1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:08,007 The comedy4cast network. Let's dog ear that for now. 2 00:00:08,087 --> 00:00:14,547 This is the 2023 comedy4cast Podcast Spectacular, brought to you by the 3 00:00:14,627 --> 00:00:16,527 fantastic Patreon patrons. 4 00:00:17,167 --> 00:00:23,287 Thank you! Why not join Paul, Kyle, Kalynn, and the other amazing individuals 5 00:00:23,367 --> 00:00:26,567 who support the show for as little as a dollar a month. 6 00:00:26,967 --> 00:00:30,467 This year's original 20 -chapter story is called Big Shot. 7 00:00:30,947 --> 00:00:35,427 To hear it from the beginning, go to comedy4cast .com/2023. 8 00:00:35,507 --> 00:00:42,207 And remember, comedy4cast is all one word, with the number four. 9 00:00:42,567 --> 00:00:47,200 Now here's Chapter 19. Now, you're projecting. 10 00:00:47,280 --> 00:01:12,227 Music. 11 00:01:12,307 --> 00:01:19,527 Previously in our story, practically everyone in Middlingfair and Grassssssside 12 00:01:19,607 --> 00:01:23,947 Greene had arrived at the Cine-Round-a-Dome Underground Drive -In Theater for 13 00:01:24,027 --> 00:01:27,847 the special world premiere of a film written by Danny Hillcrest. 14 00:01:28,627 --> 00:01:31,347 That was a sentence I never thought I would utter. 15 00:01:32,587 --> 00:01:36,867 The producer of the film, Perry J. Oshmont, was off making another movie, 16 00:01:37,247 --> 00:01:41,867 but told Danny that he had recorded a special message to be shown right before the movie. 17 00:01:42,207 --> 00:01:46,467 As this chapter begins, the signal has just been sent to start the movie. 18 00:01:47,147 --> 00:01:50,267 All around the Cine-Round-a-Dome, the ambient light dims. 19 00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:46,960 Ooh. I hope they show that candy rock band feature presentation trailer. I love it. 20 00:02:47,310 --> 00:02:51,130 Are we rolling? All is spoken with upbeat sincerity. 21 00:02:51,650 --> 00:02:57,610 Hello, I'm Perry J. Oshmont, producer of tonight's feature, Hold for Applause. 22 00:02:58,370 --> 00:03:03,530 This movie is dedicated to you, the good people of Middling Fair. Hold for reaction. 23 00:03:04,110 --> 00:03:08,650 And also to everyone in Grassssssside Greene. Hold for reaction. 24 00:03:09,610 --> 00:03:13,830 My Uber driver got a little lost on the way to the airport, and I was able to 25 00:03:13,910 --> 00:03:18,230 spend a few hair -raising hours in your special parcel of Hades. 26 00:03:18,950 --> 00:03:23,890 My experience in both your towns, a whole seven days ago, helped shape this 27 00:03:23,970 --> 00:03:26,830 very, very personal film. 28 00:03:27,290 --> 00:03:32,070 Well, that and a lot of notes from Matilda Klein -Miller, the Senior Vice President 29 00:03:32,150 --> 00:03:36,470 of Original Programming for the new Low Channel, now with more of everything. 30 00:03:36,910 --> 00:03:41,190 As a bonus, through the use of cutting -edge AI audio -cloning technology, 31 00:03:41,270 --> 00:03:45,990 we were able to put the voices of some of the people here tonight into the film. 32 00:03:46,450 --> 00:03:50,290 A genuine stroke of luck, especially when we got more notes on the dialogue 33 00:03:50,370 --> 00:03:56,090 last night from the new Low Channel and had to replace every last word uttered in the film. 34 00:03:56,870 --> 00:04:01,890 But enough of me. It is with great pleasure that I present to you what is still 35 00:04:01,970 --> 00:04:07,710 probably the story of a lovesmitten tree surgeon and the empowered female logger 36 00:04:07,790 --> 00:04:10,070 who changed his life forever. 37 00:04:10,150 --> 00:04:13,270 I Stanned Her Sawing There. 38 00:04:13,530 --> 00:04:17,170 Written by Chasm Valley's own Danny Hillcrest. 39 00:04:39,892 --> 00:04:44,552 The film opens with an atmospheric night shot. We see a sign attached to an 40 00:04:44,632 --> 00:04:46,712 imposing -looking chain -link fence. 41 00:04:47,432 --> 00:04:51,572 The sign reads, Chasm Valley Forest. No Trespassing. 42 00:04:52,572 --> 00:04:58,752 Slowly the camera moves up, bringing into focus a barren, rolling landscape lit only by moonlight. 43 00:04:59,552 --> 00:05:03,852 In the distance, atop the tallest hill, we see a single oak tree. 44 00:05:04,812 --> 00:05:08,812 Through a series of nearly motionless shots that dissolve one to the next, 45 00:05:08,892 --> 00:05:12,632 we inch our way closer to that lone tree. 46 00:05:13,392 --> 00:05:17,252 At last we can make out two figures standing at the base of the tree. 47 00:05:17,932 --> 00:05:24,672 We are close enough to hear what they are saying. Suzanne, if you've ever loved me, you won't do this. 48 00:05:24,892 --> 00:05:29,812 You may have won my heart, Charles, but I still have mouths to feed, 49 00:05:29,952 --> 00:05:34,072 and those cats can get vicious when they're hungry, especially the Tabby. 50 00:05:34,572 --> 00:05:39,492 You don't understand. The roots of this last tree are now the only thing that's 51 00:05:39,572 --> 00:05:44,312 keeping one whole side of this valley together I'm sorry Charles, 52 00:05:44,352 --> 00:05:50,712 but I have to do it Miss Fuzzy Paws has that look in her eye besides Grassssssside 53 00:05:50,792 --> 00:05:53,212 Greene should be used to disasters by now. Timber. 54 00:05:59,812 --> 00:06:06,880 The scene fades and an old -style newsreel begins News of the Valley. 55 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:12,272 Music. 56 00:06:12,352 --> 00:06:12,932 ♪♪ 57 00:06:15,492 --> 00:06:19,972 Middling Fair. Peaceful, serene, some would even say bland. 58 00:06:20,372 --> 00:06:24,732 Middling Fair, home to a thousand dreams and a few nasty nightmares undoubtedly 59 00:06:24,812 --> 00:06:26,392 caused by late -night snacking. 60 00:06:26,752 --> 00:06:30,012 It was here that the rest of the world came to forget their cares, 61 00:06:30,272 --> 00:06:34,412 and sometimes their car keys. But this paradise's days were numbered, 62 00:06:34,992 --> 00:06:37,752 and it all began with a simple toothpick. 63 00:06:38,372 --> 00:06:41,532 These pint -sized spears had become all the rage in Middling Fair. 64 00:06:42,032 --> 00:06:45,912 Thousands of petite pointies, used and discarded on a daily basis. 65 00:06:46,412 --> 00:06:50,412 It was a craze that could be traced back to the town's luxury eating without lighting. 66 00:06:51,032 --> 00:06:52,832 Les restaurants sont lampés! 67 00:06:54,827 --> 00:06:58,487 I'm so glad you decided to join me for dinner, Suzanne. 68 00:06:59,107 --> 00:07:06,167 And what a perfect choice. We don't have fancy places like this in Grassssssside Greene. 69 00:07:06,547 --> 00:07:10,347 It was hard to resist your offer, Charles. You're very persistent. 70 00:07:10,867 --> 00:07:15,507 You know, borderline creepy, but not. I was impressed. That's a fine line to walk. 71 00:07:15,767 --> 00:07:19,947 Us tree surgeons are known for our particular set of skills. 72 00:07:20,647 --> 00:07:26,647 Oh, says the logger. Do tell. Pardon the interruption of your verbal foreplay, 73 00:07:27,107 --> 00:07:29,387 but here are your hors d 'oeuvres. 74 00:07:30,367 --> 00:07:35,207 And of course, a complimentary toothpick for each of you. 75 00:07:36,087 --> 00:07:41,007 You're still handing these out? Damn it, Francois! Don't you realize you've 76 00:07:41,087 --> 00:07:43,987 sparked a toothpick craze here in Middling Fair? 77 00:07:44,447 --> 00:07:49,987 Suddenly everyone wants toothpicks, toothpicks, toothpicks! Toothpicks with 78 00:07:50,067 --> 00:07:56,467 breakfast, toothpicks with lunch, and yes, even toothpicks with dinner! What about snacks? 79 00:07:57,527 --> 00:08:03,087 François! Besides, how is this a bad thing? That's what I want to know. 80 00:08:03,767 --> 00:08:07,867 Look, cutting down trees so people can buy tiny wood splinters to jab between 81 00:08:07,947 --> 00:08:10,347 their teeth puts bread on my table. 82 00:08:10,767 --> 00:08:14,587 Je suis désolé, but we do not offer the unlimited baguettes. 83 00:08:14,667 --> 00:08:19,147 The Middling Fair forest is dying, and toothpicks are the cause. 84 00:08:19,347 --> 00:08:22,287 I think our meal here is done. 85 00:08:22,727 --> 00:08:25,967 And so, it seems, is our relationship. 86 00:08:26,707 --> 00:08:29,947 The warnings of dire consequences from noted pain in the butt, 87 00:08:30,207 --> 00:08:33,387 tree surgeon Dr. Charles Greenwood, went unheeded. 88 00:08:33,927 --> 00:08:37,747 More and more trees were felled in a futile attempt to keep up with ever -increasing 89 00:08:37,827 --> 00:08:41,147 public demand. Soon, the forest began to disappear. 90 00:08:41,767 --> 00:08:46,267 In the search for more wood, no stone was left untoined - turned. 91 00:08:47,147 --> 00:08:54,007 No tunnel left unexplored. You want to chop out the tree roots that are in the 92 00:08:54,087 --> 00:08:56,907 ceiling of this cave? Yep. 93 00:08:57,467 --> 00:09:01,827 That's prime -toothed pig stock right there. I'm willing to pay you top dollar. 94 00:09:02,447 --> 00:09:04,627 I'll be rich? 95 00:09:05,567 --> 00:09:13,667 Thank goodness I let media genius Andy Miltest put that picture of the caves on social media. 96 00:09:14,307 --> 00:09:18,847 The one labeled, our roots are showing? That's the one. 97 00:09:22,327 --> 00:09:29,687 Wait! Don't do it! These roots are important. They're like the tongues of the tree! 98 00:09:30,647 --> 00:09:35,287 Eww! Now I want them out of here more than ever. 99 00:09:36,287 --> 00:09:39,807 Yuck! Too bad, Dr. Downer. 100 00:09:40,367 --> 00:09:45,987 Now if you will excuse me, as my dentist always says, I have roots to remove. 101 00:09:48,228 --> 00:09:52,428 Every bit of wood was quickly shredded, sharpened, and sent to market to put 102 00:09:52,508 --> 00:09:54,008 more toothpicks on the table. 103 00:09:54,548 --> 00:09:57,628 Dejected, he couldn't even convince his acquaintance and would -be lover, 104 00:09:57,788 --> 00:10:00,268 logger Suzanne Pine, that danger lay ahead. 105 00:10:00,648 --> 00:10:04,748 Tree surgeon Greenwood fell back on his old addiction to vending machines. 106 00:10:07,588 --> 00:10:10,948 I never thought I'd see you back in here again. 107 00:10:11,268 --> 00:10:17,608 Yeah, Doc. I thought you swore off the slots. I did, but... 108 00:10:19,908 --> 00:10:24,808 Women. Am I right? Tell me about it. 109 00:10:25,068 --> 00:10:28,168 What was that, Gerald? Oh, nothing. 110 00:10:29,768 --> 00:10:34,888 So, you two kids are having a spat? Yeah. 111 00:10:36,228 --> 00:10:39,628 She's a logger who's doing what she has to do. 112 00:10:39,708 --> 00:10:48,908 And I'm a tree surgeon who loves her but must stop her in order to save the town. Classic log line. 113 00:10:49,888 --> 00:10:54,968 I'm sure you two can work it out if you try, but you can't do it. 114 00:10:55,048 --> 00:11:04,468 Just standing here All this place will do is give you a case of the vends. You're 115 00:11:04,548 --> 00:11:08,088 right Thanks, everyone! 116 00:11:08,548 --> 00:11:12,508 Do you want a bag for all of that? How about a toothpick? 117 00:11:14,288 --> 00:11:18,528 But the best of intentions would not be enough to save this earthly Arcadia. 118 00:11:19,008 --> 00:11:22,628 Logger Pine had already reached the security fence protecting Middling Fair's 119 00:11:22,708 --> 00:11:27,388 last remaining tree, accompanied by Professor Bart, known anonymous shadowy 120 00:11:27,468 --> 00:11:29,028 figure dealing in replica trees. 121 00:11:31,386 --> 00:11:37,646 All right, sister. I'm here, and I brought my delivery van full of fake trees with me. 122 00:11:38,106 --> 00:11:41,866 What's up? I have to chop down that tree out there. Do you have one that looks 123 00:11:41,946 --> 00:11:44,246 like it? Sure thing. Good. 124 00:11:45,046 --> 00:11:48,206 After I chop down the tree, I'm going to replace it with your replica. 125 00:11:48,686 --> 00:11:52,106 Wait here. No problem. You're the boss of this situation. 126 00:11:58,146 --> 00:12:05,926 Is that your truck over there? Bart, The Repro Tree Pro guy? Yeah, that's me. Lucky me! 127 00:12:06,386 --> 00:12:09,626 Do you have a tree that looks like that one out there? 128 00:12:10,166 --> 00:12:15,406 Yeah, I do, but I should have brought more. They seem to be very popular all of a sudden. 129 00:12:15,786 --> 00:12:24,546 I'm going to transplant that one out there over to Grassssssside Greene and replace it with your 130 00:12:25,086 --> 00:12:28,566 replica. Wait here! No problem. You're the second boss, boss. 131 00:12:37,546 --> 00:12:41,366 Suzanne, if you've ever loved me, you won't do this. 132 00:12:41,726 --> 00:12:46,566 You may have won my heart, Charles, but I still have mouths to feed. 133 00:12:46,786 --> 00:12:49,086 And those cats can get vicious when they're hungry. 134 00:12:49,666 --> 00:12:54,826 Especially the Tabby. You don't understand. The roots of this last tree are 135 00:12:54,906 --> 00:12:58,926 now the only thing that's keeping one whole side of this valley together. 136 00:12:59,006 --> 00:13:02,706 I'm sorry, Charles, but I have to do it. 137 00:13:03,446 --> 00:13:08,086 Miss Fuzzy Paws has that look in her eye. Besides, Grassssssside Greene should 138 00:13:08,166 --> 00:13:09,986 be used to disasters by now. 139 00:13:10,906 --> 00:13:12,486 But... Timber! 140 00:13:16,246 --> 00:13:21,046 The roots don't run under Grassssssside Greene. 141 00:13:21,386 --> 00:13:24,626 They're right here, under Middling Fair! 142 00:13:26,366 --> 00:13:27,086 Run! 143 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:33,680 Music. 144 00:13:35,948 --> 00:13:40,568 The destruction was catastrophic. Buildings toppled, roadways collapsed, 145 00:13:40,908 --> 00:13:42,368 fruit carts burst into flames. 146 00:13:42,708 --> 00:13:46,268 Even the fabled Samothrace Arms Hotel that once welcomed presidents, 147 00:13:46,568 --> 00:13:50,608 kings, queens, and the occasional Shriners' Convention crumbled to the ground. 148 00:13:51,688 --> 00:13:55,108 What followed was nothing less than 30 minutes of total anarchy. 149 00:13:55,588 --> 00:13:59,688 Stock footage of nuclear explosions, earthquakes, the sinking of the Titanic, 150 00:14:00,088 --> 00:14:04,568 a squirrel water skiing in a pool. It was all there, mostly in color. 151 00:14:09,808 --> 00:14:13,768 Then, as the devastation finally begins to wane... 152 00:14:14,708 --> 00:14:17,868 In a montage of mayhem, Middling Fair vanished from the map. 153 00:14:18,348 --> 00:14:21,808 Total cost? No one but the insurance companies can say. 154 00:14:24,008 --> 00:14:32,048 Oh, Charles. Middling Fair, it's gone. Not as long as we remember it by re -watching 155 00:14:32,128 --> 00:14:34,128 this movie again and again. 156 00:14:34,828 --> 00:14:40,648 Now, come on, let's go grab a meal in Grassssssside Greene. 157 00:14:41,508 --> 00:14:48,288 But Charles, we can't. The restaurants are all closed. Why? It's Arbor Day. 158 00:14:49,360 --> 00:14:54,768 Music. 159 00:14:54,848 --> 00:15:00,128 The End. The silence was deafening. 160 00:15:02,128 --> 00:15:05,748 Basically, I don't think anyone liked it. 161 00:15:07,048 --> 00:15:11,568 I knew it. It's a riot. Quick, soldier, to the crawler! Yes, sir! 162 00:15:12,828 --> 00:15:20,508 Like, hold on. Nomad 451 just sent an instant message. 163 00:15:21,248 --> 00:15:27,828 He says to check social media. Everyone except Detective Haartte pulls out their 164 00:15:27,908 --> 00:15:29,928 cell phone to see what is happening online. 165 00:15:30,568 --> 00:15:37,308 Technology. Who needs it? They're amazed by the things they are reading. Is all of this correct? 166 00:15:38,868 --> 00:15:42,728 Like, what a great movie. 167 00:15:43,568 --> 00:15:52,828 At last, grass side green is not the catastrophe in the canyon. 168 00:15:52,908 --> 00:15:57,028 Someone just erased Middling Fair on film. 169 00:15:57,448 --> 00:15:59,868 Hashtag justice for G. Greene. 170 00:16:00,608 --> 00:16:02,968 Everyone from Grasss... 171 00:16:04,028 --> 00:16:11,968 sssside Greene loves this thing. Because their town is the one left standing at the end. 172 00:16:12,868 --> 00:16:16,908 Like, I think Danny's a hero. 173 00:16:17,868 --> 00:16:23,908 At least to, like, Grass... Side Green. Is Cindy correct? 174 00:16:24,268 --> 00:16:29,668 For that answer and more, be sure to come back for the final installment in this year's story. 175 00:16:30,684 --> 00:16:33,624 Part 20, Wiping the Slate Clean. 176 00:16:37,544 --> 00:16:41,384 Like the show? To help support it for as little as a dollar a month, 177 00:16:41,724 --> 00:16:44,524 go to patreon.com/comedy4cast. 178 00:16:45,204 --> 00:16:49,584 All one word with the number four. As a way of saying thanks, 179 00:16:49,744 --> 00:16:56,084 you'll get episodes before everyone else, plus behind the scenes notes and exclusive content. 180 00:16:56,564 --> 00:17:04,004 Thank you! In this episode, as Perry J. Ashmont, Grant Johnson, voicegranted .com. 181 00:17:04,484 --> 00:17:10,784 As Charles, John Bell, from the Bells in the Batfry podcast, thebatfry.com. 182 00:17:11,284 --> 00:17:16,744 As Suzanne, Madison Hatfield. As the maitre d', Nathan Alvord. 183 00:17:17,064 --> 00:17:21,204 As Cindy, Connie, and Sally, Bonnie Kenderdine. 184 00:17:21,284 --> 00:17:27,764 As The Soldier, Craig Stepp, from the Technorama podcast, chuckchat .com/technorama 185 00:17:27,844 --> 00:17:33,084 and the Topic is Trek podcast, thetopicistrek .com. 186 00:17:33,564 --> 00:17:39,724 And the narrator was played by Gary J. Chambers, garyjchambersvo .com. 187 00:17:40,224 --> 00:17:44,624 Additional voices, as well as story and music by Clinton Alvord, 188 00:17:45,064 --> 00:17:48,164 copyright 2023, all rights reserved. 189 00:17:49,004 --> 00:17:53,164 See you next time. See you next time, but for now, that's it, 190 00:17:53,444 --> 00:17:54,624 we're done done done done done! 191 00:17:55,280 --> 00:18:12,416 Music.