Fictional

Humanity is isolated for their own safety in their homes, but they settle in to communicate through world-wide messaging and video calls, and face-to-face, person-to-person interaction becomes rarer and rarer, to the point that it's uncomfortable and awkward.

And no, the writer had no knowledge of the year 2020. E. M. Forster's prescient work of science fiction was first published in 1909.

After an ecological disaster, humanity is forced to flee underground, living alone in pods. But...it's not uncomfortable. In fact, it's the opposite. Humans have everything they could possibly need or want, thanks to the machine that oversees everything. But, when we give the power to watch over us to computers, who watches over the computers?

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Check out our new mini-cast, Best of the Worst! https://www.nextpod.com/botw-subscribe

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The original: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Machine_Stops/Chapter_I

**Disclaimer**

Warning: spoilers

A character struggles with loneliness and depression and tries numerous times to have the machine painlessly euthanize her, but it refuses.

The story of Arsène Lupin, gentleman thief, begins with him sending a letter to a baron with the exact date and time he will rob the man.

The baron immediately contacts the best detective in France.

...oh and Arsène Lupin is actually in prison so the armed guards, locked gates, and flooded tunnels seem like overkill.

But...this is Arsène Lupin, so, of course, the poor Baron doesn't even stand a chance.

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Three fun announcements:

1. We have a new show! Best of the Worst, the former segment on this show, is now a twice-weekly podcast (with fun fake ads!) at https://www.nextpod.com/botw-subscribe

2. We have another new show! We partnered with Kast Media to make an immersive history podcast telling the stories of bizarre and somewhat ridiculous villains. We think you'll love it. Check it out on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scoundrel-historys-forgotten-villains/id1609801925

Or search for "Scoundrel" wherever you get your podcasts!

3. Sorry about being gone for so long and thanks for sticking with us. It's because of you and everyone that wrote in voicing their love of the show that we're back. I'm hoping to manage things a little better now so I don't get so burnt out again.

A Halloween episode with two stories from the master of Gothic horror, Edgar Allan Poe.

Adapted by the Weisers from "The Masque of the Red Death" and "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe

A professor checks in to a rundown hotel for a long vacation and becomes obsessed with another resident - a pale man who moves from room to room.

Adapted by the Weisers from "The Pale Man" by Julius Long

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The shop: https://shop.bardic.fm

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Music: "Andelo" by Blue Dot Sessions "Velda Tallow" by Blue Dot Sessions

Theme music by Breakmaster Cylinder

Lester's work has killed trillions, making way for humanity's march across the galaxy. But, after a trip off-world and witnessing a dead planet firsthand, he's now changed. Lester wants out.

Will the government release their best scientist and, more importantly, did Lester even return from the wastes?

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The new site: https://fictional.fm

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The next story: A man goes to a country hotel for his summer break away from his teaching job. But, as the days wear on, is this dilapidated hotel and its guests all that they seem? And who is that quiet, pale stranger that is watching our protagonist from down the hall?

A man comes to Sherlock Holmes with a development: he's making a lot of extra money each week solely because he has fiery red hair. For the famed detective, this is terrible news.

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Check out the new site: https://fictional.fm

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Music: "Vienna Beat" by Blue Dot Sessions "Evidence" by Raphael Costa "In the Box" by Blue Dot Sessions Theme song by Breakmaster Cylinder

Adapted from "The Red-Headed League" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (link if you want: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1661/1661-h/1661-h.htm#chap02)

Four men took part in the ruining of one life. Their reckoning is at hand. It all ends here.

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Sponsors:

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KiwiCo: KiwiCo creates super cool, hands-on projects for kids that make learning about science, technology, engineering, art, and math fun! To try them for free, go to http://kiwico.com/fictional

Tilted: Check out Tilted, an awesome new podcast from Lean In: https://leanin.org/tilted-a-lean-in-podcast

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Music:

"The Dark Glow of the Mountains" by Chris Zabriskie

"The 49th Street Galleria" by Chris Zabriskie

"Darkling Skies" by Jelsonic

"Blue Blanket" by Podington Bear

"Box Canyon" by Podington Bear

"Minor Islands" by Podington Bear

"Reckoning" by Podington Bear

"The Things we Save" by Podington Bear

"The Last Whale" by Jelsonic

"Leave the TV on" by Blue Dot Sessions

"Lonely Stairwell" by Blue Dot Sessions

"House of Grendal" by Blue Dot Sessions

The Count of Monte Cristo moves his pieces into place. His revenge is at hand.

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Sponsors:

Hello Fresh: For a super-easy, super-delicious weeknight meal, check out Hello Fresh. Go to http://hellofresh/fictional60 and use the code FICTIONAL60

KiwiCo: KiwiCo creates super cool, hands-on projects for kids that make learning about science, technology, engineering, art, and math fun! To try them for free, go to http://kiwico.com/fictional

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Music:

"All Out" by Podington Bear

"Bambi" by Podington Bear

"Bare Shoulders" by Podington Bear

"He Went Away" by Podington Bear

"KeoKeo" by Blue Dot Sessions

"Robot Park" by Podington Bear

"Pretty Simple" by Podington Bear

"Relay 7" by Blue Dot Sessions

"Solan" by Podington Bear

When we last left Edmond Dantes, he was sailing off into the sunset after rescuing one of the only friends he has left. Today's story begins 13 years later, after he's been transforming himself into the count of Monte Cristo, an enigmatic and ruthless nobleman who is heading to Paris to bring justice on the people who destroyed his life.

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Sponsors:

KiwiCo creates super cool, hands-on projects for kids that make learning about science, technology, engineering, art, and math fun! To try them for free, go to http://kiwico.com/fictional

Audible Originals: Get your first audiobook free and choose two titles from a curated list of Audible Originals when you try Audible for 30 days. Go to http://audible.com/fictional or text FICTIONAL to 500-500

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Music:

"Cylinder Eight" by Chris Zabriskie

"Solemn Oath" by Podington Bear

"Rapids" by Blue Dot Sessions

"Little Door" by Podington Bear

"There's Probably No Time" by Chris Zabriskie

"John Stockton Slow Drag" by Chris Zabriskie

"Topslides" by Blue Dot Sessions

"Stellar's Jay" by Chad Crouch

"Lemon and Melon" by Blue Dot Sessions

All the pieces are in place. Everyone responsible for Prospero's exile is on the island. His island. It's time to take back what's his.

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Sponsors:

Wolverine: The Long Night. Check this fantastic scripted podcast at https://www.wolverinepodcast.com/

Bombas: Not only is it fun to say, but they are the most comfortable socks ever seriously if your feet could thank you they would. Go to http://www.Bombas.com/fictional and use the code FICTIONAL to get 20% off your first order.

Check out Steal the Stars, an awesome sci-fi podcast, at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/steal-the-stars/id1259505930

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Music:

"Roundpine" by Blue Dot Sessions

"John Stockton Slow Drag" by Chris Zabriskie

"Cylinder Seven" by Chris Zabriskie

"Undercover Vampire Policeman" by Chris Zabriskie