[INTRO MUSIC PLAYING]
It’s time to put your headphones on, sit back and enjoy the divine drama of season 2 episode 6, Thunder and Rain in L.A. Welcome to Echobox.
[ECHO’S THEME PLAYING TO END]
SCENE 1 – INT. OLYMPUS RECORDS MAIN FLOOR
[UPBEAT OFFICE AMBIENCE]
[DOOR SLAMMING]
ZEUS: Where is Alexandra?
[SILENCE]
ZEUS: You.
V1: Em, me?
ZEUS: You’re fired.
V1: Sir, I- I- I’m really sorry for–
ZEUS: GONE! Who’s next?
[PEOPLE GASPING AND WHISPERING]
V2: She’s in your office, sir.
ZEUS: Wonderful. What’s your name?
V2: Uh, Atropos, sir.
ZEUS: Everyone, this is Atro. You follow his lead today and speak when spoken to. THAT’S how you keep your job, today.
[FOOTSTEPS]
[PEOPLE WHISPERING AND GASPING]
[DOOR BEING SLAMMED OPEN]
ALEX: Hermes, what the fuck is goin-
ZEUS: Clear everyone’s schedule and call Ares. I’m tired of this Echobox business!
[PAPERS RUFFLING]
ALEX: Welcome back, sir. And yes, I’ll call him right now. Should I send him here or is there a place you had in mind for lunch reservations?
ZEUS: My office. Now.
ALEX: Yea- yes. I’m on it.
ZEUS: Get your papers in order, Alexandra. Don’t think you’re exempt from this one.
ALEX: What- what papers? Eurydice’s producer’s notes? New sign contr-?
ZEUS: Don’t play fucking dumb. That’s a trait I despise in people, Alexandra. There is an Echobox rat in my home and there are only so many people who have access to that information.
ALEX: Okay…
ZEUS: Get it done.
[FOOTSTEPS, ZEUS WALKING AWAY]
[DOOR CLOSING]
ALEX: Oh, fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
[PHONE DIALING]
[VOICE FAR AWAY]
ZEUS: HERMES, GET THE FUCK IN HERE!
[SCENE TRANSITION DRONE MUSIC PLAYING]
SCENE 2 – INT. OLYMPUS RECORDS MAIN FLOOR
ALEX: You… okay?
[HERMES SNIFFLING]
HERMES: Yeah. Did he really have to call Ares? I’m pretty sure I had the Echobox thing covered! I was making some serious progress on my end!
ALEX: Hm…
HERMES: I was, Alex!
ALEX: Okay, so you found that the person giving this Echo information came from inside the office?
HERMES: It sounds less impressive when you say it. That was weeks worth of work for me! Listening to Echobox, checking Twitter threads, checking what the tabloids were reporting, who had what story first… it was exhausting.
ALEX: I doubt Ares will do much. Just scream at people for a couple of hours until he gets bored and-
[FOOTSTEPS]
ARES: Oh, sweet fuck. You two again. It’s always… you two.
HERMES: Hello, Ares.
ALEX: Let me escort you to Mr. Olympus’s office.
ARES: I know my way, I know my way, I got it.
HERMES: Let me catch you up with my personal investigation. I can take you back when Echobox started and give you a list of what employees were already employed at that time. That cut out a lot of the first line staff who Zeus usually turns over really quickly. Everyone in upper staff then became suspicious. Someone’s assistant, legal team, even one of-
ARES: One of us, I know. Sweet God. Which is why YOU’RE up first. With me.
HERMES: What?
ARES: Come on in, brother. (to Alex) Hmm, you’re next.
ALEX: Can’t wait.
[FOOTSTEPS, ARES AND HERMES WALKING OFF]
ALEX: Have fun!
[DOOR CLOSING]
[SCENE TRANSITION MUSIC PLAYING]
SCENE 3 – INT. AN OFFICE – I MEAN, INTERROGATION ROOM – IN OLYMPUS RECORDS
[ARES HUMMING HAPPILY]
[CHAIR PULLING AND SITTING DOWN]
ARES: (to himself) Ares, you’re good, you’re good, Ares is good. This gonna be fun. Okay.
ARES: What do you know about Echobox?
HERMES: I just TOLD you everything I know!
ARES: True. But look at you: sad, pathetic, forever stuck in Dad’s shadow. You have the biggest motive out of anyone to start a show like Echobox.
HERMES: I guess… but I actually really like my job here. I like everyone I work with. I even —if you believe me— like my family… most days. And besides, WHEN would I have the time to create a whole radio show? When I’m not here at the office I’m at home, working AT HOME.
[WHOOSH]
ARES: Out of everyone in the office, who do you think Echo is then?
HECATE: Is this really necessary? I have like a hundred things I need to do today. Don’t make it one hundred and one.
ARES: You’ve certainly moved up the ranks of the staff very quickly.
HECATE: I took a page from the Olympian book and just took what I wanted instead of asking for it. Like it or not, Ares, I’m not anyone’s toy to play with anymore.
ARES: What do you know about Echobox?
HECATE: Not this. Who blabbed?
ARES: …Hermes.
HECATE: Of course. Listen, I bet he frames them, too. God knows Echo goes on and on about him. It’s not that weird.
ARES: What?
HECATE: The… transcripts. Is – is this not because I framed the transcript of my Echobox mention in my apartment?
ARES: No. This is because you are giving information to Echobox. Why the fuck did you FRAME IT?
HECATE: [LAUGHS] Oh. No, no, if I worked at Echobox, I would be making so much more money. She should really be charging per episode on how much insider shit she gives out. She could cash out.
[WHOOSH]
ALEX: Hecate said that?
ARES: Yeah. And you look like you have some extra change weighing down your pockets.
ALEX: [CHUCKLE] Yeah, no. My sister just moved into my apartment so if anything, I’m even worse off right now. Financially and… well everything else, too.
ARES: Hm, so… you’re not Echobox?
ALEX: Nice try, Ares. But you know who’s a new sign and just dying to meet you?
[WHOOSH]
ARES: Tell me who “Echo” is!
PERSEPHONE: Echo? As in Echobox?
ARES: YES! That’s what I’ve been asking you about for AN HOUR NOW!
PERSEPHONE: Oh! Then why were we talking about Taylor Swift?
ARES: Red. All Too Well the ten minute version. Only someone with full insider info would know so many details about Jake Gyllenhaal’s private life.
PERSEPHONE: Okay… but who was Echobox?
ARES: Taylor Swift. Because she told everyone how shitty he was.
PERSEPHONE: So you think Zeus is shitty?
ARES: That’s not the point! Taylor— I mean, ECHO— can’t just spew everyone’s bullshit like this!
PERSEPHONE: Isn’t Taylor Swift— in this analogy— Zeus? I mean, he also left his previous label and started his own.
ARES: No, no. You’re messing it all up. Go, go back, back.
PERSEPHONE: Oh. To… Taylor Swift and Jake Gyllenhaal?
ARES: Oh my gosh. Ares, calm down. Further, further..
PERSEPHONE: To… Echobox?
ARES: Yes! Yes! Do you know who Echobox is? Hm?
PERSEPHONE: Oh my God. Was that your way of saying earlier Olympus Records signed Taylor Swift? Are the re-recorded albums coming? You have to introduce me.
ARES: NO, NO! NO RECORDS, ARES IS MAD RIGHT NOW, YOU’RE IMPOSSIBLE, GOOD GRIEF!
[FOOTSTEPS]
HADES: Ares! I can hear you from down the hall. YOU- ARE- DONE.
ARES: Done? Done, no, Ares is never done. Zeus assigned me here. You can’t just shut me out.
HADES: I will NOT be held liable for workplace harassment.
ARES: Harassment?
HADES: The last thing this record label needs are headlines about Zeus’s son being exempt from OSHA rules.
ARES: FINE!
[CHAIR DRAGGING]
[FOOTSTEPS, ARES WALKING OFF]
HADES: Are you okay?
PERSEPHONE: I almost had ‘im. He was just about to break and admit that HE was behind Echobox all along!
HADES: I told him that he didn’t have to interrogate you. I- I’m sorry.
PERSEPHONE: It’s okay! It was actually kind of fun. Plus, it got me out of shooting new headshots.
HADES: You are the first person to have ever been screamed at by Ares and called it “fun.”
PERSEPHONE: I’m just full of surprises.
HADES: Alexandra!
[FOOTSTEPS, ALEX COMING IN FROM AROUND THE CORNER]
ALEX: Yes, Mr. Olympus?
HADES: Tell Zeus to clear his schedule. We need to meet immediately to get ahead of this.
ALEX: Uh, Mr. Olympus, your brother… locked himself in his office.
HADES: Then… Then I’ll deal with him. Instead, make sure Persephone is taken care of. Charge this card. It’s on me.
ALEX: Yes, sir.
[FOOTSTEPS, HADES WALKING OFF]
ALEX: Well, how would you like me to take care of you? Should I get on my hands and knees or feed you grapes still on the vine?
PERSEPHONE: Trust me, Alex. I’m fine. I told him as much.
ALEX: Oh, are you sure? If I don’t at least pepper you with praise, I think Hades will crucify me.
HECATE: You survived?
PERSEPHONE: After hours of torture, I finally relented to Ares and told him the true identity of Echobox: his mother. She told me as much, last night.
HECATE: [LAUGHS] I knew LA would change you. You’re already racking up a body count of MILFs. Young Gravy needs to watch out.
ALEX: As she should. A MILF a day keeps the depression at bay.
HECATE: Tea.
PERSEPHONE: Is it bad if I kinda want to skip out of the office early tonight? I really don’t want to be here for the Olympian spat of the century.
ALEX: Well, lucky for you, I have the company card for the night.
HECATE: Um… that’s not the company card… that’s Hades’ personal card.
ALEX: Shit. I was just thinking we could grab coffee… but now…
PERSEPHONE: We are not racking up a mountain of debt for Hades.
ALEX: But HE was the one who told US to treat ourselves!
HECATE: I mean… if he gave you permission…
[TYPING ON CELLPHONE]
ALEX: Done. Reservation booked for Pomegranate Garden!
PERSEPHONE: Already?! How did you type that in so fast?
HECATE: Oh! I’ve heard of that place! Always wanted to go, but couldn’t swing the tab.
PERSEPHONE: Alex…
ALEX: If we cancel, we lose our deposit.
PERSEPHONE: You put down a DEPOSIT?
ALEX: And if we miss it, it’ll charge his card a hundred. Wouldn’t you rather spend a hundred on a good bottle of wine…
PERSEPHONE: Well… if we have a deposit…
HECATE: I told you Alex was a bad influence.
ALEX: Hey!
PERSEPHONE: [LAUGHS] It’s okay, I was a bad influence too at your age.
ALEX: [CHUCKLE] I always forget you’re like——in your thirties.
PERSEPHONE: It’s because I got all my mom’s good looks.
HECATE: Hm, sure, you did. And I got all of Dad’s… tone deaf-ness.
[LAUGHTER]
ALEX: Coming, Hecate? I booked a table for three.
HECATE: Can’t. I better stick around for damage control.
PERSEPHONE: So responsible.
ALEX: Suit yourself. Text us if you need anything.
HECATE: Will do.
[FOOTSTEPS, ALEX AND PERSEPHONE WALKING]
ALEX: I’m so excited. I’ve never been.
[HADES AND ZEUS FIGHTING IN THE BACKGROUND OVERLAPPING ALEX AND PERSEPHONE’S CONVERSATION]
ZEUS: Get out of my office, Hades.
ALEX: Just took people there and picked them up.
HADES: And what and let you wreck our company’s reputation even further?
PERSEPHONE: I don’t really know what to expect. How fancy are we talking? Like… am I dressed up enough?
ZEUS: MY company. That’s my family name up there, not yours. You never wanted it.
ALEX: Oh yeah, definitely.
HADES: No. I still don’t want it. But I never had a choice in this family, right?
ZEUS: You’re done for the day. Go home. We’ll talk about this later.
[DOOR OPENING]
[OFFICE AMBIENCE]
[FOOTSTEPS]
HADES: Persephone. Alexandra.
PERSEPHONE: Hi. Everything… okay?
HADES: Just, just peachy.
ALEX: Mr. Olympus, we were just off to lunch a couple of blocks over.
HADES: Wonderful. I’m happy to join.
PERSEPHONE: Really? We did book for three but Hecate dropped out.
HADES: Wonderful. We’ll take my car.
[FRONT DOOR OPENING]
[STREET AMBIENCE]
ALEX: Well. We were going to walk there.
HADES: Suit yourself, Alexandra.
[CAR DOOR OPENING]
HADES: Persephone?
PERSEPHONE: Coming!
[CAR DOOR CLOSING]
PERSEPHONE (whisper): Thanks Alex, I owe you.
[FOOTSTEPS, PERSEPHONE RUSHING TO HADES’ CAR]
[CAR DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING]
ALEX: Fuck me.
[CAR TIRES SQUEALING AND CAR DRIVING OFF]
ALEX: I set myself up for that.
[LIGHT RAIN STARTING TO FALL]
[THUNDER]
[POURING RAIN STARTING TO FALL]
ALEX: Fuck you too, sky!
[SCENE TRANSITION MUSIC PLAYING]
SCENE 4 – INT. RESTAURANT
[RESTAURANT AMBIENCE]
[BOTH CHUCKLING]
PERSEPHONE: And how old were all of you?
HADES: Fifteen.
PERSEPHONE: That’s crazy! Oh my God. I remember going to one of your concerts in… Austin? And Hecate and I wore these obnoxious t-shirts with everyone’s face on them and—oh, Alex!
[FOOTSTEPS, ALEX COMING CLOSER]
ALEX: Hi.
HADES: What kept you so long?
[ALEX DRIPPING]
ALEX: Um, traffic. Clearly.
PERSEPHONE: Here, I saved you a seat.
ALEX: Thanks.
HADES: Wait, wait you might want to umm… collect yourself before you sit down.
PERSEPHONE: Hades! He’s just joking. You look fine.
ALEX: No, no, it’s fine. Which way is the bathroom…?
[FOOTSTEPS, ALEX WALKING AWAY]
[BUMPING INTO A CHAIR]
ALEX: Jesus Christ, fucking-. I should have gone home.
[SCENE TRANSITION MUSIC PLAYING]
SCENE 5 – INT. BATHROOM
[BATHROOM DOOR OPENING]
[BATHROOM AMBIENCE]
[PHONE DIALING]
ALEX: ACHILLES!
ACHILLES: GOD, why do you have to be so LOUD?
ALEX: You will never guess what’s happening.
[TOILET FLUSHING]
ACHILLES: Are you…
ALEX: YES, I’m hiding in the bathroom BECAUSE Hades butted in on Persphone’s lunch with me! It’s unbelievable! He DROVE her here in his TESLA! And, of course, got the most expensive thing on the menu.
ACHILLES: Oh, are you at Garden’s? That rib-eye hits different.
ALEX: AND she’s just HANGING onto his EVERY. WORD. I mean, what does she even SEE in him. I totally know what he sees in her. I mean, she’s like a ten. She’s funny and kind and fucking HOT, I mean… and he’s just… rich and asshole-y! He’s an OLYMPIAN! I mean, COME ON! Aim fucking higher!!
ACHILLES: Alex.
ALEX: Don’t tell me I’m not right.
ACHILLES: Alex, did you call me because you thought I would automatically side with you?
ALEX: No… you’re… my friend, too.
ACHILLES: Hm, well, you can’t just choose who people love! You can’t control your friends like that. I say, enjoy the free meal and let whatever happens, happens.
ALEX: Well, easy for you to say. You’re not the third wheel here! And it’s a pretty fucked up wheel, too. He’s, like… OLD!
ACHILLES: Isn’t she like… thirty?
ALEX: And he’s creepy!
ACHILLES: You said the same thing about Hecate, too.
ALEX: So you’re really not going to support me in this?
ACHILLES: Babes… fuck no.
ALEX: Ugh. You’re the worst person to get a reality check from.
ACHILLES: Love you. Come to Wine Night tomorrow.
ALEX: Only if I can bring the white.
ACHILLES: Deal.
[TOILET FLUSHING]
ACHILLES: And get out of the bathroom. They’re going to think you died in there.
ALEX: No, they’re going to have forgotten I existed because they were staring into each other’s eyes and oogling.
ACHILLES: Good. Bye.
[ECHOBOX INTRO PLAYING]
ECHO: Welcome back, everyone. Guess you heard the news. Zeus Olympus, the kingpin himself, is back in the flesh. After his stay in paradise, he’s returned to strike down anyone and everyone who has ever heard the name “Echo”. Sure, nothing’s changed— except that he brought in Ares to interrogate and harass employees to give up their fellow co-workers. Zeus is convinced that I am hiding inside one of his shitty cubicles working a shitty job under his shitty leadership. Listeners, my influence seeps farther than any three cubicle walls. Nice try, Zeus, but better luck next time. And looks like you’ll need it too with all the workplace harassment lawsuits being filed against you.
ECHO: A son and employee of the director targeting queer and diverse voices at Olympus Records? That doesn’t match the Olympus “Diversity and Inclusion” statement very well, now does it? You’re playing right into my hands. Now even more people are turning to me with answers and updates, let’s say. And on top of it all, you’ve picked a bone with your brother, Hades. Now, tell me if I’m wrong, but coming back to ruin the reputation, atmosphere, and, let’s be honest, will of employees and throwing it all onto your brother’s plate doesn’t seem like the best business practice. Maybe you should take a note from Hades and study up instead of worrying about his… erm, personal relations. After all, how many women have you fucked and then fucked over? Let’s allow Hades to fuck this all up on his own, now shall we?
[OUTRO MUSIC PLAYING]
This episode stars, in order of appearance, Damon Alums as Zeus, Josh Portillo as Ares and voice 1, Lauren Tucker as Hecate and voice 2, Isabella Sales as Alex/Echo, Ron Guan as Hermes, Lindsay Zana as Persephone, Frank Lopes as Hades and Emma K. Blakeslee as Achilles.
It was written by Isabella Sales and Corienne Swanson, and produced by Corienne Swanson. The Echobox theme song was made by Meg McKellar.
Dialogue cut by Marianna Marcon, and audio and sound design by Georgia Triantafyllopoulou and Meg McKellar. Logo design by Lucas Eduardo Bueno and website by Andy Cerdan.
You can find the episode transcript at our website at www.echoboxpod.com.
Echobox is created out of love for storytelling and provided at no profit to us, but we deeply appreciate the hard work our cast and crew puts into the show. If you want to help us pay them for their work, support us on patreon at patreon.com/echoboxpod.
If you liked the episode, don’t forget to share it with a friend and spread the word of Echo! It really helps us grow.
Thank you for listening. See you next time we open the Echobox.
[OUTRO MUSIC FADING OUT]