Six Minutes

S5 E11: A World Without Two Doctor Whittiers

16 min
Dec 23, 20254 months ago
Listen to Episode
Summary

This episode of Six Minutes presents a fictional narrative about a world with unexplained supernatural occurrences, featuring characters discovering hidden abilities and corporate conspiracies. The story explores themes of family secrets, corporate experimentation, and mysterious forces affecting reality.

Insights
  • Fictional narratives can explore complex themes of corporate accountability and ethical boundaries in experimental research
  • Character development through mystery and revelation creates engagement around institutional trust and transparency
  • Supernatural storytelling frameworks allow exploration of how organizations conceal information from families and communities
  • Collaborative problem-solving between characters mirrors real-world approaches to uncovering institutional wrongdoing
Trends
Narrative-driven podcasts using serialized fiction to explore corporate ethics themesStorytelling that examines family dynamics within high-stakes institutional contextsAudio drama format gaining traction for exploring speculative scenarios and institutional accountabilityCharacter-driven narratives addressing themes of transparency, secrets, and organizational power structures
Topics
Corporate experimentation and ethical boundariesFamily secrets and institutional transparencySupernatural abilities and unexplained phenomenaInstitutional conspiracy and cover-upsCollaborative investigation and teamworkTrust and deception in relationshipsParental oversight and child safetyOrganizational hierarchy and chain of command
Companies
Whittier Corp
Central organization in narrative conducting secretive research and experiments on individuals with special abilities
People
Dr. Anders
Character working within Whittier Corp while conducting theoretical research on Gen A serum
Monica
Character connected to Whittier Corp with knowledge of experimental programs affecting family members
James
Character discovering spouse's involvement with Whittier Corp and proposing collaborative investigation
Cyrus Anders
Young character attempting to uncover truth about strange occurrences and seeking collaboration
Brinley
Character with unexplained abilities discovered testing underwater breathing capabilities
Angelica Graves
Character referred to as 'the Monarch' directing assignments and operations within the organization
Quotes
"There are kids in this world who are different. Special. One of them found us and became family."
NarratorOpening
"You're talking about a team up? You on the inside, me on the outside?"
JamesMid-episode
"Instead, we work together. You're talking about a team up? You on the inside, me on the outside?"
MonicaMid-episode
"What does Angelica Graves want with the Anders family?"
MagnusLate episode
"I do to your James. I do too."
MonicaMid-episode
Full Transcript
There are kids in this world who are different. Special. One of them found us and became family. But her time ran out. And now that girl is missing. I'm a good man. Don't be. Don't be. You raised me good. Looks like the fire is pretty much out. How survived. I guess it's lucky the firefighter showed up when he did. Yeah. What? No. Just more deja vu, I guess. More like deja of Bruce. Am I right, Brucey? It does seem familiar. Hey there. I'm Captain Waters, Geno Fire Department. You guys should get checked out by the EMTs. Thanks, but I think we're fine. Smoke inhalation can sneak up on you. We'll be okay. Thanks to you and your squad. Yeah. Thank you for saving our house. I wish I could take the credit. But by the time we got here, the flames were already extinguished. How? Not sure. We found what looked like ice crystals around back. Maybe some kind of winter weather system blew in? I didn't notice any weather. How did the fire start anyway? Looks like an electrical meter outside the house got fried. But we're still checking it out. Can we go back inside? Well, I prefer we complete our full inspection. Awesome. Thanks. Hey, come back. But my sister doesn't really listen to instructions. I'll talk to her. Good luck with that. So... Yep. Thanks for helping me rescue Birdie and Bruce, Brinley. We're a regular B squad. And sure. What? Were you doing here anyway? Well, I know it sounds weird, but... I went for a walk after school and I just felt... drawn to your street, your house. I felt like I'd been there before. There was this... flash. A flash of... memory? I don't know. It was something I don't remember happening. But I got distracted and... And... What? And your mom almost hit me with her SUV. So she brought me inside to make sure I wasn't concussed. I'm just cheating. Death left him right tonight. You think that's funny? How twisted are you, Cyrus Anders? No, no, no. That's... that's terrible, but I'm... relieved you're okay. And why are you laughing? Because, well, you were at my house. I was at yours. You saw the cabin? It was... unexpected. Listen, sinus. And your dad. He told me about your mom. I'm... sorry, Brittany. What were you doing there? There was this recording on Sybot. And... Mostly, I was trying to figure out why you and I keep ending up in the same place. And why my robot tells me we're... meant to be together. I see. Do you feel it, too? Brittany? Something... strange... To you? Maybe... Or to something... out of reach? Like the voice. What? The other day, I was at the hospital and I fell asleep and there was this voice. Like... in a dream. It didn't really feel like a dream. Whoever was talking had a British accent. His voice was familiar. But also not. And then I heard it again tonight when I was trapped in the bathroom. You're hearing voices. Not like that. Maybe it all goes back to that anomaly you talked about. Like the world is... wrong somehow. But what does that mean? And what is right? Brittany, your mom is... That is one stubborn sister you got, kid. You have no idea. Um, Captain, is there any way you could give me a ride home? I sent my dad a text, but I haven't heard back. Sure. I'll make you the command vehicle over there. Just got to grab the keys. Thanks. You're leaving? Seems like you guys are good here. Right. So since we both agree something strange is going on, would you be willing to help me figure out what it is? You and me... work together? Yeah. Well, and maybe Casey and my sister too. You know, I'm pretty busy these days with the orchestra and Math Olympiad, National Honor Society, Latin Club, Swim Team, Chess Club, Hero of... I get the idea. You don't want to work with me. I understand. I'll let you know if I figure anything out. Ready, miss? Coming! Have a good night, Cyrus. See you around. See you around, Brittany. What a night, huh? You could say that. You sure it was okay to leave Cyrus and Bertie back at the house? Well, the fire's out. Captain said everything's safe. And we need to talk away from the kids. Walking by the water always helps me clear my head. Me too. Reminds me of that whale-watching trip we took all those years ago. When Bertie fell in the water. And Cyrus saved her. That feels like another lifetime. Yeah. You okay? I don't know. I just got a shiver up my spine. Same. So... Are we going to talk about that rather large young man who showed up at our house tonight? Use some sort of freeze powers to put out the fire and then took off in a helicopter? Or is that pretend it never happened territory? I'm going to assume by your tone that you suspect I know something about him. I mean, the odds are pretty good. He's connected to Woody or Corp. Do you know him, Mom? Not personally. I don't know most of the older kids who may be part of the... program. You mean like our daughter? What are you talking about? Last night I found Bertie in the river outside Whittier Corp Tower. In the river? She was testing to see if she could breathe underwater. What? Spoiler alert? She could. That's... not possible. Isn't that the whole point of Whittier Corp? Making the impossible... possible... Monica, please tell me you didn't experiment on our little girl. What? No, James! I would never do that. Are you saying that she could actually... wait. What were you doing outside Whittier Corp? When I left you, you said you were staying in for the night. Is that really? You were spying on me, weren't you? I'm your assignment. Whittier Corp is my assignment. And what are you trying to uncover? We have reason to believe that whatever your employer is working on could be dangerous. So when you said the monarch was heading to town... James, I can't believe you would... How did we end up like this? Work... time? It's more than that. I can't explain it. It's like something is missing. Like, I have this huge hole in my heart. As if I lost something and I don't even know what it is. I know. I feel the same way. You do? It's work calling. Go ahead. This is Dr. Anders. Dr. Anders, your presence is requested at Whittier Corp Tower. Can I expect your underway? Um, Ivan, may I put you on hold one moment? I just need to check on one thing. Certainly. I muted him. You muted the AI. James, what if we stopped? Stopped what? This... this disconnect between us. Me keeping secrets from you. You spying on me? And instead? Instead, we work together. You're talking about a team up? You on the inside, me on the outside? My research on Gen A serum is all theoretical. Let's find out what Whittier Corp is really up to... together. Maybe then we can figure out what it is we lost. Do you want to do this? What do you say? What do I say? Same thing I said standing before you in a church 20 years ago, wearing a rent to Tuxedo. I do. I do to your James. I do too. Okay. Ivan, you still there? I'm here, not runners. I'll be right there. Home sweet bunker. Sub basement please, Ivan. Welcome back, one for seven CD. Going down. Sub basement, level one. Go! Ivan, can I make a little request? Of course. Can you just call me Casey? It is not Whittier Corp Agent Pro Call, but all right, Casey. Sub basement, level 17, 25, 34. Down, down, down we go. Thirty-seven. Now arriving. Sub basement level, 37. The good old agent training area. Any idea what I'm looking at here for my little screw up? Nor three time maybe? Please step off the elevator and await instructions. Instructions from who? Oh, right. The chip in my head. Awesome. I'm here, little voice. Ready to be reprimanded. One for seven CD. Please report to the agent to be brief in room. Sounds fun. Hola! One for seven CD. Hello reporting. Magnus? Hello again. One for seven CD. How did you get back here before I did? Did you? Without the fire you started? Sure did. I cleaned up your mess like I always do. Thank you. I knew it was too soon to send you out on a mission like this. The monarch gave me an assignment to get information. And she instructed me to keep Brinley Pasturnack in that house. I would never want to hurt Cyrus or his family. I wouldn't blame you if you did. I don't even get what this is about. Like, what does Angelica Graves want with the Anders family? Not our place to ask questions. We have a job to do. And thanks to your harmless little accident, you have a long night of training headed your way. Start warming up. Ugh. Thanks for tucking me in, daddy. It was a long day. So tired. I'm just glad your home safe, Brinley. Oh, I love you, baby. Love you too. Almost dying? Really wipes you out. Brinley? Brinley? Brinley? Brinley? Brinley, can you hear me? It's me. How are they? I'm in nowhere. You have to leave the hair forever. Remember, Brinley. Please, remember. I remember. Holiday. Huh? What? Hmm. Brinley, what's going on? Cyrus, I've decided I'll work with you. Just tell me where we start and know funny business. It's a deal. Listen, does the word holiday mean anything to you? Okay, take that cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering cheering Monica. Want to get a t-shirt of your favorite GZM show? Go to GZMshows.com slash shop. That's GZMshows.com slash shop. Hey, now that you've listened to this week's episode, head on over to the GZM rewind feed to hear me and the creators talk with special guests, including cast members and super fans. Shh, it's Sunny. GZMshows. Imagination. Emplified. Grab the maltese's because that's the ping-ping-ping of Emma's work friends wetting themselves. Instead of inquiring about this year's annual bonus, auto-correct has done her dirty and asked everyone in her company who's getting an annual raise of a different kind. Shuff some more maltese's in because now we're debating whether that's worse or better than the time Sara's auto-correct hold her boss. I'll be there short-lose. Oh great. Emma's one. Maltese's and look on the light side.