SBR 1.24: Indolence

"'A long-hidden letter has more questions than answers, and a gaze into the Crystal Ball causes more trouble than it's worth. Sam is trying his best. Why is it never enough?'"

Events of Note

 * Sam finds a letter written presumably by Madame Marie to her grandmother
 * Sam uses the crystal ball to tell the story of Athelyna

Summary
Sam begins the episode by telling the listeners about some of the item’s he’s found whilst clearing through the studio. One of these items is a notebook with pressed flowers and the names ‘Molly Marie Enfield’ written in the front. Sam assumes that this was Madame Marie’s notebook, though they never knew that her first name was Molly. In the book was an old envelope, unaddressed and still sealed, and presumably written by Madame Marie. Sam decided to open the letter and reads it to the audience.

The letter is addressed to the author's grandmother, who is recently deceased at the time of writing. This letter discusses authors hesitancy about a big decision that they feel their grandmother may not have supported, but presumably predicted and didn't try to stop them, and therefore must be in support of. They also discuss their worries about inheriting a shop (apparently some sort of magic shop) that they will not be able to maintain without making this decision as the author has no inherent magic ability.

Sam finds much of the letter curious, as it seems to imply that either Marie was incredibly doubtful of her abilities, or she never had much arcane talent in the first place. He expresses frustration at his lack of understanding and tells the listeners about their decision to use the crystal ball again. Moments after mentioning this, Sam tries to back out, but is interrupted by Revel the Cat. Sam takes this as a sign and steadies himself, looking into the crystal ball.

They tell the story of Athelyna who asks her children to leave the room when the Man in the Flat Cap knocks on her door. She tells him she was waiting for him, and he promises not to hurt her children. She remembers first meeting him when her children and herself were dying of an unspecified disease. She makes a deal with him for a cure and drinks it. When she returns to the "present" the Flat Cap Man has gone, and she stares at a rose he has left behind for her.

The vision dissipates and Sam describes the sensation of using the crystal ball. They talk about how it incites the feeling of wanting to go home, which Sam finds ridiculous, given that they are home. He concedes that the crystal ball didn’t help to answer any of his questions, and wearily bids the listeners goodnight.

Characters Featured

 * Sam Enfield
 * Revel (Cat)
 * Madame Marie (mentioned)
 * Anna Enfield (mentioned)
 * The Flat Cap Man (mentioned)
 * Nagisa (mentioned)