Black Jack Justice (31) - Requiem for an Elf

Show Bot · 12-04-2009

It is a season not to be trusted, my friends. It can dress up sadness as nostalgia, tackiness as whimsy and grey-green slush as "Christmas snow"... but it didn't seem like all the holiday spirit in the world was going to do the little man in the red suit and even redder puddle of his own blood much good, now was it? Length: 30 min Size: 10.5MB

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Gregg · 12-04-2009

Why Show Bot... you haven't been waiting for this day, have you?

cetius · 12-04-2009

*cry
Where's Peter? Why the change-up?

Another lovely ep.

P.S. Please tell me Clarissa's not anything like Alice?

James Wolfe · 12-04-2009

I too miss the original, Peter-Nicol-created, sweaty voice, but damn if Steven Burley didn't bring his A-game to the impersonation. Very nice work.

Boy, I forget how much I miss them. Best three months of the year.

Gregg · 12-04-2009

Peter hasn't gone anywhere, but last year when we were recording this episode, he had a sudden family situation that forced his temporary return to his native Alberta. You'll hear him back in the role later this season, but yes, Stevie B did a great job.

Undrave · 12-04-2009

I guess Peter's best friend was the best placed person to record this.

It was incredibly HILARIOUS! Just amazing! I always say you have a talent for comedy Master Taylor!

And the news of the new book... oh my

That's good enough a Christmas present!

stephensmat · 12-05-2009

#GASP!# They’re back! I wasn’t expecting this! I thought we had more Red Panda’s to go! I don't have a monologue prepared!

#Quickly clears throat, looks around# Cue the music! #Blues guitar and a little light saxophone.# That’s better!!

It’s hard to understand, living the life of a dick. A private dick. A detective dammit! Perverts.

The reason, gentles all, that the life of a PI is hard to understand, is that we spend so much time in our own heads, following our own inner monologues. We all of us watched too much Sam Spade growing up, that’s why we wear trench coats, and damn the weird looks we get from passersby. Is it our fault that we prefer the 30’s to the 21st century? Hell no. Today’s headlines got more trouble on them than October of 29, and the dames are more predatory than a tiger walking through an orphanage.

I reflect on this as I pull on my trenchcoat and make my way to the 1930’s big bad city, swiftly wishing I had brought along a heavier coat. The sidewalk Santa’s are getting pushy, but with Christmas this close, I imagine they might be expecting a downturn in business. Nevertheless, when I recognize Freddie the Finger in Red, I take my dime back. I’m in no mood. Freddie whines about it a bit, the usual flu season seems to have changed his voice some, but I quickly recover from the surprise. Maybe when summer comes, his voice goes back to normal. It may, it may not. Freddie doesn’t take care of himself. Lousy Jolly Holiday Season.

Still and all when one’s mind turns to Ebenezer Scrooge’s way of thinking, it’s nice to have people who can relate; who have their own little melancholy tales to tell themselves in their head.

I knew one such pair of aces who were perfect at it. It seemed like several times during every conversation they’d break off suddenly and talk to thin air silently before resolving themselves to continue their day.

It’s the kind of thing that makes you look past the peeling paint. If there was anything that could take a fella’s mind off the state of the economy, it would be Trixie Dixon

But even this woman, the very definition of the ‘Bah humbug’ is better company when she’s had eggnog. Jack keeps magnums in his desk. One's a gun and he keeps it loaded. The other's a bottle and it keeps him loaded.

I pour another shot. And listen to the story about their day. I swiftly realize I took my leave of Freddie just in time. Freddie and his tush would be quite happy to know the girl detective has been watching, but the thought of him walking for her eyes alone as he leaves, is enough to ensure that I will never close my eyes again. Or open them. In fact, if this wasn’t audio drama, I would put both eyes out right now.

Alice however, is about as close to Trixie, in general decorum and attitude, as I’m sure he feels comfortable dating. It was a real treat to meet her finally, even if she did sound a little squirrelly for a wuss like Hawthorne.

I looked over to ask a question, and realized that jack had his distant face on, which meant he was telling himself a story in his head. I looked over to Trixie, and saw that she had the same look. Yessir. Sometimes it was hard to keep up with a brilliant detective's mind.

I cannot begrudge them their little mental narration. After all, they had very little else to do in this story. But that's the holiday season. It's the time of Miracles. Except for Santa. This was his busy time of year and there were nine fewer to go around. Made me feel bad about not donating.

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me-e-e….

Seven Mob Connections
Six-guns a plenty
Five Dead St Nicks’
Four More Victims dyin'
Three, scams a busted
Two cops in a closet
And a new Episode for download!

#Sighs# It's good to have them back.

alldogship · 12-05-2009

I could not help being disappointed hearing a different actor doing a classic character... only for the first 5 seconds. Good job Steven! Was it me or Nelson also sounded different? A weird, shy and uncomfortable different that we would expect from Nelson anyway? I'm not complaining, they were both great.

Not to repeat too much from the people that posted before me,
Alice: Wow!
Ending: Wow!
Ghost: Wow!

Digamma · 12-05-2009

You clever clever man,

Was it an Accident of Providence or Planned Genius.

The fact that a different Voice Actor Played everyone's favorite Ne'er do well

fit in the Plot Perfectly. an overall fun listen. Clarrisa was hilarous as Mrs. Hawthorne. Nelson was a bit over the top but funny nonetheless.

Is this the Actual X-mas episode or will we get another visit to the Decoder ring Mansion Like Last time?

Gregg · 12-05-2009

Nope, that's the Christmas episode all right, though I do recommend running all three in a row sometime.

Gee, was that Hans' first outing as Sgt Nelson too? I think it might have been, actually. This was actually the last episode recorded in this set of Black Jacks, but it took the first spot because of the holiday tie-in, so I might have forgotten that. Yes, he brings a little bit more "Barney Fife" to the role, but I enjoy it, and it's a lot of fun to do the Sabien/Nelson banter with him, as you will see later this season.