[SPEAKER_00]: You are listening to kicking the bucket a fiction podcast. [SPEAKER_00]: This is not a true story, but it might feel like one. [SPEAKER_00]: Blending drama and comedy, truth and absurdity, this immersive audio journey invites you to find your favorite chair for a cup of something warm and settle in. [SPEAKER_00]: Because here, the end is just the beginning. [SPEAKER_00]: And now, as a reminder, this final act is choose your own ending.
[SPEAKER_00]: If you want Dolores and Howard to go out on their terms, needing no permission, making no apologies, keep listening. [SPEAKER_00]: This is episode eight a, rounded with a sleet. [SPEAKER_00]: But if you're hoping Dolores and Harold will find a way to share their truth, to open up, speak their hearts, and invite their children to understand and support them. [SPEAKER_00]: Insert tape A, side B, or go to episode eight B, Brave New World.
[SPEAKER_06]: Live, I'll keep these past nice and clear. [SPEAKER_06]: Makes it easy for the wheelchair. [SPEAKER_06]: Right, mom? [SPEAKER_05]: The gardens are beautiful today, aren't they Dolores? [SPEAKER_05]: Hey, thank you here, any of us. [SPEAKER_05]: You're reaching her Tika on some level. [SPEAKER_05]: I'm sure of it. [SPEAKER_05]: Oh, good girl festy. [SPEAKER_06]: You're like your new dog collard, don't you? [SPEAKER_06]: And probably shouldn't stay out too long.
[SPEAKER_06]: It is fitting if you today. [SPEAKER_05]: Yeah. [SPEAKER_05]: Dolores feels okay right now, but we don't want her to get chilled. [SPEAKER_05]: Howard is doing well, Dolores. [SPEAKER_06]: He has very little pain. [SPEAKER_06]: They have a non-strong pain killers. [SPEAKER_06]: They're making him as comfortable as possible. [SPEAKER_05]: Although last time we were here, he asked us to flush his food down the toilets. [SPEAKER_06]: I think he's ready to go.
[SPEAKER_06]: Oops, mom, your hand fell. [SPEAKER_06]: Let's put it back in your lap. [SPEAKER_06]: Bestie, are you giving her kisses? [SPEAKER_06]: She doesn't like kisses, remember? [SPEAKER_06]: Ew, stop looking! [SPEAKER_06]: I hate licks. [SPEAKER_06]: You such a girl. [SPEAKER_06]: She can't pet you, but on some level she's since your head right there in her lap. [SPEAKER_06]: I'm sure of it. [SPEAKER_06]: Good girl. [SPEAKER_01]: Good morning to me. [SPEAKER_01]: Good morning, Carpella.
[SPEAKER_01]: And how are you today, Mr. Laura? [SPEAKER_01]: Today is your two-month anniversary, isn't it? [SPEAKER_01]: It is. [SPEAKER_01]: Mom and how have you been here for two months? [SPEAKER_01]: Well, we love having you in life, hope living. [SPEAKER_01]: I'm sorry about the other day to me. [SPEAKER_01]: What happened the other day? [SPEAKER_01]: I told Mr. Loris that she was lucky to have a daughter like Tamika who comes to visit her all the time.
[SPEAKER_06]: And Mom looked right at me and said, well, she's somebody's daughter but not mine. [SPEAKER_01]: Our attention is always on the patient, but you need to take care of yourself too. [SPEAKER_01]: I'm glad you have each other. [SPEAKER_01]: You three have a wonderful morning. [SPEAKER_01]: I'll see you later, Mr. Lawrence. [SPEAKER_06]: Tika, I know. [SPEAKER_06]: She never wanted to be like this. [SPEAKER_06]: Come here. [SPEAKER_07]: You know, uh, it's just like we talked about.
[SPEAKER_07]: Yeah, I like this is like... This is how it's gonna be. [SPEAKER_07]: You know, I know. [SPEAKER_07]: You know, you're being so strong. [SPEAKER_06]: Okay, okay. [UNKNOWN]: Yeah. [SPEAKER_06]: Are you sure? [UNKNOWN]: Yeah. [SPEAKER_06]: I'm okay. [SPEAKER_06]: Let's just finish our walk. [SPEAKER_06]: Okay. [SPEAKER_07]: Well, wait. [SPEAKER_07]: Where's Festy? [SPEAKER_07]: Festy? [SPEAKER_04]: Where'd she go? [SPEAKER_04]: Here, Festie! [SPEAKER_04]: Festie, where are you?
[SPEAKER_04]: Festie! [SPEAKER_04]: Festie! [SPEAKER_01]: Evening with Dolores, time to get ready for bed. [SPEAKER_01]: I've got your sleeping medicine right here, and I'll get your bed set up so we can get you tucked in. [SPEAKER_01]: I know how much you love Shakespeare since you are Shakespeare professor. [SPEAKER_01]: Well, guess what? [SPEAKER_01]: My niece was cast in a Shakespeare play. [SPEAKER_01]: She will not stop saying her lines. [SPEAKER_01]: I think it's called the tempest.
[SPEAKER_01]: We are such stuff as dreams of made-on. [SPEAKER_01]: We are such stuff. [SPEAKER_01]: Those dreams are made-on over and over. [SPEAKER_01]: Does it make much sense to me? [SPEAKER_01]: Now, I'm never icing the lights. [SPEAKER_01]: There. [SPEAKER_01]: Your bed is ready. [SPEAKER_01]: Let's get to your medicine. [SPEAKER_01]: Or... Or such. [SPEAKER_11]: What's that, Mr. Or? [SPEAKER_11]: We are... Such as... [SPEAKER_11]: as dreams are made on.
[SPEAKER_11]: Mr. Lorsley are such stuff as dreams are made on and our little life is routed with a sleep. [SPEAKER_01]: Are you reciting Shakespeare? [SPEAKER_11]: Sir. [SPEAKER_11]: Sir, I am vexed. [SPEAKER_11]: Bear with eyewitness, my reign is troubled. [SPEAKER_11]: Be not disturbed with my infirmity. [SPEAKER_11]: If you be pleased, retire into my cell and their repose. [SPEAKER_11]: A turn or two out walk, to still my beating mind. [SPEAKER_01]: Wonderful.
[SPEAKER_01]: Do you remember any more? [SPEAKER_11]: Where am I? [SPEAKER_01]: You are at live opening. [SPEAKER_01]: You need some extra attention now, and we're helping you. [SPEAKER_11]: I am supposed to do something. [SPEAKER_01]: Yes, you're supposed to be getting ready for bed. [SPEAKER_01]: You want to try taking these pills yourself tonight? [SPEAKER_01]: I get your water. [SPEAKER_11]: I am supposed to do something with these pills.
[SPEAKER_11]: What am I supposed to do with these pills? [SPEAKER_01]: Save them. [SPEAKER_01]: Here's your water, Mr. Loris. [SPEAKER_01]: There you go. [SPEAKER_01]: What's that in your pocket, Mr. Morris? [SPEAKER_11]: My pocket? [SPEAKER_11]: A note? [SPEAKER_01]: Oh. [SPEAKER_01]: It is one of your notes. [SPEAKER_01]: You have these notes all over. [SPEAKER_01]: What does this one say? [SPEAKER_01]: The ones. [SPEAKER_01]: The ones. [SPEAKER_01]: What does that mean? [SPEAKER_01]: Howard.
[SPEAKER_01]: He's still with this, Mr. Morris. [SPEAKER_01]: He's in the nursing care unit. [SPEAKER_01]: He's on hospice care now. [SPEAKER_01]: See him? [SPEAKER_01]: Yes, of course. [SPEAKER_01]: We'll take you over first thing tomorrow. [SPEAKER_01]: He's really close by. [SPEAKER_01]: Just across the lobby. [SPEAKER_01]: How about you get a good night's sleep, and we'll take you over in the morning, okay? [SPEAKER_01]: Firstly, let's get your dressing gown off and get you into bed.
[SPEAKER_01]: Come on, you can do it. [SPEAKER_01]: You can recite Shakespeare. [SPEAKER_01]: We won't be doing it too. [SPEAKER_01]: Let's write one arm. [SPEAKER_01]: And then the other arm. [SPEAKER_01]: Okay. [SPEAKER_01]: And then we're gonna get up. [SPEAKER_01]: Yes. [SPEAKER_01]: You need to go to sleep. [SPEAKER_01]: Careful. [SPEAKER_01]: Down. [SPEAKER_01]: There we go. [SPEAKER_01]: One leg. [SPEAKER_01]: Then the other leg. [SPEAKER_01]: The medicine will start working very soon.
[SPEAKER_01]: So lay down, relax. [SPEAKER_01]: Good night, Mr. Morris. [SPEAKER_01]: Are you good? [SPEAKER_01]: Is everything alright? [SPEAKER_01]: Sleep well. [SPEAKER_01]: I'm a little life is rounded with a sleeve. [SPEAKER_01]: I can't believe you remembered that. [SPEAKER_11]: It's Howard. [SPEAKER_11]: I have to do something with Howard. [SPEAKER_11]: I need light. [SPEAKER_11]: Somebody's sticky notes, huh? [SPEAKER_11]: Your name is Dolores. [SPEAKER_11]: Well, I knew that.
[SPEAKER_11]: Okay, where? [SPEAKER_11]: Where's she put my dress again? [SPEAKER_11]: Uh-huh. [SPEAKER_11]: Photos? [SPEAKER_11]: They're all label, it's Tamika. [SPEAKER_11]: My beautiful Tamika, and what does this say? [SPEAKER_11]: Gabri L. Gabriella, yes. [SPEAKER_11]: Tamika and her Gabriella, yes. [SPEAKER_11]: Jared and Sonia, and Howard. [SPEAKER_11]: The note. [SPEAKER_11]: Why so many notes?
[SPEAKER_11]: Howard is in room one oh seven Howard is in room one oh seven I better hold on to this one there's another one in here oh yes the woods [SPEAKER_11]: What about the woods? [SPEAKER_11]: The woods, the woods, the woods, the woods, the woods, the woods, the... Take me out into the woods. [SPEAKER_11]: I've got to get Howard from room one-on-seven and take him out to the woods. [SPEAKER_11]: Okay. [SPEAKER_11]: I can do this.
[SPEAKER_11]: As King Henry, the fifth would say, once more into the breach, dear friends, once more. [SPEAKER_01]: Okay, even if it's not that close. [SPEAKER_11]: Okay, across the lobby, nursing home unit, room one o seven. [SPEAKER_11]: Across the lobby, nursing home unit, room one o seven. [SPEAKER_11]: Across the lobby, nursing home unit, room one o seven. [SPEAKER_11]: Across the lobby, nursing home unit. [SPEAKER_11]: Room one, oh seven. [SPEAKER_11]: Room one, oh seven.
[SPEAKER_11]: the lobby, nursing care unit. [SPEAKER_11]: It's over there. [SPEAKER_11]: It wrote one, all of them. [SPEAKER_11]: Okay. [SPEAKER_11]: They didn't see me. [SPEAKER_11]: Okay, okay. [SPEAKER_11]: How are you, everyone, seven? [SPEAKER_11]: I just have to open the door and walk in to rule one of seven.
[SPEAKER_02]: No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no [SPEAKER_11]: Excellent. [SPEAKER_11]: I hope good luck lies in odd numbers. [SPEAKER_11]: Merry wives. [SPEAKER_11]: Remotos in it. [SPEAKER_11]: No. [SPEAKER_11]: Wait. [SPEAKER_11]: I need one of those wheelchairs. [SPEAKER_11]: What is this? [SPEAKER_11]: What a one, what a three, one. [SPEAKER_11]: Oh five.
[SPEAKER_11]: Here. [SPEAKER_11]: What a seven. [SPEAKER_11]: So dark. [UNKNOWN]: Howard. [SPEAKER_09]: Howard. [SPEAKER_09]: Oh, D. You're here. [SPEAKER_11]: Yes. [SPEAKER_11]: Howard, we're breaking out. [SPEAKER_11]: Oh. [SPEAKER_11]: Let me get this wheelchair lined up. [SPEAKER_11]: Okay. [SPEAKER_11]: Oh, shoot.
[SPEAKER_11]: these cables I don't know what I don't know what to do with all of these cables I don't know what to do with all of these cables I don't know what to do with all of these cables I don't know what to do with all of these cables I don't know what to do with all of these cables I don't know what to do with all of these cables I don't know what to do with all of these cables [SPEAKER_11]: Let me help you. [SPEAKER_02]: Hey, it's the pizza here.
[SPEAKER_02]: Oh, no. [SPEAKER_02]: No, my dog. [SPEAKER_02]: No, my dog. [SPEAKER_02]: No, my dog is back on Tuesdays for therapy. [SPEAKER_02]: Really? [SPEAKER_02]: A stray? [SPEAKER_02]: There's a stray up front? [SPEAKER_02]: Okay, I gotta see this, but I have to be quick. [SPEAKER_11]: There's an exit door down here. [SPEAKER_11]: What? [SPEAKER_11]: What is it? [SPEAKER_09]: You have to push the red button on the wall first. [SPEAKER_11]: I'm sorry. [SPEAKER_11]: Howard?
[SPEAKER_11]: I'm having trouble seeing it. [SPEAKER_11]: Lining it up, I can't. [SPEAKER_09]: We're here. [SPEAKER_09]: I can't get in. [SPEAKER_09]: Let's go. [SPEAKER_09]: Go? [SPEAKER_09]: Stay with me. [SPEAKER_09]: I need you to lean against the bar. [SPEAKER_09]: Okay. [SPEAKER_09]: What's that? [SPEAKER_09]: How are you? [SPEAKER_09]: D. We have to go to the woods. [SPEAKER_11]: Yes. [SPEAKER_11]: To the woods. [SPEAKER_09]: Or get a parking lot. [SPEAKER_09]: And then the sidewalk.
[SPEAKER_09]: And then the woods. [SPEAKER_10]: Who would leave their car running? [SPEAKER_09]: And with the doors open, what are people feeding? [SPEAKER_09]: Oh, oh, it's that herb or each driver over there. [SPEAKER_09]: Much want to make a quick drop off. [SPEAKER_09]: Anyone could stay with. [SPEAKER_09]: Is that the end of the car quick? [SPEAKER_09]: Let me drive. [SPEAKER_11]: But it's dark your eyes. [SPEAKER_09]: You don't be fine. [SPEAKER_09]: Let's go.
[SPEAKER_09]: Okay. [SPEAKER_09]: Just leave the wheelchair, get in. [SPEAKER_11]: It is. [SPEAKER_11]: Well, run festie. [SPEAKER_11]: Oh, girl. [SPEAKER_11]: Come on. [SPEAKER_11]: Come on. [SPEAKER_11]: Come on. [SPEAKER_11]: You hit the wheelchair. [SPEAKER_11]: Oh! [SPEAKER_11]: Oh! [SPEAKER_11]: Curm! [SPEAKER_11]: What way? [SPEAKER_08]: Where to, dear? [SPEAKER_09]: They're after us. [SPEAKER_11]: Hold on, D. Where are we? [SPEAKER_09]: We're on Caesar's Chavez.
[SPEAKER_11]: Oh my god, it's so loud. [SPEAKER_09]: They're trying to block me. [SPEAKER_09]: I'm turning left. [SPEAKER_09]: Hold on. [SPEAKER_11]: Oh, that's the wrong side of the road. [SPEAKER_09]: I know. [SPEAKER_09]: I know. [SPEAKER_09]: It's the Congress Avenue Bridge. [SPEAKER_09]: Oh, no. [SPEAKER_09]: If we could just get to the other side. [SPEAKER_09]: Stop. [SPEAKER_11]: Howard, stop. [SPEAKER_11]: They're coming from the other direction too.
[SPEAKER_09]: You're going to hit them. [SPEAKER_09]: Oh, oh, oh. [SPEAKER_09]: Well, it was a good try, dee. [SPEAKER_09]: My hands are up. [SPEAKER_09]: I'm unarmed. [SPEAKER_09]: I've got all these against everything. [SPEAKER_11]: I've got you. [SPEAKER_11]: I've got you. [SPEAKER_11]: Just like it looks someone nice. [SPEAKER_11]: The course of true love never did runs through. [SPEAKER_11]: You always hated that one. [SPEAKER_11]: Hey, there's a strong word.
[SPEAKER_11]: I found this in my pocket. [SPEAKER_11]: What, pills? [SPEAKER_11]: My sleeping pills. [SPEAKER_11]: I've been saving up. [SPEAKER_11]: I didn't come back our stomach. [SPEAKER_11]: Not if they can't find us any time. [SPEAKER_11]: You mean job? [SPEAKER_09]: Yes. [SPEAKER_09]: Okay. [SPEAKER_11]: Pills first. [SPEAKER_09]: Give me a hand. [SPEAKER_04]: Wait, what are you doing? [SPEAKER_09]: Tying us together, so we won't be separated. [SPEAKER_11]: Together.
[SPEAKER_11]: Together. [SPEAKER_11]: Three, two, one. [SPEAKER_11]: Go. [SPEAKER_03]: Oh, my God. [SPEAKER_03]: Can we pull the big spotlight, please? [SPEAKER_03]: The big spotlight in the back, in the trunk. [SPEAKER_08]: All right. [SPEAKER_00]: You have been listening to kicking the bucket a fiction podcast. [SPEAKER_00]: For more information about hosting your own podcast listening club, sign up for our mailing list at improvadarts.org slash kicking the bucket podcast.
[SPEAKER_00]: That's IMPROVEDARTS.org. [SPEAKER_00]: Ford slash kicking the bucket podcast. [SPEAKER_00]: Do you have a similar story to Dolores and Howard's? [SPEAKER_00]: Are you a caregiver with personal experience? [SPEAKER_00]: We'd love to hear from you. [SPEAKER_00]: Keep the conversation going in the comment section via email or on our social platforms. [SPEAKER_00]: We hope you enjoy the experience.
[SPEAKER_00]: If you'd like to help others discover this podcast, please leave us a review and remember to like, subscribe, and share. [SPEAKER_00]: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at kicking the bucket podcast and watch our live stream conversations on our YouTube channel at kicking the bucket podcast. [SPEAKER_00]: This podcast was recorded with a full cast, Mimi Strom and Richard Gardner as Dolores in Howard.
[SPEAKER_00]: Also featuring Kendra L. Franklin, Michael Treho, Kelly Bland, Keato McCarty, Ivy Lee, Dana Wing Low, Vivian Glasier, Cynthia Preston, Henshankandi. [SPEAKER_00]: Written produced and directed by Andi Kinsey, [SPEAKER_00]: produced and casting by Dana Wing Low. [SPEAKER_00]: Dialogue editing, sound design, mixing, and mastering of Arisa Ewing and Melissa Ponds of Hemlock Creek Productions. [SPEAKER_00]: Marketing Manager Kiyota McCarty.
[SPEAKER_00]: podcast club producer, Chloe Carcamo, and studio recordings captured at North Shore Media Productions in Austin, Texas. [SPEAKER_00]: Sound engineer, Kevin Chin. [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you for listening to kicking the bucket. [SPEAKER_00]: If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of self-harmor suicide, help us available. [SPEAKER_00]: In the United States, coal or text, nine, eight, eight for the suicide and crisis lifeline.
[SPEAKER_00]: For International Support, visit findahhelpline.com to connect with free crisis services in your country. [SPEAKER_03]: This project is supported in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department. [SPEAKER_03]: Improved Arts is a sponsored project of Austin Creative Alliance.