Mini Episode #2: The Bookseller

[EXT. A QUIET COUNTRY ROAD, WITH THE SOUNDS OF A SUMMER BREEZE AND EVENING BIRDS.  THE SUN IS BEGINNING TO FALL.  WE HEAR THE CLIP-CLOP OF HOOVES, JINGLING REINS, AND THE ROCKING OF A CART.  THE BOOKSELLER TRUNDLES ALONG THE ROAD ATOP THEIR WAGON.]

NARRATOR

A solitary traveler guides his horse and wagon along a forested country road, the sunset streaking the sky with brilliant crimson and orange hues.  He is clad in dust-flecked leathers, with his hood drawn tightly around his spectacled face.  The wagon is filled with boxes, barrels, and crates, covered by an oiled cloth stretched thin to keep the cargo dry.  The traveler cranes his neck as he looks behind him, trying to seem casual while checking for any others on this desolate stretch of road.  When no one else is found, he turns his tired gaze back to the path ahead, jerking the reins to stay on course.

He feels his eyelids grow heavy.  Days have passed like this, and just as he resigns himself to another uncomfortable night spent on the roadside, he spies the shape of a building up ahead.  It is a rustic, ramshackle inn with a cozy air about it.  Warm, flickering light glows from within, and one half of the front has a canvas tarp stretched across it–evidently, this place is under construction.  As he pulls up to the front entrance, he stops to read the sign swinging in the evening air.

BOOKSELLER

(reading aloud) “Brass Eagle Inn.  Food and board.  Travelers, inquire within.”

Huh. Odd place. A drink would be welcome, though.

[BOOKSELLER steps down from the carriage and ties up the horse.  He pats her side.]

BOOKSELLER

Sit tight, girl.  I won’t be long.

BAILEY

*whinny*

[Sounds of a door creaking open and a small bell jingling.  We transition to a quiet, spacious interior with a ticking clock as the BOOKSELLER walks in.]

BOOKSELLER, uneasy

(calling out) …Hello?  Is anyone there?  I’m looking for a drink–been on the road for a while.

NARRATOR

The clanking of dishes and a voice from within the kitchen assures the traveler that he is not alone.

KEEPER

(muffled) …Oh?  Hello!  Be with you in a moment, just need to finish up in here.  You can take a seat wherever you’d like!

BOOKSELLER

Alright…thanks.

[Sound of the BOOKSELLER jingling into the room and taking a few steps as they check the place out.  Sounds of clattering as the Keeper finishes up whatever it is he’s doing in the kitchen.]

NARRATOR

A bit too uneasy to sit down, the traveler looks around the common room.  The place is a hodge-podge of different decorations, mismatched furniture, and wood of many different grains and colors.  He’s never seen any place quite like it.  However, his eyes go wide when he notices the impressive selection of liquors behind the bar.  Bottles of all shapes, colors, and sizes line the shelves.

Opposite the bar, above the fireplace, a large clock ticks, and atop it sits a noble brass statue of an eagle.  The traveler stares for a long moment at the strange bird.

His eyes are pulled away when he notices a book lying open on the bartop.  His brows raise as he realizes the book’s arcane subject matter.

BOOKSELLER

(muttering) “Practical Applications of Runestones”.  Hm.  Bold of whoever was reading this to leave this out in the open, especially in these parts.

[Kitchen doors swing open and Keeper emerges, wiping his hands on a towel.]

NARRATOR

The kitchen door opens and a man in a cloth apron walks out, wiping his hands on a dishrag.  He seems tired; his eyes are red-rimmed and bleary, but his posture is alert and upright.  

The man looks at the traveler innocently.

KEEPER

I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that?

BOOKSELLER

I, ah, was just saying that this is quite the place!  …Is it just you working here?  Seems a bit much for just one person to handle.

KEEPER

Oh, I’ve had busy nights.

BOOKSELLER

All the way out here?

KEEPER

(coy) In this inn, yes.  But it comes and goes; I’m used to it.  Please pardon our mess, by the way; too many projects but not enough time!  But I digress.  What can I get for you?

BOOKSELLER

I’m just passing through, so…I don’t know, something local? What’ve you got that’s from around here?

KEEPER

…Where…are we?

BOOKSELLER

Uh…  I’m sorry?

KEEPER

Where are we?  What, ah, cities are nearby?

BOOKSELLER

Uh…I was actually hoping to ask if you knew how far we were from the next town.

KEEPER

I don’t, unfortunately.  I’m new here.

BOOKSELLER

Ah.  So…you just bought the place, then.

KEEPER

…Yeeees.  Yes. …But!  Back to the topic at hand: your drink!  I’ve got all sorts of beer, wines, liquor…Let’s see…

[Sounds of a cabinet opening and bottles clinking as he places some down.]

KEEPER

Ooh, how about this one?  Caedwen Vintage?  Probably as close to the local flavor as you’ll get here–a robust, opulent wine, deep red color, velvety smooth–

BOOKSELLER

(interjecting) Did you say…Caedwen?  Local?  That’s three months’ journey east.

KEEPER

…Right!  Just joking.  But…that’s a no to the Caedwen?

BOOKSELLER

It’s probably too rich for my taste.  How much for a glass?

KEEPER

(flippant)Eh, two silver a bottle.

BOOKSELLER

(aghast) That’s…at that price, you’re letting me rob you.  You know how hard that stuff is to get?!

KEEPER

I do.  I’m just…well connected, I suppose.

BOOKSELLER

I…well alright, then.  I’ll have one of those.

[Sound of coins hitting the counter, a glass being placed down, a bottle being uncorked, and wine being poured.]

KEEPER

There you are.

[Foley as BOOKSELLER takes the mug.]

BOOKSELLER

Mm.  That’s good.

KEEPER

Glad to hear it.  So.  What brings you out this way?

BOOKSELLER

I’m hoping to offload some wares in the city.  Reminds me–I noticed that book over there.  That's yours? It’s an interesting read, that one.

KEEPER

(to himself) Ach, I thought I had put that away…fine.  

(defensive, then dangerous) Yes, it’s mine.  I own a book about magic.  I trust that isn’t a…problem…for you?

BOOKSELLER

No, no, not at all—-relax, friend, I won’t give you any trouble.  My cart is full of the same.

KEEPER

Oh?

BOOKSELLER

I run–well, ran–a book shop.  Sold lots of arcana: tomes, scrolls, spellbooks, esoterica.  With all recent fear-mongering about witches, magic, and the like, I was getting a lot of nasty looks thrown my way.  No one would buy my stock, and I couldn’t bear to see them burned.  My options were limited back home, y’know?  Now, I’m looking for greener pastures.  More…enlightened ones.

KEEPER

(thoughtful) Good…good!(backpedaling) …Not about your exodus, I’m sorry about that, but–I may actually be interested in taking some of those off your hands.

BOOKSELLER

Oh, you’re…a mage, then?

KEEPER

No, nothing like that.  The subject matter is of interest to me, is all.

BOOKSELLER

Oh, so a scholar.  

KEEPER

Something like that.

BOOKSELLER

In that case, I could be convinced to part with them.

KEEPER

Excellent!  It’s about 8 p.m., so we’ve got a while before we need to talk business.  You’ll want to be out of here before too long, though.

BOOKSELLER

Mm?  Why’s that, isn’t this an inn…?

KEEPER

Yes.  But–only for the sort that needs to get away.

BOOKSELLER

Like a vacation?

KEEPER

I mean really get away.  Let me put it like this–if you don’t want to lose those books and that horse outside, you should be back on the road before midnight.  That’s not a threat–just a statement of fact.

BOOKSELLER

I–wait, what do you mean by that?

KEEPER

(interrupting) Ah–it’s not really worth explaining.  We can talk business in a moment.  But first–another round!  This one’s on me.

NARRATOR

The bar’s proprietor busies himself filling a pair of glasses. He slides one over to the bewildered traveler, who takes it in a clammy hand.  The barkeeper raises his own glass in a merry toast, oblivious to his company’s newfound discomfort.

[Two glasses are placed down, and two glasses are filled.  Sounds of Keeper picking one up and raising it.]

KEEPER

To kindred spirits!

BOOKSELLER

(toasting, perturbed) …Sure.

[Glasses clink.  Music slowly swells and drowns out the quiet  ambience of the tavern.]

NARRATOR

And so, they drink. As the traveler polishes off the last of his wine, he talks at length with the strange man about offloading his wares.  Deals are struck, and the night wanes until the bookseller is kicked out the door at 11:30 p.m. on the dot.  He leaves the strange inn and its keeper behind, his cart much lighter and his pockets much heavier with coin.  

As midnight draws near, the traveler and his cart crest a short ridge.  He spares a glance back in the direction of that peculiar place, and can just barely discern the plume of smoke from the inn’s chimney curling into the night sky over the forest.  

This calm tableau is interrupted by a loud, cacophonous din that rises above the landscape, sending birds screaming into the night and startling the traveler’s horse.

[Rumble, sounds of the clock chiming and the Eagle screeching, echoing through the valley. Many birds crying and flapping of wings as they are startled from their nests.]

BOOKSELLER

BAILEY!  Eeeaaasy, easy girl.  It’s alright.  Shh, shh.

[Reins jingling, horse whinnying, and the reassuring murmurs of the traveler until the horse settles down.]

NARRATOR

As the horse is finally subdued, the traveler looks back out in the direction of the noise.  As he does, he notices that the thin plume of smoke is dissipating–it seems that its source has been snuffed out entirely, as if it were never there at all.

BOOKSELLER

What in the world…?

[Ending music begins to play.  Forest ambience slowly fades away.]

NARRATOR

This teaser features the voice talents of Michael Mishkin and Connor Bushoven, and is narrated by Mike LeBeau.

Welcome to the Brass Eagle is an upcoming ten episode fantasy fiction podcast series centered around a mysterious tavern that moves somewhere new each time the clock strikes midnight.   

Narrated by Mike LeBeau, and starring E.R. Hollands, Maddi Albregts, and Connor Bushoven. 

To make the show a reality, we need your support.

The show’s full-length first episode will launch ahead of our crowdfunding campaign.  Follow us on all socials @brasseaglepod for updates and more.

A five-star review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or the platform of your choice will go a long way to helping spread the word and reach new listeners.