3.10 - In the Cage

"We return to our regularly scheduled broadcasts of the HartLife Historical Record with a death-defying ascent to the very top of the lightning rig “Stormhawk,” as Neal Henderson continues his search for his lost love."

Synopsis
Benny relieves Jack from his shift in the day cage of the Stormhawk. As Jack, out of the cage, pees over the edge, he tells Benny that he believes they'll be heading into a storm system soon, but that the changes are slow and steady. Benny complains about Neal having chipped his tooth the other day at Al's Bar. Jack empties the full pee jar over the edge as well and locks Benny in the cage for his shift. As he does so, he asks Benny if he's made any progress with Jane, which Benny denies. Jack tells him he should use his shift to think of something to say to her and leaves.

Just after Jack is gone, Benny realizes that he took the walkie-talkie with him. In the background, unnoticed by Benny, the sound of Jack being hit with a shovel can be heard. Benny tries to think of what to say to Jane. Suddenly Neal appears and Benny tells him he can't be here as it is a restricted access area. He then asks distressed if Neal is carrying a shovel, as it's made of conductive metals and they're on a Lightning Rig. Finally Benny recognizes Neal from Al's Bar. Neal apologizes for having hit him in the face and says he's still looking for Alison. He then explains how he got here: he road a dogsled across the frozen wasteland, killed a wolf, fed that wolf to the dog, and climbed up the cables to the Rig. Neal figured that the cage looked so scary and Alison might be held there, but Benny says she isn't here.

Benny then tells Neal about Jack taking the walkie-talkie with him, which Neal then pulls out of his pocket. Benny tells him he needs to give it to him, using the keys to open the cage that Neal also has. Benny questions why Neal has all of Jack's things, to which Neal replies he knocked him out because he dumped urine all over him. Neal proposes a deal: he'll give Benny the keys, the walkie-talkie, and put in a good word for Benny with Jane, if Benny tells him who might know something about Alison. Benny agrees, and Neal holds the walkie-talkie close to him so he can give an update to Navigation Control.

Just after his call to Navigation Control, lightning strikes. Benny tries to tell Neal that he needs to leave, as he's not safe out in the open, but Neal instead squeezes himself into the cage with Benny. Before Neal can lock the door, the Rig tilts sideways to compensate for the wind, the door swings open, and they lose the walkie-talkie. Benny is annoyed and wants to get rid of Neal, so he tells him to ask the First Mate for information about Alison. He wishes him good luck with his search and Neal leaves.

Just after Neal leaves, the weather readings go crazy, announcing a huge storm that the crew isn't prepped for. Benny wants to get out of the cage to warn the crew, but can't because Neal took the keys with him.

Cast

 * Narrator — Ansel Burch
 * Neal Henderson — Sebastian H. Orr
 * Jack — Mark Soloff
 * Benny Lemieux — Kamron Palmer
 * Navigation Control — Ben Aldred