Episode 1443 – Frank 13 | Read With Me | SWM+ Sneak Peek

SCOOTER: Friends beyond the binary, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it’s time for a calm and soothing journey. It’ll be meandering because, oh boy, am I gonna get mixed up. Not direct; no journey on Sleep With Me is direct. Hopefully your journey to dreamland I make a better…by my indirectness I give you a better connection to dreamland or to rest or just a distraction and a friend in the deep, dark night, a companion on this meandering ride. I’ll be the conductor and your companion here, but I can sit all the way on the other side of the train if needed, or just up at the…okay, I’ll sit up with the conductor. You may be confused; that probably means you're in the right place, 'cause it’s time for Sleep With Me, the podcast that puts you to sleep.

Intro: Hey, are you up all night tossing, turning, mind racing? Trouble getting to sleep? Trouble staying asleep? Well, welcome. This is Sleep With Me, the podcast that puts you to sleep. We do it with a bedtime story. Alls you need to do is get in bed, turn out the lights, and press Play. I’m gonna do the rest. What I’m going to attempt to do is create a safe place where you could set aside whatever’s keeping you awake. It could be thoughts, things on your mind, so thoughts, feelings, anything you're feeling emotionally that’s coming up for you. So, feelings…thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, anything you're feeling physically. Or did I say emotionally? I already got mixed up. Thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, changes in routine; oh boy, am I going through the old change in routine. Changes in temperature…change in temperature, too. Holy mackerel. Also, how about this one? I don't know if I’ve ever pointed this one out; blankets not agreeing with you.

Maybe I’ll talk about that tonight, but…disruptive blankets. Never thought I’d call out my blankets, and actually, none of them are…I say, I’m not a blanket, man. For starters, that’s why I’m disrupting. We’re…none of us are. So, we’d…I say, okay, well, let’s…can we discuss it in a few minutes, please? Well, I’d like to talk about it right now. Okay, well, considering…I just need a few minutes to get…there might be new listeners for the podcast, so maybe you could listen along, and then…what’s a podcast? Exactly. I’ll help you out. This is why I need my rest, and that’s why I’ve been a little frustrated with our relationship. This is actually the first time I’ve ever talked to any of you. I mean, I’ve talked at you. I apologize for that. Again, I was wrong. Another apology. I didn't realize you were sentient bedding. I was wrong never to anthropomorphize you until now, so I’m sorry for that. I know that’s not a very good apology. So, if you're new…I’m sorry, blankets. Oh, boy.

So, if you're new, here’s what I propose to do. I’m gonna try to create a safe place just like I’m trying to…I guess trying to create a safe place for myself to sleep in. Who would have known I’d have to…? I mean, I guess I did know. I’ve been having…we’ve been having issues in my bed. My…what is it called again? Bedding and I. That’ll be another biography; Issues With My Bedding and I. That could be more of a pamphlet. So, here’s what I propose to do; I’m gonna try to create a safe place by sending my voice across the deep, dark night. I’m gonna use lulling, soothing, creaky, dulcet tones. So, my voice is a little bit different. I’m gonna use pointless meanders, or I’m gonna go on them — maybe you just witnessed one — superfluous tangents. All to take your mind off of stuff and keep you company, and that’s kinda the key thing that can be very hard when you first listen to the show. It takes two or three tries to get used to this podcast, so if you're feeling off, I totally understand, or you're feeling skeptical.

It totally makes sense. I’m gonna try to give you some information. The same goes for my bedding; if you're feeling skeptical about my intentions, why wouldn't you? I never…you say, Scoots, you anthropomorphize everything, including when you misuse anthropomorphize. I say, have I anthropomorphized anthropo…because I don't have time for that tonight, but maybe a listener will remind me to anthropomorphize anthropomorfication. Anthropomorfication…is there a double Fs in there? Anthropomorphize…let’s see; synthesize, synthesis…anthropormorphis; I guess it’s not anthropomorphosis. Is it anthropomorphosis or antha…? So, anyway, if you're new, right, you're gonna be skeptical or doubtful. What’s this person up to? So, let me give you a few pieces of information. The reason I make the show is because you deserve a good night's sleep. You deserve a place you can get some rest, a bedtime you could look forward to or at least not dread, and that’s one of the reasons I make the show.

Now, the show does not work for everybody. So, when I say you, no matter if the show works for you or not, you still deserve those things, and I really hope you can find them. There is a website, sleepwithmepodcast.com/nothanks, if this show definitely doesn't work for you, but give it a few tries, because that’s what I want. If you can get the rest you need, your life’s gonna be a little bit better tomorrow and a little bit more manageable, and that really…this is true. You deserve that, and our entire planet will be a better place if you're a little bit more rested and more focused tomorrow, because we need you. So, you know, we need…everybody needs you and you need you, right? So, that’s one thing. The other reason it’s important to me is because I’ve been there. I guess we could talk about that part more, but I…tossing, turning lately, oh boy, bedding, we’ll talk about it. Not my bedding’s fault, actually. Just our relationship. Okay, so that’s why I make the show.

A few other things that are different about this podcast; it’s not a podcast you so much listen and pay attention to. So, some people start listening to it and they're like, when’s the bedtime…it’s a bedtime story, right? I say, kind of. I guess it’s more of a podcast to keep you company while you fall asleep. So, it’s not a podcast you really listen to. Some people get pretty…have pretty strong feelings, understandably, because they turn on the show and they kinda think, okay, it’s gonna start right away with the bedtime story, and it’s a little bit different than that, and I’ll talk about why. But this is also a podcast you just barely pay attention to. So, that’s…it could be background noise, or you can listen. It’s also not a podcast that puts you to sleep. It’s here to keep you company and take your mind off of stuff while you fall asleep. So, I’m more of a mild distraction or a pleasant distraction, and that’s the thing; if you can't sleep, I’m here to the end of the episode to keep you company whether you're listening, whether you're awake, whether you understand or not.

I’m here to keep you company. That’s really my job, is to be here talking in some inane sense about stuff. So, you could listen, but you don't have to listen. You could fall asleep, but you don't have to fall asleep. You could pay attention, but you don't need to, or hear what I’m saying. So, those are two things that are very different. The structure and the purpose of our show is also very different, and so, it’s understandable, again, if you're having strong feelings about it. Our show is designed in a very specific way. While a lot of people use the podcast in a variety of ways…and that’s just kinda how it’s cool to adjust the show…what works for you. But when you first get here, this is kinda the way the podcast is set up to work until you get used to it and find your groove. The show starts off with a greeting; friends beyond the binary, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. Hopefully that makes you feel seen and welcome, at least enough…you could say, well, let me look in the window there and see what the podcast is like.

Then there’s support, support for listeners who are in need right now, and then support for the community around the show, and then support for the show itself, like direct-response support, either people supporting the show through memberships or sponsors. Then there’s the intro, and the intro is…first the support or the greeting could throw people off, then the intro also throws people off, 'cause it’s about ten to twenty minutes long of me rambling as I’m doing now, anthropomorphizing things, never getting to the point. The intro is a show within a show that never…that’s always running and never gets started, always going but goes nowhere, and it’s new and different every time. So, it’s kinda like something spinning around in a circle. But you say, well, it’s…I don't know why I keep watching that video of that cat chasing that thing, but I do. But you would probably…if it was a new cat and a new thing getting chased every day…there’s new business for me, catschasingstuff.com.

Hopefully I bought it. I guess that’ll definitely be what tonight’s episode is about. So, that throws me off a little bit, but it totally makes sense. So…oh, so, the intro goes on and on and on to give you some distance from the day. So, the main way…it’s not the right or wrong way. You could find out whatever way works for you. But the main purpose of the intro is to give you some time to wind down, get ready for bed, and start to unwind. Not so much to put you to sleep. But you say, okay, I feel comfortable. Some people fall asleep. Some people skip the intro. But for a lot of listeners, they're listening maybe even before they get in bed. Maybe they're doing something else relaxing; stretching or some other calm activity or just brushing their teeth and stuff. ‘Cause then you say, well, I missed what Scoots said. I guess it doesn't matter. I couldn't hear you over the sweet, sweet brushing of my teeth. So, that’s the intro. Yeah, some people listen to story-only episodes on Patreon.

So, just kinda see how it goes. Then there’s more business. Again, that goes for the goal of the podcast being free. Like, sponsorships make it possible…the show is free. You don't have to pay anything. It’s optional to be a member of the show. So, that’s the sponsorships, then it’ll be a bedtime story. I thought it was gonna be about one thing, but I guess tonight we’ll be talking about some new business. Maybe I’ll talk to the Cusacks and see if they have a business about cats chasing stuff. So, that’ll be the bedtime story, which will be about forty-five or fifty minutes long. That you could fall asleep to or you could listen to it, or if you need a break during the day, you could listen to it. Then it’ll end with thank-yous. The show ends like that. So, that’s it. I guess…so, my blankets, my bedding, I’m sorry. We’ve just been having a rough stretch. Again, the temperature…when I’m recording this it’s a different time of the year when you're recording it.

But every time of the year, seasons have different temperatures. Scoots…you could say I’m finicky when it comes to my bedroom temperature. Hard to please, for sure. So, yeah, that’s the truth. But so, my blankets, my duvet, my…last night we were all in chaos. Again, part of it is that whatever activity is going on when I’m asleep, my duvets and my comforters…yes, I have two. Right now only one is in use, my weighted comforter, and then I have a beautiful duvet on it from Brooklyn and one of the sponsors, but…and then I have my sheet. I do use a top sheet. Not everybody does, but I just like having that extra layer. But last night, because usually…because of whatever is going on, my duvet and my comforter not just tend to get separated; more the filling…I don't know what I’m doing. So, what I did settle on is every couple days I’ll switch it and I’ll bring the bottom of the duvet to my chinny-chin-chin, and the top of the duvet to my toey-toe-toes, or sometimes I’ll just do it on a forty-five-degree basis.

‘Cause I said, is this thing square or not? I don't know the answer to that one. But last night my sheet got disarrayed. I didn't even know it. I lost my sheet. I said, sorry. ‘Cause instead of getting out of bed and readjusting, I just tried to put my feet up and readjust my comforter that way. It wasn't very effective. So, again, I guess it was on me. I made…I assumed that somehow the…I don't know, what do we call it? The duvet fairy or the duvet…the comforter queen would come and redistribute it and shake it and fluff it back out. But really, I’ve fallen out of the habit of making my bed in the morning. Today I did because my sheet was crumbled up on the side of me. I said, what are you…? My sheet was spooning me in some sense. I said, no, no, no, that’s not our relationship. You're supposed to be a nice, soothing layer between the…you know, we work together as a team. So, that’s just one of the things that goes on…one of the few things that goes on in my bed at night, as my…all my bedding has a giant laugh at my expense.

Oh boy. But so, I can hear my sheet talking about…say, somebody’s gotta spoon me, man. I just felt…I said, okay, well, I appreciate the effort there. I really do. Holy, my subconscious must be working…they say, well, that’s what’s happening. I say, okay, well…so, anyway…so, I’m glad you're here. Like I said, I’m a human being. This is the kinda stuff I go through. Maybe you're going through something similar or something different. Maybe you could relate on the emotive level or emotional level. You say, man, even when it’s easy…so, I’m glad you're here. I really hope I can take your mind off of stuff and keep you company. I really hope I can help you fall asleep. Thanks again for coming by, and here’s a couple ways I’m able to do it for you for free twice a week.

Friends beyond the binary, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, this is the second time you get to hear me say that welcome, because this episode is constructed from a intro from the past and our read-with-me episodes here. It’s a Frankie and Victor episode with our friend Frank and his…so, I’m reading from the book Victor and Frankie, also known as a famous Mary Shelley novel, and this is a little bit different than episodes we’ve done with Sleep With Me, but we tested this out on Sleep With Me+; it was so popular we wanted to bring it to everyone. So, it’s me reading through a book, also paraphrasing, making stuff sleepy, but it’s not perfectly sleepy, just like everything else we make, you know? It exists within this world, but it’s pretty chill. So, I hope you enjoy it. Without further ado, more of Victor and Frankie. Thanks, everybody.

Chapter 23. It was 8:00 when we landed. We walked for a short time on the shore, enjoying the transitory light, and then retired to the inn and contemplated the lovely scene of waters, woods, and mountains obscured in darkness yet still displaying their black outlines. The wind, which had fallen in the south, now rose and got really windy in the west. The moon had reached her summit in the heavens and was beginning to descend. The clouds swept across it, swifter than the flight of birds that caw and make other…you know, bird-birds, and dimmed her rays while the lake reflected the scene of the busy heavens, rendered still busier by the restless waves that were beginning to rise. Suddenly a heavy storm of rain descended. I had been calm during the day, but so soon as night obscured the shapes of objects, a thousand thoughts arose in my mind. I was looking out and I was ready to go.

I even had a sprayer that I thought would dampen the compost and slow it down, which I kept hidden, 'cause it had glue in it and stuff. I said, well, I’ll just spray the compost-based being with glue. But everything I heard…I said, oh, there’s my compost friend. But I resolved that I would stay calm and not shrink from this until it was all dealt with. I was looking out for me and them, and Elizabeth was there, of course. Elizabeth observed my agitation with…for some time, but kept silent. But there was something in my glance which she found unsettling, since she knew nothing. I only laugh with discomfort at my behavior, of course. She said, what is it that agitates you, dear Victor? What is it you're concerned with? Oh, peace, peace, my love. This night…this may be performance pressure, my dear. All is well. It’s just the wind. I don't know, something about the wind. It’s thrown off my…I wish the weather would be better.

I passed an hour in this state of mind when suddenly I reflected that my wife would have to watch me dance off with a compost-based being. I said…this brought on a whole new kind of performance pressure. I had forgot about any wedding or love-based performances I may be performing, and I entreated her to retire, resolving to join her later, you know, but not after…you know, I had to get my head straight, you know? You go be by yourself. I’ll be by myself, and then we’ll be together. She left me, went into the other room, and I continued for some time pacing up and down the house, inspecting every corner that might afford a place for a leaf to lay, but I discovered no trace of my friend. I was beginning to conjecture that some unfortunate chance had intervened to prevent all his promises he made to me. Only if I let him down, of course. I said, yeah, maybe he got lost. Maybe somebody else found him. Maybe he decomposed, you know?

Compost…maybe he now is beneath the earth. Then I heard a surprised sound, and it came from the room which Elizabeth was in. I never checked that room, funny enough. Then as I heard it, I realized, oh, wait a second…and I was frozen, though. I said, hm, rush in there? Couldn't move. Couldn't move an inch. I could feel things moving within me and tingling within me, and this didn't last as long as I make it sound, obviously, 'cause Elizabeth said, huh, what’s this? I dare say this is not my…the bedmate…I was waiting for him to get his head on straight. I rushed in there eventually, and I was gonna see her. I said, oh boy…and, how can I say this? But by the time I got in there, she said without words, Victor, I waited long enough for you, and I made a decision to head…to join…I said, should I stay here or should I cross over this rainbow bridge? This compost-based being told me, why don't you just…?

Victor; you're gonna…you're waiting for Victor to come in here to get over his performance pressure? Really? You're gonna be waiting forever, by the way, Elizabeth. I can only tell you, 'cause he promised me. He made some promises to me, as well. Or, you got friends, you got family, Clerval, all waiting for you to hang. Victor-free zone. Yeah, it’s a Victor-free zone over there, Elizabeth. No more…what if you could live a life without service to Victor? What would that be like? He said to me. This is what her body said to me as she slept so soundly. I said, did all that just occur while I was frozen in the other room for an indeterminable amount of time which may have been four seconds or much, much longer? I said, oh boy. I said to her even though she was sleeping, I said, I think I’ve fully overcome my performance pressure, and I’ve realized that deep within me a passion burns for you, Elizabeth. But have you gone to join the others just like Clerval? Are you tired of me? No, that cannot be.

That compost-based being planted an idea with you that life without me would be better? Oh, no. How could I…? I mean, I guess the performance pressure is gone, but this was not what I had chosen. I mean, I did choose to make Elizabeth come with me and not tell her anything. But, you know, I had…I said, this is the fault of this compost-based being, not I. For only a moment…let me be clear; only a moment I lost recollection and decided to lay down for a little while, but it was only a moment, because I guess everybody in the inn heard me running around, making a commotion, and they came in. They said, I’ve never heard wedded bliss like that before. It didn't…we never heard somebody pacing miles and miles and miles to prepare for it. They said, by the way, your Elizabeth, she passed on the way out and said, that guy pacing is supposed to be…we’re supposed to have…our backs are supposed to be sweating together in unison, so I’ve decided to depart.

That’s my wedded bliss up there, pace, pace, pacing. So, I was quite embarrassed that she would tell that to everybody at the inn. I didn't even know that was possible since she was also sleeping as she made the transition from this realm to the next. I thought of her. I was just moments away from coming in and saying, hey, I checked every room, and now I’m ready, ready for you. So, I don't know. I kissed her forehead quite a few times and said, oh, the sounds you would have heard from this room if…here to perchance this was not all interrupted by someone deeply jealous. For this I would have showed Elizabeth how loved and cherished she was. There was leaves around the room and swampy stuff. I said, look at this swampy stuff around the room. The storm, the windows, the moon…the shutters were open. Then I looked out the window. There was the leaf-based being, and he was smiling, laughing. He almost jeered me.

With two fingers, he made the motion of a man pacing incessantly, and then laughed again. I rushed towards the window with that glue…with the glue, but he took off and jumped in the lake. Everybody saw me squirting glue at the window, pointing at the window. I said, we gotta get out there. Let’s clean up these…let’s go get this compost, everybody. Get moving. He was…he advised my wife to depart this realm, and for some reason they bought it, 'cause after several hours we returned, most of them thinking I just made it all up. After we got back, they started looking around town and stuff. I said, yeah, let me go help you look around town for…and then I said, I’m so tired, though. I think I need to lie down. Why don't you all search? I mean, I’m utterly exhausted. Do you realize how much pacing I did before this? All the pressure on me to perform? I said, what happens in these situations is I need to lie down for quite some time. I said, in fact, why don't you all carry me back to bed, please, right now?

I have no idea what’s going on, and I seem to be missing something. After, again, some time, probably short, but some people may say a long time, I arose, and I went into a room where everybody was making ready for Elizabeth’s post…after her departure. Nothing was clear in my mind. My thoughts rambled on various subjects. I made a few speeches about things, maybe my professors at school? I don't know, and about…a lot of it about myself and my misfortunes, and Clerval, how Clerval was so good at…I mean, a few things Clerval was good at, as well as Elizabeth. I was bewildered in a cloud of wonder of my bad luck; William, Justine, Clerval, and my wife. At that moment I knew that…huh, probably my father would be…huh, should I check on my father? Is he being advised now to relieve stuff? And Ernst? I said, wait a second, I better get…by the way, everybody, take care of this stuff. I gotta head out. My father will pay the bill. Just send it to him.

I gotta get to Geneva with all possible speed, so I need you to procure me a horse and a boat and get rid of this wind, because I’m not gonna row, obviously, and the rain…maybe a cadre of rain, like people with umbrellas? I’m not sure. But it was barely just morning, and I got…I was like, maybe I could get there by nighttime. They didn't even have enough people to row, row, row me in a boat, so I had to row and tell them that…they said, this is not how you row. Let me show you how to row. I showed them. When you're having a bad day, exercise is the way. So, I showed them how powerful I was. But, you know, the overflowing misery I now felt and the excess of agitation that I had endured rendered me incapable. I said, I would…I could row this boat by myself if I wasn't so filled with thoughts and feelings. I threw down the oar, leaning my head upon my hands, and gave way to every gloomy idea that arose.

If I looked up, I saw scenes which are familiar to me in my happier time, and which I had contemplated but the day before in the company of her who was now joined all the others, just a recollection. Tears streamed from my eyes. The rain had ceased for a moment, and I saw the fish play in the waters as they had done a few hours before, those same fish observed by Elizabeth. Nothing so strong on my mind has a great and sudden change. The sun might shine and the clouds might lower, but nothing could appear to me as it had done the day before. The compost-based being had convinced my every hope of future happiness to depart me, and no one had ever had this happen to them before like this in this…I was…on planet Earth and in the history of the world called upon again to have the most resilience ever. Probably in the single history of humans, no event like this has ever taken place, which I guess in a sense is true, but at this time I meant it in a way…it was really true.

But why should I dwell upon things and all the other ones that this could only top? Be it the Top 5 for this stuff. Mine would be a tale. I have reached their acme, and what I must now relate can be tedious to you. Know that one by one, everyone decided they would rather be in another realm than with me. I was left desolate, my own strength exhausted, but I must tell in a few words what remains of my tale. I arrived at Geneva. My father and Ernst were there, but when I told them the news, they had serious frowny faces. I see him now, excellent and venerable old man, his eyes wandered in vacancy, for they lost their charm and their delight, his Elizabeth, his more than daughter, whom he doted on with all the affection which a man feels, who, in the decline of life having few affections clings more earnestly to those that remain. Oh, my unluckiness, oh, my unluckiness. The compost-based being that brought this misery on my father’s grey hairs and doomed him to wretchedness, how could he deal with this that was not my fault one bit at all?

Accumulated around him, the springs of existence suddenly gave way. He was unable…he said, I’m not gonna get out of bed again. I’m going to join them in the next world, another realm across the rainbow bridge. So, he was…he departed. Now, what became of me? I said, Ernst who? Who is that? Earnest? Ernst? No idea, but never heard of him. I mean, I did, but I never thought of him. But me? Oh boy, can I tell you about me. At the time, I’m not even sure what happened. I decided to sleep, too. I said, well, they won't…I’ve never gotten an invitation to this other realm, and I still have to stay in this one ‘til they…’til I get the awards for being the most resilient human ever made, unless they can do that in the next realm. I kinda felt like the compost-based being knew some…could counter-argue against some of my awards I was deserving of. So, these things…these objects pressed upon me. Sometimes indeed I dreamt that I wandered in flowery meadows and pleasant vales with the friends of my youth.

But when I awoke I found myself in a place not fancy enough for my tastes at all. Melancholy followed, but by degrees I gained a clear conception of my frowniness, and the situation. I said, wait a second, maybe I should get out of bed. But for a while…I guess apparently this was many months. They said, there goes Victor again. Most of the people, they said, oh, yeah, there goes Victor. He does this a lot. He’s done this…that’s what I heard, at least, as I understood. I’ve been resting for a while. That had been my habitation. Liberty, however, from their judgment…and my need to rest to retain my resiliency that was not a gift to me. If I would have just gotten an invite to that…if I had gotten all the awards and do on this…in this world I had deserved, then I could have headed out, and also that idea of that compost-based being…said, maybe I do need to deal with that, because he could tell everyone I’m…his opinion would be…would anybody take his opinion seriously? I’d hope not.

But I started to think about that. What if eventually…? Oh, man. So, I had to figure out a way to deal with that. So, for many months I…oh, I had been resting, you know? So, I knew that this compost-based being who I had sent abroad into the world but had messed up my things…I was really irritable. I said, now he’s gonna mess up my awards for resilience, top 5 most resilient moments in human history? I desired, and ardently I asked that I be given within my powers to make sure he would never…he would be gone to his next stage of existence, which was not as pleasant as mine, and never to speak his opinion about me or my resiliency or any other stuff. So…and I didn't just lay around doing this, 'cause I said, oh boy, Victor, if there is an international council, I guess it would have been in Geneva on resiliency, Worldwide Council of Resiliency Awards. I had to get to work.

I began to reflect on the best means of meeting him when he wouldn't be pay attention, and for that purpose, about a month after I woke up, I said…I went to…I said, let me go to the authority figures in town and tell them about this. I didn't think…I guess I didn't run this idea by anybody else, either. I said, I know who’s been…'cause I heard those people saying, there’s Victor again. Oh boy, he’s so tired or whatever. Don't you notice a pattern here? So, I said, hey, I require you to exert your whole authority, all of Geneva, because there’s a compost-based being about, and he…this head of the authority figures listened with attention and kindness, and they said, be assured, dear Victor, nothing on our part shall be spared to find this compost-based being you speak of. I thank you, I replied. Listen, I also have other things I gotta say. I know it’s a tale that’s…you might not believe it, and maybe I won't get all the credit, but I could tell you this tale so that you definitely go do this.

It’s totally not a dream and I’m totally not making it up. The only reason you would think I was making it up is 'cause you say, could even Victor be that brilliant, right? I was impressive and calm, not raving at all. I had formed in my heart a resolution not…I mean, even though I was telling him to do it for me, I was gonna do it myself, deal with this compost-based being. This purpose in my heart reconciled me. This was my purpose now, and…but then I think I told him I related to this authority figure in my history briefly but with firmness and precision, with accuracy, dates, never deviating into invective or exclamation. Now, this magistrate at first appeared perfectly incredulous, but as became…as I told the tale…I mean, I even…maybe I added some stuff. He became more attentive and interested, impressed with my resiliency, of course, and lively surprise at the stuff I may have added in, and distaste at the compost-based being, of course, was painted on his countenance. I mean, surprise, maybe a little disbelief.

When I concluded my narration, I said, this compost being is the one I say you gotta exert all the power of Geneva against. That’s your duty as magistrate, I believe, and hope your feelings are that you won't back down, because…I mean, I would do it myself, totally, 100%. It’s all I’ve been trying to do. This address caused a considerable change in the look of this auditor that was listening to me. He had heard my story with a kinda half kinda belief, like I was telling a tale. But when he was…when I said you gotta get to work all of Geneva, he became incredulous. But that was all on his face. I knew he didn't have the resilience that I did and, of course, he was probably jealous. He answered mildly; well, I would willingly afford you every aid in the finding of this compost-based being that you speak of, but I don't know if I could do…I don't know if we have enough rakes, right? I don't have authority over the sea of ice or the mountains. I don't think I have the staffing currently, Victor, to do this.

I said, bureaucrats. Some months elapsed since this happened. He said, I can't conjecture to where he might be. I told him, I do not doubt that he hovers near the spot where I am. He’s watching me. Maybe he’s in the alps, but he could be found. You could find him, or your people that work for you. But I get it, man. Jealousy of my resilience. I perceive your thoughts. You're not giving me credit and you don't intend to do anything. You're giving me my just desserts, as they say. As I spoke, my…I got really heated, and the magistrate said, you're mistaken. I will exert myself if it is in my power to find this compost-based being, but I fear, from what you have yourself described, that this will prove impractical, and thus, whenever proper measure is pursued, you're probably gonna be let down, Victor. I’ve never even seen a compost-based being. So, catching one and spreading it about or whatever, accelerating its composting…I put my hand up, right? I said, that cannot be.

But all I can say will be little avail. Doing the right thing is just not your thing. It’s only for I, Victor, me doing the right thing. It’s almost like a vice to me. I’m so good at it. I confess that doing the right thing my only…it’s the passion of my soul, taking responsibility, accountability, and I guess I’m gonna have to do it when I reflect that that compost-based being still is out there. You refuse my just demand. I have but one resource, and I shall devote myself to getting it done. Who could be more qualified? I was trembling with irritation as I said this, and I guess it was a little bit of a frenzied manner. He didn't like it. I guess I had a little bit of that haughty fierceness. Just like the other people in the history of the world who had soon…when they talk about those people; oh, those are the people that had the worst luck in the history of the world. They didn't even have Victor’s resilience, but they did have a haughty fierceness. But to a Genevan magistrate…I said, what, are you even elected or appointed?

Their mind occupied by other ideas other than devotion to heroism, clearly like I have, elevation of mind like mine. They can't even understand it. It looks like a wild mind to them. He endeavored to soothe me as a nurse does a child, and reverted my tales to the effects of, Victor, this is a common thing you do since always. I said, dude, I cried, how ignorant art thou in thy pride of wisdom? Cease. You do not know what it is you say. I headed out from that office irritable, disturbed, and I went home and retired and said, I’m gonna lie around and think for a while on what my next action might be. Chapter 24. My present situation was one in which all voluntary thought was swallowed up and gone. I was hurried away by my planning for the compost-based being, and planning that alone endowed me with strength and composure. It moulded my feelings and allowed me to be calculating and calm at periods when otherwise I would have been doing what I usually…laying down and closing my eyes, pointing the finger at someone else.

My first resolution was to quit Geneva forever, my country which, when I was happy and beloved, was dear to me. Now, in my adversity, I loathed this place. No one seemed to want to be here with me. They all seemed to be together. I didn't get…the thing about it is I didn't get a formal invitation from anybody, and now they were all…I mean, I’m not gonna go unless they invite me, but I really want to go be with my family. They don't seem…I don't know, man. I mean, I guess I would…Clerval should come bring me an invitation. I would turn it down. Then Clerval would say, well, I’ll pack for you. Maybe I’d say, let me think about it again, Clerval. Then I’d probably turn it down again. Anyway, I got irritable about this whole thing. But don't worry, I had…I provided myself with a sum of money, and I had a few jewels which belonged to my mother, and I headed out. Now my wanderings began, which are to cease never unless I get that invitation.

I’d say, Clerval, do you have a formal invitation from everyone so I can turn it down and then…? But come back. It’s not…I’m not turning you down forever. Oh, dearest Victor, please join us on the other side of the rainbow bridge. I would like something where you talk about how mistaken…you were mistaken listening to the compost-based being. But I guess until I get those, I gotta deal with this compost-based being. You know, I’ve traversed a vast portion of the earth, oh, and I’ve endured all the hardships which travellers in deserts and other places are want to meet, the less resilient than I. How I’ve been so resilient? I hardly know. They said that in the future, Carol Dweck would…her subconscience would be impacted by my resilience, and she would form an entire theory based on it, as I an example of someone able to deal with anything. But I mean, I don't know how I’d do it 'cause…I mean, 'cause it’s incalculable, my abilities, right? Then I had…this was…that was just my mind.

Now it was my body, too. I had to stretch my limbs upon a sandy plain, but I kept going, 'cause I said, the right thing to do is to deal with this compost-based being, convincing everyone. So, by the way, back to the…when I acquitted Geneva, my first labor was to gain some clue by why…I might trace the steps of this leaf-based being, but that plan was unsettled, and I wandered for many hours. I mean, I said I was leaving town, but then I wandered around town for a while, kinda like…I announced to everybody I was leaving town. I was walking around, thinking, 'cause I didn't know…I was uncertain of which path to pursue. I mean, I had so many ideas, right? Then I spent so much time leaving Geneva, but I was still in Geneva as it got to be time to go back to sleep. I found myself in the symbolic area where William, Elizabeth, and my father had…who’s that other guy, too? Not Clerval. I think I had…anyway, not important.

This is where…when they crossed over the rainbow bridge, they said, here doth they crossed over the rainbow bridge, in their memory, you know? So, I headed in there and I approached the markings, and it was quiet, right? Except for the leaves of the trees blown by the wind. But I could hear them on a tree. Tree-based leaves sound different than compost-based leaves most of the time. It was pretty dark out, and it would have been a nice night. Anybody seeing me at a distance would have been like, there goes Victor, his heart and his mind so full, so giving, so resilient. If only I had one part…if any observer was…they were uninterested. When they saw me in profile, they would have been interested then, and they would have felt my presence in deep levels. So, I walked around feeling like I can't…part of me wondering if I would get an invitation, even a oral invitation. Oh, Victor…maybe I’d hear some exclamations of disappointment that I wasn't with them.

When I didn't get that, I got irritable. Oh, boy. I said, how could you all do this to me? How come you can't invite me to be…? Then I said, never mind, 'cause you should want to be here with me where I am. So, I did more pacing, a little bit of talking over and over — not respectfully about any of them — maybe even going through a litany about all of their shortcomings. I mean, everybody. I mean, Clerval was the longest, obviously, but everybody, William, Elizabeth, father, whoever the other…whatever. Then…but then, as that grew, then I started…then I went…said, well, this is all the fault of the compost-based being. Also a part of me after…I tried…I guess I kissed the earth, 'cause they said, oh, I’m only saying this…'cause I said, what if they revoke their…what if the invitation was on the way and they're revoking it now because of all the stuff I said about them that was non-positive? So, I said, this is only because of the compost-based being. It’s like a trick of the mind.

I’m just trying to lure him here. I even made a little…such a speech; by the sacred earth on which I kneel, by the mist that wanders near me, by the deep and eternal feelings in my heart, I promise and by thee, oh night, that all the mist that presides over thee, I will catch up with this compost-based being who caused all of this. Even my…losing my cool just recently and saying all that stuff about all of you…if I don't do that, I totally double, triple promise that it’ll only be 'cause I couldn't do it anymore, you know? For this purpose I will carry on. I will persevere, and I will find this compost-based being and spread the compost all around. Again, I will behold the sun and tread the green herbage of the earth, the green one, you know? So…hence, done composted by the compost-based being, it’s even greener. Or I won't ever look upon any of it again with joy. I call upon you, my family and my assistant, to aid me, and anyone else listening, to do most of the…hint, hint, Clerval, or anybody else.

I mean, father, maybe now you could get some work done, too, 'cause this compost-based being made me get irritable and take it out on all of you. So, let the compost-based being drink of your tears and of my distaste. Let the compost-based being despair and have thoughts like mine. I had done this with such solemnity and awe that it almost assured me that I would be successful, because I was so devoted. Again, I thought that my family, of course, even though they were in another realm, they would be so excited I would hear them cheering for me, and also saying, oh, by…maybe before I left, say, oh, Victor, don't go. Just come with us. Don't bother with that following through. You've already proven your worth. Your resilience is already of legend. Just, come on, hang with us. We were mistaken. Oh…and do some begging. So, then when that didn't happen, I kept faking…I said, I’m really leaving this time. So, last chance to cheer for me. Then nothing. I did that maybe thirty, forty, fifty times.

When I didn't hear anything, I got…and then I kinda went and told them how I felt about them again, my family. Finally I was answered through the stillness by a laugh. It was composty, and it rang on my ears long and heavily, and the mountains re-echoed it, and it surrounded as if I was surrounded by hysterical laughter or joyful laughter. Surely, at that moment I must have been…I said, there’s nothing funny about this. Finally the laughter quieted down and became some hiccups. Then I heard a voice, almost a whisper, say, I’m satisfied, Victor. You're so downy, frowny, frowny, and you're gonna keep going forever, hardy, har, har. I thought I knew where the leaf…the compost-based being was, but I couldn't find him. Then I saw the broad disc of the moon arose and shone full upon his heapy, compost-like form. Then he ran off, obviously, 'cause I made eye contact with him and he saw my disposition. It was there once again that…I pursued him for many months, and this has been my task.

Guided by a slight clue, I followed the windings of the Rhone, but vainly. The blue Mediterranean appeared, and by strange chance I saw the compost-based being get on a vessel bound for the Black Sea. I took my passage in the same ship, but somehow he got away. Then we headed…we travelled the world, and he still got away somehow. But I ever followed in his track. Sometimes the regular people, seeing…they saw the compost-based being walking through town, and they informed me of his path, though they knew not what he was. Sometimes he himself, who thought if I lost trace of him that I wouldn't get my invitation from Clerval and my family. I think he was jealous of me, so he wanted to keep an eye on me, right, too. So, he left marks for me to guide and find him. Then the snows descended on my head and I could see the prints of his steps on the white plain and snowy paths. To you first entering on life, to whom care is new and resilience like mine unknown, how can you understand what I have felt and still feel?

Cold, want, and fatigue were the least pains which I was destined to endure. This whole thing was unfair, and this compost-based being carried about with me, putting me through nonsense for no reason…no good reason at all. Yet still, I felt strength within me, the spirit of good, and I directed my steps. I couldn't be assuaged when most would murmur. I guess my resilience would extricate me from seemingly…I mean, maybe my mind and my body, too, seemingly insurmountable difficulties. Sometimes when nature overcome…I was tired or hungry or exhausted, a repast was prepared for me in the desert that restored and inspired me. I started to think this leaf-based being is kinda like my Clerval. But, I mean, not as…the fare left for me was indeed coarse, and like regular fare that regular people would eat. But I will not doubt that it was set there…I mean, I don't think it was real…I think it was 'cause Clerval couldn't give me an invitation. Well, I don't know why father would leave bread, hard bread, even.

Say, what…you call this bread, father? Cheese? This is not cheese. This is a dried piece of cheese. But I think it was something, or maybe fans that had heard about me but they just couldn't get it together to make me a nicer meal. They heard of the greatest, most resilient person in the history of the world. Then sometimes I think my legend…even when it was dry, it would start to rain, even if there was no cloud, if I was thirsty…I know in the future there’s comics…like, whether it was gods or goddesses or super-heroines, they would see me and say, we must quench the thirst of Victor, of course, and they would give me drops…a few drops that would revive me, and then they’d vanish. So, that felt good, knowing I had super fans that were super. I followed when I could the courses of the river, but generally the compost doesn't want to be in the river 'cause it’s…spread the leaves about, you know? So, that was…but that was where regular people would gather, you know?

In other places I didn't see humans, and I generally subsisted on my wits, my genius, my…everything I could do. I also had money, so the money helped me gain the friendship of villagers. You know, spreading it around. Or they would know how hardy I was. I would say, oh, I got all this stuff I found out foraging. ‘Cause my heart was so vast, you know. I’d say, well, I’ll just take a small part. I foraged for months, maybe even years. But I’ll give this to you if you give me some fire and utensils and cook. But when I say ‘small part’, I don't necessarily mean smallest part. A part small by my definitions, which sometimes they would lack in understanding. My life thus as it passed, I didn't like it at all. It was those times when I was sleeping and when I was by myself that I was joyful. Oh, blessed sleep. Often when I was the most frowny, I sank to repose, but my dreams even wanted to support me. So, they would bring me to rapture. Even Morpheus was a fan of mine.

I had to believe so many people were carrying on for me that were…who weren't appearing to me directly, but they provided those moments, those dreams, rather hours of happiness, even in sleep, that I might fulfill my pilgrimage. ‘Cause without this respite I may have not been able to accomplish my greatness. During the day I was sustained and inspirited by the hope of night. In my sleep I saw my friends and family and everything, and again, I saw the countenance of my father, so benevolent. I heard the silver tones of Elizabeth’s voice and beheld Clerval enjoying health and youth. Often when wearied by a toilsome march, I persuaded myself that I was dreaming until night should come, and that I should then enjoy reality in the arms of my dearest friends. What agonizing fondness did I feel for them. How did I cling to their dear forms as sometimes, even during the waking hours, they were there, I thought. I persuaded myself that they were still there to serve me in the present.

Then I realized it wasn't real, and I would get frowny faced again and want to blame it on the compost-based being. It made my task…to think that even heaven enjoyed my task, and that there was a mechanical impulse of some power of which I was unconscience…unconscious. It was just the ardent desire of my soul and many other heavenly things. What his feelings were whom I pursued, I cannot know. Sometimes indeed he left marks in writing on the barks of trees or cut in stones that guided me and irritated me. My gifts are not yet finished. These words were legible on one of these inscriptions. You keep going, Victor. So resilient. My gift is yet complete. Follow me. I am headed to the everlasting ices of the north. Or maybe you'll get a chill and maybe you won't get an Everlasting Gobstopper. But I am impassive to all that. I don't need an Everlasting Gobstopper if I’ve got you everlasting.

Keep going and you might even find a snack that I left behind you, but it won't be fancy like you, who no longer wear fancy pants, he said. Keep coming. I’m gonna be waiting for you. Maybe we’ll dance together, Victor, but that will be many long hours of walking and showing off your resilience to all the worlds until that period shall arrive. I would scoff at these things and again say, oh boy, who is this compost…is this compost person playing with me or what? Never will I give up on that who taunts my resilience. Soon in ecstasy I will spread his leaves about the Earth, and then I’ll get my invitation from Elizabeth and Clerval and my father and William, and they will reward me for my tedious toil and long, frowny pilgrimage. As I still pursued my journey to the northward, things got…the weather got worse and it got chilly, chill, chilly. Everybody else was shut up in their homes or what you could call a home. Not like Geneva, no. Only a few people would venture out. They say, wow, what a resilient guy.

You're out here? We're not that resilient. I said, go hide. Yeah, I am. So, there’s no fishing 'cause the rivers were covered with ice. I was a expert fisherman at this point. That was one of my articles of maintenance. The more difficult it became for me, the more apparent my resilience, the more glee with the compost-based being. One inscription was left in these words; prepare. Your hard work has only begun. Why don't you wrap yourself up in some warm stuff and have a snack? Soon we will enter upon a journey that’ll be even more journey-like. My courage and perseverance were invigorated by these scoffing words. I resolved not to fail in my purpose, and calling on heaven to support me and all my fans of all the universes, I continued with unabated fervor to traverse immense deserts until the ocean appeared at a distance and formed the utmost boundary of the horizon. Oh, how unlike it was to the blue seasons of the south covered only with ice.

It was only to be distinguished from land by its superior wildness and ruggedness. The Greeks wept for joy when they beheld the Mediterranean from the hills, and hailed with rapture the boundary of their toils. I did not weep, but I knelt down, and with a full heart thanked my resilience for conducting me in safety to the place where I had hoped, not withstanding, the compost-based beings insults, that I would dance off with him and dance his leaves around town. Some weeks before this period I had procured a sledge and dogs, and thus traversed the snows with inconceivable speed, so they said. I know not whether the compost-based being had the same advantages, but I found out that as before, I had lost…I was not catching up with him. Probably not legitimate. So, I found out when I first saw the ocean that he was one day ahead of me. I said, I better catch him before he gets to the beach. I don't know why, but I said, I don't want the compost-based being spoiling the beach.

With new courage, therefore, I pressed on and in two days arrived at a town, a hamlet on the sea shore. I inquired of the inhabitants concerning the compost-based being and gained accurate information. The gigantic mound of leaves, they said, had arrived the night before and seemed to be quite impressive, though strange, they did say. He took all their food and placed it in a sledge, and he also hired…or met a bunch of dogs who wanted to go with him. He loaded up the sled and headed out, and he headed across the sea in a direction that led to no land. But they said, that’s not such a great idea. He must not be as smart as you. I said, oh man, this is not good. He had gotten away, but I had to head across after him, especially with these people watching and made a big thing about how heroic I was before I knew where he went. I didn't know. I said, I don't even know if I want to do this anymore. But I couldn't let the compost-based being be triumphant.

So, my irritation, like a mighty tide, overwhelmed every other feeling, and after a slight repose during which I heard my fans cheering for me once again, I prepared for my journey. I exchanged my land sledge for one fashioned for ice, and I got a plentiful stock of provisions, and I departed. I cannot guess how many days had passed since then, but oh, have I had to be so resilient, which nothing but the internal…but the eternal sentiment of just retribution within my heart could have enabled me to support. It was immense and rugged mountains of ice barring my passage, thunder of the ground sea, and frost and snow. But then the weather would change and clear for me. By the quantity of provisions which I had consumed, I should guess that I passed three weeks in this journey. The continual protraction of hope returning back upon the heart often wrung bitter drops of despondency and grief from my eyes. Despair had almost indeed secured me, but if…if I was a normal person, right?

No regular person would have soon sunk beneath their misery. The only thing…I even inspired the dogs. They would look at me and they would realize that I was their hero, too. I would…even viewing the expanse before me with anguish, I could see a speck, and it was the compost-based being on the dusky plain. I strained my sight to discover what it could be, and then I would whoop and whoop when I knew it was that well-known form. Oh, with a burning gush, did hope revisit my heart. Warm tears filled my eyes which I hastily wiped away that they might not intercept the view I had of the compost-based being. But still, my sight was dimmed by my warm, warm tears. Then I wept aloud. But this was not the time for delay. I disencumbered from the dogs, gave them a plentiful portion of food and plenty of rest, 'cause I was so caring. But yeah, I said, then we gotta get moving, 'cause the sledge was still visible. Never again would I lose sight of it except at moments when there was cracks or something.

I indeed perceptibly gained, and when after two days journey I beheld no more than a mile distance, my heart bounded. But now when it appeared almost within my grasp, something, of course, got in my way. The weather started to change and I heard a lot of weird noise. I pressed on, but it was in vain. The wind rose, the sea roared, and things became impassible. It was really loud sounds. Then I was left…there was a gap between the two of us, and I said, this whole way, now there’s water between the two of us. I was drifting on a large driftable drift, drift, drifter, me and the dogs. I said, this is so unfair. I really had shown…I guess I still have to be resilient, though, Victor. In this manner many appalling hours passed with me and the dogs, and they…I was trying to cheer them up the whole time by letting them cheer me up. I found myself…I was about to sink under the accumulation of frowns when I saw your vessel rising at the anchor.

You, that I’ve been speaking to this whole time from the beginning, and holding onto me hopes of succour and life, or succour. I had no conception that vessels ever found their way this far north, and I was astounded at the sight. I quickly made my sledge into a boat, and me and the dogs came. Even though I had infinite fatigue, I was able to move in the direction of your ship. I determined if you were going…I knew which way you were going; southward. I had to trust myself to my own intuition. I had hoped to induce you to grant me a boat so I could keep going, but then I realized you were going northward. So, you took me on board when my vigor was exhausted. I mean, so many hardships I’ve had to deal with, and my task is unfulfilled. Oh, when will my guiding spirit in conducting me to the compost-based being allow me the rest I so much desire? When will all recognize my resilience and he recognize it and spread himself across the Earth in compost as a verb and not a noun? If I do, promise me, Walton, that you'll take over for me, right?

You will deal with him. I dare ask of you to undertake my pilgrimage, to try to be one-tenth as resilient as I am and endure the hardships that I have undergone. No, I’m not that selfish. One-fiftieth just. So, it’s just a compost-based being. You could deal with him. I’ll stay on the boat and rest. All my fans will conduct him to you. But promise you'll spread him around and make sure he’s composting like a verb. Promise me he shall not triumph under my accumulated woes, and that this will continue my legend of resilience but also resting so I can stay resilient. Don't forget; he’s eloquent and persuasive. Once, even, his words had power over my heart. But trust him not. He just talks a good game. Hear him not. Call on the names of William, Justine, Clerval, Elizabeth, and my father, and of me, Victor, the most resilient man and boy ever to live, and then spread him around. Then make sure that it’s helping the Earth. I’ll be resting here, hovering in my bed and stuff. If you need me to direct you, I’ll be directing you through my thoughts like I direct the boat or the steel of a ship aright. But now maybe we should rest, dear Walton.

[End of recording]

Transcription performed by LeahTranscribes

Read With Me

Cat Memes

https://www.boredpanda.com/funny-viral-cat-memes-illustrated-tactooncat/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

https://blog.petnaturals.com/10-best-cat-memes/

https://suddenlycat.com/10-of-the-most-famous-cat-memes-as-of-2020/

Compost

https://ecosafe.green/blogs/news/facts-about-composting-your-family-never-knew

https://www.compostmagazine.com/composting-facts/

https://www.nrdc.org/stories/composting-101

Carol Dweck

https://fs.blog/carol-dweck-mindset/

https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/dweck-growth-mindsets

https://studentexperiencenetwork.org/people/carol-dweck/

Echoes

https://www.soundassured.com/blogs/blog/how-echoes-work-what-causes-echoes-to-occur?srsltid=AfmBOop3akLilch59rGUcqcV7A_mzYl3LJ49bXxRws7UGRb65aof0X-E

https://www.carsonhearing.com/hearing-loss-articles/echoes-created/

https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-what-makes-an-echo-109141

How Glaciers Work

https://nsidc.org/learn/parts-cryosphere/glaciers/science-glaciers

https://www.rgs.org/schools/resources-for-schools/glaciation-and-geological-timescales/not-an-ice-cube-how-glaciers-work

https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/topics/cryosphere/glaciers/glacier-power/how-do-glaciers-move

Teaser:

A calm and soothing journey

No journey on SWM is direct

A better connection to dreamland (I hope)

A conductor and companion on this meandering ride

Plugs: Sleep With Me Plus; SleepPhones; Story Only Feed; Emily Tat Artwork; Crisis Textline

Sponsors: Helix Sleep; Zocdoc; Progressive; Coyuchi

Intro:

• 1044
• Oh boy, am I going through the old change in the routine
• Disrupted Blankets
• I never thought I’d call out my blankets
• Apologizing to your sentient bedding
• Issues with my bedding and I, a pamphlet
• Have I anthropomorphized anthropomorphization?
• It’s kind of a bedtime story
• I don’t know why I keep watching that video of that cat chasing that thing
• CatsChasingStuff.com
• Maybe I’ll talk to the Cusacks about a new cat-adjacent business
• Last night, my duvets and comforters were in chaos
• A beautiful duet from Brooklinen
• I do use a topsheet with my duvet
• Plus a weighted comforter
• From my chinny chin chin to my toey toe toes
• The Duvet Fairy
• The Comforter Queen
• I’ve fallen out of my bedmaking habit in the morning
• My sheet was spooning me

Story:

• Chapter 23
• We landed on the shore and retired to the inn
• We contemplated the natural scene
• The moon began to descend
• Restless waves began to rise
• A heavy storm of rain descended
• I got anxious at night
• I had a hidden glue sprayer to dampen the compost
• I resolved to not shrink from this
• I was looking out for me…and Elizabeth, of course
• She knew nothing
• She can tell I’m anxious about something
• A kind of performance pressure
• Love-Based Performances
• Compost Fighting Performance Pressure
• She goes to bed while I inspect the house for CBB
• Maybe he got lost
• Or decomposed!
• I heard a surprise sound from Elizabeth’s room!
• I hesitate and eventually rush in
• She said without words that she decided to cross over the rainbow bridge
• CBB encouraged Elizabeth to join the Victor Free Zone
• Now my performance pressure is all gone
• This is all CBB’s fault and not my fault at all
• For only a moment I decided to run down
• Everyone in the inn heard my commotion and came up to check
• The sound of pacing for miles
• Elizabeth left and said she didn’t like my pacing
• CBB is just jealous of me
• Look at all this swampy stuff around the room!
• CBB was outside of the window, just smiling and laughing
• He mocked my pacing with his finger shapes
• He took off and jumped at a lake
• I try to explain the CBB to these onlookers
• I ask them to carry me back to bed so I can rest
• Eventually I rose
• My thoughts rambled and I gave a speech about my misfortunes
• Bewildered in a cloud of wonder
• Maybe I should go check on my father
• Just send the bill to my father, I have to go now
• Also perhaps a cadre of rain people with umbrellas
• I had to show everyone how to row properly
• I saw fish play in the waters
• Nothing would ever be the same for me
• I was utterly unique in the history of the world (and the most resilient)
• I told my father and Ernst the unfortunate news
• The charm fled from my father’s life
• Oh my unluckiness!
• It’s not my fault one bit at all
• He decides to cross the rainbow bridge himself
• And I don’t know what happened to Ernst. Never heard of him, actually
• I can join that realm when I win the award for most resilient
• Sometimes I fantasized about joining my friends in flowery meadows
• Clear Conception of my Frowniness
• I couldn’t let the CBB mess up my Resiliency Awards!
• The Worldwide Council on Resiliency Awards
• Prepping to surprise meet the CBB
• I tried to go to the authority figures
• All of Geneva must exert their authority to find the CBB
• They say they’ll find the CBB
• I explain the story to the authority figures
• I would do it for myself but he would also do it for me
• I related my history with firmness and precision
• He became incredulous after my story
• Geneva doesn’t have the staffing to go all out!
• Bureaucrats!
• I’m sure he’s nearby
• He’s just jealous of my resilience
• He says I’m mistaken in my anger
• Doing the right thing is like a vice for me
• People just can’t understand my mind
• He attempts to soothe me but he is ignorant!
• I headed out irritable and disturbed
• Chapter 24
• I hurried away
• Planning to find the CBB myself
• I resolved to quit Geneva forever
• No one wanted to do this with me
• Even if Clerval sent an invitation to cross the rainbow bridge, I would deny it!
• I’m so resilient, Carol Dweck will form an entire theory around my behavior
• My resiliency is incalculable
• I try to figure out how to trace the steps of the CBB
• I announced for a while that I was leaving town
• I was walking around and ended up in the symbolic area
• The area where they memorialize their journey over the rainbow bridge
• Tree-Based Leaves sound different from Compost-Based Leaves
• Anyone who saw me would admire me
• Maybe I’ll even get an oral invitation
• But they should be with me, not vice versa
• And they all had shortcomings that I don’t have
• Clerval has the most, naturally
• It’s all CBB’s fault
• I did a speech of vengeance to lure CBB to me
• Let the CBB despair, not me!
• I did it so intensely, that I’m sure they heard me in another realm
• Last chance to cheer for me
• Of course they didn’t actually cheer for me
• Then I heard a laugh echo around the mountains
• Surrounded by Composty’s laughter
• There’s nothing funny about this, CBB!
• He’s satisfied but will continue to bring me down
• The broad disc of the moon shines down on him
• He fled and I pursued
• And I have pursued for months since
• I went down the Rhone
• To the Mediterranean
• To the black sea
• On ships all over the world
• Him constantly eluding me
• He left little clues for me to find him
• I’d follow his footprints on snow
• This whole thing is so unfair for me
• Sometimes nature would look out for me
• Nature would supply me with meager fare
• I don’t know if it was the CBB or my family or fans leaving me food
• Or maybe its gods and goddesses quenching my thirst
• It’s cool to have superfans that are super
• I didn’t like my life at all at this time
• I was happiest when I was sleeping
• Even Morpheus was a fan of mine
• My dreams re-inspired me to keep going
• I’d see my friends and family in my dreams
• An agonizing fondness
• I’d find maps and markings that CBB left for me
• “My gifts are not yet finished”
• He’s headed to the everlasting ices of the North
• Why is CBB taunting me?
• I will spread these leaves!
• It’s getting colder and colder but I’m resilient
• Of course, I’m a fishing expert by now
• His notes become more mysterious
• I continue with unabated fervor
• Eventually I found the icy ocean
• I traversed the snows with some dogs and a sledge that I found
• I realized that he was one day ahead of me
• I try to catch up to him
• I don’t want CBB spoiling the beach with his leaves!
• Eventually I’m only a day behind!
• This small town said he headed toward the sea
• Oh man, I have to head off onto the icy sea
• I couldn’t let the CBB be triumphant
• I exchanged my land sledge for an ice sledge
• Weather shifted for me
• I had enough provisions for 3 weeks
• Despair would have secured me if I were a normal person
• Even the dogs thought of me as a hero
• I saw a speck on the horizon!
• That’s the CBB!
• My sight was dimmed by warm, warm tears
• I’d never again lose sight of the speck
• After 2 days, he was only a mile away
• But the weather changes and I hear a weird noise
• The sea roars!
• Then there was a water gap between the two of us
• Me and the dogs were drifting on an ice floe!
• So unfair!
• I was trying to cheer them up by letting them cheer me up
• And then I saw the vessel and you, the person I’ve been speaking to this whole time
• I make the way towards your ship
• You took me on board when my vigor was exhausted
• When will I reach the CBB?
• When will all recognize my resilience?
• Promise me, Walton, that you’ll take up my mantle to pursue the CBB
• I’ll stay on the boat and you can go get him, Walton
• Don’t let him persuade you
• Spread him around!
• And I’ll be resting here, hovering above this bed
• But let’s rest for now

Summary:

Episode: 1443

Title: Frank 13 | Read With Me | SWM+ Sneak Peek

Plugs: Sleep With Me Plus; SleepPhones; Story Only Feed; Emily Tat Artwork; Crisis Textline

Sponsors:Helix Sleep; Zocdoc; Progressive; Coyuchi

Notable Language:

• Intro (1044)
• Disrupted Blankets
• Anthropomorphize
• CatsChasingStuff.com
• From my chinny chin chin to my toey toe toes
• The Duvet Fairy
• The Comforter Queen
• Story
• Waters, woods, and mountains
• Performance Pressure
• Love-Based Performances
• Victor-Free Zone
• Bewildered in a cloud of wonder
• Oh my unluckiness!
• Clear Conception of my Frowniness
• The Worldwide Council on Resiliency Awards
• Tree-Based Leaves
• Compost-Based Leaves
• An agonizing fondness
• Everlasting ices
• Articles of Maintenance
• The Eternal Sentiment of Just Retribution

Notable Culture:

• • Intro (1044)
  • 1044
  • Issues with my bedding and I, a pamphlet
  • CatsChasingStuff.com
  • Story

• Frankenstein

• Mary Shelley
• The Worldwide Council on Resiliency Awards
• Carol Dweck
• Morpheus
• Willy Wonka

Notable Talking Points:

• Intro (1044)
• 1044
• Oh boy, am I going through the old change in the routine
• Disrupted Blankets
• I never thought I’d call out my blankets
• Apologizing to your sentient bedding
• Issues with my bedding and I, a pamphlet
• Have I anthropomorphized anthropomorphization?
• It’s kind of a bedtime story
• I don’t know why I keep watching that video of that cat chasing that thing
• CatsChasingStuff.com
• Maybe I’ll talk to the Cusacks about a new cat-adjacent business
• Last night, my duvets and comforters were in chaos
• A beautiful duet from Brooklinen
• I do use a topsheet with my duvet
• Plus a weighted comforter
• From my chinny chin chin to my toey toe toes
• The Duvet Fairy
• The Comforter Queen
• I’ve fallen out of my bedmaking habit in the morning
• My sheet was spooning me
• Story
• Chapter 23
• We landed on the shore and retired to the inn
• We contemplated the natural scene
• The moon began to descend
• Restless waves began to rise
• A heavy storm of rain descended
• I got anxious at night
• I had a hidden glue sprayer to dampen the compost
• I resolved to not shrink from this
• I was looking out for me…and Elizabeth, of course
• She knew nothing
• She can tell I’m anxious about something
• A kind of performance pressure
• Love-Based Performances
• Compost Fighting Performance Pressure
• She goes to bed while I inspect the house for CBB
• Maybe he got lost
• Or decomposed!
• I heard a surprise sound from Elizabeth’s room!
• I hesitate and eventually rush in
• She said without words that she decided to cross over the rainbow bridge
• CBB encouraged Elizabeth to join the Victor Free Zone
• Now my performance pressure is all gone
• This is all CBB’s fault and not my fault at all
• For only a moment I decided to run down
• Everyone in the inn heard my commotion and came up to check
• The sound of pacing for miles
• Elizabeth left and said she didn’t like my pacing
• CBB is just jealous of me
• Look at all this swampy stuff around the room!
• CBB was outside of the window, just smiling and laughing
• He mocked my pacing with his finger shapes
• He took off and jumped at a lake
• I try to explain the CBB to these onlookers
• I ask them to carry me back to bed so I can rest
• Eventually I rose
• My thoughts rambled and I gave a speech about my misfortunes
• Bewildered in a cloud of wonder
• Maybe I should go check on my father
• Just send the bill to my father, I have to go now
• Also perhaps a cadre of rain people with umbrellas
• I had to show everyone how to row properly
• I saw fish play in the waters
• Nothing would ever be the same for me
• I was utterly unique in the history of the world (and the most resilient)
• I told my father and Ernst the unfortunate news
• The charm fled from my father’s life
• Oh my unluckiness!
• It’s not my fault one bit at all
• He decides to cross the rainbow bridge himself
• And I don’t know what happened to Ernst. Never heard of him, actually
• I can join that realm when I win the award for most resilient
• Sometimes I fantasized about joining my friends in flowery meadows
• Clear Conception of my Frowniness
• I couldn’t let the CBB mess up my Resiliency Awards!
• The Worldwide Council on Resiliency Awards
• Prepping to surprise meet the CBB
• I tried to go to the authority figures
• All of Geneva must exert their authority to find the CBB
• They say they’ll find the CBB
• I explain the story to the authority figures
• I would do it for myself but he would also do it for me
• I related my history with firmness and precision
• He became incredulous after my story
• Geneva doesn’t have the staffing to go all out!
• Bureaucrats!
• I’m sure he’s nearby
• He’s just jealous of my resilience
• He says I’m mistaken in my anger
• Doing the right thing is like a vice for me
• People just can’t understand my mind
• He attempts to soothe me but he is ignorant!
• I headed out irritable and disturbed
• Chapter 24
• I hurried away
• Planning to find the CBB myself
• I resolved to quit Geneva forever
• No one wanted to do this with me
• Even if Clerval sent an invitation to cross the rainbow bridge, I would deny it!
• I’m so resilient, Carol Dweck will form an entire theory around my behavior
• My resiliency is incalculable
• I try to figure out how to trace the steps of the CBB
• I announced for a while that I was leaving town
• I was walking around and ended up in the symbolic area
• The area where they memorialize their journey over the rainbow bridge
• Tree-Based Leaves sound different from Compost-Based Leaves
• Anyone who saw me would admire me
• Maybe I’ll even get an oral invitation
• But they should be with me, not vice versa
• And they all had shortcomings that I don’t have
• Clerval has the most, naturally
• It’s all CBB’s fault
• I did a speech of vengeance to lure CBB to me
• Let the CBB despair, not me!
• I did it so intensely, that I’m sure they heard me in another realm
• Last chance to cheer for me
• Of course they didn’t actually cheer for me
• Then I heard a laugh echo around the mountains
• Surrounded by Composty’s laughter
• There’s nothing funny about this, CBB!
• He’s satisfied but will continue to bring me down
• The broad disc of the moon shines down on him
• He fled and I pursued
• And I have pursued for months since
• I went down the Rhone
• To the Mediterranean
• To the black sea
• On ships all over the world
• Him constantly eluding me
• He left little clues for me to find him
• I’d follow his footprints on snow
• This whole thing is so unfair for me
• Sometimes nature would look out for me
• Nature would supply me with meager fare
• I don’t know if it was the CBB or my family or fans leaving me food
• Or maybe its gods and goddesses quenching my thirst
• It’s cool to have superfans that are super
• I didn’t like my life at all at this time
• I was happiest when I was sleeping
• Even Morpheus was a fan of mine
• My dreams re-inspired me to keep going
• I’d see my friends and family in my dreams
• An agonizing fondness
• I’d find maps and markings that CBB left for me
• “My gifts are not yet finished”
• He’s headed to the everlasting ices of the North
• Why is CBB taunting me?
• I will spread these leaves!
• It’s getting colder and colder but I’m resilient
• Of course, I’m a fishing expert by now
• His notes become more mysterious
• I continue with unabated fervor
• Eventually I found the icy ocean
• I traversed the snows with some dogs and a sledge that I found
• I realized that he was one day ahead of me
• I try to catch up to him
• I don’t want CBB spoiling the beach with his leaves!
• Eventually I’m only a day behind!
• This small town said he headed toward the sea
• Oh man, I have to head off onto the icy sea
• I couldn’t let the CBB be triumphant
• I exchanged my land sledge for an ice sledge
• Weather shifted for me
• I had enough provisions for 3 weeks
• Despair would have secured me if I were a normal person
• Even the dogs thought of me as a hero
• I saw a speck on the horizon!
• B That’s the CBB!
• My sight was dimmed by warm, warm tears
• I’d never again lose sight of the speck
• After 2 days, he was only a mile away
• But the weather changes and I hear a weird noise
• The sea roars!
• Then there was a water gap between the two of us
• Me and the dogs were drifting on an ice floe!
• So unfair!
• I was trying to cheer them up by letting them cheer me up
• And then I saw the vessel and you, the person I’ve been speaking to this whole time
• I make the way towards your ship
• You took me on board when my vigor was exhausted
• When will I reach the CBB?
• When will all recognize my resilience?
• Promise me, Walton, that you’ll take up my mantle to pursue the CBB
• I’ll stay on the boat and you can go get him, Walton
• Don’t let him persuade you
• Spread him around!
• And I’ll be resting here, hovering above this bed
• But let’s rest for now