Session Zero Heroes - A TTRPG Actual Play Podcast
Speaker B: Jasmine, oolong, green and white. Long ago, these four teas were skilfully brewed at the Blissful Brew. Then everything changed when the shop's popularity threatened its existence. All Mr. Okuron, the shop's owner and tea master, could do was to recruit four teenage orphans to learn his trade and staff his shop. A year has passed since the orphans were hired, and although their skills have progressed, they still have a lot to learn before they can brew anything. But I believe that they have the potential to make the Blissful Brew the greatest tea shop in the world. Last time on Benders and Brews an Avatar legends podcast.
Speaker A: you're currently on the pirate ship, and suddenly you spot a massive creature swimming towards the ship in the distance. It is a massive gator shark. You look around, all of you look around. You see a variety of different things that you could possibly use as weapons nets, harpoons. Do you have bows and arrows? The grappling harpoon. There are cannons. Can I load the harpoons into the cannon? And he runs. wait a minute. Captain's Cord Grower opens the wardrobe and picks out a funny hat. I will fire the cannon, swimming intensely towards the boat. And he slams into the side of the ship, causing a massive hole to open up inside the hole. So my goal is to end up on top of them, grab a couple more harpoons. So I grab the harpoons and leave off the boat as I will take the two harpoons and just excalibur them nice. Into his neck. It thrashes in the water a couple of times. It finally just gives up. Welcome back, everybody, to another episode of, Benders and Ruse. We're on episode nine, coming towards the close of season two. How exciting is that, guys? we're sitting in the studio. What?
Speaker C: It's kind of disappointing.
Speaker A: Why do you why do you say it's disappointing?
Speaker C: Well, we're coming to the end.
Speaker A: Oh, yeah, great. Yeah, that's true. It's always kind of, like, beautiful. That's true. with me today is the full cast and crew of the show that you all know and love, and we're all going to give some interesting character facts, starting with Connor, aka Brock Lee. Yeah. Well, something we recently discovered this last week is that, Brock is extremely gullible. And, if he's told one thing, he takes it at face value. He takes anything absolutely literally. yeah. he missed a couple of shifts at the Blissful Brew, when Bill had told him that, oh, you have today off. And so Brock just took him at his word and did not show up. And he just missed it. And Mr. O'Connor got super upset. He's like, Where is Brock? Why is he just abandoned his yeah, yeah. I've got a feeling that's what Mr. Okaron probably said. I couldn't, he was furious. Yeah. He was probably not too pleased, with the old Brockster, he was on toilet duty for quite a while after that, and Bill obviously saw how much he hated toilet duty and now he's used his guyly ways to find all sorts of methods to force Brock into doing the toilet duty as much as yep, yep. Dave, aka guo, who doesn't ever get toilet duty because it somehow gets passed between Bill and Brock so often. Yeah, it's a real shame. Guo's just like, oh man, like I've always wanted to try cleaning, I don't know, didn't, I get stuck.
Speaker C: On bathroom duty for a month?
Speaker A: Well, come say come stop. If I remember correctly, you were always on bathroom duty because you were the only female staff member at the shop and therefore had to do this.
Speaker C: But I thought we made a bet.
Speaker A: There was a bet going on. That's true. Yeah, you and Bill did have a bet going and it was for yelling. Yeah, bill had to wear a wig to clean the ah. What's? What's? Bo's. Interesting fact for this week, Guo. So he has that system of food reviews he leaves. Yeah, the hieroglyphs or whatever you want to call them for. he's got that food journal that he writes his own reviews in, but he writes other stuff in that journal. like he'll try to draw the restaurant sometimes, but he's not the best at that, so sometimes he tries to paint word pictures, maybe in the form of a haiku. Oh, he's very artistic, which makes a lot of sense coming out of the circuit or carnival. Right, yeah. Awesome. Well, we'll keep that in mind in case, you had some limericks or some haikus coming our way then. Cameron, aka. Bill? what's bill's? Interesting fact bill, since he is the waiter of the Blissful Brew, he will get the occasional talk it to people who ask him questions about his personal life. which Bill doesn't really mind. so every single new person, he just tells a brand new story to real stories or fake, fake, total fake stories.
Speaker C: He's a liar.
Speaker A: And it all actually didn't start with them, it actually mostly started with Brock, because he found out through a few trial and errors that Brock is very, literal, and will take anything Bill says for face value. So Bill has told him multiple different stories and each time Brock just keeps falling for it. And so he's like, wait, I wonder if I can do this to more people. So now he does it to patrons. He finds out when people are, waiting for food and drink, they'll just listen to anything and they'll believe anything you say. It's true. I mean, if they don't know you. Exactly. So he's from every nation, he's all benders in one he's the last Avatar, but also wasn't an Avatar. He met the avatar. But convincing people you're the last Avatar, or well, the Avatar is dangerous game to play in the current climate of things. True. I'm also the avatar of Teas. One, guy really believed me on that one. Sure. I said I got a mean t. Four t concoction. Which is ironic. You don't even exactly. That's why bill really mr. Ogron is 100% the tea. I thought that one was funny. Yeah, that's Bill's fun, fact. Interesting. He's a liar. He's a compulsive liar. He's a compulsive liar. Some would say it's a fiber, but I don't think it's that. Ah. I met the avatar Michaela AK. Mika. What's the interesting fact this time around?
Speaker C: Mika is very blunt, but I feel like everybody already knows that. Well, maybe not very blunt, but she's not very nice.
Speaker A: How is she not nice?
Speaker C: Well, Mika likes know when she's know going on know meandering in the know with her dad or whatever. she likes to have water in her mouth and she'll just make fun shapes.
Speaker A: Oh, interesting. Okay, I was going to say like bilbo smoke and dandelion smoking pipes, but instead it's with like water.
Speaker C: Yeah, that works.
Speaker A: It comes out of your water skin and you do some drink, turn it into a big circle and then jump through it. So when she spits for fun, it's fine. Brock spits for fun? Oh, no, call the cops on this.
Speaker C: Know it's more cute when Mika does it. She does fun shapes at least.
Speaker A: I mean, Brock can make a pretty cool looking spit wad. It's impressive in its probably with mean. He spits it into the dust to make like little pellets. Little pellets? So he could take potshots because he.
Speaker C: Sleeps on a rock bed. Does he eat rocks too?
Speaker A: Oh, he eats for intimidation cabbage almost exclusively. That's fun fact. Yeah. Awesome. my name is Skyler. I'm the dungeon master, or game master rather. This isn't Dungeons and Dragons. but you guys have gone, or at least some of you have gone in a dungeon to whatever extent you want to define that. So definitely, a possibility. My fun fact is that I convinced a lady in Minneapolis that I was a professional photographer. Ironically, before I was a professional photographer. So if she's listening right now out there, in the great city of Minneapolis, I made it. There you go. Confidence right there. All right, let's kick things off. welcome back to another episode of of Vendors Brews. we're jumping into the story. Last time you guys were on the pirate ship, which was being attacked by a great gator shark creature and you guys assisted and yes, that's a fantastic drawing of gator shark. thank you, Michaela. And, you guys are able to fend it off, narrowly. So it rammed into the ship a couple of times, probably broke a couple of things down there, but all things considered, you're still afloat. Everybody seems happy you've had over the last couple of hours, they've sort of processed this gator shark while they continue to sail for Udao, which is your current goal at the moment. looking for somebody named Mayu Yinyu. Thank you. Very, good. Very good. Yes. Mayu Yinyu, who in your last sort of clue from Mr. Okaran and your little search for his will, he, had mentioned having an old friend in the city of Yudao named Mayu Yinyu, and he would be able to get you to whatever the next thing is that you're looking for. currently you guys are on this pirate ship and in the distance. I would assume that you guys probably rest for the rest of the night if you guys have any conditions or any exhaustion. Wait, did we just finish, speeding this gator shark? Yes. And that was just as you guys were kind of getting dinner finished up, so it's kind of getting late anyways. unless there's anything that you want to do, I would assume that you guys are headed to sleep. How am I going to sleep with no rocks to be the Captain?
Speaker C: Is Brock going to bring us all rock beds?
Speaker A: Well, how am I going to sleep if there's no rocks?
Speaker C: Well, there doesn't the captain have a stack of rocks?
Speaker A: Not anymore, there really isn't, any rocks because you're on a boat in the middle of the ocean, and rocks and water don't usually go together super well. Rocks not going to be able to sleep. Rocket is a strange sensation, having the ground beneath you moving constantly as you attempt to fall asleep. For sure. It's difficult. Guo, what were you saying about wanting to be the Captain, pretend to be the captain? well, Guo is just walking around the ship or clomping around the ship because he took the captain sack and bended the bag of rocks yes. Into two rock peg legs. It's not even just one leg is gone. You have both legs. I mean, they're there. They're just covered in rocks. do me a push your luck as you make your way around the ship, trying to make what some might see as a joke and others might be greatly offended. He also has the bigger fancier hat. Yeah, that's right. that you took from the chest. It's going to be five. It is not taken well by the crew. Maybe it's because of the fact that, the gator shark that had bit off the captain's leg, it's been slaughtered. But everything's pretty fresh in people's minds, and you are getting a lot of frowns right now from people who are looking at you as though, this is not the time. Tough crowd. you think they'd take it easy on a, disabled guy? He's like, disabled. Whatever the case. like I said, you guys get some rest. is, there any other shenanigans that are going on? No. No. Okay.
Speaker B: Hey, everyone. Skyler your friendly neighborhood game master here. Unfortunately, due to some technical issues, a chunk of the episode got lost somewhere out in cyberspace. But thankfully, it was only a small chunk that I'll just quickly summarize, so that we can get back to the show. So, after waking up the next morning, the ship approaches the city of Yudao and begins pulling into the docks, where they plan to leave the ship and our gang, along with a group of pirates led by the captain, who will follow them ashore and continue to seek out the alleged treasure. Of course, our heroes don't want these tag alongs, and so they decide to leap off the rear of the ship into the waters below and swim themselves the short distance to the wooden ship docks, awaiting for, him. And that is where we're going to pick back up.
Speaker A: All right, so all of you manage to reach the docks. You pull yourself up out of the water. there's an old fisherman looking dude, but not so much old. I don't know, maybe middle aged. Just, kind of sitting there fishing. He's looking at all of you as you pull yourself up from the dock, and he just goes, oh, I ain't never seen fish like you before. Oh, where did y'all swim in from? And Gohan quickly ducks down, pulling Dilbert out of his satchel, placing him on his head as a turtle squid hat man, like, throws his, fishing rod into the air. Terrified, clutches his bucket of fish and jumps into the water. Where are you going? He just is aggressively one handed swimming away with his bucket of fish.
Speaker C: Fish are swimming away because they're still.
Speaker A: Yeah, he probably lost a couple of them. Just takes Dilbert off his head. Good one, Dilbert. All right, where are you guys headed now that, you've managed to get away from the pirates for now? Into town. Into town?
Speaker C: Yeah, we're going to find, like, the square or something where he can go. Can stand in the mound with circus tricks, remember? She's going to come find us, take the work out of it.
Speaker A: She has no idea we're here.
Speaker C: I'm, sure she hears a story about a circus, man. She'll be curious about it.
Speaker A: When to be festered to go to her.
Speaker C: We don't even know who she is or where she's at.
Speaker A: Know her name. Yeah, we can just ask around.
Speaker C: I feel like stay in one spot, draw intention.
Speaker A: Like, if you get lost in the woods, you stay in one spot. But that means someone's looking for you. She's not looking for us. Well, actually, there are people looking for us. Yeah, actually, yeah. We should not stay in one spot. Yeah, that's even better idea. We got to move. Yeah, let's just go into town, start asking names as we go, and then when we find where she is, we can hide there. Because they don't know who we're looking for. Right. I think they just know that our key treasure is somewhere here. They think the treasure is here? Yeah. Nobody had told them the name of My. We never told them that we're going for another clue. Well, Brock kind of alluded to the idea with My best friend, that, there was a series of clues, but you never saw what the next one was. Right. Exactly. Or what you guys were looking for for this one. Which is why they wanted to keep you guys because they wanted you to help them find it. So let's just run in, start asking her. All right. So you guys quickly find the square, per se. The big bustling area. The, docks themselves are pretty bustling, but, you manage to sneak through. The crowds are very useful in kind of sneaking past the possibility of the pirates kind of watching you disappear into the city. And, now that you've disappeared into the city, you find yourselves in the squares bustling people going to and from work, small shops along the way. One thing that you start to notice is that, there's definitely become a very heavy Fire Nation population in the area. you see Fire Nation guards, you see businessmen and business women wearing Fire Nation, the red garb with the little flame insignia on them. it seems like a normal city for the most part. Everybody seems, for the most part, happy. They seem like they're going about their normal business. but you just notice that a lot of what's going on around here has to do with the Fire Nation, which is a little OD, given that you're in Earth Kingdom City. Just something to point out. is there anybody that you would like to try to ask about? Mayuyendio m maybe a shopkeeper? Maybe just a random passerby? maybe somebody like, a, know, putting some, wood board, nailing it to a house or fixing up a window? anyone in particular that you're looking to ask? One of the Fire Nation guard? Older shopkeeper. An older shopkeeper? Yeah. Is there any other tea shops or herbal ingredient shops? yeah, like an older person. You do see another tea, shop. Notice the decorations on it look a little bit gaudy as you come at it from the side. And then you kind of come around to the front of it and the sign above the door reads Hot Leaf Juice Company. Later we'll get to that. All right? You approach it and inside you see a fairly young staff. They're, all wearing I believe it was like pink is their kind of primary color that they use. They're all wearing pink aprons and they're all very slick back. they all kind of look odly the same. They look like they're individual people. They're different and such. But their hair is all kind of slicked back in the same way. they look very neutrally gendered in a sense. So you'd almost have to double take to tell if somebody was like, biologically female or male, per se, that kind of thing. It just kind of throws you off a little bit that they almost look like clones of each other to some extent, with the exception of some facial differences. Or one of them has, like, freckles and one of them has a big nose or something like that, stuff like that. But whatever the case, you approach the front counter or maybe one of the servers. Anyone in particular? Or an older person that works there. Everyone here seems fairly young. A little bit older than you guys, but not much. What about an old person who's drinking tea? Sure, there's plenty of those there. you see a variety. a handful of Earth Nation, dressed individuals wearing the kind of traditional green or maybe brown garb, depending on how wealthy they might be. and then you definitely see some older Fire Nation individuals. You don't see a whole lot of guards in this place. But the people that you do see that are Fire Nation related, they look to be like, maybe like nobles of some kind or whatever the case. Any of them playing, Bill go go insert yourself into their pie show conversation. You do this all the time with old timers. You go in looking for a person. I don't need to play a full game. You don't got to play a game, but that's how you get in. That's how you get in the conversation. I'll go over to some Earthbenders wait, before I do, I'm going to go, hey, what was the lady's name again? Mayu Yinyu. Yeah, what he said. Mayu Yinyu. Yeah. Okay, so I'm going to walk over to some Earth bends or Earth, older Earth people from the Earth Nation. And, I'm going to examine the board as I walk up to it. Okay. He's on wikihow right now. I'm trying to find out the other names, like the names for other pieces. Okay. Because obviously there's more than just the white lotus tile. Oh, I was just going to walk up and be like, hey, just in case that came up. Hey, they look really focused on their game, but you should make this move. Oh, okay. Actually, I don't think they would like that. But I don't know why I would do that, knowing older people. Okay. But actually, I will go walk up instead of doing that because I wouldn't like that. I'm going to walk up and just be like, hey, close game you got there. I was going to say, do you want to assess, the situation? Sure, I'll assess to see who's winning. Yeah, I was going to say just to see how much you can gauge. No idea. Okay, you walk up and you say, close game. And both of them pause, holding the first piece that they have to put onto the table. And they look at you and they're like, I guess it could be m what you make it. I mean, since two seasoned Pie Show players like yourselves, it's going to be a close game. One of them kind of looks at the other one and says he's making predictions because he can see that we are seasoned players. And the other one says, oh, yes, that is very impressive. That's a whole other skill set than just playing the game and being good at it. It's knowing your opponent that's half the battle. I mean, back where I'm from, I play Pi Show with a bunch of, people and most of the ones I have trouble beating are players like yourselves. and the one that didn't speak first last time, he leans forward, he says, I think he's calling us old. And he says, we are quite weathered, aren't wise. My name's Gray and this is my associate, Foe. And both of them kind of motion for you to sit with them and they're like, so you're knowledgeable about the game? Would you like to sit and watch us play? first of all, my name is Bill. Oh, nice to meet you. But I can't stay long. We're here looking for someone and I was hoping that you two gentlemen could be able to point us in the right direction for this person. Okay. They're both still kind of holding their pieces over the board. They're really attentive to what you're saying. I'm just kind of painting the picture. They're just waiting. who are you looking for? Me? Yin Yao. Was that it? Just from across the room? My Yu Yin. Yu Mink. Yeah. Just like my yu yin. Excuse me? My Yu Yin Yu. And as you say that name, they drop the piece. The pieces just kind of slide out of their hands and they both have kind of these gaping open mouths and they quickly look around. it's a good thing that you didn't actually shout. They, look around very frantically and they grab your arm and they pull you into the seat and they kind of lean in and they say, I don't know where you're from, but it is not wise to shout the name Mayu Yinyu when the Fire Nation is okay, why you're asking about him? But you don't even know him. Well, I was sent to talk to him. His name was Okaron. And one of them is like Okaron. I think I remember Okaron. he was the traveling team merchant Grey. Oh, you're right. Foe he was oh, he was a very nice man. He played pie show with us. Yes, he was very good. He was very good indeed. I think he beat you, but, I managed to beat him. Hold on, a second there. I'm pretty sure I managed to beat what I also beat me, but that's besides the point. What I need is, of grave importance that we find this my you. I'm just shortening. So they Fire Nation and they start to kind of, like, whisper to you and they're like, look, Bill, if you're an associate of Mr. Oberon, then there's no reason not to help you. he's a good man, and I believe he's close friends with Mayu. I believe he mentioned something about him performing at some event he was doing or something like that. But, it's fairly important that you not speak that name loudly or much at all in public. He is an entertainer, of sorts, very well known in these parts. Musician, actor, I think, a little bit. I don't know what these kids are up to these days, whatever the case. but he's also a leading member of the local rescue, team squadron here in Udao. rescue from what? Look around you. Can't you tell? I see fire, Nation. What are they doing? Looks like they're just patrolling the area. they are integrating into our city, taking it over through sort of a cultural takeover. It's almost like a peaceful what would you say, foe. I'm not sure what it's called, but it's a strange new method of sort of integrating with the society that you're trying to push into submission. Gentrification. Yes. Gentrification Brock, of all. I ate a dictionary, and I came across boys. Correct. Just like waistbound over here. Gentrification. Yes. they've come in, as ambassadors. They've started to integrate into the politics. They started enacting certain rules and laws that befit their purposes and their ideas. And, they're starting to kind of push us Earth Nation citizens out. So what is the Rescue squad doing? They're trying to stop them and thwarting their plans, keeping them from bringing in some necessary supplies, giving the necessary supplies to those of us well, not us. And both gray and folk kind of chuckle a little bit. We're old men. There's not much we can do, per se, but, stealing the supplies, giving it to their teams, distributing it to the other rescue team squadrons, things along those lines, generally harassing the Fire Nation and keeping them from moving forward with a lot of their larger scale plans. Well, I'm all for stopping the Fire Nation, so could you give us any hints where we can find My You? If you are searching for my Yu Yinyu? My Yu Yinyu will find you. But we need to find him, like, sooner than later. Try the performance hall, the theater. The local theater. Yes. Is that near here? Yeah. Yes, absolutely. you won't miss it. It's quite unbeat. We put a lot of work into that theater. Okay, well, that's the place to start. We'll go there. Yes. Yes. Well, thank you, gentlemen and bill's going to stand up from his seat and, reach to give them both a handshake. They shake your hand, and then, just before you let go of Foe's hand, he pulls you close. He's like. Bill, be careful. Bill. fire Nation. And is always listening.
Speaker C: They're always watching.
Speaker A: Let me think. I'm trying to think where I would respond. Bill's just going to say, Lean in. And he's going to say, don't worry, I've gotten used to that. And he gives him a wink and then walks away. as you walk away, Foe looks over at Gray and he says, I think that boy was flirting with me. They chuckle, and they go back to their pie show game or starting their pie show, but you hear Grace say, oh, wait. Oh.
Speaker C: New rule.
Speaker A: You have to go where the tiles landed. They dropped it.
Speaker D: Are you, like me, a fan of piracy or privateering, out in your DND campaign? Well, check this out. We have been working on a brand new airship combat system. That means you and your privateer crew can now take to the skies and pillage at new heights. Within this system, you will get three dimensional dynamic movement and combat rules. You'll get, a brand new updated air crew system, as well as brand new spells, items, creatures, and example airships for you to use in your campaign, as well as crews to put on them. But I think the coolest part about all of this is we have a custom ship builder application that will allow you to customize and build your very own airship. It means you and your team can have exactly what you want as you take on the skies. If you're interested in any of that, check out our Sky's efforts kickstarter here at Hermione and the Dude.
Speaker A: Snyder's return is a tabletop roleplay interview and actual play podcast. We chat with content creators from both mainstream and indie publishers, and we release actual play episodes of systems like our City of Misgame, Meddlers Monsters and Madness, and more games coming in the future. We also have a TTRPG review show on YouTube. Fly like a d six. Come and check us out. You can find us on Twitter at return snyder instagram snyder's underscore Return. You can find us on YouTube at Snyder's return discord and everywhere you get your podcasts.
Speaker B: Hey, everyone, skyler here, your friendly neighborhood game master.
Speaker A: I just wanted to take a moment.
Speaker B: To let you know that we at Benders and Brews have been working our creative juices extra hard and pushing our artistic skills to the M max in order to bring you some sick Benders and Brews merch. That's right, you can head on over to the tea public shop we created where you can snag shirts, stickers, mugs, and so much more with your favorite BNB characters on them. Grab a Chibi Mika baseball t shirt. Or maybe you want a. Broccoli mug designed with the employee Blissful Brew Tea shop logo. There's all of those and more and even more down the road when we.
Speaker A: Come up with ideas.
Speaker B: So head on over to T Public and search for Benders and Brews. Or you can follow us on social media where we'll post the links that.
Speaker A: Will be easily available to all of you.
Speaker B: And of course, if you get some of our merch, be sure to tag us in a photo of you with the respective b b swag because all of us at the studio would love to see it. Thanks for listening.
Speaker A: Let's get back to the show. All right, so you guys have, this new information. I assume they heard that conversation. Or you can kind of huddle up and relay it to them. I'm not going to make you do it. I'm just saying. Okay, perfect. So you guys head out and you kind of just start making your way down the dirt pathway. in the distance you can see a very ornate, beautiful building. it's got sort of those curly I'm not an architect, ironically, I work at an architecture firm. But it's got kind of those cool, curly, very Asian style rooftop corners. large, very tall, pointed, tiled rooftop in kind of a bright red color. The building itself seems to be some sort of, like, green stone or some sort of, you're not entirely sure. Maybe it was painted. whatever the case, there are large, fabric outdoor curtains that kind of hang from the various windows and such. It's a very classy building. there's a wall that kind of goes around it. It's not super high, maybe like 8ft or so. inside you can see there's some greenery that's very well kept. definitely feels like a very classy place. Nobody's guarding it, per se. It's kind of an open location. Nobody's trying to stop you from getting in or out, but that's what you see. Is there, like a back door, like employee entrance? Oh, absolutely. yeah, you go around the building, there's kind of like a narrow path that goes around.
Speaker C: We're sopping wet still, probably.
Speaker A: Yeah.
Speaker C: Fire Nation is going to find us.
Speaker A: Way. Four sopping wet teenagers walking. More believable because it's like, man, nobody from the Fire Nation would come walking in here drenched in water. Guo runs, up behind you guys, huffing and puffing. Sorry, guys. Had a catch up. I had to leave a pebble rating on hot leaf juice door. Was it a good one or a bad one? The lowest rate.
Speaker C: He shouldn't have left one.
Speaker A: No, that's how they know he was there.
Speaker C: Should have burned it to the ground.
Speaker A: we can't on our way back. I think that's the fire nation's job. I feel like Nika's just got a weird thing going on of wanting to burn. I'm rubbing off on her, I guess.
Speaker C: So okay, but this was very warranted.
Speaker A: Well, I just find it really funny. You're a waterbender, and you're like, I really want to burn things to the ground. I want to go outside my element right now.
Speaker C: Feige leaves more of a mark than water.
Speaker A: It can could still flood it. Flood it.
Speaker C: Okay, let's go back. I'll pull all the water from all.
Speaker A: Y'All from the TV story. You can't.
Speaker C: Is Mr. Okuron we're talking about? What do you mean? There's bigger things?
Speaker A: Yeah. The thing Mr. Okron sent us to.
Speaker C: Do, we're avenging him. He would want us to do it.
Speaker A: I don't think Mr. Okra would be, like, the last person to be, like, revenge me. I think if Mr. Ogron was here, he'd probably say, I want you guys to take him down by having a better T shot. Yeah, that's whatever the case, you, guys approach. There's a back entrance, and it's sort of like a stage left exit, kind of a can. It's got sort of like some, kind of a sign on it that says Actors Only. Well, we just got to walk through there, right? I mean, this is where I was told to go, so I feel like we have to if they try to stop us. Well, we'll just say the name. We claim sanctuary.
Speaker C: Wait, no, we will not say the name. They told us not to say the.
Speaker A: Name, around Fire Nation. So if they're Fire Nation, we won't say the name. And if they are Earth Nation, we will. And if this person if this guy's, like, in the performance scene, it's like, they'll know where to find them. It's not really good cover. Like, the Fire Nation doesn't like them, but they're a public figure. It's like so you guys step through this side door that said Actors Only, and you guys find yourself on the sort of backstage. you can hear a woman is on stage at this very moment, and she seems to be singing in a very high, sort of opera esque voice. it's not a performance. It's not like a big show at the moment. It's probably somebody rehearsing exactly. Rehearsal practice kind of thing. But, you definitely hear somebody on stage, which kind of probably shies you away from, I would hope, maybe. I don't know. I guess I'm not making decisions here for you guys, from just Walting out on a stage. But currently, you're behind the curtain. You're behind the curtain, safely away. The door blows directly, seems like, I.
Speaker C: Think, calling right there, if it was.
Speaker A: My thinking, the door typically, is for people to exit the backstage area in case they need to go up to the front. As people are coming out the door, you shake hands with all the actors, tell them you did a good job, whatever the case. it's not usually used the opposite way, where you enter backstage. Okay. But here you are. Is there anybody else backstage or is she the only person here? yes, actually, there is somebody else backstage. There's somebody, holding a clipboard and right now they don't notice you because they are very intently going through the names. and it's kind of dark back here, but you can see just past them. It seems like there's a line of other people, that has begun sort of behind them. Other women? some young, some old, all dressed in sort of, dressy kimonos. So this is like an audition of sorts? It seems it might be. So, Mika, you can go in that line. Blend in.
Speaker C: I'm literally soaking wet. These ladies are in beautiful kimonos.
Speaker A: That's your stick. Yeah, that's your stick. You're the soaking wet singer. Singer. So before every act, you have someone dump a bucket of water on you and it's like performance art.
Speaker C: I'll just use my water bending skills.
Speaker A: And try to yeah, I'm m glad.
Speaker C: Myself a little bit.
Speaker A: Yeah, just pull the water off yourself and get in line. Let us stumble our way through this mess. Okay. Then, the three of us will sit in the audience and we'll cheer for you. Shouldn't we be finding the verse we're looking for and just enjoying the show? Fine. Whatever.
Speaker C: So, I don't have to do yeah.
Speaker A: You're still auditioning? Phrase echoes in your mind from, the old men at the tea shop. If Mayu Yinyu knows you're looking for him, he will find you. See?
Speaker C: Told you.
Speaker A: Yeah. So you still have time to audition. Wait. Mayu Yinyu is a man. Oh, yeah.
Speaker C: That's what they've been saying he this whole time.
Speaker A: I wasn't sure how to insert that fact in until the moment the old.
Speaker C: Dudes yeah, you guys always said she. And I was like, Wait, he's saying he.
Speaker A: But anyways, we could just walk up to that person with a clipboard and be like, hey, we'll be for my that went super well last time. What about there's got to be some stage hands. There should be other people who aren't super intently. Oh, yeah, there's stage hand. There has to be, right? yeah, probably further back into where the line is kind of going out. I mean, there's obviously the person with the clipboard. That is probably a stage hand to some extent. Where's the green room? the green room. That's the question. All right, guys, I know what we got to do. Got to find this green room, find these finger sandwiches, and see how many we can fit in our pockets. Where are you getting the idea that there's finger sandwiches? it's a green room. They got to have a rider. Come on. Airport. All right, maybe they only have he would know the thing or two about green rooms more than the rest of them. Okay, fair enough. they have some. Yeah. All right, sounds good. So what are you guys doing at the moment? Are you guys going towards this line to try to find your way back there? Walk behind the line. Okay. He's like a random backstage person. Are you sneaking past a person with a clipboard, or are you just kind of just going for it? Walk like you own the place. Yeah, we're walking like we're heading for the line. All right, so as you guys are walking towards it, this man turns around. he's kind of an older guy. He's got kind of a long goatee that hasn't quite started to gray yet. But the wrinkles around his eyes and his cheekbones kind of protruding. Definitely suggests age and sort of frailty. he's wearing a tall hat with a little string out of it. Kind of like a what do they call a fed? Yeah. Fez. Right. Fed. He's a fed. He's a fed. No, a fez. But it's like a little bit taller than a normal fez would be. It's kind of obscure. Whatever the case, he turns around and he sees you guys, and he lowers his clipboard, and he's like, what are you doing out of line? Just keep going. I'm going. Just keep walking. Who are you? Don't even give him the time of day. Just walk right walking right back that's right. Back to the back of the line. You guys can wait till last? good. Nice hat. Ah, you have there. Did you stop? Yeah, it is a nice hat. What about it? I had a nice hat once, but I lost it jumping into the water. what are you talking get to the back of the line. Okay. And as you guys walk to the back of the line, you get some looks of disdain from the various women that are lined up, looking at you as if you're less than per se or they're a better performer. Whatever the case, you see that as you go all the way to the back, you get these. Look. What?
Speaker C: I'm a cream mom.
Speaker A: So you are auditioning.
Speaker C: You guys told me to.
Speaker A: Do you actually get in line? Are you dry at this point?
Speaker C: Yes.
Speaker A: She dried herself and not us. Fair enough. The rest of you squatch. Nika, you get into the back of this line. the rest of you start heading towards, finding the green room at backstage. Boy or girl? While we're walking the rocks that Brock has, could I bend them, into the shape of a clipboard? Because you can get anywhere with a clipboard. So that'll, give us some validity when we're walking around here. They're going to question us now. Sure. Okay.
Speaker C: You all ditched me.
Speaker A: Yes. Have fun auditioning. I'm going to take care of you guys first, and then we'll jump over to Mika real quick with the performance we don't have. Oh, it's going to be interesting. All right, so you guys find the green room and sure enough, there are a number of snacks and drinks in here. Although most of it seems to have been, ah, ever so delicately picked over for the most part. But there are definitely, ah, a little bit of this and that left. It wasn't massive, and you wonder if maybe it was there leading up to the start of the audition. So all the ladies that you passed by had probably already gone through a lot of these snacks, that were available. But, there's a little bit left. And there is one person sitting in there. it's just a young woman. she's not dressed in a kimono. She's dressed in just kind of casual clothes. She has her hair up in a ponytail. she has big rimmed glasses on. And she also is holding a clipboard. And she kind of looks up as she sees the three of you walk in. And she goes, oh, are you here for the job? Are all three of you applying? We do have multiple positions open, yeah. Oh, fantastic. Good. I was starting to worry that nobody was going to show up today. It was just going to be people for the performance. Yeah. Okay. I was going to run this as a group interview, if that works for you. Cool. All right, well, have a seat. Please. Have a seat. Since I have my official clipboard, I could just be like, oh, I was just escorting these guys here. And then can I keep looking around? you could do that, absolutely. Do you want to roll me a trick that she probably doesn't recognize you? Sure. What is that with? That is with 1212. Holy cow. so you get to pick two on a trick. They stumble, you take plus one forward and acting against them. They, act foolishly. And the GM tells you about an additional opportunity that you gain. Or they overcommit and they are deceived for some time. There we go. What was that second to last one? they act foolishly. The GM tells you what additional opportunity they give you. I think that one because that'd be the only way. They'd be like, oh, okay, cool. Guy with a clipboard. Rock shaped like a clipboard. Yeah. And then are you picking the last one too? Where they overcommit and they're deceived. So the one you're picking just means they do something silly because of your lie. Whereas the last one is they definitely are believing your lie. You get to pick two. Okay, so I'll do that. They definitely believe the last one then. Yes. So she believes that you are somebody important. In fact, are you telling her that you're somebody important? Or are you just saying, oh, I'm just here to drop them off. I'm just dropping these guys off. They were asking around earlier. she, says, ah, have you always worked here? I'm kind of new around here, but, they put me on here, and these guys came and found me and said they were looking around for you, so I just came and dropped them off. Oh, wow. what department are you in? You look like you might be an actor or something. No, I just always loved the theater, so I wanted to be involved in any way I can. So, I just started working, in the acquisitions department, where we're looking for, all those new actors and such. Well, then you and I will probably be working quite closely together. Yeah. Appears that way. Yeah. I'll see you around. I'll see you around too. And she just kind of blushes, and she just watches as you lead off, and then she just kind of looks at her clipboard. She goes and there's just kind of a very long, awkward silence. I'm so sorry. I forgot you guys were here. Oh, my gosh. Oh, my how embarrassing. all right, well, let's get this interview started. firstly, do you guys have any previous experience working within a performance facility of any kind? Any kind of events? anything like that? Of course I do. Oh, good. Oh, please do tell. I was with a traveling troop for my whole life. Oh, like a circus or carnival? Yes. Oh, very impressive. if I may ask, was there anything in particular that you worked on during this time? I was involved in most of all, the performances. Oh, wow. So you definitely had a diverse set of skills that you've probably developed, I assume, of kind of all areas, production and performance even maybe. Yes. You could say I'm a well rounded individual. rubs his belly suddenly. Well, that is quite impressive. And she kind of scribbles onto the clipboard. There we go. Goodness. Said it, like, four times. She starts scribbling on the clipboard a little bit, noting, down your amount of experience. And you said that you had no experience, correct, sir. I have none. Okay. No, that's no problem. Are you somebody that you would say is eager to learn? Nah. Oh, okay. she's a little thrown off by this it's very forward kind of answer to a very obviously, you say yes. question. may I ask, what made you want to apply for this position? Him. And I look over at GuoHan. She looks at you for a moment, and then she looks over at Guo, and then she kind of squints her eyes a little bit, and she's like, sorry, I didn't catch your names, by the way. Bill. Okay. Names? Yu. Yin. Yuma. Yuyan. Yuma. Fantastic. yuyan. Yuma. Are out of curiosity, is it a situation for both of you that, you're going to work in the theater together, or not at all? Or would one of if we were only able to hire one of you based on limitation of positions? Well, I'll tell you Bill here is great at following orders. I've worked with him a time or two. Okay, well, that's definitely a slightly redeeming quality. I'm a great worker. Oh, good. Okay. Could you list off any experience you have with working? Just in general? What experience have you had? I'm really good at picking things up and putting them down. Okay. So you could probably lift a reasonable amount. Can you lift around, five pounds? Pounds? Oh. Any more than that? Don't like to overwork myself. Oh, okay. well, the job would entail I'm good at hitting stuff. Hitting stuff. and I played it with both. We typically don't encourage any kind of weaponry on this stage during any part of the process. Not a weapon, a lifestyle. All right. so I guess last question before you guys head out. do you have any questions, for me, as far as the position goes or anything relating to the theater? No, I'm joking. Who's in charge? Well, it's a little bit up in the air right now. previously, it was, an individual. You may have heard of him. His name was Mayu Yinyu. he was a big performer here. Kind of took on the responsibility of sort of managing the theater. but he has since how do I say this, gone into some activities the theater doesn't necessarily want to directly support, other obligations, I guess you could say. But he's no longer involved. right now it's sort of a toss up between a couple of individuals who are sort of vying for the position of leader. so, I mean, that's as much as I can really say. M. So no leaders as of right now? Well, like I said, the two that are vying for the official position are kind of doing the responsibilities of the leader of the theater, between themselves. I tossed my hat, into the ring. I will note that with a man with a similar name to your former leader, I would also like to toss my hat into the ring, but I lost it in the ocean. That's funny. you guys realize this is just for backstage crew positions, right? I can, I guess, pass your names along. I did not. But only one of you has experience in anything even relating to theater work. And it's not even theater work explicitly. I know this guy. Right. well, whatever the case, thank, you both for coming into the interviews today. we will call back, potentially either of you, send you a message, or we'll find a way to reach you. That's sure thing. All right, thank you both. and as you guys are walking out, she grabs Guo's arm and she goes, and, how could we get in contact with you specifically? Is there an address I can send maybe, a letter to, about the position? If you are accepted, and I think you will be. Yeah, you can send it to, PO. Box number two In the square. Okay. All right. Thank you. Have a nice day. That's not your box. you two walk away as you guys are walking away. Brock, are you just, like, waiting outside? I think I've just kind of been wandering around looking for Mayu Yinyu, looking for any administrative looking type buildings or doors, any portraits of him so we can see what this guy looks like. well, actually, interestingly enough, rather than seeing portraits of him, you see a surprising lack of portraits in the theater, as if someone has semi recently just taken some artwork or art pieces off the wall where they used to stand. You can see even, like, there's dust around what looks like a perfect shape of a picture frame in certain spots. and then, of course, the wall behind where this picture frame would have sat is, like, completely clean. So yeah, just to imply that the artwork has since been removed, probably of Mayu Yinyu. Okay, and did, the interview lady say how long ago it was? That Yu Yinyu was, she was kind of vague about it, but based on some of the things that you've seen, you wonder if maybe it's been, like, a few weeks. Okay, can I go back into that interview room and try and talk to that lady? Okay, sure. You pass by. I mean, Brock and Guo have just come out of there, and you kind of run into, what's the what's the deal? We figure anything out about this Mayu guy? He don't work here no more. He don't work here no more. Any idea where he might be, or do I got to go in and ask some of the hard questions, with this lady? She wasn't too specific, was she? Well, no, I guess the guy used to be the guy in charge here. Okay. yeah, I'm going to go in and see if I can, get any information out of her. Okay. You step inside, and, actually, she's standing right there by the door. She was kind of, like, walking out just as you walked in, and you both bump into each other. Her glasses fall off onto the ground. Can I reach down and grab it with her, like the rom coms? Both your hands touch each other as you both reach for her glasses. Oh, excuse me. I sincerely apologize. She picks up her glasses. She puts them on. She goes, oh, it's you. Yes, it's me, you say from around the corner. She's like, oh, you two are still here. you're free to go. Thank you. Okay. I forgot to tell you one of the reasons, you might not have seen me is because I just got back from a vacation. So, Mr. Yinyu, I was looking around for him, but there's, like, no sign of him anywhere. Where has he been? Oh, when did you start he's been gone for almost a month now. It was a long vacation. I stored up a lot of PTO. How have I not seen you around here before? I got promoted. I ran straight here. She does finally know. She's been so awestruck at your looks, apparently, that she's just now noticing that you're completely soaked. And she goes, oh, what happened? Do you need a towel? Or maybe a few? Yeah, that's no way related to the other two soaking wet dudes. You just this is Skyler. Completely forgetting, as the game master, that you guys are completely like, I'm just imagining you guys not soaked in water, because that's not normal. But yep, you guys are soaked in water. Three guys show, up soaked in water, but completely independent of each other. Boy, it must be real. Hey, you know what? She is obviously somebody that much like, velma or something desperately needs these glasses.
Speaker C: Okay? But to be fair, she's been wearing them. Brock was there the first time. She's like, oh, wow. he's so cute. And then she was really thrown off by she turned his nah.
Speaker A: No. Turned to interview the two other soaking wet guys. Okay. Yeah, so funny story about that. It actually wasn't a vacation. well, it was supposed to be a vacation, but, got shipwrecked out on another island, and I had to find my way back. And then the ship went down on the way back in here. That's why I'm, she's leading you kind of to a back area where they've got, like, costumes and stuff like that, and she grabs a couple of towels and throws them at you. She's like, oh, my gosh. You were marooned on an island? Yeah, it was were you out, like, searching for talent in other yeah, they had me out in the talent scouts. oh, my I've heard it's dangerous out there as a talent scout. Yeah, it wouldn't affect it, but sure enough it's a scary position. Yeah. Yep, it is. so, yeah, it's been a while. So what happened to Mr. Yinyu? Last I checked, he was one who sent me. he she seems, like, really flustered, just kind of unsure, what to say, and maybe partially it's because she's watching you dry yourself, and I don't know, maybe that's sparking something inside of her, as your wet hair, kind of like yeah, you pull back your wet hair. he announced that during a performance, he sang a piece that alluded to the idea that he was involved in a sort of rebel organization here in the city. And apparently there were some leading individuals from the fire nation here. and they kind of picked up on his subtle message, and they were not happy. He disappeared after that. He went into hiding, I guess or, maybe they caught him. I'm not sure. It's one or the other. Well, I hope he's just in hiding. But where would they have taken him if they caught him? Oh, the Fire Nation has a very large prison structure that they've actually built kind of on the outskirts of, I guess well, thanks for the towel. I guess I'll see you around. I guess I'll see you tomorrow. Oh, that'd be great. What's your name? My name's Sonuma. Sonuma. Okay. I'm Brock. Nice to meet you. It's nice to meet you too. And she holds out her hand to shake yours. I'll shake her hand. Sure. Okay. and you shake her hand. You give her a nod, and you head back out. Meanwhile, all this is happening. Mika, it's finally your turn. As you come to the end of the line, as you kind of peek out, the two people outside there, are actually like they start to stand up as if they're ready to leave. And then, the man with the tall fez, he steps out and he says, we've got one more. He.
Speaker C: Goes I kind of stumble out on the stage and then strut to the middle.
Speaker A: Sure. You see a very rotund man, and woman both sitting out there. Of course, they have clipboards. They, are also wearing very tall fez hats. You, start to wonder if maybe this theater that's, like, part of the uniform or something. You're not sure. Whatever the case, they, both look at you intently, and the woman says, well, go on. What will you be performing for us today?
Speaker C: I'm, going to do an interpretive dance.
Speaker A: Yes. The one thing podcast can't hear just from the wings. You just hear us all go Boo. The lady says copyright. There you go. did you want music attached to this? Yeah. You look over to the right side of the stage, and there's, like, a couple of individuals with instruments. just something simple, like a strings and drums kind of stuff. Yeah.
Speaker C: And I just kind of look at them like, are you going to play something? Do you have anything specific? Literally anything.
Speaker A: Oh, okay. And they just kind of start playing like a really simple, steady beat.
Speaker C: slow, fast. You said steady. Kind of medium.
Speaker A: Yeah, sort of like slow to medium.
Speaker C: Okay. I'm just going to move my body like different watery ways.
Speaker A: Okay. Very Water tribe.
Speaker C: Yeah. So I'm going to start out, obviously, standing straight.
Speaker A: Right?
Speaker C: And then I'm just going to stick my arms up in there and just kind of wave them back and forth, following the beat.
Speaker A: Okay.
Speaker C: And then, I'll swing to the right, and I'll kind of bend that way and flow some more and then go to the other way. And then I'm going to go down to the ground and kind of do a worm, but more, What's the word?
Speaker A: Graceful. Okay. let's see. Ah, I want to say probably rely on your skills and training. Seems like the best thing to do here. Nine. Nice. Okay, so with the seven to nine, you do it imperfectly, but you can mark a fatigue to ignore any consequences. I, can tell you what those consequences could be first.
Speaker C: No, I'm going to mark it. I'm just going all in.
Speaker A: Okay. All right. Because you want to make sure this performance works. Okay. You're starting to get out of breath, but you're committing to this dance and it is interpretive. they are absolutely flabbergasted as they watch as you do these wave motions to the point where you seem like you are water. And they see these the clothing that you're wearing. It's not the fancy kimonos that the other girls were wearing. It's something, that really suggests water. Tribe and so they're seeing this pairing of the attire mixed with the cultural forms that waterbenders use and they're astonished. Honestly, they're really blown away that you would bring this performance here. they weren't expecting it and they're really impressed. they both stand up, they give an applause. The guy in the back of the stage, he's watching with his tall fez, weeping. He is weeping. A tear is going down his eyes. He just takes his clipboard and uses the paper on the clipboard, like the bottom corner to just kind of dab at his, under his eye. He goes, that was beautiful. It was beautiful. they clap and they say, that was quite impressive. I've never seen anything like that. I've never seen anything like that before, but it was incredible. I could see this. This right here is a performance that'll bring in the yes. please, ma'am, your name? What is your name? We would love to sign you on to perform. Paid. We will pay you to perform.
Speaker C: Even my, name is.
Speaker A: Mika. They've come up on stage. By this point, they're shaking your hand. It's an absolute treat to meet you, Mika. Please. Where in the world did you come from? What did you learn to dance in such a way?
Speaker C: I'm just very in tune with the water.
Speaker A: You absolutely are. Please. Yes. and all of a sudden, as they're getting excited and everything like that, of all things, an owlcat flies into the meter and swoops down low, just past the heads of this man and woman that are congratulating you. And they're very startled. They're throwing their hands up, swatting away at it. How did this creature get him to help? And the man kind of standing off to the side with the tall feathers. He goes, oh, I'm so sorry, ma'am. I'll find a broom. And he runs off into the backstage to go get a broom. And they're all swatting. And the creature, sort of flies low and you notice a small piece of paper fall from one of its talons.
Speaker C: Well, I'll grab that.
Speaker A: Awesome. Okay. You catch this piece of paper and at the moment, with everybody swinging and the craziness going on, it doesn't quite feel like the time to read it. but I mean, all things considered, it flies away now that it's dropped this note and disappears from the theater, leaving the three of you on stage. I've never seen such a thing. How did it even get in here? Ma'am, I sincerely apologize. MIGA we have never seen something like that in our theater before. We will assure it never happens again.
Speaker C: No worries. No worries at all.
Speaker A: So, can we expect to see you again? We're holding a small gala tonight. We would love to have you there, meet, some of the other performers, just a little soiree get together, and hopefully maybe even be able to see an encore performance, sort, of a thing.
Speaker C: Yeah, I might be able to swing that.
Speaker A: Oh, wonderful. Wonderful. It'll be at 08:00 p.m.. Tonight. Do please be there. We'll have food, drinks, it'll be a very good time.
Speaker C: You got it, dude.
Speaker A: Oh, wonderful. And, they thank you again. And, they kind of, like, lead you to the back of the theater, kind of to the front doors or whatever the case, where you see the rest of your colleagues is still quite a bit soaked, except for Brock. He looks quite dry, all kind of standing there waiting for you.
Speaker C: Okay. I look pretty proud of myself and m more happier than I have in the last couple of days.
Speaker A: Right on. Awesome. Did you get the job?
Speaker C: Did I get the job? Is that even a question? I asked it as questions, obviously, Brock.
Speaker A: I got the, I mean, you can just chill here and earn some money and we'll go find what's his face, right?
Speaker C: Oh, I don't have to be here till eight. they're having a parte. Well, oh, wait, guys, I also got a note. This weird, like, outcast thing just came swooping in and dropped something and I picked it up.
Speaker A: What's it say?
Speaker C: I, haven't read it yet. I'll read it now.
Speaker A: Okay, so you open up the note and you're surprised at the amount of writing that's on it. It's in very fine print, but it's also very well written, very nice handwriting, and, it reads so you want to speak to Mayu? Unfortunately, we, the Udao faction of the Rescue Team Squadron, will need to see proof that you're not a Fire Nation spy by hitting them where it hurts in a way that no Fire Nation sympathizer would dare to do. Luckily for you, I'll give you a choice between the three. Pick one and attach it to the owl, and we'll send the details for the task. Do the task and we'll tell you where you can talk to Mayu. And you see three bold options below. One, sabotage. Two, steal three, break free. I think it'd be easy to sabotage something personally. We only have to do one overachiever. Sorry.
Speaker C: I guess yeah, that'll work.
Speaker A: Sabotage. You already want to burn down half.
Speaker C: The city only hot leaf juice.
Speaker A: Well, we can do that on our way back. Maybe they want us to sabotage hot leaf juice.
Speaker C: Yes, I'm Goldman.
Speaker A: Let's go. Even if this owl is slap it back on. Yes, we just circle the one we want to do, and then they'll give us instructions. Where's the owl? I mean, do you circle sabotage? Sure, why not? That sounds easy. As you circle sabotage, you look up because you hear a noise, and it's a that was my best owl cat sound. As the owl cat swoops down and lands on sort of just like a pole, like a part of the wall that's outside the theater. and it looks down at the note, and it says, throw it.
Speaker C: You just have to tie it on his foot.
Speaker A: You do notice there's a small string on its foot.
Speaker C: I'll tie it since I have it.
Speaker A: You have the note. Okay, fair enough. MIGA ties the note to the owl cat. It's hungry, and it flies off oh, never mind. So, it turns out that, Yinyu guy, he's not here. He's either he's an owl cat. No, he's either in hiding or he's in prison.
Speaker C: probably in prison.
Speaker A: Probably in hiding. Break the tie. M Maybe he's in prison hiding. Yes. Last place David looked for him, he's the prison janitor. He's hiding in prison. Hiding in plain sight. Whatever the case with that, we're going to end episode.