[Greek Music] [Water flowing] Ominous whisper Stygian Catalyst [Something plunges into water]
This episode contains graphic descriptions of bodily harm, murder, discussions of mental health in a criminal setting, loud noises, state-sanctioned execution, gore sound effects, murdered pets, mutilation, intentional poor microphone technique
[Chair rolls, recorder clicks on]
Officer Roy Austin This is Officer Roy Austin, interrogating suspect #1. The time is 11:45 AM, August 11th, 2022. Suspect in questioning is Brooke Marshall. You have the right to an attorney,which you've denied. I need a verbal confirmation that you have not requested one. Brooke Marshall Yes, um, hi. I do not need an attorney. Officer Roy Austin Thank you, miss. Could you tell me a little bit about yourself? Brooke Marshall Oh! Yes of course.
[Leans in on mic]
Brooke Marshall My name is Brooke Marshall. I- Officer Roy Austin You can lean back into the chair, miss. The mic will pick up the sound well enough. Brooke Marshall What about the sound quality? You won't be able to hear me properly Officer Roy Austin *Sighs* Brooke Marshall Okay, okay, fine. Whatever. Your loss. I'm 26 years old and I'm currently working on a podcast. Well, actually it's more of an audio
drama. I recently got laid off from my work as a cashier, but it's okay. This audio drama will keep me afloat once it's done. Officer Roy Austin Mhm. Brooke Marshall So, this podcast is basically about this guy, right? You know how the queer community is a really targeted group? Well in my podcast, the protagonist is killing the queerphobic,
transphobic... You name it. We as a community are taking back the turf. As a, what I assume is, a cishet person, you'll might feel targeted but in reality- Officer Roy Austin I didn't ask for a play-by-play, miss. I'd like to know more about you. Brooke Marshall i... Well I'm not as interesting. *Clicks tongue, sighs* Be more specific. What do you want to know? Officer Roy Austin Okay. What's your living situation like? Brooke Marshall Uhm, well I'm living in an apartment
with my cat. It's a one bedroom - one bathroom kind of place. The cat's name is Hannibal by the way. I'm not really out much since I got laid off so he is good company. Rarely complains about my late nights writing and researching. SFX: Scribbling notes. Officer Roy Austin Mhm, a cat... Hannibal... *whispers* yikes. *Clears throat* Right. Do you do anything else, other than this... podcast? Brooke Marshall Audio drama. But duh, of course I do. I'm doing a lot of activism in my free time,
I'm currently raising money for queer homeless shelters. You know, dealing and mining Crypto, all that jazz. But, uhm, Mr... Austin? Is this gonna take long? I've got a lot of work to, I have a tight schedule. Officer Roy Austin We're not done by a long shot, miss. just try to answer the questions so we can move on. Do you know why you're here? Brooke Marshall honestly Roy, can I call you Roy? Not really. I was just doing my own thing when some cops came and broke down my door. At
first I thought it was a home invader, so I had to defend myself, you know? By the way, will someone come and repair that door? I don't want Hannibal sneaking out. He brings in a lot of dead mice. Yuck. Officer Roy Austin Don't you worry about that door, or some mice. You put two of my best men in the ICU, one of them in critical condition. And that's on top of the 15 people you're accused of violently murdering. Brooke Marshall Okay, wow. That's
a pretty heavy accusation to throw around. Kill people? I've just been doing research, that's not a crime is it? I mean, fair enough with the officers, but I was fearing for my life. Officer Roy Austin We found your... your field recorder. Is this not you on the recording?
[Recorder clicks on]
Brooke Marshall Field notes, november 4th, 2021. I'm gonna try something different this time. I've reached the end of what Google can teach me on the subject, I need some more hands-on experience. I've got another test subject here on the kitchen counter. Cute, not too fat. Okay, let's begin.
[Eye gets popped]
Brooke Marshall So THAT'S what an eye sounds like when you squeeze it. Interesting. Now if I BASH. THE. SKULL... hmm,
[Skull cracks open, brains spill out]
it takes longer to crack it like this than I thought. I'm gonna have to find a way to write around that.
[Cat meows]
Brooke Marshall Hannibal get of the counter! Stupid cat. I don't want to bathe you AGAIN. *Clears throat* Brooke Marshall Note to self, while this is good practice, I feel like, realistically speaking, they would be screaming when these things happen. I- woah that is a lot of blood - I Need to make sure they are alive in the future. Remember to reinstall Tinder, invite people over for dates. *giggles* Now then-
[Recorder clicks off]
Brooke Marshall Yes that is me. Officer Roy Austin We have found 14 similar recordings. Brooke Marshall Yes, that's what's still on my Zoom. You have my Zoom. Why wouldn't the most recent recordings be on there? Officer Roy Austin Recent? Are there more? Brooke Marshall Obviously! Some are in my computer, I've uploaded them to edit them there. But that's mostly research on people more... respondent. Brooke Marshall Besides, murder is just such a heavy word. I mean,
I'm doing good work. I'm telling you, this is going to be the most authentic show out there. I'm going to be a huge name soon enough. You'll see. Officer Roy Austin I... Brooke Marshall *excitedly* In fact, and this is a spoiler, but at the end of the season, the guy will get caught. This, what we're doing right here, is fascinating stuff, I wasn't sure how to make the interrogating scenes, but getting to see what an interrogation
ACTUALLY is like is a huge help. Is there any chance I can borrow the recording when we're done? Officer Roy Austin What recording? Brooke Marshall This one, the one you're doing of me right now. Officer Roy Austin Are you serious? Brooke Marshall Yes, of course. I thrive for authenticity. Officer Roy Austin This podcast will never be published. Brooke Marshall you sound like my friends right now, did you know that? They're spoil-sports, all of them. Although, at the end they got to help me
with research so I guess in a way they believed in me in their own way? They're so sweet. *sighs* But why wouldn't I be able to? I'm a great writer and everything. I've got it all figured out. Officer Roy Austin You're gonna spend the rest of your day in prison. You murdered 15 people, there's no way and jury would acquit you. Brooke Marshall You're throwing that word around like it's
nothing, Roy, this isn't murder. It's education, it's entertainment, it's art. I'm sure whatever jury will see that, appreciate that. Officer Roy Austin *Sighs* I'm not getting through to you. We've reached a dead end. You've hurt countless of people. Innocent people. They're dead because of you. Brooke Marshall Beauty is pain, sir. I don't know what else to tell you. Officer Roy Austin *sigh* Brooke. I Don't know what to tell you. But there's no way
to get around what you're standing accused of. SFX: Silence 3-4 seconds. Strumming of fingers.
[strums fingers]
Brooke Marshall Well? Am I free to go? I've answered all your questions. Unless you want to hear more about my story I don't have much else to say. Officer Roy Austin No, you're not Brooke Marshall Roy, be real here, am I under arrest? Because if I'm not, I'm gonna leave now. Officer Roy Austin I'm sorry, what? Brooke Marshall If you don't intend on arresting me you have no right to keep me here. I've done enough research to know that.
Officer Roy Austin You... You've BEEN under arrest for weeks now. You are the primary suspect. You can elect to not answer further questions, as part of your fifth amendment rights, but that'll only send you back into the cell. Brooke Marshall *exasperated* Why are you doing this? Do you hate art?
Officer Roy Austin This has nothing to do with me. If you don't want to answer further questions that's all right but- Brooke Marshall I've only gone along with this charade because it'd prove valuable to my research, but you, officer Austin, are not gonna stop me from working. Let me go right this instant. Officer Roy Austin You cannot leave Brooke Marshall I want a second opinion. Officer Roy Austin A what? Brooke Marshall A second opinion. Like at the doctor's office.
Officer Roy Austin That's not how... Okay, I'm gonna end this now. Interrogation concludes at 11:55 AM. Officer Roy Austin *to himself* All that girl needs is a goddamn doctor at this point.
[Ticking clock]
billy Hawkins This is psychiatrist Billy Hawkins speaking. In the room with me is Brooke Marshall. This recording is a request from miss Marshall, as part of her research. It's a... Monday, August 15th, and the time is 1:15 pm. Did I miss anything, Brooke? Brooke Marshall Nope, nice one doc. Just like we practiced. Billy Hawkins Thank you. So, Brooke, I believe you're writing a podcast. Officer Austin got me up to speed. What made you interested in this?
Brooke Marshall First of all, it's an audio drama. But to answer your question... I don't know really. Billy Hawkins Billy Hawkins Please, Brooke. You can talk freely here. It's really you who wanted to record. We can turn it of if you'd like- Brooke Marshall NO! I mean, leave it. Billy Hawkins Fair. Your call, Brooke. So, will you tell me a bit more about the background of this audio drama? Brooke Marshall *sighs* Fine, fine. It all started
back when I was a child, really. You know the first Saw movie came out when I was only seven years old. Mom said I wasn't allowed to watch it, but me and dad and my brother Anthony went to the cinema anyways. I was hooked after that. It's a masterpiece. Have you seen it, doc? Billy Hawkins No, can't say that I have. You have to! Anyway, as they continued the series, I felt like I could relate to Jigsaw more and more, I don't think he is such a bad guy, you know? Well obviously you don't,
you haven't seen it. Well anyway, that guy just fucking resonates with me, you know? Billy Hawkins Right, right. And that's why you decided to do this audio drama? Brooke Well someone got to carry on the legacy. And as we all know by now, listening to a story is the new big thing. People are on the go, they don't have the time or patience to sit through a movie. Now they can indulge in their favourite genres while doing anything. One of my friends,
Olivia, she even listens to true crime podcasts when she falls asleep! What I'm doing is way more ethical than true crime. I mean, can you imagine making money out of others misery and trauma? Billy Hawkins Uhm... Sure... So are you doing this for Olivia? Brooke Marshall God no, this is for everyone. Besides, she's not really here to listen it now, is she? Billy Hawkins Brooke, can you tell me where she is? Brooke Marshall Well she's IN my audio drama,
of course. She's my star! She made excellent sound effects, by the way. Barely had to edit them. Billy Hawkins I'm glad you find your... research successful. Although, I'm curious. Why did you use her, if she was your friend, I mean. Brooke Marshall Well doc, I don't know if you know this but participants in this sort of studies are hard to get by. I even posted an ad on Craigslist but damn those who replied were some nutjobs. Billy Hawkins Sure. But, don't you miss her? Or the others?
Brooke Marshall Eh, I mean. As I said to Officer Austin, beauty is pain. Some things have to be sacrificed for the sake of the art. It's like in Lord of the rings, when Aragorn kicks- Billy Hawkins When he kicks the helmet and the actor breaks his toe. Do you really think that this is comparable, though? Brooke Marshall Are you judging me? Maybe we should just stop... Billy Hawkins I'm just curious. Humor me. Let me into the mind of a great artist. Brooke Marshall
Brooke Marshall Oh! Well, yes of course it's not really the same, and yes I'd be happier to have her listening to it but what can you do. Why do you have that clock? It's really loud. Billy Hawkins Oh, you mean this?
[picks up the clock and holds it]
I got this from my dad when I graduated. It's really dear to me. Brooke Marshall Oh. Did you have a good relationship with your dad? Billy Hawkins I did. I'm an old man now though, he's been gone for 26 years. Bad ticker. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him.
[Clock placed back, ticking gets quieter]
billy Hawkins What about your dad? Do you have a relationship with him? Brooke Marshall Not anymore. He passed away 18 years ago. Billy Hawkins I'm sorry about that. Was it sudden? Brooke Marshall As sudden as a bullet through the brain is. He killed himself. Gambling debt. Billy Hawkins Ah. ehm. Do you miss him? Brooke Marshall A bit. I had a better relationship with him than my mom. Him, Anthony and me were like three peas in a pod. And our dog, Rocko. He ran away
right before our dad died. *clears throat* I feel like we're drifting away from the important stuff here. So, in my audio drama there is- Billy Hawkins I'm afraid this is all the time we have today, Brooke. I'll make sure to watch Saw before our next scheduled meeting and we'll discuss your audio drama at length. An officer will escort you back to your cell. Brooke Marshall Wait! You gotta end the recording like we practiced. Billy Hawkins Okay, okay, okay. Sorry.
This therapy session concludes at 1:30 PM.
[Recorder clicks off]
Officer Roy Austin This is Officer Roy Austin, interrogating witness Anthony Marshall. Time is 1:15 PM on the 15th of August, 2022. Thank you for being here. Anthony Marshall Any way I can help officer. Officer Roy Austin So, we're here to talk about you sister, miss Brooke Marshall. Are you aware of the allegations? Anthony Marshall Yes officer, I am. And frankly, I cannot say I am surprised. Officer Roy Austin Why is that?
Anthony Marshall Well, I love my sister dearly, of course- Officer Roy Austin Of course. Anthony Marshall But I know she's a bit of an oddball. I mean. She's been this way since... Always really. Although not as extreme. Officer Roy Austin Can you tell me a little bit more about that? Anthony Marshall Certainly, officer. Well when she was a child, she'd only play by herself. Rarely had friends over. Just sitting beneath the tree in our back yard, talking to herself.
Officer Roy Austin Surely that's not why you've decided to testify against her? For playing on her own? Anthony Marshall Gosh, no. Being odd isn't a crime. Our family started to suspect something was more than odd when we started observing how she was playing. Officer Roy Austin Can you tell me more? Anthony Marshall Well, it started innocently enough. You know, cutting the hair of her dolls,
drawing on their faces. When she started ripping of limbs of dolls and stuffies to build altars and started drawing these gruesome pictures of our family drenched in blood, that's when mom and dad realized something was wrong. One time, she had a friend over and she tied her to that tree and left her there. Brooke had gone back inside and told us that girl had left. We found this poor girl crying, duct-tape over her mouth. That's when mom and dad turned to the doctor.
Officer Roy Austin Right, I read in her files she was examined at the local children's hospital. They couldn't really pinpoint anything, right? Anthony Marshall Nah, she can play nice when needed to. No one noticed anything off with her. After that, mom and dad started to fight a lot. Officer Roy Austin And how old were you at the time? Anthony Marshall I must have been around 13,
so I was kinda aware what was going on. I eavesdropped a lot. *chuckles* My dad wanted to send her away to an institution for special children, but my mom hated the idea. It was her baby, you know? *sighs, a beat* She started to drink pretty heavily. Dad My dad was just angry. I had to be around him and Brooke so nothing would happen. To either of them. Officer Roy Austin Uh-huh. Right. And you lost your dad the year after? Anthony Marshall We did. We
found him in the garage. Brains all over the drywall. Things kinda went south after that. I was just 13... 14? I was too young to be the man of the house, but there I was. Officer Roy Austin That must have been rough. I'm sorry. Do you know what caused it? Anthony Marshall Well mom always told people it was because of a gambling debt he couldn't pay off. Embarrassing thing to spread around, but it was better than the alternative. Officer Roy Austin And what's the true story behind it?
Anthony Marshall Did you know we had a dog? Rocko. A huge golden retriever. The apple of dad's eye. Sometimes I think he loved that damn mutt more than he loved me. He really was a good dog... *shaky voice, verge of crying* I'm sorry sir, I just- Officer Roy Austin Officer Roy Austin Don't worry son, take your time.
[Blows nose]
Anthony Marshall Thank you, sir. Well, anyway. My dad walked out in the garage one day to find Brooke sitting on the floor, and Rocko in front of her. And behind her. And next to her. You get it. Officer Roy Austin You mean she..? Anthony Marshall She just wanted to see if he was as soft inside as her stuffies. I bet she found his insides way more i nteresting though. Officer Roy Austin This is... *labored sigh* This is sick. I'm so sorry you had to go through all this.
Anthony Marshall Yeah, well. Dad decided he couldn't deal with this anymore so he decided to follow Rocko, to put it nicely. I had to stay close to Brooke after this, make sure she wouldn't hurt anyone else. Officer Roy Austin So, in your opinion, as a close relative to miss Marshall, do you think she could have done what she's accused for? Anthony Marshall Oh absolutely. You know, I bet those Saw movies influenced her. She couldn't stop watching those wretched films. And
you know the worst part? She laughed. Laughed. Like it was fucking Faulty towers showing. Officer Roy Austin I... I think this is enough for now. Are you willing to testify in court? Anthony Marshall Oh absolutely, sir. Anything to keep the streets safe. Officer Roy Austin Great. Interrogation concludes at 1:30 PM.
[cafeteria sounds]
Officer Roy Austin Thank you for meeting me today. Please, sit! Billy Hawkins Well a man's gotta eat. Why not make use of that time. How are the family, Roy? Officer Roy Austin Well, same old same old. Wife's mad I'm working too much. Julian, my son, just won his last little league match. A home run, can you believe it? Billy Hawkins Good for him. You must be proud. Officer Roy Austin Yeah, yeah. He gets it after his father you know. How about you?
Billy Hawkins Well, Orlando wants to build a deck at our summer house so now he's really obsessing over what wood to use. He even got Vanessa's boyfriend Will to help him. Vanessa is not pleased that her dad whisks her boyfriend away to Home Depot every chance he gets, but a man wants what he wants. Officer Roy Austin And is that a new deck or a new boytoy? Billy Hawkins Ha. Ha. Ha. Very funny. *chews* I bet you didn't want to meet me to discuss decks and little leagues.
Officer Roy Austin You should be the detective around here. Billy Hawkins Yeah well... Officer Roy Austin No, I wanted to discuss the Marshall case. I understand you have had two meetings with her so far? Billy Hawkins Yeah, one on Monday and then yesterday. Officer Roy Austin Have you gotten anything useful out of her? Billy Hawkins Useful? Sure. Fucking terrifying, absolutely. Officer Roy Austin Do tell.
Billy Hawkins Well I have all the recordings in my office, I'll hand them over to you this afternoon. This is more of a... of the books kind of talk. Officer Roy Austin Right. Friend to friend. Speak your mind. I am terrified of this woman. She is so eerily calm. It's like she's not even aware of what she's done, or how wrong it is. Officer Roy Austin She's still confessing? Billy Hawkins Oh yes, she's talking about it as easily as if she was discussing chopping a salad.
Officer Roy Austin But it's her friends... Billy Hawkins Please, I'm eating. Officer Roy Austin Sorry, sorry. I had to. Billy Hawkins Well anyways, before our session yesterday she told me to watch those Saw movies, have you seen them? Officer Roy Austin Yeah, gruesome fuckers, those films. Billy Hawkins Right. She kept raving on how this Jigsaw guy is doing stuff for the greater good and she wants to follow him in his footsteps.
Officer Roy Austin She... She knows these movies are fake, right? Billy Hawkins I honestly have no idea. We started talking about different inspirations and she brought up Saw countless times, as well as this... black...? Metal band, Mayhem. From Norway. One of their records seems to have an authentic picture of a guy with his brains blown out. Sick shit, man. Officer Roy Austin I think I'm done eating. Billy Hawkins Sorry Roy. She's really into the gory stuff.
But she's awfully unphased by it. Officer Roy Austin Does she seem remorseful? Billy Hawkins No, that's the thing, not one bit. I've been trying to talk to her about her friends, see if that'd trigger some emotions from her. I have to thread lightly though, she gets suspicious I'm judging her so I have to play along quite a bit to keep her talking. She's very chipper and polite. Officer Roy Austin Are you really complementing her right now? Maybe you're just a big of a freak as her.
Billy Hawkins Oh. Fuck, no. Officer Roy Austin Sorry. So what are we thinking? Psychopath? Billy Hawkins I'm not sure. She doesn't feel remorse. She's violent. She's arrogant, she think she's becoming the next big thing. And it's the whole thing of connecting emotionally and being empathic towards others. Except her brother and dad, and that dog. Officer Roy Austin Do not bring up that god damn dog. Billy Hawkins What's wrong with the dog? What do you mean?
Officer Roy Austin According to her brother, they found her with the dog all chopped up in the garage. Wanted to see the insides. Billy Hawkins Hmm... That's odd. She told me the dog ran away. Officer Roy Austin She's a fucking murderer, Billy. Are you really shocked that she's lying? Billy Hawkins I mean... She's so honest about her... Research. It doesn't make sense she's lying about the dog. Officer Roy Austin Yeah, well... Apparently that's what made their old man end it.
Billy Hawkins Not gambling? Officer Roy Austin That's the public story. Gambling debt. In reality he just couldn't deal with this freak of a daughter. Billy Hawkins Did Anthony tell you this? Officer Roy Austin Yup. Poor son-of-a-bitch. Couldn't been easy living like that. Billy Hawkins What else did Anthony say? Officer Roy Austin Nothing more that confirming what we already knew, that she's a murderer and should be locked up for life. Billy Hawkins And he is testifying, right?
Officer Roy Austin Yup. Billy Hawkins I just hope the jury will make a fair verdict. Officer Roy Austin Fair verdic-! You going soft over there, buddy? Billy Hawkins No way, I'm as terrified as the next guy. I'm just saying she might benefit more from compulsory care than by rotting away in a cell. Officer Roy Austin Well I know I'd benefit more if she was locked up. You can't help them all, Billy. Some of them are just fucked up. Billy Hawkins I guess...
[cafeteria fades out]
[soft crying, florescent lights buzz]
Charlie Storm We're here today to carry out the sentence passed on Brooke Marshall. Today is the 16th December, 2022. The time is 9 AM. The jury and judge unanimously determined that she's guilty on all charges. Can you read the charges, Michaelsson? River Michaelsson Certainly. Convicted for murder, 32 victims, assault 1 victim, manslaughter, 1 victim. Brooke Marshall **scoff** Can I help you miss? Brooke Marshall I still think that this is outrageous, I don't see how any of this is wrong.
It's art, for fucks sake. Charlie Storm Right. Well. As the state decided, Miss Marshall is guilty on all charges. As her punishment, she was sentenced to death by lethal injection. Per her own request, she decided on death by the electric chair. River Michaelsson *Muttering* I still don't understand why... Charlie Storm what was that? River Michaelsson Nothing, nevermind.
Brooke Marshall I heard them. I chose the electric chair because it's more dramatic! If I have to die for my art, it better be fucking good, right? Charlie Storm I have read your case-file, miss. You do know that the police confiscated all files and audios? This podcast won't see the light of day. Brooke Marshall It's an AUDIO DRAMA. But don't you worry your pretty little head. Life finds a way. Executioner 1, Charlie Storm Charlie Storm Whatever. I'm
the one executing this death sentence. My name is Charlie Storm. The person right here is River Michaelsson. River Michaelsson Hi. Brooke Marshall Right, we met. They're the one who shaved my head and legs! Charlie Storm This execution will proceed as follows. We're going to connect these wires to your legs and place this cap on your head, as well as a heart monitor. There will be a few cycles of electricity going through you, from 2500 volts to 500 volts. This will go
on for approximately two to three minutes. Now, we will move to an authorized distance, and then I will press the button that will conduct the current into you. Once these steps are over, a doctor will declare you dead. If there are any signs of life left, we'll just go through with the procedure again. Do you have any questions? Brooke Marshall Nope, heard you loud and clear boss. Charlie Storm Viewing on the stands is your mother, Mary Marshall, and brother, Anthony Marshall.
Any last words? Brooke Marshall All I can say is I hope you can be proud of me for what I've done. I've created something remarkable here. I cannot wait for everyone else to see that. *loud exhale* Okay. I'm ready. Charlie Storm Okay. Please stand back, Michaelsson. *Brooke screams in pain* [Electricity]
[Electricity round 2]
Charlie Storm Execution completed. We'll bring in the doctor. Mrs Marshall, Mr Marshall, I'm sorry for your loss. River Michaelsson She really believed this entire thing until she died, right? I mean, woah, how far away from earth can you be? Charlie Storm I know. Let's just remove the straps and get the doctor, I wanna get out of here. River Michaelsson Yeah. Hey, Storm... Doesn't it look like... Charlie Storm What? River Michaelsson Did that boy bring a tape recorder in here?
[florescent lights and crying fades] Fin. Thank you for listening to Sixth Door to the Left. Meat was written and edited by My Fröberg. Mixing and mastering by Pelle Frid. Assistant editor was Landon Whisnant. The show art was made by My Fröberg, and the Divine Rodentia Studios logo was created by Zacharias Frid. Brooke Marshall was played by My Fröberg.
Roy Austin was played by F. Scott Graves Billy Hawkins was Josh Burgess Anthony Marshall was Dev Parker Charlie Storm was Danny Kenyon River Michaelsson was Bryce Thompson. Visit our website divinerodentiastudios.transistor.fm/ for more info. Check out The Gospel of Haven if you couldn’t get enough gorey, meaty sounds. It is about a cult that lives inside their god and explores the intersection of anatomy and faith. The first few episodes just dropped,
and we can’t wait to hear the rest.Again, that’s Gospel of Haven, and until next time… This has been a production by Divine Rodentia Stuidos