Mayfield and Belov presents: Camp Here and There.
Episode Twenty Four: The Casket of Hatred

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[CLICK]

[A SOUND OF A TICKING CLOCK] 

JEDIDIAH

Time… evening? Day… I think it’s the 30th. In accordance with the terms of my employment, I’ve made myself available as a neutral third party for the oversight of interpersonal conflict which has… grown beyond the capacity for independent resolution. Okay. Names and perspectives.

SALEM

My name is Salem de La Marnierre, and I am… continually frustrated with how Sydney wields his authority. Even today, his irresponsibility is astounding. We had to postpone this meeting until now because of his fox thing! Why would you let a wild animal into the nurse’s office – a place meant to be sanitary?

SYDNEY

Hey, woah, come on, now. 

[SALEM SIGHS]

JEDIDIAH
Sydney. Name and perspective?

SYDNEY

My name is Sydney… [He’s tripped up that Salem said her middle name] October Sargent, and… I dunno. I’m here against my will.

JEDIDIAH

Sydney. 

SYDNEY

I’m here to get yelled at. You can’t expect me to be happy about it.

SALEM

I’ve had this talk with you several times, Sydney, and I’ve tried to tell you gently. But you only seem to listen when I’m angry!

SYDNEY

What have I even done now? I get you didn’t like me oversharing, but I dialed that back like you asked me to. If I point weird stuff out, it’s because I’m trying to give them something to laugh at.

SALEM

Well clearly, you have… a weird sense of humor. But that’s not even why I called you here, there’s… it’s about more than that. Oversharing doesn’t cut it. Your behavior is becoming… intolerable.

SYDNEY

Okay.

SALEM

Where do I even start? You took children out to the depths of the forest to investigate a shrine to the most illegal type of magic there is. Yesterday, you implied that the kids have no need to fear the Elephant Man, which is somehow worse than the fearmongering you were doing before. And that’s not to mention how you handled things on Friday. Stating over the loudspeaker that you wanted the kids to stay brainwashed? It’s like you don’t even care about the kids here anymore. Sydney, you go missing with no explaining for a day and a half, worrying the living shit out of everyone, and leaving the nurse’s office empty. Then you come back with some excuse I frankly do not believe. You are the nurse! You are supposed to be the #1 person responsible for the safety of the kids! You cannot just abandon them like that! You can’t say things that — that could put them in danger! You need to understand that you have responsibilities in camp. This job you have, and especially the announcements, are not just your personal playground to fuck around in.

SYDNEY

Okay.

SALEM

Are you even listening to me?

SYDNEY

Yes.

SALEM

Do you… agree? Disagree?

SYDNEY

I think what you’re saying is pretty unfair.

SALEM

What? Why?

SYDNEY

You think I have any say in what goes on at this camp? You think I have any actual authority over the kids, or anything that happens to them, or to me? I’m not in charge of anything. All I do is talk into a microphone, say some nonsense that no one listens to, and I hand out bandages sometimes. I don’t tell anyone what to do. If I do, they don’t listen. I do not — can not — make executive calls about how we act in a crisis. 

SALEM

Sure. 

SYDNEY

I am — I don’t have the — the autonomy necessary to shoulder the blame for this stuff. Blame Lucille, she hasn’t done one single thing to even acknowledge the Elephant Man. Blame the hive! It’s not my fault the kids got attached to it! I… organize pill bottles. I give a kid an ice pack. I talk about what’s happening in camp, and no one listens to me, and that’s — all I do! How is anything that happens here my fault!

SALEM

I’m not saying it’s your fault, I’m just saying you need to be more careful, okay? And recently you haven’t even done that stuff, considering you left the nurse’s office vacant.

SYDNEY

See, this is what I mean. You have tunnel vision from hating me. I’m irresponsible? What about Jedidiah? He’s out of the office all day at least three times a week and I don’t see you calling him to any staff meeting!

SALEM

He’s—

SYDNEY

And you say you were worried about me?

SALEM

Yes! We were. Especially the kids —

SYDNEY

Bullshit. Why would you care whether I go missing? Last I checked, you and all the other counselors here can’t fucking stand me. And I get it. I know! I can’t stand myself either. So you don’t have to like me. But don’t lie about it. Don’t call me intolerable to my face and then turn around and go holding it over my head how much you worry and care about me. 

SALEM

Sydney, I’m not lying.

SYDNEY

Then what is this? Why are you acting like everyone here suddenly sees me as anything but a nuisance?

JEDIDIAH

I don’t see you as nuisance, Sydney—

SYDNEY

Or a thing to avoid?

JEDIDIAH

.

SALEM

Sydney. 

SYDNEY

[Slow breath] I’m sorry. 

SALEM

It’s okay… 

JEDIDIAH

Uhm… mediator speaking. When people lash out, it’s usually a response to… untenable circumstances. Do you think we should all try harder to be more accomodating, Sydney? Or a-appreciative?

SYDNEY

Huh? No. It’s fine, Jeddie. No one has to — my circumstances aren’t at issue here. I just don’t like Salem’s attitude.

JEDIDIAH

Right… but… 

SYDNEY

Really, it’s fine. I hate being unfairly accused, that’s all I’m upset about.

JEDIDIAH

But — all that stuff about people… not caring about you?

SYDNEY

I just think it’s unfair for her to leverage that over me! But I really — I don’t think anyone is obligated to care about me. It’s not a problem I think we need to address.

JEDIDIAH

Sydney. Don’t you think… I mean, if we’d have all been kinder to you… you wouldn’t have… gone out there? The other day?

SYDNEY

Jedidiah… [Sigh] this mediation session isn’t for you and me.

SALEM

If I may… I get what Jedidiah’s saying. You haven’t been acting like yourself, Sydney.

SYDNEY

I’m fine! I feel like I’m being cornered.

SALEM

[She grunts] Nn.

JEDIDIAH

Sydney, I want, I want… Sydney, there’s so much I want to tell you. But I can’t.  But I… I can listen. I never did before, and I’m sorry. But I — I’m ready now. So, please… doesn’t it hurt you when people… I… Christ, don’t you get lonely at night?

SYDNEY

You’re not my therapist. You don’t need to sit there and listen to me vent.

JEDIDIAH

I want —

SYDNEY

It’s fine. Really.

JEDIDIAH

Sydney… 

SALEM

Ahem. Getting back on topic… 

JEDIDIAH

Right. 

SALEM

Sydney, I’m going to level with you here. I recognize I’ve made some unfair accusations, but my point remains. I need you to please, please know that even if you feel like we don’t care, even if… we don’t express it in a language you speak, we do care. And even if you can’t believe that we care, you have to believe that the kids do. Whether or not you have any direct authority, you are responsible for setting an example. Your words affect how the kids think. You can’t preach about responsibility and community if you’re not going to put those values into practice. 

SYDNEY

Yes… yeah. Okay, you’re… right. I need to put others first. I promise to be more careful. I mean it.

SALEM

You mean it?

SYDNEY

I mean it. 

SALEM

Alright… I don’t hate you, you know.

SYDNEY

Okay. 

SALEM

… Right. Okay. If that’s settled, then I… have responsibilities and stuff. Jedidiah, have a good night. Sydney, thank you. 

SYDNEY

Okay.

JEDIDIAH

Bye. 

[SHE PUSHES OUT HER CHAIR AND WALKS TO THE DOOR. THE DOOR CLOSES]

[SILENCE]

JEDIDIAH

I’m sorry.

SYDNEY

For what?

JEDIDIAH

I… 

SYDNEY

You’re fine. 

JEDIDIAH

Are you?

SYDNEY

Yes. I have to go now. 

JEDIDIAH

Okay.

SYDNEY

Bye.

[SYDNEY STANDS AND WALKS OUT THE DOOR]

JEDIDIAH

[Whisper] I miss you. 

…

I’m such a fucking idiot. 

[CLICK] 

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Today’s episode was written by Blue Mayfield and Nicholas Belov. The part of Sydney Sargent was played by Blue Mayfield. The part of Jedidiah Martin was played by Nicholas Belov. The part of Salem de La Marnierre was played by Crystal Lee. Camp Here & There is the sole intellectual property of its production company, Mayfield & Belov. All music composed by Will Wood, and produced by Jonathon Maisto. Sound editing by Emily Safko and Blue Mayfield. Special thanks to our Patrons: pigeonspectre, Corben, Joshua Sullivan, and Duck.

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Thank you for listening to Camp Here & There! And remember: you should probably be leaving…