Below we present the complete text of The Fall of the Technomaster; episode 6 of The Reanimator’s Revenge.
THE REANIMATOR’S REVENGE
EPISODE #6 – THE FALL OF THE TECHNOMASTER
by Philip Craig Robotham
Cover Illustration by Miyukiko
Edited by Margaret Wilkins
Copyright 2013 Philip Craig Robotham
Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) Edition.
This play is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) International license. This play may not be commercially reproduced, performed, or sold. Non-commercial production, performance, and reproduction are allowed under this license so long as attribution is maintained. No derivative content or use is allowed. It can be freely shared in its current form (without change) under this license. If you would like to purchase one or more copies of this work (for your own personal non-commercial use, or to help financially support the author) then please return to https://www.weirdworlstudios.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Other works by this author can be found at the author’s website: https://weirdworldstudios.com or through select, online book retailers.
Serial #4: The Reanimator’s Revenge
When visiting the Star City Penitentiary Trent Stone and Tess Carter encounter an old gypsy woman who warns them that the city is facing imminent destruction. An investigation of her claims leads the pair to the City Cemetery where they are attacked by shambling reanimated corpses bent on tearing the city apart. Before long large sections of the population are succumbing to a mysterious sleeping sickness, martial law has been declared, and the dead are tearing the city apart building by building. Trent and Tess must race against time to introduce an antidote into the city’s water supply and face down the villain before the city is completely destroyed. Will they be able to uncover the secret behind the undead plague and bring it to an end? Tune in to “The Reanimator’s Revenge” and cheer as the conflict between Trent, Tess, and their arch-nemesis reaches its thrilling conclusion.
Episodes in the Host Your Own “Old Time Radio Drama” series are designed to provide a fun dinner party experience for 6–8 participants. Read along, taking on the role of one or more of the characters in the story, and listen as the exciting drama unfolds. This is the theater of the mind, where the special effects are only limited by your imagination, and your participation will build a memory that you’ll treasure for years to come.
THE REANIMATOR’S REVENGE
CAST LIST
NARRATOR: The Narrator
TRENT STONE: Our hero and adventurer
TERESA CARTER: Our heroine and reporter
THE TECHNOMASTER: Arch-villain
FRANK WRIGHT: Mayor
WALTER DOOGAN: Police Commissioner
USHER: Usher
MESSENGER: Messenger
SFX: SFX operator (1 required)
SCENE 25: EXT. THE STREETS OF STAR CITY (TRENT, TERESA, TECHNOMASTER)
793. MUSIC: [93] OPENING THEME – LET IT FINISH
794. NARRATOR: Having infected much of the populace with a plague, destroyed much of its infrastructure and released an army of the dead upon its streets the Technomaster flees towards the last step in his long-planned revenge. Now our heroes, Trent and Tess, give chase… riding on the backs of their own reanimated, dinosaur, steeds.
795. SOUND: [15] WALLA — HEAVY GALLOPING OF STAMPEDING DINOSAURS CHARGING THROUGH THE STREETS — ESTABLISH AND UNDER
796. TRENT: (EXHILARATED) YeeeeeeHaaaaw!!!
797. TERESA: (STRUGGLING TO BE HEARD ABOVE THE NOISE) This has got to be the craziest thing you and I have ever done.
798. TRENT: Riding a herd of left-over dinosaur skeletons after the Technomaster? It’s working, isn’t it?
799. TERESA: I’m just glad Filmore knew of a few that had been left behind for us. I don’t think we’d ever have gotten out of the pumping station without them.
800. TRENT: They did make fairly short work of that ring of corpses guarding the fence, didn’t they?
801. TERESA: (SICKENED) Don’t remind me. I don’t think I’m going to be able to sleep with the light off for about a month.
(BEAT) (WINDED) Ugh! You couldn’t have picked something a little more comfortable for us to ride though, could you?
802. TRENT: Quit your whining. It’s just like riding a really big horse.
803. TERESA: If by “horse” you mean a raging Triceratops with no skin and a nasty disposition, I suppose you’re right. But I’m still not going to be able to sit down for a week.
804. TRENT: There. There. When this is all over I’ll buy you a cushion.
805. TERESA: You’re all heart! (BEAT) How do these Electronic Disrupters work anyway?
806. TRENT: Turn it on by twisting that knob at the back. After that, it’s just pointed and shoot. Brace yourself though, they pack a surprising wallop.
807. TERESA: Sounds good.
808. SOUND: [78] ELECTRONIC DISRUPTOR GUN POWERING UP
809. TERESA: Hey, is that the bank coming up.
810. TRENT: Yeah. That’s it. Can you make out what’s happening?
811. TERESA: Well, it’s been collapsed, like everything else around it. There are dinosaurs surrounding the ruin in a large circle — and inside (BEAT) — inside there are corpses loading crates with — I think that’s gold bullion.
812. TRENT: Any sign of the Technomaster?
813. TERESA: I can’t see — no, wait! There he is right in the middle. He’s still on the T-Rex. I just couldn’t see him till he came out from behind that tall pile of rubble. Do you have any kind of a plan?
814. TRENT: Break through the ring of dinosaurs. Destroy the control box. Capture the Technomaster. Save the day!
815. TERESA: I don’t know, Trent, that sounds a little thin to me.
816. TRENT: Yup. Me too. (BEAT) Yah!
817. SOUND: [16] WALLA — GALLOPING CONTINUES BUT ACCOMPANIED BY ANGRY ROARS AND CLASHING IMPACT OF DINOSAURS RUNNING INTO ONE ANOTHER — GALLOPING FADES AND SOUNDS OF DINOSAUR COMBAT TAKES ITS PLACE — ESTABLISH AND UNDER
818. TRENT: John, give it up. This is over. We’ve got you covered.
819. TECHNOMASTER: (INCREDULOUS) What? You? Again? I think not!
820. SOUND: [79] ZAP OF ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE FROM THE TECHNOMASTER’S DISRUPTER GUN — UNDER
821. TERESA: (SCREAMS IN PAIN AND SURPRISE) I’m hiiit!
822. SOUND: [28] BODY OF TESS STRIKING GROUND AS SHE IS BLOWN OFF THE TRICERATOPS — LET IT FINISH
823. TRENT: Tess! No! (BEAT)
(TO TECHNOMASTER) You’ll pay for that, John!
824. SOUND: [80] EXCHANGE OF FIRE FROM DISRUPTER GUNS — SOUND OF DINOSAUR FEET SHUFFLING FOR ADVANTAGE, SNORTS, ETC. — PLAY UNTIL 827
825. TRENT: Almost! If I can just hit that box on the T-Rex’s back.
826. SOUND: [81] ZAP OF DISRUPTER GUN AND SMALL EXPLOSION OF SPARKS AND POPS AS THE TRANSMITTER IS DESTROYED — LET IT FINISH
827. SOUND: [82] GROANS AND SOUND OF COLLAPSING BODIES AS WELL AS THE SOUND OF DINOSAUR BONES COLLAPSING INTO PILES — INCLUDES SOUND OF GOLD BRICKS BEING DROPPED AND SCATTERED — LET IT FINISH
828. TECHNOMASTER: You fool! You’ve destroyed my transmitter!
829. TRENT: And with it your only mode of escape.
830. TECHNOMASTER: Well, I guess I’ll just have to improvise.
831. SOUND: [72] CLANK OF PROSTHETIC LIMBS AS THE TECHNOMASTER MOVES OVER TO WHERE TERESA LIES
832. TECHNOMASTER: Is this your little friend? Come here, girl, I haven’t killed you yet. On your feet!
833. TERESA: (SCREAMS IN PAIN) Aargh! Let me go!
834. TECHNOMASTER: I’m going to get away from here, Stone! I’m going to get away again and then I’ll be back for you — and next time I won’t fail. And if you try to stop me, this one will die!
835. TERESA: (GROANING) Aargh! Trent?
836. TRENT: You let her go now or I’ll shoot you where you stand.
837. TECHNOMASTER: I don’t think so, hero. You can’t be sure you won’t hit the little girl. Face it, this is a stand-off. You can’t win!
838. TRENT: Really? You’ve killed a lot of people today, John — all to cover a bank robbery. You know you almost had me with your “master criminal” act! But in the end you’re nothing but a common thief! I can’t let you go. There’s no way out for you!
839. TECHNOMASTER: (FULL OF CONFIDENCE) You won’t risk the girl. No matter what you say. I have my arm around her throat and this disrupter gun pressed against her forehead. You’ve got no choice but to let me go.
840. TRENT: (CONVERSATIONALLY) Tess? (BEAT) Bite his arm.
841. TERESA: (BITING NOISE)
842. TECHNOMASTER: (SURPRISED BY PAIN) Aargh? Nooo!
843. SOUND: [81] ZAP OF TRENT’S DISRUPTER GUN — UNDER
844. TECHNOMASTER: (SCREAMS) Aaaaaargh!
845. SOUND: [99] SPARKING OF TECHNOMASTER’S PROSTHETICS SHORTING OUT AND COLLAPSE — LET IT FINISH
846. TRENT: Don’t even think about it, John. That shot took out your electronic legs and Tess is clear of you. You’re going nowhere except jail.
847. TECHNOMASTER: No! Let me go! I can still…
848. TRENT: No, John. It’s jail for you. You’ll be penned like an animal and then, most likely, you’ll be executed. You’ve killed hundreds today, John, possibly thousands. You’re going to answer to the law.
849. TECHNOMASTER: (MUTTERING TO HIMSELF) No! No! This isn’t how it ends. I can still… I can still…
850. SOUND: [81] ZAP OF TECHNOMASTER’S DISRUPTER GUN — LET IT FINISH
851. SOUND: [97] TECHNOMASTER SLUMPS TO GROUND — LET IT FINISH
852. TRENT: Damn it, Tess! He’s killed himself.
853. TERESA: (GROANS) Ugh!
854. SOUND: [100] TESS FALLS — LET IT FINISH
855. TRENT: Oh no. Tess! Tess, are you alright?
(BEAT) Tess, can you hear me?
(PAUSE)Oh Tess! I never got to tell you… I never realized…
856. TERESA: (COUGHS AND SPEAKS WEAKLY BUT FONDLY) You idiot! Check for a pulse before you declare me ready for a coffin next time.
857. TRENT: (RELIEVED) You’re alive! Thank God.
858. TERESA: (IN PAIN) Yeah! But I don’t think I’m too good all the same.
859. TRENT: You’ve lost some blood — and there’ll be some scarring. We need to get you to a hospital in order to know much more.
860. TERESA: (WINCING) If any are still standing. What about the Technomaster?
861. TRENT: He’s dead.
862. TERESA: (PAINED) For sure this time? I don’t want him coming back for us again.
863. TRENT: Just a second. I need to use the shovel.
864. SOUND: [83] STEPS, SOUND OF SHOVEL CUTTING THROUGH SOMETHING SOFT YET CRUNCHY, FOLLOWED BY SOMETHING ROLLING AWAY — SOUND OF STEPS RETURNING — LET IT FINISH
865. TRENT: Yep. It’s for sure. (BEAT) You know Tess… when I thought you were dead…
866. TERESA: (TALKING THROUGH THE PAIN) It’s alright, Trent, I heard you. I feel the same way. I was just waiting for you to realize.
867. TRENT: Ahuh? Come on. I’ll carry you. The dead have all collapsed again but it will be a little while before the anti-toxin makes its way through the water supply and frees the living victims. After that, this town’s going to need some major rebuilding. In the meantime we need to find you some medical attention.
868. MUSIC: [85] (BRIDGE) NEUTRAL SCENE ENDER — LET IT FINISH
SCENE 26: INT. MAYORAL RECEPTION (USHER, TRENT, TERESA, MAYOR, DOOGAN, MESSENGER)
869. SOUND: [17] WALLA — MURMUR OF VOICES, STRING QUARTET IN BACKGROUND, CLINK OF GLASSES — ESTABLISH AND UNDER
870. USHER: This way sir, ma’am. Up the ramp and stop just to the right of the Mayor.
871. TRENT: Thank you, doorman. (BEAT) Are you up for this, Tess? You know, you’ve only been out of the hospital for a day or two.
872. TERESA: Stop acting like such a mother hen, Stone. I’m fine. I don’t even need this chair that you all keep insisting I get pushed around in.
873. TRENT: Yeah, well. That was just a bet to see how long we could keep you there.
874. TESS: (SHOCKED) What???
875. MAYOR: (FADE UP) And now it’s my great pleasure to introduce our city’s saviors, Trent Stone and Tess Carter.
876. SOUND: [84] HUGE APPLAUSE AT DISTANCE — ESTABLISH AND UNDER
877. TRENT: Here goes.
878. SOUND: [107] SQUEAK OF WHEELCHAIR BEING PUSHED UP RAMP
879. TERESA: (EMBARRASSED) No wait. At least let me…
880. SOUND: [84] APPLAUSE RISES TO FOREGROUND THEN FADES
881. MAYOR: And here they are: Teresa Carter — still recovering from her injuries — and Trent Stone. Thank you both so much for coming.
882. SOUND: [84] MORE CHEERS THEN FADE OUT
883. MAYOR: In the weeks since the attack on our city, the worst disaster in our history, we have begun and pressed on in the great task of rebuilding our homes. With one third of all standing structures either destroyed or seriously damaged, a death toll in the thousands, and a clean-up and repair bill that will cost untold millions of dollars, I would not have been surprised if this disaster had spelled the end of our city. In fact, were it not for the heroic individuals we are here to honor tonight it is quite possible that there would have been nothing left of our city at all.
884. SOUND: [84] RENEWED CHEERING THEN FADE OUT
885. MAYOR: And well it is that we cheer, but let’s not forget that these two before us, Teresa and Trent, are representative of something more. During and in the aftermath of this tragedy, thousands have come together to give aid and help wherever it has been needed. Unsung, unheralded, and many times unrecognized, you, the people of this city, your neighbors, and many you might never have had cause to associate with have risen to the challenge of helping one another and creating community in the midst of tragedy. I, for one, want to thank you all.
886. SOUND: [84] CLAPPING THEN FADE
887. MAYOR: The Technomaster is dead, his reign of terror brought to an end by the bravery and determination we have gathered together to bear witness to today. In a moment I will hand over to our esteemed Police Chief, Commissioner Walter Doogan, who will distribute these citations and medals to our honored guests. I would like to take a moment, before I do so, to acknowledge the work of Catherine Filmore and the staff of Filmore Labs in helping to develop the counter-agent to the sleeping toxin that was introduced to our water supply. I also wish to acknowledge the immense investment undertaken by Rodriguez Industries in the rebuilding projects that have begun all over Star City.
Without further ado, I give you Commissioner Doogan.
888. SOUND: [84] MORE CHEERING AND FADE
889. TRENT: (STAGE WHISPER) I bet this is gonna hurt the old bird’s pride.
890. TERESA: (STAGE WHISPER) Not as much as it’s gonna hurt yours when you get laid out by a girl after I get out of this chair.
891. DOOGAN: Ladies and gentlemen, it will come as something of a surprise to some of you that I am here today to do the honors in this ceremony. I know that I have been one of the most outspoken of opponents regarding the vigilante activities of the League of Adventure Seekers. (BEAT) My position hasn’t changed.
That said, it would be churlish of me to refuse to recognize the bravery and service of the individuals before us. They have shown the kind of civic-mindedness and courage in the face of adversity that serves as an example to all citizens everywhere. As such it is my genuine pleasure to award them these citations of valor and give them these medals for great service done to our community. Trent, Teresa, I present these to you with profound thanks — thanks shared by an entire city and expressed here today.
892. SOUND: [18] WALLA — MUSIC RISES AND CHEERING RISES AGAIN — ESTABLISH AND UNDER
893. TERESA: Well, who’d have thought it?
894. TRENT: Who indeed?
895. MESSENGER: (THROUGH THE CHEERING THRONG) Mr. Stone, Miss Carter… I have a telegram.
896. TRENT: Oh, really. Thank you.
897. MESSENGER: No problem, sir.
898. TERESA: A telegram? Who’s it from?
899. TRENT: It’s from Miriam Ribbinsberg. It reads “CRISIS AVERTED. STOP. WELL DONE. STOP. THE WORLD OWES YOU A DEBT. STOP.”
(BEAT) Well, Tess, it’s nice to be appreciated.
900. TERESA: Still, you better not enjoy yourself too much. There is a little reckoning coming between you and me yet you know? I still owe you for tricking me into this wheelchair.
901. TRENT: All the more reason to enjoy things while I can.
902. MESSENGER: I also have a note that was to be couriered into your hands.
903. TRENT: More fan mail? Let me take a look.
“Dear Dupes, (BEAT) Hmmm!
(WARILY) Lest you feel too proud of yourselves, I thought I would let you know you have helped me achieve all of my goals. Pray, I never make such fools of you again.
Madame S.
PS: Don’t let yourselves worry about John Whistler’s old things. Apparently, he recorded everything: his researches — both magical and mundane — his formulas, and the schematics for his inventions. Such information is just too dangerous to leave lying around in a police evidence locker so I’ve taken it upon myself to see that they are looked after properly.
TTFN.”
904. TERESA: Madame Sofia! I’d forgotten all about her. It looks like she’s out of jail.
905. TRENT: Yes, and it looks like she’s gathered up all of the Technomaster’s bits and pieces.
906. TERESA: Do you think she’s much of a threat?
907. TRENT: Maybe, but not on a global scale or we would have heard about it from Miriam. Still, I’m sure she could do a lot of mischief with the materials she’s taken.
908. TERESA: What do you think? Should we start chasing down clues to her whereabouts?
909. TRENT: Tonight? No, tonight let’s celebrate. Besides, the Metro is opening again this evening. I thought — in light of our newly discovered mutual regard — I might ask you out for a drink. What do you say?
910. TERESA: You know, that sounds suspiciously like you’re asking me on a date?
911. TRENT: I think that I am.
912. TERESA: (BEAT) Sounds good! (WRYLY) Do you think the Metro has wheelchair access?
913. TRENT: (GROANS) Ugh.
914. MUSIC: [91] (BRIDGE) IRONIC SCENE ENDER — LET IT FINISH
915. MUSIC: [93] (BRIDGE) CLOSING THEME — ESTABLISH, FADE UNDER, AND CREDITS.
CASTING SHEETS — MAJOR CHARACTERS
NARRATOR: Hello, I am your narrator. I introduce the cold stormy nights on which our stories take place, the dark alleys, and darker personalities who inhabit the lonely city. It is my job to set the scene and establish the serious tone of suspense and intrigue that will carry the story forward. It is also my job to remind listeners of what came before in a calm, trustworthy voice and ensure that everyone is oriented to where we are and where we are going.
FRANK WRIGHT: I am the Mayor of Star City. I have worked hard to achieve my position and I am proud of my city. Now, in its darkest hour, I am acting to see that all we have worked for is not lost. I genuinely believe that a democratic people working together can achieve anything and I have been thrilled to see that such confidence has not been misplaced.
TRENT STONE: Hello, I’m Trent Stone, Adventurer. I’m always in command of the situation (except perhaps, when it comes to Tess — who can easily throw me for a loop). I say things like “indeed,” “hmmm,” and “I see” a lot and speak in a way that friends of Clark Kent would find very familiar. I’m smart, observant, and quick to use my fists when required, but never impulsive. I sound like Joe College but I’m blue collar through and through. My lack of higher education is something of an embarrassment to me — but I’d never let on.
I’m aware of Tess’s flirting and occasionally I wonder if it’s more than just a way to keep entertained on the job — mostly I just ignore it and keep on working.
TERESA CARTER: Hiya. Everyone calls me Tess. I’m the take-no-prisoners sort who can hold her own in the man’s world that is the concrete jungle of Star City. I’m college educated but have a mean right hook. I’m a reporter by training and a stickybeak by inclination — this tends to get me in trouble. Curious, playful, and smart, that’s me! But I’m also painfully honest, easily moved by the troubles of others, and as protective as a tigress of my friends. I secretly have a thing for Trent — who’s a bit of a stuffed shirt and easily embarrassed by flirting. We both pretend it’s not there for the sake of the job, but I can’t help occasionally feeling a bit wistful.
WALTER DOOGAN: I’m Walter Doogan, but you can call me Commissioner — or sir. I’ve worked hard to get where I am and I’ve had to boot a lot of heads along the way. There’s no such thing as a free lunch and, if you cross me, you’ll absolutely live to regret it. I’ve a mean streak a mile wide and I’m well practiced at keeping those mealy-mouthed politicians and bleeding hearts out of the business of protecting people from the low-life who roam the city. There are three things in this world that I hate: politicians, criminals, and vigilantes.
TECHNOMASTER: You think of me as a villain, but you know nothing of what I’ve sacrificed. I was on my way to greatness when the Great War came along — a research scientist and inventor par excellence. I did my part and signed up, but a bullet in the back put an end to my days on two legs. (BITTERLY) A bullet in the back, mind you! I was hit by a stray bullet from our own side. And when I returned? Well, I was an embarrassment. I received a letter of thanks for my service, a medal — in the mail — and a tiny pension. That was all the thanks I got from my country.
No one wanted to hire a maimed researcher. I lost my home, my lab, the respect that was rightly mine, everything.
I have suffered a great injury at the hands of Trent Stone and Tess Carter. I am badly burned and full of a desire for revenge — a revenge that will leave thousands dead in its wake.
CASTING SHEETS — MINOR CHARACTERS
MESSENGER: I’m just a kid really, hawking newspapers, all enthusiasm, and energy. When I get a tip, that just makes my day.
USHER: Not much of a job really. I just tell people when they go on stage — or come off — and guide people to their seats. I’m polite and sometimes I even get to meet some celebrities.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Philip Craig Robotham grew up in a house full of books and has held numerous jobs as a teacher, computer programmer, graphic and web designer, an e-learning consultant and, most recently, writer. He currently lives in Sydney, Australia with his wife and two sons. When he was younger and fitter he enjoyed martial arts, but in recent years his hobbies have tended towards more sedate fare (board games, movies, books, and role-playing games).
He is extremely grateful for the encouragement he receives from his biggest fans — his wife and two boys — all of whom read and enjoy his scripts and in general make his life worth living.
You can contact the author regarding performance rights (or simply to say hello) through his website: https://weirdworldstudios.com.
Don’t forget to check out the free sample portions of our titles at https://weirdworldstudios.com/product-category/our-products/.
This post and all its content is copyright © 2013 Philip Craig Robotham and has been released under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) license. This play cannot be reproduced, shared, or performed commercially without the written permission of the author. The production of derivative content, merchandise, or creative works and materials is expressly forbidden under this agreement. However you may share, reproduce, and perform this play freely so long as authorship is acknowledged, no money changes hands, and the play is not modified in any way.
The Reanimator’s Revenge
- The Reanimator’s Revenge – Episode 1 – Jail Cells and Graveyards
- The Reanimator’s Revenge – Episode 2 – Scientists and Laboratories
- The Reanimator’s Revenge – Episode 3 – The Attack Begins
- The Reanimator’s Revenge – Episode 4 – The Transformed Metropolis
- The Reanimator’s Revenge – Episode 5 – The Pumping Station
- The Reanimator’s Revenge – Episode 6 – The Fall of the Technomaster
