The Edge of Sleep Transcript
Hi everyone! I've seen a lot of new interest in this horror podcast drama Markiplier starred in awhile back, but I've seen a lot of people looking for alternative ways to experience it. If you can't/shouldn't listen to it for whatever reason, may I offer you a script version of the dialogue and events, which may have less negative effects. This being said, if you've never heard of it or aren't sure if you care for it, I can't say I recommend. You aren't weak or uncool for deciding not to put yourself through a disturbing piece of fiction, and you can support Mark without watching/listening to all of his content!
I did not write this, I only typed out what I heard, so I do not claim to own this story. Thanks to @fischyplier for making a document of the subtitles that included the names in the end credits, I wouldn't have been able to figure them out without you! If anyone sees a mistake still, please let me know and I'll correct it.
Episode 1: The Whale
Content/Trigger Warnings: cursing, drugs, abuse mention, implied trafficking, death
(the repetitive beat of drums fade in with various voices of men and women repeating the same words: stay awake)
Dave, frantically: Stay awake. Stay awake. Stay awake!
---
Dave, calmly: July 8th. It's a beautiful day. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and... everyone's dead. It's not what I thought the end would look like. There are no bodies in the streets, no burning cars, no hordes of zombies picking off survivors. (softer) Nothing like that. It's more like the world went to sleep, and never woke up.
👏👏👏👏 I do recommend this opening music - Hope
QCODE and Wood Elf present: The Edge of Sleep
Starring Mark Fischbach
Created by Jake Emanuel and Willie Block
*music ends*
Dave: The first night, before it began, I dreamed I was under the ocean. I was walking in a field of seagrass. Tall green stalks loomed over me, swaying in the dark water. As I pushed through the weeds, I could see something glowing. I followed the light, letting it guide me through the grass. I came across a whale. It was glowing, like an old neon sign. Seaweed dangled from its mouth- or maybe it was growing there, like a great, long beard. The whale was enormous, the size of a battleship. It was like a sea monster out of an ancient myth. The beast turned to me and spoke.
The Whale: What did you bring me?
Dave, truthfully: Nothing.
The Whale: Check your pockets.
Dave: I checked my coat, and found a bottle of sleeping pills.
The Whale: Give it to me.
Dave: I didn't question the Whale. I uncapped the bottle. The Whale sucked the drugs into his mouth, creating a vortex in the water. He suddenly lit up like a slot machine, and began to glow in a hundred different colors.
The Whale: I have a message for you. Beware of the elephant.
Dave: I don't understand.
The Whale: Next time, bring better presents.
(the background noise, undistinguishable voices, swells until interrupted by a male voice saying his name)
Dave, startled: What? What's up?
?: What the fuck, man? You just dumped your pills all over your desk.
Dave, defensively: No I didn't.
?: Look!
Dave: Oh. Shit.
?: What the hell, man, were you asleep?
Dave: No! Not- alright, yeah.
*both laugh*
Dave: Man, I just had the craziest dream.
?: I shit you not, man. You were just sitting there mumbling to yourself. Then you started throwing your pills all over the room.
Dave: Really?
?: Yes! You psycho! I should've filmed you and uploaded that shit.
Dave: Oh man.
?: You feelin' ok, bro?
Dave: Yeah, yeah. I just need a minute.
?, standing up: Take as much time as you need, man. I'm gonna stretch my legs. You want somethin' from the machine?
Dave: Uh, yeah, I'll take a ginger ale.
?: One ginger ale coming up.
Dave: I was working as a night watchman at Dexter Labs, a tech company on the outskirts of Santa Mira, California. Most nights it was just Mateo and I. We'd spend our shifts talking about anything and everything- sex, sports, politics. Whatever helped us pass the time. When it was just the two of us in a 100,000 square foot office compound, it felt like we were alone in the world.
Mateo: No ginger ale tonight, I got you a root beer.
Dave, under his breath: mother fucker.
Mateo: Tough shit.
Dave: I think I've got a dollar in my wallet.
Mateo: It's on me, my man. Happy fourth of July.
Dave: Thank you.
Mateo: Here, I brought you some chips, too.
Dave: Why are you so good to me?
Mateo: Cuz I'm stuck with you in this shithole.
Dave: Fair enough.
Mateo: Oh geez. There's still a couple of pills under my desk. You want em?
Dave: Yes. *chuckles* Yeah, I do.
Mateo: They got some hair on em.
Dave: I don't care. Give em over.
Mateo: You gotta be careful with this shit, man. A friend of mine at the VA hospital was on this crap. One night he woke up and found out he'd driven to the parking lot of his kid's school. He had no fuckin' idea how he got there. He didn't remember getting out of bed and driving his car.
Dave, sighing: I know, I know man. It's just a temporary thing. I'm just trying to get used to... sleeping alone.
Mateo: You need someone to keep your bed warm? Give me your phone.
Dave: No!
Mateo: Come on, I'll do it for you!
Dave: No way!
Mateo: Yup, tonight's the night, man! I'm signing you up. All the dating apps? We're doing this. It's easy. You create a profile, you write something like, (switches to a low voice) 'Hi, my name is Dave, I'm 29 and I'm weird as fuck.' And then you swipe right, swipe right, swipe right!
Dave: Sounds like the worst video game ever.
Mateo: Except, it's better than a video game because you actually get laid.
Dave: I'm not ready, man. Maybe next week.
Mateo: What the hell are you waiting for? It's not like Katie's coming back.
*Dave turns away*
Mateo, in a patronizing tone: Oh, what? Was she the only girl who understood you? Are you so different and weird that you'll never find love again? Bullshit. I know plenty of creepy guys in Iraq and they all have wives and kids and trust me, once you're back in the game you'll find all sorts of weird girls out there.
Dave: Ok... Alright. Ok fine. If it'll shut you up, you can make me a profile.
Mateo: Shit.
Dave: What? What's up?
Mateo: Check out Camera 3.
Dave: I looked over Mateo's shoulder at the security cam. A lone van had just pulled into the lab's parking lot. It sat with its engine running, alone in the darkness.
Mateo, annoyed: Probably teenagers. I bet they wanna light up some fireworks. I got this one.
Dave: You sure?
Mateo: Yup. See you in a few.
*Mateo leaves, Dave changes the radio station several times, then a phone starts ringing.*
Dave: When I saw who was calling, I froze. I looked at my phone like a bomb that was about to go off.
Dave, answering it: Hi!
A female voice: Hey.
Dave: Uh... Happy fourth of July.
Woman: *awkward laugh* thanks, you too. *silence* I'm sorry if this is weird.
Dave: Nah, it's ok.
Woman: How are you?
Dave: I'm alright.
Woman, in a hopeful tone: Yeah?
Dave: No, actually. That's a lie. I'm a complete wreck. I miss you.
Katie: I miss you too.
Dave, surprised: You do?
Katie: Yeah, of course. This wasn't easy for me, Dave. I'm sorry I didn't call, but I thought it'd be easier if I didn't hear your voice.
Dave, bitterly: So that's why you ghosted me?
Katie, dismissively: I didn't "ghost" you.
Dave, disgusted: Well, what would you call it then?
*Katie sighs* I... needed some space to think things through.
Dave: And what was I supposed to think. We were dating for two years and all of a sudden you texted me that you needed some time for yourself? And you went dark, you didn't return my calls or texts for three! Weeks!
Katie: I had to do what was right for me!
Dave: So why are you calling me now?
Katie: Because I care about you, Davey. And I'm concerned.
Dave: You're concerned.
Katie: Of course!
Dave: Well. I appreciate your concern, but we've only been dating for a couple of years, and I've had this condition my whole life. I know it must have been hard for you, but it's really not your problem anymore.
Katie: Dave, you gotta understand. Most of that stuff didn't bother me. I mean, sure, it sucked that we couldn't go to the movies, or a museum, or binge watch tv. But I could live with all that.
Dave: So then what's the problem? We love each other, right? Right? Isn't that worth trying to work things out?
Katie: Maybe this was a mistake, I'm sorry. I feel like I'm just stirring things up.
Dave: Wait a sec, hold on. I- I- I just want to be able to understand. You know. I think I deserve that, at least.
Katie: You do. Oh, shit, this is really hard.
Dave: Katie, it's ok. Whatever you need to say, I need to hear it.
Katie: At the end of the day, I didn't feel safe.
Dave: Oh. Wow, um... Ok.
Katie: Every night I was going to bed scared. I was sleeping with a knife under my mattress. It was getting weird by the end, Dave. I didn't know what to expect.
Dave: I, I can't believe I have to say this, but you know I'd never hurt you, right?
Katie: I know that's what you believe.
*a car horn on Katie's end honks twice*
Katie: Shit, that's Lisa. I've gotta go.
Dave: Katie, wait, did I do something to you?
Katie: Dave.
Dave: I need to know. Did something happen?
*two long beeps of the car horn*
Katie: Listen, I gotta go! I'm going to Randy's party. If you get out in time, let's talk then.
*she hangs up*
Dave: Wait, Katie! Katie!
(Mateo enters.)
Mateo: Hey, you ok, dude?
Dave: Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine.
Mateo: I could use a little help with the outside. The van is... kinda sketchy.
Dave: Sketchy how?
Mateo. I don't know. It just is.
Dave: The lab parking lot was empty, except for one lone van with blackout windows. The engine was running. We could hear a shitty pop song playing inside the van. Mateo snapped a picture of the license plate. As we stepped closer, there was a fume that smelled off, kind of like cleaning products or burnt plastic.
Mateo, banging on the door: Good evening, this is Dexter lab security. Someone in there? Hello? Lab security!
A male voice, through the opening window: Oh, hi! *laughs* Sorry, I couldn't hear you because of the music.
Dave: Sir, can you maybe turn the music down?
Man: What's that?
Mateo: Turn the music down!
Man: Oh, yeah yeah, sure. Sorry, I like to play my tunes so loud I can't hear myself think!
Dave: Well, we're trying to tell you, sir, that we're with lab security, and our parking lot is closed right now, so we're gonna have to ask you to leave the premises.
Man, sheepishly: Oh, alright. I didn't know I was breaking the rules.
Dave: That's ok.
Man: Say, do you boys think you could spare a few dollars for a veteran? Given that it's Independence day?
Dave: Uh, yeah. Yeah, sure.
Mateo: Put your wallet away, Dave.
Dave: Ok.
Mateo: Where were you stationed?
Man: In Iraq.
Mateo: Wow. You saw some heavy shit, huh? How many tours you do?
Man: Two.
Mateo: *whistles* Where'd they put you through BCT, up in Fort Carson?
Man: Yeah!
Mateo: Ohh, ok. Cuz Fort Carson doesn't have basic training. Get the fuck outta here!
Dave: Mateo, take it easy!
Mateo: Now!
Man, amused: Is it just the two of you out here?
Dave: Uhh...
Man: It must be kind of dangerous, right? Just two unarmed guys, out here with all sorts of people up to no good... what do they even pay for this shit job? Minimum wage I bet!
Mateo, banging the side of the van: Fuck off!
*mumbling comes from the back of the van, like someone waking up.*
Dave, carefully: Is there someone in the van with you?
Man: It's my daughter. She's sleeping.
Mateo: Let us see her.
Man: I said she's sleeping!
Dave: Ma'am! Are you ok in there?
Man: Happy fourth of July, fellas!
*tires screech as he drives away*
Mateo: I got the fucker's plate, I'm calling it in!
Dave: As the trespasser peeled out, I noticed a bumper sticker on the back of his van. It said "Same shit, different party." It showed the two animals that represent our political parties. One, of course, was a donkey. And the other was an elephant.
---
Dave: I asked Mateo to cover for me and left work early. I felt a little guilty, he seemed on edge after our encounter in the parking lot, but I had to see Katie. She said she was goin' to our friend Randy's, so that's where I was heading. On the drive over, I thought about the dream I had. The whale. Its warning. And then I pushed it from my mind. I realized I was tired. I wanted this night to end. I just wanted to go home and get some sleep. When I got to Randy's, I knew immediately I'd missed the party. When I entered the pool are, there was one straggler. Gus. A dealer I had met a couple times who I did not like very much.
Gus, intoxicated: Sup, bro? It's Connor right?
Dave: No! I'm Dave.
Gus, confused: You're- you're not Connor from Huntington beach?
Dave: I'm pretty sure.
Gus: Well, I'm Gus.
Dave: Yeah, I know. We've met like three times. You're the drug dealer.
Gus: Yo, I'm sensing a little fuckin 'tude from you, man, why don't you chill? Alright, I don't want any hostility. I'm a cool guy! You just ask around, man, I'm friends with everyone.
Dave: I'm sorry. It's just been a weird night.
Gus: It's all good, man, you want something to take the edge off? I got some molly, I got 25 milligrams. It won't fuck your skull, it'll just alleviate the stress and all the bad energy.
Dave: I'm good. Have you seen Katie around?
Gus: Naw, man. Everybody bounced like quarter past four. You missed one hell of a party.
Dave: Where's Randy?
Gus: What, the host with the most? Oh, he's over there, he's passed out man. Dude's fuckin toast man, lights out.
Dave: Shit. I guess it's just you and me.
Gus: Heh. Yo, I didn't catch your name, brotha.
Dave: I'm Dave.
Gus: Oh. Fuck, man. You're Dave? Like, the Dave?
Dave: Yeah.
Gus: Oh shit. You got some brass balls, comin here tonight.
Dave: What the fuck are you talking about?
Gus: Ah, I'm just sayin, man.
Dave: You're saying what? What are you saying?
Gus: Well, I'm just saying. Randy was talking to that messed up girl, he got angry, man. He got really pissed.
Dave: What messed up girl?
Gus: The messed up girl, with her arm in a sling.
Dave: What was her name?
Gus: I didn't catch it. But after they talked, Randy was mad as hell, man, the rest of the party, he was fuming man. He said if you showed up, he was gonna beat the shit out of you!
Dave: If I showed you a picture of this girl, would you recognize her?
Gus: Yeah, for sure, man. I got a excellent visual memory.
Dave: Was it her?
Gus: Yeah that's her. Definitely.
Dave: Thanks for your help.
Gus: Hey! Where are you goin, man?
Dave: I'm waking up Randy.
Gus: Yo, I don't know if that's the best idea. He's pretty fuckin wasted and not that excited to see you, dude.
Dave, ignoring him: Randy! Hey, Randy! Hello?
*Dave tries to slap Randy awake*
Gus: Yeah, I told you man, he's out.
Dave: He's not breathing. What the hell did you guys give him?
Gus, uncertainly: Nothin. Just some molly, man. It was totally harmless.
Dave: Randy! Randy!
*Dave starts to administer CPR*
Dave: Call 911!
Gus: I can't, man. Not- not on my phone.
Dave: Well, motherfucker! Take mine!
Gus: I'm getting a busy signal.
Dave: What?!
Gus: 911's fuckin busy, man! Look, I'll put it on speaker!
*dial tone*
Dave: Here, help me lift him. We've gotta get him to the hospital.
Gus: I- I can't, man. I'm sorry. This really has nothing to do with me.
Dave: Well- just- help me get him to the car!
Gus: I can't be involved with any of this, ok? I gotta go.
Dave: Well, hey! Hey! Fuck!
Gus, driving away: I'm sorry!
Dave: I lifted Randy up and he was cold in my hands. I didn't think about it. I just threw him in the back of my car and I drove. The hospital was just down the road. I stepped on the gas and tried to focus. Tried not to look in the rearview mirror. I didn't want to see him... Not if he was gone.
Katie's voicemail: Hey, it's Katie! Leave a message.
Dave: Hey! It's me. Listen. I need you to call me back as soon as you get this message. It isn't about us. I just need to know if you smoked or took anything at the party last night. If you did, you have to call 911 cuz it might've been laced with some really bad shit. Ok? Call me back.
Dave: The sun was rising as I pulled into the hospital. I jumped out of the car and waved down the first people I saw, a small group of doctors and nurses who were on a smoke break outside the E.R. When they turned to look at me, I noticed something strange. Some of them seemed to be crying. One of the nurses put out her cigarette and walked over to me.
Nurse: What's your emergency, sir?
Dave: It's my friend. I think he OD'd.
Nurse: Ok. I'll look at him. Help me lay him down.
Dave: Right here?
Nurse: Yeah.
Dave: Shouldn't we put him on a gurney? Get some paramedics, maybe?
Nurse: That's not an option right now, let's get him on the floor.
Dave: She dropped to her knees and checked Randy's vitals. It didn't take her very long. When she stood up and looked at me, I already knew what she was gonna say.
Nurse: I'm very sorry, sir. But your friend is dead.
Dave, quietly: Ok. Well- I- I'd still like to see a doctor, get a diagnosis. Can we do that?
Nurse: Right now is not the best time.
Dave: What the hell does that mean?
Nurse: I think it's best, sir, if you take five minutes to collect yourself. Call the deceased's parents. Then you can leave your friend here and go home.
Dave: What kinda hospital is this? You want me to leave my friend's body on the side of the road? Where are the paramedics, why are those doctors standing there crying? What the hell is going on here?
Nurse: Something happened last night... All of our patients died in their sleep.
---
The Edge of Sleep stars Mark Fischbach as Dave. Michael Yama as the Whale. Victor Rasuk as Mateo. Alex Essoe as Katie. Pat Healy as the Tresspasser. Joshua Burge as Gus, and Cara Santana as Linda. Written by Jake Emanuel and Willie Block. Directed by Jake Emanuel. Produced by QCODE, Daylight Media, and Mark Fischbach. Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Salt Audio. Original music and score by Jamie Schefman and Noah Gersh for Salt Audio. Sound design by Maria Mora and Juan David Chapparro Perez for Audio for Media. Edited by Zach Djurich. Associate producer Tess Ryan, script supervisor Sam Beaseley. Production support provided by James Gelberg. Casting by Chelsea Block and Marisol Roncoli at Atomic Honey. Art by Matt Taylor and Ehren Salazar. Special thanks to Jeff Roy, Mark Holden, Kersti Jan Werdal, and Celeste Armstrong. The Edge of Sleep is a QCODE production.
Thank you all so much for the love! The plan is to post one episode a day. Please don't read right before going to bed. If you want to give me feedback, I'd love to know if you like the descriptions of background sounds, especially for any deaf readers. Ok take care!
Episode 2: The Elephant
Content/Trigger warnings: cursing, graphic injuries, emergency room scenario, smoking, suicide mention, pandemic mention and terms, panic attack, parents fighting, throw-up mention, and of course, death
(sounds fade in, a combination of low Humpback whale calls and higher pitched Elephant trumpets.)
The Whale: Beware of the Elephant. Beware of the Elephant. Beware of the Elephant.
Dave: We knew that it happened around 4 A.M. Linda Russo was a nurse, working the night shift at the Santa Mira ER. It had been a quiet night, especially for a holiday... before everything went to hell. Linda didn't like the quiet nights. There was too much time to sit and think. She preferred a crisis, where her skills could be put to use. But what Linda loved most about the ER was that in a moment the night could turn. The job was unpredictable, and you could never truly prepare for what was gonna happen.
A female voice: Hey, Linda.
Linda: Hey, Brit.
Brittany, affectionately: How you doin'?
Linda: I'm tired.
Brittany: I bet!
Linda: Between tests, classes, and all these late shifts, I feel like I might never sleep again.
Brittany: Well, you still look good, so. Go to hell.
*Linda laughs*
Linda: Thanks!
Brittany: You finishing up?
Yeah, I'm pulling a ten-hour. I've got one hour to go.
You're a monster, girl.
Linda: Final stretch.
Brittany: I slept like shit last night. I'm looking forward to my 9am nap!
Linda: Mm. Well, room four's empty. Ready when you need it.
Brittany: Seems quiet! Not so busy tonight, huh?
Linda: No. In room five we have a senior with bacterial pneumonia, we have her on a _ dilator and some antibiotics. In room three we have a gentleman in his fifties who came in complaining of chest pains, but it looks like he's just got a nasty case of heartburn.
Brittany: Mmm. Lemme guess. Did the dumbass chug beer and eat hot dogs all day?
Linda: Happy fourth of July.
*both chuckling*
Brittany: Well, I- I have to say, it looks like a pretty light night for a holiday, thank God.
Linda: Oh! I almost forgot. I have a real treat for you.
Brittany: What?
Linda: Come with me.
Brittany: Wh- where are we going?
Linda: Room one. Read his chart.
Brittany: Ok, let's see here... patient is a sixteen-year-old male... he's being treated for third degree burns on his scrotum and rectum? What the hell is this?- Wait, do I even wanna know?
Linda: The patient was inebriated at a fourth of July party and, to use his words, he lit a rocket out of his asshole!
Brittany: *gasps* No!
Linda, whispering: His ass hair caught on fire, so he jumped in the pool! When I cleaned the wound, it smelled like that time you burnt your hair.
Brittany: Ewww! Fuck you.
Linda: And get this. The first question he asked me was how long he would have to wait before he could jerk off.
Brittany: What did you say??
Linda: Four to six weeks.
Brittany: Gir- You are cruel!
Linda: But I saved his mom a couple trips to the washing machine to clean his sheets.
*both laughing*
Brittany: Shhh, shhh!
*suddenly, the heart monitor flatlines*
Brittany: Oh, shoot... these old machines. It probably got unplugged from the wall.
(the two enter the room)
Linda: Hi John, it's nurse Linda, this is nurse Brittany, how are you feeling?
*silence*
Linda: John? Can you hear me? John? John? I'm not getting a response.
Brittany, into the hallway: Can we get some help in here please?
Linda: He's not breathing. I can't find a pulse, I'm beginning compressions.
Brittany: We have a code blue in room one!
*Linda counts aloud as she pumps the patient's chest*
Male voice: What's going on?
Linda: We have a sixteen year old male undergoing cardiac arrest.
Second male voice: Help me lift him!
Female voice: Attaching pads.
First man, a doctor: Start defibrillation at 120 joules.
Woman: Everybody clear?
Multiple voices: Clear!
*she attempts to restart his heart with electricity*
Woman: Shock delivered, no response.
Doctor: Resume compressions! Let's get an ABG and a 1 milligram epinephrine push!
Man: Epi delivered.
Doctor, aggravated: Can someone please tell me what happened?
Linda: Patient came in to be treated for minor burns, he has no allergies, no medications.
Doctor: Any sign of toxicity?
Linda: His blood alcohol levels are at .05 percent and his last vital signs were normal.
Doctor: Start an infusion of 500 milligrams of saline!
Woman: Stopping IV and infusing with saline.
Doctor: Linda. Can you tell me why a healthy sixteen year old is undergoing cardiac arrest?
Linda: I don't know, doctor.
Doctor: Let's up defibrillation to 150 joules.
Woman: Everybody clear?
Multiple voices: Clear!
*she makes a second attempt*
Woman: Shock delivered. No response.
New male voice: Dr. Gordon! Dr. Gordon, we have a code blue in rooms three, six, five and two.
*Brittany gasps*
Dr. Gordon: What? Are you sure? Is this the machines or some sort of power outage?
Man: I- I don't know, sir, but all the electrocardiograms have flatlined. I checked Mrs. Bowers in room five and she has no pulse and isn't breathing.
Dr. Gordon: Who are the other doctors on call?
Man: Just you and Dr. Legarde.
Dr. Gordon: Fucking hell.
Brit: Doctor, what is going on?
Dr. Gordon: I don't know. But what we're going to do is transfer half the patients in here, and the other half into room two with Dr. Legarde. Jorge, continue compressions and CPR. The rest of you, get it done! Now, now, now! Let's go!
Linda: Doctor, can I have a second?
Dr. Gordon: Now's not a great time, Linda.
Linda: We need to evacuate the staff immediately.
Dr. Gordon: What?
Linda: Seven patients are all dying simultaneously! The only explanation is a gas leak or some sort of chemical agent!
Dr. Gordon: What about the patients?
Linda: This boy is dead, doctor! Do you want to risk the staff for six more flatliners?
Dr. Gordon: Linda, right now I just need you to shut up and fall in line.
*She turns on her heel and runs away*
Dr. Gordon: Hey! Where are you going? Linda! Linda!
Linda, over the PA system: Attention! All staff members, evacuate the building immediately. This is not a drill. Please leave your stations and exit the building!
---
Dave: Six twenty-five A.M. Randy was dead. His body lay on the curb of the hospital sidewalk. The nurse who had helped me offered me a cigarette. I wasn't a smoker, but at the moment it seemed like the right thing to do.
Dave, coughing: Thanks.
Linda: Do you know what time you found your friend like this?
Dave: I'm not exactly sure.
Linda: Was it after four a.m.?
Dave: Yeah, um... If I had to guess, I got to his place around five thirty.
Linda: How many miles is it from here?
Dave: Just down the road. Maybe two, three miles.
Linda: Wait here.
Dave: I stood there waiting as she walked to the staff who were gathered outside the ER. When she spoke to them, one of the doctors seemed angry. He snapped at her, and she snapped back. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I could see their faces. Every one of them looked afraid... She grabbed a duffel bag by the ER door and walked over to me.
Linda: Did I get your name?
Dave: Uh, I'm Dave.
Linda: Nice to meet you, Dave. I'm Linda. I'm gonna need a favor. Can you give me a ride into town?
Dave: Wh-
Linda: The six o' clock bus never showed up and I can't get a ride. I can pay you, I've got- *rustling paper* forty-two dollars.
Dave: No, that's ok. I can give you a lift.
Linda: Thanks.
Dave: What about my friend?
Linda: You can leave him here.
Dave: On the ground?
Linda: I'm sorry. It's either that or bringing him in the car with us. Let's go.
*The two start to get in Dave's car*
Dave: Are you sure your colleagues don't need an extra hand?
Linda: They're not my colleagues. I don't work here anymore.
*Dave starts the engine, and they drive off in silence*
Dave: ...Mind if I turn on the radio?
Linda: Go ahead.
*several channels of static*
Dave: What the f- well, that's weird.
*Linda starts crying*
Linda: I'm sorry.
Dave: No, that's ok.
Linda: Is it alright if I scream?
Dave: What?
Linda: I'd like to scream.
Dave: Yeah... sure.
*she opens her window, sticks her head out, and screams twice.*
Linda, back inside: That felt really fucking good.
Dave: Maybe I should give it a try.
Linda: It helps. I'm sorry about your friend.
Dave: Thanks. We weren't really close, he was really a friend of a friend.
Linda: If it's any consolation, there's a 70% increase of ER visits during the holidays. There's an increase of suicides, DUIs, even knife wounds.
Dave: Jesus. Is that supposed to cheer me up?
Linda: Yes. Misery enjoys company. You're not the only one having a fucked up fourth of July.
Dave: Well, I was supposed to meet with my ex-girlfriend, so my night wasn't going to be good from the start.
Linda: Oof, that sounds worse than any trip to the ER.
*He chuckles*
Linda: Ever think about dating a nurse?
Dave, surprised: No.
Linda: You should think about it. They make good wives. Especially the ones that work in the ER.
Dave: And why's that?
Linda: Well, yesterday we had an eleven year old girl who had her throat ripped out by a pitbull, the day before that we had a forty year old dad with cerebral hemorrhaging after his son accidentally hit him with a baseball bat, and the day before that... I can't even remember. Because that's the kind of shit an ER nurse deals with every day.
Dave: And... why exactly does that make them good wives?
Linda: Gives them perspective. They don't sweat the little things. They know they're gonna end up on that gurney one day, dying in misery. So they try to enjoy life while they can.
Dave: Well, there are other people that deal with death. Cops and soldiers. Do they make good husbands?
Linda: It's not the same. They do the killing. We do the fixing.
Dave: The first thought I had was that I liked this girl. She was weird as hell. Even weirder than I was. She was one of those people who has no idea how fucking crazy they sound. Or maybe she just didn't care. Either way, I liked it.
Dave: I could never be a nurse.
Linda: Why is that?
Dave: I don't like blood. Gives me nightmares.
Linda: Eh, blood's not so bad. The worst part is the fear in people's eyes. The look of terror when they know they're gonna die.
Dave: Yeah, that sounds pretty fuckin bad.
*silence*
Linda: Stop the car.
Dave: Huh?
Linda: Stop the car.
Dave: Ok.
Linda: No, don't pull over, just stop.
Dave: In the middle of the road?
Linda: Yes, right fucking here!
Dave: Ok!
*tires screech*
Dave, confused: We're stopped!
*Linda unbuckles her seat belt and gets out*
Dave: Hey, uh, I don't know if it's a good idea to just stand in the middle of the road.
Linda: There's nobody here! Where are the cars? The joggers, the people walking their dogs, where the fuck are they?
Dave: I don't know! It's still early, I guess everyone's asleep.
Linda: Come stand in the road with me until someone drives by.
Dave: Alright.
Dave: We stood in the center of Camden Avenue, one of the busiest streets in town. As I looked around, I realized all the stores were closed. Nick's Bistro, the pharmacy, the paper stand on the corner of the street. A sick feeling of panic started to burn in my chest. Where was everyone? I barely registered what was happening as Linda pulled a pistol out of her duffel and raised it to the sky.
*She fires*
Dave: What the fuck?
Dave: The shot echoed down the street. Dozens of people should have appeared. But nobody came.
Linda: Get undressed!
Dave: What?
Dave: She didn't ask me again. Linda pulled off her clothes and stripped to her underwear in the middle of the street. She reached into the duffel and threw me a pack of clothes.
Linda: Put it on! We're standing in the middle of a fucking biohazard zone!
Dave: Through the plastic packaging, I saw a gas mask and a rubber jumper. It was a hazmat suit.
---
*a doorbell chime*
Dave: Hello? *raps on the door* Hello?
Dave: Oh, my god.
Linda, her voice muffled by her mask: Well?
Dave, also wearing one: I checked every house on this side of the street.
Linda: Any survivors?
Dave: No.
Linda: Were all the victims lying in their beds?
Dave: Most of em. A few were on their couches. Howabout your side?
Linda: Same thing.
Dave: What is going on?
Linda: I don't know. But we are in the middle of a fucking pandemic.
Dave: Is it a virus?
Linda: Possibly. But what virus has no symptoms and kills all of its victims simultaneously?
Dave: What about a chemical attack, that'd kill everyone all at once.
Linda: Yes, but again no side effects. All nerve agents cause foaming from the mouth, the constriction of pupils... there'd also be a sign of a struggle. Chemical weapons don't just kill you instantly.
Dave: Radiation?
Linda: Small dose would kill you slowly. If it were a larger dose, their skin would be burnt. There'd be rashes and boils... these bodies are pristine.
Dave: How come we're not affected?
Linda: That's the million-dollar question.
---
*multiple phones ringing*
Recorded voice: You've reached the Los Angeles county center for disease control. All of our lines are currently busy. Please leave your name, your number, and a brief message, and we will return your call as soon as possible.
Another recording: Thank you for calling the California department of public health. Our office is currently closed. If this is a medical emergency, please hang up and dial 911-
*Multiple recordings from the Coast guard, California national guard, and others overlap, indicating that they tried everyone*
Katie's voicemail: Hey, it's Katie. Leave a message.
Dave: Hey. It's me. Um... Uh, I'm not exactly sure what to say. If you get this message, please call me back. I'm about to head for L.A. I should be on the road for the next, three hours? I'm driving to the center for disease control. I guess I just wanted to say that if something happened between us, if I did anything to you, I'm sorry... I love you. That's it. Call me.
Linda: Hey! Ready to go?
Dave: Yeah.
Linda: I think we can take these masks off.
Dave: You sure it's safe?
Linda: Well, they don't have an atmospheric seal, so if this is an airborne agent we're fucked anyway.
Dave: Fair enough.
Linda: You okay to drive?
Dave: Yeah. I'm tired, but I'll be fine.
Linda: Do you mind if I get some sleep? I know I should keep you company, but I would be very unpleasant, I've been up for like twenty-eight hours.
Dave: Yeah. No worries, I'll wake you when we get to L.A.
Linda: Thanks. *opening a medicine bottle* Glad I didn't forget these babies.
Dave: Is that-
Linda: Yup.
Dave: It's pretty easy to recognize those little blue pills.
Linda: You have a prescription?
Dave: In the past, I've dabbled with Restoril, Silenor... uh, Lunesta, Dayvigo...
Linda: Are you an insomniac?
Dave: Parasomniac. With REM sleep behavior disorder.
Linda: Oh, shit. That's a rare one. It's pretty nasty.
Dave: Yeah. Guess I'm lucky that way.
Linda: Well, I'm gonna close my eyes now, give it a minute, and let these little elephant tranquilizers kick in.
*The Whale's warning, Beware of the Elephant, plays in Dave's head*
Dave: And then I remembered. I must've been four or five at the time. I forgot most of the episodes from when I was younger, but this one memory shot into my brain like a bullet, crashing into my mind with perfect recall.
Female voice: Okay, Davey. A is for?
Young Dave: Apple!
Woman: Very good! And B is for?
Young Dave: Banana!
Woman: That's right! And C is for?
Young Dave: Cat!
Woman: Very good, and what does the cat say?
*both meow*
Woman: And D is for?
Young Dave: Dog!
Woman: And the dog says-
*Dave barks*
Woman: And E is for?
*silence*
Woman, encouragingly: Davey, E is for? Come on. Come on, Dave. Say it!
*Dave starts to hyperventilate*
Her voice becoming more more angry and distorted: Dave! Say it! Say it! E is for Elephant! Elephant, Davey! Elephant!
*Dave begins to yell, the music and their voices get louder, but eventually calms down as she soothes him*
Male voice: What is it this time?
Woman: Elephants.
Man: What?
Woman: Elephants, John! It's from that goddamn book you read him! He drempt that I turned into an elephant.
Man: Hey, don't you pin this on me, it's just a spelling book! Letters and pictures, that's all!
Woman: Shh!
*Both leave the room, but can still be heard*
Mother: That book is too much for him! You can't just read him whatever you want, think about what you're doing!
Father: I'm sorry, I wanna teach my kid how to read! Hell, I've already thrown out every book in the house that doesn't have a happy cover! Put my grandmother's Russian dolls in the basement, the horse painting, sterilized the whole fucking house so my son can get one good night's sleep!
Mother: Oh, and you think shouting's gonna help?
Father: Nothing can help us!
Mother: John!
Father: You know it's true, it's been five years, Trace! We haven't had a full night's sleep since the day he was born! You realize what this has done to my career?
Mother: Stop it!
Father: Our marriage?!
Mother: Please!
Father: Remember when we used to have lives?
Mother: Well if you don't like it, then- leave!
*silence*
Father, sighing: I'm sorry. I don't wanna fight, I just don't know what to do.
*Dave's mother comes back into his room to comfort him*
Young Dave, sniffing: Sorry, Mama.
Mother: It's ok, sweetie, it's not your fault.
Father: We love you, Davey.
Young Dave: I'm sorry I can't sleep.
---
Linda: Dave. Dave! Dave!
*Dave jerks awake*
Linda: What the fuck, man, you're swerving! Are you sure you're ok?
*A whispered "elephants" repeats menacingly in Dave's mind*
Dave, under his breath as he swerves again: You have to throw up the pills.
Linda: Dave!
Dave: You have to throw up the pills!
Linda: What?
Dave, stopping the car: Now! Before it's too late!
Linda: What are you doing?
Dave: Get out of the car!
Linda: Hey! Hey! Don't fucking touch me!
Dave: You have to throw them up. Now.
Lind: Wh- why?!
Dave: Just trust me, if you don't, I think something bad will happen, ok? Do it!
Linda: Ok.
Dave: Now!
Linda: Ok!
(she does.)
Dave: Linda stared at the pills. Neither of us said anything. We just stood there on the side of the highway, lost in thought. After a minute, she looked at me with a sense of urgency.
Linda: I gotta call the hospital.
Dr. Gordon: Hello.
Linda: Dr. Gordon?
Dr. Gordon: What do you want, Linda.
Linda: Are you still at the ER?
Dr. Gordon: Yes.
Linda: I need to speak to Brittany.
Dr. Gordon: She's on break.
Linda: Yes. I know. Room four. Can you get her for me?
Dr. Gordon: Jesus, Linda, I don't have time for-
Linda: I know, I know, but please, could you just check on her?
Dr. Gordon, entering the room: Brittany? I've got Linda on the phone. Brittany. Hey, Brit?
Linda: Doctor.
Dr. Gordon: Somebody help! She's unresponsive!
Man: What's going on? Brittany, can you hear me?
Dr. Gordon: I've got to go.
*He hangs up*
Dave: Hey. Is everything ok?
Linda: She was taking a nap.
Dave: What?
Linda: That's when she died. This thing... it's triggered by sleep. We have to stay awake.
---
The Edge of Sleep stars Mark Fischbach as Dave. Michael Yama as the Whale. Carlease Burke as Brittany. Cara Santana as Linda. Alex Essoe as Katie. Chris Mulkey as Dr. Gordon. Marcia Cross as Tracey. Rob Morrow as John, and Sander Argabrite as Young Dave. With additional performances by Jason Nahum, Matthew Latkiewicz, Julia Henning, Kristen Tepper, and Jake Emanuel. Written by Jake Emanuel and Willie Block. Directed by Jake Emanuel. Produced by QCODE, Daylight Media, and Mark Fischbach. Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Salt Audio. Original music and score by Jamie Schiffman and Noah Gersh for Salt Audio. Sound design by Maria Mora and Juan David Sapporo Perez for Audio for Media. Edited by Zach Jurij. Associate producer Tess Ryan, script supervisor Sam Beasely. Production support provided by James Goldberg. Casting by Chelsea Block and Marisol Roncalli at Atomic Honey. Art by Matt Taylor and Aaron Salazar. Special thanks to Jeff Roy, Mark Holden, Kersti Jan Werdal, and Celeste Armstrong. The Edge of Sleep is a QCODE production.
Hey yall, I found someone who had the same idea, @justmalarkey so now we're working on it together! Here's the google doc:
The Edge of Sleep Transcript (Transcribed by @justmalarkey and @anotheryoutubekid on Tumblr) Disclaimer: I don’t own any of the content writ
Content/Trigger warnings for Episode 3: trafficking/exploitation, physical & sexual abuse mention, puke mention, pandemic mention and terms, automatic weapon mention, autopsy scenario with blood, parents fighting, drugs, and as always, cursing and death
