Kurt receives an unexpected phone call.
This episode features Zack Ginsberg, Joseph Landau, and Bizzy Davis.
Written and directed by Zack Ginsberg and Sam Burton.
Transcript
Dad Magick
Episode 4 – A Phone Call
KURT is walking around outside with his phone out, trying to make a call. He goes up the porch steps and into the house.
KURT:
Jesus. Can’t get a signal anymore.
Oh. Here we go.
The phone rings and goes to voicemail.
ABBY:
Hi, you’ve reached Abby Lemire. I can’t come to the phone right now, but leave a message and I’ll call you back.
KURT:
Hi mom, I really need you to call me back when you get this. I know you told me that dad was troubled, but it was more than that. He was keeping this insane journal and writing these obsessive notes to this woman Caroline and I just need-
The phone cuts off.
KURT:
Fuck.
He paces around the living room.
KURT:
How is it already six o’clock? Fuck, I forgot to eat today. Should’ve had some of those fried pickles when I had the chance. Lord help me, I am checkin’ the fridge. Please no corpses, please no corpses, please no corpses.
He opens the fridge door and immediately shuts it, gagging on the smell.
KURT:
Ugh, oh, that’s turned. Okay. Pantry it is.
He begins going through cupboards and drawers.
KURT:
Empty. Huh. Nothing. This motherfucker doesn’t even have cutlery.
He opens a cupboard and finds an unmarked, corked bottle.
KURT:
Oh? What’s this?
He opens it and sniffs.
KURT:
Whiskey. Pretty much liquid bread.
He takes a sip.
KURT:
Thats… delicious.
He begins walking through the house and takes another sip.
KURT:
Maybe he was saving it for something special.
He takes another sip and takes out his phone.
KURT:
All right, let’s try this one more time.
The call immediately drops and he takes another sip.
KURT:
Why is this place such a dead zone?
He takes another sip and the old rotary phone begins to ring. Surprised that it works, he walks over and answers the call.
KURT:
Hello?
ALBERT:
Hi, Kurt. Remember me?
KURT:
Yeah, it’s-
ALBERT:
It’s Albert Miller, your dad’s lawyer. From the bar.
KURT:
What do you want?
ALBERT:
Just a matter of some unfinished paperwork. You mind if I head over?
KURT:
Wait wait wait wait, you knew him. Who’s Caroline, and what were they doing here?
ALBERT:
I don’t know what you’re talking about, my boy. But you forgot to sign the deed.
KURT:
Albert, we’ll get to that, but right now, what I’m finding here, it’s not making any sense.
KURT takes another sip while ALBERT speaks.
ALBERT:
Kurt, I know you’re probably, going through the motions right now. Why don’t we talk about this in person?
KURT:
Please, you must know something-
ALBERT:
Oh, and by the way. I leant your dad my shovel. Probably in the basement. Can you bring that up for me? See you soon.
ALBERT hangs up and KURT slams the receiver down.
KURT:
Useless!
He takes another long sip from the bottle.
KURT:
He’s right about one thing, though. I have been avoiding the basement. Ugh, reeks of mold. Okay, Kurt, breathe through your mouth.
He descends the stairs into the basement.
KURT:
Everything’s just boxed up. Explains why there’s nothing upstairs. Well, here’s Albert’s shovel.
He begins going through boxes.
KURT:
This one’s just books and magazines.
This one’s just kitchen stuff.
He finds one of interest.
Hm. Caroline. It’s just clothes. Shirts, dresses.
There’s a framed photo. It’s Caroline and… mom? They look, so… happy.
An envelope with dad’s handwriting.
“Look upon our holy creation, my love. My patience wanes as I await the day that, together, we walk to the door. To see its blackened innards reflected, absorbed by your eyes, as we open it hand in hand. The living key, no bigger than a fist.”
KURT opens the envelope and removes the contents.
KURT:
What is… Mrs. Caroline Pucker… It’s a sonogram.