EPISODE 235

THEY'RE NOT SHADOWS

This episode of THEY'RE NOT SHADOWS features three unsettling short stories centered on the unexplained and the macabre. The first story exp

Key takeaways

• A deceased grandmother's cassette recordings describe a faceless visitor who makes tea.
• Harold Bennett's will includes specific requests for ambient rain and a Britney Spears cover at his funeral.

Main topics

• Paranormal encounters
• Eccentric legacies

Notable quotes

He doesn't sleep. He just stands by the pantry.

Conclusion

The episode offers a chilling collection of vignettes that explore the

Transcript preview

Speaker 2 (0:21) three stories today. We open with a good cup of tea. My grandmother died and after the funeral there was only one thing that needed doing. Cleaning out her house before it could be sold. My mother said she'd do it, but she kept putting it off. I guess it was just too sad for her. So after about three weeks, I volunteered to do it. I'd spent a lot of my childhood there. I knew every room, every creaking floorboard, every little noise the plumbing made. But now, it just felt empty. I decided to start upstairs in her room. Speaker 3 (1:28) Maybe Mum will want to keep some of these. I Speaker 2 (1:35) found it on her bedside table. A portable cassette recorder. I used to play with it when I was a kid. Speaker 3 (1:50) I think it's recording now. I used to write things down, but it became too confusing. The doctor said I should use this. So, here we are. Carol's birthday is November 4th. She likes yellow roses. I need to buy milk tomorrow. And batteries. No, I already bought the batteries. Oh, how do I make it go backwards? Speaker 1 (2:30) Oh, Grandma. Speaker 3 (2:39) Tober something. It's dark out. I forgot to take the trash out. But someone did it for me. I don't remember asking anyone in. But he did make a good cup of tea. Just how I like it. Thank you. I Speaker 2 (3:13) assumed she was talking about a neighbor. Speaker 3 (3:23) You're very quiet today. Speaker 1 (3:39) Oh, Speaker 3 (3:43) how does the rest of it go? I can't remember. Oh, there you are. November 3rd. It's late now. He doesn't sleep. He just stands by the pantry. But he does make a very good cup of tea. Most people are too impatient these days, but he knows to let it steep. Who Speaker 1 (4:28) is she talking about? Speaker 3 (4:31) I asked him his name again. He says he doesn't have one. I Speaker 1 (4:39) asked him where he lives, Speaker 3 (4:42) but he says he doesn't really live anywhere. He just is. I've learned not to question things. Speaker 3 (4:56) I told him Carol is coming to visit tomorrow. He said he knows Carol. Speaker 6 (5:23) Hey, Mom. How's it going at the house? Speaker 3 (5:26) Yeah, I'm getting through it all, slowly. Mom, quick question. Did any men used to visit Gran? A Speaker 1 (5:33) neighbor, maybe? Or a carer? Speaker 3 (5:35) A carer? No. Social service is offered, but she wouldn't have it. Why are you asking? Speaker 1 (5:41) I'm not sure. I found an old cassette tape. She mentioned someone. Speaker 3 (5:47) Yeah, she told me about the tapes. She said it helped her remember things. Speaker 1 (5:51) Was there anyone? Speaker 3 (5:53) Oh, I don't know. There was a woman next door she was quite friendly with. But I don't know of any men visiting her. Speaker 1 (6:01) Yeah. Speaker 3 (6:02) Lock up when you leave, alright? And don't stay too late. I've forgotten my mother's face. I've forgotten all their faces. Speaker 1 (6:19) It's almost all gone now. Speaker 3 (6:24) He's holding the microphone for me now. He's very tall. He doesn't have a face. Speaker 3 (6:37) Not anymore. What Speaker 1 (6:43) the hell? I Speaker 2 (6:52) decided to listen to the rest of it at home. Now that it was getting darker, Grandma's house felt even more empty. And the tape was starting to creep me out. I grabbed my bag and went downstairs to get my coat. My coat was in the kitchen, hanging on the back of a chair. Speaker 3 (7:29) Oh God. Speaker 2 (7:30) Sitting on the kitchen table was Grandma's ceramic teapot. Speaker 1 (7:37) No. Speaker 2 (7:38) Steam still rising from it. Beside it was a teacup. Speaker 3 (8:30) Thank you. I really should be going soon. But I suppose one last cup of tea won't hurt. Speaker 2 (9:19) Before we go on, we have a new Patreon supporter. Her name is Autumn. Autumn Tsai. Thank you for your support, and welcome to the group, Autumn. This next one is the reading. Speaker 4 (9:38) Okay, I think that's everyone. Before I read the will, my client has left instructions that I play this tape recording. Speaker 3 (9:47) Of course he did. Speaker 5 (9:56) Alrighty then. If you're hearing this, then... Talking to you from the other side. But don't be frightened. I'm not a ghost. Well, I don't know yet. I recorded this when I was still alive. Obviously. Well, I don't know whether that's obvious or not, but I thought it was best to be clear. Speaker 3