Homestead on the Corner

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CONTENT WARNING: Depictions of memory loss and dementia, drug use, loss and grief, and implied homophobia.

02082020: As the search for the well begins, Kate faces a difficult reunion.

Starring Virginia Spotts as Kate Sheridan, Airen Neeley Chaconas as Anna Sheridan, Van Winkle as Sam Bailey, Roberta Jackson as Deborah Sheridan, Ezra J. Wayne as Ned Leroux, and Sam Taylor as Ren Park, with original music by Jesse Haugen. Written and produced by Virginia Spotts, with dialogue editing and sound design by Van Winkle.

This episode was made possible by our supporters at Patreon.com/homesteadcorner, ko-fi.com/homesteadcorner, and our backers on Seed&Spark.

For more information, additional content, and episode transcript, visit thesheridantapes.com

Script

Transcript

CONTENT WARNING: Depictions of memory loss and dementia, drug use, loss and grief, and implied homophobia.

[A lobby filled with gentle talking, sobs, sniffles, and piano music]

[After a moment, Kate walks to the door and steps outside]

[Sound of birds]

[Lazy traffic occasionally passes by]

[A blunt being lit]

[Anna coughs]

Kate Sheridan

Oh. Hi.

Anna Sheridan

Hey… 

[Anna tries to hide her blunt]

Kate Sheridan

Don’t bother, it’s fine. If there was ever a day for smoking weed… 

Anna Sheridan

Then it’s at dad’s funeral?

Kate Sheridan

Something like that.

[Kate slumps against the wall next to her and sighs]

Anna Sheridan

Thanks for being cool about this.

Kate Sheridan

Of course.

[Pause]

Anna Sheridan

Did you see Tyler’s new hair?

Kate Sheridan

I can’t believe he dyed it purple, of all colors.

Anna Sheridan

At least I’m not the only weird one in the family anymore.

[Brief pause]

Kate Sheridan

It looks good.

Anna Sheridan

I know, right?

[Pause]

Kate Sheridan

Do you think that’s his grief?

Anna Sheridan

Purple-colored grief.

Kate Sheridan 

Sometimes people grieve in weird ways. He keeps telling everyone that dad was his favorite uncle.

Anna Sheridan

Yeah, that sounds like him.

Kate Sheridan

But… purple hair dye? Right before the funeral? I know it looks great on him, but… 

Anna Sheridan

Maybe he’s just being himself.

Kate Sheridan

Yeah.

Anna Sheridan

I think grief… it makes it more important not to hide yourself. You don’t have energy to keep who you really are hidden. It’s like… a relief, kinda.

[Pause]

Kate Sheridan

I miss dad.

Anna Sheridan

…Yeah.

[Kate sniffles]

Anna Sheridan

Did you see mom in there?

Kate Sheridan

Yeah… she was talking with Pastor Marlon when I left. I don’t think she’s going anywhere. [pause] I’m worried about her. I don’t know if… if she’s as willing to be herself in her grief. I’m afraid she’s just going to disappear inside herself.

Anna Sheridan

Yeah, I mean… 

Kate Sheridan

What do you think?

Anna Sheridan

[She sighs] Well… you know mom and me. When you say you’re afraid she’s gonna disappear, I guess it feels like… I don’t even know who she is anyway? She’s just been kind of… I don’t know, angry my whole life. That’s the only version of her she lets me see.

Kate Sheridan

You know, I really don’t get why mom always gives you a harder time than me. It’s not fair.

Anna Sheridan

Thanks.

Kate Sheridan

I could never imagine treating a daughter the way mom treated you. I really can’t.

[Pause]

Could I… could I get a drag of that?

Anna Sheridan

Katherine Sheridan!?

Kate Sheridan

It probably won’t hurt. And I’m not quite feeling up to going back in there sober.

Anna Sheridan

Bombs away, sis.

[Anna hands the joint to Kate. She takes a long inhale, holds, and then coughs.]

Anna Sheridan

Incredible.

Kate Sheridan

[Through coughs] You’re not doing so bad, yourself.

Anna Sheridan

…Thanks.

[Kate gets it together]

Kate Sheridan

Maybe I’ll lean into a new version of me, too. [pause] And I hope mom finally does what she’s always wanted… [Cassette noises] whatever that is.

[Click]

[Main Theme]

Recording Begins

[Cassette noises]

[Click]

[Static fades away]

[Sam leans on the side of their travel van]

[The streets are quiet]

Sam Bailey

Sam Bailey, Personal Investigation — February 8th, 2020 at 4:05pm, Central Standard Time. It’s been a long travel day, but we’re finally in Iowa, just outside Des Moines proper. Ned and Ren are helping me search for the well, and we figured that the elementary school Anna and Kate attended is the best place to start. Kate is still… currently half-remembering everything to do with Amy and the well. Between that and the fresh leg wound, we decided it would probably be best if she didn’t come along. Besides, she said she had some family matters to attend to while she’s here. Makes sense… who knows when she’ll be back here with everything going on.

So — based on Anna’s original account of Amy’s disappearance, we’re looking for a boarded-up, disused well somewhere on the edge of school property. According to her tape, one day after school in 1993, Anna and Amy decided to go check it out while waiting for their parents to arrive. I would also like to mention that after a bit of digging, I’ve confirmed that there were an Arthur and Sandra Sterling living in Des Moines during the period in question, but according to official records they never had any children, and the couple divorced in 1994 before leaving the area.

After that point, the facts of the story become a little muddled, but based on Anna’s memories and our encounter with Amy, it’s clear that she wasn’t just a false memory — she was somehow erased from her own timeline. And from that point Anna was able to observe and remember two distinct, parallel timelines — one where Amy was never born, and one where Amy still existed. But despite Anna’s memories, eventually the timeline without Amy won out.

I’ve also asked Ren to keep an eye out for anything… unusual. They may have seen a vision of this exact same well in the desert last week. Granted, it’s possible they were hallucinating at the time, but seeing as Kate forgot about it almost immediately after he mentioned it, Ren may be our best spotter. And despite everything we’ve learned, this is still our only real clue about how to save Anna.

[Distant clatter]

Oh… I think we’re ready to move.

[Movement]

[Click]

[Silence]

[Click]

[Kate stands in the hallway of a nursing home, sounds of movement and conversation behind her]

[She takes a deep breath, then opens the door, and closes it behind her]

Kate Sheridan

Hi, mom.

[Deborah shifts in bed to look at her]

Deborah Sheridan

Who are you?

Kate Sheridan

[Wincing, whispered] Shit.

[Pause; normal volume] I’m a friend of the family. Wanted to come say hi.

Deborah Sheridan

Oh, okay… 

[Kate approaches her bed; Deborah tries a friendly laugh, sounding confused]

[Kate sits on the bed]

Do you know my sister, Nancy?

Kate Sheridan

I do.

Deborah Sheridan

Well. I don’t know where everyone went, but… they should be back soon.

Kate Sheridan

That’s wonderful.

[Pause]

Could I hold your hand?

Deborah Sheridan

Oh… Well, you seem very sweet. So that’s okay.

[Kate grabs her hand and sniffles]

Kate Sheridan

Thank you, Deborah.

[Click]

[Silence]

[Click]

[Long grass rustling underfoot]

Sam Bailey

This can’t be the entire field, can it?

Ned Leroux

Sure as hell looks like it. Unless Kate gave us the wrong address.

Sam Bailey

God, why did we have to get here on a Sunday? We could have at least checked the admission records if the office was open.

Ned Leroux

Ah yes, I’m sure they’d be happy to open those records for a couple of former police officers from a department in Nevada that no longer exists.

Ren Park (distantly)

Wait, there’s more of it behind the gym, over here!

[Ned and Sam follow after Ren]

Ned Leroux

This better be good… it’s too damn cold for this.

Sam Bailey

Yeah, yeah… 

Ned Leroux

I’m serious, If I’m out here for too much longer, I’m gonna lock up. And then your sorry ass is gonna have to carry me back to the van like a cardboard cutout.

Sam Bailey

See anything yet?

[Ren jogs back to them, breathing hard]

Ren Park

Nothing. See where that fence starts? That’s it. 

[Ned groans, Sam sighs]

Ned Leroux

Are you shitting me? We came all the way out here for nothing?

Ren Park

You would have been more than welcome to stay at the hotel.

Ned Leroux

I didn’t mean out to the school, Park.

[In the distance, a dumpster squeals as it’s opened]

Sam Bailey

Ah, there’s a janitor over there! Maybe he knows something.

[Sam starts walking over to him]

Ned Leroux

Or he might call the cops on us for trespassing.

Sam Bailey

Come on everyone, day isn’t over yet.

[Click]

[Silence]

[Click]

[Kate sniffles, crying]

Deborah Sheridan

Oh, honey, what’s wrong?

Kate Sheridan

Nothing… Don’t worry, it’s just… allergies.

[Deborah sits back and smiles]

Deborah Sheridan

I remember you, I think.

Kate Sheridan

You do?

Deborah Sheridan

You’re my daughter Anna, aren’t you?

Kate Sheridan

Oh… I… 

Deborah Sheridan

Oh, it has been a long time.

[Pause]

Kate Sheridan

[Deeply sad, pretending] Yes, I’m Anna.

Deborah Sheridan

My Anna! Tell me… do you have anyone new in your life?

Kate Sheridan

…No, she… I don’t.

[Deborah sounds upset, mumbling – then stops, and laughs bittersweetly]

Deborah Sheridan

Good. You had the courage to do what I never could.

Kate Sheridan

What do you mean?

[Click]

[Silence]

[Click]

[Sound of wind and movement, moving through tall grass]

Ren Park

Hold on!

Ned Leroux

You’re not gonna find it.

Sam Bailey

Ren, come back! It’s… it isn’t here.

Ned Leroux

Can’t believe I let you talk me into leaving Oslow.

Sam Bailey

For the recording — the janitor we spoke to had no idea what we were talking about. He’s been working at this school for close to thirty years, and according to him, there’s never been a well here.

Ned Leroux

[Under breath] Wild fucking goose chase.

Sam Bailey

We know that Anna’s accounts are true. We know that Amy existed at some point, and for her to disappear the well also has to be real. We just need to keep looking.

[Ren walks back, defeated]

Ren Park

I think that we need to consider the possibility that… it’s only a theory, but I think we may be in the wrong timeline to find the well.

Ned Leroux

Ugh, come on.

Ren Park

I’m serious. We already know that parallel timelines are a factor here, so it’s something we need to consider. So. How do we know we’re in the right one? Anna initially found the well while she was still in the timeline where Amy existed. Who’s to say it exists in the timeline without her?

Sam Bailey

Christ.

Ned Leroux

Are you sure we haven’t just been wasting our time at the wrong school? 

Sam Bailey

Not a chance. You saw how the janitor’s eyes lit up when you accidentally mentioned Anna?

Ned Leroux

Shit. You’re right.

Sam Bailey

So the only remaining possibilities are… perhaps the well has a mind of its own. Or… 

Ren Park

Or… the limitations of spacetime will prevent us from finding it.

Sam Bailey

…Perfect. 

[Click]

[Silence]

[Click]

Kate Sheridan

What do you mean?

Deborah Sheridan

Oh, men can be a lot of trouble, you know that?

Kate Sheridan

[Laughing awkwardly] Uh… Mom — Deborah… are you saying you… you’re jealous of Anna? I mean, of me?

Deborah Sheridan

I… oh… [Confused noise, shifting, worried] Will Nancy be coming back soon?

Kate Sheridan

I’m… sure she just stepped out for a minute. Don’t worry.

Deborah Sheridan

Oh. Thank you. You know, Nancy was just in here. She was telling me about the… the… the selling. [That wasn’t the word she meant, she reacts in frustration] Oh… no, I mean… goodness.

[Deborah tries to remember, then sits back and sighs]

I am so sorry dear, I’m getting so tired. And you only just got here, didn’t you?

Kate Sheridan

It’s been nice to catch up.

Deborah Sheridan

I can’t remember you, but I know you’re important. You must be.

Kate Sheridan

Thank you. [She stands to go] I’ll send a nurse to check on you.

[Kate walks to the door]

Deborah Sheridan

Kate… 

[Kate gasps and returns to her mom]

Kate Sheridan

Mom? Mom, what did you say?

Deborah Sheridan

Do you know my daughter? Kate?

Kate Sheridan

I… yes, I do.

Deborah Sheridan

How is she doing?

Kate Sheridan

She’s very busy with work. But, uh… she’s happy. Or, she’s… she’s pretty sure she’s gonna be happy.

Deborah Sheridan

I would hope so. She spent so long trying to make others happy.

[Deborah sounds pleased, and closes her eyes]

[Kate chokes a sob back, exhaling carefully]

Deborah Sheridan

[Mumbled, half-asleep] The well… the well… the circled stones, and the waters beneath… 

[Kate cautiously leans closer]

Kate Sheridan

W-what did you say?

[Deborah sits up]

Deborah Sheridan

Kate. I remember.

Kate Sheridan

Mom?

Deborah Sheridan (lucid)

It’s time, Kate. It’s time for you to remember, too. Anna said you need to remember the well.

[Click]

[Silence]

[Click]

[In a quiet home, a fire crackles in the hearth]

Sam Bailey

Addendum: February 9th, 2020, 12:05am, Central Standard Time. We’re all staying at Kate’s house… which we know is a potential risk if anyone’s still looking for us.

Ned Leroux

But we are rather far from Oslow, so… 

[Ned sips from a mug]

Kate Sheridan

I… I remember Amy. I remember the well. I remember Anna telling me about all of this so many times. How could I forget? How do I remember it now? [Gentle laugh] Anna really must’ve needed me to remember, if she was willing to talk to mom to make it happen.

Sam Bailey

It’s certainly easier to talk about this now that you remember.

Kate Sheridan

Not now, Sam, there’s… Oof. There’s a lot to process from that visit, even without that.

[Kate sits back]

[Ned sips from a mug again]

Ned Leroux

Anyways… this well y’all were looking for, it’s not here. So what do we do?

Ren Park

Maybe it can actually move. I’m pretty sure now that I must’ve seen it in the desert.

Sam Bailey

That might be the case… but if so, then the question is what was it doing out in the desert in the first place? Was it… summoned there by someone? Did it choose to be there itself?

Ned Leroux

Well… speaking of my own experience with things in the Source, they tend to just show up in places that call to them the most. Like… intention, I guess.

Sam Bailey

But it takes a lot of focus.

Ned Leroux

Yup.

Sam Bailey

I suppose it makes sense that it could work the same way on this side.

Ned Leroux

Well if we can find this well anywhere, apparently… then maybe that’s what we need to focus on in order to enter the Source at the right point. You know, to find Bill and Rob.

Sam Bailey

But you and I have never seen this well. How do you expect us to conjure it up if we don’t even know what it looks like?

Ren Park

Maybe looking for it at all is pointless. Maybe we’re supposed to just… wait for it to show up. If it’ll ever show up.

Kate Sheridan

[Jumping in] The thing is… Anna’s book specifically mentioned Amy and the well. It’s important. And she made sure I remembered, today. But it’s not here. And we have unfinished business in Oslow, anyway. That’s where this all started, right? Maybe we can use that physical proximity to all of that… [She gestures, making an uncertain noise]

Sam Bailey

Supernatural activity?

Kate Sheridan

Yes. We can use that to our advantage. And hey, I do remember the well now, however vaguely… 

Sam Bailey

So there is a chance it could manifest there, around all that power.

Kate Sheridan

I think we’re on to something.

Ned Leroux

Good for you.

[Ned sips from his mug]

Sam Bailey

Did you make coffee?

Ned Leroux

Nope.

[Sam leans over and sniffs, reacting in disgust]

Sam Bailey

Oh my God, Ned.

Ned Leroux

A little siphon never hurt nobody.

[Sam sighs]

Kate Sheridan

Please tell me you’re not drinking gasoline on my couch.

Ned Leroux

Not with that attitude.

[Ned stands and exits the living room]

[Kate sighs]

Kate Sheridan

Ugh, God…

[Ned closes the door to a bedroom]

Ren Park

When do y’all want to head out?

Kate Sheridan

It’s after midnight now. We’ll leave as soon as we’re all up in the morning.

Ren Park

I suppose that’s fine. [Ren stands] Can I smoke in the backyard?

Kate Sheridan

Sure. Neighbors should be asleep by now.

[Ren exits to the sliding glass door and calls out before he exits]

Ren Park

Thank you!

[Beat]

[The fire crackles]

Sam Bailey

Hey.

Kate Sheridan

Hey, yourself.

Sam Bailey

Do you want to talk about it? Seeing your mom?

Kate Sheridan

What do I even have to say… It was good to see her. I think.

Sam Bailey

I’m glad you got to do that. Who knows when… [He swallows] Well.

Kate Sheridan

No, you’re right. Uh… [Pause] How did you handle your parents’ deaths? I mean I know you were young, but…

[Beat]

Sam Bailey

I was. And the answer is… at the time, I didn’t handle it. I just… grew up and got angry. I only really dealt with it after my grandma died too. Took a lot of work and a lot of time, but eventually it just… didn’t hurt as much. But it never went away.

I don’t have any advice for you, Kate. Grief is a… it’s a custom-fit nightmare for everyone.

Kate Sheridan

Yeah… yeah.

[Beat; she clears her throat]

I guess we’re having the opposite experiences though, aren’t we? I’m nearly 40. I’ve seen my mom’s death coming for years. But I still don’t know when.

Sam Bailey

That must be awful, just… Watching someone you love fade like that.

Kate Sheridan

It is. I feel helpless. And… and I can’t even be there for her right now. I just hope I don’t… don’t miss it when it happens, you know? I hope there’s a chance to say goodbye.

Sam Bailey

I hope you get that, too.

[Kate laughs sadly]

Kate Sheridan

God, it’s hard being human.

Sam Bailey

It is.

Kate Sheridan

There’s not much time left. There never was, not as much as I want. I don’t know how much more she’s got left, or if she’ll still be here when this is done. But… it was beautiful to remember with her. If only for a moment.

[Clack]

Recording Ends

[Music]

Narrator

In Loving Memory of our friend, Lesley-Anne Hoxie.

End Theme & Credits