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0:00.970
ANNOUNCER
For information on upcoming episodes, merch, and other ways to support the podcast, follow us on Instagram @JacobsStanleypodcast or on Twitter @InappropriateF and check out our website, jakobstanley.com to submit your own story to the podcast.
00:22.050
BARKBOX
Got a doggo and wanna support the poddo? Use the affiliate link in our show notes BarkBox.com/jakobstanley, that’s Jakob with a “K” and sign up for BarkBox! Each month BarkBox brings your dog more than $40 worth of toys, treats and chews tailored especially for your pup, curated from each month's unique themed collection. Is your puppers is into Stranger things? Would they dig some Beggo Waffles, or a Demo bat? Maybe they prefer the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? And want a sorting hat or Hedwig of their very own. So, click on the link in our show notes barkbox.com/jakobstanley that’s Jakob with a “K” or go to our website jakobstanley.com and use the link provided to help support our pod and bring monthly dog joy right to your door. OH! And by using our link you get an additional month FREE! That's barkbox.com/jakobstanley.
01:09.150
NARRATOR
In October of 2011, 4 college students disappeared in the woods near Porter Township Pennsylvania while researching a documentary on children’s author Jakob Stanley. They remain missing to this day. Last month their recordings appeared online. In an effort to aid in the investigation, the families of those missing have agreed to release the following sound files. If anyone has information on those missing or the identity of the person or persons who uploaded these files, please use the contact information provided. Anything submitted may be used in future episodes. Certain materials referenced in this podcast, including the published works of Jakob Stanley, are currently protected under U.S. copyright law and may be redacted. For legal reasons, some names have been withheld and voices altered. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the podcasters and participants, and do not represent the official policy or position of the Iphigenia County Police Department of Porter Township Pennsylvania or its associates. This podcast contains adult themes and language. Listener discretion is advised.
02:19.190
PROFESSOR WHITAKER
For ten years, we have been desperate to find any shred of information on what has happened to Tolen, Avery, RJ and Chuck since going to Porter Township. These recordings have provided our first real glimpse into their experiences before going missing. And we hope by sharing them others may be able to help. It has been a long ten years with no leads on this case. I want to make a plea to those with information on the possible whereabouts of Tolen Reid, Avery Fischer, Ruby Jean Alvarez and Charles Young. Please - I beg of you to come forward. If you reach out anonymously, I personally guarantee your anonymity will be preserved. To the person or persons who posted these recordings, we have done everything you asked of us. It is now time for you to return the favor, and help us find our missing. Tolen Reid, Avery Fischer, Ruby Jean Alvarez and Charles Young. We love and miss you.
SFX: Beep.
03:47.770
PROFESSOR WHITAKER (CONT’D)
The following are the final round of sound files posted. For clarity, we have revised the order based on metadata.
04:01.130
PODCAST INTRO SEQUENCE
NEWS ANNOUNCER
WN [BEEP REDACTED] TV New York.
MUSIC: [80’s NEWS INTRO THEME]
NEWS ANCHOR ‘83
If your child has been to a school book fair recently, chances are they came home with one of this author’s scary books-
MUSIC: [80’s SUNDAY TALK SHOW THEME]
SUNDAY MORNING TALK SHOW HOST ‘81
Our guest’s first anthology leapt to the top of the New York Times Best Sellers list -
MUSIC: [LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW INTRO APPLAUSE]
LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW HOST ‘86
- Thank you. Thank you! Over the past few years, he has become a household name -
MUSIC: [PODCAST THEME]
PUBLIC RADIO HOST ‘92
- Bridging the gap between Alvin Schwartz and Stephen King -
TV PREACHER
- The devil is among us, friends.
CONGREGATION
AMEN!
TV PREACHER
He’s among us, in the form of a writer. -
SUNDAY MORNING TALK SHOW HOST ‘81
- The book might have struggled during it initial release in 1977, but now “Tell Me A Story: Under the Bed That’s Over My Head”, has skyrocketed -
ALSC COMMITTEE REP
- So many parent organizations complained that his work was too sophisticated for children-
TV PREACHER
- He has infiltrated your homes, and your children’s minds-
PUBLIC RADIO HOST ‘92
- His second macabre anthology “Tell Me A Story: Moonless Sky and Other Friends” sold out from bookstores in mere minutes. Becoming a controversial -
NEWS ANCHOR ‘83
- Stanley's books ranked on the American Library Association’s “100 Most Frequently Challenged Books” from 1981-1993 -
TV PREACHER
- Stanley’s books promote disobedience, violence and the occult! Lord have mercy -
PUBLIC RADIO HOST ‘92
- The 3rd volume in his “Tell Me A Story” collection “The Floor That Creaks, the Closet That Speaks and the Tip Toes That You Walk On” was released in 1986 to mass acclaim -
ALSC COMMITTEE REP
- All that fussing, just made his work more popular -
TV PREACHER
- Check your children’s rooms, check their bookshelves, check their back-packs! -
YOUTUBER
- I do think his final book, released in ‘99, “TMAS: The nightmare, The Dream and the Places Between,” was by far his best work.-
PUBLIC RADIO HOST ‘92
- His work has been described as “subversive” and “dark,” I simply describe it as genius.
SUNDAY MORNING TALK SHOW HOST ‘81
- It is my pleasure to introduce -
LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW HOST ‘86
- Please welcome -
PUBLIC RADIO HOST ‘92
- Ladies and gentleman, please welcome -
SUNDAY MORNING TALK SHOW HOST ‘81
- Jakob Stanley.-
LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW HOST ‘86
- Mister Jakob Stanley.
PUBLIC RADIO HOST ‘92
- Author, Jakob Stanley.
[Applause.]
MUSIC: [POD THEME SYNTH]
AVERY/NARRATOR
Little to nothing is known about the life of this elusive author. And since 1999 Jakob Stanley seems to have completely dropped off the face of the earth. Until a short two-line obituary appeared in a small town paper, over a year ago.
TOLEN/NARRATOR
From BOO Labs and Red Cup Media, I'm Tolen Reid -
AVERY/NARRATOR
And I'm Avery Fischer, this is TELL ME A STORY: THE TRUE LIFE OF JAKOB STANLEY.
SFX: Tolen is handcuffed to the door of Wallace’s truck.
06:22.936
TOLEN
Uh. My name is Tolen Reid. If anyone finds this phone, please give it to Avery Fischer. Her contact info is under the name Dean Winchester. Shit, this isn’t my phone, uh, so I’m sure she is under her... own ...name...uh. I’ve been taken prisoner by Wallace Embry. E - M - B - R - Y. I’m cuffed to the door of his truck... Uh... Shit, I don’t know where he is and I can’t.... Uh. Oh shit, glovebox.
SFX: Tolen riffles through the glove box.
TOLEN (CONT’D)
Fuck, of course. Cause that’s the first thing they teach you in human trafficking 101. “Be sure to clear your glovebox of any useful tools that might aid in your hostage’s escape!” Shit. Uh... I’m not sure where I am, it’s pitch black outside... Uh... there are a few ... uh... buildings around, but I don’t see any signs or anything... There’s a barn? ... I don’t even know if I am still in Porter Township - hell I don’t even know if I’m in Pennsylvania. But, I think I got knocked out? Uh, my attacker - Wallace Embry - slammed on the breaks and it, and it all went dark. I was, I was in a car accident earlier, so if I wasn’t concussed before, I sure as shit am now.
SFX: Suddenly, the driver’s side door loudly creaks open.
TOLEN (CONT’D)
BAH!
WALLACE
Oh good, you’re up.
SFX: Wallace gets in the car and slams the door closed.
07:53.000
WALLACE (CONT’D)
You hungry? There are some PB&Js. I know it’s not the quality cuisine you have grown accustomed to from me. But needs must.
TOLEN
Uh, no thank you?
SFX: Wallace grabs a brown paper bag full of PB&J sandwiches from the dashboard.
WALLACE
Ah well, more for me.
SFX: Wallace takes out a sandwich and takes a bite.
WALLACE
You ok buddy? You really took a bump on the head when I hit the brakes there.
TOLEN
I’m fine.
WALLACE
Good. You had me real worried ‘bout you.
SFX: Wallace finishes his sandwich.
TOLEN
Uhm, Wallace, I really need to go back to check on Avery and Chuck, so...
WALLACE
No can do, buddy. We’re already running behind.
TOLEN
Wallace. I need to make sure my friends are okay.
WALLACE
You don’t have to worry about that, compadre, it’ll all be taken care of. - You know what, I’ll bring you a PB&J, in case you change your mind.
SFX: Wallace opens his car door and gets out.
WALLACE (CONT’D)
Ready?
TOLEN
Ready for what?
SFX: Wallace leans into the cab.
WALLACE
To meet him?
TOLEN
Meet who?
WALLACE
Who do you think? - Come on now.
SFX: Wallace slams his car door closed. The mic cuts off.
SFX: Chuck, RJ and Avery are speeding down the road in a stolen car, heading to the Mendenhall.
09:16.510
CHUCK
Is it on?
AVERY
Yeah, we’re rolling.
CHUCK
Well hello there, Wallace Embry - or L.L. Randolph, whoever the hell you are - Here’s a little something we cooked up... just ... for ... you. UH!
SFX: Chuck steers the car into a guard rail. RJ and Avery hoot and holler cheering Chuck on.
SFX: Chuck pulls the car slowly away from the guard rail.
CHUCK
Oh yeah! Why yes, that’s right. That was the sound of your classic 68’ Dodge Charger - that you put together by hand - eating guard rail, you piece of dog shit.
AVERY
I bet you regret those late-night booze-fueled fireside backyard chats now!
RJ
Yeah, you can take your top 10 favorite things and shove them all up your ass.
CHUCK
YEAH! And when this is all over, we’re gonna take your General Lee, Dukes-of-Hazard-country-fried car and fling it into the quarry.
RJ
Oh Shhhiiiit!
AVERY
Suck my dick Wallace.
RJ
Yeah suck it.
CHUCK
Suck it suck it suck it!
SFX: The 3 cheer and madly beep the car horn.
RJ
Oh man.
CHUCK
You guys feel a little better?
AVERY
A bit. RJ?
RJ
That helped. Thank you.
AVERY
- Oh! Another guard rail.
SFX: They all start to laugh.
CHUCK
Ta-ta for now, Wally.
SFX: Chuck deliberately steers the car into another guard rail. RJ and Avery cheer Chuck on. The mic abruptly cuts out.
SFX: Wallace slams Tolen’s car door shut and locks it. He starts herding Tolen through the grounds of the Mendenhall towards the main building.
TOLEN
Wallace, I really don’t ... uh, okay.
SFX: Wallace herds Tolen like a sheep dog towards the main building.
11:00.480
TOLEN
Where are we?
WALLACE
Oh right, of course you’ve never been here before, only RJ and Avery. Sorry about that. ... This is the Mendenhall.
TOLEN
This is the Mendenhall?
WALLACE
In all its majestic glory.
SFX: They walk towards the entrance.
TOLEN
Why are we -
WALLACE
If I’m being honest, I’ve been kinda disappointed so far. But when you found the manuscript, that’s when I knew.
TOLEN
Well, we all found the manuscript.
WALLACE
Don’t you dare be modest. I know it was you.
TOLEN
Uh.
WALLACE
And the way you were holding it the other night, that was love right there.
TOLEN
Uh. Why are we at the Mendenhall?
WALLACE
Where else would we be?
TOLEN
Uh, okay... Uhm, I’m sorry, I’m still confused?
WALLACE
HA, ha-ha, ha. Man you are hilarious.
SFX: Wallace unlocks and opens the menacing heavy main door to the Mendenhall.
WALLACE
After you.
SFX: The mic cuts off.
SFX: Avery adjusts recording levels.
12:26.390
AVERY
Check...check. - No, I dropped that into the previous episode. It made more sense.
RJ
You set it to upload?
AVERY
Yeah, the second it gets a signal it's in the cloud.
CHUCK
I don’t even know how you guys can think about that shit right now. We don’t even know what we’re walking into here.
RJ
You gonna leave that in the car?
AVERY
Oh hell no, this isn’t leaving my sight. They’re gonna have to tear this backpack off my corpse.
CHUCK
UH. We gotta game plan here?
RJ
Well, that’s Wallace’s truck parked near the main building. So, we start there?
AVERY
That works.
CHUCK
Oh shit, look.
RJ
What?
CHUCK
There’s light coming from the top floor.
RJ
Where?
CHUCK
Right side. Over there.
RJ
Huh... that’s the nursery.
AVERY
Oh, no.
CHUCK
This place had a nursery?!
AVERY
Yeah, it was in that BOO episode we filmed here.
RJ
We played it for you guys.
CHUCK
I must’ve blocked that nightmare out of my brain.
AVERY
Yeah, I tried to do that. Didn’t work.
CHUCK
Not going anywhere near that baby ghost mess.
AVERY
I know, right. Friggen baby ghosts.
RJ
Don’t be stupid. It’s the only room with a light on, we have to check it out. That was also the only area we weren’t allowed to film. So, something weird’s going on there.
AVERY
I mean, we don’t know that for sure.
RJ
Avery, there is light coming from that room. We’re gonna check it out.
CHUCK
I’m with Avery on this, I don’t think it’s very smart-
RJ
- OH MY GOD, THERE ARE NO SUCH THING AS GHOSTS! Jesus, you guys need to grow up and get the fuck over yourselves right now. Still believe in Santa? The Easter Bunny? You afraid there’s a Cthulhu up there? HUH?! ... The truly terrifying things that inhabit this world are people... So, children, do you want to find Tolen or not? ... I’ll take your shame-filled silence as a yes. Now, come on.
SFX: RJ gets out of the car and closes it behind her.
SFX: Tolen and Wallace are slowly walking through the pentagram-shaped stone connecting tunnels under the Mendenhall, leading to the crematorium.
14:25.160
TOLEN
God, it’s so warm.
WALLACE
These tunnels were all here long before they ever built the Mendenhall. It’s why they built it here. It’s a very powerful, very powerful place.
TOLEN
Yeah, we listened to Avery and RJ’s episode from here.
WALLACE
Ha, they sure as shit scared the pants off old [BEEP].
SFX: Wallace starts laughing so hard he can barely speak. He stops walking and leans against the wall.
WALLACE (CONT’D)
He... He... I think that boy pissed hisself... running outta here like his ass was on fire. ... Whooo... Whooo. Gotta catch my breath. ... Oh lord, that just tickled me no end.
TOLEN
So, is this where they did the seance part?
WALLACE
Well, back there a-ways. At that intersection bit. It’s called the crossroads.
TOLEN
Oh right, it’s like a big star.
WALLACE
Yeah, I guess you could say it like that.
TOLEN
It’s really beautiful - Or I mean powerful like you said. I can see it now.
WALLACE
Yeah, I have a very strong connection with this place, we both do. And now, you will too.
TOLEN
Hey, Wallace?
WALLACE
Yeah, bud?
TOLEN
Did you take the unpublished manuscript last night?
WALLACE
You really liked it didn’t you? I could tell. You were cradling that like it was your baby.
TOLEN
Ha, yeah, at least I think I did.
WALLACE
I know you didn’t get to spend much time with it. But, we’ll change that.
TOLEN
Uh, but you didn’t by any chance bring it with you or?-
SFX: Suddenly, a bat flaps by screeching.
TOLEN (CONT’D)
BAH!... Uh, it sure feels like we’ve been walking for a long time? Ah, so where does this tunnel go?
17:15.470
WALLACE
It goes this way.
SFX: Wallace clicks a button and a secret door in the rock wall grinds open.
SFX: We hear echoey footsteps of RJ, Avery and Chuck running through the cavernous stone floors of the Mendenhall. The mic cuts in and out.
SFX: RJ stops suddenly and they all accidentally slam into each other. They slowly begin to backtrack, moving quietly, then RJ takes off again and they all follow. A bat startles them, but they continue.
SFX: The mic cuts in and out. As they reach the door of the creepy ass nursery.
18:08.260
RJ
One, two, three.
SFX: A loud horrific creak emanates from the old heavy wooden nursery door.
CHUCK
Well, there goes the element of surprise.
SFX: The 3 slink into the nursery and search around the room. RJ opens a large armoire. Avery looks in a large trunk. Chuck looks behind the thick damask curtains.
AVERY
Shit.
RJ
Nothing.
CHUCK
Nothing.
AVERY
Nothing.
CHUCK
Is there another light in here?
RJ
Yeah, I got it.
SFX: RJ clicks on a bedside table lamp.
AVERY
What the hell?
RJ
Holy shit.
CHUCK
Did we enter Downton Abbey?
SFX: Avery gasps.
AVERY
On the bed!
SFX: RJ slowly approaches the bed and pulls back the covers.
RJ
It’s just a robe.
AVERY
Oh, thank God.
RJ
What did you think it was?
AVERY
I don’t know.
CHUCK
I thought you said this was a nursery?
AVERY
That’s what we were told.
RJ
It was the nursery, look at the
wallpaper.
CHUCK & AVERY
Uuuuhg.
AVERY
Yikes.
RJ
It’s obvious someone has been living here now. Probably collected all the leftover furniture from other rooms and set up camp here.
SFX: The armoire door swings open startling Chuck and Avery. RJ crosses to the armoire.
RJ
It’s okay. It’s okay. Just an armoire. I must not have - oh that’s not an armoire.
AVERY
What is it?
RJ
Huh. It looks like a dumbwaiter?
19:30.424
CHUCK
That’s one big dumbwaiter.
SFX: RJ leans in and a pulley squeaks from above, making RJ a little nervous
RJ
Definitely a dumbwaiter, just really deep, not too high. There’s a mess of pulleys. Oh and this thing here is the speaking tube, you pop this little plug out.
SFX: RJ removes a metal plug cap from the tube.
RJ
And you can talk to the kitchen... oh...Oh.
AVERY
What? What’s wrong?
RJ
I don’t think this was a dumbwaiter... for food.
AVERY
It’s for bodies, isn’t it?
RJ
Yeah.
CHUCK
Okay. Are we done here?
SFX: There is a faint echo of voices. Everyone freezes.
20:05.020
RJ
Did you hear that?
AVERY
Where is it coming from?
SFX: Avery and RJ slink around the room searching for the source.
CHUCK
RJ if I get haunted because of you I am going to be so mad.
RJ
Shhhh! ... It’s coming from the speaking tube.
SFX: RJ listens to the distant voices.
RJ
Oh my God. That’s Tolen’s voice.
AVERY
Let me.
SFX: Avery dives for the speaking tube and leans her ear against it.
AVERY
It’s him, definitely him.... And... Wallace.... I can’t make out what they are saying clearly though.
RJ
Fuck we found them!
CHUCK
Where does that dumbwaiter lead to?
AVERY
Only one way to find out.
SFX: Avery climbs inside the dumbwaiter.
CHUCK
What the hell are you doing?
SFX: RJ climbs inside the dumbwaiter.
CHUCK (CON'T)
No. No way.
20:47.506
AVERY
Fine we leave you here.
CHUCK
Whoa-whoa-WHOA!
RJ
Come on. This sign says it can hold up to 800 pounds.
CHUCK
Yes, because its weight-bearing capacity was my main concern.
RJ
Look Chuck, they have to be at the other end of this speaking tube or we would’ve never been able to hear them.
AVERY
I’m taking this thing down whether you’re with us or not. So.
SFX: Chuck heads timidly over to the dumbwaiter.
RJ
You got this. ... Uh, uh, uh maybe back in? Yeah, back in.
SFX: Chuck awkwardly backs into the dumbwaiter on all fours.
AVERY
Just keep your eyes closed, we’ll tell you when to open them, okay?
CHUCK
Uh-huh.
RJ
Here we go.
SFX: RJ presses the down button. The pulley system and entire shaft make a horrible sound, as if a beast has been awakened.
CHUCK
Oh God.
SFX: The dumbwaiter chugs downward.
SFX: Tolen and Wallace are still slowly walking through the tunnels under the Mendenhall, they are at the deepest point right near the crematorium.
WALLACE
We’re almost there, buddy.
21:52.030
TOLEN
It’s so hot, why is it so hot?
WALLACE
Tolen! Come on man, aren’t you excited!
TOLEN
I’m still not exactly sure what is happening.