#*ep 6

[earthmoonz]

WIFEY. | EPISODE SIX (6.6)

start / previous / next

[end of episode]

(LOURDES): You shouldn’t be calling.

(LUIS): I need an update. Is it time yet?

[canadaobscura-blog]

Photo credit: Wikipedia Commons

Top: A map showing where the Belchers Islands are located | Bottom: An aerial view of the Sanikiluaq Rocks, part of the islands where the Belchers Islands Massacre occured

The Belchers Islands are an archipelago consisting of around 1500 islands in the Hudson’s Bay. They’re spread out over 3000 km2 and basically sit just below the arctic circle. 

In the winter of 1941, Charlie Ouyerack decided that he was Jesus Christ and that his buddy, Peter Sala, was God. It was a particularly difficult winter, and with no communication with the outside world and the desolation of the winter on everyone’s minds, the two of them fairly easily got the rest of their community to believe that, as Jesus and God, they’ll bring everyone to a better place upon the end of the world. It was even easier when all opposition was met with...well, murder.

To find out what happened on the Belchers that 1941 winter, and how 9 people were killed as a result, listen to episode 6 of Canada Obscura,  a weekly podcast bringing to you the dark and mysterious side of the Great White North. Currently available on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Anchor.FM, and more!

[outofcontextjokergame]

[earthmoonz]

WIFEY. | EPISODE SIX (6.1)

start / previous / next / what did max do to jade's car? (they did it to aj's by mistake and jade's on purpose ☝🏾)

More than most, Max knew that self-awareness did not prevent stupidity. Reeling from the disastrous nature of last night's dinner, they'd come to the salon on one of Jade’s working days as a last ditch attempt. The end of the month was fast approaching and their goal of facing the Fengs seemed near unreachable. In hindsight, it was foolish to provide such a locked timeframe. When they were together, Jade had once drunkenly revealed that her fountain of gossip occasionally dipped below the surface and Max being Max had never forgotten.   Last night had caused Max to wonder if the universe was fucking with them. San Myshuno was small but now it felt oppressive. A friendship with Lena seemed childish and ill-conceived, but with Max’s recent luck it was inevitable. They had acknowledged this in the early hours of this morning, alone in bed and unable to sleep. Thankfully, Rose had gone back to her place last night, having a family thing later today. She’d been remarkably understanding about everything, which secretly pissed Max off. If the tables were turned, Max would have started an argument in the uber home and would have continued it all the way to their front door. Not because they had particularly deep feelings for Rose, but on the principle that they simply hate to feel embarrassed.

(transcript below)

[Sounds of black hair hair salon - but in London]

(CLIENT): No way!

(JADE): Yep, half the parish babes and the deacon!

(CLIENT): So that’s why he left so suddenly! My nan swears down they’re setting him up chile but I was never sure.

(JADE): I just feel sorry for his wife and kids, man. They don’t deserve that mess at all. So I’m just gonna put you under the dryer, but let me know if it’s getting too hot okay?

(MAX): …Hi. Can I talk to you for a sec? I come in peace.

(JADE): [Kisses her teeth] I’m literally working.

(MAX): I know but I just need a few minutes. It won’t take long, I swear.

(JADE): Unless you’re here to finally pay me back the £450 it cost to fix my car, I ain’t got shit to say to you.

(MAX): Hm. Well let’s call that a cheating tax shall we? 

(JADE):  I told you, she was just a friend!

(MAX): You fuck all of your friends! - You know what, it doesn’t matter. I need to ask you something important.

(JADE): [Sarcastic] Oh really? ...Get the fuck out of my face Maxine.

[earthmoonz]

WIFEY. | EPISODE SIX (6.4)

start / previous / next

(transcript below)

[PRESENT DAY]

[TEXT] (DAISY): Here’s the info. She’s in cunch and she’s got a nokia so the phone signal might be a bit shit. I set her up on gmail though, might be easier to reach her there. My gran’s got a laptop.

[FLASHBACK #1]

(CHRIS): I know it's shit but you gotta be strong Max. I’ll be out of here before you know it.

[PRESENT DAY] [EMAIL]

Hi, I’m Max, Chris’ daughter. Your niece Daisy is a friend of mine and said it would be better to email you. I’d really love to meet and I’m glad to hear that you are too|

[FLASHBACK #2]

(MAX): Did I do something wrong?

(SIMONE): Of course not Max! Your mum is just- She loves you so much. It’s killing her not being able to be with you all the time, and every time we visit it just reminds her of um. Of what she’s lost, you know?

[PRESENT DAY][EMAIL]

Hi, I’m Maxine, but I go by Max. My pronouns are They/Them Hope that’s not too confusing for you! I’m Chris’ daughter. Your niece Daisy kindly gave me your info and said it would be better to email you. I’m glad to hear that you’re up for meeting as it’d be great to hear about my mum from you. Unfortunately, before her passing I hadn’t seen her in quite a long time|

[FLASHBACK #3]

(MAX): [Sobbing loudly]

(SIMONE): [Emotional] I’m so sorry sweetheart. Let it out.

[PRESENT DAY]

[TEXT] (AISH): u free this eve? was thinkin we cld do tht movie night. srry ab last wk - had lots goin on.

[earthmoonz]

WIFEY. | EPISODE SIX (6.2)

start / previous / next

(transcript below)

(DAISY): Max?

(MAX): Daisy? Hi!

(DAISY): Hey! Are you alright?

(MAX): Yeah, I just got into some stupid shit with Jade. Don’t worry about it. What are you doing with your hair today then? Anything fun?

(DAISY): Nah I work here since like…two weeks ago? 

(MAX): Oh swear? Congrats!

(DAISY): Thanks babe. I’m really glad I ran into you, have you got a minute? It’s important.

(MAX): Oh yeah, of course.

(DAISY): Good. Let’s talk round the corner. It’s quieter. 

[They walk round the side] 

(MAX): So what’s up?

(DAISY): First of all, I apologise in advance cos this is a lot  and I know we're not mad close or anything but I think you need to know. I have an aunty right, who just got out of pen and I was catching up with her on the phone and she mentioned her cellmate passed away and when she was describing her I realised that she might have been actually talking about your mum?

(MAX): …What?

(DAISY): Yeah so, I looked it up with her and I was right. I know it’s not been that long and I totally get it you’re not in the mindset for it but she’d really like to meet you. It might be a way to get…like closure? I don’t really know, sorry I know I’m rambling.

(MAX): No, no you’re fine. Can I have your aunt’s number or does she have an email address?

(DAISY): Yes! I will text it to you now. If you need someone to be there with you when you- like I said I know we’re not close but still.

(MAX): Thank you Daisy, I need some time to sit with all this but if I need someone there I’ll let you know. I really appreciate it. 

(DAISY): Good. [Hugs them] I really hope this goes well for you.

[earthmoonz]

WIFEY. | EPISODE SIX (6.5)

shoutout to @rebouks for these gorgeous poses! they're so expressive, max's face in the last one chokes me up.

start / previous / next

The sound of Aish’s laughter at a movie they’d seen countless times before put Max at ease. It reminded them of when things were easy. Their bond seemed baffling on the surface: Max was controlled chaos, a wry smile and a visual delight. Aish had always stumbled through life, here for a good time rather than a long one and often spoke without thinking. In the past, this devil-may-care attitude had landed them in countless hot waters, most of which Max had saved them from, swooping at the last minute with an idea or a deal or sometimes just a deeply cutting remark that made Aish’s enemies shrink in fear. Once, someone had tried to swing on Max and Aish had swiftly kneed them in the crotch before grabbing Max’s hand and running away. It was years ago, but even now it remained one of the few times that Aish felt they’d been there for Max in the way that Max was there for them. Their friendship had an unspoken agreement of coming as they were. Max may have appointed themself as Aish’s saviour, but Aish had seen Max at their lowest and knew all of the ways they had pushed and pulled themself to be who they were today. Things may have been distant lately, but if this evening was anything to go by, soon they’d be back on form and so would everything else.

(transcript below)

[TV BLARING]

(AISH): I’ll go with you. To meet that lady if ya want.

(MAX): …Oh I didn’t wanna, I mean it’s far. It’ll be a lot.

(AISH): Well it’d be dumb to go alone and we can just bump train so it’ll be calm. Let me know when you’re going up there.

(MAX): ...Thank you.

[earthmoonz]

WIFEY. | EPISODE SIX (6.3)

start / previous / next

Typically, Lena would be inclined to relax in her sister’s presence. Lourdes had unknowingly done her sister a great kindness in her choice of meeting place. The dark of the cinema hid Lena’s facial bruises, allowing the sisters to communicate safely in the near silence of an old rom-com screening on a weekday afternoon. Perhaps it was her decision to stay out of the family business or her ability to utilise her charm and empathy like a politician but Lourdes was often the glue holding her family together, something she found herself needing to do more and more with each passing day. After freeing herself from Hannah last night, Lena had once again found herself alone. She thought about messaging AJ, but that would mean admitting wrongdoing and for her not enough time had passed for them to go back to normal. It’s not like Lena could have discussed the thing she really wanted to anyway. AJ had made their feelings on Max clear the night the two met and they remained unchanged. While it was clearly the wrong time to view things romantically, Lena knew that her life would be better with Max in it and was willing to settle for friendship. She sensed that Max knew this too, but that they would not easily admit defeat which was fine because neither would she.

(transcript below)

[TWO FIGURES ENTER AND TAKE A SEAT IN THE BACK ROW OF A CINEMA]

(LENA): Speak then.

(LOURDES): Don’t be rude.

(LENA): Juro por dios Lourdes… (I swear to God)

(LOURDES): Cálmate. I’ll start with the headlines. The board’s not happy. They want to move forward with a replacement for Luis but Mami’s holding them up.

(LENA): What does that mean for me?

(LOURDES): You need to move faster. She’s pissed that you’re ignoring her too. The only reason I’m sitting here right now instead of her is because I talked her down.

(LENA): [Exhaling deeply] It’s moving slower out here than I’d like. I’m not a fucking miracle worker and Luis has always been slippery.

(LOURDES): You still believe he’s alive then?

(LENA): You don’t?

(LOURDES): I think at this point it’s more wish than belief. By now, the implications of him being alive are…so fucking bleak. 

[Lena sighs]

(LOURDES): Let’s move on. So the Diamond gala’s coming up. Maybe that can be your chance to get things going.

(LENA): Gotta figure out how I’m getting in first.

(LOURDES): That’s handled. The Scott family have received a legitimate invite. 

(LENA): How?

(LOURDES): Don’t worry about it. Take someone with you. It’ll make things appear more above board. Like we’re co-operating.

(LENA): Of course.