[Transcripts are generated by a combination of speech recognition and transcribers, and may contain errors.]
00:00:00
NARRATOR
In October of 2011, 4 college students disappeared in the woods near Porter Township Pennsylvania while researching a documentary on children’s author Jakob Stanley. They remain missing to this day. Last month their recordings appeared online. In an effort to aid in the investigation, the families of those missing have agreed to release the following sound files. If anyone has information on those missing or the identity of the person or persons who uploaded these files, please use the contact information provided. Anything submitted may be used in future episodes. Certain materials referenced in this podcast, including the published works of Jakob Stanley, are currently protected under U.S. copyright law and may be redacted. For legal reasons, some names have been withheld and voices altered. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the podcasters and participants, and do not represent the official policy or position of the Iphigenia County Police Department of Porter Township Pennsylvania or its associates. This podcast contains adult themes and language. Listener discretion is advised.
00:01:07
PROFESSOR WHITAKER
File labeled: “003 Rough Cut, Episode 3 - Tell Me a Story: The True Life of Jakob Stanley.”
SFX: The mic pops on, it cuts in and out a few times. It is being manhandled as levels are adjusted. The volume fluctuates.
SFX: The team slowly trudges through deep forest leaves.
00:01:26
TOLEN
Check, check, check. ...
SFX: Tolen continues to adjust levels.
TOLEN (CONT’D)
Check, check...
SFX: The levels are set.
JANE
Sorry again for the late start. I coulda’ sworn we said 11. ... There is just so much to take care of with the house and all, I get so darn distracted.
RJ
Don’t worry about it, Jane.
AVERY
She called us at 6 friggen AM to confirm 9 AM.
CHUCK
Yeah, what the hell was that about?
TOLEN
Shhh! - Jane, how much further do you think?
JANE
Only a little ways.
AVERY
It was only “a little ways” 30 minutes ago.
CHUCK
Uhhggg. There isn’t enough caffeine in the world right now.
AVERY
We wouldn’t be so tired, if someone wasn’t jumping at shadows all night.
CHUCK
Hey, that shit freaked you out too.
AVERY
No. You - You were freaking me out.
SFX: Tolen jumps, startled.
TOLEN
BAH!
AVERY
WHAT?!
TOLEN
SNAKE-SnakeSnakeSnakeSnake!
00:02:17 RJ
Oh my God, it’s just a stick.
[Chuck starts to laugh.]
AVERY
Jesus, I thought you saw a bear.
[Chuck is in pain from laughing.]
CHUCK
Oh, Goddamn, I needed that.
TOLEN
I know what a snake looks like and that was a friggen snake.
SFX: The wind suddenly howls through the trees ominously causing Chuck’s laugh to fade.
AVERY
Wouldn’t it be great if the camper still runs?
CHUCK
Yeah, and we can drive it the hell out of here.
RJ
I wish I could shoot an episode of BOO at the Mendenhall.
CHUCK
Thank God that’s not happening.
TOLEN
That reminds me, in case the camper doesn’t start, RJ I wanna be sure we take pics and video of every square inch of it.
RJ
You got it.
00:03:00
RJ (CONT’D)
Uhm, hey Jane, out of curiosity... How far away are we from the Mendenhall?
CHUCK
Don’t you even think about it.
JANE
(over her shoulder)
Uhm, well it’s right past that ridge of trees, over there... I think.
AVERY
So, we’re currently walking in the infamous haunted Mendenhall wood?
CHUCK
Stop.
JANE
(over her shoulder)
I mean, yeah. All of it is.
SFX: An owl screeches.
CHUCK
Shit.
JANE
This looks right. Okay, back on course.
AVERY
We were off course?
JANE
I got it, right over here... come along.
SFX: The team trudges after Jane.
RJ
At least it’s not raining like yesterday.
SFX: Thunder crashes in the distance.
AVERY
You just had to say it, didn’t you?
00:03:57
PODCAST INTRO SEQUENCE
NEWS ANNOUNCER
WN [BEEP REDACTED] TV New York.
MUSIC: [80’s NEWS INTRO THEME]
NEWS ANCHOR ‘83
If your child has been to a school book fair recently, chances are they came home with one of this author’s scary books-
MUSIC: [80’s SUNDAY TALK SHOW THEME]
SUNDAY MORNING TALK SHOW HOST ‘81
Our guest’s first anthology leapt to the top of the New York Times Best Sellers list -
MUSIC: [LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW INTRO APPLAUSE]
LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW HOST ‘86
- Thank you. Thank you! Over the past few years, he has become a household name-
MUSIC: [PODCAST THEME]
PUBLIC RADIO HOST ‘92
- Bridging the gap between Alvin Schwartz and Stephen King -
TV PREACHER
- The devil is among us, friends.
CONGREGATION
AMEN!
TV PREACHER
He’s among us, in the form of a writer. -
SUNDAY MORNING TALK SHOW HOST ‘81
- The book might have struggled during it initial release in 1977, but now “Tell Me A Story: Under the Bed That’s Over My Head”, has skyrocketed -
ALSC COMMITTEE REP
- So many parent organizations complained that his work was too sophisticated for children-
TV PREACHER
- He has infiltrated your homes, and your children’s minds-
PUBLIC RADIO HOST ‘92
- His second macabre anthology “Tell Me A Story: Moonless Sky and Other Friends” sold out from bookstores in mere minutes. Becoming a controversial -
NEWS ANCHOR ‘83
- Stanley's books ranked on the American Library Association’s “100 Most Frequently Challenged Books” from 1981-1993 -
TV PREACHER
- Stanley’s books promote disobedience, violence and the occult! Lord have mercy -
PUBLIC RADIO HOST ‘92
- The 3rd volume in his “Tell Me A Story” collection “The Floor That Creaks, the Closet That Speaks and the Tip Toes That You Walk On” was released in 1986 to mass acclaim -
ALSC COMMITTEE REP
- All that fussing, just made his work more popular -
TV PREACHER
- Check your children’s rooms, check their bookshelves, check their back-packs! -
YOUTUBER
- I do think his final book, released in ‘99, “TMAS: The nightmare, The Dream and the Places Between,” was by far his best work.-
PUBLIC RADIO HOST ‘92
- His work has been described as “subversive” and “dark,” I simply describe it as genius.
SUNDAY MORNING TALK SHOW HOST ‘81
- It is my pleasure to introduce -
LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW HOST ‘86
- Please welcome -
PUBLIC RADIO HOST ‘92
- Ladies and gentleman, please welcome -
SUNDAY MORNING TALK SHOW HOST ‘81
- Jakob Stanley.-
LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW HOST ‘86
- Mister Jakob Stanley.
PUBLIC RADIO HOST ‘92
- Author, Jakob Stanley.
[Applause.]
MUSIC: [POD THEME SYNTH]
AVERY/NARRATOR
Little to nothing is known about the life of this elusive author. And since 1999 Jakob Stanley seems to have completely dropped off the face of the earth. Until a short two-line obituary appeared in a small town paper, over a year ago.
TOLEN/NARRATOR
From BOO Labs and Red Cup Media, I'm Tolen Reid -
AVERY/NARRATOR
And I'm Avery Fischer, this is TELL ME A STORY: THE TRUE LIFE OF JAKOB STANLEY.
SFX: The team and Jane are still trudging through the haunted forest.
00:06:09
JANE
(yelling from ahead)
Ah-ha! I knew it! I just knew it. Right up here!
AVERY
It better be.
CHUCK
So, what is the deal with this camper van? Why is it so important?
TOLEN
I thought you read Stanley?
CHUCK
I did, but like a normal person, not an obsessive fanboy.
AVERY
Besides his first anthology, it is where he wrote all of his books.
RJ
He would put in little easter eggs throughout each of the books about the camper van. It is legend.
AVERY
It’s also the setting of some of his short stories.
TOLEN
There is even an entire segment in his 3rd book-
CHUCK
Right, right, whatever, this better be worth it.
TOLEN
Oh, it will be... I have a feeling.
RJ
Damn, I need to pee so bad.
JANE
Guys! I found it! It’s right down here!
SFX: The team rush to the crest of the ridge and look down into the gully.
JANE (CONT’D)
TA-DA!
00:06:58
TOLEN
Oh, my sweet dear lord!
AVERY
It’s the camper van.
CHUCK
That’s no camper van!
SFX: Chuck runs down the gully to the side of the not camper van.
CHUCK (CONT’D)
It’s an FMC 2900R!
RJ
That collection of sounds means nothing to me.
SFX: Chuck walks alongside the FMC.
CHUCK
In the 1970s the Food Machinery Corporation diversified their production. In doing so, they ended up creating one of the most monumental recreational vehicles known in the world, the FMC 2900R. They were only manufactured from 1973 to 1976, and only a few hundred still exist today. And this - THIS - is one of them.
AVERY
Damn.
RJ
Chuck has full on car boner.
SFX: RJ starts taking pictures of the FMC.
CHUCK
This isn’t a camper van, this is a Golden God, a behemoth, a leviathan. A mythological creature that commands the respect of being called: King of the Road.
00:07:54
TOLEN
So, more like an RV?
CHUCK
WHAT? Do not abbreviate, not for this, this, THIS -
AVERY
This “Golden God,” yeah we get it Chuck, very happy you’re finally on board. - Shall we?
SFX: The team approaches the RV. A woodpecker pecks in the distance. It begins to rain lightly.
JANE
Tolen would you care to do the honors?
SFX: Jane produces a key and hands it to Tolen.
TOLEN
I actually think Chuck should do it. Chuck?
SFX: Tolen gives the keys to Chuck.
SFX: Chuck puts the keys in the lock.
CHUCK
Ooooohhh! Here we go.
SFX: Chuck unlocks the RV and opens the door.
SFX: Chuck steps up to enter, Tolen stops her.
00:08:22
TOLEN
Hold on, hold on. I want everyone to be careful. We saw how the house was, no offense Jane.
JANE
None taken.
TOLEN
We don’t need another RJ avalanche.
AVERY
Got it.
TOLEN
I don’t want anyone else getting hurt.
RJ
Understood.
TOLEN
I’m serious about this.
AVERY
100% agree.
TOLEN
Maybe we should look through the windows first-
CHUCK
(from inside the RV)
It’s empty.
TOLEN
WHAT?!
SFX: The entire group except for Jane piles inside. The tires bounce a squeak with each jostling step.
RJ
Oh wow.
AVERY
So much orange right now.
TOLEN
Check the cabinets!
SFX: The cabinets click and clack open and shut, so many cabinets. The rain hits the roof of the FMC, it is coming down a little harder now.
AVERY
I got nothing.
RJ
Nothing.
CHUCK
Nope.
TOLEN
I don’t understand. Jane? - Where’s Jane?
JANE
(from outside the RV)
Out here!
TOLEN
Where is everything?
JANE
I don’t know?
TOLEN
Did you clear it out?
JANE
No.
RJ
Could it have been robbed?
JANE
I don’t think so?
TOLEN
So... so what happened?
JANE
I have no idea. I’ve actually never been inside it.
00:09:22
TOLEN
You’ve never been inside?
JANE
As far as I know, it’s exactly how he left it.
CHUCK
(from the driver’s seat)
And he left it in pristine condition! Jane, you should really be selling this, not giving it away.
TOLEN
Chuck.
CHUCK
I’m sorry guys, but come on.
RJ
She’s right, Jane. You should try to sell this.
AVERY
It is amazing.
JANE
I’ll take your word for it.
CHUCK
Bet you could get a lot for this -
JANE
I don’t want to mess around with selling. I kinda just want it gone.
CHUCK
- Maybe well over 10k.
SFX: Jane bangs the side of the FMC.
JANE
I get IT. I SHOULD sell it, but I’m NOT so you should just TAKE THE THING! ... That was one hell of a walk, I gotta go use the little girl’s tree, excuse me.
SFX: Jane walks out into the woods.
00:10:06
AVERY
Uh, maybe you should go with her.
RJ
Uhm, no thanks.
AVERY
I thought you just said you had to pee?
RJ
Her outburst made it suck back up into my body.
AVERY
Fair enough. Ok, so what should we do now?
CHUCK
Let’s see if this kitten will purr for mommy.
RJ
Gross.
CHUCK
Yup, regretted it as soon as I said it. On three! ... OOOONNE! ... TWOOO! ...
SFX: Chuck turns the key. The ancient engine of the behemoth, sputters, with he-heee-heeaaavve and another he-heee-heeaaavve.
CHUCK (CONT’D)
Come on.
SFX: Yet another round of he-heee-heeaaavve and another he-heee-heeaaavve. Nothing.
CHUCK (CONT’D)
Shit.
RJ
We can ask around at the Homestead about a tow?
TOLEN
I guess. Avery, what do you think? ... Avery? ... Avery?
AVERY
(distracted)
Yeah... I could eat.
TOLEN
What? What are you doing?
AVERY
Do you see that?
RJ
What?
AVERY
That. That riiiight there.
SFX: There is a click of a latch, and then the door to a secret compartment swings open with a haunted house creak.
RJ
Oh, damn.
TOLEN
What in the hell?
AVERY
Secret compartment.
SFX: Chuck walks back to them.
CHUCK
This can’t be good.
00:11:12
RJ
Is someone gonna look inside?
TOLEN
Avery.
AVERY
Why do I have to do it?
TOLEN
Why don’t you wanna do it?
AVERY
Why don’t you wanna do it?
TOLEN
You found it.
RJ
Move.
SFX: RJ reaches into the secret cabinet, her arm smacks inside.
RJ (CONT’D)
I got something.
SFX: She pulls out several Altoid’s tins that are rusted shut, something rattles around inside.
RJ (CONT’D)
Uh. Okay.
AVERY
Are those Altoid’s tins?
SFX: RJ shakes it, whatever is inside rattles around.
CHUCK
A little rusted metal box of nightmares.
RJ
There are a few of them back here.
SFX: RJ tries to open one.
RJ (CONT’D)
I can’t get it open.
TOLEN
Let me try.
SFX: Tolen tries and can’t get it open
CHUCK
Why do you want to open it?
AVERY
Give it here.
SFX: Avery tries. She also can’t get it open.
AVERY (CONT’D)
Damn.
TOLEN
If Avery can’t do it, it’s impossible. Those weird tiny hands are amazingly strong.
RJ
We’ll have to break it open.
AVERY
Let’s bag them for now. Is there anything else back there?
SFX: Tolen bags tins. Using her cell phone, RJ leans deep in the secret compartment.
RJ
(From inside the compartment)
Uh... I see... well there is a bunch of books... and a bible? Oh and this here.
SFX: RJ hits another secret latch and another compartment opens on the other side of the RV. It creaks open.
AVERY
Holy shit.
TOLEN
Whoa.
CHUCK
Can we all stop opening things until we are all prepared.
AVERY
Going in.
SFX: Avery approaches the secret cupboard and leans inside.
TOLEN
Chuck, can you bag up the books?
AVERY
(from inside the new secret cupboard)
Uh. Ok, in here there is ... a very old camcorder ... a sketchbook and ... a folio? ... I think? Let me see, can someone grab these ... as... I pass them out?
TOLEN
On it.
SFX: Avery passes out the camcorder and leans back in and pulls out a large folio and sketch book.
SFX: Avery sits on the floor and opens the folio.
00:12:46
AVERY
WOW. Look, the folio is full of illustrations.
RJ
Oh, my.
SFX: RJ starts taking pictures of the folio standing over Avery.
AVERY
I mean, they’re beautiful?
RJ
But...
AVERY
Yeah.
TOLEN
Oh my God, did we just find a rough draft? ... Or part of the unpublished manuscript?!
RJ
Chuck, what’s in the sketchbook?
SFX: Chuck opens the sketchbook.
CHUCK
Uhm, just a bunch of landscapes?
AVERY
Wait, wait. Do not analyze yet. We are burning daylight.
CHUCK
Yes, exactly.
AVERY
Let’s rain-proof them and pack them up.
RJ
Let me get a few more pics of those folio illustrations.
SFX: RJ snaps a few more pics.
TOLEN
This is so exciting!
RJ
Got it, thanks.
SFX: Tolen starts packing the folio.
00:13:27
RJ (CONT’D)
Might not need to worry about rain-proofing.
SFX: The rain has stopped.
AVERY
Thank God it stopped. ... Where’s Jane?
RJ
(calling out)
Jane? JANE?
AVERY
(calling out)
JANE!
SFX: The group scrambles outside the RV.
RJ
She couldn’t have gone far?
TOLEN
Yeah, it hasn’t been that long.
AVERY
The woman got us lost like 20 times on the way here. She’s probably wandering aimlessly?
RJ
Looking for the right pee-pee tree.
AVERY
[Exhale] Damn it. ...
(calling out)
JANE!
TOLEN
(calling out)
JANE?
RJ
(calling out)
Jane?
CHUCK
(calling out)
JANE!
SFX: The group begins calling out into the woods, searching for Jane.
MUSIC: [POD THEME]
SFX: The mic clicks on, Avery is alone in the FMC.
00:14:25
AVERY
(narration)
It is now 3:43 PM. We just got back from searching the woods. No sign of Jane. A) We have no idea how the hell to get back to Jakob’s house from here. And B) We finished all the snacks about 30 minutes ago. So, things are going well.
SFX: Heavy footsteps are heard approaching from the woods.
RJ
(from outside the RV)
Did you hear that?
AVERY
Oh God, please be Jane.
SFX: Avery scrambles out of the RV. RJ, Tolen and Chuck are already outside approaching the sound.
RJ
(yelling)
JANE?
CHUCK
(yelling)
Jane!
TOLEN
(yelling)
Jane?!
RJ
(yelling)
Jane, are you ok?
AVERY
(yelling)
Jane!
TOLEN
(yelling)
Jane?!
AVERY
(yelling)
Hello?!
SFX: The footsteps continue to approach, but from the distance they hear the booming yet kind voice.
WALLACE
(yelling from a distance)
HELLO?
CHUCK
(panicked whisper)
HILL PEOPLE.
RJ
(yelling)
Hello?
WALLACE
(yelling from a distance)
Hello?
AVERY
Uhh?
00:15:18
WALLACE
(yelling from a distance)
I am not Jane, I repeat, I am not Jane.
AVERY
Kinda figured that out.
WALLACE
(yelling from a distance)
Do you need assistance?
RJ
(yelling)
Uh... maybe?
CHUCK
(panic whisper)
No, RJ please... hill people!
RJ
Chuck, the man is like right there.
RJ (CONT’D)
(yelling)
We’re looking for our friend?
WALLACE
(yelling)
Ah. Well, I haven’t seen anyone... my house is right over that-a-way. So, they ain’t between here and there.
RJ
(yelling)
Uh, thank you.
WALLACE
(yelling)
No problem. ... Uhm. Are you sure y’all okay?
AVERY
This is ridiculous.
SFX: Avery walks to Wallace.
AVERY (CONT’D)
HI, I’m Avery.
SFX: Wallace approaches Avery, his hand out-stretched, they shake.
WALLACE
Wallace Embry.
AVERY
Hey. Uh. We were brought out here by Jane Stanley, not sure if you know her? She’s seemed to have wandered off and we’re a little stranded.
WALLACE
This Jane person, she at Russell’s place?
AVERY
Yeah, how’d you know?
00:16:11
WALLACE
My uncanny prowess of deduction.
AVERY
It’s the only other house for miles isn’t it?
WALLACE
Well look at you, Nancy Drew! Better step up my game.
[Avery laughs]
AVERY
Wallace, this is RJ, Tolen and Chuck.
RJ
Hiyah!
WALLACE
Hiyah, RJ. Tolen, Chuck.
TOLEN
Nice to meet you.
CHUCK
Hey, man.
SFX: Wallace helps himself to a tree stump and takes a load off.
WALLACE
Damn y’all. The way you’ve been carrying on about this Jane person, I didn’t know if I should be concerned for her safety or scared she’s loose!
[The group laughs.]
WALLACE (CONT’D)
No y’all I’m serious. Which one is it?!
CHUCK
Probably both?
WALLACE
Y’all buying the FMC? Not to pry, but I mean, I can’t imagine any other reason for y’all to be out here.
TOLEN
Yes right, the FMC. Uh, Jane was going to donate it to us... We’re doing a documentary on the author Jakob Stanley, he was her uncle.
WALLACE
No shit? A documentary. That sounds like pants of the fancy variety. ... So, Russell was a writer?
TOLEN
Yes, a very accomplished one.
WALLACE
Well, I’ll be damned. He never talked about that with me.
TOLEN
You knew him?
WALLACE
We’ve been neighbors for awhile. He was an older gentleman, so I’d help him out with things... clear trees, shovel snow, an’at.
TOLEN
Would you be willing to do an interview? We have so many questions-
WALLACE
Hold on, now ... I didn’t know him that well.
AVERY
Sorry. I guess we’re just a little overeager. We currently only have one interview and she hadn’t seen him in 18 years.
WALLACE
Eighteen years, huh?
00:17:35
TOLEN
But you on the other hand?
WALLACE
Uh-huh. Y’all would have to be pretty desperate to scrape the bottom of this barrel. I didn’t know he could write his name, let alone a book.
RJ
Guys, it’s not that bad, Jane did let us take whatever we wanted from his house?
WALLACE
Did she now?
TOLEN
We haven’t done a deep dive into it yet, but there might be some really compelling material there. And in the RV we found a few things... So you’re right maybe it’s not that bad.
WALLACE
I mean... I have lived here for the last 20 years, so... maybe I might be able to fill in some gaps for ya. Might not be worth an interview though?
TOLEN
No, oh my God, totally worth an interview. Anything, any information you have on him from the last 20 years, we would be absolutely grateful for.
WALLACE
All right, all right, I’ll think about it. ... So, what was the plan here? Get this beauty up and running?
CHUCK
And hopefully drive her home. Although, I don’t know how we would get her out of here.
WALLACE
Oh, there’s a fire road that way... you’re just gonna have to finesse that patch over there, but it’s doable.
CHUCK
There is a fire road nearby?!
AVERY
Are you kidding me?!
CHUCK
We could have driven here?!
AVERY
Goddamn it, Jane.
RJ
But, the FMC isn’t running.
WALLACE
Well that’s a goddamn travesty!
CHUCK
Couldn’t agree with you more.
WALLACE
Huh. There fuel in the tank?
CHUCK
Gauge says there is.
WALLACE
Mind if I take a look? ... Don’t worry I’m a licensed mechanic.
CHUCK
REALLY? Oh thank GOD!
TOLEN
Are you serious!?
WALLACE
Serious as a heart attack, Jack. May I approach?
TOLEN
Go right ahead.
WALLACE
Let me check the engine first before I make any promises, now.
AVERY
No worries, have at it.
WALLACE
If I’m being honest, I’ve been wanting to get my hands on this for quite some time! Chuck you wanna help me out, bud, and try to start her up for me.
CHUCK
Sure.
SFX: Wallace heads to the engine and Chuck scampers to the driver’s seat.
00:19:24
AVERY
Let’s pack up and see if this guy will let us use his phone.
TOLEN
Agreed.
SFX: RJ, Tolen and Avery head to the back of the RV as Wallace and Chuck test the engine.
WALLACE
(in the distance)
Okay, starter’ up.
SFX: Chuck tries the engine it chugs like before.
WALLACE (CONT’D)
(yelling over the engine)
Alright, cut it.
SFX: Chuck cuts the engine.
CHUCK
‘Kay.
SFX: RJ stops in the doorway of the RV.
RJ
Hey guys? ... Check this out.
AVERY
What is it?
SFX: Avery and Tolen cross to RJ at the door.
RJ
Look at the back of the FMC.
SFX: Wallace and Chuck test the engine again.
WALLACE
(in the distance)
Starter up.
WALLACE (CONT’D)
(yelling over engine)
Alright, cut it.
SFX: Chuck cuts the engine.
WALLACE (CONT’D)
Gimmie a sec.
CHUCK
‘Kay.
RJ
Now come to the doorway and look inside.
AVERY
OH!
RJ
You see it?
SFX: Wallace and Chuck test the engine again.
WALLACE
(in the distance)
Okay, starter up.
SFX: Chuck tries the engine, it chugs.
AVERY
(yelling over engine)
The back of the RV...
TOLEN
(yelling over engine)
WHAT?
AVERY
(yelling over engine)
The inside is smaller than the outside.