Season 1 Recap

CROWDFUND: Hi everyone!! Get ready for the return of not one, but two seasons of Residents of Proserpina Park this year! Please support our journey by checking out our indiegogo campaign, like and review this podcast, and tell the whole world we’re coming back with new legends, new characters, and new mysteries to unfold. 

EPISODE START: (An outgoing phone call that goes straight to the voicemail beep)

ALINA: (Over the phone) Heyyy Mirai. Um, it’s been awhile, this is Alina! Just wanted to see if there are any updates on finding Junichi. Um, I don’t know if you actually listened to all the audio, but I can remind you of the situation if that helps? Um but yeah, please get back to me. 

MUSIC: (“Proserpina Bops” plays.)

EPISODE 1

SFX: (Proserpina Park ambiance plays.)

ALINA: Where am I? I swear I was– I was just on the sidewalk. This is weird. Maybe I zoned out while I was talking? But… Excuse me! Hi! So sorry to interrupt your evening. My name is Alina, I’m currently working on a school report— ohmygod your dog has three heads.

SAM: Whoa! No Cerb sit. Be nice. Um My name is Sam. And… this park isn’t exactly that safe. It holds everything you could possibly imagine, even your worst nightmare.

ALINA: Is that a threat? For staying in a park?

SAM: (Didn’t mean to sound threatening) No, it’s not— look, this isn’t how it usually goes…

ALINA: Okay well how does it usually go?

SAM: Look, most people get the picture after just glancing at Cerb. You’ve obviously been trying, very gallantly I might add, not to look at him. But, here, take a closer look. They won’t bite.

SFX: (Alina goes closer to Cerberus. The listeners start to hear hissing along with Cerberus’s mouths panting and the usual park noises.)

ALINA: Wait what is that sound?

SFX: (The hissing noise is even more pronounced.)

ALINA: Are those… snakes? 

SAM: Feel free to pet him if you’d like, the snakes don’t bite either.

SFX: (Cerberus starts growling again. He doesn’t like Alina.) 

ALINA: Uh, I think I’ll keep my hands to myself for now thanks. So… are those snakes fur or like how are they attached to him?

SAM: Not sure to be honest, I’ve tried counting how many there were when I was younger, but the number constantly changes. 

ALINA: So if you’re saying he’s not a dog, what is he?

SAM: I thought his name would give it away. Guess you’re not as famous as I thought, huh Cerberus, you silly monster you.

ALINA: Cerberus, as in the dog from the underworld. In all that Greek mythology stuff. That Cerberus?

SAM: Yeah…

ALINA: If he’s actually Cerberus, and this park is real and filled with mythical creatures, then this is the ultimate dream! I mean, I’m a journalist, learning something this new, this big! Can you imagine the headlines?

SAM: It’s dangerous. Mythology was created to warn people of the past what not to do. There are thousands of creatures here that were just created to kill you. 

ALINA: Then, why are you here?

SAM: (Ignores)…I’m saying this for your own good! Please, the last thing we need is for a flock of ignorant people coming in here and getting themselves killed. You can’t tell anybody about this park or bring anyone here.

ALINA: Don’t worry, no one would believe this story anyways.

EPISODE 3

ALINA: Ahem, attention listeners all around, it is time to introduce my best friend for life, DREW!

DREW: Stop it, Alina, this is embarrassing… Can we please move on?

ALINA: Heh, so here we are, I know it doesn’t look very magical, but think of it as, like a safari that just happens to contain mythical creatures.

DREW: You know I’m down for any adventure you want to take us on. 

ALINA: Which is why you’ve brought a bat?

DREW: Well, it’s no Cerberus, monster of the Underworld, but I figured it’s better than nothing? 

ALINA: Okay, which way do you want to go? We should probably avoid the usual path I take just in case Sam is there.

DREW: What about the pond you mentioned the first time you were here? Did you ever go back and check it out?

ALINA: Wait but if mermaids live out in the ocean, would we even see them in a pond? Look there’s cute lily pads and flowers here.

DREW: We’re in a park that you say contains mythical creatures, I don’t think we should be concerned about types of bodies of water!

SFX: (Water splatters as a Kappa appears out of the lake.)

KAPPA: Hey, what are you brats doing in my territory?

DREW: What on Earth is that???

ALINA: You know, It looks like a walking, talking turtle but with a beak… Oh god, please tell me this is not the sexy fish person sailors were dreaming about.

DREW: If it is, I’d like to reject everything I read in seventh grade.

KAPPA: Watch your mouths you dumb humans, I am a Kappa.

ALINA: Say, do you know a guy named Sam? He has a three-headed dog with him usually?

KAPPA: So you know the angsty boy now do you?

DREW: Angsty? That’s not how you described him.

ALINA: I thought he was pretty cute! I mean, he does wear a lot of black, but I thought that just came with the “I have a hellhound as a pet and I  read books on curses” look.

KAPPA: He’s gotten worse these past few years, used to at least wear navy now and then…

ALINA: Wait, did something happen?

KAPPA: Heh, and what do I get for telling you this information?

DREW: That is a very creepy smile. Let’s not bargain with the little green…

KAPPA: Hold still! The Shirikodama is located in the human anus, all I have to reach in and— 

DREW: OH FUCK THAT.

SFX: (Drew continues to swing.)

KAPPA: H-hey, that’s way too close. Stop it! Stop it!

SFX: (KAPPA JUMPS INTO THE WATER TO HIDE.)

ALINA: Don’t think I’ve ever clinched my butt so hard before…

DREW: Ugh, same. Let’s go like, I don’t know, see something far away, like bird watching…

ALINA: Agreed.

EPISODE 5

DREW: Maybe we could find some kind of important fruit, like the sinful apples in Adam and Eve.

ALINA: Oooh, don’t tell the church (laughs)

DREW: Oooor, maybe some kinda fruit that can make us immortal?

ALINA: Genius, we’ll be rich by dinner— 

SFX: (Alina bumps into Jun, who is walking his dog.)

JUN: Whoa, excuse me sorry.

DREW: Hey dude, watch where you’re going— oh my god.

JUN: Really, sorry about that.

DREW: What is that? (at Dog)

ALINA: Oh boy, I’m getting deja vu all over again.

JUN: Uh, haven’t you guys ever seen a dog before?

DOG: Ah, it feels good to be bark.

EVERYONE: *Screaming*

ALINA: Dude, your dog just talked. 

JUN: That’s not my dog! Why does she look like that?!

ALINA: Um… Dog. Hi. Have you been able to talk all this time?

DREW: We told you she’s not a dog! How have you not realized this?

JUN: I don’t know! She’s my brother’s dog! But he went to Japan recently so I had to take care of her.

DOG: I believe I can clear up this misunderstanding here. I am a creature of this park. But I wanted to learn more so I chose to go out into the world. My true form, as you can see, is that of a stereotypical little green martian that you may all be familiar with. 

Everyone in the park has the capability to leave, whether they choose to or not is up to them, however, we’ve learned that it’s getting to be a hassle if a human does spots us. All of a sudden there are cameras everywhere and a crowd of unnecessary people in the woods getting lost. Since I can hide my true form, it’s a lot easier for me to stay in the human world, than say, the person with the really big feet.

ALINA: But then, why wouldn’t everyone in this park just “glamorize” themselves? 

DOG: Ah, well, how do you know that that isn’t the case? Still, each of us has our own personal beliefs. Whether we want to stay in the park or go out, “glamour” or “no glamour,” the choice is ours to make.

DREW: I can’t believe it. So, there’s a chance we could have already met a mythical creature!

ALINA: Huh… Sam never mentioned that to me.

DOG: Ah, so Sam is here? What about Jessica?

ALINA: I haven’t met anyone else in this park besides Sam… Who’s Jessica?

DOG: Another friend. I guess it makes sense that she wouldn’t remain here… I’ll have to see if I can find her again somehow.

ALINA: Jun, promise me that you will never come to this park without me, you will never tell anyone else about this park, and we will share all information we find about this park. 

JUN: Deal. Now, start talking. 

ALINA: Fine, let’s swap numbers. I think Dog here would be a good partner to have.

JUN: Hey, what about me?

SFX: (Drew and Jun start to bicker off in the background. They all walk towards the exit of the park.)

DOG: Alina, a word, please.

ALINA: Sure, what’s up?

DOG: I wanted to talk about Sam. How is he?

ALINA: Fine, I suppose! Granted, I’ve only known him for about a couple of weeks, but he seems fine to me. A kappa did say that he’s been… angsty, but I thought it was just his image, you know, with the hellhound and everything? 

DOG: I see. Alina, while I know everyone is interested in arranging another gathering, I must decline for Jun and myself. I fear if Sam were to discover this betrayal, he may never trust again.  

EPISODE 7

ALINA: Guess who got another message from Sam? Me! Oh, there he is! Sam! 

SAM: I wanted to introduce you to someone who just got back. I’ll explain in a bit. Oh there they are— JD!

SFX: Sounds of wings flapping star to grow louder. Alina spots JD and jumps back.

ALINA: (Terrified) WHAT ON EARTH IS THAT?

SFX: (JD flys over and lands by Sam and Alina.)

JD: Sam, what is this? Another human here in this park?

SAM: You come back from vacation and I see you’re already stressed again. Calm down, JD. This isn’t like the last time. We’ve set boundaries. She won’t be coming in here unless I’m around.

ALINA: (Nervous) Ha-ha… Hi. Nice to (clears throat, talks professionally) Nice to meet you. I’m Alina. I just found this park recently and Sam’s been a big help getting me acquainted. 

JD: I’m a devil.

ALINA: Uhhhhh, right you are! Um… Sam, Sam? Are you sure we can trust this… person?

SAM: Uh, they don’t kill anyone anymore really, just stalk the highways for fun. I figured you two had to meet if you were going to keep coming here. 

JD: And clearly I need to do that more often. Kids these days don’t even know who I am, and yet Mothman and BigFoot are “lit.”

ALINA: Oh well, I’ve heard of BigFoot, um, but who’s Mothman? Sounds like a comic book hero.

SAM: What, uh, we’re talking about BigFoot and Mothman now?

ALINA: Yeah, Sam. You with us?

JD: He can’t hear me.

ALINA: Wait, what– What you mean he–

EPISODE 8

SAM: (laughs) Sorry. Cool, well I’m actually helping out a friend today, it’s not exactly fun, but if you want to talk, you can come with. More precisely, it’s bath time for Xuan Wu. He’s really particular about how he gets his shell clean.

ALINA: (laughs) you really like to take care of the creatures here don’t you?

SAM: They need someone to help look after them. JD sure isn’t going to. It’ll ruin their rep if they’re seen washing the turtle’s back.

ALINA: Sooo, can you not hear creatures? Is that why you blast music by yourself all the time?

SAM: Alina, please. You’re here to learn about the creatures in the park. Nothing else.

ALINA: Why? We’re just –You know, we’re just talking about… Who we are. I’ve never heard of a relationship where we can only talk about one thing. 

SAM: Well that’s how I want our relationship. If you’re looking for a friend, that’s the only thing you won’t find here in the park. 

ALINA: How… can you say that?

SAM: Alina…

ALINA: You know what? Fine. Have fun with your stupid pet turtle, not talking to anyone– 

EPISODE 9

ALINA: I just don’t get why he’s so scared to be friends— oh, Jun?

SFX: (Alina once again bumps into Jun.)

JUN: (Desperate) Alina! You gotta help me.

DOG: (Clearly frustrated) Alina, Jun is causing a commotion… 

ALINA: (Sighs) How about, just to satisfy Jun’s curiosity, we take one trip to the park and after that, if you have any questions, you just ask me or Dog?

JUN: Deal! Let’s go!

ALINA: Hey, wait up! We need a plan. These creatures are supposedly dangerous, we shouldn’t just be walking around.

JUN: What creature could both of us just happen to know enough about that won’t get us killed?

DOG: How about dragons?

ALINA/JUN: Dragons?

ALINA: Dog, are you crazy? You want us to find a monster, not a creature.

DOG: You both seem to know enough about them, thus I believe you will approach them with caution. If we do find a dragon, odds are we may even be too small for them to notice.

ALINA: Oh… wow.  Okay, let’s go find out then.

DOG: We should be close, we’ve been following the stream for quite some time now.

SFX: (ROAR SOUND, something emerges from the water, so tons of splashing)

JUN: What was that?

ALINA: It came from the water, but— Oh My God DRAGON

JUN: Is it the one we’re looking for?

SFX: (More roaring, now rumbling/stomping as it is out of the water.)

JUN: Oh shit.

ALINA: Okay we gotta go. Go, go, go, go! You guys! Look, a corn field, we can hide there. 

JUN: Or maybe we’ll find—

ALINA: DON’T YOU DARE SAY ALIENS! RUN!

EPISODE 10

ALINA: Come on guys, hurry. Shoot, it noticed us. Come on, quickly we gotta go! 

SFX: (The Taniwha roars again, much closer this time as it very nearly reaches them.)

DOG: Oh my god, oh my god, it’s right behind me!

JUN: Dog, get out of the way!

ALINA: Jun, no!!

SFX: (A new sound rings out, Cerberus roars, taking Taniwha’s attention away from Jun. The two creatures start fighting.)

ALINA: (Shocked to see that they’re saved) Cerberus? There’s no way…

SAM: Cerberus! Get him back into the water!

ALINA: Sam? What are you doing here?

SAM: I bumped into JD, they told me that they saw you— Jun?

JUN: Do I know you?

SAM: (Can barely speak due to shock) I-I can hear you.. Dog? You’re here too?

DOG: (Panicking) It isn’t what you think, this isn’t the Jun that you know.

SAM: Alina, you brought people into the park?

ALINA: Sam, it’s not a big deal okay, please just listen— Aaah!

SFX: (Taniwha and Cerberus continue fighting.)

JUN: Alina, you’re too close to those things, get over here.

SAM: “Those things,” Jun would never say something like that.

ALINA: Sam, please just listen to me, okay? I just happened to bump into Jun and Dog at the park. Dog is from this park, it’s, it’s really not a big deal–

JUN: Whoa, hey man. Personal space, I don’t know how you know my name, but I don’t know you. 

SAM: But I can hear you…

ALINA: Sam! While Cerberus is still distracting the Taniwha, we need to escape now. Sam! Sam, are you listening to me?

SAM: How… How is this– How can this be?

ALINA: I don’t know man, maybe this is just a big misunderstanding—

SAM: No! I told you! You promised! Never to bring people here!

ALINA: Why are you yelling– I just happened to meet them. Sam, what’s going on? You’re overreacting!

SAM: I should have never allowed you to come here…

SFX: (Cerberus starts growling at her. The Taniwha is gone.)

JUN: Well the Taniwha is gone now, but the three headed dog is growling at us!

DOG: Alina, Sam isn’t listening to us anymore, we need to leave. Now.

SFX: (Sam starts muttering to himself in the background: why is Jun here, how could Alina do this, nothing makes sense)

ALINA: We can’t just leave him like this, There’s literally a dark shadow growing around him! 

DOG: He’ll be fine, that shadow means his cousin will be here shortly. I suggest we don’t be here when a Greek demigod decides to show up. They always act before thinking, it’ll just create more chaos.

JUN: (Has no idea what’s going on) A demigod?

DOG: Let’s go Alina, now!

ALINA: But… Sam. 

CREDITS: Residents of Proserpina Park is a production written and produced by Angela Yeh. Directed by Angela Yeh. The voice of the Narrator is Vida Shi. The voice of Alina is Angela Yeh. The voice of Jun is Ben Pollizi. The voice of Dog is Sara Roncero-Menendez. And the voice of Sam is G3.

Dialogue editing by Angela Yeh. Mixed and mastered by Angela Yeh. Original music by Hoa Pham. Season 1 cover art by Molly James. Series Logo by Macy Tang. For more information about the show, please go to our website residentsofproserpinapark.com