A PDF of this transcript is available at this link.
A quick note - this episode contains quite a few car noises, so if you’re driving while you listen to this, please be careful.
TITLES
Believer Theme Music fades in.
NARRATOR
Believer, Episode 8: Fingers.
INT. LARA'S CABIN - MORNING
A sunny morning. Birds chirp.
Lara finishes dressing. She zips up a jacket.
On the floor, Jake stirs. Lara pauses.
JAKE
(in his sleep)
Apples for everyone...
He falls back asleep. Lara exhales.
LARA (V.O.)
For the record, I'm glad nothing happened with Jake. Well, you know, nothing much. Not that I would've been doing anything wrong. I mean, Rose was very clear about things. Not that she...oh, I don't know. It just would've complicated things, I think.
Lara pours herself a glass of water at the sink.
LARA (V.O.)
And to be honest, I still don't really know what Jake's deal was.
Lara gasps.
LARA
The water!
Jake stirs in response.
LARA
No no no, back to sleep...
Jake falls back to snoring.
LARA
Good man.
Jake snores on.
JAKE
(in his sleep)
Skunk Ape...
Lara tip-toes out.
EXT. LARA'S CABIN - CONTINUOUS
Lara walks in the tall grass.
LARA (V.O.)
It was weird leaving SodaPop's leash hanging by the door. No morning walks. No happy dog. Just sneak past the sleeping man on the floor and go about your day.
LARA
Now, where do you think the water comes from?
She take a few more steps and then...
LARA
Aha!
LARA (V.O.)
Okay, well, if mold had taken over Jake's house, then maybe that explained some of his experiences -- the lapses in memory, the odd behavior. But what if there was more? What if there really was something in the water?
She clears aside some grass...and gasps.
LARA
What the...
LARA (V.O.)
Jake had his own water pump. Probably for a well system instead of the city water program -- pretty common in rural areas like this. And growing all around it, under the grass, close to the ground, were these...
LARA
What are those?
LARA (V.O.)
They were like little mushrooms. Tiny, black, oily-looking lumps with sickly gray stems and dark caps. At first I thought they were just growing around the water pump -- you know, moist soil and all that -- but when I looked closely I could see...
LARA
Oh my god.
LARA (V.O.)
There were tiny cracks in the pipe around every little mushroom. They were growing inside the water pump.
She pulls out a little baggy and snips some out of the dirt.
LARA (V.O.)
So I took some samples.
Lara straightens up, wipes her hands on her jacket.
LARA
I should see that doctor.
INT. SIMMONS'S LAB - MOMENTS LATER
Machines whir. Simmons shuffles through papers with an urgent, busy air.
SIMMONS
(to herself)
Now, yes, if you line up the mycelia at just this angle -- yes! Yes! But this -- and that -- you've almost got it, Penelope.
Lara taps on the door and opens it.
LARA
Doctor Simmons? Your assistant said...
SIMMONS
No entry!
LARA
Oh, sorry, I just --
SIMMONS
This area is restricted. You'll have to go back to the waiting area, Miss --
LARA
Campbell. Lara Campbell?
SIMMONS
Lara Campbell. Lara Campbell? Lara Campbell!
LARA
Uh. Yeah.
SIMMONS
Come in, come in.
LARA
Yeah, um, Camille said that you'd been trying to...whoa.
SIMMONS
What? Oh, don't mind that. Just doing a bit of research.
LARA
This is all research? Taped onto the walls and cabinets and...everything?
SIMMONS
Oh!
(laughs)
It's a bit unorthodox, isn't it? It's just easier to see this way. I like to lay it all out, you know, make sense of it.
Lara steps into the room, distracted.
LARA
Yeah. Can I ask -- what are these lines?
SIMMONS
You recognize those?
LARA
Maybe. What are they?
SIMMONS
That, my dear, is the mycorrhizal network.
LARA
Myco-what?
SIMMONS
Mycology. Fungus. Fungal networks.
LARA
Like mushrooms?
SIMMONS
Yes! Well, no. Mushrooms are just the bit we see, the reproductive organs. No, no, fungi are so much more than that. They project themselves meters underground, burrowing deep, making connections between nutrients and elements.
LARA
So like tree roots?
SIMMONS
No, no, no. On a DNA level, they have more in common with humans than plants.
LARA
Wait -- really?
SIMMONS
So you can think of them as limbs.
LARA
(realizing)
Fingers. Reaching through the dirt.
SIMMONS
(indifferent)
If you like.
Simmons moves a sheaf of papers aside.
SIMMONS
Here, look.
Lara moves close.
SIMMONS
This. You see this diagram?
LARA
The trees?
SIMMONS
This is a forest. This is what we see when we look at a forest. Different trees, ferns, bushes, plants. Distinct organisms. Yes?
LARA
Sure.
SIMMONS
But underneath, underneath the dirt -- look.
(flips a page)
Everything is connected.
LARA
What do you mean?
SIMMONS
Okay. Trees have roots, right? To survive, trees need to synthesize light from the sun. But they also need to draw water and other nutrients up from the dirt. Hence, roots.
LARA
Right.
SIMMONS
But there are trees who get cut off from their food sources and still manage to thrive. There are even plants that never experience sunlight. And they still live. How?
LARA
I guess they...
SIMMONS
Mycelia! You see, the trees send out roots. But roots only get them so far. Fungus -- fungus fills in the gaps. Each fungus sends out these long strings, these tendrils --
LARA
Lines.
SIMMONS
They have more control over where they place them, how they travel.
And if they place themselves next to a tree's roots, they can communicate.
LARA
So they attach themselves? Like parasites?
SIMMONS
Not parasites. Symbiotes. An exchange. The tree secretes glucose. In return, the fungal network carries water, carbon, phosphorus -- whatever the tree needs to survive. And not just that! Information, Lara. There have been cases where one tree develops a disease, and the other trees around it boost their disease resistance in response. They talk to each other. Through the fungal network.
LARA
That's...crazy.
SIMMONS
You see, don't you? We think of the forest as just an area. A collection of trees. Separate things. But no. It's a single organism. The fungus is its central nervous system.
LARA
Every forest is like this?
SIMMONS
This is what it is, Lara. Life. All life. We are all worlds inside of worlds inside of worlds. A body full of organisms full of cells. Do you see it? Do you see?
LARA
Yeah. Yeah, it's, um, interesting.
SIMMONS
Interesting? Interesting?! This is vital. This is the stuff of life itself!
LARA
Yes. Yeah.
SIMMONS
You don't see. None of them can see.
LARA
No, actually, I came here to ask you -- well, I found this weird kind of mushroom inside somebody's water pipes.
SIMMONS
(very excited)
What?! Show me.
LARA
Uh, well, I got a little sample -- hey!
She pulls out the bag. Simmons snatches it away.
SIMMONS
Let me see.
She inspects.
SIMMONS
Oh yes. Oh yes. Let me see, where are the other sample photos...
She rapidly rummages through stacks of paper, sending papers flying.
LARA
Those lines...is that what it actually looks like? The fungus?
SIMMONS
(distracted)
Well, it's an artist's rendering.
LARA
Just like Rose's room.
SIMMONS
Hm?
LARA
Nothing. This fungus -- can it make people sick?
SIMMONS
Why do you think I'm studying this, exactly? For fun? Lara -- can I call you Lara?
LARA
(she's been calling her Lara for like 5 minutes) Uh, yeah.
SIMMONS
Fungal infection is one of the most common types of illness a person can have. That's what yeast infections are.
LARA
Ew. Really?
SIMMONS
Yeast is a fungus. They're everywhere!
LARA
Well, that's...
SIMMONS
Breathe in the spores, consume contaminated food, eat the wrong mushroom...they think fungal-infected wheat could be the cause of the Salem Witch Trials, did you know that?
LARA
I heard something about that.
SIMMONS
Most cause regular respiratory infections, skin inflammation, that kind of thing. But a few -- here.
She rips several pages off the wall and reads.
SIMMONS
Cryptococcus can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and cause confusion, disorientation, sensitivity to light.
LARA
Huh.
SIMMONS
Candida Albicansis, when spread to the brain, causes symptoms remarkably similar to Alzheimer's Disease.
LARA
It can cause memory loss?
SIMMONS
Memory loss, confusion, disorientation, all kinds of mental and neurological symptoms.
LARA
So what kind of fungus did I find?
SIMMONS
Lara. You understand, don't you? Something is infecting this town. Not just the people, though it's getting them too. No. It's everything, Lara. The plants, the animals, the dirt itself. You've seen it, haven't you? There are a few vector sites -- the Boone House, the condemned church, a few spots in the woods. Anyone who comes into contact with them becomes violently ill. Everyone. Except you.
LARA
Yeah. That's weird, right?
Simmons moves closer to Lara.
SIMMONS
I will study this sample. But if we really want to defeat this, we're going to need more. Much more. You understand?
LARA
I can check the rest of the water supply. Maybe a few more of those sites have these mushrooms at them.
SIMMONS
I need a sample from you, Lara. To see the antibodies.
LARA
Oh. Of course.
SIMMONS
So you agree? To a sample?
LARA
Yeah, if you think it'll help.
SIMMONS
I think it's very important, Lara.
LARA
Okay...so do you want to do a cheek swab, or...?
SIMMONS
Let me take some readings first.
She tightens a velcro strap around Lara's arm.
LARA
Oh -- is this for a blood pressure monitor, or...?
SIMMONS
It's all standard, dear.
She straps down the other arm.
LARA
Are you...strapping me to the chair? I don't think I'm comfortable having both arms restrained.
Simmons laughs, a little unhinged.
SIMMONS
Don't be silly!
Simmons forcefully tightens the strap.
LARA
Ow!
SIMMONS
Now, the best method for killing fungus is beta-glucan targeting. The body doesn't produce beta-glucans. So you target what's unique about the fungus itself. In the wild, nitrogen, bleach, that kind of thing is fine, but in the body...now where did I put that...
LARA
Doctor Simmons --
SIMMONS
Here we go! Now, just hold still...
LARA
Whoa, hey, don't you usually use a syringe?
SIMMONS
Oh, yes, but you see, I need so much blood, it just seems more efficient to use the scalpel, don't you think?
LARA
Um, no? Whoa!
Lara scoots the chair quickly back across the floor.
SIMMONS
Oh! Now, you see? I've missed! If I'd known you were squeamish, I would've done your legs. Let's -- try -- again!
They struggle. Simmons lunges at Lara, who pulls back again, strains against the straps, scrapes the chair back and forth.
LARA
No!
SIMMONS
Now it's very important that you -- hold -- still!
Lara screams.
LARA
Somebody help me! Help!
SIMMONS
Oh, dear, she can't hear you. Though now that you mention it, I would be better off getting cerebro-spinal fluid.
LARA
This is now how you do a spinal tap!
Simmons lunges for Lara again. Lara kicks her. Simmons GRUNTS and falls backward. She takes a few breaths, steadies herself.
SIMMONS
You know what? You're right. This is insane.
LARA
Uh-huh.
SIMMONS
I need a much better tool.
Simmons grabs a BONE SAW. Revs it up.
LARA
Why would you even have a bone saw in here? This isn't an operating room!
SIMMONS
(duh)
It's a lab! You need all sorts of things!
She lunges at Lara. Lara struggles, twists, and finally breaks free of one restraint.
LARA
Ha!
SIMMONS
Now if you slip the restraints, this gets so much more complicated.
LARA
Ahhh!
Arm free, Lara deflects Simmons just in time. Simmons trips backward and slams into a counter full of lab equipment.
Lara quickly pulls off the other velcro strap and scrambles to her feet.
SIMMONS
Lara, please, if you'll just sit back down, this could save a lot of people.
LARA
Stay away from me!
The saw whirs. Lara shoves the chair at Simmons, who falls over. Lara races to the door, wrenches it open, and dashes back into --
INT. LARA'S INBOX
VOICEMAIL
At the end of your message, press one.
BEEP!
JAKE
Hey, Lara, it's Jake. Listen, I hope it wasn't too awkward when, uh... well, I hope you got out okay this morning. Anyway, uh, I went back to my house earlier and -- you'll never believe this -- my house is covered in black mold. Must've grown overnight. We're talking all over the walls, absolutely everywhere. Crazy, right? Anyway, I'm gonna stay at my friend Abe's for a while until I can get it taken care of. So if you come back and I'm not there, that's why. But, you know, if you want to you should -- I mean, you can call me. If you need anything. And try to stay out of the main house, okay? There's, like, a lot of mold. Must be something with the rain or something. Okay. Okay, okay. See you around.
VOICEMAIL
End of message.
EXT. BOONE HOUSE - LATER
Lara runs on the sidewalk, breathing hard. She stops to catch her breath.
An AMBULANCE rushes past, siren blaring.
LARA
(out of breath)
An ambulance...? I didn't know they had those out here.
The front door of the BOONE HOUSE opens. TERRI BOONE and SHERIFF TATE emerge, in conversation.
SHERIFF
Well, if anything else comes up, don't hesitate to call.
TERRI
Thank you, Sheriff Tate. Now if...
(sees Lara)
What the hell?
LARA
Uh...
TERRI
Lara Campbell? Are you kidding me?!
LARA
Terri Boone? How did I get to your house? God, I swear this town is like, ten feet wide.
SHERIFF
Is there a problem here, Terri?
TERRI
I'd say so.
LARA
No, listen, I swear I didn't come here on purpose. I just had to get away from -- actually, Sheriff, I really need to talk to you. It's about the doctor.
Sodapop races out through the still-open front door of the Boone House.
LARA
Oh, Sodapop! Hey, buddy.
Rose follows after him.
ROSE
Sodapop!
(she stops)
Lara?
LARA
Rose.
ROSE
What are you doing here?
LARA
Okay, so, like I was just explaining, I was running away from Doctor Simmons.
SHERIFF
Penelope Simmons?
LARA
She attacked me.
SHERIFF
What?
TERRI
(overlapping)
Oh, come on.
LARA
Listen, this stuff you guys have been messing with -- it's so dangerous. It messes with your head. Doctor Simmons has been experimenting with it and it's just driving her -- well, if you come with me, you'll see.
TERRI
Right. Everyone's crazy but you, right Lara?
LARA
That's not what I said.
SHERIFF
Right, but this -- what did you say it was?
LARA
It's a kind of fungus. I think.
SHERIFF
And this fungus doesn't affect you?
LARA
No, I seem to have some kind of immunity.
TERRI
Isn't that convenient? Everyone else has the problem.
SHERIFF
Sure sounds convenient to me.
LARA
No, listen -- I found mushrooms in the water supply, mold in the house, and Reverend Boone's church --
SHERIFF
So you did trespass at the church? After our conversation the other day?
LARA
Um, that's not really -- that's not what I'm trying to say.
TERRI
You know what? I really cannot deal with you right now.
SHERIFF
Terri, why don't you go back inside. I'll handle this.
TERRI
I want it clear that she's trespassing, Sheriff.
SHERIFF
I know, Terri.
LARA
Wait -- Terri -- Mayor Boone --
TERRI
Just -- get her out of here.
Terri storms back inside. The front door SLAMS behind her.
ROSE
(offended)
A fungus, Lara?
LARA
The symptoms -- everything that's been happening. It's consistent with a toxic fungus outbreak.
ROSE
Why would you think that?
LARA
The doctor and I talked it over.
SHERIFF
The doctor who attacked you.
LARA
Well, I mean, before that.
SHERIFF
Okay. Why don't you come with me, and we'll discuss it further, okay?
LARA
Um...
ROSE
Sheriff, wait.
Lara. I heard you've been to the woods. The Sanctum. You saw the basement.
LARA
Yeah.
ROSE
And you think all of that is fungus.
LARA
Well, if you look at how fungal networks work, then the images you drew...god, how do I explain this?
ROSE
Why do you do this, Lara?
LARA
Do what?
ROSE
You take the things I love -- the things I believe in -- and you make them sound so...small. So stupid.
LARA
That's not what I'm trying to do.
ROSE
This is real, Lara. And it's bigger than you know.
LARA
I know it feels that way, but...
ROSE
Would you stop? I swear to God, every time I try to tell you...it's not all in my head, Lara. It never was.
LARA
I don't mean it like that. Just because something's in your head doesn't mean (it's not real.)
ROSE
(overlapping)
Just...enough. Please.
SHERIFF
Alright, Miss Campbell.
LARA
Rose -- wait --
ROSE
Just get her out of here, please.
LARA
If I could just (explain it all -- )
SHERIFF
(cuts her off)
That's enough, Miss Campbell. Now I can give you a ride home or I can take you down to the Sheriff's station in The Dalles. Your choice.
LARA
Okay.
(beat, to Rose:)
I'm sorry.
SHERIFF
Come on.
They take a few steps on the grass. SodaPop whines.
ROSE
Lara -- wait.
Lara turns, hopeful.
LARA
Yeah?
ROSE
You should take the dog.
LARA
SodaPop?
He whines again.
ROSE
He shouldn't be here. He needs -- you need to take him away.
LARA
Are you sure? He seems so happy.
ROSE
I can't...it's better. If he's not here.
LARA
Rose, if we could just talk...please.
ROSE
Take him back to Portland and...and I'll call you. Okay? We can talk.
LARA
Okay. Yeah. I guess that's best.
ROSE
It is.
LARA
Um, Sheriff, do you mind if I take him?
SHERIFF
Fine. Just stick him in the back.
Lara picks up Sodapop. He CRIES loudly.
SHERIFF
Is he going to cry like that the whole time?
LARA
Um...probably.
SHERIFF
(sighs)
Well, come on then.
ROSE
Goodbye, puppy.
SodaPop whines.
ROSE
I'm sorry. I hope...I hope you understand someday.
SHERIFF
Let's go, Miss Campbell. I've got other business today, you know.
LARA
Yeah...okay.
She takes a few steps in the grass.
LARA
Goodbye, Rose.
ROSE
Goodbye.
Lara sighs. Sodapop whines. Lara walks away.
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - LATER
The SUV drives down a quiet road. In the backseat, SodaPop whines.
LARA
I can't believe you had a dog seat belt back there.
SHERIFF
Well, my wife and I take the Shih Tzu out with us.
LARA
Oh, you have a Shih Tzu? They're cute.
SHERIFF
Wife's idea.
LARA
Right...um, you see what I'm saying about Doctor Simmons, though, right?
SHERIFF
(unconcerned)
I will go see her as soon as I drop you off.
LARA
And the water supply?
SHERIFF
I'll mention it at the next city council meeting.
LARA
(annoyed)
Sure. That'll solve it.
The car suddenly THUMPS over something in the road, then swerves. Tires SQUEAL.
SHERIFF
Shit!
LARA
What was that?
SHERIFF
Hold on!
LARA
Is that a deer?
SHERIFF
It was a possum. I think.
A loud WHUMP as something drops onto the top of the car.
LARA
Is something...falling on us?
SHERIFF
Probably just pine cones.
WHUMP, WHUMP. Muffled ANIMAL CACKLES. The sound of skittering feet.
LARA
There's something on top of the car.
SHERIFF
Could be raccoons. They climb the trees, but I've never seen one drop onto a car --
WHUMP, WHUMP, little feet SCRATCHING. And then suddenly, a loud HISS.
LARA
Oh my god, it's trying to come through the sunroof.
SHERIFF
Close it!
LARA
(overlapping)
How do you -- where's the button?
SHERIFF
(overlapping)
Little busy here! This road is a mess.
LARA
(overlapping)
Let me just --
A RACCOON squeals and then falls into the cabin of the car, hissing.
Sodapop BARKS frantically.
SHERIFF
Shit! Oh, shit!
LARA
Raccoon in the car! Raccoon in the car!
The Raccoon HISSES viciously.
LARA
Ahhh! I think there's something wrong with it.
Sodapop BARKS again.
LARA
Sodapop, no! Leave it.
SHERIFF
Get it off me! Get it off me!
Lara grabs it. The raccoon SQUEALS.
LARA
Stop the car!
SHERIFF
I'm trying, but the breaks...!
LARA
Okay, come here, you demonic little -- ahh!
It hisses again.
Another few THUMPS on the roof.
LARA
Close that sunroof, would you? Let me get the window --
She rolls down the window, throws out the raccoon with a grunt.
LARA
There. Jesus, it rolled over and just started chasing the car --
KA-WHAM! An ELK slams into the side of the car. Lara screams.
SHERIFF
Where'd that elk come from?
LARA
You have got to stop the car.
SHERIFF
The breaks are out. I'm trying to slow it down, but --
He honks the horn. Tires squeal. More THUMPS on the roof and sides of the car.
LARA
Oh my god. Oh my god.
SHERIFF
Come on, come on, come on...
LARA
Look out for that --
BAM! Something slams into the car. It spins out of control. Tires squeal.
SHERIFF
Hold oooon!
Lara screams.
And CRASHHHHHHHHH! The car crashes into a tree.
And...THUD. Silence from the passengers. A long, sustained HORN SOUND as Sheriff Tate rests against the wheel.
END OF EPISODE
Thank you for listening to Believer! This episode was written and directed by Julie Saunders. Voice acting by Jason Markoff, Samantha Simmonds Ronceros, Rosa Delgado, Regen Wilson, Julie Saunders, and Archie. Sound design by Chad Ellis and Julie Saunders.
We are just two episodes away from the end of season one, so now is a great time to tell your friends about the show. Maybe you know someone with some travel coming up who might like some spooky listening? I hear this show pairs well with Tunnels, which just published their SERIES FINALE. Tunnels is a serialized audio drama about the mysterious tunnels beneath a small Georgia town, the things that live within them, and the people who want to control them. Find out more at HauntedGriffin.com. That’s griffin spelled “g-r-i-f-f-i-n.”
This episode was recorded using Zencastr and features music and effects from Epidemic Sound. If you’re interested in either of those services, please use our referral link - it’s in the show notes or you can find it at BelieverPodcast.com/support. That page also includes information about our Patreon and a link to our Teepublic store, for all the Believer fans in your life. Once again, that’s BelieverPodcast.com/support.
The next episode will be out in just a few weeks. Until then, if the temperature suddenly drops, and you feel a chill on the back of your neck that nobody else seems to notice…you’ve probably been out in the cold for too long. Get into shelter, and wear a scarf next time. Unless it’s not cold where you are. Then it might be a ghostly warning to get your iron and thyroid levels tested. Both can make you sensitive to the cold. Thank you, Doctor Ghost.
Bye now.