Shh. It's starting. There are kids in this world who are different. Special. I think it's a hoverboard. They look like us and they act like us. But they are not us. You're mother nature. Who wants a selfie with the Grim Reaper? There's a girl flying in the water. Find her treasure. She belongs to the world of the good. It's a bird. You can walk it exactly like mine. Tom, run! GZM Shows. Mars Hour. Imagination Amplified.
Podcast listeners, welcome to the season one finale of the unexplainable disappearance of Mars Patel. Quiet, please! Quiet! All stop, we're quiet. Hold on, you say? Mars disappeared, but now he's back? That's false advertising! Well, I suppose, technically speaking... Hold on a sec. Quiet, please! That's better. No point in spoiling the big finish. We've come a long way, haven't we? You've joined me on a journey full of mystery and adventure. A story about finding out what makes you special.
and about the power of friendship. And now here we are. Toothic, JP and Caddy have broken into my school, Pruitt Prep, to find their friend Mars. But unfortunately... What they found may not be the Mars they were expecting. You've made a big mistake. You shouldn't have come here. Well, it's nice to see you too, Mars. We thought we'd never see you again. Mars, are you okay? I'm great, Caddy. Never been better. Never been better? How did you get here?
Did they kidnap you? Don't you love how the walls open? Come on, guys. I need you to follow me. He's acting like Jonas did before he locked us in the room. I'm not sure if we should follow him. What if they've done something to his brain? They could have turned him into a zombie. Or a robot. In here. Into this elevator. What other choice do we have? I know, droney.
But it's Mars. I think we should just get in the elevator. Fine, but I don't like this. Everybody in. Dad, clear. Where is this going? And how fast? Everything is fine, guys. It's great. It'll all become clear soon enough. Last stop. Everybody out. The roof of the lab. We sure are high up. What are all these ceramic tiles for? There goes that shaking again. That felt like 2.2 on the Richter scale. Does that happen all the time here, Mars? You get used to it. This way, friends.
Friends? Don't be shy. Mars, you're freaking me out. Come here. Stand together. Look out over the edge. See the beach. Yes. What about it? Why are we looking at the... Sorry, guys. I have to do it. It's okay. You're safe here. You pushed us off the roof. Good thing there was a ledge two feet down. You knew there was a ledge. Yep. It's the only place I found in a school without a camera. Mars, is that you? The real you?
In the flesh. And you're not a brainwashed zombie robot? No, but that sounds pretty cool, Pic. Mars, you're crazy. I'm so glad to see you. Let's hug it out. Not too tight, JP. You're gonna break a rib. Now who's the hugger, JP? Whatever, toothpick. You don't know how happy I am to see you. I'm Mr. Duke, Addy. And I'm sorry I broke my promise. Promise?
We never got that dance, remember? Oh, that? I forgot all about it. Uh, I miss all of you. The dance? What happened to you, Mars? I happened, that's what. Jonas, you're normal too. It's good to see you, man. Should have seen your faces when I locked you in that room. Jonas showed up in the parking lot. He said if I wanted to find Aurora, I'd have to leave my phone and come with him. So, is Aurora here too?
I haven't seen her. Oh. But there are a ton of kids here from all over the world. She must be one of them. They've kept me by myself most of the time. Jonas has been training. For what? I don't know. Just a bunch of games and simulations. Something big is going on here. Whatever it is, Oliver Pruin needs kids. So we sneak out, tell the cops, and they come back with a SWAT team to find Aurora and rescue the kids.
We're heroes. Done. I can't go. Not now. It's personal for me. It's personal for all of us. We're not leaving until we find Aurora. And take down Pruitt Prep. Are you someone who craves adventure? Do you sit in class and dream of a day when you can help change the world? Then maybe Pruitt Prep is the place for you.
With state-of-the-art training, research and acclimatization to a scientifically modeled environment, you'll be well on your way to an exciting new future. One beyond your wildest dreams. We're recruiting our next class of extraordinary kids right now. If you think you'd like to join us, visit PruittPrep.com. Our founder, Oliver Pruitt, is waiting.
It feels good to be going along with another one of your stupid plans, Mars. At least I never slingshotted you on a roof. It worked, didn't it? So if you need me to, you know, not get hurt by something else, let me know. Thanks. I'll keep that in mind. Pic, did you really reprogram this drone to follow you around like a dog? Guys! Hold back! White suits!
This way, right Jonas? Actually, I've only been as far as the gaming complex on Level 2. So we're officially lost. We all heard that, right? Ugh, my head! We need to keep moving. I'll catch up. I got you, Katty. Lean on me. We have to move. It's getting close. Uh, guys, you might want to turn around.
It appears to be a hybrid of an arctic wolf and some kind of spider-like creature. Run! This way! I don't think we can outrun it. Then we're not going to. Jonas, what are you doing? I've been training and... full contact virtual since I got here. It's time I take off the training wheels. Come and get me, whatever you are. Jonas! Jonas, are you hurt? Jonas? Stand back, guys. It can't hurt me. Scratched my arm! You're bleeding, JP!
Sorry about that. Someone let Muffin out of her room. Mr. Q? Spider-Wolf is called Muffin? She's kind of a mascot around here. Don't call her a spider too loudly. She's actually genetically related to a microscopic tardigrade, also called a water bear. Amazing survival skills. Even better than yours, JP. What are you doing here, Mr. Q? He works here, don't you?
That's why you were watching us. You're not on our side. You work for Pruitt. Mars, I thought you had it figured out that night on the boat. We weren't ready for you yet. I knew something was up with you. What do you want from us? Guys, I think Jonas is really hurt. He'll be okay. Hey fellas, get our pal Jonas fixed up, will ya? You got it, sir. You're working with the white suits?
They work for me. And Oliver, of course. Take him away, fellas. Don't touch him! Easy, JP. We're not going to hurt him. We're going to heal him. He's too valuable to lose. You all are. But why are we so valuable? And why did we get these abilities on the island? Why did I get smarter? Mr. Pruitt built this island and its environment as a testing ground for what's to come.
He found a way to use science to bring out what was already special in each of you. We'll take Jonas to the infirmary. Muffin would like the rest of you to wait in this room. Wait for what? Someone will be by to answer every single one of your questions. jumping into your feed to give you a huge thank you. Whether you've signed up for a subscription, used our free educator resources, or simply told your family or friends about our shows, you're making a huge difference.
And now we're on a mission to get to know you better. Right now, we're running a listener survey to make sure we're bringing you ads and partnerships that you actually like. Just imagine, what if you heard ads that you didn't want to skip? What have you heard about stuff that you use or want to use or that you never knew about, but that could be a total help? So help us out by going to gzmshows.com slash survey and taking a super quick survey to tell us more about yourself and what you like.
Once again, that's gzmshows.com slash survey. Thank you. What is this room? I've never been here before. It looks like some type of control center. Is everyone okay? Yeah, everyone except Jonas. He'll be alright, Mars. I can feel it. I'm sorry, guys. I don't know what to do. I think they've got us. We can still win.
What are you talking about, Pic? This is what losing looks like. You don't understand. When I reprogram Drony, I set him to record everything in Pruitt Prep. The missing kids, the creature... Everything Mr. Q said about the island. We've got him on all of it. I can use his satellite link to send the whole video global. You can do that Mr. Reed.
But then, you'll never see your friends again. Pruitt! His hologram! Don't you want to know why I brought all of you extraordinary young people to this place? Yes, that's right. J.P. I brought you here too. Even if it wasn't in the conventional way. Wanna get yourself unplugged again, Pruitt? Where's Aurora? What do you want from us? I can give you answers, Mars. But first...
I need you to make a choice of your own free will. Whoa, there it goes again. Why does the building keep shaking so much? You can leave Pruitt Prep right now. The doors will open. The ferry will be working. You can walk out. Go back to your parents and back to dear old H.G. Wells Middle School. What's the catch? The catch is, you have to leave without answers. And without Jonas and Aurora.
And if we stay? If you stay, you'll know everything. But you may never go home again. Never? What about our parents? They'll be well taken care of, Toothpick. But you won't be with them. I can't fall asleep if my mom and dad don't tuck me in. And what about you, JP? My dad's birthday is next month. He's saved up for tickets to see the Seahawks play.
Can we put her off a few weeks? I'm afraid not, JP. Caddy? I can't read your mind. Do we at least get to say goodbye? I mean, my parents aren't always easy to get along with, but... They're my parents, you know. Mr. Pruitt, why can't our parents come to visit us here? Why are you doing all of this? I can't tell you that. Not until you've made the choice.
Leave without Aurora and Jonas? Leave home forever. Choose quickly, please. We haven't got much time. I said I'd find Aurora, wherever she is. A promise is a promise. It is. Yes indeed. Everything's ready, Oliver. Take the screen from my old friend, Mr. Q. Your mother is waiting for your call, Mars. Here you go, Mars. Mars? Hello? Mom? Are you alright? I'm fine, Mama G. I'm sorry I ran away. I know. I know you are.
They tell me you're special. That's why Oliver chose you. I guess so. I always knew it. I always knew you were destined to be special. I love you Mars. I love you mom. I love you too. Remember what we used to say when you were little? They'll see you in the stars. They'll see you in the stars. I won't. Mom? Mom? I'm so sorry, Mars. We must have lost the connection. I knew that was difficult Who's next? Mr. Q, I need to talk to you Take me
Yeah, I'm sure. Oliver? Mars, what are you doing? Okay, it's a deal. Mars, you made a deal with these two liars? What's going on? The white suits. Hey, get your hands off me. I'm sorry, guys. Mars, you're sending us away? I've ruined your lives. Got you suspended. Almost thrown out of school for good. I can't ask you to stay away from your families forever. But Mars, we're a team. We'll always be a team pick, whether we're together or not. Goodbye, buddy.
You're the smartest guy I've ever met. And I've met Oliver Pruitt. My parents will get over it, Mars. Let me stay. I can protect you. See you later, JP. Take care of these guys, okay? Mars, please don't do this. We never had good timing, did we, Caddy? I'm gonna miss you. You're the best person I know. I hope you can hear what I'm thinking right now. Yes. Yes, I hear it. Me too, Mars. Me too. Come on, guys.
Time to go. Get your hands off me! You can't just take us off! Stop! Okay, Mr. Pruitt. It's just me and you now. You're everything I hoped you'd be. That was a brave choice you made, Mars. But life is filled with difficult choices. And where you are going, you will be making many, many more. Please, take a seat. Did you just stay going? I thought I couldn't leave here Where are you? Where's Aurora? Look, we've all seen the movies where the bad guy ties up the hero and tells him his whole plan
You may be a hero, Mars, but I'm not a bad guy. I just see what's happening to our world, and I know we need another option. But to build that plan B... I needed kids with imagination and bravery and talent. Kids who could start something new and different. Kids like Aurora. And like you, Mars. Safety, of course. All right.
You're right. You'll be able to see out the window. The school is flying? We're in the air? Not for long. You're about to break through Earth's atmosphere. The Earth? Ruid Prep is a... Ruid Prep is a spaceship? A spacecraft? That's why I wasn't there when you visited the island. Where's Aurora? She's right here with me. Say hello, Aurora. She's always so dramatic. Say goodbye to Earth, my friend. I'll see you soon, here on Mars.
Thank you all for listening to the unexplainable disappearance of Mars Patel. With Mars headed to, well, Mars, season one of the podcast comes to a close. But fear not, listeners, season two is on its way. Mars Patel is written and produced by Jenny Turner Hall, David Kreisman, Benjamin Strauss, and Chris Terry. The kids are directed by Jenny Turner Hall. The show's head writer is David Kreisman. Benjamin Strauss is the executive producer.
Sound design is by Chris Terry and Alan Friedman with original music by Sean Pierce and Chris Terry. The podcast is recorded at Trading 8's Music in Paramus, New Jersey by Chris Sulit and mixed and edited by Chris Terry in Maplewood, New Jersey. Mars Patel could not exist without its wonderful cast of young actors, especially Natalie Mell as Caddy, Kate Wolfson as JP, Wyatt Ralph as Toothpick, Carter Minor as Jonas, and Jaya Chetram as Mars Patel.
Additional voices by Robbie Berry, Sonali Gonti, Fiona Kreisman, Dashiell Kreisman, Mary Grace Rumley, Claire Sullivan, Dina Perlman, Alexa Harris-Ralph, Michael Pearlstein, and me, David Kestenbaum. Charlie Pollack plays Mr. Q, and Oliver Pruitt plays, well, himself. The Mars Patel Podcast is proud to be a part of Kids Listen, a grassroots organization of advocates for high-quality, family-oriented audio content.
Kids Listen works to create standards and highlight great podcasts for kids of all ages. Check out other terrific Kids Listen shows like Ear Snacks, Tumble Science Podcast for Kids, and The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian. Visit kidslisten.org to find out more. Oh no. Hello, David Kestenbaum. So we meet again. Hello, Mr. Pruitt. Thank you for your excellent work, DK. But I believe I can take it from here. You see, over the past ten weeks, the listeners and I have developed a certain rapport.
They trust me to be honest and forthcoming with them. Don't you podcast listeners? So when I promise you that season two will be bigger and even more exciting than ever, I know you will come along for the ride. We hacked the podcast feed. Hello? Hello? Go, go, go. If you can hear us podcast listeners, do not believe anything Oliver Pruitt tells you. He's a liar and a... He promised us a new beginning.
But he doesn't care about saving the world. He doesn't care about anything but himself. It's time to rise up and take back the lead planet. And save the most important Mars of all. We are the Martian. Am I back? I'm back? I'm back. Right. Sorry about that, podcast listeners. We must have crossed satellite channels with a public radio station. Well, I really must be going now.
I have some pressing business which needs my attention. Keep sending me your messages and questions at PruittPrep.com. I love hearing from all of you. We'll meet again on Season 2 of Mars Patel. But if you're lucky or more accurately, if you're special, perhaps you'll be hearing from me much sooner than that. Until then, this is Oliver Pruitt. Signing off. Say it with me. To the stars. Find your next adventure at gzmshows.com. Shh. It's starting. GZM Shows. Imagination.
Hello, I'm Deborah Goldstein, host of the game show The Big Fib. And I'm the sound effects robot, Lisa. Each week we bring you a hilarious podcast where human child contestants have to figure out who's an actual expert. And who's a liar, liar, pants on fire. Just listen to these great reviews on Apple Podcasts. User Addie Kitty says...
I love this podcast. Lisa is my favorite. User Ichabog says, Lisa is so funny. Oh my God, they're right. And user Ice Wolf says, more Lisa. More, more, more, more. Interesting selection. Who picked these reviews? Not me. Okay, I guess I am the liar. It was me. And oh, look at that! My pants are on fire! Deborah, my pants are on fire! For more fun facts and a few fibs, follow The Big Fib on Apple Podcasts or on gzmshows.com. Oh, my poor pants!