Introducing The Sisters

Hi there to Mumbay listeners. This is Fred Greenholsch, the host of Undertow Realm's premiere horror podcast, and I'm excited to let you know that the creators of Tumumbay have a new show out with us called The Sisters. When the curator of a museum of medical oddities receives a mysterious gift, she uncovers a story of a curse that

What you are about to hear is a true story. It happened in Hexham, England in the nineteen fifties and sixties. Names have been changed out of respect to the victims and to protect the innocent. The Sisters episode one Believe it or.

Not, it's the third nineteen sixty five interview number seven with.

Well why don't you introduce yourself? My lovely tell me your name?

Where's Jackie? We do everything together, which I.

Know you are, Jill.

I bet you have a lot of fun, don't you. No, But today Jill is all about you.

Is it black going to the dentist?

No, that's much nicer than going to the dentist.

What have you got there, Jill? What are you playing with my locket? Is there anything inside it?

Yes? H from an angel.

Well that's something that'll keep you safe't it now? Jill? Why don't you tell me about My name.

Is mart.

Did you?

That doesn't mean anything?

She's heard me talk? Please let the child speak.

My name is mort all right, Maude, tell me about yourself.

My name is Jill any years old. We are eight years old. We live in Hexham, England.

We ride bikes.

Hell.

Hello, good afternoon. My name is Sprinkie Bradshaw. I'm the chief curator of the world famous Mutter Museum here in downtown Philadelphia, and I'll be your tour guide through hell. Kidding, that's just a joke. Before we get started, you should know some of the objects on display here can be quite triggering. I hate that word, but it's true. This isn't a typical museum. It's not filled with beautiful objects.

Yes, you have a question.

Is it true you have a piece of Einstein's brain?

Yes, we do.

We also have the fucking moor of pickled skin. This is the last place I ever wanted to work.

Yes.

Actually, when I was in grad school at Penn, I thought I'd be the curator of the Philadelphia Art Museum by now, or at least a gallery with actual art.

Follow me.

The fact is I'm thirty four years old and working here is one step above Ripley's believe it or not.

So where's the rest of Einstein's brain?

Do you keep it on a separate floor?

Like the different rings? And Lord of the Rings? It's too powerful to have them together?

So how do I deal with questions like these? I sneak into the bathroom for a drink. I really shouldn't. What I should do is call my sponsor. But before I get the chance, Frankie, Yes, duncan, I'm in here.

We just got a delivery, a box. They won't let me time for it.

Did you tell them you work here?

Yes, Frankie, of course.

Well what kind of box?

I don't know.

I haven't seen it.

I want you, Frankie, what should I tell him?

Do you?

Frankie to diary?

Uh?

Yeah, well sort of. I'm divorced. It's no longer.

My last name. Well, whatever your name is.

You kept me out here fifteen minutes freezing my assigh?

Yeah, sorry, don't be gorgeous A signy? So where's the box back of the truck? You got a back door or something.

I can help you load it in.

How big is it?

Oh?

It's big.

Let's take the plastic off.

Okay, let me cut it.

Shit.

I think it's some kind of animal.

Animal, Franky, it's a bipedal. Do you know what this is? It's a fucking alien. Look at the thing. It's huge.

It is huge, twice as thick and several feet longer than a normal human skeleton. And there's no space between the bones. It's like the skeletal remains of a blob.

Jesus, where do you think he's from? Mars or Venus?

Probably New Jersey? Oh, come on, Duncan, don't you see it's a prank, you think. Yeah, remember the two headed pig man we got in the mail.

Last year, Hey, that was very convincing.

I know.

And remember how disappointed you were.

Hi Estas, Yeah, I know.

It's my faults. Day is my childhood friend from Hershey, Pennsylvania. She's from an orthodox Jewish family, but she's a devout atheist like me. I'm proud of her. She's the best medical examiner in Philly.

Anyway, it's been a long day.

Listen, we have something for you. Tada, So what do you think? It just arrived?

Duncan thinks it's an alien?

Tilt the camera, Frankie.

Frankie thinks it's a frank.

Oh, it's not a prank. Pull back, Frankie, scroll from head to toe.

Poor woman, it's a woman.

I think. So it's hard to tell over FaceTime. Maybe I can come by tomorrow and take a closer look.

Sure, that'll be great.

Just so I'm clear, there was no information, no return address.

Nothing, no no, she came in this box, just totally anonymous.

Shall we stop right?

Today is August the twenty third, nineteen sixty nine, and I'm here interviewing Francis Pollard. Has brought hospital night and giral wins.

It's all right.

You can call it an asylum for the criminally insane, because that's what it is.

I'm here to help you better understand your your situation.

No doctor, No, you're here to answer a question.

Well, hopefully together we will answer many.

No, just one.

Why would a mother come to the conclusion that the world would be a better place if her children were dead? That's the question.

Okay, yeah, all right, Mum and dad, if you stand on either side of.

The girls, all right, like this yet? Yeah, just like that it Maud, move a bit closer on the sofa.

I'm Mary.

It's okay.

Everyone confuses.

Sorry about that, Mary, about you and your sister have a lot of fun confusing people.

Ah, No, I'm married. No, I'm married.

Enough.

Okay, a big smile everyone, three two one.

We had a happy life. We were a happy family until.

Relax, Francis, just relax, have another sip of water, the better.

Yes.

Do you want to stop now? No?

No, I want to carry on all right. It was the summer of nineteen fifty seven, our last summer together. Our twins Mary and Maude were everything we ever wanted. It was a good year for us, for the whole country. In fact, the war was over, we had a new queen on our throne, and we just bought our first car on higher purchase. It seemed like it really was a new era where everything was possible. My husband, Thomas, was an engineer. He worked at the local car factory.

But most of all.

We enjoyed going to the pictures around New York, especially Hollywood movies from America.

I want to go to America in there. Why no, you don't. You're only seen it because I said it.

No, not yes, you are.

Girls. We had everything we needed, and yet Thomas.

What about Thomas Francis?

There was somehow did I ever really know him?

What do you mean, Francis?

You're such a good girl, you know I think Matelda needs a brother. Good idea, Mary, Hey, Dad, can we get a boy dog? What we can name him Cliff?

Oh no, no, no, no more dogs.

No, but listen, I've got something even better for you.

Come on, come on, girls.

Following into the garage.

Is this another invention, Daddy? No, No, it's not just another invention. It's the invention.

This is my masterpiece.

You ready, Tella?

Well what is it?

This is our future, girls. It's a refrigerator motor, my original design, so it will allow fridges to run longer and more efficiently.

Do you have any other inventions?

This is my masterpiece.

So that's how it started, with a fridge motor. He took it around the trade show as we tried to find investors. No one was interested. As far as I was concerned, it was a hobby, something he tinkered within the garage. I didn't realize then that.

What didn't you realize, fancis.

That it would lead to the end of everything. Fancy a cup of tea?

Love?

Oh?

Yes?

One evening we were watching television. The girls were upstairs asleep, and suddenly Matilda, our dog, began running around in circus bark.

Matilda calmed down.

Helm's got into her eight Until they come here?

You expecting anyone?

It's probably someone collected for some of that.

All right or right? I'm coming.

Uh yeah, hello, there are you? Thomas pol If not, I've got their own half.

Hi, I'm Frankie.

Hi, Hi, I'm an alcoholic.

Yeah.

I'd been sober, well semi sober, for you know, about three years, but the last six months have been, uh been pretty rough on me. You know, I got divorced. Well, I mean it wasn't consensual, you know. He he left me, which was probably a good decision on his part because I'm a complete mess.

But you know, I'm I'm.

Also a fighter.

So here I am Bagels.

I've got bagel, Good morning yesterday.

Here you go, duncan Oh?

I stay here?

The best?

Could you remember this extra cream cheese?

Yes, we're all going to have high cholesterol. Now where is she.

In the back?

Come on?

So, Frankie, how was your date last night?

Oh?

Shit, you forgot Huh?

Poor guy.

He'll be fine.

He's a straight man on tender.

He probably had another date lined up right after. Besides, I'm preoccupied with who Banil?

Frankie, you got to stop thinking about him.

It's over.

No, not Banil.

I was thinking about Matilda, who.

She named the skeleton Matilda?

You name the skeleton Matilda.

It's cute?

Any reason?

Why?

No?

Not really, It's just sort of came to me. Okay, there she is that's her in the box.

And I still think it's an alien.

Mm hmm. This is.

Wow.

The bones are so thick. See here, the first seven ribs are completely fused. They're thick as baseball bats. Right, I've never seen anything like this?

Who is she?

Not she?

They?

Maybe?

Wait?

Two people?

Oh look at the neck here in the conjoin twins connected like this, just stacked on top of each other, their organs would be crushed.

I mean, she's not a conjoined twin, she's not a giant.

Who is she?

I don't there is one other possibility? What I have to call doctor Lee?

Who my boss?

Can you stop by?

Is there a better light back here?

Maybe turn on the overheads they're already on.

Oh maybe it's just my eyes. No, that can't be possible.

No, no, no, no.

Just say it.

Say what it's FOP right?

FOP yes?

Or to use the technical name fibro dysplasia osipicuns progressive.

My god, there's only been a handful of cases.

Really in your whole career.

Ever, and you have no idea where it came from.

No, she was sent here anonymously.

Well I need to know more. Can I take her back to my office.

No, sorry, it might be helpful, I know, but it was sent here ESDA to me.

Is this about credit?

Yes?

Actually, I'm the curator of this museum.

Who else has seen it?

Just us break it down for me, Doc, What is FOP?

I mean?

If what you're saying is true, if it's so extremely rare, then finding the owner of this skeleton shouldn't be too hard, right.

Okay, let's see.

For the next week, I researched every known case of FOP I could find Harvard Medical Journal, July. It turns out FOP is an extremely rare genetic disorder that causes the body's soft tissue to transform permanently into bone. In other words, a second skeleton grows on top of the first. Early doctors posited that it was the result of two souls trapped in one body. Hi, I'm calling about an old case of a child with FOP back in the

And that our next guest is.

Great.

Meanwhile, my ex husband, Vanil, a professor at Penn, was on TV promoting his new book about ancient religion.

With you, and we'll just jump right in with the first question.

Sure, does God exists?

It would depend largely on what you mean by God.

You know what our next move is, right, speciall exhibit display her display the skeleton for the public, you think, I know, it'll get people talking, and who knows, maybe a real academic.

Will show up.

I'm a real academic.

Well, you're also a curator, and it's your job, your responsibility to bring asses through the.

Door, isn't it asses in the seats?

You know what I mean? Besides, I'd already said, yes, you spoke to the board. Well, I floated the idea, Duncan. It'll be fun.

We'll have a party, red carpet, paparazzi, like a respectable museum.

Hi, I'm Duncan. I'm the assistant curator here at the museum.

Wow, this is quite the turnout.

Oh no, cute boys.

Well, Duncan is around here somewhere passing out wine and cheese.

Pass although I could use a drink. Shit, franky, Sorry.

It's okay, I'm a I'm back in the program.

Really.

Yeah, well, I'm proud of you.

Come on, let's go check out the star attraction.

Okay, Sda is right.

It is quite the turnout. More than two hundred visitors have flooded the mutter to see Matilda.

There she is.

The skeleton is presented, simply positioned upright behind a thin wall of glass.

She's kind of beautiful, don't you think like it? A Tim Burton way.

It's true, she is beautiful.

Yeah. Hello, are you Thomas Pollard? If not, I've got the wrong hat.

Yes, I mean no, No, you do have the right house.

I am Thomas Pollard, Mark Whitney.

I'm a friend of father Tim from Saint Louis.

Well, if it's church business, perhaps it's my wife you want to speak to.

No, no, it's you, Thomas. May I come in. Well you see, father Tim told me all about your invention. Oh right, right, I may be able to help you. Well, yes, yes, of course, come.

On Ina, mm hmmm, oh Francis, this is mister mister Woodney.

Oh well, but I hope I'm not interrupting, and I think missus Parler.

No, no, no, no, no, it's I was just going to make a coop of tea. Can I make you.

If it's not too much trouble. Yes, that well, that that would be lovely.

I'm so sorry mister.

That's quite all right.

He we dog come here stopped that.

I don't know what's gotten into her.

She doesn't like you.

What what you doing down here?

You should be in bed, Maude?

What a lovely name. Hello, little miss I'm Mark Marred.

Off you go upstairs?

Now?

Can I take Matilda?

Yes?

Off you go go on, good night, good night, maud.

Well, I'll make a cup of tea. I didn't like mister Whitney from the start. He was too rehearsed, and the dog didn't like him. Either I didn't trust him.

Mister Whitney, how can I help you?

That's the other way around to us. From what father Tim tells me, you're a bit of an engineering genius. Oh well, go as far to say that. You know, I double don't be modest. I want to see your refrigerator engine.

Why's that?

Because I'm a businessman.

You see, it takes barely any time to warm up or cool down.

It's certainly more compact than I've seen before. Some beam an electrologue aren't marketing anything this small? Well, hey, you've done your research well. As I said, I am a businessman. Have you Have you protected it? Have you applied for a patent so no one can copy it?

Oh?

No, no, no yet, No, there are still few little niggles that need to be sorted out first.

I should apply for protection.

You know.

I can't stress how important that it.

Look.

I'll tell you what. I'm going off to London next week. If you give me the schematics, I can pop into the patent offers and I can just you know, get things started for you.

Oh no, no, you don't have to do no, no, no.

You know, no expense on your end. I mean we can sort that out later, but you really must do this to protect yourself, you know, and your family.

Morning, Philadelphia Today is Friday, October eighth, and in today's Talk of the Town segment, a strange story from a local oddity called the Mutter, a museum dedicated to.

Medical abnormalities.

Their latest arrival.

Yes, I'm watching it.

It's like a human Good morning, Philly.

Remember they're doing the segment.

On Prepare morning.

We got another box, delivery box. I think it's got something to do with Matilda. Really, just get out of bed and come down to the museum. I'm dying to open it.

Okay, Okay, well, well don't open it, just wait for me.

What have you got there? Jill? What are you playing with?

My locket?

Has there everything inside it?

Uh?

Humaine?

If you're safe? Wasn't it now? Jill? Why don't you tell me about?

My name is mart?

Did you?

That doesn't mean everything?

She's heard me talk? Please let the child speak.

My name is mart all right, Maude, tell me about yourself.

My name is Jill, a years old.

We are eight years old. We live in Hacksome, England.

We ride bikes.

The Sisters is a Goldhawk production presented by Realm in association with Lights Out, created by Brett Neatchen and written by Brett Neatchen, John Scott Dryden and Mack Rogers. Frankie is played by May Whitman, Francis, Helen Baxendale, Mark, David Morrissey Duncan, Miles Heiser, Thomas Lee, ingleby Stay, Karen Chay and the psychiatrist David Holt, with sound designed by Adam Woodhams and original music by Seymour Milton and Sasha Putnam.