SCENE 1 - SOMEWHERE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK

[Sounds of a forest at night, crickets chirping, wind softly blowing through the trees. A fire crackles loudly.]

EVIE: I know, I'm running out of money for takeout, but I'm starving, and I can't make more granola bars. They're starting to taste like sand.

[Pause]

EVIE: Yeah, I know, I should probably spend the money on a motel, but, tell me, what's better than this? Summer breeze, a sky full of stars, and a Big Mac.

[As Evie talks about feeling overwhelmed, the music gets more dissonant, more overwhelming.]

EVIE: I imagined this, you know. Us camping together. I haven't camped with someone else in ages. The city can get so loud, it makes me want to break something. It's like all the voices and cars and music are stuffed so tightly inside my head that they'll crack my skull. Here, I can slowly let them out, drain all the noise out of my brain until I'm me again.

[The music settles.]

EVIE: I guess I could try and make more food on my own, but what's the point? Maya didn't teach me how to do that. "For emergencies only." How is starving not an emergency?

[Pause]

EVIE: I guess she assumed we'd never be starving alone. Alone, making food probably takes more energy than I'd get back by eating it. If you were here with me, then I could make some food. I think. I think I built you so you could do that. But, I also meant for us to be a team, and the first thing you did was leave me, so who knows?

[She sighs.]

EVIE: Fire's going down. It's probably time to sleep, anyway. For both of us.

[Evie picks up a log. Crackling, like static on the air.]

EVIE: Here's something else I know about camping: the best kind of firewood is bone-dry. All this moss and bark on the outside won't light. You have to-

[She rips the log in half. The wood crackles.]

EVIE: (with effort) -split it to get to the good stuff.

[Laugh.]

EVIE: Look at the inside of that. See how the center of this log flakes off in sheets? Like wooden mica.

[A hiss, as if water is boiling off.]

EVIE: Bone-dry, bone-dry, splinters in my hands... indents on my fingers... it's so heavy...

[The log clunks onto the fire. The fire roars up to meet it. Crackling stops. Evie yawns.]

EVIE: I guess- I guess that's all I have in me today.

[She sighs.]

EVIE: Why couldn’t you run away to Boston or something? Why here? This is basically Pennsylvania. I can only get excited by so many cows. Syracuse, Rochester, wherever you went, are they really worth running away from me?

[Pause]

EVIE: I should be grateful you're keeping yourself hidden.

[Pause]

EVIE: If you’re in Buffalo, I’ll kill you.

[INTRO MUSIC]

SCENE 2 - MORGAN’S APARTMENT

[Dial tone. Receiver picks up.]

OPERATOR: (on the phone) NYPD 68th Precinct.

MORGAN: Hi, I’m calling to follow-up on a case.

OPERATOR: What’s the case number?

MORGAN: I don’t have one, but-

OPERATOR: I can’t find any information about a case without the case number.

MORGAN: One of your officers visited me at my apartment last night. I have a question for him, and I just want to double check that he's the right guy to call.

OPERATOR: What’s his badge number?

MORGAN: I don’t have it, but I have his name.

OPERATOR: We have a lot of officers, sir.

MORGAN: He’s Detective Russell Hirsch.

[Sound of typing over the phone line.]

OPERATOR: There’s no Detective Russell Hirsch at the 68th Precinct.

MORGAN: He might not be at the 68th Precinct.

OPERATOR: You called the 68th Precinct.

MORGAN: It’s my closest precinct! I just assumed-

OPERATOR: Our officers handle cases across the five boroughs of New York. Did the officer give you his information?

MORGAN: He left me a phone number-

OPERATOR: Then call him and get a case number. If you don't have that, I can't help you. Have a good day, sir.

[The operator hangs up.]

MORGAN: (to himself) Useless. Okay, fine. Russell Hirsch, NYPD.

[Typing]

MORGAN: Nothing. Worth a shot, I guess.

[Typing]

MORGAN: Is the NYPD roster public? It is! Okay, search by name… Russell Hirsch.

[Typing]

MORGAN: What about just Hirsch?

[Typing]

MORGAN: A handful of Hirsches, but none of these guys have first names anything like Russell. So what? Fake name? Fake cop? He really seemed like a cop though: crew cut, overconfident, and the way he stared right through me... If I call him and ask for a case number, he'll know I’m suspicious. And if he's not a cop, then what is he? Military? What if he’s a fed? What would they even want with Evie? What’s the thing you’re supposed to do to spot a fed? Check the shoes? Think, think. How thick were the soles?

[Pause]

MORGAN: I could always message Zeph. They were always at this stuff. "Hey Zeph. I know we haven't spoken in ages, but I need a favor." Who am I kidding? I'm not going to message them.

[Pause]

MORGAN: Maybe if things get a little worse.

SCENE 3 - MARIA HERNANDEZ PARK

[Overlapping sounds of a busy park: birds, kids skateboarding and running around, unintelligible conversation.]

GRACE: (to herself) Okay, big group serving food. Should be obvious, right? Hi! Sorry to bother you. Do you know where the big group of people serving food are every week?

PARKGOER: What group are you talking about?

GRACE: I don’t know the name… I was just told to meet a friend here.

PARKGOER: Sorry. Uh, you could try them?

GRACE: Thank you!

[Footsteps. One person pushes a shopping cart, shuddering slightly as it goes over the uneven asphalt.]

GRACE: Hi! Are you here to serve food in the park?

ALIX: Yeah! Are you here to help out?

GRACE: Yes! I’m Grace.

ALIX: Alix! Nice to meet you. We usually set up at the south end over there. Could you hold this? Are you new to the city?

GRACE: No, I grew up in Flushing. I don’t get out to Bushwick much, though. I live in Sunnyside, now.

ALIX: Queens? What are you doing down here?

GRACE: My friend told me about you guys, and I’ve been looking for more ways to help out locally. I have a bunch of friends in Brooklyn.

ALIX: I’m sure there’s a group serving up in Queens. Not that we don’t appreciate the help, but it can be a pain to get here from Sunnyside. Hey, James! Do you know if Olivia and her friends are still doing distro in Queens?

JAMES: The people in Ridgewood usually come here.

ALIX: No, like Queens Queens.

JAMES: Maybe? There was a larger group serving out of Jackson Heights for a while, but when Pat moved to Chicago the whole thing kind of fell apart.

ALIX: We’re here!

GRACE: Is this like a big organization?

ALIX: It’s a bit looser than that. Homegrown, non-hierarchical, y’know? Anarchist stuff.

[Pause. Alix laughs.]

ALIX: You’re sweet. It’s okay! We were all new once. I have some books I could loan you, if you want.

GRACE: Uh, maybe later.

JAMES: Can someone help me with the table? Not you, Alix.

ALIX: Come on, I thought we talked about this! I'm fine.

JAMES: The doctor just cleared you. You can lift the table next week. For today, can you help Grace unpack the cooler and show her where everything goes? Please?

ALIX: Fine.

LEE: We’re here! How can we help?

JAMES: Lee, help me set up the tables. Paige, please set the food out. And this is Grace.

GRACE: Hi.

PAIGE: James, how’s the new job going?

JAMES: Fine, I guess. About as good as a cashier job is going to get. This one lets me sit down while I check people out.

PAIGE: (teasingly) Oh, look at you!

JAMES: They’re not giving me enough hours, though.

PERSON 1: What do you have today?

JAMES: Lentil stew, salad, coffee, and some muffins.

PERSON 1: I’ll take everything, please.

PERSON 2: How’re you doing?

PAIGE: Great! How are you?

PERSON 2: I’m going.

PAIGE: Lentil stew?

PERSON 3: I’ll just take some salad and a corn muffin, thanks.

PERSON 4: Can I have a second container for my friend?

GRACE: Uh, sure!

PERSON 5: No tomatoes for me, please.

ALIX: Let me get you a bit more salad.

PERSON 6: Do you have any milk for the coffee?

[Time passes. Incidental music.]

GRACE: Hey, uh, James? We’re out of takeout containers.

JAMES: Already?

ALIX: Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.

PAIGE: Here?

ALIX: Well, we need them now.

JAMES: It's risky for no reason.

ALIX: No one will see me.

JAMES: You don't know that.

ALIX: If I go do it anyway, will you stop me?

JAMES: Paige, could you help them?

PAIGE: Sure.

JAMES: And watch their back.

ALIX: Hey, Grace! Can you take over serving salad?

GRACE: Uh, yeah, sure.

ALIX: I’m using some of the paper plates. We have a ton. Pass me a cup of coffee? Thanks. We'll be back in a few.

[Footsteps. They exit.]

LEE: Hey Grace, who’s the friend you mentioned? The one who told you to come here.

GRACE: Evie! We work together at Midnight Coffee.

LEE: Oh, Evie! She’s hilarious.

GRACE: Definitely. She keeps me entertained on shift, for sure. Does she come here a lot? I thought maybe I’d see her here today.

LEE: People sort of come when they’re able. Sometimes life gets in the way, and we don’t see folks for months, then they come every week. That’s okay, though. It matters less who's serving the food and more that people get to eat.

JAMES: Still, I haven’t seen Evie in a few weeks. How is she?

GRACE: Actually, I was hoping she’d be here today. She’s been a bit hard to contact recently. She’s missed her last two shifts. I’m getting a little worried about her.

JAMES: Does anyone have her number?

LEE: I have her on Signal.

JAMES: That works too. Do you mind checking in with her?

LEE: Sure thing. Grace, have you checked anywhere else?

GRACE: I went to her Instagram first, just to see where she hangs out. I met Noel. He sent me here.

JAMES: Did he tell you anything else?

GRACE: No, should he have?

JAMES: No, I just need to make sure.

[Footsteps. Alix and Paige return.]

ALIX: Takeout containers!

GRACE: Where did you find-

LEE: Thanks, guys.

PERSON 1: Could I grab some lentils for my friend?

PAIGE: Of course! Just tell me when to stop…

SCENE 4 - MIDNIGHT COFFEE

[Light conversation, the clinking of ceramic mugs and saucers, the occasional hiss of an espresso machine.]

GRACE: What time is it?

SOPHIA: Uh… about four-thirty. [groans] I don’t know if I’ll make it until six.

GRACE: And then we have to close.

[Another groan]

GRACE: You can leave, if you want. It's going to clear out soon. Everyone's already ordered. What can I get you?

HIRSCH: Small Americano, black.

[Coffee grinder.]

GRACE: I mean it. This is our first new customer in ages.

SOPHIA: Ah, I need the hours.

GRACE: I won’t tell if you won’t.

SOPHIA: What?

GRACE: Text me your PIN and I’ll clock you out. Nate doesn’t need to know.

SOPHIA: For real?

GRACE: You saved me two weeks ago when I had to study for my midterm. I’m just paying you back. Don’t let it go to your head.

SOPHIA: (calling out) Americano! (then to GRACE) You’re an angel. You’re a saint.

GRACE: Yeah, yeah. Wait ‘til finals.

SOPHIA: Ha! I’ll see you Thursday?

GRACE: Eight to four.

SOPHIA: Ugh, shoot me now. Have a great evening!

GRACE: Have a great one for us.

[Incidental music. Time passes.]

GRACE: Hi everyone! We’re closing in 15 minutes. Thank you!

[Incidental music. Time passes. Midnight Coffee is now quiet. Soft clinking of coins.]

GRACE: $46.28, $46.29, $46.30… [sigh] All closed with time to spare. And hello day-old croissant! Don’t mind if I do.

SCENE 5 - OUTSIDE MIDNIGHT COFFEE

[Road noise. Grace locks up.]

HIRSCH: Grace Nadal? Am I right on that?

[Grace freezes.]

HIRSCH: Miss Nadal, I’m Detective Hirsch with the NYPD.

GRACE: Do you have a badge, officer?

HIRSCH: [small laugh] Turn around and I'll show you.

[Pause. Unsettling music starts]

HIRSCH: Now that that’s all settled, let’s take a walk.

GRACE: I’m fine here, thanks.

HIRSCH: At least let me walk you to the train. It's too late for you to go alone.

GRACE: Really, I'm fine.

HIRSCH: I still think it's better if we sit down. The park is a few blocks away. We could find a bench there.

[Pause]

GRACE: Sure.

[Footsteps. They begin walking.]

HIRSCH: Grace, can I call you Grace? Grace, I’m working on a missing persons case. Evelyn Rothman. Do you know her?

GRACE: Yeah. We work together.

HIRSCH: When was the last time you saw her?

GRACE: Uh… around two weeks ago. She missed her Tuesday shift. Before then, I saw her at the shift change on Friday, when I came in to close.

HIRSCH: How’d she look that Friday?

GRACE: Normal. She was halfway out the door by the time I got there, but everyone does that. The bus was late, so I was late, and she was already 10 minutes over. She probably had plans.

HIRSCH: Did she tell you about her plans?

GRACE: I’m assuming she had plans.

[Park noise starts to fade in.]

HIRSCH: Does Evelyn usually stick around when you switch out?

GRACE: Sometimes, but it’s just as normal for her to leave when I show up. People don't usually hang out when they're not working. Detective, what do you want from me?

HIRSCH: Only the truth. Missing persons cases are all about information. If I can learn more about Evelyn, get inside her mind, [chuckle] then I'll know where to look for her.

GRACE: I don't know any more than I just told you. We’re friends, I guess. Work friends. I barely saw her outside of that.

HIRSCH: So you don’t know about her outside interests? Hobbies?

[They stop walking. Static starts.]

HIRSCH: Take a seat, Grace.

GRACE: I’m okay.

HIRSCH: Are you sure?

[His voice distorts slightly.]

HIRSCH: You’ve been on your feet for hours.

[Static stops.]

GRACE: I’ll sit on the bus.

HIRSCH: Suit yourself. If you don’t mind, I’ll sit. Anything you could give me would be helpful. Bars she goes to, events she attends, friends she meets up with after work, any of that could be the piece we're missing. Oh, [he snaps] and another thing. We've been trying to get into Evelyn's apartment for days. Usually, people hide their spare keys in the obvious places: under the doormat, on top of the door frame, that sort of thing, but she [laugh] she’s smarter than that. Now, I know you're just work friends, but if you have any ideas...

[Clothes rustle]

HIRSCH: Pardon me. I tried to quit, but the best I could do was one a day.

[Lighter click]

GRACE: You're the police. This can't be your first locked door.

HIRSCH: No, of course not. We called the locksmith, and the super, and the building owner, but you know what, Grace? It is the strangest thing. The super had a master key, but that didn't work. Then, the locksmith fit a key perfectly to that lock. I've seen him do it a thousand times, but that copy didn't work either. Eventually, the building manager, he gave us permission to break the door down, and what do you know? It wouldn’t budge. Very odd.

[He takes a drag of his cigarette.]

HIRSCH: It’s like [exhale] the door just doesn’t want to open for us, but if you had a spare key, or, um, you knew someone with a spare, well, that might just solve our problem. Does that remind you of anything?

GRACE: Like I said, Detective, Evie and I were just work friends. I’m sorry.

[Long pause. He clicks his tongue.]

HIRSCH: Worth a try. Here, if you think of anything, give me a call. After all, we all want the same thing, don’t we? Evelyn home, safe and sound.

GRACE: Yes, absolutely. Have a good evening, detective.

[Rapid footsteps. Park noises fade. Grace starts to panic, her breaths coming rapidly and short.]

GRACE: It’s okay. You’re alright. It’s okay. You’re alright. It’s okay- We’re gonna get on a bus. We’re gonna go home. We’re gonna sit on that bus and listen to some music and when we get home we’re gonna some tea and read a book and we’re gonna-

[She lets out a panicked cry of frustration.]

GRACE: Oh, fuck this!

[Phone calling tone.]

MORGAN: (on the phone) Hey, Grace, what’s up?

GRACE: (her words all come out in a rush) I was leaving work and this guy cornered me and told me he was a detective and he’s looking for Evie and he knows Morgan. Oh my god, he knows I have the key to Evie’s place and he says the cops can’t get in there and he looked at me like he stared at me and I just knew. I knew he knew I had it but I was pretending I didn’t, and why couldn’t a locksmith open Evie's door and why was the detective so creepy and did you call the cops? Did you file a missing persons report? Because if you did that and you didn’t tell me-

MORGAN: Woah, Grace, stop. Slow down. A cop came to see you after work?

GRACE: Yeah, a detective.

MORGAN: Was it Detective Hirsch?

GRACE: I think so.

[Pause]

GRACE: Yeah, he gave me his card, told me to call him-

MORGAN: Grace, he’s a fake cop.

GRACE: What?

MORGAN: He came to visit me Saturday night with the same story about someone reporting Evie missing. Asked me a bunch of loaded questions. Really creeped me out.

GRACE: Why didn’t you tell me?

MORGAN: I figured I’d tell you when we met up later, but he beat me to you. Anyway, he’s not a real cop, or at the very least, that’s not his name. There's no Russell Hirsch in the NYPD database, and I never even saw a badge.

GRACE: I did, but he showed me so fast, I couldn’t get the badge number.

MORGAN: I doubt it’s real. Even if he is a real cop, why use a fake name? It's like someone's looking for Evie and they don’t want anyone to know who they are. [pause] Where are you? Are you safe?

GRACE: I’m a few blocks from Herbert Von King Park. I was going to take a bus home.

MORGAN: You’re in Bed-Stuy? No, stay there. I’ll meet you.

GRACE: Why?

MORGAN: We’re going back to Maya's.

GRACE: Why?!

MORGAN: Because she was the first person to act suspicious! She knows something about Evie, her and Noel both, that they won't tell us.

GRACE: Noel told us to leave them alone. Why do you think they'll talk to us now?

MORGAN: Because I won't go away until they do! I don’t really care how badly they want to keep stuff from us. Fake Detective Hirsch clearly thinks we know more than we do. He's stalking us, and we don't even know why! Maya and Noel are putting us in danger, and I'm done with it.

[Morgan calms down a little.]

MORGAN: Grace, you said to tell you when things are getting weird. Well, I'm with you now: this is really weird. I’m going over to Maya's apartment tonight. You don't have to come, but it'd be easier with you there.

GRACE: I’ll sit in a bar until you get here. Please be fast.

MORGAN: I’m leaving now.

SCENE 6 - MAYA’S APARTMENT

[Morgan and Grace ascend the stairs as they talk.]

GRACE: Do you have a plan?

MORGAN: No. None of our previous plans have worked, anyway.

GRACE: What if she just shuts the door in our faces again?

MORGAN: I won’t let her. That’s about as far as I’ve gotten.

[Footsteps stop. Doorbell rings.]

MAYA: (through the door) Coming!

[Footsteps. Door opens. Maya goes to close the door, but Morgan shoves his foot in the gap.]

MORGAN: We need to talk to you.

MAYA: I don't need to talk to you.

MORGAN: We need to know what you know about Evie.

MAYA: I told you: she came by a few weeks ago for a tarot reading. If you don’t believe me, that’s not my problem.

MORGAN: We all know that's not true! You kicked us out of Chromatic for a reason.

MAYA: Yeah, because you were being creepy.

MORGAN: You keep telling us you don't know Evie, but there are Instagram photos of you two together going back months. You're lying to us.

MAYA: You cyberstalking me makes you more of a creep.

GRACE: We’re being real life stalked by some dude pretending to be a detective-

MAYA: You have a detective following you and you came here?

MORGAN: He’s not a real detective-

MAYA: Oh, so he’s just some random guy playing cop. That’s so much better.

MORGAN: -and he thinks we're involved in Evie's disappearance! The more we look for her, the more everything leads back to you. Stop playing dumb and lying to us.

MAYA: Move your foot out of my doorway before I break it.

MORGAN: (mockingly) What, are you going to call the cops?

GRACE: Morgan!

MAYA: Back out of my apartment. Now.

MORGAN: Would you rather do this in the hallway?

MAYA: Who the hell-

MORGAN: I’m her family! I’m the only one who seems to find the money for her bail, and I’m the one who answers the 2am phone calls from the ER, and I'm the only person in this goddamn city who actually wants to look after her! How many months have you known her? Which crisis is gonna be it for you? The third one? The seventh? Because whenever you leave, I’ll still be there.

GRACE: Morgan, calm down. Take a step back.

MORGAN: Don’t tell me to calm down!

MAYA: No… no you’re right.

GRACE: What?

MAYA: I’m a bit overprotective. It’s in my nature. But you’re right. I’m being possessive. Come in. Take a seat. I’ll get you something to drink.

GRACE: (under her breath) Morgan…

MORGAN: (to Maya) Thank you. Really.

[Footsteps. Apartment door closes behind them.]

GRACE: (quietly) Morgan, I don’t think that-

MORGAN: Shh.

MAYA: Sorry, you caught me right in the middle of re-potting some plants.

GRACE: Was Evie buying you plants?

MAYA: No, uh, she got most of hers from me, actually.

[Sink starts running. Maya calls from across the room.]

MAYA: I’ll make tea! Please, sit down.

[Grace and Morgan speak under their breath.]

GRACE: I don't like this.

MORGAN: There’s two of us and one of her.

GRACE: Still… look on the doorknob! That's the same bracelet we saw at Evie's.

[Footsteps.]

MAYA: (normal volume) Last chance.

MORGAN: What?

MAYA: To tell me who you are.

MORGAN: I’m Evie’s brother, Grace is her friend, and we’re both worried about her.

MAYA: Fine. Remember, I gave you a chance to be honest with me.

[Music starts to build, dissonant, creepy.]

MAYA: I’ve always loved plants. You know those aesthetic apartment photos? The ones with long, snaking plants along the walls and floor?

GRACE: …yeah.

MAYA: That was always my dream. I'd grow one so large, it would run along the floor.

[Static starts to crackle.]

MAYA: Have you ever wanted that? Your own forest of green in the middle of Brooklyn? Picture it. Isn't it nice?

[The plant starts growing out from her hands, stretching out from the pot, reaching towards them.]

MORGAN: What the hell...

MAYA: Plants are good for your health. They make the air cleaner. They make you happier. They protect you, in a way, from the world. Mine do too.

[Plant pot smashes on the ground.]

GRACE: Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god…

MORGAN: What are you doing!

MAYA: I told you to go away. I told you to be honest with me. But you wouldn't leave me alone. So fine, we'll do this your way.

MORGAN: We're not lying!

[Plant growth gets louder.]

MAYA: Do you think I’m stupid? Do you think I’ve made it this far because I’m lucky? Evie doesn’t even have a brother! And I’m done listening to you lie to me.

MORGAN: What- what are you talking about?

GRACE: Morgan, what the fuck. What did we do?

MORGAN: Please! Just please I’m not going to hurt you! Please.

[The plants start to encircle them. The kettle screams in the kitchen, louder and louder, until it’s the only thing anyone can hear.]

[Outro music starts.]

The Artisan Who Made Me is written and produced by Remy Davison, and directed by Crystal-Marie Alberson and Sydney Roslin. This episode featured Chaia Alyss as Evie, Yaya Koas as Morgan, Ria Meer as Grace, Alyssa Cassesse as Alix, R. Jahan as James, Sahra Mellesse as Sophia, Nick Jordan as Detective Hirsch, and Bryce Payne as Maya. Music by Jordan Speranzo. Audio production by Raphael Davison. For more information, transcripts, and to support our show, visit bottledstarproductions.com. “The Artisan Who Made Me” is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by the Brooklyn Arts Council.