The Loudspeaker Network

Chaos ensues as multiple realities overlap due to a rift echo, causing various versions of Allison, Orlando, and Mikayla to appear. Confusion reigns as they try to understand the situation, with Barnaby explaining the phenomenon and its potential consequences. Meanwhile, Briggs confronts Caliban about his allegiance to Royce and the chaos caused by the malfunctioning portals. The situation escalates when Ten´ek Soors enter the scene, threatening the safety of everyone involved. As Allison attempts to rectify the situation, Makayla gets trapped in the rift with the Ten´ek Soor, leaving Allison devastated and blaming herself for the outcome.

Despite the efforts of the portal mechanics to fix the portals, Makayla's fate remains uncertain, leaving Allison and her companions in distress.

It's time for Allison's big thesis showing of her artwork. After helping Orlando up the stairs with all his music gear, she pitches the idea of sponsoring a a concert featuring Orlando's music. Orlando is hesitant (he's never played anything bigger than a nite club) but Allison is insistent.

Allison's mother, Elizabeth, arrives and Allison is surprised and delighted to see her. She's not surprised her father didn't make it and we learn that Allison recently changed her name from "Crowe" to "Drake", Elizabeth's maiden name. This is a sore point for her father, Abraham, who is very conservative in his thinking. Apparently, her father grew up in a cult of some kind and had to adapt life after the cult disbanded.

Elizabeth admires the location Allie has chosen for her show and learns that Allison fixed it up herself using her inheritance from Uncle Max. The death of Max (Abraham's brother) comes as a devastating shock to Elizabeth and she sends Allie off to mingle while she collects herself.

Barnaby sees Elizabeth and greets her warmly only to receive a slap on the face from the grieving woman. Barnaby is flustered and tries to fumble through an explanation but is distracted by the site of Calaban mingling with the guests. He abruptly excuses himself and confronts the agent of Ambrose Royce.

During their heated exchange, Calaban alludes to a "surprise" that's in store for later, then leaves Barnaby sputtering.

Allison greets her faculty advisor, Mrs. Danforth, and receives a chilly greeting. Danforth admires Allison's technical skill but urges her to "grow up" and paint grown up things.

Solomon Keys rifts in and offers congratulations to Allison. He also reminds her that, as the patriarch of the powerful church of New Eden, he is in a position to assist Allie in her newly discovered abilities. "You are not alone," he informs her, a point of great comfort for the beleaguered young woman.

Then, while Allison is in the restroom, three Ten'ek Soor appear and begin to ransack the gallery looking for her. Mikayla steps in but is seriously wounded by the fierce warriors. They find Allison and are about to kill her when Solomon Keys intervenes, rifting in a squad of "Shadow Guard", New Eden's elite soldiers. Out-manned, the Ten'ek Soor depart after a terse exchange with Father Keys. The holy man then mystically heals Mikayla and departs, urging Allison to visit him soon.

Later, at the coffee shop, Barnaby is pressed for information from the group. According to Barnaby, the Ten'ek Soor and the church of New Eden have very different views of the omniverse. The Ten'ek Soor believe the scattered realities are part of a divine plan, while the New Eden faith seeks to somehow mend the breach and unify all the realities and the people that inhabit them.

It is also revealed that Barnaby used to work for Royce and was replaced by Calaban. He is hesitant to discuss the details of his departure, saying only that his "loyalty became compromised". Barnaby cautions everyone that Royce is not to be trusted.

The episode ends with Allison receiving a phone call from Mrs. Danforth who is furious at the "Performance Art" presentation at Allison's showing. There's talk of having her expelled from the program, and Allison and Orlando leave to try and fix things.

***

The fantasy-adventure saga of Portals follows the fortunes of Allison Drake, a young artist who inherits a self-storage garage business and discovers that each unit is a doorway to a different reality. Allison and her friends are quickly drawn into a web of wonders and dangers with the fate of all realities hanging in the balance. Fascinating and strikingly original, Portals offers listeners a lush audio portrait of characters on a heroic journey of intrigue and adventure.

Portals is presented by Rabbit Hole Radio Theatre, a co-production of NoCo FM and OpenStage Theatre & Company. Find out more at https://rabbitholeradio.org.

Allison, Orlando, and Mikayla ask for Barnaby´s assistance in returning the body of the Ten´ek Soor "demon" that attacked Allison (episode one) to its people.

Allison is desperate for some answers as to why they attacked her in the first place, but Barnaby is of little help... the Ten´ek Soor live on a "rift shard" that is not on any of the portal maps. Barnaby recalls a "shaman miystic type" named Rune who allegedly lives in the Rift. Allison mentally calls to him and he appears.

Rune agrees to guide the group and, Ten´ek Soor body in tow, the group is treated to their first "riftwalk". During their journey, Rune explains that the rift is the source of all Creation and that conscious thought is the spark that begins the cycle... "Think of this place as a question waiting for an answer... from you." Through Rune´s wisdom, the group finds the Ten´ek Soor Rift Shard and then departs.

The group is discovered by a small party of Ten´ek Soor who refrain from killing Allison as payment for her honoring them by bringing their fallen comrade home. They claim Allison ("Alysina Draconis") is the Un-Maker who´s every breath is a poison and who will one day destroy all that is. Things start getting ungly, but Allison somehow manages to open a rift tear - with the guidance of a mysterious voice that only she can hear - and the group escapes.

That night Allison has a dream and the mysterious voice comforts her, explaining that "Alysina Draconis" is the name her soul left upon Creation when she was born, and that her birthrite is nothing more than the realization and implementation of the gifts she came into the world with. The voice urges Allison to seek out her destiny and then departs, leaving Allison more confused than before.

Later, as she talks to Mikayla about the dream, we learn that Allison has a history of problems with her father, Abraham. He most likely won´t come to Allison´s gallery show but maybe her Mom, Elizabeth, will make it.

The episode ends with Elizabeth and Abraham arguing about the show. Elizabeth implores him to let the past go, but Abraham stubbornly refuses, ranting against Allison for changing her name and forbidding Elizabeth from attending the gallery show. After he storms out, Elizabeth resolves to go away, in spite of Abraham's fury.

***

The fantasy-adventure saga of Portals follows the fortunes of Allison Drake, a young artist who inherits a self-storage garage business and discovers that each unit is a doorway to a different reality. Allison and her friends are quickly drawn into a web of wonders and dangers with the fate of all realities hanging in the balance. Fascinating and strikingly original, Portals offers listeners a lush audio portrait of characters on a heroic journey of intrigue and adventure.

Portals is presented by Rabbit Hole Radio Theatre, a co-production of NoCo FM and OpenStage Theatre & Company. Find out more at https://rabbitholeradio.org.

After the fight with the Tenīek Soor (episode 1 - "Inheritance"), Barnaby explains to Allison, Mikayla and Orlando, about the nature of reality... and Allisonīs unique place within it. According to Barnaby, the universe is comprised of infinite realities separated by a mysterious "rift". Allisonīs inherent ability as a "riftwalker" gives her the power to travel between those realities. The group is dubious and Mikayla presses Barnaby for a demonstration.

Meanwhile, Calaban reports to Ambrose Royce, who is revelling his most recent acquisition - a Lemirian executionerīs blade he has waited 800 years to possess. Calaban reveals that Allison was attacked by a Tenīek Soor warrior and that he was able to thwart the attack but not without being seen by everyone at the U-Stor-It. Royce adopts a patient attitude, content (for the moment) to see what unfolds.

Barnaby leads Allison and her friends to a storage garage... apparently the U-Stor-It facility is the location of numerous Portals to other realities. During the portal crossing, Allison hears an echoing voice calling her name just before everyone appears in Sabraya - the Crossroads of Reality. Barnaby describes the nature of portals - realities are attracted to each other and form points where they coexist, allowing informed travels to simply cross from one to the other.

Allison seems to have no problem speaking the local language, an idiosyncracy of riftwalkers... their connection to the all-encompassing rift allows her to hear the meaning behind everything she hears.

As they wander the market of Sabraya, Allison and Barnaby discuss Max. Allison is upset that Max knew she was a riftwalker but didnīt tell her. Barnaby points out that Allisonīs problems with her father made such a startling revelation inappropriate.

Orlandoīs concern for Allieīs emotional well-being are put to rest by Mikayla. Years ago, Mikayla was in therapy after an abusive relationship with an ex-boyfriend and was pulled through by Allisonīs commitment and stability. Mikayla asserts that thereīs a lot more to Allison than meets the eye.

Orlando finds a Fire Harp in the market and is miraculously showered in flower petals while playing the instrument. He is then given the harp by Solomon Keys, high priest of the Order of New Eden, as a gesture of appreciation for Orlandoīs talents. Keys extends the hospitality of the New Eden temple to the amazed friends before taking his leave.

The episode ends with Allison resolving to find the Tenīek Soor and learn why they want her dead.

***

The fantasy-adventure saga of Portals follows the fortunes of Allison Drake, a young artist who inherits a self-storage garage business and discovers that each unit is a doorway to a different reality. Allison and her friends are quickly drawn into a web of wonders and dangers with the fate of all realities hanging in the balance. Fascinating and strikingly original, Portals offers listeners a lush audio portrait of characters on a heroic journey of intrigue and adventure.

Portals is presented by Rabbit Hole Radio Theatre, a co-production of NoCo FM and OpenStage Theatre & Company. Find out more at https://rabbitholeradio.org.

Allison Drake, a young artist struggling to find her place in the world, learns her beloved Uncle Max has passed away. Barnaby Briggs - Max's closest friend - delivers the bad news just moments after Allison is served the summons to attend the reading of Max's will (delivered by a sinister messenger named Calaban).

At the reading of Max's will, led by Ambrose Royce – senior partner with Royce and Associates and Calaban's employer - Allison learns she’s inherited two and a half million dollars and the deed to self-storage business, the U-Stor-It. After her friends Orlando and Mikayla lead the distraught Allison from the courtroom, Barnaby warns Royce and Calaban to leave Allison alone. Unmoved by Barnaby’s threats, Royce sends Calaban to watch over Allison.

Orlando and Mikayla console Allison, recounting the magic and wonder that Max brought into Allison´s life. Allison resolves to go see the U-Stor-It to try and find some closure on her feelings about Max and the secrets he kept from her. The group arrives at the U-Stor-It, interrupting Barnaby on the phone with someone relating the events of the will reading. Suspisions about Barnaby´s presence are quickly put aside as a seven-foot demon appears from thin air and attacks Allison.

The creature speaks an alien language that Allison seems to understand. Mikayla and Orlando try to defend their friend but it is Calaban who intervenes, slaying the creature with a sword. Calaban then disappears, leaving Barnaby to make explanations to Allison and her friends. At the episode´s conclusion, Barnaby tells Allison that she is a "Riftwalker" and that her birthright is "nothing less than all of Creation".

***

The fantasy-adventure saga of Portals follows the fortunes of Allison Drake, a young artist who inherits a self-storage garage business and discovers that each unit is a doorway to a different reality. Allison and her friends are quickly drawn into a web of wonders and dangers with the fate of all realities hanging in the balance. Fascinating and strikingly original, Portals offers listeners a lush audio portrait of characters on a heroic journey of intrigue and adventure.

Portals is presented by Rabbit Hole Radio Theatre, a co-production of NoCo FM and OpenStage Theatre & Company. Find out more at https://rabbitholeradio.org.

We have finally returned from the pandemic hangover and Chris is holding it down in studio while Charles and KevKat join him via the intertubes in our attempt at social distancing.

Stuff we talked about:

• Why working from home sucks, even for us introverts
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons and getting knee-capped by a debt-collecting raccoon
• Chris doesn't get Minecraft
• Spencers Gifts still exists and you can get sex toys there? Who knew!
• Whether foot traffic at the sex shop has changed
• How certain theoretical employers are (mis)treating their employees during the outbreak
• Is the outbreak a Biblical judgment? Or is the alignment of the planets?
• Charles isn't a fan of Star Trek: Picard
• The upcoming rent strike on 4/1. What are the pros? The cons?

Watch the video version on our YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSXj6rFO4A0

On this episode, we are talking everything corona virus, aka The 'Rona. We give an update on how we are handling the "Shelter in Place" directives, the news that our kids will be out of school till summer and we each give our theory on the virus' outbreak.

“Your disability does not preclude you from anything. In fact, your biggest challenge is your BEST empowerment!” – Bryan Manning

On this episode, we spend time talking with Bradford and Bryan Manning, two brothers on a mission to cure blindness. 

At a young age, Bradford and Bryan were both diagnosed with a rare eye disease, called Stargardt Disease, that destroys central vision over time.  They decided to fight back and left their careers in finance to start a charitable clothing company and is now the fastest growing charitable clothing brand in the country with endorsements from Ellen Degeneres, Ashton Kutcher, Richard Branson, NBC Nightly News, and many more.  

Not only is their company a success through their products and endorsements, but the brothers took it a step further and hired 70% blind and visually-impaired workers to produce the clothing AND they donate 100% of their profits to researchers and the Foundation Fighting Blindness to find cures for blindness. 

“We want to provide hope.”

“If you can identify what unique aspect you have in your life and are motivated, we want to be your cheerleader.” – Bradford Manning 

For more information about Two Blind Brothers:

https://twoblindbrothers.com

https://www.facebook.com/twoblindbros/

https://instagram.com/twoblindbrothers

https://twitter.com/TwoBlindBros

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtsHxYoaxKBDl_kMQmtLPCw

Support us on Patreon!

https://www.patreon.com/nocofm

Hosted by Dr. Natalie Phillips. Produced by Chris Lanphear for NoCo FM.

Hear more great podcasts at https://noco.fm

Follow Natalie:

https://twitter.com/AudioDrPhillips

https://www.facebook.com/Connect4Excellence

https://www.instagram.com/drnataliephillips

Follow NoCo FM:

https://twitter.com/nocofm

https://instagram.com/nocofm

https://www.facebook.com/nocofm