Chapter 11: Take Back The Falls

hear about it first. That's right. The reopening of the Montague Hotel brought way too many negative vibes of it, but we thought could it just be us? So we brought in a local expert from Spiritual Haven to confirm our hunt. Denise, you did some of your most powerful um spells m H. Scrying rituals. Crying rituals on the Monty and what did they tell you? It's haunted and driving this town crazy. If the mayor was smart, he to order it burnt down and then salt the earth. Well,

the mayor does not have the power to do that. Okay, before we get the kerosine out, we have some figure better plans right, Max, Yes, Yes, and with a hundred percent less Arson, we have teamed up with the Montague to throw the biggest positivity party this town has ever seen. We are going to dispel all that darkness with light like these glow necklaces, free for all attendees. That's right, and we're announcing it right here, right now, this Saturday night at the Monty. We are going to take back

the Falls. Take back the Falls who come ready to play and dressed to sleigh because we're going to have three DJs photo booth to throw back to the Montese origins, free tarot readings courtesy of Denise, and so much more. But it's also a fully immersive collective energy cleansing experience and a fundraiser for mental health. It's gonna be lit, there will be singing, there will be dancing, and most importantly,

there will be grieving. Think of it as a week for our dark and sinister past, but a fun week with prizes and an exorcism. Come laugh and cry with me, your host, Ella high Smith, Max, and a who's who of Hollow Falls Ians this Saturday, Let's take back the Fall. While my friends were busy not talking to me. They were also busy putting their time to good use helping

the town. I had myself convinced that I was the only one doing something important in light of the supposed music box killer, but now it felt like I was treading water while they were making a difference. I hadn't felt this alone since the first day I set foot in the talent office. I'm tig Torres and this is lethal lit. Three weeks had passed since the murder of Stephanie Reid, the latest victim of hollow Fall's newest serial killer, and I was beginning to question whether the music box

killer was just a figment of my imagination. With no new deaths and no new evidence, was that just chasing a ghost was the matching m o at both crime scenes strychnine poisoning and a hollow Fall centennial music box just a coincidence played up by the media and murder tourism industry to focus more morbid attention on our already hurting town. I've been thinking about Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde again, how we all have two sides to our personalities. There's the part we want the world to see, and

there's the part we keep to ourselves. As I grow up, I find that I'm really two people. There's the person I hope I'm becoming, and then there's the person I'm secretly afraid I might be becoming. Play that back again at okay, Jane, here we go, and what was your mother Stephanie's relationship with Brock Montecue. He was her boss, I guess, but she was really in charge of the students. I I got the impression that Brock just showed up for fundraising or really whenever he smelled money. And did

she resent that? Not that she told me. I mean, she wasn't a fan, but he pretty much stayed out of her way. Was that the full extent of their relationship as far as I know, I think harder? What are you getting at? Did their relationship extend outside the school? Do you need me to spell it out? Were they romantically involved with each other? Were they colleagues with benefit? I wasn't living in Hollow Falls at the time. I didn't resume that relationship when Brock rolled into town. I

don't know. Two people targeted by the same killer and then that's it. That usually means one thing. A jilted lover out for revenge. When did your mother and father divorce? You're not saying my dad is involved? Are you answer the question? Turning the screws? Nice? Torres? Is that what I really sound? Figured after season one you'd be used to the sound of your own voice on tape, not

that I mean, I sound like a monster. You've literally faced down multiple mad men trying to carve you two bits, and you're bulking at a little aggressive questioning if she had known, she would have broken right there, and suddenly you know exactly who did it. I'm not saying you should go around damaging next of kin's feelings if you don't have to. But their momentary sadness or anger is nothing, I repeat, nothing compared to how thankful they'll be if

you catch the person who murdered their loved ones. I guess you're right, that's him. Yes, check the connection? Secure, all hooked up? All right? I am rolling? Go ahead? Okay, Hey, hey Ali, it's been a few weeks. I thought I might have scared you. Offer something. You scared me. I've been expecting you to say the exact opposite since the first time I called you, so that's not so bad to hear. I guess that does sound a little backwards. I just haven't heard from you in a while. I

know I got to take care of some things. It's not Oh it's not easy living this way. Did you change your mind about No? No, no, definitely not. I want to see you so badly, to take your hand in mind, to look into your eyes, to feel you looking back into mine. Ali. It's just well, not exactly easy to come back to Hollow Falls. I'm a one in man and it's the one place where everyone knows my face. But I figured it out. Really, how take

back the falls? What Ella's party? No? No, no, that's there will be all kinds of people, and uh, why don't I just come to you? That would be so much easier, Right, tell me where you are. I can't do that. Take. I know it's not easy, but this is the only way it'll work. I have to see you, Ali, trust me, I'll see you there, Ali, Ali, Ali, fu Take what are you mad about? I got it all recorded. I can't believe this. You got him to come out of hiding. Do you have any idea how amazing this

is going to be? For your show? Jane? I my show. I need to go take weight. This is a good thing. We're here for foundation selling tickets for take Back the Falls right here. They're running out, so get them soon. Thanks Bobby. Okay, got you down for two. Who's next? All right? I got updates, good ones, I hope. Well, we've secured six contestants for the midnight drag Ball, and all I had to promise was camped passes and a fifty dollar gift card to cold Stone for the winner.

Nicely done. Also, Ella got Brett from a v to get his crew on the cameras for the whole night, including extra footage for the teen Foundation. TikTok feed. But but what he has a praise? Ella? He wants a pair of your socks. It was not washed. Come, I'm fine. And then he's gross And if he tells anyone, I will end him the sacrifices I make. So any tickets left, Tig. Later, something suddenly killed the mood around here. When wait, she

told us what happened. Really, she's pretty hurt, Tig. She won't return any of my texts, she blocked me on social and and I know her class schedule, so I don't know how she keeps avoiding me in the halls. Um, we've been giving her TIGG alerts so she can make sure you don't cross paths in between periods. Sorry, listen, tig all right. I've known when a lot longer than

you have, and she's loyal as hell. But once you break her trust, she will you make her feel disposable, like like you keep her around in case you want to dabble on a whim, and then a second later you'll be back off to New York or you know, on some big podcast tour or something, and you'll never give her another glance. I didn't mean to I wouldn't do that to her. I'm just really confused about me,

my life at freething. I have something really important to tell you both about the party, and I don't know what to do. You know what, I actually have something to get off my chest when I ella you might want to get this for your channel still rolling when come on, it's not worth disagree. Take you know what, This whole place was right about you when you showed up here last year. Everyone saw you come here, oh New York, blah blah blah, and they could see the

stick up your butt from a mile away. And I thought, I thought they were all just being lame, so I gave you a chance. But it turns out they were right and I was the idiot. When please, can we just go somewhere and talk somewhere with no phones, no recorders, just us, Okay, what hey? Hey, anybody here want to know a secret? Take Taures over here is still talking to Ali. Yeah that's right, you guys remember him, Ali Price?

Yeah that's right, you heard me. Tig Torres podcast jerk wad is still talking to the guy that tried to murder her last year. Yeah, behind the backs of the people who showed up to save her stupid life when he wanted to throw her in front of an oncoming train. You forget that, tig What was it? Anna? Karenina? Well, enjoy getting killed. I bet it'll be way more fun than hanging out with the rest of us when maybe not the best advertisement for our positivity party, No, but

I'm saving it for our tenure reunion. It's going to be so funny by then, I hope. Stop second guessing yourself. You're doing the right thing, doing your job as a journalist. Then why do I feel like I'm just exploiting everyone? You're putting a human face on the tragedies of a town. The audience deserves to see the whole story more than Ali or Stephanie's daughter deserve what anonymity to avoid facing reality. Grow up, Tig, and tell the story you mean, tell

the story you want to tell. There's only one story. If you show up at a fire, it's your job to get an interview with someone who just came out of that burning building, whether the rest of their family came out or not, because whoever gets that interview gets the ratings. The public wants to see the realist, raw story they can get, and you either cowboy up and give it to them, or you're in the wrong business. That that is that what you think your job is

to be that cynical about everything. That's just being an adult, Tig. Spend two seconds out of your little high school bubble, and you'll realize that what you call cynical is simply reality for everyone else. That makes me really uncomfortable. Listen to me. Take You are sitting on the story of the American underbelly. You are surrounded by the cultural and economic forces that lead a person to murder. You can deliver firsthand reporting of what makes Ali Price feel like killing?

Will you help me tell that story? Take or would you feel more comfortable back at the school newspaper? Hey Lee, the listeners stay tuned more Ley the Lid is up next, but first a quick word from our sponsor, Hey Lee, the listeners take Torres here. There's always more to the mystery, and I could use your help getting to the bottom of it. Join us on Instagram and TikTok at. I

am tig Torres for more clues and inside info. M Hi everyone, I'm Ella high Smith and I want to welcome you all to the Montague Hotel and the Take Back the Fulls Dance. I just wanted to say a few words to all my fans out there. Thank you. As you know, we're raising awareness tonight for mental health. Did you know that one in five teenagers is affected by a mental health issue? One in five, and here

in Hollow Falls that number is way higher. We've been through a lot together in the Falls, and we put on a brave face. But acting strong isn't always the same as being strong. It isn't always obvious when someone is suffering from a mental health issue. Look around this room right now, Come on, guys, look around one in five people. Some of us are suffering and staying quiet about it. Well, tonight is about letting our real selves be seen. Counselors are on hand if you want to talk.

We are stronger together together, there's no reason to be afraid. And I want to remind everyone about hashtag falls strong. If there's something you want to say or if you need support, use hashtag falls strong. All right, let's dance. That was amazing, Ella MIXI incoming six o'clock. Bet, what is it? Walter? We need to get up in the lobby bedroom now, Walter, I told you I'm here tonight as the event organizer, not as an employee the Monty. And do you remember what you said when I told

you you gonna get that? Do you remember you said? Good? That means I don't have to pay you. Wait a second, you listen to me and I am paying him? So yeah, so you're a thim ice wineman. Yeaikes, I think he's going to fire you. Please. I'm the only person here who can tie a bow tie. They have to call me in on my off days if someone's comes undone. Oh, very nice speech, eyes said, You know you and I should talk about a collaboration sometimes, Harris, you look awful.

Are you drunk? We have volunteer d ds waiting out front? Come on, Max, let's get out of here or you have all the keys right, shouldn't we go find an empty room? Sorry, Harris, I told you I had to stay through breakdown for this and that. Come on, Harris, you've had enough, not even close you know what, Harris, I am over this. I don't care how many abs you have. I do not need to be constantly drunk sitting someone older than me. Thank you Ella for your

message about taking care of our own mental health. Yeah, I'm starting here. See you later, boy. Oh back, Yes, Max, that was incredible. See that eleenators. We are taking back the falls already. Alright, everybody, We're gonna slow it down a little now. I had to give Ella credit. She put together something really amazing. People were dancing, singing, crying, holding each other, even when was moved to document Hollow Falls history in the making. Hey, does anyone want to

say something? For the talent we are Everyone was letting their real faces be seen, and so was I. High wind. Oh, I'm covering everything for the talent. Don't really need your help. Okay, I wore a dress. Can you believe it? Last time you dared me, I chickened out. So I owed you one great So are you trying to give a quote for the paper or something? Otherwise? I got stuff to do. When I owe you the hugest, hugest apology ever. I'm

so sorry. I never meant to make you feel like that, like what like Like you weren't the most important person in the world to me because you are, and I acted like the only person I really cared about was myself and you didn't deserve that. Huh. Um, Hey, when we need your help at coach check in case you need a thinly bailed excuse out of this conversation. No, Max, it's cool. I have a job to do for the talent tonight and I'm just getting some footage of the

attendees now for the paper. How do you spell your name? Miss? When come on see the battle tig Live to fight another day? Well, um, in light of you know, me being honest with my friends, I have something really important to tell you both about tonight and you might not like it. Hang on, what is it now, Walter? Walter? What do you want? I hate him so much. It makes my soul. Walter, I can't hear you, Walter, what's happening? Where are you? Don't answer a tig? Are you talking about?

Definitely answer a tig. What if Ali is with Walter? Answer? It look amazing? He's here? Made me downstairs? Day Ali, Ali? Walter, Walter, come in, Walter, hanging there. We're coming to get you. Where is he? I have no idea. I just said that to keep him calling. He could be their static, you said once the radio has incredible range. When do you hear static? Oh you're not gonna like it. Where the basement? Oh great, great, okay, looks like we're doing this.

Follow me, nake a path? Official hotel business? What's the hurry? Party? People? Ella, don't freak anyone out? But can you call? We need an ambulance? Oh my god? Is it? We think so? And after you call, go on stage and keep the crowd busy. Last thing we need is everyone freaking out. Go now, I'll grab Denise and start a group meditation or something. Go tig Win, Wait up, you two don't know where you're going. Let me lead. Where's the elevator? Too? Slow?

Stairs are over here? This place? Even with all the lights on. It still freaks me the hell out. I feel like an idiot. There was a music box on his desk. It showed up this afternoon. I just I thought it was Harris that he that he left one when he was meeting with Walter to talk about the gift shop down here under the arches. Oh, this place is straight out of my nightmares. I imagine waking up down here after being kidnapped by a serial killer. Which

door he could be behind? Any one of them? They're all a part of the creepy tore The Brock wanted a poker room from the speak Easy days down here so no one could hear what they do to the guys who couldn't pay up, A padded cell where they would keep the non compliant girls in the reform school era messed up. That one is James's Montague's secret Max, Why did you stop? Do you hear that? Over there? The school records room? We never got around to cleaning it out. We have to go in. I don't like

this feels like a trap. We don't have a choice if Walter's already ingested the strick nine. But what if all he's in there? We're just walking right into his trap. He needs help now. I'm going in, Walter. He's still conscious, barely. Where's the song coming from? It's there on the floor in the corner. The killer was just here, or it wouldn't still be playing, Walter. We're going to get you. Help pick him up. We need to get him upstairs

to meet the ambulance. On it. I got his arms, I got his legs, Walter, stay with us, help us coming. Take come on, take what happened? Take the door, flo But I'm fine. Go save Walter. Mask can come and lock me later on. So lure me in, trap me down here? But did you have to poison Walter to do it? Was this your plan the whole time? All

it wasn't me? I swear iron Horn's Epic Productions and I Heart Radio present Lethal lit A tig Torres Mystery Season two, created an executive produced by Heather Ironhrn and Adam Staffaroni. Created by Alexagura and Monica Gala Her executive produced by iHeart Radio head writer Melanie Hoops, writers Louis Cornfeld,

Jasmine al Shammi, and Adam Staffaroni. Directed by Critzia Bajos with performances by Rebecca Solair as Tick Torus, Shelley Shnoy as Win, Matt Gumley as Max, Luke Slattery as Ali, rachel Orem Land as Ella, with Critzia Bajos and j B. Blanc.

Special guest Chuck Bryant as Brock Montague. Additional voices Paul Gayat Caleb Jen, Stacy Moseley, Alba Ponza de Leone, Stephanie Shea, Christian Ochoa, Louis Cornfeld, and Megan Gray Post sound in music by Chapter Four, Sound supervision and sound design by Sarah Gibelaska, Music by Corene Dueti, Produced by a Rupe

Santa Kaila and Bo young Blood. Development Executive Greg Lock, Art production coordinator and script supervisor Laura Martin Operations Laura Kaufman Marketing and Public A City Jesse Post Digital Marketing Jennifer Gennaro. Creative direction and designed by Ryan McCann. Key art illustrated by Rebecca Mock. Promotional art illustrated by Breen Newman. Special thank you to the Shadow Unicorn head to Lethal Lit podcast dot com to share theories, discover new evidence,

and follow case updates. Iron Horn's epic productions and I Heart Radio Present Lethal lit A tag Torre's mystery