at first seemed like noting more than twisted old wood slowly became came human twisted wretched old women, emancipated, sullen with starvation drawn cheeks.
Narrator: The longer they held their prey the transformed into shining creatures with angelic shimmering skin that glowed. Soft white gowns and shiny black boots that glistened in the moon light more with each prolonged touch that drained the very life out of their victims.
The creatures now dancing in the night over what was now just dead wooden braches.
All the while the woman thought to be Diva held Mark to the ground with the strength of 1000 men.
Narrator
Dragging him across the drive way like a rag doll. Pushing his hand against the Branch where the real Diva sat motionless trapped in her own thoughts and screaming silently in horror. The creature was ravishing as she trust Mark against the branches of the sapling shape.
Slowly Diva regained her shape and then the creature spoke.
Creature: (gently and grandmotherly) You always were such a lovely Girl but such a hideous look you’re giving me. My Dear you weren’t there that long to be so upset. Do you recognize me? Still speechless I see. Well You do have my face I’m your great grandmother’s, great, great grand mother Nadiusehenka. Welcome to your family’s Coven. We’ve been waiting out there for you for so long.
(Indifferent / cold) Yes, about that your friends well they are all VERY dead
Narrator So remember next time you’re out on a cold, rainy or moonless night. There just might be something lurking in those shadows waiting for you. On a night where the wind howls and the rain falls down in buckets and the shadows dance you might not want to dance with them. After all its an invitation for them to join you and unless its your ancestors (long pause. Scary voice) it might not end well for you personally.
Malflic Outro
As always Thanks for listening to Exercising my Demons. I know this episode was very different from our standard fare but if nothing else it was a first and I personally hope you truly enjoyed it. I’d like to extend my special thanks to our Narrator today Lilith Kayliegh Malflic and Diva Malflic who played herself and the creature.
Some people are just holiday people. Well when your soul is a little bit tainted what better holiday to love than Halloween. After all it was 17 years ago this Halloween that the Blonde and I officially entered into our unholy union. I think the two of us are the only ones who thought it would last. Fortunately we’re the only ones who were right.
So as we celebrate the pagan holiday of my anniversary. Take a little candy from strangers, trick or treat and drive safely and of course think twice when walking alone in the night especially if you’re by a bare twisted old tree.
