1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:08,880 Music. The comedy4cast network. Let's dog ear that for now. 2 00:00:08,876 --> 00:00:16,636 This is the 2023 comedy4cast Podcast Spectacular, brought to you by the fantastic Patreon patrons. 3 00:00:17,761 --> 00:00:22,726 Thank you. Why not join Bryn, Chuck from the Technorama Podcast, 4 00:00:22,726 --> 00:00:29,230 Paul, and the other amazing individuals who support the show for as little as a dollar a month. 5 00:00:29,914 --> 00:00:39,726 This year's original 20-chapter story is called Big Shot. To hear it from the beginning, go to comedy4cast.com slash 2023. 6 00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:45,623 And remember, comedy4cast is all one word, with the number 4. 7 00:00:46,415 --> 00:01:20,498 Now, here's Chapter 9, Playing the Game. Previouisly in our story, a mysterious stranger arrived in Middling Fair looking for Danny Hillcrest. 8 00:00:46,960 --> 00:01:12,720 Music. 9 00:01:20,660 --> 00:01:24,954 Find Danny? Why the heck would you want to do a thing like that? 10 00:01:25,046 --> 00:01:28,582 Look, I need to see Hillcrest. Can you just call his room? 11 00:01:28,766 --> 00:01:35,366 I can, but it won't help. He departed the hotel a few hours ago. 12 00:01:35,366 --> 00:01:39,886 Danny hadn't just left the hotel. He fled in a panic, just after mentioning to Abby 13 00:01:39,886 --> 00:01:45,497 Falmacher and Giles that he owes people for all the scripts he has been mailing out to Hollywood. 14 00:01:45,776 --> 00:01:49,134 I had to borrow an awful lot to send out all these scripts. 15 00:01:49,458 --> 00:01:55,246 I'm not sure certain people will be happy if things don't work out and I can't repay them. 16 00:01:55,445 --> 00:02:01,006 The Stranger has spoken with the hotel restaurants Maitre D' and Cindy, each of whom told of a recent 17 00:02:01,107 --> 00:02:06,526 incident involving Danny, but neither of them knew his current location. They also didn't 18 00:02:06,526 --> 00:02:11,726 know the meaning of the phrase he had scribbled on one of the placemats. A ram sang. 19 00:02:12,432 --> 00:02:17,986 As this chapter begins, the stranger is in his hotel room at the Venus Arms speaking with Cap, 20 00:02:18,796 --> 00:02:24,981 the hotel's older-than-dirt bell captain. Cap mentioned he too has a story that involves Danny. 21 00:02:25,791 --> 00:02:29,104 Desperate to find Hillcrest, the stranger agrees to hear Cap out. 22 00:02:30,229 --> 00:02:36,909 It all started last week. No, wait. It was five years ago. I think. 23 00:02:37,719 --> 00:02:42,079 Which year had a two in it? Maybe this was a bad idea. 24 00:02:43,579 --> 00:02:50,579 Oh, when isn't important. What matters is that one morning, Danny came down to the lobby, 25 00:02:51,232 --> 00:02:54,579 and came over to the front desk to talk to Giles. 26 00:02:54,896 --> 00:02:58,415 More like pester. Quiet! This is my flashback. 27 00:02:59,631 --> 00:03:05,842 Where was I? Hi! Danny Hillcrest here! Ugh, yes Danny, I know. 28 00:03:06,085 --> 00:03:13,143 What can I do for you? I need to postcredit mail this script draft to Paramount Plus and or Minus. 29 00:03:13,413 --> 00:03:17,356 It's the latest revision of my romantic comedy rom-com movie script. 30 00:03:17,896 --> 00:03:22,469 This version's about a spring romance where a house painter falls for a hairdresser. 31 00:03:23,136 --> 00:03:30,099 It's called Brushes with Love! Shouldn't you try writing about things you actually know something about? 32 00:03:30,939 --> 00:03:36,559 Besides, this concerns me how? I was hoping you could loan me some stamps. 33 00:03:36,864 --> 00:03:40,942 I'm a little low on cash. Well, that checks out. How tragic. 34 00:03:41,279 --> 00:03:46,650 Perhaps Cap can help you. Cap! Wake up! Noble gases! 35 00:03:47,424 --> 00:03:53,077 Oh, it's you guys. You know, this old bench makes a terrible bed. 36 00:03:53,356 --> 00:03:59,181 That is but one of the many reasons why you shouldn't be sleeping in the lobby. 37 00:03:59,982 --> 00:04:07,199 Danny wants to ask you a question. But before he can try to hit me up for a shave and a haircut two bits, 38 00:04:07,199 --> 00:04:12,090 a couple of delivery people wheeled in a big metal box. 39 00:04:12,207 --> 00:04:15,979 We have a delivery for a Miss Abby Fallmacher. 40 00:04:16,199 --> 00:04:18,887 Isn't she a bit old to be having a kid? 41 00:04:19,517 --> 00:04:23,839 Cap! I will ring her in the office. It will only take a minute. 42 00:04:23,839 --> 00:04:26,917 Yeah, yeah. I just need someone to sign for this so we can set it up. 43 00:04:27,367 --> 00:04:29,257 Oh! I can do that. 44 00:04:31,301 --> 00:04:37,845 Okay, where's the nearest outlet? I found it right here by this bench. Excuse me, pops. 45 00:04:38,323 --> 00:04:47,694 Okay, it's plugged in. Anything? Yep, all set. Excuse me, but what is that? 46 00:04:48,045 --> 00:04:49,584 It's called a video game. 47 00:04:49,965 --> 00:04:55,580 But why is it here? You must have the wrong address. No, he doesn't. 48 00:04:56,125 --> 00:05:01,965 Ms. Falmacher, why do you want a video game here in the lobby of the hotel? 49 00:05:02,179 --> 00:05:07,365 And why is this file cabinet with a TV right next to me? 50 00:05:07,365 --> 00:05:11,505 It's about time the Venus arms got with the times. 51 00:05:12,165 --> 00:05:17,500 These arcade game machines are all the rage. They sure are. 52 00:05:18,041 --> 00:05:20,405 30 years ago. 53 00:05:21,506 --> 00:05:26,620 Oh. Well, nevertheless, we need to attract more business to the hotel. 54 00:05:27,286 --> 00:05:29,609 I think this sort of thing can help. 55 00:05:30,445 --> 00:05:37,245 Either that, or I can roll back employees' salaries a decade or two. 56 00:05:38,296 --> 00:05:43,292 As I said, I'm all in favor of this new plan. I love it! 57 00:05:43,765 --> 00:05:48,972 It's called clinical commotion! Wanna see how it works? Do I! 58 00:05:49,450 --> 00:05:50,881 Here. This one's on me. 59 00:05:55,211 --> 00:05:59,748 You play bedpan Bob, this guy here, the one on the gurney. Where's my bedpan? 60 00:06:00,792 --> 00:06:11,245 Hey, it's like a bed made out of roller skates. You have to maneuver Bob around obstacles to get him to his next surgery. 61 00:06:11,245 --> 00:06:15,538 Use this joystick to go forward, backward, and side to side. 62 00:06:16,005 --> 00:06:20,849 And press the buttons to make him do things like sign medical waivers, show his insurance card, 63 00:06:21,606 --> 00:06:23,595 and repeat his medical history. Look out! 64 00:06:25,936 --> 00:06:28,285 And if you hit the nurses with your gurney, you lose points. 65 00:06:28,933 --> 00:06:31,751 But these people here, you can run into them. 66 00:06:33,309 --> 00:06:38,062 Who are they? Relatives bringing you flowers so they can get into your will. Coming through! 67 00:06:40,005 --> 00:06:41,041 Now you give it a try. 68 00:06:43,005 --> 00:06:51,862 Goodbye, nurse! I love it! This game is closely almost as exciting as watching my favorite TV show about Grey's Anatomy. 69 00:06:52,393 --> 00:06:54,505 I just can't recall the name. 70 00:06:56,363 --> 00:07:01,373 Oh, please, don't encourage him. But it was too late. 71 00:07:01,648 --> 00:07:04,744 People sitting in the lobby started chiming in. 72 00:07:05,312 --> 00:07:10,893 It's called Grey's Anatomy. That reminds me of my favorite medical movie 73 00:07:10,973 --> 00:07:13,126 about a character who talks to animals. 74 00:07:13,747 --> 00:07:14,998 The Muppet Movie. 75 00:07:17,699 --> 00:07:23,541 And they kept on asking that Denny kid questions about movies and TV shows and whatnot. 76 00:07:23,919 --> 00:07:29,681 Hey, what did you think of that new Marvel movie? And Danny kept answering! And playing! 77 00:07:29,879 --> 00:07:34,371 Bill, my insurance! I'm not quite catchingly caught up on the M&MCU, 78 00:07:34,740 --> 00:07:37,972 but it sounds like the movies are getting longer and longer. 79 00:07:38,593 --> 00:07:45,201 Infinity War? Wakanda Forever? I don't have that much time to watch a movie. 80 00:07:45,327 --> 00:07:48,694 All on the same quarter! 81 00:07:49,261 --> 00:07:51,349 It would have made Jack Benny proud. 82 00:07:52,078 --> 00:07:53,582 But I ain't Jack Benny! 83 00:07:54,419 --> 00:07:58,853 As far as I know. Time for meds! You sound like you're more of a DC guy. 84 00:07:58,853 --> 00:08:03,853 To be honestly frank, I don't really spend a lot of time at the movie cinema theater. 85 00:08:03,853 --> 00:08:05,853 Except at the concession stand. 86 00:08:06,410 --> 00:08:10,853 I mostly watch the trailers on YouTube. They tell me the whole movie. 87 00:08:13,945 --> 00:08:19,571 Later that night, everyone left the lobby. Except for Danny. 88 00:08:20,030 --> 00:08:26,539 Who kept playing that f***ing game right next to the bench where I was trying to sleep! 89 00:08:26,962 --> 00:08:28,709 Quiet! This is a hospital! 90 00:08:31,853 --> 00:08:37,853 The next morning, Ms. Falmacher was back! Good morning, all! 91 00:08:38,908 --> 00:08:45,804 You took my spleen! Oh, Hillcrest, you're still here? Bill my insurance! 92 00:08:46,263 --> 00:08:53,699 Are you about done playing that machine? I will be, as soon as I need to put in a quarter. 93 00:08:54,032 --> 00:09:03,061 You mean you've been playing that same free game since yesterday? Yes, he has! 94 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:07,976 Oh look, he's still playing. Good morning, Danny. What's your score now? 95 00:09:08,985 --> 00:09:10,191 14 million points! 96 00:09:11,235 --> 00:09:18,977 And Bedpan Bob has had his appendix removed, his knee replaced, and he got a free plastic surgery nose job. 97 00:09:19,499 --> 00:09:24,093 Keep going. I texted all my friends telling them that if they stopped in Middling Fair, 98 00:09:24,370 --> 00:09:26,093 they should come and see you. 99 00:09:26,557 --> 00:09:34,218 Me too. It was so fun watching you play. I love it! Hmm. Maybe I love it too. 100 00:09:34,875 --> 00:09:40,970 Will Abby let Danny play that game forever? Will Cap and Giles continue to put up with all the noise? 101 00:09:41,510 --> 00:09:45,003 And what about Bedpan Bob? My hospital gown is open! 102 00:09:45,534 --> 00:09:49,612 To hear what happens next, be sure to come back for Chapter 10. 103 00:09:52,097 --> 00:09:51,124 Cap checks out. 104 00:09:52,003 --> 00:10:19:970 If you like the show, help spread the word by sharing a link on social media. You're this show's greatest media influencer. 105 00:10:20,850 --> 00:10:29,236 In this episode, as the stranger, Grant Johnson, voicegranted.com. As Delivery Person 1, Steve Ng, steveng5.com. As Delivery Person 2, 106 00:10:29,236 --> 00:10:33,048 Kreg Stepp, from the Technorama podcast, chuckchat.com slash technorama, and the Topic is Trek podcast, thetopicistrek.com. 107 00:10:33,716 --> 00:10:45,003 As Abby Fallmacher, Bonnie Kenderdine. As Bedpan Bob, Grant Baccioco, from the Saturday Morning Media family of podcasts, saturdaymorningmedia.com. 108 00:10:45,636 --> 00:10:55,916 As Hotel Patron 1, K.H. Brower, author of the solar punk series The Bosque Family Adventures. KHBrower.com. 109 00:10:55,916 --> 00:11:02,791 As Hotel Patron 2, Cameron McGrath. And the narrator was played by Gary J. Chambers. 110 00:11:03,179 --> 00:11:06,149 garyjchamersvo.com. 111 00:11:06,761 --> 00:11:11,398 Additional voices, as well as story and music by Clinton Alvord. 112 00:11:12,163 --> 00:11:15,314 Copyright 2023, all rights reserved. 113 00:11:16,176 --> 00:11:21,993 See you next time, but for now, that's it. We're done, done, done, done, done. Bye-bye. 114 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:37,124 Music.