EXCERPT.WSOS.REC.123020
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VOICE
Holidays are ceremonies built on ritual. Rituals are the repetitive performance of prescribed actions. And Einstein said Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. But, while we can all agree the Holidays make us feel insane it’s actually the hope nothing changes that keeps us coming back. Settle in for a long winter night owls, I’m Cass Cuffe and you’re listening to WSOS. This is the late hour. Two missing persons in Blavo Wisconsin have reopened a wound in the small rural community that had only just begun to heal. The missing? Two old friends participating in a private holiday ritual that some may call macabre. Though from the outside looking in grief isn’t always straight forward. Ghosts can haunt us in many ways- and this ghost of christmas past- had become something of an urban legend
Witness
Yeah I knew Dom back from wrestling. Good guy. normal. He had a thing for the uhm the misfits, you know, like if you were under Dom’s wing no one would mess with you. Culver (Wesley) was probably- it was lucky for him. Because, well before he and Dom got tight they would, (folks you know) give it to him pretty bad. Weird kid yeah? And Henry, the one that-yeah- but those three in particular were inseparable. The three weirdos. So Henry died you know- it’s a tragedy but that Culver kid he’s the only one there when it went down so some people… well, I don’t wanna tell tales outta school. And after that every year those two, Dom ‘n Culver go out there to – up there- the uh foothills- through the woods to the old warehouse. They meet up in Smokey’s Tavern in town- where I’d seen’m. kinda on edge- but everyone knew- they’d go up there every year round this time, just the two of them- some kinda… memorial? and Dom don’t even live around here anymore soo… I told him there is supposed to be a storm that night- but Dom says, this won’t take long. Last I saw him. Culver just came through, picked him up and drove off without a word. Dom’s car was sat there buried in the snow in front of the tavern when I came through the next morning- that’s when I got a feelin, you know, something might have happened. That place wasn’t right- warehouse. Everyone knew. Glad they tore it down- I told em… (Dom), that they tore it down too and Dom well, he just sort of smiles right… like it was a relief.
VOICE
And what was Dominic Gaines so relieved about? And what happened at the old warehouse that snowy midwinter night that caused both men to disappear without a trace. Simple misadventure, or something more sinister… Had the site claimed two more victims? A trio reunited… in death? More after a word from our sponsors. Stick to the light night owls.
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(wind and sounds of digging)
Wesley
Please Dom, there’s no time. We have to fix this now. It might be too late.
Dominic
I don’t know what you want from me, Wes!
Wesley
I just need your help. For once, please just help me.
Dominic
What the fuck does that mean?
Wesley
No, Dom, we don’t have time for this.
Dominic
No no no. We have time. What are you trying to say?
Wesley
God. Fuck.
Dominic
Say what you need to say. For once.
Wesley
God, I just, I’m not an idiot, Dominic. This whole thing, I know why you’re actually here.
Dominic
Wes, this can’t be healthy. I get paying tribute, and stopping by from time to time, but this whole tradition isn’t necessary anymore. And I can’t do this forever. I can’t keep dropping my entire life to help you live out this little fantasy once a year.
Wesley
HELP ME? Once a year you leave your family, fly your happy little ass back home, drive with me to this stupid fucking warehouse, just to disrespect Henry’s memory again and again. And that’s supposed to be helping me? What does that accomplish, Dom? What’s the goal? To shut me up for a year until we do it all over again? You’re here for you. To absolve yourself of guilt. So you can move on, and pretend like you’ve gifted the universe the right amount of karma to keep living your life just the way it is.
Dominic
I live my life because Henry can’t.
Wesley
Then go home. You’re no help here.
Dominic
It means nothing, Wes. It’s been 6 years. Move on.
Wesley.
8 years.
Dominic
8 years. I’m sorry. But honestly, that strengthens my point.
Wesley
And if it means nothing to you, then you shouldn’t be here. You’ll just make it worse.
Dominic
Make what worse? This wasn’t my fault.
Wesley
You’ve made that very clear.
Dominic
I wasn’t even there!
Wesley
HERE. Dominic. You weren’t HERE.
Dominic
Wesley, for fuck’s sake, it was an accident.
Wesley
You don’t understand
Dominic
Then make me understand.
Wesley
I already tried. Years ago you didn’t believe me. No one believed me. Honestly. I don’t even know why I’m doing this anymore. I can’t do this anymore.
Dominic
Wesley, you can’t do this anymore. You can’t hide behind some ghost story. It made sense when we were younger, but it’s time to grow up. You can’t keep thinking you’re smarter than everyone around you! Maybe if you had actually listened, and we had all done like we were supposed to, Henry would still be alive. Robbie said you-
Wesley
FUCK what Robbie said. Henry and I kept our word. You bailed.
Dominic
This was on you, Wes. You came out here, again, just like you weren’t supposed to. Again. We were warned. So we made other plans. But that wasn’t good enough for you. And Henry died. And then you couldn’t cope with what happened. So you made up some crock of shit to make yourself feel better because YOU fucked up, Wes. (loud thud) Ah FUCK. What are you doing?
(A hellish growl echoes through the air)
Wesley
Dom, I tried. I really tried to keep you safe. I tried to keep Henry safe. I just can’t do it.
(wind and sounds of a fight)
Dominic
What are you talk-What is that? WH-AH. WES GOD DAMMIT STOP. AH FUCK, GET OFF OF ME, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YO-
Wesley
DOM, STOP. IT’S TOO LATE, I’M SO SORRY. I CAN’T EXPLAIN NOW. IT-
Dominic
Wait, what the fuck is that? WES. WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON? WHAT IS THAT THING? GET OFF ME. NO WE-
CONVTAPE2MP3.HDonoghue.12.2011.ERN00848811
(laughter)
Henry
Yo, Dom- Wes say Merry Christmas-
Wesley
-Happy Hanukkah
Dominic
-Fuck you
Wesley
Why are you recording?
Henry
So when the witch of the woods gets us- rip out our entrails through our butts- they’ll have an audio record.
Wesley
Blair Witch, sick.
Dominic
You’re lame dude
Henry
Dom, say a prayer to the witch for forgiveness we’re trespassing… on consecrated…
Wesley
Yeah Dom- do it.
Dominic
Fuck a “witch” this is our hideout- she can suck-
Wesley
Oh Oh I got a prayer- (FART NOISE)
(laughter)