VL: A Little Lift for the Holidays, "Matchless", by LB Waltz

This year for Christmas, Victoria celebrates by making life a little better for those in need of a Guide and some cheer. Enjoy this third of five special Christmas mini-audio celebrations leading up to Christmas Eve.

"Matchless"
Victoria finds Elina cold, tired, and alone outside of her building and invites her in to warm up and to help her enjoy a Happy Christmas.

Cast (in order of appearance):

• Elina: Mary Murphy
• Victoria Bigglesworth-Hayes: Amber Loverling née Collins
• Narrator: Daniel Foytik

Author: LB WaltzScore: Nico Vettese of the inky pawprint
Sound Design: Daniel Foytik of 9th Story Studios LLC
Art: jesse hawke of the inky pawprint
A 9th Story Studios, LLC Production, All rights reserved. | Foytik, Loverling, Vettese
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THEMES:
"The Lift Arrives, (Opening Theme Music):
"Victoria's Music Box, (Victoria's Theme)"
The Lift Closing Theme Music
Composed and Recorded by Nico Vettese of We Talk of Dreams
www.wetalkofdreams.com
FX:Sound FX: freesound.org, audioblocks.com
Producer / Editor / Creator: Daniel Foytik
Executive Producers: Amber Loverling, Nico Vettese

Visit The Lift: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Victoria's Twitter

Victoria's Lift and all core characters, places, and situations are property of Daniel Foytik, 9th Story Studios, LLC and may not be used in any form without explicit written permission.

Episode Transcript

(00:04):
Nine Story Studios, James Story avoice. Welcome to the lift, get
ready to take a ride. Hello, I'm Daniel Foytek, and I thank

(00:41):
you for joining us for a specialepisode of Victoria's Lyft. Today, we're
presenting the third of five mini episodesfor Christmas, called a Little Lyft for
the Holidays. Full sized episodes arecoming, but until then, let's join
Victoria for today's tale, Matchless byL. B. Waltz, told by
Mary Murphy, Amber Loverling, NayCollins and me. Thank you to all

(01:06):
of you for being a part ofVictoria's Christmas celebration. Check back tomorrow for
our next tale. You can waitinside. You know it's wolmer in here.

(01:34):
Elena is in certain which startles hermore. The voice or the offer
neither had been expected. Either mighthave made her jump had she felt capable
of movement. As it is,she remains frozen still as the ice covered
bricks that comprise the building against whichshe's huddled. The girl in the doorway

(01:57):
grins, her eyes as green asa Christmas tree, her teeth the color
of the winter moon. The tastelounge in my lobby might be old,
but it's a far cry more comfortablethan cobbles. Oh, I I'm not
leaving, aren't you. I'm tryingto sell that is I've worked to do.

(02:22):
Don't be silly. It's hard,too late for that. No,
it's not time for you to work. It's time for you to rest.
But I insist you wait inside.It's cold as death out here. Come
along. Without leaving the doorway,the girl grasps Alena's frigid hand. For
as heavy as she had felt momentsbefore, it only takes a gentle tug

(02:46):
for the girl to coax Elena upright. Even less effort is needed to pull
her into the vestibule. Oh.The building is massive, more hotel than
home, full of complex brass work, detailing and polished cherrywood. Mistletoe hangs

(03:10):
over closed doors, garlands vanished downlong halls. Dust smotes glimmer in the
air like snowflakes caught in suspension,and as the oil lamps haze glints off
their edges, Elena finds herself wonderingvaguely about time. What an odd place.

(03:34):
Still, the girl had been right, it is warmer in here.
Meekly, Elena allows herself to beguided through the elegant lobby bustled around couches
and curio displays, and over toan ornate hearth, A yule log sits
cradled in its heart. It isyet unused that log, and so should

(03:58):
probably look fresh. Instead, itappears to be quite old, like a
remnant from a memory, or atoy, the sort with which one might
play a game of pretend. Somewherein the building, a clock tolls.

(04:19):
The poor thing. He must beso cold. Oh, start afire,
now, let's see where did Iput? Oh I can, I can
help not to worry. You're myguest. Please let me repay you for
your kindness. I have matches,they're right. Uh oh oh no,

(04:45):
I'm so sorry. I forgot II use them all earlier, though you
did. The little girl snaps herfingers, a sound like striking flint.
Behind her, the yule log igniteswith a burst flames, crackling and dancing

(05:06):
as if they'd been roaring for hours. This time Elena can and does jump.
My lord, how did while we'reon this subject, I didn't realize
that residuals were leaking for my building. I suppose that rather explains the draft

(05:27):
residuals. I'm curious, Elena,what visions did you see? How?
How did you know that? Iwait, I never told you my name?
What did you see in the mattressfire, Elena? Was it a
source of anger? Perhaps resentment,some secret or lie that you've told yourself

(05:54):
for another? No? No,I I saw my grandmother? Your grandmother?
Is she someone you miss? Yes? Very much from the sixth floor.
Then thank you, Elena. You'vebeen a great help. Consider my

(06:17):
kindness repaid in food. What whatdo you mean? What is happening?
Who are you? I think themore important question is who is that?
Baffled Elena follows the gesticulating sweep ofthe girl's arm. A gasp stoppers any

(06:38):
further demands from escaping her mouth.Grandmother, The woman in the blaze as
elderly and beautiful, with wisps ofpale hair that undulate about her temples.
Her curves are soft, her eyesare shining, and her smile glows with

(07:00):
a radiance even warmer than the flamesin which she stands. When she nods,
the whole of Elena's body is bathedin rose gold lights. I told
you that you were waiting for someone. Trembling, Elena reaches for her grandmother's
outstretched hand, overwhelmed by the familiarconstellations of her ember bright liver spots.

(07:26):
When they touch, there is nopain. There is only the velvet comfort
of her grandmother's skin. There isonly the floral sweetness of her grandmother's perfume.
There is only joy. I'm leavingnow. I think grandmother will be

(07:48):
taking me home. Mind how yougo? Good Bye, Elena. The
fire puts itself out with a celestialflash. There are no ashes left in
the grate. The yulog remains unburned. Merry Christmas. And then she is

(08:15):
alone again, alone in the darklobby. Sighing, Victoria turns towards the
nearest window, glancing out into thenight. The stars that twinkle beyond those
frosted panes illum, the contours ofthe pale blue body that lies curled in
her building's shadow. I'd rather thoughtyou'd had your feel of children's corpses on

(08:41):
a nearby table. Victoria's music boxtrills. The offered melody is discordant,
melancholic. It harmonizes perfectly with thedistant chime of her lift. Right of

(09:03):
course, to work, with purposefulsteps, Victoria returns to her lift,
there is no time to rest.Thank you to our supporters for making the

(09:45):
show possible. Today's episode featured MaryMurphy as Elina and Amber Loverling as Victoria.
Today's custom score was created by ourresident composer, Niko Vites of the
Inkee Pop Print. Artwork is byJesse Hawk of the Inky Pop Print.
Our author is LB Waltz. Storyeditor and producer is Daniel Foytek of Ninth

(10:07):
Story Studios Until Tomorrow. Are yousure that's an angel standing on the top
of your tree or is it alittle girl with a very odd music box?