(It sounds like a radio. Then the sound of a steady heartbeat.)

FRANK:

(A door is closed and locked.)

FRANK:

I should do something nice for myself. I’ve been neglecting my journal… I really should take some time to update it.

(He sounds different.)

It’s still there. There’s nothing to worry about. It hasn’t moved since you've left it there. Stop worrying over nothing! What good will that do? Always overthinking…

(Normal voice.)

There you are! I knew I would find-

(He flips a page and suddenly falls silent. A ticking clock is heard. The heartbeat is louder.)

FRANK:

You lost your field journal. Don’t you remember?

(Normal voice.)

…That’s fine. I’ll fill it up soon enough…

(He sounds different.)

You had to get a new one. How could you forget? Howdy jeered at you about it. Then, you didn’t touch it. Are we too ashamed to look at blank pages? A reminder of all that hard work down the drain? (He pauses.) No memory of that butterfly you saw either. …Why can’t you remember anything?

(Pages are flipped. The book is closed.)

FRANK:

Water! I just need water.

FRANK:

Idiot.

(Frank hums and makes various other noises. He sounds scared. The creak of a faucet handle is heard.)

FRANK:

Abandoning the journal again? It’s for the best. You’ll probably lose this one before you can put anything worthwhile inside. It’s not like anyone’s going to read it. It’ll be forgotten in a box somewhere. Then, when you’re gone, it’ll be thrown away too. (A faint sting.)

…What a waste.

(He sounds normal.)

Forget it. I need to clear my head.

(Footsteps. The clock ticks are gradually getting louder. Shuffling is heard.)

FRANK:

Why won’t you open? What’s going on? …Why won’t you open? What’s going on? What’s wrong with me? (He sounds angry)

This is probably one of Barnaby’s idiotic pranks!! That inconsiderate dog! He’s got nothing better to do than come into my house and-

(He gasps. He sounds scared.)

Did he come into the house? Is that why my faucet won’t run? What else has he done? Did he go through my things? Did he-

(It sounds like footsteps.)

FRANK:

No, he didn’t. You saw it right where you left it.

It hasn’t moved. No one’s touched it. No one’s going to find it. (He sounds like he is getting madder.)

You can’t remember that either! Why is this so difficult for you? You can’t even keep your head on straight!

How is Julie supposed to rely on you? How is anyone supposed to?!

(It sounds like a ticking clock.)

FRANK:

Why does this even matter so damn much!? Is it really worth Julie’s time if it brings her to tears?! To hide?! It’s good we uprooted it - why doesn’t she see that?!

(It sounds like the clock is chiming.)

FRANK:

…I know exactly how they would look at her.

(He sounds very mad.)

Well, I say so what if it didn’t bloom?! Maybe it didn’t need to! Will the neighborhood really suffer if it’s one less gaudy flower?! If it’s one less smiling face?!

I can’t focus! I can’t think! I can’t breathe! I need to get out of this stupid house!

(A door slams open. It’s quiet. The clock sounds like its ticking. I can hear a heartbeat)

[Audio ends.]