Leo Brawn - Episode 14: Surface Tension (Part 2 of 2) - Leo Brawn

Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_04 (00:01):
In the Brighton neighborhood of Boston,
Massachusetts, a silver pickuptruck comes to a stop on the
grounds of an abandonedmonastery.
Trevor Mallory and Jacob Marwoodexit the vehicle.
A monastery?
Really?

(00:22):
St.
Gregory's, to be exact.
Constructed in 1909.
To serve the Passionists?
You know them?
I know they were founded

SPEAKER_03 (00:31):
by Paul of the Cross in 1720.
Monte Argentario, Italy.

SPEAKER_04 (00:36):
The Passionists lived on, but the monastery was
abandoned after a massive firein 1957.
And left here?
Empty since then?
Not anymore.
Lucky for us, right?
14 acres, including a cemetery,a church, the monastery, retreat
house, and a shrine.
That's a lot of empty space.

(00:57):
Lots of room to grow.
Come on, I want you to meetsomeone.
Trevor guides Jacob to theChurch of St.
Gregory's, which has beenrenovated into a base of
operations.
Members of the mysterious groupare setting up computer
equipment as a man in a trenchcoat oversees the operation.
Who's that?

(01:18):
He's who I want you to meet.
Jacob follows Trevor over to theman in the trench coat.
Sir, I brought the recruit youwere asking about.
The man in the trench coat turnsaround to greet Jacob.
He is slim and very tall.
His face is gaunt with darkcircles under his eyes, and
behind them, a menace even whenhe smiles.

(01:42):
Jacob extends his right hand butrealizes his mistake too late.
The man's hand is barely a handat all, but rather a brutally
contorted fist.
Jacob course-corrects and shakesthe man's good hand.
Mr.
Marwood, we've been looking foryou for quite some time.
That's a

SPEAKER_03 (02:02):
new experience for

SPEAKER_04 (02:03):
me, to be so highly sought after.
Jacob Marwood, you sent thefirst picture, the first
sighting of the man in thebriefcase.
Before that picture, I'd beenseeking some purpose, a reason
to go on.
A chance to answer all thequestions I'd had after my
encounter.

(02:23):
Encounter?
He's had first-hand experiencewith the men in the briefcase.
Thank you, Trevor, eloquentlyput.
Sorry, sir.
Sir, you've actually met him?
More or less.
That's what gave me thisghoulish appearance and let me
cripple.
I lost everything afterwards.

(02:44):
My wife, my children, my home.
We tried to rebuild, move on.
But these men with thebriefcases, they leave nothing
but destruction in their wake.
That's what all of this is for.
You hadn't heard about it?
The demon possession in SouthFlorida, wherein I was the
possessed, the demon laterexorcised by these mysterious

(03:05):
men with briefcases.
No, sir.
Ah, we can just dispense withthe formalities.
Everyone here just calls mePhil.
Philip Weston.

SPEAKER_02 (03:19):
Two-String TV presents...

SPEAKER_04 (03:21):
The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat pulls into the
center of Dante's city townsquare.

(03:42):
Leo and Jillian step out of themodified vehicle.

SPEAKER_03 (03:45):
Nice car.

SPEAKER_04 (03:46):
What do you call

SPEAKER_03 (03:47):
it?
The Braunmobile?

SPEAKER_04 (03:50):
Brawnmobile.
That's cute.
Look at all this.
You know, I always tried to stayaway from politics.
You and me both.
When do the festivities begin?
We're about an hour out.
Okay.
Where do you want me?
First, take this.

(04:10):
What's this?
It's a weevil.
It allows us to keep in touchshould anything go sideways.
You and I will be responsiblefor crowd control, stationed on
either side of the main stage.
And what of that tower?
You noticed that, huh?

SPEAKER_03 (04:27):
An overwatch position.
Looks like a sniper's nest.

SPEAKER_04 (04:31):
And I think that's precisely what it is, but not
under the sheriff's purview.
Satan's added precaution, incase any undesirables try to
crash the party.

SPEAKER_03 (04:43):
Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out
who the sniper is going to be.

SPEAKER_04 (04:47):
No, it doesn't.

SPEAKER_02 (04:51):
Sheriff Braun.

SPEAKER_04 (04:52):
Go for Sheriff Braun.
What do you have, Sergeant?

SPEAKER_02 (04:54):
There's been a development.
Miss Mangut was attacked earlierthis morning.

SPEAKER_04 (04:58):
What?
What happened?
Is she okay?

SPEAKER_02 (05:00):
She's fine.
Barely shaken.
Tough as they come, she is.

SPEAKER_04 (05:03):
What happened?

SPEAKER_02 (05:05):
The Dante Devil, Herman Edward Coxlin, made a
house call.

SPEAKER_04 (05:09):
What?
I'm on my way.

SPEAKER_02 (05:12):
Sheriff, you're needed there tonight.
I've got this.
Plus, she had help.

SPEAKER_04 (05:16):
Held?
What do you mean?

SPEAKER_02 (05:18):
The demon tracker.
Gorn.
He intercepted the killer.

SPEAKER_04 (05:22):
Max, is Herman...

SPEAKER_02 (05:23):
No, unfortunately.
He managed to temporarily subduethe wrestler.
An escape.
But not before taking buckshotto the leg.

SPEAKER_04 (05:32):
Why the hell did he pick her?

SPEAKER_02 (05:34):
Still working on that.
I'm going to get the formalstatement soon enough.
But Sheriff, we have the weapon.

SPEAKER_04 (05:41):
Holy shit.
Does it match the dagger you sawthe night of the first murder?

SPEAKER_02 (05:46):
Hard to tell, it was dark that night, and of course I
was minutes away from drowning,but there are similarities.

SPEAKER_04 (05:53):
Alright, you sure the cap is okay?

SPEAKER_02 (05:56):
Yes, barely a scratch on her.
Gorm won't be leaving her side.
Whatever the reason for thisvisit, it doesn't appear Herman
was here to kill her.

SPEAKER_04 (06:06):
Alright, Sergeant, good work.
Keep in touch.
Affirmative.
The Lantern of Light Inn issituated in the furthermost

(06:26):
western corner of Dante, builtfor those who enjoy the comforts
of home without living in theever-increasing hustle and
bustle of downtown Dante.
Although far from luxurious, theLantern of Light Inn provides a
back-to-basics experience.
Each accommodation provides atwin bed, bathroom, kitchenette,
and black-and-white television.

(06:47):
You come to the Lantern for thequiet life, or to keep secrets
buried.
It is no surprise then that ataxi cab parks in front of the
lantern and the weirdo Howardsteps out.
A young blonde woman barely inher 20s with closely cropped
hair leans out of the frontoffice doorway to greet Howard.

SPEAKER_01 (07:09):
Mr.
Dump, I've been trying to reachyou.
I'm

SPEAKER_04 (07:13):
sorry, Susie Bell.
I was indisposed.
Howard enters the front officeand rummages through a desk.
Now under the fluorescent lightsof the office, Susie Bell
notices his extensive facialinjuries.
Have you seen my spare housekeys?

SPEAKER_01 (07:31):
Oh my word, Mr.
Dump, your face.
What on earth happened?
I was in a car accident.
Really bad one.
I'm sad to say the gremlin wastotaled.
Not the gremlin.
It's a classic.
Are you breathing okay?
Your nose, it's, um, flattened.

(07:56):
No, Susie Bell, I'm notbreathing okay.
My nose is broken.
I hope your teeth are eventuallyrecovered.
Susie Bell, thank you for yourconcern, but I'd appreciate you
not listing all of the facialdisfigurements I now possess and
instead tell me where my goddamnkeys are.

(08:17):
They're in your pants.
Your...
Other pair of pants.
You can find them in the lostand found.
And why would my other pair ofpants be in the lost and found,
Susie Belle?
Your pants got mixed in withanother guest's laundry, and
they turned in your pants.
I took them to lost and foundand then noticed your house keys

(08:38):
in the pocket.

SPEAKER_04 (08:40):
If you knew they were my keys, then why didn't
you retrieve them and put themin the drawer here where I
normally keep them?

SPEAKER_01 (08:49):
Well, you're the innkeeper, so I wanted you to
hear the whole story.

SPEAKER_04 (08:54):
And a riveting story it is, Susie Bell.
Where are my keys now?
Are they still at the lost andfound?

SPEAKER_01 (09:02):
No.
I worried that someone elsewould see your pants and take
them, having just been drycleaned and all.
So I took them to your house,left them under your doormat.

SPEAKER_04 (09:11):
Wonderful.
Okay, Susie Bell.
I need to lay down.

SPEAKER_01 (09:16):
Yes, get some rest.
Maybe put some ice on thatshiner.
Oh, and I think the rats areback.
I heard something scurryingaround in the basement.
Rats?
In the basement?
Thanks.

SPEAKER_04 (09:32):
Thanks, Susie Bell.
Howard unlocks the front door tothe small house he lives in
behind the lantern of Light Innand stands in the entrance hall.
Hello?
Minutes later, Howard walkstowards the basement door while
carrying a food tray with asandwich and a soda.

(09:52):
He fishes his keys from hispocket and unlocks the basement
door.
He opens the door and flips alight switch which illuminates
the stairs that descend to thebottom of the basement.
Hello?
I

SPEAKER_01 (10:04):
can understand that you may be angry with me.
Trust me, I had no intention ofskipping a meal.
And I'm sure you're famished,but...

SPEAKER_04 (10:13):
You'll never guess who kept me.
Howard observes the floor of thebasement with trepidation.
There is a stained thin mattressand quilt on the floor.
Laying across the mattress is achain connected to the wall and
unlocked handcuffs.
Shit.
Shit.
Shit.
No.
How can this be?

(10:33):
Howard kneels before themattress and examines the
handcuffs.
A paper clip sticks out of thelock.
A figure bathed in shadow sneaksup behind Howard and lashes him
in the head.

(11:15):
Ladies and gentlemen of Dante,I'm Chip Steed with the Dante
Daily.
Although it is black as pitchwhile evening falls, the city
has never felt brighter, as weare only moments away from
entering the new dawn.
The large crowd behind merepresents the vast majority of
our residents, but if you wereunable to make it and are
watching at home, fear not.

(11:35):
I'll bring you all the detailsas they unfold.
This will be a truly momentousnight to remember.
The carnival-like festivitiesand atmosphere surrounding the
stage pause as outside lightsdim.
A spotlight hits the stage andthe crowd observes with
anticipation.
Leo and Jillian face the crowd,unyielding in their focus.

(11:56):
Ladies and gentlemen, the oneand only

SPEAKER_03 (12:04):
Billy Bo Chief! Oh, well, thank you, my lovelies.
It's just me, little Billy.

SPEAKER_04 (12:14):
That's what this is really all about, isn't it?
Sweet, hot, and sweaty, cryingtill you pee, love.
You know, when I was a littleboy growing up in Nutbush,
Tennessee, never in my

SPEAKER_00 (12:28):
wildest dreams

SPEAKER_04 (12:29):
did I think that

SPEAKER_00 (12:30):
one day I'd grow up, have a massive

SPEAKER_03 (12:33):
widow-maker heart attack, die a painful and
torturous death, and wind up asone of the very first people
that gets to meet

SPEAKER_04 (12:41):
each

SPEAKER_03 (12:42):
and

SPEAKER_04 (12:43):
every one of you.
you.
You're all that scared littlenewborn entering a strange
frightening world and I'm thatdoctor that smacks your tiny
little fanny when you pop out ofthe womb.
So precious.
That's love, people.
And you know when it means youlove people, it means you're

(13:03):
gonna be nice to them andtonight we are gonna meet the
nicest guy this side of the sun.
Mr.
Nice Guy himself saying The darkassassin leaves the scope

(13:32):
focused on her.
He then breaks his gazemomentarily and peers down to
his own forearm, which bears thesame mark of a Shashin.
I'm about to make my rounds.
Need you to wear one of these sowe can stay in communication.
What's this contraption?

(13:56):
It's an earpiece.
You familiar with the radio?
It's how we're gonna talk toeach other.
Just put it in your ear.
The marksman slips the earpieceinto his ear.
Are you reading this?
Big Ben is going to be out inthe open tonight.

(14:17):
If something goes down, I hopeyou won't miss.
I don't miss.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you.
That was from the heart, truly.
Talking about heart.

(14:38):
You all want to meet the heartand soul of this new era?
Then without further ado, Ipleased as punch

SPEAKER_00 (14:46):
to introduce y'all to Margo Muldoon.
Margo! Wow,

SPEAKER_03 (15:01):
thank you all so much.
I

SPEAKER_04 (15:03):
know most of you don't

SPEAKER_01 (15:04):
know me.
So let me tell you all a littlebit about myself.
I had a position in thepolitical arena for many years,
campaign manager and political

SPEAKER_00 (15:14):
strategist.

SPEAKER_04 (15:15):
But

SPEAKER_00 (15:15):
you know, you all aren't here to listen to my
resume.
You're here because we were allgiven a gift.
I think all of you out there, Iknow it

SPEAKER_04 (15:26):
happened to me, lived a life back home with the
hope that when we took our lastbreath, our spirit, our soul
would go to heaven.
Even if you aren't a believer,we hold that secret close to our
chest.
That we were a good person.
That we followed the rules.
Arriving in hell, we'reoverwhelmed with shock and shame

(15:50):
and despair that comes with therealization that we all fell
short.
Until the transformation.
To know that we weren'tfailures.
We were human.
We were designed to be flawed.
And now, we aren't beingpunished for it.
As Margot speaks to a receptivecrowd, John Tulliver walks among

(16:14):
them, searching for any signs ofa threat or anything out of the
ordinary.
That moment is hastened as hecomes upon two figures in
hoodies.
The hoods barely conceal theirfacial features that have become
all too familiar to John andsynonymous with members of the
Eleventh Circle.
Deep-set eyes.
Mouths half open, pronouncedjowls, emotionless.

(16:39):
Hey marksman, two potentialaggressors.
Four reaches from the center,three o'clock.
I see them.
I'm going to let our new sheriffknow.
Sheriff Braun?
Gopher Sheriff.
I may have spotted possible 11thCircle members in the crowd.
Our friend in the nest has eyeson them.

(17:00):
Okay, and how do you know theymay be affiliated with the 11th
Circle?
Let's just say their faces leavelittle to the imagination.
Any reason to think they'reunfriendly?
Hard to say.
John drops off radio.

(17:31):
Leo peers into the crowd butcan't see the two members in
question.
He tends to Jillian, who hasremoved her weevil.
Jillian, put your weevil backon.
The pig.
He's here.
Jillian, stay at your post.
Leo, he was the last person tosee Sebastian.
I have to do this.
Well, you've been all left insuspense long enough.

(17:54):
We all know him and love him.
Mr.
Nice Guy himself, Satan.
Shit.
Jillian walks away towards JohnTulliver, formerly known as The
Pig.
The crowd goes wild as Satantakes the stage.
Thank you! Thank you, thank you!You're all too kind! Look! I'm

(18:24):
blushing! No, no, please,please! Thank you! Thank you!
Thank you! Thank you! We heardthe weapon was retrieved.
Left an opening in my schedule.
Need some guard duty assistance?
Perfect, I'll take it.

(18:45):
Uh, stand post on the other sideof the stage.
You got it.
Okay, thank you, thank you,okay, and silence.
You've all heard my story.
Fallen angel turned rebelliousevil incarnate.

(19:06):
I've been shunned, persecuted,my name dragged through the mud.
Because I wouldn't bow to thatcharlatan Adam.
Because I wouldn't be forcedinto indentured servitude.
Cast out from heaven into thelake of fire.
Trapped in the frozen center ofthe ninth circle of hell.
Banished from hell, forced toroam the earth, then called back

(19:29):
to hell.
And you know what?
Coming back home, I didn't likewhat I saw.
All the fire, darkness, torture,debauchery, sadness, fear, and
hatred.
Fighting our heavenlyadversaries by influencing their
very creation.
Man.

(19:49):
And yet, gaining nothing.
to the transformation, I walkedamongst you, all the eternally
damned, the sinners, and I justthought, what was the point to
it all?
I'd look around, more sinnersarriving every single day, every
hour, and then I had arevelation.

(20:12):
If it was known the consequenceto a life of sin meant suffering
and damnation for all eternity,then certainly, had ceased to be
a deterrent.
In a time that more and morepeople have no faith and don't
believe in a higher power, theytoo in turn have little belief

(20:35):
in me.
The fear of violating thecardinal rule set before each of
you had been

SPEAKER_00 (20:42):
replaced

SPEAKER_04 (20:44):
and therefore powerless.
told recently you all want toknow why why do this why
transform there are aspects ofthis deal i simply cannot share
but what i can tell you is thatthis transformation is here to

(21:07):
stay This is the permanent wayof life, moving forward for all
current and future residents ofDante and throughout the Nether
region.
You should be excited, even moreso when I share with you what
phase two will bring.

(21:28):
But before the big reveal, Iwant to settle something once
and for all.
I fully acknowledge all thedreadful images and acts that
I'm associated with.
The truth is, much of it istrue.
I was angry.
I possessed such amazing powers,and I wielded these incantations

(21:53):
to my every will and whim.
And yet, once again, I asked,what was gained?
Many of you have graciouslyaccepted your death and the new
life you've been granted.
For the loyal residents ofDante, I thank you.

(22:13):
For the doubters out there, Iwant you to know that I
understand.
I've been feared through all oftime, but I tell you now, there
is nothing to fear.
When hell changed, I, too, wentthrough a transformation.
The great resentment of my lifelifted.

(22:35):
I looked at myself in themirror, now that there was a
mirror to look into.
And I saw the future, not justof this great city, but of my
future self.
I was not someone to be hated orfeared.
I was nice.
Satan is a nice guy.
Mr.

(22:56):
Nice Guy.
Bring in the truck.
Within the cargo truck is asmall token of my appreciation,
but it also symbolizes a smallstep forward.
For some of you that have beenwith us for a while, this may

(23:16):
not make much sense until youget your hands on one.
Now for others, our more recentadditions, it will be a welcome
respite to one of life'scomforts.
Open the truck! John follows theEleventh Circle disciple into a

(23:48):
bookstore located near thecampaign rally.
Unbeknownst to John, Jillian ison his heels.
A member of the Eleventh Circleopens a seemingly random book
and places something within thepages.
Afterwards, he promptly exitsthe bookstore into an adjoining
empty hallway.
John pursues him.
Now in the hallway, he noticesthe mysterious man in the hoodie

(24:11):
reaches into his coat pocket andkneels down to the floor.
But before he can take action,John is interrupted.
You've been a hard man to find.
Maybe it's because you're notreally a man at all.
The member of the 11th Circle isspooked and darts out of the
hallway into the night.
Wait! Damn it! Let's not pretendyou don't know why I'm here.

(24:34):
Ms.
Birkett, is it?
Yes.
And you're the one they call thepig.
Not anymore! of what is to comein the next few months, you'll
see Dante turn into a shinytechnological beacon full of all

(24:56):
the best gadgets and gizmos hellhas to offer.
OLD televisions, top of the lineappliances, wifi.
Now that you have been given asecond chance, why not do so in
style?
Julian inches closer to JohnTulliver.
You are going to tell me whereSebastian is.

(25:18):
Because I know you know where heis.
I can't do that.
Why?
Because you all plan on killinghim?
He's learned something aboutthis fucking place and you want
to make sure it never sees thelight of day.
Yes and no.
You can't talk circles aroundme.
I have ways of cutting rightthrough it.

(25:40):
John, are you reading me?
Gonna be announcing the newsheriff soon.
Yes, I'm fine.
Who is that?
Miss Burkett.
I need you to calm down.
Calm?
We're well past calm at thispoint.
The next step you take better beleading me to Sebastian's
location, or you won't bewalking out of here at all.

(26:01):
Miss Birkin, I'm not going tofight you.
Oh, I have a feeling once I'mdone, you'll change your mind.
In fact, I'm sure of it.
Not to bring the temperaturedown, but I want to get serious
for a moment.
It should come as no surprisethat along with all of you fine
people, we get lots ofundesirables in hell.

(26:24):
The worst of the worst.
I mean, it's hell, am I right?
And someone out there istargeting the people of Dante,
causing fear and havoc.
But that is about to change.
As you know, the brave men andwomen of the ORA have worked
tirelessly to uphold Mandate316.

(26:45):
But we wanted to go further.
Ladies and gentlemen, for thevery first time, we have true
law and order in our town.
Sheriff Braun, come on up,Sheriff.
Give him hell, Bubba.
Thanks, Jim.
Leo steps up to the stage.

(27:06):
Pats him on the back and thenexits the stage, joining Margot.
Leo squints, adjusting to thespotlight.
He locates the teleprompter, butthe speech has yet to appear.
Uh, hello, everyone.
I'm Leo, Leo Braun, Sheriff ofDante and Captain of the ORA.

(27:27):
I'm supposed to be reading froma teleprompter, but I guess
we're having technical issues.
I've come face to face with manyterrifying things in my short
time here, but nothing scares memore than talking to an
audience.
Back in the empty hallway,Jillian steps even closer to

(27:50):
John Tulliver.
Jonah removes his earpiece andsets it on the floor.
Miss Birkin, I don't know whereSebastian is.
Yes, we had learned he obtainedinformation about Sheriff Braun.
That should have remainedconfidential.
And for that, a price was put onhis head.

(28:12):
But we lost track of him.
Sebastian arrived at hisapartment at the Barenclar after
work before he was supposed tomeet you at the high water
saloon.
And then he disappeared.
How do you expect me to believeanything you say?

(28:35):
I don't.
No.
I doubt anything I'd say.
Anything I would do could changeyour mind.
You want your second pound offlesh.
Jillian lunges towards John,throwing the first punch.
John deftly deflects the strike.

(28:55):
I won't fight you, Miss Burkett,but I didn't say I wouldn't
defend myself.
Look, before my death, I was ahomicide detective going on 25
years.
And many of those cases involvevictims of serial murders.
In fact, prior to the rallytonight, there have already been

(29:18):
some significant developments.
Now, we won't be commenting onthe nature of these
developments, but...
Finally, Leo's speech appears onthe teleprompter.
Oh, the technical issue seems tobe resolved, so if you'll bear
with me, I'm going to read fromthe script, which will clearly
be much more eloquent than I am.

(29:39):
As Leo continues to read fromthe teleprompter, Willie Topaz
radios in.

SPEAKER_01 (29:45):
Leo?
I know you're in the middle ofyour speech and Dante is
watching, so just keep reading,but...
A signal pinged with dispatch.
It's not a signature with thesame properties as a demonic
possession, but an active oneall the same, and we've
pinpointed its location.
Leo, the demon Astaroth, thedemon you fought in Las Vegas,

(30:07):
he's here at the rally.
He's somewhere, watching.
Lori, you got something?
Leo, we know this demon well,but I had dispatched pulmonary
history on him.
In some grimoires, Astaroth isdepicted as benevolent, even
striving to help in some cases.
He may appear as man or woman,but he is almost always painted

(30:30):
as a deceiver, so be preparedfor anything.
Willy and I are heading to therally now.

SPEAKER_04 (30:37):
Additionally, we're combining resources between the
ORA and the Sheriff's Departmentto provide a multi-pronged
approach to investigating thiscase.
The teleprompter glitches again,and the speech disappears.
A beautiful blonde woman walksto the front of the crowd,
smiles, and winks at Leo.

(31:00):
Then words flash across theteleprompter screen.
Leo, open the letter.
Leo stops repeating the words,realizing the significance of
this message.
The blonde woman in the crowdhas disappeared.
Sorry.
Gotta love public speaking.

(31:20):
A voice in the distance criesout.
Sebastian?
Jillian kicks John in theabdomen and then forces him to
the ground.
If you can't tell me where heis, then call off the hit
against him.
I can't.
Why?
You're not the only one at riskof losing someone.

(31:42):
If I don't follow through,you'll kill my family.
Who?
Who do you think?
The crowd begins to turn theirfocus to the commotion at the
entrance of the rally.

UNKNOWN (31:55):
Leo!

SPEAKER_04 (31:58):
Sebastian?
Jillian releases John and racesoutside.
John stands and puts theearpiece back in.
Marksman, you copy?
What's going on?
There you are.
Commotion at the front.
Someone is yelling.
You have eyes on them?
June, stay with Satan.
Make sure he and Margo are safe.

SPEAKER_01 (32:20):
You got

SPEAKER_04 (32:21):
it.
Leo leaves the stage and rushestowards Sebastian.
The marksman follows Leo throughthe rifle scope until he spots
Sebastian.
It's the onboarding specialist,Sebastian.

UNKNOWN (32:33):
Understood.
As soon as you have a shot, takeit.
Take it.
Affirmative.
The crowd is providing cover.
I'll fire as soon as I have anopening.

SPEAKER_04 (32:48):
Jesus, there must be thousands here.
Is anyone reading this?
I believe we found Sebastian.
Repeat, Sebastian is here.
Sir, I've been asked to escortyou away from here.
Ms.
Chesterfield, what will thatlook like if the people see me
leaving at the first sign oftrouble?
Whatever the threat, I can makeit go away.

(33:12):
Um, no, sir.
That's not what the people needto see from you right now.
Any display of otherworldlypowers will just negate the
message today.
Satan nods and then walks to themicrophone.
Ladies and gentlemen, look atthat.
Our new sheriff is already onthe case.
Rest assured, whatever thisdistraction is, you are all

(33:34):
safe.
Probably just some drunk or, thevery worst, a naysayer.
I hope you've enjoyed the eventthis evening.
Now, for those of you who can,join me at the after party.
I'll see you all at the highwater saloon.
Shall we go, Miss Chesterfield?

(33:54):
Nicely done, sir.
Yes, it felt nice.
As the swaths of people finallybegin to clear, Leo and Jillian
converge in the center of thelarge crowd.
It's Sebastian?
I know.

(34:14):
The crowd is clearing.
Fire when ready! Before themarksman can fire his weapon,
the weirdo Howard tacklesSebastian.
Jillian sees Howard andincreases her speed, running
full tilt.
Willie and Laurie arrive and seeLeo and Jillian racing through
the town square.

(34:35):
Leo spots Willie in the driver'sseat of his Ford Mustang.

SPEAKER_01 (34:41):
Let's go!

SPEAKER_04 (34:42):
Willie and Laurie join Leo and Jillian as they
dodge the departing crowd.
From a distance, they noticeHoward and Sebastian in a
struggle.
You son of a bitch! You were tostay quietly until I said so!

SPEAKER_01 (34:57):
You're sick! Get off of me!

SPEAKER_04 (35:00):
Sebastian punches Howard in the face.
The onboarding specialistattempts a second blow, but
Howard tackles Sebastian againand then bites Sebastian's hand.
Howard releases Sebastian's handas blood trickles down his
bottom lip.
You are mine.
Damn it.
Hold on, Sebastian.
Sebastian kicks Howard off ofhim.

(35:21):
Howard falls backwards, bashinghis head on the blacktop.
He's open.
Fire! God damn it.

UNKNOWN (35:28):
What now?
It's...
The spurgate and the sheriff.
They're with the onboardingspecialist now.

SPEAKER_04 (35:36):
I don't have a clear line of sight.
Look, I understand you feel somekind of way about the CIA agent,
but this is the time.
Just take the shot.
No, only Sebastian is marked fordeath.
Jillian embraces Sebastian.

(35:58):
Leo grabs Howard and pulls himoff the ground.
Get your hands off of me.
Who do you think you are?
I'm the Sheriff of Dante, andyou're under arrest, you piece
of shit.
Sebastian, it's really you.
I was sure I'd never see youagain.
I wasn't sure I'd ever be seenagain.

(36:18):
Fire your weapon, assassin! No,I will not gun them all down on
your order.
Only the onboarding specialisthas a price on his head.
Oh, don't you understand?
Once this is over, I am nolonger obligated to that evil

(36:42):
bastard.
I won't have to look like amonstrous freak and my family
will be safe.
So fuck your hashish and rules!John removes the earpiece and
leaves the empty hallway.

SPEAKER_01 (36:59):
Shut up.
Don't believe anything he says.

SPEAKER_04 (37:02):
Leo, everything that's been reported on your
death has been a lie.
Your family.

SPEAKER_00 (37:12):
Everyone, get down!

SPEAKER_04 (37:16):
Shots are fired at the group, but not by the
marksmen.
John Tulliver fires severalshots from a snub-nosed
revolver.
The group disperses.
Jillian covers Sebastian withher body.
Laurie and Willie dive behind aparked car.
A fourth shot hits Leo in theside and he falls down hard,
losing his hold on Howard in theprocess.

(37:38):
A fifth shot ricochets off theblacktop.
A sixth and final shot shattersthe driver's side window of the
car where Willie and Laurie soldcover.
John begins reloading therevolver.

SPEAKER_01 (37:51):
That was six.
He's reloading.
Lori,

SPEAKER_04 (37:54):
wait! Leo! Jillian, get Sebastian out of here.
No chance.
You're coming with us.
Can you stand?
I...
I think so.

SPEAKER_01 (38:08):
Hurry!

SPEAKER_04 (38:09):
Joan finishes reloading.
Sebastian, you can't stop this!He walks slowly towards the
group, ensuring a clear shot atSebastian.

(38:30):
He watches as Jillian helps Leoup, and that moment...
Sebastian is out in the open.
He raises the revolver and aims.
Before he can pull the trigger,Laurie grabs John from behind
and puts him in a chokehold.
John loses his grip on the gun,and in the commotion, it
discharges around as it hits theground.

(38:55):
Stay down! Won't be much longer!John goes limp and falls to the
ground unconscious.
Laurie returns to the group.

SPEAKER_01 (39:10):
Leo, you okay?

SPEAKER_04 (39:13):
Yeah, I think so.

SPEAKER_01 (39:16):
We'll contact Dr.
Prim so he can take a look

SPEAKER_04 (39:19):
at you.
Laurie, nice work.
Any eyes on Howard?
No.
That bastard escaped.
Again.
He'll get what's coming to him.
Trust me.

SPEAKER_01 (39:29):
We need to take Mr.
Tulliver into custody.
Laurie and I will do it.
You need to take care ofyourself, Leo.
Thanks, Willie.
Jillian, think you could drivethe Braunmobile?

SPEAKER_04 (39:40):
It would be my pleasure, Sheriff.
Let's go.
Willie, Laurie, see you back atthe ORA.
Yes, sir.
We'll be there.
Jillian and Sebastian aid Leoback to the Braunmobile.
Willie and Laurie approach JohnTulliver, who remains

(40:02):
unconscious.

SPEAKER_01 (40:05):
Shit.
What?

SPEAKER_04 (40:07):
What is it?

SPEAKER_01 (40:09):
The gun.

SPEAKER_04 (40:10):
It's...
missing.
The marksman remains in theOverwatch tower, having watched
the drama unfold below.
He begins to break down therifle when his name is spoken
through the earpiece.
Mr.
Marksman.
If you don't kill the onboardingspecialist this second, I'll

(40:33):
banish you to limbo, and thistime I'll make sure you can
never leave.
Pick up that rifle, Abe, andstrike that son of a bitch down.
As Leo approached theBraunmobile, he reaches into his
pocket and looks at the letterfrom his son Harry.

(40:56):
On the Overwatch, the marksmanraises the rifle until Sebastian
is in his sights.
Laurie looks up to see theweirdo Howard trailing behind
Leo and Jillian, the revolveraimed at Sebastian.
Leo begins to unfold the letteruntil he feels someone firmly
grab his shoulder.

(41:17):
Howard throws Leo to the ground.
Leo crashes against the blacktopas he cries out in pain.
The open letter floats softlyand lands next to him.
You are mine.
Howard aims the revolver atSebastian's head.

(41:39):
Jillian attempts to shoveSebastian out of the path of the
gun.
Leo is dazed and losingconsciousness as he turns his
gaze to the unfolded letterwhich lies on the ground.
The marksman chambers around andplaces his finger on the
trigger.
Howard cocks the revolver.

(42:03):
Leo's vision has frayed at theedges but manages to read the
message his son gave him.
It reads, Daddy, we're stillalive.

SPEAKER_00 (42:39):
Harry?
I'm here, Mommy.

SPEAKER_04 (42:44):
Look at you, already in bed.
Did you brush your teeth?

SPEAKER_00 (42:50):
Yes.

SPEAKER_04 (42:51):
Harry, for more than, like, five seconds.
Yes, I said my

SPEAKER_00 (42:58):
ABCs while I did it.
Ah,

SPEAKER_04 (43:00):
very good.
Okay, so what was your favoritepart about today?
Um, I scored a goal at school.
A goal?
That's wonderful.
What were you playing?

SPEAKER_00 (43:15):
Soccer.
I scored on Bobby Patrick.
It was a sweet goal.
All my friends cheered.

SPEAKER_04 (43:22):
Oh, well.
That does sound like a good day.

SPEAKER_00 (43:26):
What about you?
Your favorite part?

SPEAKER_04 (43:30):
Hmm.
Well, I did some boring lawyerstuff in the morning.
But I was doing some laundrythis afternoon and found a pair
of earrings your dad had givenme.
I thought I had lost them.
And then suddenly, there theywere.
It made me feel close to him.

SPEAKER_00 (43:50):
That was a nice moment, too.
I missed Daddy.

SPEAKER_04 (43:54):
So do I, honey.
Every day.
But finding those earringstoday, it's those Tiny little
reminders that he's stillaround, still with us.
So, when you start to feel sad,just look around.
You never know what you mightfind that reminds you of him.

(44:20):
I'm gonna look for somethinglike that tomorrow.
And I know you'll findsomething.
Alright kiddo, it's time forbed.
Louise

SPEAKER_00 (44:38):
Braun

SPEAKER_04 (44:43):
turns off the bedroom light.
The room is dark.

(45:13):
And then a faint electronichumming is heard as a night
vision camera is enabled withinthe stuffed bear.
The wide angle camera has fullview of Harry's bedroom.
The camera zooms in slightlytowards Harry, who still lays in
bed, wide-eyed and staring atthe ceiling.
The camera zooms wide once more,and the sound, however subtle,

(45:35):
gains Harry's attention.
He slides out of bed and walksover to the creepy grinning
teddy bear, staring into itseyes.
He picks up the stuffed bear andsays,

SPEAKER_00 (45:50):
Daddy?
Is that you?
Yes.

SPEAKER_03 (46:20):
Leo Braun is a production of Shoestring TV,
created, written, and edited byme, Jason Beard.
Episode 14, Surface Tension Part2, starring Stitch Mainville as
Leo Braun, Andy Parkin asNarrator 2, Mibitha Mixon as
Jillian Burkett, Terry Briscoeas Willie Topaz, Emily Fry as

(46:42):
Lori Stryker, and Susie Bell,Eric Carlino as Billy Beauchief,
Sebastian, and Chip Steed.
Melrose Johnson as JuneChesterfield.
Jim Franck as Satan and DonTolliver.
Richie Berry as Maximilian.
Samantha D'Souza as MargoMuldoon.

(47:04):
Stephanie Johnson as LouiseBraun.
Mitch Leschinski as Marksman andJacob Marwood.
Robert Lloyd as the WeirdoHoward.
Nick Mars as Trevor Mallory.
Lucas Martinez as Philip Weston,Nisman Mitchum as Harry Braun,
and Michael Cunningham ascampaign rally announcer.

(47:28):
Stay tuned for a new series fromShoestring TV.
Join Willie Topaz and MauryStillman in their misadventures
during the glory of the 80s inHollywood for the upcoming
action comedy series Topaz andStillman, an 80s adventure,
dropping in late January of2025.
Also, Be on the lookout for TheDevil's Den, a new Leo Braun

(47:52):
companion podcast where yourhosts, Stitch Mainville and
myself, will provide a recap anddeep dive of each episode of Leo
Braun, starting with the pilot,Face Your Demons.
We'll have trivia, listenerquestions, and a panel of your
favorite cast members perepisode.
Can't wait for you to see it.
Available exclusively in videofor our Patreon subscribers and

(48:15):
audio available everywhere else.
I want to thank all thelisteners and fans for your
support this year.
Producing Leo Braun has been adream come true, and it
certainly would not have beenpossible without your support.
Speaking of support, there are afew ways you can do that.
You can find us on Ko-Fi atko-fi.com slash shoestringtv, or
subscribe at our Patreon atpatreon.com slash c slash

(48:38):
shoestringtv.
Lastly, yes, there will be aSeason 2 of Leo Braun.
Until next time, be well, and asalways, thank you for listening.

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Leo Brawn - Episode 14: Surface Tension (Part 2 of 2)

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.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}Leo Brawn - Episode 14: Surface Tension (Part 2 of 2)