February 16, 2022 • 27 mins
In the fall of 1997, Hastings, New Hampshire is a sleepy town. But when someone graffitis the town square, fourteen year old Maxine Miles decides it's her job to figure out who did it. But before the day is done, there's an even bigger mystery for her to solve...For cast and crew information, transcripts, and more please visit maxinemiles.com.
MAXINE MILES is written and directed by Lauren Shippen and is a production of Atypical Artists and iHeart Media. This new YA mystery from the creator of The Bright Sessions and head writer of Bridgewater is an audio drama with heart and wit that involves the audience in a way no fiction podcast ever has. Follow @atypicalartists on Twitter and Instagram and sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date with the clues.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Maxie Miles is a production of A Typical Artists and
I Heart Radio. While appropriate for all ages, Maxie Miles
contains mod language, depictions of adult character, smoking, and instances
of danger. M hmm, wonderful, m hm hm hm Okay.
(00:49):
Ship from a Typical Artists and I Heart Radio. You're
listening to maxim Miles. This is chapter one Hastings Happy,
(01:40):
Happy Monday. We're almost their most The annual Hastings Harvest
Festival is a mere week away, and what a festival
it's going to be. This is the big one, the
Big five, almost as old as me and I won't
be the only piece of Hastings history there. We've honored
(02:00):
the original then from nine and we'll be hanging it
over the town square. Which brings me to a grim
bit of mayoral business that I have to address this morning.
We discovered kind of get a bit close, aren't we.
(02:21):
If I leave in the next two minutes, I'll be fine.
I guess I'm making these eggs for no one then, sorry, Joe,
just take an apple or something at least, So, did
you sleep past your alarm? No? I was up early
working on the first quarterly for Environmental Club. Oh Hey,
you got more kids to join? Well no, not not exactly. Well,
(02:43):
then it's a dumb rule. I don't see why you
need ten students to sign up in order to make
a club. It's not my fault. No one else cares
about the environment. Principle Jennings can't stop me from distributing
important literature about the climate just because I don't have
an actual club. Maxie know, I know, don't harass the Principle.
You're not going to get any calls from him this year,
(03:05):
I promise good. You know most people get calls from
the Principle because their kids are in trouble. You should
be proud of me. I am proud of you, Max,
But your poor middle school principal when entirely gray in
three years coincidence, and you've got a fresh start with
this one exactly. And he's already coming around to my
way of thinking. I just know it. He's just used
(03:27):
to being caught up in soccer and whatever the archers want.
That never mind, it's fine. I'm not going to get
caught up in Hastings high politics. I'm going to focus
on what really matters. You'll be home for dinner tonight.
I'm going to the library after school, but I'll be
(03:48):
home after And are you going to be doing your
homework or spending time on the internet. I can do
research on the internet. It counts as schoolwork. I don't
know about that, Joe. It's nineteen. One of these days
you're going to have to learn how to use the internet.
I gotta good you too, Oh, Principal Jennings, Can I
(04:23):
come by later to talk about the environmental club? Now
is not a good time, Maxcine. I know that's why
I said later, get to class, Maxine. I've still got
five minutes. Did you hear that? Principal Jennings is a
great shirker of responsibility, still giving you crap about environmental club.
(04:46):
It's a stupid rule. You know. If you said you
were going to join, I bet I could get ten
people to sign up before home room. Listen. I care
about the environment too, you know I do. But between
the school paper and the fact that my dad still
pushing in after school job at the quarry, I just
don't have time for anything else. Jennings is gonna come
(05:06):
around eventually. I know you will. You've got that right.
He has to listen to me about this or what
You're going to annoy him to death? Shut up? Ross.
I was talking to Riley, so did you guys hear?
I was just about to tell her what what happened?
Someone spray painted the town square? What? Yeah, with all
this anti Hasting stuff, Hastings as hell, wasting way and
(05:31):
Hastings the Archers are assholes. Yeah, there were a couple
of specific Archer ones. Ransom Archer is a liar? Whoa
what that one was actually on the Atticus Archer statue.
Someone's clearly got a beef. Are you guys talking about
(05:51):
the graffiti? Oh? Hey, theo Hey what? I don't get
a hello? Hi, Jenna. Can you guys believe that something
exciting actually happened in Hastings? Nowhere yet? But apparently the
mayor is pissed? I mean, are you surprised? How has
(06:11):
been mayor for like a thousand years and nothing like
this has ever happened before. Do you think they're going
to cancel the Harvest festival and miss a chance to
go on and on about how Hastings is the backbone
of Americana? I doubt it. Some of us actually like
the festival, Ross, Maybe those of us still living in
the sixth grade. Come on, none of you were planning
(06:36):
on going and do what a hay ride Bob for apples?
I mean there's lots of stuff. The bookstore always does
have priced books. THEO. You like that kind of thing, right?
Oh um? I mean we are kind of too old
for most of this stuff now right, I'll probably be
(06:59):
going Max. Maybe we can meet up. Yeah, yeah, that'd
be nice. Thanks Riley, Riley, are you coming? Ye? See
you guys? By THEO? By? What do you want? Teller? Nothing?
(07:22):
Just surprised you didn't have a million questions about the graffiti.
What are you talking about? Seems like you're kind of thing.
What makes you think you know what my kind of
thing is? We've been next door neighbors since we were
two in Locker neighbors since the sixth grade. I think
I know you're pretty well at this point, and I
know you love sticking your nose in town business. Physical
(07:43):
proximity doesn't automatically equal emotional closeness. But I'm right, aren't I?
By Ross, I heard they've already got a cleaning crew
on it, So if you want to get a good
look at it, you should go right after school? Whatever? Ross,
(08:17):
how long is this going to take I need this
cleaned up now. We told you, Mr Roger, we gotta
get to the roads and the wall first, then we'll
get to the statue. This is my great grandfather right here.
Do you realize how long my family has been in
this town. We built Hastings and Mayor Hall is in
charge of Hastings and he wants the roads cleaned up first. Hey,
(08:39):
how long have you guys been cleaning this place up?
Since this morning? There was that much? Or they're working
extremely slowly? There was that much? Was it all anti Hastings,
all in the same handwriting? I don't know, kid, I
wasn't taking notes. Oh I see it's Max right, um, yeah, yeah,
(09:02):
you're that kid that likes solving little mysteries and stuff. Right,
I've been known to help out. I'll give you twenty
bucks if you can find out who vandalized our statue.
That's okay, I don't want your money. What why? What
time did you get into town this morning? Mr Archer? What?
Oh about? And all of this was already here right?
(09:23):
Obviously Hal apparently discovered it this morning on his usual
six am power walk. Did you notice it when you
left the tavern? Last night. How do you know I
was in the tavern? Were you? Yes? No, it wasn't there,
or at least if it was, I didn't notice it.
And what time was that? Eleven thirty or so? I
(09:43):
thought the tavern closed at eleven on weeknights. When your
name is on it, it closes whenever you want, right,
and the message it seems up pointed. Yeah, I'll say,
can you think of anyone who might want to call
you a liar? Publicly? Very publicly? Whoever they are, they'll
(10:04):
have to contend with my lawyer. Yeah, you figure out
who did it? Yet? Why does everyone automatically assume I'm
trying to figure out who did it? No, not yet.
I want to help me ask around town. Can't I've
got to go to the mayor's office. Could you tell
him to speed up his cleaning crew. Sure, I'll get
(10:25):
right on that. I don't get smart with me. I
was come on, seriously, you're gonna do the planters before
the statue? Okay, I guess that's the end of our conversation.
That guy is such a dick. Riley, what you're going
to disagree? He was being sort of helpful. At least
(10:45):
I know that the vandals did this after before six am.
Really tight window there, Max, It's a start. Why are
you going to the Mayor's office? Um, just an interview
for the paper. You're doing a piece on mayor how No,
just general town stuff. The new mining project, the fiftieth festival,
the new innkeeper. Oh yeah, I heard about that. I
(11:06):
can't believe someone actually bought that place. Apparently she's from
New York, like the city. That's what I've heard. Wow,
that is so cool. One d years. That's all old.
The statue is if my father sees this will all
be a deep ship. I can't believe that that is
the guy who's going to inherit half this town. Maybe
(11:29):
he's not as bad as as what he seems his
dad as the way he's always behaved. Okay, fair point. Sorry,
I don't mean to. It's it's just frustrating. You know,
the Archers care so much about their stupid family legacy.
The Archer line that stuff just isn't important. Family is
(11:51):
what you make it, not who you share DNA or
last name with. Are you okay, Riley? Yeah? Sorry, I'm fine.
Just sick of this place. I get that. You what
come on, Max? You love Hastings. It has its charms.
Only you could be looking at anti town graffiti and
(12:12):
complimenting the town at the same time. You really always
see the best in things, don't you. You say that
like it's a bad thing. I gotta get going. Good
luck with your interview and good luck with your mystery. Thanks,
see you tomorrow. Hey, Max, don't ask me how I
(12:33):
know this, but the graffiti wasn't here at one am.
Might help you tighten that window. Wait what Riley? See you?
Nancy Drew? Excuse me? Do you have any books on
(13:01):
the history of the area. Yes, that shelf back there
is our Hastings history section, mostly old newspapers and pampus
from town events, though there are a few books in
the mining industry in the Archer family, one of the
founding families of the town. Oh great, thank you, that's
very helpful. Do you have any maps, old maps especially,
it would be helpful. Maps won't help you learn the
(13:23):
place very well. Now. We may not be on the
cutting edge, but Hastings has changed through the years. Oh
it's um. I just moved into the old inn and
I'd love to get my hands on the original blueprints
if I could even what the street used to look
like would be a great help. You're the new owner
of the maple Thorpe and yes, Alana Honeywell, nice to
make your acquaintance. It's delight for the meet miss Honeywell.
(13:45):
That's a great property. It is. You can find blueprints
at city Hall. I'm sorry. If you're looking for old
blueprints of the Maplethorpe, they'll have them at city Hall.
I'm sure may Or how would be happy to help
you personally. He's a really nice guy and he loves
of all that town history stuff. Well, thank you, yes,
thank you, Maxine. This is Maxine Miles, one of our
(14:08):
more precocious residents. That's a new one. It's lovely to
meet you, Maxine Miles. I'm Alana Honeywell. You're from New York.
I am how did you know? As I said, precocious.
It's a small town and I've lived here my whole life,
so I see. Well, Maxine Miles, it is extra lovely
(14:33):
to meet you. Then. I've only been here about twelve hours,
but I've gotten the distinct impression that I'm the first
new person in Hastings in a million years. Something like that.
I could very much use a guide one Hastings, New
Hampshire Guide at your service. You've only been here twelve
hours something like that. I got in late last night.
(14:56):
The inn is right on the town square, Yes it is.
Do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions.
I'm Hume in the kitchen. Hey, can I have dinner
(15:17):
in my room? Well? Hello to you too. Why are
you Are you feeling okay? Oh? Yeah, I'm fine. I
just have a lot of work to do. You can't
take half an hour to eat dinner at the table.
Did you hear about the graffiti in the town square. Yeah,
I saw it on my way into work this morning.
Mayor Howse said he might delay the festival if they
can't figure out who did it. So let me guess
you're going to figure it out. We think about it.
(15:39):
It was almost certainly a high schooler, I mean, pretty
juvenile prank, right, So they probably used spray paint taken
either from the theater department or the mines, which narrows
things down considerably. Based on the interviews I've conducted, the
graffiti was most likely sprayed between one am and five am,
which means that it's probably someone who lives in a
short walking distance to town or has a call are,
(16:00):
because who's going to walk a mile in the middle
of the night, in the middle of October to just
spray paint some rude phrases that they must have known
would have been power washed away in a second. Plus,
Miss Honnee Well said she saw two people in town
Square last night around midnight, one of them wearing what
she thinks might have been a letterman jacket, though she's
not sure because obviously she doesn't know what our school
colors are yet. But if she is right, then I
(16:21):
would bet my life that one of those people was
Cody Thompson, who lives right off of Main Street and
whose brothers started working in the quarry last month. I mean,
some of the graffiti looked like the same color as
the stuff they used to make the markings for the
detonation spots. Now I can't be sure, because by the
time I got to town Square half of it was
already washed away. And I don't know who the second
(16:42):
person is yet, but I'm close, and I think if
I just spent some time looking through the yearbook, I'll
be able to piece together how on Earth It's been
a very productive day who's miss Honeywell, she's bought the
old Maplethorpe in She just got to town yesterday from
(17:04):
New York City. I met her at the library this afternoon.
She's beautiful and smart and way too cool to be
in Hastings, of all places. I didn't even realize that
old place was even on the market. I guess someone
in her family knew Mrs Maplethorpe. I think it was
one of those private deals. I don't know. Anyway, You
(17:25):
see now how much work I have to do, so
if you don't mind, Oh, come on, Max, the Combs
are coming for dinner. I at least like what. Well, yeah,
Walt and I set it up when we were playing
cards last weekend, and THEO Combs is coming here tonight.
I thought you liked THEO. What who told you that? No?
I don't. I don't like THEO. Wait? What He's not
(17:47):
a bully? Is he? Because not that I'd expect that
from Walt's kid, but I hear that's a real problem
in schools these days. What. No, THEO is not a bully.
He's he's really kind and smart, and he's sensitive and
he's got Oh I see you like THEO. What No,
that's great, Like I knew he was a good kid.
(18:08):
Oh my god, I'm not. You can't. I do not
like THEO. It's okay, I won't. I won't. I won't
tell um though. You know, if you two wanted to
go and get some hot chocolate after dinner, that would
be okay with me. You're almost fifteen and freakishly responsible
as long as you aren't gonna well park anywhere. I
(18:29):
am going to sink into the ground and die if
you don't stop talking right now, right right now, okay,
and I'll stay out of it. Oh that must be them.
I should open the wine, Max, Can you get the door? What? No?
I have to I can't, So THEO. How's your freshman
(19:03):
year going? It's going okay, Thanks for asking, Mr Miles.
You can just call me Joe. Right. You're enjoying your schoolwork. Yeah.
We're doing Frankenstein in English right now. So that's pretty cool.
Oh I love that book. Max. You didn't mention you
were doing Frankenstein. Oh yeah, we started it last week.
It's okay. Not a fan of horror, Maxine, No, it's
(19:26):
not that well. Max isn't the biggest reader in the world. What, No,
that's not true. I feel like every other time I
see you, you've got your nose buried in some book.
I do. I mean I like reading, of course, you do. You.
I just meant that Maxine reads a lot of nonfiction,
a little SCHOLARO. Fiction is all that THEO reads. Yeah,
(19:52):
pretty much any kind of literature, novels, poetry, whatever, Yeah,
me too, I love all that stuff. Really, max, I
didn't think you liked poetry. Yeah, I've read it all
the time. Really, who's your favorite poet? Uh? Hemingway. I
(20:15):
don't think I even knew that Hemingway wrote poetry. Yeah, yeah,
he wrote some stuff. Well, I mean, obviously he's most
famous for his his his novels. Write his novels, But
his poetry, it's it's good, cool, cool cool. I'll have
to check that out, Yeah, for sure. So well. Any
(20:45):
news on the graffiti artists. Nothing yet. The mayor is
awfully worried about it happening again, but I told him
it's probably just some kids blowing off steam, not a
criminal mastermind. I doubt it. Still, I'm sure we'll track
them down in time for them to volunteer at the
Harvest Festival. I would have left the graffiti up until
(21:06):
those responsible could clean it up themselves. But you know how,
I think Max has some theories about who might have
done it in the right kiddo, What No, I don't.
That's right, our resident amateur sleuth. You're still into that stuff, Max,
the like Harriet the spy stuff. Oh no, no, definitely not.
(21:28):
I just heard some things when I was in town today,
that's all. While I was on my way to the
library to see what new books they had. I need
some new reading. Of course, I've got to homework. I've
got to do homework. Wait. Max, thanks for dinner, Joe.
(21:49):
It was good seeing you. Mr Colmes a sheriff. Sir
theo so damn stupid? What's stupid? Not now, teller rough night,
(22:18):
I said, not now. My night was spent convincing Mr
Beatie that I wasn't the one who stole his garden home,
which was not successful because I'm pretty sure Ansell stole
it and put it in our shed. Isn't Ansel like seven? Oh?
And already the anti Christ? Yes, I thought Charlotte was
the Antichrist. All of them spawns of Satan. They're your siblings.
(22:39):
Wouldn't that make you spawn of Satan to Mr Beady
Shore seems to think so, Well, maybe if you weren't
so rude to him all the time. He's creepy. You
have us is the buffer zone between your house and his.
You don't realize how creepy he is. He's a lonely
old man. Ross pick on someone else. I don't pick
on Mr Beati. I so what's going on with you?
(23:02):
Did I see the columbs leave earlier? Yeah? They were
here for dinner? Do you what? No? Why does everyone
think that? I don't know. No one's that quiet without
some kind of ulterior motive. You don't always have to
see the worst in people, Teller, and you don't always
have to have blinders on about everyone. Miles. I don't,
(23:26):
after all. I see you for who you are, right whatever? Yeah, see,
it's school tomorrow. I guess have you seen Riley today?
(23:49):
Good morning, Jenna, So senior locker mate recently, I don't know,
vandalized any beloved town landmarks recently? What Cody Thompson is
your boyfriend? Right? I have it on good authority that
he was one of the people in the town square
the other night, and there was someone else with him,
(24:10):
and you weren't wearing nail polish yesterday, even though you
always wear nail polish, which suggests to me you had
to use remover on your hands, maybe to get off
some spray paint. God, you think that you're so smart,
don't you, Maxine, always putting together a little clues and
mapping out timelines. Here's a timeline for you. Cody and
(24:34):
I broke up at the beginning of the summer, and
I didn't have nail polish on yesterday because I got
a manicure with my sister after school. See, you could
have just asked me, max you don't always need to
prove that you're better than everyone else. No, that's not
(24:55):
what students. Please rewards to the auditorium for an emergency
assembl All students to the auditorium. What's that about? Whatever
it is, I doubt it's good. Why do you assume
it's bad. The sheriff just walked in. Settle down, a lease,
(25:29):
settle down. We'll give you back to class in a moment.
But Jeff Colmes is here with a very important announcement.
Good afternoon, students. We've got ourselves a bit of a situation.
Here is he actually going to call someone out for
vandalism in front of the whole school. Sh Now, this
(25:50):
is a serious matter, so I need everyone to pay
very close attention. About an hour ago, we discovered that
Riley Stevens has gone missing. Maxie Miles was created by
Lauren Shippen and as a production of a Typical Artists
and Imhart Radio. This episode was written and directed by
Lauren Shippen. Dialogue, editing and sound designed by Morrissy Ewing
(26:12):
Hemlock Creek Productions, with editing assistance from Laurian Davis. It
featured Jordan Cobb as Maxie Miles, Mixa Follow as Ross
teller A, Shanny cannon Car as Jenna Ambrose, Morgan el
Garton asco Combs, Michael Smallwood as Uncle Joe, Sean Jane
as Sheriff Combs, Josh Robino as Mayor how Andrew Nook
as Ransom Archer, Jacqueline Landgraph as a lot of Honeywell Pacific,
(26:34):
Obadiah as Principal Jennings, Chris Boyki as crew member, Lauren
Shippen as librarian, with Griggan Snow as Riley Stephens. Original
artwork by Shane McMullan for more information about the show,
he's visit Maxi miles dot com and followed at a
typical Artists on Twitter and Instagram. Maxie Miles is executive
produced by Lauren Shippen and iHeart Radio, and for more
podcast from My heart Radio, visit the iHeart Radio app,
(26:56):
Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
Thank you for listening and keep curious.
Maxie Miles is a production of A Typical Artists and
I Heart Radio. While appropriate for all ages, Maxie Miles
contains mod language, depictions of adult character, smoking, and instances
of danger. M hmm, wonderful, m hm hm hm Okay.
(00:49):
Ship from a Typical Artists and I Heart Radio. You're
listening to maxim Miles. This is chapter one Hastings Happy,
(01:40):
Happy Monday. We're almost their most The annual Hastings Harvest
Festival is a mere week away, and what a festival
it's going to be. This is the big one, the
Big five, almost as old as me and I won't
be the only piece of Hastings history there. We've honored
(02:00):
the original then from nine and we'll be hanging it
over the town square. Which brings me to a grim
bit of mayoral business that I have to address this morning.
We discovered kind of get a bit close, aren't we.
(02:21):
If I leave in the next two minutes, I'll be fine.
I guess I'm making these eggs for no one then, sorry, Joe,
just take an apple or something at least, So, did
you sleep past your alarm? No? I was up early
working on the first quarterly for Environmental Club. Oh Hey,
you got more kids to join? Well no, not not exactly. Well,
(02:43):
then it's a dumb rule. I don't see why you
need ten students to sign up in order to make
a club. It's not my fault. No one else cares
about the environment. Principle Jennings can't stop me from distributing
important literature about the climate just because I don't have
an actual club. Maxie know, I know, don't harass the Principle.
You're not going to get any calls from him this year,
(03:05):
I promise good. You know most people get calls from
the Principle because their kids are in trouble. You should
be proud of me. I am proud of you, Max,
But your poor middle school principal when entirely gray in
three years coincidence, and you've got a fresh start with
this one exactly. And he's already coming around to my
way of thinking. I just know it. He's just used
(03:27):
to being caught up in soccer and whatever the archers want.
That never mind, it's fine. I'm not going to get
caught up in Hastings high politics. I'm going to focus
on what really matters. You'll be home for dinner tonight.
I'm going to the library after school, but I'll be
(03:48):
home after And are you going to be doing your
homework or spending time on the internet. I can do
research on the internet. It counts as schoolwork. I don't
know about that, Joe. It's nineteen. One of these days
you're going to have to learn how to use the internet.
I gotta good you too, Oh, Principal Jennings, Can I
(04:23):
come by later to talk about the environmental club? Now
is not a good time, Maxcine. I know that's why
I said later, get to class, Maxine. I've still got
five minutes. Did you hear that? Principal Jennings is a
great shirker of responsibility, still giving you crap about environmental club.
(04:46):
It's a stupid rule. You know. If you said you
were going to join, I bet I could get ten
people to sign up before home room. Listen. I care
about the environment too, you know I do. But between
the school paper and the fact that my dad still
pushing in after school job at the quarry, I just
don't have time for anything else. Jennings is gonna come
(05:06):
around eventually. I know you will. You've got that right.
He has to listen to me about this or what
You're going to annoy him to death? Shut up? Ross.
I was talking to Riley, so did you guys hear?
I was just about to tell her what what happened?
Someone spray painted the town square? What? Yeah, with all
this anti Hasting stuff, Hastings as hell, wasting way and
(05:31):
Hastings the Archers are assholes. Yeah, there were a couple
of specific Archer ones. Ransom Archer is a liar? Whoa
what that one was actually on the Atticus Archer statue.
Someone's clearly got a beef. Are you guys talking about
(05:51):
the graffiti? Oh? Hey, theo Hey what? I don't get
a hello? Hi, Jenna. Can you guys believe that something
exciting actually happened in Hastings? Nowhere yet? But apparently the
mayor is pissed? I mean, are you surprised? How has
(06:11):
been mayor for like a thousand years and nothing like
this has ever happened before. Do you think they're going
to cancel the Harvest festival and miss a chance to
go on and on about how Hastings is the backbone
of Americana? I doubt it. Some of us actually like
the festival, Ross, Maybe those of us still living in
the sixth grade. Come on, none of you were planning
(06:36):
on going and do what a hay ride Bob for apples?
I mean there's lots of stuff. The bookstore always does
have priced books. THEO. You like that kind of thing, right?
Oh um? I mean we are kind of too old
for most of this stuff now right, I'll probably be
(06:59):
going Max. Maybe we can meet up. Yeah, yeah, that'd
be nice. Thanks Riley, Riley, are you coming? Ye? See
you guys? By THEO? By? What do you want? Teller? Nothing?
(07:22):
Just surprised you didn't have a million questions about the graffiti.
What are you talking about? Seems like you're kind of thing.
What makes you think you know what my kind of
thing is? We've been next door neighbors since we were
two in Locker neighbors since the sixth grade. I think
I know you're pretty well at this point, and I
know you love sticking your nose in town business. Physical
(07:43):
proximity doesn't automatically equal emotional closeness. But I'm right, aren't I?
By Ross, I heard they've already got a cleaning crew
on it, So if you want to get a good
look at it, you should go right after school? Whatever? Ross,
(08:17):
how long is this going to take I need this
cleaned up now. We told you, Mr Roger, we gotta
get to the roads and the wall first, then we'll
get to the statue. This is my great grandfather right here.
Do you realize how long my family has been in
this town. We built Hastings and Mayor Hall is in
charge of Hastings and he wants the roads cleaned up first. Hey,
(08:39):
how long have you guys been cleaning this place up?
Since this morning? There was that much? Or they're working
extremely slowly? There was that much? Was it all anti Hastings,
all in the same handwriting? I don't know, kid, I
wasn't taking notes. Oh I see it's Max right, um, yeah, yeah,
(09:02):
you're that kid that likes solving little mysteries and stuff. Right,
I've been known to help out. I'll give you twenty
bucks if you can find out who vandalized our statue.
That's okay, I don't want your money. What why? What
time did you get into town this morning? Mr Archer? What?
Oh about? And all of this was already here right?
(09:23):
Obviously Hal apparently discovered it this morning on his usual
six am power walk. Did you notice it when you
left the tavern? Last night. How do you know I
was in the tavern? Were you? Yes? No, it wasn't there,
or at least if it was, I didn't notice it.
And what time was that? Eleven thirty or so? I
(09:43):
thought the tavern closed at eleven on weeknights. When your
name is on it, it closes whenever you want, right,
and the message it seems up pointed. Yeah, I'll say,
can you think of anyone who might want to call
you a liar? Publicly? Very publicly? Whoever they are, they'll
(10:04):
have to contend with my lawyer. Yeah, you figure out
who did it? Yet? Why does everyone automatically assume I'm
trying to figure out who did it? No, not yet.
I want to help me ask around town. Can't I've
got to go to the mayor's office. Could you tell
him to speed up his cleaning crew. Sure, I'll get
(10:25):
right on that. I don't get smart with me. I
was come on, seriously, you're gonna do the planters before
the statue? Okay, I guess that's the end of our conversation.
That guy is such a dick. Riley, what you're going
to disagree? He was being sort of helpful. At least
(10:45):
I know that the vandals did this after before six am.
Really tight window there, Max, It's a start. Why are
you going to the Mayor's office? Um, just an interview
for the paper. You're doing a piece on mayor how No,
just general town stuff. The new mining project, the fiftieth festival,
the new innkeeper. Oh yeah, I heard about that. I
(11:06):
can't believe someone actually bought that place. Apparently she's from
New York, like the city. That's what I've heard. Wow,
that is so cool. One d years. That's all old.
The statue is if my father sees this will all
be a deep ship. I can't believe that that is
the guy who's going to inherit half this town. Maybe
(11:29):
he's not as bad as as what he seems his
dad as the way he's always behaved. Okay, fair point. Sorry,
I don't mean to. It's it's just frustrating. You know,
the Archers care so much about their stupid family legacy.
The Archer line that stuff just isn't important. Family is
(11:51):
what you make it, not who you share DNA or
last name with. Are you okay, Riley? Yeah? Sorry, I'm fine.
Just sick of this place. I get that. You what
come on, Max? You love Hastings. It has its charms.
Only you could be looking at anti town graffiti and
(12:12):
complimenting the town at the same time. You really always
see the best in things, don't you. You say that
like it's a bad thing. I gotta get going. Good
luck with your interview and good luck with your mystery. Thanks,
see you tomorrow. Hey, Max, don't ask me how I
(12:33):
know this, but the graffiti wasn't here at one am.
Might help you tighten that window. Wait what Riley? See you?
Nancy Drew? Excuse me? Do you have any books on
(13:01):
the history of the area. Yes, that shelf back there
is our Hastings history section, mostly old newspapers and pampus
from town events, though there are a few books in
the mining industry in the Archer family, one of the
founding families of the town. Oh great, thank you, that's
very helpful. Do you have any maps, old maps especially,
it would be helpful. Maps won't help you learn the
(13:23):
place very well. Now. We may not be on the
cutting edge, but Hastings has changed through the years. Oh
it's um. I just moved into the old inn and
I'd love to get my hands on the original blueprints
if I could even what the street used to look
like would be a great help. You're the new owner
of the maple Thorpe and yes, Alana Honeywell, nice to
make your acquaintance. It's delight for the meet miss Honeywell.
(13:45):
That's a great property. It is. You can find blueprints
at city Hall. I'm sorry. If you're looking for old
blueprints of the Maplethorpe, they'll have them at city Hall.
I'm sure may Or how would be happy to help
you personally. He's a really nice guy and he loves
of all that town history stuff. Well, thank you, yes,
thank you, Maxine. This is Maxine Miles, one of our
(14:08):
more precocious residents. That's a new one. It's lovely to
meet you, Maxine Miles. I'm Alana Honeywell. You're from New York.
I am how did you know? As I said, precocious.
It's a small town and I've lived here my whole life,
so I see. Well, Maxine Miles, it is extra lovely
(14:33):
to meet you. Then. I've only been here about twelve hours,
but I've gotten the distinct impression that I'm the first
new person in Hastings in a million years. Something like that.
I could very much use a guide one Hastings, New
Hampshire Guide at your service. You've only been here twelve
hours something like that. I got in late last night.
(14:56):
The inn is right on the town square, Yes it is.
Do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions.
I'm Hume in the kitchen. Hey, can I have dinner
(15:17):
in my room? Well? Hello to you too. Why are
you Are you feeling okay? Oh? Yeah, I'm fine. I
just have a lot of work to do. You can't
take half an hour to eat dinner at the table.
Did you hear about the graffiti in the town square. Yeah,
I saw it on my way into work this morning.
Mayor Howse said he might delay the festival if they
can't figure out who did it. So let me guess
you're going to figure it out. We think about it.
(15:39):
It was almost certainly a high schooler, I mean, pretty
juvenile prank, right, So they probably used spray paint taken
either from the theater department or the mines, which narrows
things down considerably. Based on the interviews I've conducted, the
graffiti was most likely sprayed between one am and five am,
which means that it's probably someone who lives in a
short walking distance to town or has a call are,
(16:00):
because who's going to walk a mile in the middle
of the night, in the middle of October to just
spray paint some rude phrases that they must have known
would have been power washed away in a second. Plus,
Miss Honnee Well said she saw two people in town
Square last night around midnight, one of them wearing what
she thinks might have been a letterman jacket, though she's
not sure because obviously she doesn't know what our school
colors are yet. But if she is right, then I
(16:21):
would bet my life that one of those people was
Cody Thompson, who lives right off of Main Street and
whose brothers started working in the quarry last month. I mean,
some of the graffiti looked like the same color as
the stuff they used to make the markings for the
detonation spots. Now I can't be sure, because by the
time I got to town Square half of it was
already washed away. And I don't know who the second
(16:42):
person is yet, but I'm close, and I think if
I just spent some time looking through the yearbook, I'll
be able to piece together how on Earth It's been
a very productive day who's miss Honeywell, she's bought the
old Maplethorpe in She just got to town yesterday from
(17:04):
New York City. I met her at the library this afternoon.
She's beautiful and smart and way too cool to be
in Hastings, of all places. I didn't even realize that
old place was even on the market. I guess someone
in her family knew Mrs Maplethorpe. I think it was
one of those private deals. I don't know. Anyway, You
(17:25):
see now how much work I have to do, so
if you don't mind, Oh, come on, Max, the Combs
are coming for dinner. I at least like what. Well, yeah,
Walt and I set it up when we were playing
cards last weekend, and THEO Combs is coming here tonight.
I thought you liked THEO. What who told you that? No?
I don't. I don't like THEO. Wait? What He's not
(17:47):
a bully? Is he? Because not that I'd expect that
from Walt's kid, but I hear that's a real problem
in schools these days. What. No, THEO is not a bully.
He's he's really kind and smart, and he's sensitive and
he's got Oh I see you like THEO. What No,
that's great, Like I knew he was a good kid.
(18:08):
Oh my god, I'm not. You can't. I do not
like THEO. It's okay, I won't. I won't. I won't
tell um though. You know, if you two wanted to
go and get some hot chocolate after dinner, that would
be okay with me. You're almost fifteen and freakishly responsible
as long as you aren't gonna well park anywhere. I
(18:29):
am going to sink into the ground and die if
you don't stop talking right now, right right now, okay,
and I'll stay out of it. Oh that must be them.
I should open the wine, Max, Can you get the door? What? No?
I have to I can't, So THEO. How's your freshman
(19:03):
year going? It's going okay, Thanks for asking, Mr Miles.
You can just call me Joe. Right. You're enjoying your schoolwork. Yeah.
We're doing Frankenstein in English right now. So that's pretty cool.
Oh I love that book. Max. You didn't mention you
were doing Frankenstein. Oh yeah, we started it last week.
It's okay. Not a fan of horror, Maxine, No, it's
(19:26):
not that well. Max isn't the biggest reader in the world. What, No,
that's not true. I feel like every other time I
see you, you've got your nose buried in some book.
I do. I mean I like reading, of course, you do. You.
I just meant that Maxine reads a lot of nonfiction,
a little SCHOLARO. Fiction is all that THEO reads. Yeah,
(19:52):
pretty much any kind of literature, novels, poetry, whatever, Yeah,
me too, I love all that stuff. Really, max, I
didn't think you liked poetry. Yeah, I've read it all
the time. Really, who's your favorite poet? Uh? Hemingway. I
(20:15):
don't think I even knew that Hemingway wrote poetry. Yeah, yeah,
he wrote some stuff. Well, I mean, obviously he's most
famous for his his his novels. Write his novels, But
his poetry, it's it's good, cool, cool cool. I'll have
to check that out, Yeah, for sure. So well. Any
(20:45):
news on the graffiti artists. Nothing yet. The mayor is
awfully worried about it happening again, but I told him
it's probably just some kids blowing off steam, not a
criminal mastermind. I doubt it. Still, I'm sure we'll track
them down in time for them to volunteer at the
Harvest Festival. I would have left the graffiti up until
(21:06):
those responsible could clean it up themselves. But you know how,
I think Max has some theories about who might have
done it in the right kiddo, What No, I don't.
That's right, our resident amateur sleuth. You're still into that stuff, Max,
the like Harriet the spy stuff. Oh no, no, definitely not.
(21:28):
I just heard some things when I was in town today,
that's all. While I was on my way to the
library to see what new books they had. I need
some new reading. Of course, I've got to homework. I've
got to do homework. Wait. Max, thanks for dinner, Joe.
(21:49):
It was good seeing you. Mr Colmes a sheriff. Sir
theo so damn stupid? What's stupid? Not now, teller rough night,
(22:18):
I said, not now. My night was spent convincing Mr
Beatie that I wasn't the one who stole his garden home,
which was not successful because I'm pretty sure Ansell stole
it and put it in our shed. Isn't Ansel like seven? Oh?
And already the anti Christ? Yes, I thought Charlotte was
the Antichrist. All of them spawns of Satan. They're your siblings.
(22:39):
Wouldn't that make you spawn of Satan to Mr Beady
Shore seems to think so, Well, maybe if you weren't
so rude to him all the time. He's creepy. You
have us is the buffer zone between your house and his.
You don't realize how creepy he is. He's a lonely
old man. Ross pick on someone else. I don't pick
on Mr Beati. I so what's going on with you?
(23:02):
Did I see the columbs leave earlier? Yeah? They were
here for dinner? Do you what? No? Why does everyone
think that? I don't know. No one's that quiet without
some kind of ulterior motive. You don't always have to
see the worst in people, Teller, and you don't always
have to have blinders on about everyone. Miles. I don't,
(23:26):
after all. I see you for who you are, right whatever? Yeah, see,
it's school tomorrow. I guess have you seen Riley today?
(23:49):
Good morning, Jenna, So senior locker mate recently, I don't know,
vandalized any beloved town landmarks recently? What Cody Thompson is
your boyfriend? Right? I have it on good authority that
he was one of the people in the town square
the other night, and there was someone else with him,
(24:10):
and you weren't wearing nail polish yesterday, even though you
always wear nail polish, which suggests to me you had
to use remover on your hands, maybe to get off
some spray paint. God, you think that you're so smart,
don't you, Maxine, always putting together a little clues and
mapping out timelines. Here's a timeline for you. Cody and
(24:34):
I broke up at the beginning of the summer, and
I didn't have nail polish on yesterday because I got
a manicure with my sister after school. See, you could
have just asked me, max you don't always need to
prove that you're better than everyone else. No, that's not
(24:55):
what students. Please rewards to the auditorium for an emergency
assembl All students to the auditorium. What's that about? Whatever
it is, I doubt it's good. Why do you assume
it's bad. The sheriff just walked in. Settle down, a lease,
(25:29):
settle down. We'll give you back to class in a moment.
But Jeff Colmes is here with a very important announcement.
Good afternoon, students. We've got ourselves a bit of a situation.
Here is he actually going to call someone out for
vandalism in front of the whole school. Sh Now, this
(25:50):
is a serious matter, so I need everyone to pay
very close attention. About an hour ago, we discovered that
Riley Stevens has gone missing. Maxie Miles was created by
Lauren Shippen and as a production of a Typical Artists
and Imhart Radio. This episode was written and directed by
Lauren Shippen. Dialogue, editing and sound designed by Morrissy Ewing
(26:12):
Hemlock Creek Productions, with editing assistance from Laurian Davis. It
featured Jordan Cobb as Maxie Miles, Mixa Follow as Ross
teller A, Shanny cannon Car as Jenna Ambrose, Morgan el
Garton asco Combs, Michael Smallwood as Uncle Joe, Sean Jane
as Sheriff Combs, Josh Robino as Mayor how Andrew Nook
as Ransom Archer, Jacqueline Landgraph as a lot of Honeywell Pacific,
(26:34):
Obadiah as Principal Jennings, Chris Boyki as crew member, Lauren
Shippen as librarian, with Griggan Snow as Riley Stephens. Original
artwork by Shane McMullan for more information about the show,
he's visit Maxi miles dot com and followed at a
typical Artists on Twitter and Instagram. Maxie Miles is executive
produced by Lauren Shippen and iHeart Radio, and for more
podcast from My heart Radio, visit the iHeart Radio app,
(26:56):
Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
Thank you for listening and keep curious.
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