The Fifth Horseman: Recent Episodes
Fourth Wheel Productions
Fourth Wheel Production podcasts are at: https://fourthwheel.buzzsprout.com/
Theta, Mind-Master from an extra-galactic planet, was in situ, as secure within the confines of the beehive he had selected as were the countless millions of other minds on the planet, each ensconced within a skull of bone.The occupation of an earthly headquarters, a seemingly insignificant event at this moment, was the first move in a programme of extreme complexity. All that was to follow would be in stark contrast. The range of activities planned by this invader and his distant peers would ultimately place all civilisation in peril of extinction.The Fifth Horseman is produced by Fourth Wheel Productions.
Solomon Stinger really was entirely alone. A forlorn creature totally lost, bravely whistling in the dark. Never at any time during a long and eventful previous existence had he felt more alone. He was in fact more hopelessly alone than any other human had ever been.
Cast list...
Omega | : | Apple Mac ("Moira")
Gorog | : | Apple Mac ("Lee")
Professor Solomon Stinger | : | Peter Hocking
Henry Macidle | : | Roger McGrath
Rico Muddins | : | Mitch McDonnell
It seemed Rico was regarded by the voice as a “dutiful servant”. Within months of Theta’s promise, the prediction of his acquisition of “a much larger beehive” was fulfilled, but at a tragic cost.
The millennium was nearing its end when through the Hotel's door sidled a hunched figure, almost surreptitiously it seemed. He was dressed in a crumpled dark suit, down-at-heel shoes, dark glasses under the pulled-down rim of a battered trilby hat. He carried a small suitcase. Commonplace enough, yet there was something about the man, a certain aura that caused the landlord to pay closer attention.
Meeting the man's dark compelling gaze Rico found he was truly looking into the eyes of an old friend. The deep-set pools spoke of profound torment of an intensity endured by few. These were the eyes of a person who had travelled far, travelled alone, in all probability seen sights stupendous, experienced all manner of disasters. Rico realised the man was speaking to him.
“I'm so pleased that you seem to recognise me. Pity I can't remember more myself...”
The problem that faced them was this: how could this well-respected Professor and his hotel-waiter companion, two men missing for ten days or so, widely sought throughout the county and beyond, suddenly turn up from nowhere - in this very station? Moreover, they had materialised in one of the ancient, long-disused cell rooms situated in its very centre! These old cells were used as store-rooms nowadays, seldom visited, none of them locked. How had this odd pair managed to pass the main desk in order to get in there? More to the point, where had they been for two weeks? To complicate matters further, the young man in question sported a large contusion on his forehead that was weeping blood. What was worse, he claimed to retain no memory whatsoever of what had happened to him!
Professor Stinger appeared uninjured but was unconscious, in a deep sleep from which he could not be awakened.
Meanwhile Henry McIdle has to admit that the Vaults' clientele are its greatest asset.
Cast:
Theta : Apple Mac ("Daniel")
Constable : Tim McGrath
Spyke Tudor : Daniel McGrath
Ruby Stinger : Fiona McVey
Valerie Butler : Helen Peerless
Sergeant Barmley : Isabelle McGrath
Gypsy : Kim Petersen
Rico Muddins : Mitch McDonnell
Professor Solomon Stinger : Peter Hocking
Henry Macidle : Roger McGrath
Frank Pugh : Ron Potiphar
The situation Rico and the Professor found themselves in in 1897 was proving more alarming at every turn, if not positively menacing.
The local rector considers them nothing less than emissaries of Satan and takes action that proves prejudicial to their future well-being.
In the grim surrounds of the Magistrates’ Court the two are charged under the Vagrancy Act and of propagating views of an extremely revolutionary and godless nature among the townsfolk.
Placed on remand by an incensed magistrate, the pair found themselves a causes célèbres. As the Professor remarks…
“Could it be this was a point in history when rebellion was in the air? At any rate there is certainly an underlying pool of resentment against the people in authority.”
Awaiting trial in the local gaol, their ultimate salvation must lie with Theta and his powers.
Somewhere in the background of a spinning mind Rico becomes aware of a brass band playing. It was definitely somewhere in the town - and the sound is becoming louder by the moment. That painfully familiar sense of foreboding develops until it floods his consciousness.
The Professor has also heard the band music and follows the waiter outside the hotel to investigate.
Outside on the pavement they stand together. Open-mouthed and incredulous they drink in an amazing scene. Totally uncomprehending, the pair exchange blank stares...
Cast:
Henry Macidle : Roger McGrath
Rico Muddins : Mitch McDonnell
Professor Solomon Stinger : Peter Hocking
Valerie Butler : Helen Peerless
Hilda Cubbage : Annie Taylor
Alice Pugh : Isabelle McGrath
Larrikin : Kim Petersen
Prostitute : Fiona McVey
Spyke Tudor : Daniel McGrath
Frank Pugh : Ron Potiphar
Moonlight : Isabelle McGrath
Theta : Acrobat Reader ("Daniel")
Some months have passed since Rico had been given instructions by the mind voice at the beehive to bring a scientist to the hive entrance. Now he has brought Professor Stinger in person.
But at the beehive the Professor is taken unwell, with no forewarning in the grip of some sort of seizure. The Professor begins mouthing indecipherable words, for all the world as if he too was in conversation with those ceaselessly humming nectar gatherers in the hive. At length his composure returns. Even so Professor Stinger will never be the same person again(!??!).
Much to Rico's relief, and surprise, the clairvoyant incidents that had so persistently plagued him appear to have ceased. Unbeknown to him though, something else, the strangest experience of them all, lies in store. It is already on the horizon.
Cast:
Henry Macidle : Roger McGrath
Rico Muddins : Mitch McDonnell
Professor Solomon Stinger : Hannah Etchells/Isabelle McGrath/Peter Hocking
Valerie Butler : Helen Peerless
Julia : Annie Taylor
Samantha : Janie McGrath
Shopper : Isabelle McGrath
Stallholder : Fiona McVey
Spyke Tudor : Daniel McGrath
Frank Pugh : Ron Potiphar
Whilst this bar‑room pantomime had been taking its course the news-flash mentioned recently by the doctor was indeed being transmitted world-wide. On reaching his room Rico switched on the small TV set and picked up the horror story midway through...
NEWSREADER: “Panic is seizing the city after simultaneous strikes at several points in the subway system. Victims of what is thought to be a new strain of Ebola virus are already numbered in the thousands. It is being suggested the entire city of Tokyo may have to be isolated and placed in quarantine. A government spokesman has described the outrage as the work of a terrorist group and police special units are reacting swiftly. So far no organisation has claimed responsibility for the attack. Viewers will be kept informed as further news comes in…”
Cast
Doctor:Cameron Etchells
Henry Macidle:Roger McGrath
Newsreader:Isabelle McGrath
Rico Muddins:Mitch McDonnell
Professor Solomon Stinger:Hannah Etchells
Theta:Acrobat Reader ("Daniel")
Valerie Butler:Helen Peerless
Julia:Annie Taylor
Spyke Tudor: Daniel McGrath
First Academic:Janie McGrath
Second Academic:Isabelle McGrath
Third Academic:Fiona McVey
Narrator: Tim McGrath
An alien being arrives on Earth to a commence elimination of the human race in an attempt to restore it's critically damaged ecosphere.
Rico discovers his grandfather's body at the beehives and is given instructions by Theta.
Cast:
Frank Pugh ……… Ron Potiphar
Henry Macidle …... Roger McGrath
Newsreader ….….. Isabelle McGrath
Rico Muddins ….... Mitch McDonnell
Theta ………...…... Acrobat Reader ("Daniel")
Valerie Butler….…. Helen Peerless
Narrated by Tim McGrath