Juno Steel and the Sixteen Tons (Part 2) is an episode of The Penumbra Podcast in the Juno Steel series. It is the eighth Juno Steel episode of season 5, and the 14th overall episode of the season.
Overview[]
“Okay, Steel. You caught him. Now what the hell are you gonna do with him?”
Trigger Warnings[]
- Sudden loud noises
- Deception
- Suspicion and betrayal
- Violence and threats of violence
- Abuse of power
- Medical abuse
Episode Summary[]
The episode opens with a flashback of Peter Nureyev and Slip Jackson, with Slip hiding from the Guardian Angel System on Brahma before they leave for Saraswati. Slip ducks inside and they discuss how they've gotten so used to hiding. He presents the "sparkling celebration water" he stole, and Nureyev admires Slip's eye for gaps in security. As they set up their celebration, Nureyev hums "a thief without a home", and Slip asks him where the song comes from. He says he first heard it in New Kinshasa with Mag. Nureyev starts talking about being with Mag and how he lied to him about being from New Kinshasa, which Slip comments he probably tried on some other kids too. Slip disagrees with Nureyev's idealistic view of New Kinshasa, saying that it's only a haven because of the people it oppresses. Nureyev is a dreamer, Slip a realist. Nureyev is still pretty messed up about the lies Mag told him. Slip tries to comfort him, saying that he can find a home eventually, and he's ready for the next thing in his life, whatever that is. Nureyev teaches Slip the song.
Juno's confrontation with Nureyev continues from the previous episode. Nureyev very upset with him. Juno says his life is worth more than this, and Nureyev snaps at him. Juno says that they're not going to resurrect Slip and that it's a scam, which Nureyev disagrees with, saying that the project is in its final stages, citing what he wrote in the journal. Juno complains about the journal having too much kissing in it, which Nureyev is not pleased with. Juno tries to apologize, but Nureyev interrupts him saying that he doesn't want to see him again. Juno deflates, saying he'll just leave. Nureyev quickly interrupts, saying he'll show Juno the door and help him sneak out.
Juno is hurt by what Nureyev said. They enter the main offices, where they overhear Linda Phazer contacting security to kill Mr Rose. Nureyev caves to Juno's puppy dog eyes and helps him hide. Neither of them have a comms to contact Rita so she can hack the building. They note that Mr Doppel has a comms, and plan to pickpocket him. Nureyev helps them sneak into the workroom on the hour, right when all employees swap desks. Nureyev fails the pickpocket, and Juno doesn't want to mess things up for him, so he distracts Doppel right before Nureyev is noticed. Juno slips away to the Zero-Gravity Playroom, where they had agreed to meet if they were separated. Linda Phazer meets him there and shoots at him.
Nureyev, having called Rita on the comms, saves Juno by activating the zero gravity. Rita activates the G-Ball court which involves barriers that electrocute at 50 thousand volts. Juno and Nureyev have both done zero gravity training with the Aurinkos. Juno grabs Linda's blaster, and shoots everyone. Mr Doppel calls them and says he has to transport a test subject to the loading bay. Nureyev is disturbed by them moving Slip, as previously all experimentation took place there. They sneak off, with Juno insisting he join, and see an Executive pull Slip's gurney into another room and not come out. Nureyev moves to follow, but Juno stops him and apologizes, saying he cares about Nureyev and wants to help him. He wants to be part of whatever comes next, and make sure Nureyev is okay. Nureyev isn't very receptive, and moves on quickly.
Through the door, they see dozens and dozens of beds with people hooked up to life support machines. They are shocked at the implications of this, that Nureyev is not unique in any way, that he is not a lonely martyr. Juno resolves to help him through whatever comes next.
Cast and Crew[]
Cast[]
- Joshua Ilon as Juno Steel
- Kate Jones as Rita
- Linda Garzia as Linda Phazer
- Stewart Evan Smith as The Executives
- Ellie Desautels as Slip Jackson
- Noah Simes as Peter Nureyev
Crew[]
- Ginny D'Angelo as Head of Merchandise and Outreach
- Melissa DeJesus and Grahame Turner on the Script editing team
- Harley Takagi Kaner as Co-creator, Head of Episode Development, Director, and Sound designer
- Joelle Kross as transcriptionist
- Noah Simes as Production manager
- Kevin Vibert as Co-creator, Head of Operations, and Lead writer
- Ryan Vibert as Composer and performer of original music
- Jeff Wright as Graphic designer
Quotes[]
NUREYEV: It's not about what I want in reality. It's about the dream of it. SLIP: You can't live in a dream, Petya. NUREYEV: Maybe not, but without dreams, how would we know what kind of life is worth living?
SLIP: I guess I just don't see what this has to do with that song you were humming. Or... Mag. NUREYEV: Right. Of course. I'm sorry. I just think about it so much... talking to someone else about it, well... I don't have much experience with it.
When we were on New Kinshasa, I heard someone play that song in the town square. And those two feelings... I hated that place and I hated everyone who lived there, but I felt more at home than I ever had before. Being there, seeing people who could have been my neighbors, it was the ultimate realization of a dream I'd been force-fed for years. How could it not have an effect on me? I heard that song, and it was like... it was like coming home. I thought I was home.SLIP: But you know that's not true now, right? NUREYEV: Perhaps. But if that isn't home, where is? I don't think I've answered that yet. It feels like I never will.
SLIP: Our emotions are mostly silly. That doesn't make them any less real. And... I like the thought of having a song that says so much. "Our dream has passed, but it's still okay that we dreamed it." You know?