Transcript – We Begin

[Theme music plays, a click, and the gentle sounds of a library are heard, underlying it is a strange spinning sound. Paxton Ferox mumbles to himself as he makes notes.]

PAXTON
Where’s that… ah, there you are. Hmm, uhh…
[slightly louder]
What is that?

[A piece of paper is unscrunched, and heavy footsteps begin to approach.]

PAXTON
What the… is that a venoscribe?

EDUBBARUS
It certainly is.

[Paxton jumps out of his chair in surprise.]

PAXTON
Oh, High Librarian, sir. I… I apologise, I didn’t see you there.

EDUBBARUS
It’s no matter, Ferox. No matter. I’m glad to see you hard at work.

PAXTON
Oh, um, thank you, sir. Is, um… is this your venoscribe?

EDUBBARUS
For the moment.

PAXTON
What do you mea-

EDUBBARUS
I wonder if you’ve heard about the new initiative.

PAXTON
I have heard… rumours, sir.

EDUBBARUS
You don’t seem… enthusiastic.

PAXTON
Well, sir, I mean… The record books have served well for hundreds of years now.

EDUBBARUS
The people of the Lost Age probably thought the same. Accidents happen, Ferox, and worse things than accidents. One misstep, and we once again lose everything we worked so hard to restore.

PAXTON
[sigh] Yes, sir.

EDUBBARUS
Mnimigraphs are more hard wearing, and as a bonus, rather easier to restore than a mountain’s worth of books.

PAXTON
Yes, sir.

EDUBBARUS
So I suggest you get over your hang up, because, as of now, you will be working quite a lot with them.

PAXTON
Yes, s- What?

EDUBBARUS
Yes, I am adding you to the Mnimigraphy Department. You are to be an Inscriber.

PAXTON
[sputtering] But, sir! I- I don’t know anything about mnimigraphy! I’ve only ever been an Under-Librarian.

EDUBBARUS
It’s an easy enough thing to learn. It’s mostly just talking. You do know how to talk, don’t you Ferox?

PAXTON
[sigh] Yes, sir.

EDUBBARUS
Ah, good. Then follow me, and I’ll show you your new office.

[The pair start to walk away, and the Pensive Tower theme begins to play.]

EDUBBARUS
Oh, and uh… bring the venoscribe with you.

PAXTON
Yes, sir.

[Paxton approaches the venoscribe, and switches it off, cutting off the sounds of the library beyond. The theme continues to play.]

ANNOUNCER
The Pensive Tower.
A brand new weekly podcast from Scroll and Dagger.
Coming Soon.

[The Pensive Tower theme ends.]