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Mortem Corp is an anthology series written by the students in Rob Roznowskis script development class presented by Impact 89FM. Every episode exists in the same world of the “Mortem Corp. Lab” but each episode consists of different characters and is a different story. All actors are students at Michigan State University. Directed, produced, and sound designed by Tessa Kresch.
Mortem Corp Episode 3 - First Day
Welcome to Mortem Corp, Impact 89FM’s first Audio Drama Podcast. Mortem Corp is fully written, produced and sound designed by students at MSU.
After the destruction of the Mortem Corp, recording devices have been found throughout the facilities. Throughout the next few episodes, you will be hearing recordings from discoveries that may or may not have been better left undiscovered. Sit back and relax and enjoy the ride.
AUTOMATED VOICE
Welcome to Mortem Corporations, the origin of discovery. To listen to the selected audio file, press one. For more options, press two.
(A beep)
File one selected. The message will now play.
(Faint whirring)
DR. STANTON
Uh- Hello? 1-2-3, is this thing on?
Alrighty, this is Dr. Stanton, Sanction 3, Level 5. It is Tuesday, September 23rd, at 4:37 pm. Systems are all online and this message…
…is being recorded. Dr. Ellis, when did you say the new guy was coming in?
DR. ELLIS
Uh- ‘round 4:45 pm I think. Do you want them to give him a tour of the front rooms or send him straight here?
DR. STANLEY
Send him straight here. He’s not gonna be up there much anyways.
EMPLOYEE
Sir, there’s been recent reports regarding the use of our newly developed time transporter, it looks like a group would like to use it for their research to-
DR. STANTON
Fill out a report for my desk, I don’t have time for equipment requests, thank you.
DR. KELLEY
I’m here! Dr. Stanton- hello-
So- I’m so sorry those- the stairs really took me out.
DR. STANTON
Not a problem at all, Dr. Kelley, I admire the cordial timing. Now, this tour is going to be recorded…
…just wanted to inform you.
DR. KELLEY
Right. Well, I’ll be on my best behavior then! Haha.
DR. STANTON
Right.
Well, you’re on the 5th level of the 3rd Sector. As I’m sure you are aware, Mortem Corporations has over 100 levels of floors strictly dedicated to experimentation and research, all of which have at least 6 sectors…
(Very faint emergency sirens. No one seems to be perturbed.)
DR. KELLEY
Wow- that’s fantastic, but- I don’t think I fully understand- what is the correlation with the sectors on so many different levels?
DR. ELLIS
Our sectors are self-sufficient, kid. Each level has its own general manager, and they can put in requests for cross-access.
DR. STANTON
Exactly. We all engineer, research, and create independently. The real advancements occur when we start combining forces.
DR. KELLEY
Wow- that’s… remarkable.
EMPLOYEE
Dr. Stanton! I’ve gotten word of a breach on level 4 where supposedly the subject has begun engaging in-
DR. STANTON
What have I said about interruptions?
EMPLOYEE
Yes, but sir-
DR. STANTON
If it’s that important, the level 4 manager will deal with it. Ellis, it’s time we showed Dr. Kelley around our sectors.
(The sound of a high-tech air-sealed door wooshing open)
DR. KELLEY
Wow…
DR. STANTON
This is our first sector. Here we have a few people researching a contained but very much alive fungal virus. Word has it that it may contain cordyceps advanced enough to enact a very real zombie plague among the population. It’s estimated it would only take about 2 months after patient zero’s infection for the entire world to fall into insanity.
DR. KELLEY
O-oh. That’s… terrifying. Aren’t you…?
DR. ELLIS
Scared? Tsk, nah. We have military-grade materials at our disposal in order to constantly create new ways to keep these things contained. This ain’t even the worst of it, kid.
DR. STANTON
Oh, now don’t patronize him, Ellis. This is, after all, still a very advanced company, even for some seasoned scientists.
DR. ELLIS
Alright, alright. You know I’m just bustin’ your balls, right Kelley?
DR. KELLEY
Yeah, haha, I get it. Still, I’m curious- how do they-
(An alarm begins to sound in the room next door)
Oh- oh no, is- is everything…?
DR. STANTON
Fine, fine- it’s part of the standard procedures here. I’m sure you’ll find eventually that our drills in case of emergency are very thorough. Now, let’s move on to our second sector.
(Another sound of a high-tech air-sealed door wooshing open)
DR. STANTON
Now, this is our level’s animal research unit. What we do here… varies. Some researchers develop new crossbreeds of animals. Others study the anatomy of certain species and combine them to form entirely new species altogether.
DR. KELLEY
That’s fascinating… what have you developed so far?
DR. ELLIS
Well, facilities have created several new crosses between sealife and landlife. Some of us have kind of dubbed it “project mermaid.” If all does really fall into place, Mortem Corp will be credited with the first lab-created mermaid ever.
DR. STANTON
Mhm.
DR. KELLEY
That is remarkable! I’ve never seen so much advanced, solid, and tangible research in my entire life it- it’s incredible…
DR. STANTON
Well, I’m glad you find our work so inspiring, Dr. Kelley. Perhaps it’s time to move on- the subjects tend to get a bit rowdy when there are too many bodies in the space.
(Yet another door is wooshed open. This room, however, is eerily silent)
DR. KELLEY
Oh, wow- it’s… so much calmer here. Pleasant, really. I can imagine some of the other scientists might get a bit overwhelmed and… overstimulated in such an environment.
DR. STANTON
Oh, yes. It’s commonplace for less-seasoned researchers to feel that way.
DR. ELLIS
The key is finding your “eye of the hurricane”, that kinda zen amidst the chaos that lets you really hone in.
DR. KELLEY
Yeah- yeah, that makes sense! Absolutely…
(pause)
So what is this sector’s specialty? It has a lot more doors than the other two- lots more isolated…
DR. STANTON
We test people.
DR. KELLEY
I’m sorry?
DR. ELLIS
Human beings, kid.
DR. KELLEY
I… Oh, I get it, haha- good one, guys you really got me there-
…Oh my god. Oh- you’re serious this- how is that-
DR. STANTON
Dr. Kelley… Mortem Corporations explores every facet of the scientific world. Most levels do not limit themselves to singular fields in order to truly be able to understand how we can utilize it for a better future.
DR. KELLEY
But- I-I’m sorry, but- this can’t be very moral, can it? I mean- human experiments, even animals- is it legal?
DR. STANTON
Mortem Corporations is far too advanced for limitations like that.
DR. KELLEY
But-
DR. ELLIS
We are the future, Kelley. Time, space, genetics- the very foundations of organisms- of life are ours to dissect. To bend. To play with. C’mon, you don’t think we’d genetically engineer a mermaid without people, did you?
DR. KELLEY
I…
DR. STANTON
Dr. Kelley, I assure you that this is entirely normal. Think of it this way- medication, yes? Human beings are always needed to test the medications for side effects, complications… is this so much worse?
DR. KELLEY
I… I guess not.
DR. ELLIS
I mean, it’s not like we’re forcing them- we give them all detailed contracts regarding what their services entail, and they sign it.
DR. STANTON
And they are handsomely compensated if they make it.
DR. KELLEY
If they make it?
(A manic shriek erupts from one of the rooms)
O-oh god-
DR. STANTON
It’s a very simple- and legal- process, Dr. Kelley. They know there’s no going back once they sign. It’s legally binding.
DR. ELLIS
It’s just work, kid. I promise you the government would get involved if there was a problem.
(Some rumbling is heard overhead.)
DR. KELLEY
What was that…?
DR. STANTON
Ah, that was the adjacent sector on level 4. They deal with more chemical components- noxious gases and toxins that are beneficial in warfare.
DR. KELLEY
Chemicals? Right above us? It… sounds awfully close.
DR. ELLIS
The layout of this place ensures that we have the most room to conduct our research. Each unit is cheek-to-cheek. It’s more efficient that way.
DR. STANTON
Precisely. It makes it all the easier to transfer equipment and data between researchers.
DR. ELLIS
And that extra time and space mean extra money right at our disposal.
DR. KELLEY
So… you endanger yourself, your colleagues- your subjects… all to save a quick buck?
DR. STANTON
You make it sound so primitive, Dr. Kelley.
DR. KELLEY
That is exactly what this is Dr. Stanton! Honestly, I… how can you feel okay about all this? I mean, surely none of this is up to standard.
DR. ELLIS
We don’t have to follow a standard- we make one.
DR. STANTON
Mortem Corporation has gone far past any other research association in virtually all fields of science. Our dedication to the craft and consistent outcomes have put us in the unique position of independent function. It’s quite simple, really. We set a goal…
DR. ELLIS
…and we do whatever it takes to achieve it.
DR. STANTON
Dr. Kelley, I sense some… unease.
DR. KELLEY
With all due respect, Dr. Stanton, I’m… concerned with the ethics of the company.
DR. STANTON
…Let’s move on to our next sector.
(Another swoosh of a door)
DR. STANTON
This is more of a prototype unit. As you’ve gathered, our level focuses a lot on the organic side of things, and we explore the facets of biology and how to apply it.
Here, we explore the bonds of organic life and how they meld with machinery. Today we’re applying nerve endings to mechanical arms. Tomorrow, who knows what could potentially be in store.
DR. KELLEY
Are- are the people from the other unit used for this…?
DR. STANTON
Oh, no, that would be absurd.
DR. KELLEY
Oh, thank god-
DR. ELLIS
We have people specifically assigned to this sector. Overlaps would just be tedious.
DR. KELLEY
Jesus Christ-
DR. STANTON
Dr. Kelley? Is something on your mind?
DR. KELLEY
Dr. Stanton, I have to be honest I find a certain level of discomfort working like-
DR. ELLIS
You really don’t get it, do you? Come on, do you really expect to have a future in this field while you’re up on your moral high horse?
DR. KELLEY
I- I never said anything like that-
DR. ELLIS
You didn’t have to. I mean really-
DR. STANTON
Ellis-
DR. ELLIS
We are the future. We have the power to create, to invent, to change. Didn’t you ever hear the phrase ‘great power comes great responsibility’? We are living that reality. If you’re gonna try and tiptoe around the precipice of discovery just because you feel some grand moral obligation of kindness, then yeah, maybe you’re too weak to be the future.
DR. STANTON
That’s enough, Dr. Ellis. I believe it’s time for you to leave.
DR. ELLIS
Whatever.
DR. STANTON
I’m sorry for Dr. Ellis’ behavior. My colleague has… very strong feelings about his profession.
DR. KELLEY
I can tell.
DR. STANTON
I understand your hesitations-
DR. KELLEY
No, Dr. Stanton, I believe you don’t. He’s right. I wear my heart on my sleeve. I’m too soft for my own good.
DR. STANTON
I apologize if his comments-
DR. KELLEY
But it’s fine. Because my empathy- my opinions, my feelings are what make me human. It’s what makes the people you test on human as well. That’s the very reason why I cannot excuse it. I cannot work in an environment where guilt is going to eb’ away at me, Dr. Stanton.
DR. STANTON
Your assignments will never overlap in that sector, Dr. Kelley, I assure you-
DR. KELLEY
I can’t use that as an excuse, Doctor. I cannot work with a company that condones this- no matter how prestigious- how extensive the research is, how well the pay is. My morals do define me, and it is a very strong factor in my position here. I’m sorry, but… I do not believe that I can take this job.
DR. STANTON
…I am truly sorry to hear that, Dr. Kelley. It’s not often we are so quick to add a member to our team. You have a bright mind.
DR. KELLEY
Thank you. I have no doubt that you are a very capable and intelligent man, and I respect your level of professionalism going forward and hope we might be able to work together in the future.
DR. STANTON
I’d be careful there, Doctor. It is a very difficult thing to find moral science in our current world. I don’t-
(An abrupt intense rumble is heard with an exclamation from the doctors. There is shuffling, and the sound of their footsteps)
DR. KELLEY
What was that? Is everything okay?
DR. STANTON
I- I don’t know. This- this is not commonplace in our sector.
(An emergency alarm begins to sound in the room)
DR. STANTON
Does anyone copy? Hello? This is Doctor Stanton of Sanction 4, do you copy-
(Just as fast as everything started, a loud explosion erupts, leaving a prolonged ringing sound in the device. There is incoherent yelling, chittering, and panic as the emergency alarms continue to sound and the audio distorts, before cutting off)
AUTOMATED VOICE
Error. The selected audio file appears damaged or corrupted. There is no further information at this time.
Thank you for choosing Mortem Corporations. And remember: Discovery is the future.
Thank you for listening to episode 3 of the Audio drama, Mortem Corp at Impact 89FM. This podcast was written by the students in Rob Roznowskis script development class at Michigan State University. This episode was written by Toby Sanders, Natalie Palencik, and Alex Spevetz.
Directed, produced and sound designed by Tessa Kresch
Script Supervised and Assistant Directed by Joie Culligan
Talent included
Ben Corsi as Dr Ellis
Gabriel Blaze Herdegan as Dr. Stanton
Andrew Brown as Dr. Kelley
Libby Lussenhop as the Automated Voice
And Joie and Tessa as the Employees
Music in this episode: Galaxy Shard by Blue Dot Sessions
Special thanks to Lucas Nunn, Rob Roznowski, Jeremy Whiting, Libby Lussenhop, and the entire Impact team.
Tune in next time for the next episode of Mortem Corp