EXTRACTION

[00:00:00] Listen up, thrillers. A quick note.

[00:00:02] Tonight's devious audio delight contains adult content and language, including graphic violence.

[00:00:21] Merry Christmas.

[00:00:24] I have 50 minutes left in my shift, and I'm twitchy and pissed.

[00:00:28] Not because I've endured a loop of tired Christmas songs all day.

[00:00:32] Not because the perfume being peddled near my station is on the verge of giving me a migraine.

[00:00:38] You want a spritz of divinity?

[00:00:39] Not even because this swarm of last-minute shoppers are only here for cheap, forgettable gifts instead of the high-end cosmetics I'm selling.

[00:00:48] No, I'm twitchy and pissed because my skin has decided to stage a coup.

[00:00:54] I can feel the filth pooling beneath my flesh, building a nest in my pores, a sick infestation of grime that's taken up residence in my face.

[00:01:05] It's a familiar invasion I've suffered since puberty, and yet it always feels like a betrayal.

[00:01:11] I follow a tediously consistent and, quite frankly, expensive skincare regimen.

[00:01:17] I execute it with military-like precision.

[00:01:20] My skin? Completely ungrateful.

[00:01:24] I tongue the burgeoning pimple from inside my mouth, pushing it forward.

[00:01:29] Shit.

[00:01:30] It's going to be big.

[00:01:31] And of course, it's showing up right before...

[00:01:34] Are you going to help me or not?

[00:01:36] I'm sorry, what?

[00:01:38] I was hoping you could give me a demo.

[00:01:40] I take one look at her and know she's playing dumb.

[00:01:43] Her makeup is light and exceptionally well done.

[00:01:45] Most would assume she isn't wearing any.

[00:01:48] But I know she's contoured, powdered, and smooth to the nines.

[00:01:52] She's holding out a handful of products.

[00:01:54] She doesn't want a demo.

[00:01:55] She wants a full beat.

[00:01:56] Probably has a Christmas party to go to tonight.

[00:01:59] This girl doesn't need my help.

[00:02:00] But game recognizes game.

[00:02:02] I only work here to get the discount and access to the latest products.

[00:02:06] She's here to get a free makeover.

[00:02:08] I can't fault her for that.

[00:02:09] And while I rarely make sales from demos, if I don't do something, I'm going to obsess over the chaos churning in my pores for the rest of my shift.

[00:02:20] Besides, it's Christmas, so why the hell not?

[00:02:24] I add some tinsel to my voice.

[00:02:26] Of course. Hop on.

[00:02:28] I smile and regret it immediately.

[00:02:31] My skin pulls tight over the volcano growing deep in my chin.

[00:02:36] This one's not only going to look nasty, it's gonna hurt.

[00:02:40] I let my face settle into a neutral position and line up the products on the counter.

[00:02:45] I hand the girl wipes to remove her makeup.

[00:02:48] Oh, I don't need those. I'm not wearing anything.

[00:02:50] I meet her gaze and raise my manicured eyebrows.

[00:02:54] 762. Coco Loco.

[00:02:55] And maybe a smidge of burnt sienna around your hairline.

[00:02:59] I don't know what that is.

[00:03:02] Sure you do.

[00:03:02] It's the contour you're wearing.

[00:03:04] The girl's face goes slack, and then her brows pinch into a frown.

[00:03:08] Her lips pucker into a vengeful pout.

[00:03:11] She wasn't expecting me, a lowly brand ambassador at the mall, to challenge her.

[00:03:15] I brace myself, ready for her to storm out.

[00:03:17] Slap me, maybe.

[00:03:19] Although, a hit to the face might not be the worst thing,

[00:03:22] especially if I can angle my chin just right.

[00:03:25] I imagine the girl's fist striking my jaw.

[00:03:29] My inflamed pores explode like a geyser.

[00:03:33] Yellow tendrils of goo cascading across my station,

[00:03:37] filling up the whole damn department store.

[00:03:40] All these holiday shoppers riding a wave of sebum and bacteria

[00:03:44] out the glass doors and into the icy parking lot.

[00:03:48] This suddenly seems like a great idea.

[00:03:51] Inspired, even.

[00:03:53] I'm tempted to goad her on.

[00:03:54] Get her good and angry so she...

[00:03:57] Guilty.

[00:03:58] She plucks the wipes from my hands.

[00:04:00] You're good.

[00:04:01] I clearly picked the best makeup artist here.

[00:04:04] Any other day, I'd bask in that compliment.

[00:04:06] But today, I'm the only makeup artist here.

[00:04:09] I volunteered to work on Christmas Eve

[00:04:11] in hopes Mom would let me off the hook.

[00:04:14] Mom, I'm so sorry, but I have to work.

[00:04:17] Darling, I'm only 30 minutes away.

[00:04:20] Come over whenever you're done.

[00:04:22] We'll wait for you.

[00:04:23] We don't close until 8.

[00:04:24] 9 o'clock dinner then.

[00:04:26] How very European of us.

[00:04:30] Isn't that too late?

[00:04:31] I want us to be together this year.

[00:04:33] It's been ages since we've spent quality time as a family.

[00:04:37] That's because you're a passive-aggressive tyrant.

[00:04:39] Okay, I wanted to say that, but I knew better.

[00:04:43] I accepted the invitation,

[00:04:45] convinced one night in my childhood home wouldn't kill me.

[00:04:48] Especially since my brother, Todd, would be there.

[00:04:51] Yes, he's the golden child.

[00:04:53] And yes, Mom will fawn all over him,

[00:04:55] which will be annoying.

[00:04:57] But it'll keep her attention off me

[00:04:59] and this thing invading my face.

[00:05:02] Back to my customer.

[00:05:03] So, what kind of look are you going for?

[00:05:07] Well, there's this guy.

[00:05:10] There always is.

[00:05:11] Neither of us are going home for Christmas,

[00:05:13] so he invited me to Dank.

[00:05:15] Okay.

[00:05:16] While I think Dank is the dumbest and most misleading name

[00:05:19] I've ever heard for a cocktail bar,

[00:05:21] it should be a dispensary, right?

[00:05:23] It's one of the trendiest spots in town.

[00:05:26] I've never been,

[00:05:27] but I've seen plenty of pics on social.

[00:05:29] The interior resembles a cave.

[00:05:31] Stalagmites jutting out from the floor

[00:05:33] and stalactites hanging from the ceiling.

[00:05:35] The seating is made from rock formations

[00:05:37] and red light leaks through the craggy openings.

[00:05:40] I think it's supposed to look like fire or lava

[00:05:43] or the underworld.

[00:05:46] All of the cocktails at Dank have punny names

[00:05:48] and are garnished with charred fruit slices.

[00:05:50] It's annoyingly clever.

[00:05:52] Despite its dim and moody lighting,

[00:05:54] it's the kind of place you go to be seen.

[00:05:57] This guy is trying to impress her,

[00:05:59] so my job is clear.

[00:06:01] Impress him right back.

[00:06:03] Let's get you glam.

[00:06:04] What are you wearing?

[00:06:05] 40 minutes later, my hands are cramping.

[00:06:07] That suggestion of a migraine

[00:06:09] from the noxious perfume around me

[00:06:11] has bloomed into a full-blown headache.

[00:06:14] But I've created a masterpiece.

[00:06:17] So, worth it.

[00:06:20] My customer now sports a reverse smoky eye

[00:06:23] with an ombre effect

[00:06:24] that mimics the composition of an open flame.

[00:06:27] Her inner crease is kissed with blue

[00:06:30] before bleeding into a progression

[00:06:32] of yellow, orange, and red.

[00:06:34] A sharp and dramatic stroke of eyeliner

[00:06:36] elongates her lash line.

[00:06:38] Her cheekbones are bronzed to the gods.

[00:06:41] Lips shiny and stained,

[00:06:43] one shade darker than her natural color.

[00:06:45] On anyone else,

[00:06:46] this beat would probably seem campy.

[00:06:49] But on this girl,

[00:06:50] it's chic as shit.

[00:06:52] I pass her a mirror

[00:06:53] and clean up my station.

[00:06:55] You are a goddess!

[00:06:56] My eyeliner is never this sharp.

[00:06:59] And the colors?

[00:07:00] I smirk as the validation pours over me.

[00:07:03] A healing balm.

[00:07:04] I may not have great skin

[00:07:06] or a supportive family,

[00:07:07] but I'm damn good at this.

[00:07:13] Five minutes.

[00:07:15] Just enough time to make a sales pitch

[00:07:17] and maybe earn a commission.

[00:07:19] I'll try to sell something small.

[00:07:20] A pot of tinted lip balm

[00:07:22] or an eyebrow brush.

[00:07:24] But when I turn back to tell her

[00:07:25] how Honey Bunny Brow Shaper

[00:07:27] will change her life,

[00:07:29] she's gone.

[00:07:30] She fucking ghosted me?

[00:07:32] I frown.

[00:07:33] And my chin throbs,

[00:07:35] adding injury to insult.

[00:07:37] I'm two seconds away

[00:07:38] from kicking the display case

[00:07:39] when I notice a folded stack

[00:07:41] of bills on the stool.

[00:07:42] I look around.

[00:07:44] The girl is gone, gone,

[00:07:45] and no one's watching.

[00:07:46] I snatch up the cash

[00:07:47] and fan the bills between my fingers.

[00:07:50] One, two, three hundred dollars?

[00:07:53] I stuff the money in my back pocket

[00:07:55] and excitement thrums through my arms.

[00:07:58] I have no idea if the money

[00:07:59] fell out of the girl's pocket

[00:08:01] or if she decided to leave me

[00:08:02] an extremely generous tip.

[00:08:04] Doesn't matter.

[00:08:05] The cash is mine now.

[00:08:07] And I know exactly

[00:08:09] how I'm going to spend it.

[00:08:15] Sammy, surprised you answered.

[00:08:17] No rest for the wicked.

[00:08:18] Especially on the holidays.

[00:08:20] Thank God for that.

[00:08:22] At this point,

[00:08:22] I swear this cystic monster

[00:08:24] in my chin is developing sentience.

[00:08:27] Swimming around in pus,

[00:08:29] gaining strength,

[00:08:30] just waiting for the right moment

[00:08:33] to cut me open

[00:08:34] and spew out.

[00:08:36] What are you looking for?

[00:08:38] Clear out masks.

[00:08:39] Got any?

[00:08:40] Shit.

[00:08:41] You know those...

[00:08:42] I know.

[00:08:43] Got any?

[00:08:43] Me?

[00:08:44] No.

[00:08:45] In my network, probably.

[00:08:47] My stomach drops.

[00:08:49] I've only ever bought direct from Sammy.

[00:08:51] I'm not into trusting a stranger with this.

[00:08:54] But then,

[00:08:55] I imagine my mother's reaction

[00:08:57] when she sees my face.

[00:08:59] Val!

[00:08:59] How do you ever expect to meet someone

[00:09:02] if you don't care about your appearance?

[00:09:05] Have you taken one second

[00:09:06] to think about how it feels for me

[00:09:08] to have an unmarried daughter

[00:09:10] in her late twenties

[00:09:12] with skin like that?

[00:09:14] That.

[00:09:16] So, yeah.

[00:09:18] A shady side quest is worth the risk.

[00:09:20] Doesn't mean I won't be careful, though.

[00:09:22] Sammy, you promise no one's going to screw me over?

[00:09:24] If they fuck with you,

[00:09:25] they fuck with me, Val.

[00:09:27] Okay.

[00:09:28] Deal.

[00:09:28] I'll text you.

[00:09:29] And now,

[00:09:30] I wait.

[00:09:31] Shit.

[00:09:32] It's 8.20.

[00:09:33] At this rate,

[00:09:34] I'm going to be late

[00:09:35] for Mom's

[00:09:35] European Christmas Eve dinner.

[00:09:38] I text her.

[00:09:39] Running behind.

[00:09:41] Holiday crowds kept me late.

[00:09:42] Be there as soon as I can.

[00:09:43] Her response is immediate,

[00:09:45] as if she's been watching her phone

[00:09:46] waiting for me.

[00:09:48] It's fine, Valerie.

[00:09:49] I'm planning on 9.30 anyway.

[00:09:52] I knew this would happen.

[00:09:54] I knew this would happen.

[00:09:55] I know.

[00:09:56] I know.

[00:09:57] She probably means

[00:09:57] she figured my Christmas Eve shift

[00:09:59] would be hectic

[00:10:00] and I might be late.

[00:10:01] But there's an accusation in there, right?

[00:10:04] My heart spasms in my chest.

[00:10:06] I have to remind myself

[00:10:07] it's why I don't go home.

[00:10:09] I will never meet my mom's

[00:10:10] insane expectations.

[00:10:12] I will never be out of the line of fire.

[00:10:14] I was born with a target on my back

[00:10:16] and tonight,

[00:10:17] I've got an extra one on my chin.

[00:10:21] Lucky me.

[00:10:23] Okay.

[00:10:23] Childhood trauma time.

[00:10:25] When I hit puberty at 11,

[00:10:26] boom,

[00:10:27] a barrage of pimples

[00:10:29] sprouted across my chin,

[00:10:30] cheeks,

[00:10:31] nose,

[00:10:32] and forehead.

[00:10:33] It's all that junk you eat.

[00:10:36] Sugar, sugar, sugar.

[00:10:38] It's going to ruin you.

[00:10:39] That day,

[00:10:40] she took me shopping.

[00:10:42] We filled a basket

[00:10:43] with facial cleanser,

[00:10:44] toner,

[00:10:44] and oil-blotting tissues.

[00:10:46] She taught me how to use them

[00:10:47] and I followed her instructions

[00:10:49] to a T.

[00:10:50] My very first skin care regimen

[00:10:52] was born.

[00:10:53] Despite my best efforts,

[00:10:55] my face remained

[00:10:56] mottled and craterous.

[00:10:58] I bought you all those products

[00:11:00] with my hard-earned money.

[00:11:02] And you can't be bothered

[00:11:04] to use them properly?

[00:11:06] What a waste.

[00:11:08] Mom set up a special appointment

[00:11:10] with a dermatologist,

[00:11:11] Dr. Harrison.

[00:11:12] Then,

[00:11:13] he'd aim a super-fine needle

[00:11:15] toward me,

[00:11:16] move in close,

[00:11:18] and use it

[00:11:19] to pop

[00:11:19] every single pimple

[00:11:21] on my body.

[00:11:24] There was no local anesthetic.

[00:11:27] My chin throbs

[00:11:29] in concert

[00:11:30] with my phone.

[00:11:31] Fuck.

[00:11:32] It's getting worse

[00:11:33] by the minute.

[00:11:33] I shake my head

[00:11:34] and look at the screen.

[00:11:36] There it is.

[00:11:36] An address.

[00:11:38] I punch it into GPS.

[00:11:40] It's only seven minutes away.

[00:11:42] Time to drive into the night

[00:11:43] and meet an absolute stranger

[00:11:45] to buy a totally black-market

[00:11:47] skin care product.

[00:11:49] Cool.

[00:11:52] When Clear Out face masks

[00:11:53] first hit the market,

[00:11:54] they were only available

[00:11:55] in certain states.

[00:11:57] Limited distribution

[00:11:58] creates buzz,

[00:11:59] my coworkers said.

[00:12:00] And it worked

[00:12:01] because I couldn't wait

[00:12:02] to get my hands

[00:12:03] on Clear Out.

[00:12:04] It was rumored

[00:12:05] their proprietary formula

[00:12:06] literally seeped

[00:12:08] into your pores.

[00:12:09] When you removed the mask,

[00:12:10] you extracted

[00:12:11] everything trapped

[00:12:12] beneath your skin.

[00:12:14] That network of oil,

[00:12:15] dead skin cells,

[00:12:16] and debris

[00:12:17] snaking through your face?

[00:12:19] Gone.

[00:12:20] I reserved five masks

[00:12:22] through our department

[00:12:22] store inventory system,

[00:12:24] but they never arrived.

[00:12:26] Clear Out masks

[00:12:26] were pulled from the shelves

[00:12:27] a mere two weeks

[00:12:28] after their debut.

[00:12:29] Reports of ruined skin

[00:12:31] after removing the mask.

[00:12:33] Even after the product

[00:12:34] was pulled,

[00:12:34] mask removal videos

[00:12:35] ruled the algorithm

[00:12:37] for months.

[00:12:37] I watched beauty vloggers

[00:12:39] lucky enough to get

[00:12:40] their paws on Clear Out

[00:12:41] wrestle to remove the masks,

[00:12:43] their skin stretching away

[00:12:45] from their cheekbones,

[00:12:46] jeweled acrylics

[00:12:47] clawing wildly

[00:12:47] at their faces.

[00:12:49] I've watched those uploads

[00:12:50] so many times,

[00:12:51] I can tell you

[00:12:52] what happens in each one,

[00:12:54] beat for beat.

[00:12:55] In my opinion,

[00:12:57] overreactions.

[00:12:57] When people removed

[00:12:59] the Clear Out masks,

[00:13:00] sure, their skin was pink

[00:13:01] and maybe a little irritated,

[00:13:03] but their faces?

[00:13:04] Smooth.

[00:13:05] Tight.

[00:13:07] Flawless.

[00:13:07] The videos aren't

[00:13:09] an indictment of Clear Out.

[00:13:10] They're proof

[00:13:11] that the masks work.

[00:13:13] Maybe there's a little pain,

[00:13:15] but it's a small price

[00:13:16] to pay for beautiful skin.

[00:13:17] A price that I

[00:13:19] am eager to pay.

[00:13:22] I remind myself of this

[00:13:24] as my car winds

[00:13:25] through dark streets

[00:13:26] I've never driven down before.

[00:13:28] Okay.

[00:13:29] This is it.

[00:13:30] The place where I'll either

[00:13:32] land the score of a lifetime

[00:13:33] or get myself murdered.

[00:13:36] I text Sammy.

[00:13:37] I angle the rearview mirror down

[00:13:39] so I can check my chin.

[00:13:41] Even in the dim,

[00:13:42] I see a swollen lump.

[00:13:45] Inflammation.

[00:13:46] Redness.

[00:13:47] A disgusting mass

[00:13:49] that I swear is moving.

[00:13:52] My imagination whirs.

[00:13:54] Mom in her perfect silk robe

[00:13:56] on Christmas morning.

[00:13:58] She's haloed by twinkle lights.

[00:14:00] Her hair in a perfect chignon

[00:14:02] even though she slept in it.

[00:14:04] I present my chin to her.

[00:14:06] Merry Christmas, Mom.

[00:14:08] Time to open your present.

[00:14:10] And then,

[00:14:12] I squeeze.

[00:14:16] A strange man

[00:14:18] is standing at my window.

[00:14:19] He looks harmless,

[00:14:22] but I'm here,

[00:14:23] so I'm doing this.

[00:14:26] Sorry about that.

[00:14:27] I tried waving.

[00:14:28] Yeah.

[00:14:29] All good.

[00:14:30] You vow?

[00:14:31] Yeah, that's me.

[00:14:33] Clear out, right?

[00:14:35] Yep.

[00:14:36] My mouth fills with saliva.

[00:14:38] This is actually going to happen.

[00:14:39] You know these things.

[00:14:41] Yeah, I know.

[00:14:42] My last one.

[00:14:43] I'll take it.

[00:14:44] 200.

[00:14:45] I'm sorry, how much?

[00:14:47] Two hundred.

[00:14:48] Yeah.

[00:14:49] I thought that's what you said.

[00:14:51] And just like that,

[00:14:53] there goes two-thirds

[00:14:54] of my Christmas miracle.

[00:14:55] He pulls a package

[00:14:56] out of his hoodie

[00:14:57] and tosses it through

[00:14:58] my open car window

[00:14:59] onto my lap.

[00:15:00] And then,

[00:15:01] he's gone.

[00:15:02] Lost in shadow.

[00:15:04] Like my very own

[00:15:05] ghost of Christmas present.

[00:15:07] My pulse races.

[00:15:09] Less from the interaction

[00:15:11] and more from the fact

[00:15:12] that I feel like

[00:15:12] I'm doing something

[00:15:13] I shouldn't.

[00:15:14] Something forbidden.

[00:15:16] Tonight,

[00:15:16] I'm a rule breaker.

[00:15:18] I hold the face mask

[00:15:19] to my chest

[00:15:20] and tell my heart

[00:15:20] to calm the fuck down.

[00:15:22] The true terror

[00:15:23] waits for me

[00:15:24] in my childhood home,

[00:15:25] wearing a string of pearls

[00:15:27] and a condescending expression.

[00:15:36] Even though I'm late,

[00:15:37] I sit parked

[00:15:38] in front of Mom's house

[00:15:39] for a good five minutes.

[00:15:41] I consider driving away,

[00:15:42] going home

[00:15:43] and making myself

[00:15:44] some instant ramen,

[00:15:45] taking a hot shower,

[00:15:46] enjoying the clear-out mask

[00:15:48] for myself.

[00:15:49] But,

[00:15:50] I'll never hear

[00:15:51] the end of it.

[00:15:51] You didn't show.

[00:15:53] On Christmas?

[00:15:55] Yeah.

[00:15:56] So,

[00:15:57] here I go.

[00:16:01] Though the house

[00:16:02] is decked in twinkle lights,

[00:16:03] it feels like a death march.

[00:16:05] Last chance, Val.

[00:16:06] Ring this bell.

[00:16:07] There's no turning back.

[00:16:19] You look haggard.

[00:16:22] It's nice to see you, Mom.

[00:16:23] You know what I mean.

[00:16:25] I don't,

[00:16:26] but I'm sure as hell

[00:16:27] not going to ask her

[00:16:28] to clarify.

[00:16:30] Inside,

[00:16:31] it's warm

[00:16:31] and smells like

[00:16:32] pine-scented candles.

[00:16:34] I didn't use the mask

[00:16:35] on the drive over,

[00:16:36] though I was tempted.

[00:16:37] I weighed the pros

[00:16:38] and cons

[00:16:39] of showing up at Mom's

[00:16:40] with a pink,

[00:16:41] raw face.

[00:16:42] Valerie,

[00:16:43] why do you look

[00:16:43] like a plate

[00:16:44] of smoked salmon?

[00:16:45] Did you spend

[00:16:46] too much time

[00:16:47] in the sun?

[00:16:48] Dear,

[00:16:48] why do you

[00:16:49] do this to yourself?

[00:16:50] And as humiliating

[00:16:52] as my skin is

[00:16:52] at the moment,

[00:16:53] I need to take Mom

[00:16:54] on the journey with me.

[00:16:56] I need to show her

[00:16:57] that my skin sucks,

[00:16:58] sure,

[00:16:58] but oh,

[00:17:00] do I have a solution.

[00:17:02] After using the clear-out mask,

[00:17:04] I'll awaken fresh-faced

[00:17:05] and beautiful

[00:17:05] just in time

[00:17:06] for Christmas.

[00:17:07] I'll come downstairs

[00:17:09] in a teary-cloth robe,

[00:17:10] dewy and camera ready.

[00:17:12] Mom will gasp,

[00:17:13] and then she'll hand me

[00:17:14] a mimosa.

[00:17:15] We'll pose

[00:17:15] for mother-daughter photos,

[00:17:17] our skin shining

[00:17:18] and lustrous.

[00:17:20] Okay,

[00:17:21] who am I getting?

[00:17:22] It's likely that Mom

[00:17:23] will be silent

[00:17:24] on Christmas morning.

[00:17:25] She won't pick a fight

[00:17:26] with me

[00:17:26] or bemoan my subpar looks

[00:17:28] in single status.

[00:17:29] And maybe

[00:17:30] that little slice of peace

[00:17:32] won't be enough.

[00:17:33] The foyer is empty

[00:17:35] and my gut twists.

[00:17:36] Where are Todd

[00:17:37] and Marie's shoes?

[00:17:38] Their coats.

[00:17:39] Did I beat Todd here?

[00:17:40] Oh,

[00:17:41] he and Marie

[00:17:42] couldn't make it.

[00:17:44] What?

[00:17:44] Marie ate some

[00:17:46] bad shrimp,

[00:17:47] I guess.

[00:17:48] I checked my phone.

[00:17:49] No texts.

[00:17:50] No missed calls.

[00:17:51] And I made

[00:17:53] a whole

[00:17:54] tenderloin.

[00:17:55] Oh, great.

[00:17:56] She's been stewing

[00:17:57] in disappointment.

[00:17:58] I follow her

[00:17:59] down the hall

[00:17:59] toward the dining room

[00:18:00] and the aroma

[00:18:01] of cooked meat.

[00:18:02] The dining room

[00:18:03] is awash in candlelight.

[00:18:05] Normally,

[00:18:06] I'd roll my eyes

[00:18:06] at Mom's snobby music,

[00:18:08] but after hours

[00:18:09] of hearing Christmas songs

[00:18:10] on repeat,

[00:18:11] I can live with it.

[00:18:13] Gold-rimmed china

[00:18:14] winks in the sparse light.

[00:18:16] There's an open bottle

[00:18:17] of wine on the table,

[00:18:18] an herb-crusted tenderloin,

[00:18:20] mashed potatoes,

[00:18:21] green beans

[00:18:21] studded with slivered almonds.

[00:18:23] It's beautiful,

[00:18:25] actually.

[00:18:26] I'm about to say

[00:18:27] as much when...

[00:18:28] You could have told me.

[00:18:30] Told you what, Mom?

[00:18:31] That you were bringing

[00:18:32] a plus one.

[00:18:34] She taps her chin.

[00:18:35] Embarrassment sweeps

[00:18:36] through me.

[00:18:37] I can feel tears

[00:18:38] welling behind my eyes.

[00:18:39] Oh, darling.

[00:18:41] It's just a joke.

[00:18:43] I slump into my chair,

[00:18:45] desperate to keep

[00:18:46] my emotions

[00:18:46] from pouring down

[00:18:47] my face.

[00:18:48] Ha ha.

[00:18:49] Do you need me

[00:18:50] to contact Dr. Harrison

[00:18:52] for you, dear?

[00:18:53] It's infantilizing.

[00:18:55] I have my own doctors,

[00:18:56] thank you very much.

[00:18:57] No,

[00:18:58] I'm good, Mom.

[00:18:59] Ah,

[00:19:00] clearly

[00:19:00] you aren't.

[00:19:02] That's a trap.

[00:19:03] I refuse to fight with her.

[00:19:04] Verbally,

[00:19:05] anyway.

[00:19:06] There are other ways

[00:19:07] to engage in this war.

[00:19:09] I swipe the bottle of wine

[00:19:11] from the middle of the table.

[00:19:12] I fill my glass

[00:19:13] to the brim.

[00:19:15] It's an obscene amount

[00:19:16] of pinot,

[00:19:16] and I've barely left

[00:19:17] anything in the bottle

[00:19:18] for Mom.

[00:19:19] Then,

[00:19:20] she's next to me,

[00:19:21] setting down a plate.

[00:19:22] Merry Christmas, baby.

[00:19:24] We eat in silence

[00:19:25] for two glorious minutes,

[00:19:27] and then...

[00:19:28] Are you seeing anyone?

[00:19:31] No.

[00:19:32] Oh,

[00:19:32] that's a shame.

[00:19:34] I stab green beans

[00:19:35] and pork and potatoes

[00:19:36] and shovel them

[00:19:37] into my mouth.

[00:19:38] I eat quickly,

[00:19:39] desperate to get

[00:19:39] to the end of this meal.

[00:19:41] Bedtime.

[00:19:41] The promise

[00:19:42] of the clear-out mask

[00:19:43] waiting for me

[00:19:44] in my overnight bag.

[00:19:45] Maybe it's

[00:19:46] because of the way you...

[00:19:48] She doesn't need to finish.

[00:19:50] It's a dig

[00:19:50] at the way I'm eating.

[00:19:52] It's because I'm happy

[00:19:53] on my own, Mom.

[00:19:54] I'm actually doing

[00:19:55] rather well.

[00:19:57] If you say so, dear.

[00:19:59] We spend the rest

[00:19:59] of the meal

[00:20:00] in stony silence.

[00:20:01] I drink too much wine

[00:20:03] and Mom transforms

[00:20:04] into a blurry mess

[00:20:05] at the other end

[00:20:06] of the table.

[00:20:07] It's kind of nice

[00:20:08] seeing her like this.

[00:20:10] All soft edges,

[00:20:11] like something

[00:20:11] in the periphery.

[00:20:13] Out of focus.

[00:20:14] My focus.

[00:20:15] After her last bite,

[00:20:16] Mom leaves the dining room.

[00:20:18] She rattles around

[00:20:19] in the kitchen

[00:20:19] and returns

[00:20:20] with a frosty spoon.

[00:20:21] I can't believe

[00:20:22] she's still doing this.

[00:20:24] Here.

[00:20:24] She sets the spoon

[00:20:25] on the crisp white linen

[00:20:27] tablecloth beside my plate.

[00:20:28] For that thing

[00:20:29] on your chin.

[00:20:33] Thanks.

[00:20:37] My stomach churns

[00:20:39] as I stare into the mirror

[00:20:40] in the upstairs bathroom.

[00:20:41] Beneath the glow of harsh LEDs,

[00:20:43] my skin spills its dirty secrets

[00:20:46] across the glass.

[00:20:47] The bags under my eyes

[00:20:49] could be flotation devices.

[00:20:51] My makeup is wearing off

[00:20:53] and through it,

[00:20:54] you can see what I try

[00:20:55] so hard to hide.

[00:20:58] Oily, ruddy,

[00:20:59] splotchy skin.

[00:21:01] And of course,

[00:21:02] the cherry on top.

[00:21:04] The bulbous zit

[00:21:06] that's been tunneling

[00:21:07] further and further

[00:21:08] into my chin,

[00:21:09] refusing to form a head.

[00:21:12] I remove my makeup

[00:21:13] and wash my face.

[00:21:15] Each brush

[00:21:16] with the growing boil

[00:21:17] on my chin

[00:21:17] brings immediate pain.

[00:21:19] It ripples

[00:21:20] through my jaw

[00:21:21] and down my throat.

[00:21:23] If I let this thing

[00:21:25] keep growing,

[00:21:26] it'll be wearing me

[00:21:27] tomorrow.

[00:21:28] Okay.

[00:21:29] It's time.

[00:21:31] I rip open

[00:21:33] the silver clear-out package

[00:21:34] and peer inside.

[00:21:36] I know what to expect

[00:21:37] and yet,

[00:21:38] disappointment

[00:21:39] flares in my chest.

[00:21:40] The mask is white,

[00:21:42] surrounded by clear,

[00:21:43] citrus-scented sludge.

[00:21:45] It's so...

[00:21:46] pedestrian.

[00:21:48] I wish it looked

[00:21:49] a little more impressive.

[00:21:50] More indicative

[00:21:51] of the magic

[00:21:52] it's rumored to contain.

[00:21:54] But it doesn't matter

[00:21:55] what it looks like.

[00:21:56] It just needs to work.

[00:21:58] The mask is cold

[00:22:00] and slippery.

[00:22:01] I read the instructions

[00:22:02] three times

[00:22:03] before unfolding

[00:22:04] the material

[00:22:04] and pressing it firmly

[00:22:06] against my face.

[00:22:08] I close my eyes

[00:22:09] and imagine the gel

[00:22:10] seeping into my needy pores,

[00:22:12] swallowing all the junk

[00:22:14] my face harbors.

[00:22:15] I open my eyes

[00:22:16] and hinge forward

[00:22:17] to the mirror.

[00:22:17] I can't see

[00:22:19] anything happening.

[00:22:20] I'll have to wait.

[00:22:21] And as much

[00:22:22] as I'm tempted

[00:22:22] to stand here,

[00:22:23] I know that if I do,

[00:22:25] 15 minutes

[00:22:26] will feel like 15 hours.

[00:22:28] I need distraction

[00:22:29] or the anticipation

[00:22:30] is going to eat me whole.

[00:22:31] I exit the bathroom

[00:22:33] and curl up

[00:22:34] in my childhood bed.

[00:22:35] A podcast

[00:22:36] will keep me company

[00:22:37] for a bit.

[00:22:38] And then it will be time

[00:22:39] to reemerge

[00:22:40] fresh-faced,

[00:22:42] glowing,

[00:22:43] beautiful.

[00:22:48] It's not an alarm

[00:22:49] that wakes me

[00:22:49] but intense discomfort.

[00:22:51] It's not an alarm

[00:22:52] like the pain

[00:22:52] from pulling your hair

[00:22:53] back so tightly

[00:22:54] the tension

[00:22:55] taxes your scalp.

[00:22:57] Except this

[00:22:58] is centered

[00:22:59] in the middle

[00:23:00] of my face.

[00:23:01] It feels like someone

[00:23:02] is gripping a hunk

[00:23:03] of my skin

[00:23:03] and pulling it away

[00:23:04] from my bones.

[00:23:06] My hand flies

[00:23:07] up to my cheek.

[00:23:08] Instead of my skin,

[00:23:09] I feel a crusty,

[00:23:11] dry material.

[00:23:12] It's the clear-out mask.

[00:23:13] I bolt upright

[00:23:15] and grab my phone.

[00:23:16] Shit, shit, shit.

[00:23:18] It's the middle of the night.

[00:23:19] Hours since I applied the mask.

[00:23:21] Shit.

[00:23:22] I need to see.

[00:23:23] My reflection

[00:23:24] is a waking nightmare.

[00:23:26] The clear-out mask

[00:23:27] has completely

[00:23:28] fused

[00:23:29] to my face.

[00:23:31] I lean close

[00:23:32] to the glass.

[00:23:33] I can't tell

[00:23:34] where white material

[00:23:35] of the mask ends

[00:23:36] and where my skin begins.

[00:23:37] My fingertips

[00:23:38] search for an edge,

[00:23:40] a seam,

[00:23:40] any kind of give

[00:23:41] but it's no use.

[00:23:42] I'll have to dig.

[00:23:44] The thought charges

[00:23:45] through my brain.

[00:23:46] It stuns me.

[00:23:47] I look into the mirror

[00:23:48] and wonder if it's true.

[00:23:50] No, no, no, no, no.

[00:23:51] There has to be another way.

[00:23:53] I splash water

[00:23:54] onto my face,

[00:23:55] a solid first step.

[00:23:57] This is science,

[00:23:58] I reason.

[00:23:59] The mask dried out

[00:24:00] and that's fine

[00:24:01] because saturation

[00:24:02] should loosen it.

[00:24:03] But science fails me.

[00:24:05] The clear-out mask

[00:24:06] is like a goddamn shield.

[00:24:09] Not a single drop

[00:24:10] breaches the barrier.

[00:24:11] There is zero

[00:24:12] absorption.

[00:24:13] No relief.

[00:24:15] Adrenaline burns

[00:24:15] through me

[00:24:16] and internal brush fire.

[00:24:17] I grip the counter

[00:24:19] and lean forward.

[00:24:20] The mask is stretched

[00:24:21] within an inch

[00:24:21] of its life

[00:24:22] and it's pulling

[00:24:23] my face along with it.

[00:24:26] Okay,

[00:24:27] this situation

[00:24:28] is less than ideal

[00:24:29] but I can figure it out.

[00:24:30] There is no need

[00:24:31] to panic.

[00:24:32] No hysteria.

[00:24:33] I'm strong

[00:24:34] and capable.

[00:24:35] I've battled

[00:24:36] both a goblin

[00:24:37] of a mother

[00:24:37] and bullshit skin

[00:24:38] for years.

[00:24:39] I can deal with this.

[00:24:40] I'll be fine.

[00:24:42] But I do need

[00:24:43] some sort of help.

[00:24:46] I line up cold cream,

[00:24:48] cotton rounds,

[00:24:49] tweezers,

[00:24:49] scissors meant for

[00:24:50] trimming nails

[00:24:50] and a bottle

[00:24:51] of rubbing alcohol.

[00:24:52] It's a weirdly

[00:24:53] macabre display.

[00:24:55] Tools a beauty

[00:24:56] vlogger would use

[00:24:57] or a serial killer.

[00:24:59] Welcome to my channel.

[00:25:01] Today,

[00:25:01] we're going to slay

[00:25:02] but not your look,

[00:25:03] your competition.

[00:25:06] I giggle

[00:25:07] but it sounds wrong.

[00:25:09] Like a wounded animal.

[00:25:10] I take a breath.

[00:25:12] I need to focus.

[00:25:13] Get my mind right.

[00:25:14] Cold cream first.

[00:25:16] I scoop a huge blob

[00:25:17] of the emulsion

[00:25:17] out of the jar

[00:25:18] and slather it across

[00:25:19] the mask,

[00:25:20] hugging my face.

[00:25:21] I don't feel anything.

[00:25:24] Panic threatens

[00:25:24] to close my throat.

[00:25:26] I worry the cream

[00:25:26] won't stand a chance

[00:25:27] against the mask.

[00:25:29] Patience.

[00:25:29] Give it a minute.

[00:25:35] 30 seconds later,

[00:25:36] I wipe the excess

[00:25:37] goo from my face.

[00:25:38] The mask is still

[00:25:38] as dry as desert sand.

[00:25:40] There is no give

[00:25:40] no retreat,

[00:25:42] no way through.

[00:25:43] Damn it.

[00:25:43] My mouth won't open fully,

[00:25:45] my jaw restricted

[00:25:46] by the mask.

[00:25:47] Next,

[00:25:48] my hands shake

[00:25:49] as I pick up the tweezers.

[00:25:51] Tilting my head back

[00:25:52] at an angle,

[00:25:53] I find a bit of a seam

[00:25:54] at the bottom of my cheek.

[00:25:56] This is a good place

[00:25:56] to start.

[00:25:57] If my skin becomes irritated

[00:25:59] or if I actually have

[00:26:00] to puncture my flesh,

[00:26:01] it'll be easy to hide.

[00:26:03] My cover-up

[00:26:03] is the best money can buy

[00:26:04] and I packed

[00:26:05] a turtleneck sweater.

[00:26:06] I bring the tip

[00:26:07] of the tweezers

[00:26:08] to the seam

[00:26:09] and try to gently

[00:26:10] snag it

[00:26:10] between the metal teeth.

[00:26:12] Nothing.

[00:26:13] I prod a little harder.

[00:26:15] I pull more

[00:26:16] and more

[00:26:17] and more.

[00:26:18] A full minute later,

[00:26:20] my muscles are burning

[00:26:22] from the effort

[00:26:22] and I haven't made

[00:26:23] any progress.

[00:26:25] Maybe I need

[00:26:26] a new vantage point.

[00:26:27] I try the same moves

[00:26:28] on an area

[00:26:29] between my forehead

[00:26:30] and hairline.

[00:26:31] Shit.

[00:26:32] I'll have to take.

[00:26:34] There it is again.

[00:26:35] That troublesome thought.

[00:26:36] This time,

[00:26:37] it sounds less

[00:26:37] like paranoid thinking

[00:26:38] and more like fact.

[00:26:40] I look at the scissors

[00:26:41] on the counter

[00:26:41] and shudder.

[00:26:42] I'm not ready for that.

[00:26:44] Not yet.

[00:26:45] I'll stick to the tweezers

[00:26:46] and see what I can accomplish.

[00:26:48] Just need more intention.

[00:26:49] More elbow grease.

[00:26:51] I soak a cotton round

[00:26:52] with alcohol

[00:26:52] and rub vigorously

[00:26:53] where the mask blends

[00:26:54] into my skin

[00:26:55] near my ear.

[00:26:56] I douse the tweezers

[00:26:57] in the solution.

[00:26:59] Satisfied I won't

[00:26:59] give myself an infection,

[00:27:01] I turn back to the mirror

[00:27:02] and steal my nerves.

[00:27:03] A trickle of blood

[00:27:04] snakes down my face

[00:27:06] when I make

[00:27:06] the first puncture.

[00:27:08] Pain flares

[00:27:09] through my face

[00:27:09] and the image

[00:27:10] of red beating

[00:27:11] down my jawline

[00:27:12] is so startling,

[00:27:13] I drop the tweezers

[00:27:14] in the sink.

[00:27:15] Fuck.

[00:27:17] Fuck.

[00:27:18] I scoop them up

[00:27:19] and drench the pincers

[00:27:20] in alcohol again.

[00:27:21] Get it together, Val.

[00:27:22] No pain, no gain.

[00:27:24] You can do this.

[00:27:24] I insert the tip

[00:27:25] of the tweezers

[00:27:26] into the divot

[00:27:27] I've created.

[00:27:28] I firmly press

[00:27:29] the pincers together

[00:27:30] and pull.

[00:27:32] The pain is immediate,

[00:27:33] sharp and unforgiving.

[00:27:35] I push down my screams

[00:27:36] and concentrate

[00:27:37] on my reflection.

[00:27:38] I've snagged

[00:27:39] the edge of the mask.

[00:27:40] I'm getting somewhere,

[00:27:41] finally.

[00:27:42] I give myself a second

[00:27:44] to let the pain fade a bit

[00:27:45] before counting down

[00:27:46] from five.

[00:27:47] Five,

[00:27:48] four,

[00:27:50] three.

[00:27:53] At one,

[00:27:54] I give the mask

[00:27:55] a sharp tug.

[00:28:00] All I can see

[00:28:01] is blood.

[00:28:02] A small section

[00:28:03] of the mask

[00:28:03] is free

[00:28:04] but it's taken

[00:28:04] the skin of my face

[00:28:06] with it.

[00:28:07] Agony courses

[00:28:08] through me

[00:28:08] and the next thing

[00:28:09] I know

[00:28:09] my shoulders

[00:28:10] crash into the wall

[00:28:11] and I'm sliding

[00:28:11] down to the floor.

[00:28:13] Mom's faux-marbled tiles

[00:28:14] are spattered

[00:28:15] with crimson.

[00:28:16] What the fuck

[00:28:17] have I done?

[00:28:20] A tear careens

[00:28:21] down my cheek

[00:28:22] and seeps

[00:28:22] into my open wound.

[00:28:24] The salt stings

[00:28:25] and I kick my legs

[00:28:26] and punch the floor

[00:28:27] until I can feel

[00:28:27] my pulse

[00:28:28] in my knuckles.

[00:28:29] Anything to dampen

[00:28:31] the pain.

[00:28:31] Valerie!

[00:28:32] Shit.

[00:28:33] I forgot where I was

[00:28:34] and now

[00:28:35] Mom's awake.

[00:28:36] What are you doing?

[00:28:39] This whole situation

[00:28:40] needs to be resolved

[00:28:41] before she can

[00:28:42] make it upstairs.

[00:28:43] She can't see me

[00:28:44] like this.

[00:28:44] She can't.

[00:28:45] I push myself

[00:28:46] to standing

[00:28:46] and face the mirror.

[00:28:47] A monster stares

[00:28:49] back at me.

[00:28:49] Her face

[00:28:50] is grotesque

[00:28:51] pulled,

[00:28:52] taut,

[00:28:52] and bludgeoned

[00:28:53] on her right cheek.

[00:28:55] My stomach flips

[00:28:56] and for the first time

[00:28:57] I think I might

[00:28:58] need help.

[00:28:59] Should I call someone?

[00:29:01] Drive myself

[00:29:02] to the ER?

[00:29:03] Maybe it's time

[00:29:04] to admit

[00:29:04] that this simply

[00:29:05] isn't working.

[00:29:06] And then

[00:29:08] something enters

[00:29:09] my plane of vision.

[00:29:11] Something bright

[00:29:12] and wavy.

[00:29:13] I blink hard

[00:29:14] convinced I'm

[00:29:15] hallucinating.

[00:29:16] A natural reaction

[00:29:17] to the pain

[00:29:18] that pulses through me

[00:29:19] in time

[00:29:19] with my beating heart.

[00:29:20] But no.

[00:29:22] There's something

[00:29:23] on my face

[00:29:24] that's undulating.

[00:29:26] The flutter of movement

[00:29:27] on my cheek

[00:29:28] where I've ripped

[00:29:28] a bit of my skin away.

[00:29:30] Little yellow tentacles

[00:29:31] wriggle in the light

[00:29:33] as if searching blindly

[00:29:34] for something

[00:29:35] to grasp onto.

[00:29:36] What the fuck?

[00:29:36] What the fuck?

[00:29:38] What the fuck

[00:29:39] are those?

[00:29:41] My fingers twitch.

[00:29:42] I need to know.

[00:29:43] I need to look

[00:29:44] under the loose flap

[00:29:45] of skin.

[00:29:45] Valerie,

[00:29:46] enter me.

[00:29:48] I'm running out of time.

[00:29:49] My fingertips pinch

[00:29:50] and pull back

[00:29:51] the bloodstained flesh.

[00:29:52] The underside

[00:29:53] of the flap

[00:29:53] is teeming

[00:29:54] with familiar

[00:29:55] yellow threads.

[00:29:57] I've seen them before.

[00:29:59] Thousands of times.

[00:30:00] But always on the outside

[00:30:02] of my skin

[00:30:02] after squeezing

[00:30:04] and prodding

[00:30:05] and coaxing them

[00:30:06] out of my clogged pores.

[00:30:08] I can't believe

[00:30:09] this is happening.

[00:30:10] I am a literal witness

[00:30:11] to my imperfections.

[00:30:13] The pus

[00:30:14] and shit

[00:30:15] and dirt

[00:30:16] that's called my skin

[00:30:17] home for as long

[00:30:18] as I can remember.

[00:30:19] Valerie!

[00:30:23] I ignore Mom.

[00:30:24] I'm entranced

[00:30:25] by the squirming

[00:30:25] yellow bodies.

[00:30:27] Out in the open,

[00:30:28] they have nothing

[00:30:29] to latch onto.

[00:30:31] Nothing to burrow

[00:30:32] into.

[00:30:33] They're vanquished.

[00:30:34] I've finally

[00:30:35] found the source

[00:30:36] and the solution.

[00:30:38] It works!

[00:30:40] Clear out

[00:30:41] actually works!

[00:30:42] Valerie!

[00:30:43] What the hell

[00:30:44] are you doing in there?

[00:30:45] A rebirth, Mother.

[00:30:46] But I'm not ready

[00:30:47] for her.

[00:30:48] Not yet.

[00:30:49] I have to dig.

[00:30:50] I pinch the loose

[00:30:52] skin on my cheek

[00:30:53] between my thumb

[00:30:53] and forefinger.

[00:30:55] I pull

[00:30:56] with all my light

[00:30:57] like I would pull

[00:30:58] an extra sticky

[00:30:59] piece of tape

[00:31:00] on a box.

[00:31:06] She's terrified.

[00:31:08] I understand.

[00:31:10] But I'm not.

[00:31:12] Yes, I'm screaming

[00:31:13] but not because

[00:31:14] the pain is exquisite

[00:31:16] in its malice

[00:31:17] or because steaming

[00:31:18] viscera paints

[00:31:19] the bathroom

[00:31:20] with the frenetic

[00:31:20] energy of a

[00:31:21] Jackson Pollock.

[00:31:23] No.

[00:31:24] I'm screaming

[00:31:25] in ecstasy.

[00:31:26] I'm reveling

[00:31:28] in the sweet release

[00:31:29] of years of

[00:31:29] accumulated filth

[00:31:31] exiting my body.

[00:31:33] This blood

[00:31:34] that pours forth

[00:31:35] is a baptism

[00:31:36] and essential.

[00:31:38] I pull

[00:31:39] and pull

[00:31:40] and pull

[00:31:41] until the bathroom

[00:31:42] floor is littered

[00:31:43] with skin

[00:31:43] replete

[00:31:44] with writhing

[00:31:45] yellow tendrils.

[00:31:47] 911!

[00:31:48] Yes, yes, yes!

[00:31:49] Come, come quick.

[00:31:50] Mom's back.

[00:31:51] What's wrong with my daughter?

[00:31:52] Me?

[00:31:53] I'm admiring my work.

[00:31:55] I've removed

[00:31:55] the whole mask

[00:31:57] and not a single

[00:31:58] yellow tendril

[00:31:59] waves from my face.

[00:32:00] All I can see

[00:32:02] is slick

[00:32:03] pink

[00:32:04] pulsing muscle

[00:32:06] and tissue.

[00:32:07] White bone

[00:32:08] peeps out

[00:32:09] like a nervous

[00:32:09] toddler

[00:32:10] hiding behind

[00:32:11] its mother's

[00:32:11] strong legs.

[00:32:13] Everything

[00:32:14] is as it should be.

[00:32:17] Finally,

[00:32:18] I'm beautiful.

[00:32:20] It's time.

[00:32:21] I turn toward

[00:32:22] the door.

[00:32:23] It's okay, Mom.

[00:32:25] I'm ready

[00:32:26] to show you now.

[00:32:28] Merry Christmas.

[00:33:00] Ominous Thrill

[00:33:01] presents

[00:33:02] Extraction

[00:33:03] Written by Tiffany

[00:33:05] Michelle Brown

[00:33:06] Created, directed

[00:33:07] and sound designed

[00:33:08] by Jeff Schmidt

[00:33:09] Starring

[00:33:10] Rachel Griffin

[00:33:12] as Val

[00:33:13] Cherie Wichard

[00:33:14] as Mom

[00:33:15] Lexa Childress

[00:33:17] as Makeover Customer

[00:33:18] Sydney Emanuel

[00:33:19] as Sammy

[00:33:21] Owen McEwen

[00:33:22] as The Dealer

[00:33:23] Meredith Nudo

[00:33:25] as In-Store

[00:33:26] Announcer

[00:33:26] The Original

[00:33:28] Version of

[00:33:28] the Short Story

[00:33:29] Extraction

[00:33:30] can be found

[00:33:31] in Tiffany

[00:33:31] Michelle Brown's

[00:33:32] book

[00:33:32] How Lovely

[00:33:33] to Be a Woman

[00:33:34] Stories and Poems

[00:33:36] Links are available

[00:33:37] in the show notes.

[00:33:38] If this is your

[00:33:39] first Ominous Thrill

[00:33:40] episode,

[00:33:41] please look back

[00:33:42] in the feed

[00:33:43] for other

[00:33:43] devious audio

[00:33:44] delights you might enjoy.

[00:33:46] If you like what

[00:33:47] you've heard,

[00:33:48] please give us

[00:33:48] a five-star rating,

[00:33:50] a positive review,

[00:33:51] and tell a friend.

[00:33:52] It encourages

[00:33:53] others to listen.

[00:33:55] Like, follow,

[00:33:55] or subscribe

[00:33:56] to Ominous Thrill

[00:33:57] to get our next

[00:33:58] devious audio

[00:33:58] delight for free.

[00:34:00] To find out

[00:34:00] how you can support

[00:34:01] the making of

[00:34:02] Ominous Thrill,

[00:34:03] including submitting

[00:34:04] a story for consideration,

[00:34:05] visit

[00:34:06] ominousthrill.com.

[00:34:09] This is the final

[00:34:10] Ominous Thrill

[00:34:10] episode of 2024.

[00:34:12] We'll be back again

[00:34:13] in early 2025.

[00:34:16] Until next time,

[00:34:18] thrill you later.

[00:34:20] The Fable and Falling Network,

[00:34:22] where fiction producers flourish.

[00:34:26] It's a tale of learning

[00:34:28] and healing.

[00:34:29] We've got a whole province

[00:34:30] going to see one

[00:34:31] overworked witch

[00:34:32] in a candy cottage

[00:34:33] that's been chewed

[00:34:34] to pieces by the local kids.

[00:34:35] Of fairies and magic.

[00:34:37] You're touching

[00:34:38] the sapphire of assessment!

[00:34:39] I'm not touching it!

[00:34:40] I'm just putting my head

[00:34:41] near it as I focus

[00:34:42] my brainial waveforms on it.

[00:34:43] Stop it!

[00:34:44] I'm not even touching it!

[00:34:45] Of struggle against the odds.

[00:34:48] This is my team.

[00:34:49] They may not live up

[00:34:50] to your vision

[00:34:51] of a perfect,

[00:34:52] efficient department.

[00:34:53] They don't live up

[00:34:54] to my vision

[00:34:55] of a stampede

[00:34:55] in a barnyard.

[00:34:56] Ooh!

[00:34:57] Keeley,

[00:34:58] that's how you know

[00:34:58] it's working!

[00:34:59] And now,

[00:35:00] it returns at last.

[00:35:03] Alba Salix,

[00:35:05] Royal Physician.

[00:35:07] Season 2.

[00:35:14] Alba Salix,

[00:35:15] Royal Physician.

[00:35:16] From Fable and Folly.

[00:35:18] Find us wherever

[00:35:19] you listen to podcasts.

[00:35:20] Or look us up