Episode 40

The Mutual Broadcasting System brings you another episode of Life in Hyperion.

Today's episode: "The Melting of the Iceberg", Part 15

Yesterday, all decended on Cathy's Tavern for Polly's first public performance, including Conrad, who was there to meet his sister, this time as a melted human being.  The siblings soon got off on a foot.  Right or wrong is in the air.  Meanwhile, Cy and Elmer set up the space where the performance would take place.
As we begin, the show is about to start...

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Phil then takes a place at the table as Cy and Elmer then walk back inside with the stools and mike stands. With ease, they reach the performance area and put the stuff down.
"There we go." says Cy as he puts the stools down.
"I think I got evewything weady fow the show." says Elmer.
"Then let's tune up." says Cy as he takes a stool.
As Cy, sitted upon his stool, tunes his mandolin, he spots Conrad entering the tavern.
"Excuse me, Elmer, I've got some business to attend to." says Cy as he gets up from the stool.
"Huwwy back, now." says Elmer, tuning up his fiddle.
"Conrad, you finally made it." says Cy as he makes it to the front of the place.
"I guess I've decided to tempt fate." says Conrad.
"You're meeting your sister as a human, not going up on the space shuttle." says Cy.
"Where is she?" asks Conrad.
"Right back here." says Cy, who then guides Conrad through the tavern to Darlene and Joanne's table, "Here you are, Conrad, met the human Darlene."
"I haven't seen you in two days, Darlene." says Conrad, catching Darlene's attention.
"And what a fun-filled two days it has been." says Darlene.
"If you excuse me, I have to return to the performance area, Polly's about to take the stage, so to speak." says Cy, who then departs.
"So, how have you been, Conrad?" asks Darlene.
"Fine, very fine." says Conrad as he takes a seat at the table.
"That's nice, very nice." says Darlene.
"I think I'll go talk to Cy about something." says Joanne, who then gets up from the table.
"So, it's just us two here now, at this table." says Darlene.
"So it would seem." says Conrad.
"So, how's the radio business?" asks Darlene.
"It's going well." says Conrad.
"So I see." says Darlene.
Conrad then falls silence for a minute, as the sounds of the tavern fill the air.
"Conrad, why are you doing this?" asks Darlene.
"Nothing. It's just that I can't stand the thought of my sister turning into an alcoholic." says Conrad.
"Phil brought that subject yesterday and I told him, I have it under control." says Darlene.
"That's what Cy once said about his mother, and even you should know that." says Conrad.
"Cy has regaled me about that and I've learned from them. Slowly, my drinking is starting to go down a bit." says Darlene.
"How long before I get the old Darlene back?" asks Conrad.
"Do you really want the human iceberg back?" asks Darlene.
"If it means my sister stops drinking herself to death." says Conrad.
"Cy was right, you can't see it." says Darlene.
"Don't you run me over with that. Cy tried himself." says Conrad.
"Of all the people I should making friends with, it's you. Maybe you're taking my place as a human iceberg." says Darlene.
"Cy said that, too." says Conrad.
"I'm not surprised. Cy told me that my new personality is that of his mother." says Darlene.
"Is that what kind of person was under the ice?" asks Conrad.
"I think you're starting to see it." says Darlene.
"I think I must be." says Conrad.
"I think we should work on it, see if you'll eventually see it the same way as Cy, Phil, and Joanne." says Darlene.
"I think so." says Conrad.
"I think Polly's about to go on." says Darlene.
"Let me get something." says Cy, who then gets the tape recorder and runs over to the performance area and plugs in a cord into the tape recorder.
Cy then sits down on his stool with his mandolin and Elmer with his fiddle outfitted with its own mike connected to an amp. Before Cy speaks, he turns around and turns on the tape recorder.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Cathy's Tavern is proud to present here today one of the greatest new voices in the land. Please welcome Miss Polly McIntyre." says Cy.
Polly then emerges from the restroom, her hair all let down, and covering her shoulders and dressed in a black vest, white button shirt, and long black skirt, complete with a brown cowboy hat on her head and bare feet. With guitar in hand, she walks her way over to the small performance area, where she takes her stool and tunes her guitar a bit.
"What's with the routine here?" asks Cy.
"It's my performance gear. The type of stuff I've always wanted to wear." says Polly.
"Well, it looks great on you." says Cy.
"Thanks for that, Cy." says Polly.
"Guess what, Polly, I've decided on a name for this backing group of yours." says Cy.
"What would that be?" asks Polly.
"The Trapper Johns." says Cy.
"Let's hope this is your only performance under that name." says Polly.
"Duly noted." says Cy.
Polly then starts strumming the first few chords of "You Ain't Goin Nowhere" to applause from the tavern crowd. Cy and Elmer quickly begin their parts as Polly then starts in on the lyrics.
The noise in the tavern drops down as the people take in the voice coming out of Polly. Cy and Elmer prove to be equal backing as they each take a short solo when the song reaches the bridge.
Eventually, the song comes to an end and the tavern erupts with applause from all the patrons and the staff. Polly smiles as she takes in the people's cheer.
"Thank you very much for that warm welcome." says Polly.
"So, what song are we doing next?" asks Cy.
"We did rehearse a set-list." says Polly.
"How about 'Long Black Veil', for all those mystery-lovers out there?" says Cy.
"Gladly." says Polly, who then launches into a redition of the song, along with Cy and Elmer.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Next week, this epic of a serial finally comes to a close, and a new serial begins, with a romance that someone would not like to happen and someone who would love to see it happen.  Two sides to a story become hard to bear.

Join us, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.

A production of WGN Chicago.  All rights reserved.

Episode 39

The Mutual Broadcasting System brings you another episode of Life in Hyperion.

Today's episode: "The Melting of the Iceberg", Part 14

Yesterday, Conrad arrived at work and had a brush with the melted Darlene as she left.  After some forcing, Cy told Conrad about what had happened to her and Conrad paniced.  However, Cy manages to calm him down with a promise to meet the melted Darlene at Polly's gig that night.
As we begin, the evening sun is setting and Cy and Thomas have arrived at Cathy's Tavern...

----------------------------------------------------------------------

As the two enter the place, the Friday night crowd are beginning to pour in. The chatter and smoke rise in the air.
"Look at this place. It's nothing but a giant hallway with tables and chairs." says Thomas.
"That's the beauty of this place. It's small and intimate." says Cy.
"Perfect for Polly. Where is the little starlet?" says Thomas.
"I don't know. The stage is bare but no sign of her or Elmer." says Cy.
"They'll show up. Meanwhile, let us take a seat." says Cy, leading Thomas to the back of the place. On the way, they pass a bare spot between the two halves of the tavern.
"This here is the stage." says Cy.
"This small space?" asks Thomas.
"We don't need much on this one, just enough room for three musicians." says Cy.
"That's true." says Thomas.
"And here is where you'll be sitting." says Cy, reaching a large table in the back of the tavern.
"Nice seats." says Thomas.
"Well, we're guests of Polly tonight." says Cy as Thomas takes a chair.
"And her backing band." says Thomas.
"That's right." says Cy as he puts down the urn in the center of the table.
"Have you found a name for it yet?" asks Thomas.
"No, but I'm working on it." says Cy.
"Hewwo, Cy." says Elmer as he enters through the back door of the place.
"Hello, Elmer. Where's the star of the night?" says Cy.
"She'ww be hewe in a minute." says Elmer.
"Have you found a name for you two as a backing group?" asks Thomas.
"Not weawwy." says Elmer.
"Where's the equipment?" asks Cy.
"It's in my twuck. Wouwd you hewp me get it?" says Elmer.
"Sure, I'll help." says Cy, who then follows Elmer out the back door.
As Thomas continues to sit at the table, Darlene enters the tavern. As she looks around, she spies Thomas at the table. Instantly, her eyes light up as she walks over to the table.
"Hello there." says Darlene as she reaches the table.
"Hello. Who might you be?" says Thomas.
"I'm Darlene Harris." says Darlene.
"Oh, Conrad's sister. Well, I'm Thomas Cinder." says Thomas.
"Oh, Cy's boarder. Nice to meet you." says Darlene.
"Pleasure's all mine. So, you used to be a human iceberg?" says Thomas.
"I guess Cy has mentioned me." says Darlene.
"A little." says Thomas.
"Say, where is he?" asks Darlene.
"With Elmer." says Thomas.
Just then, Cy and Elmer are bringing in the equipment they'll be using, following by Polly, carrying a guitar case and a bag.
"Nice to see you finally arrive at last, but what's with the bag?" says Cy.
"That's for me to know and for you to find out." says Polly, who then retreats into the girls restroom.
"This is great equipment. Where did you get it?" says Cy.
"I know a guy." says Elmer.
"You're a fiddler, not a guitarist." says Cy.
"I fowget about that." says Elmer.
"I can't believe the set-up here. Me and Polly will both get stools to sit on during the performance, and you have to stand." says Cy.
"Weww, I pwefew to stand. It awwows me to pway bettew." says Elmer.
"To each their own, I say." says Cy.
"Hey there, Cy!" says Darlene.
"I see you're here, Darlene." says Cy as he and Elmer arrive at the table.
"Would I miss Polly's first public performance?" asks Darlene.
"I guess no one is." says Cy as he and Elmer then move over to the performance area.
"Put it down hewe." says Elmer, who then, along with Cy, puts down two amps with cords.
"I guess I'd better get the stools." says Cy, making his way to the back door.
"I'ww get the mike stands." says Elmer, following behind.
"Gee, sounds like that Cy and Elmer are ready." says Darlene.
"I heard them rehearse and they sound great." says Thomas.
"Knowing you, you got a usual taste of Polly." says Darlene.
"I've never regretting hearing her voice and it was nice to hear again during the rehearsal." says Thomas.
"I can see Cy's guest of honor." says Darlene, pointing at the urn.
"Yep, he brought her down here in his arms." says Thomas.
"You know, Cy gets his love of country music from his mother." says Darlene.
"He's never really mentioned that." says Thomas.
"Yep, she was a fan of the honky-tonk sound that she passed on to her son." says Darlene.
"How do you know so much about Cy?" asks Thomas.
"After I melted, I spent a night here at the tavern and he told me a lot about her." says Darlene.
"Knowing Cy, he probably told you before." says Thomas.
"I know, but I wasn't listening." says Darlene.
"Well, I guess you listened the last time." says Thomas.
"That I did." says Darlene.
"Hello, you guys." says Joanne as she arrives at the table.
"Hello, Joanne, my new best buddy. Me and Thomas here were talking about Cy and his mother." says Darlene.
"It's hard to go a day without Cy relaying a story about her." says Joanne.
"He's very proud of her." says Darlene.
"I bet you're proud of being a librarian." says Joanne.
"That I am. It's a very interesting world." says Darlene.
"I never knew the world of a librarian was so interesting." says Joanne.
"Oh, it is. Today, some kid bumped into me and I actually let it go." says Darlene.
"How's that interesting?" asks Joanne.
"Because when I picked up one of the books, I started to read it and I was amazing. I had never read anything like that in my life." says Darlene.
"That is interesting. Did that book ever get back on the shelf?" says Joanne.
"What shelf?" says Darlene before breaking out in laughter, with Joanne following along.
"Hi, guys." says Phil as he pulls up to the table.
"Hello, Phil." says Darlene.
"Can I have a seat?" asks Phil.
"Please do." says Darlene.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Tomorrow, Polly takes the stage, no matter how small it is, and, as Cy would say, a star, no matter how small, is born.

Join us, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.

A production of WGN Chicago.  All rights reserved.

Episode 38

The Mutual Broadcasting System brings you another episode of Life in Hyperion.

Today's episode: "The Melting of The Iceberg", Part 13

Yesterday, Cy and Joanne had their little dinner with the melted Darlene, who proved to be an excellent hostess after years of bad treatment to people.  The next morning, Cy arrived at work to find Phil alone again and told him about the dinner.  The two were also visited by Darlene, who offered an apology for her past behavior towards them. 
As we begin, Darlene is finishing up her visit...

---------------------------------------------------------------------

"Well, time for you to go get ready for work." says Cy.
"I will. Thanks, Cy and Phil. I'll see you tonight at the tavern." says Darlene, who then giggles and walks crookedly out the green door, just as Conrad enters and sees her depart.
"Good morning, Conrad. How was your day off?" says Cy.
"It was fine. Was that my sister?" says Conrad.
"That it was." says Cy.
"I wonder what's wrong with her?" says Conrad.
"Tell him." says Phil through clinched teeth to Cy.
"What" whispers Cy to Phil.
"Tell him about Darlene." whispers Phil.
"What are you two talking about?" asks Conrad.
"Conrad, what I'm about to tell you I was planning to withhold until it was safe but Phil says I have to tell you." says Cy.
"Out with it, Cy." says Conrad.
"It's about Darlene." says Cy.
"What about Darlene?" asks Conrad.
"Remember that bottle of whiskey I gave her on her birthday two days ago?" asks Cy.
"I do." says Conrad.
"Well, that evening, Darlene decided to drink it all down." says Cy.
"What happened?" asks Conrad.
"The most amazing thing happened, the human iceberg melted." says Cy.
"What are you saying?" asks Conrad.
"I'm saying that whiskey has melted your sister the human iceberg and turned her human." says Cy.
"And all this because she drank?" asks Conrad.
"That's the idea. I'll admit, she has been downing alcohol for the last two days." says Cy.
"I can't believe it." says Conrad.
"Me, neither." says Cy, thinking Conrad gets the idea.
"I can't believe that my sister has turned into a drunk over what I said." says Conrad.
"What? What are you talking about?" asks Cy.
"You see, after you left her house two days ago, I gave her a stern talk. I thought I'd upset her. That's why I didn't come into work yesterday." says Conrad.
"Well, whatever you did, it's all irrelevant now, Darlene has finally become human." says Cy.
"My sister has turned into a drunk and I gonna see to it that she stops, and I'm gonna need your help, Cy." says Conrad.
"Why me, Conrad?" asks Cy.
"Because you're the one that made her drink." says Conrad.
"She drank that bottle down of her own accord. I didn't tell her to." says Cy.
"I overheard you at the party telling her she should." says Conrad.
"I was merely suggesting that she did drink it. I didn't tell her to gulp the whole thing down or start drinking the other bottles." says Cy before realizing what he just said.
"I've gotta get to those bottles and get rid of them before she drinks herself to death." says Conrad.
"You just don't get it, do you?" asks Cy.
"Get what?" asks Conrad.
"That your sister, the human iceberg, has melted and become a human being. She's warm, friendly, and wise. She even made friends with me, Phil, and Joanne. Don't tell me you actually prefer the iceberg." says Cy.
"Why not? She was nice sober, wasn't she?" asks Conrad.
"You still don't get it." says Cy.
"I don't need to get it. All I need to get is my sister into AA." says Conrad.
"And have her re-freeze and become a human iceberg again?" asks Cy.
"Didn't your mother drink like that?" asks Conrad.
"She lost the love of her life in one of this country's greatest tragedies, so don't compare your sister to that, ever." says Cy.
"Now you don't get it. She's my sister. I must protect her." says Conrad.
"From having friends? I think you're starting to freeze up, becoming a human iceberg." says Cy.
"I am not!" says Conrad.
"One sibling gets unfrozen, the other starts freezing up." says Cy.
"What an observation, Cy." says Phil.
"It's not true." says Conrad.
"How you would know what's best for your sister?" asks Cy.
"Yeah, you've never even met the melted version." says Phil.
Suddenly, Cy hits on an idea.
"There lies our problem, Conrad has not met the human Darlene yet." says Cy.
"That's right, Cy. The two haven't met." says Phil.
"He's her sister, but the two haven't crossed paths." says Cy.
"I don't need to." says Conrad.
"I think you do, Conrad, and as it just so happens, I invited Darlene to Polly's concert at the tavern tonight." says Cy.
"Polly's singing at the tavern?" asks Conrad.
"Yep, with me on mandolin and Elmer on fiddle as her back-up band, and Darlene will be there, so I invite you down to the tavern tonight to hear Polly and meet the human Darlene." says Cy.
"I accept, but only on the first basis." says Conrad.
"Believe me, you'll love the human Darlene as much as you managed to love iceberg Darlene." says Cy.
That night, as the sun begins to set, Cy, with the urn containing his mother's ashes in hand, and Thomas, with two carrying cases in his hands, make their way to the front door of Cathy's Tavern.
"I can't believe you're bringing that urn with you." says Thomas.
"I think my mother has every right to hear Polly, even like this." says Cy.
"Well, I have to carry your mandolin, named for her, and a tape recorder." says Thomas.
"Consider yourself a roadie tonight." says Cy.
"I will not." says Thomas.
"Then be careful with that stuff." says Cy.
"Why do you have a tape recorder?" asks Thomas.
"I'm gonna record the show tonight for history's sake." says Cy.
"Well, that's interesting." says Thomas.
"I have a couple of reels of my mother's singing that people will be interested in someday." says Cy.
"Can I listen to them?" asks Thomas.
"Tomorrow." says Cy as he and Thomas finally reach the front door.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Tomorrow, Cy and company settle in for Polly's performance, and the first sparks fly in another romance.  Love is abound in Hyperion, isn't it?

Join us, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.

A production of WGN Chicago.  All rights reserved.

Episode 37

The Mutual Broadcasting System brings you another episode of Life in Hyperion.

Today's episode: "The Melting of the Iceberg", Part 12

Yesterday, we began our third week by concluding Cy and Phil's visit to the library to meet the melted Darlene.  The end of the visit ended up being the duo joining the young ones in storytime, featuring first-time storyteller Darlene.  Cy then headed home and had his scheduled rehearsal with Polly and Elmer in preparation for her up-coming gig.
As the evening begins, Cy and Joanne have taken up Darlene's offer on a free dinner at her home.  As we begin today, Cy and Joanne are about to go inside...

---------------------------------------------------------------------

As Cy and Joanne enter the house, a radio is playing some smooth jazz as the two are leading into Darlene's dining room.
"Where's Conrad?" asks Cy.
"In his room, sulking." says Darlene.
"How have you been getting around him?" asks Cy.
"I live up in the attic, so it's easy to get by him." says Darlene.
"So, what have you prepared today?" asks Cy.
"I have some brisket, beef brisket. I wanted to impress you, Joanne." says Darlene.
"You didn't have to do that." says Joanne.
"That's right, I once caught Joanne eating bacon." says Cy.
The trio soon reach the dining room table.
"Here we are." says Cy.
"Take your seats." says Darlene.
"It was certainly nice for you to invite us to dinner." says Joanne.
"I wish to make amends for my behavior and this is a step in the right direction." says Darlene.
"You're certainly doing well with that." says Cy.
"Witty observation, Cy." says Darlene.
"You're actually calling him 'Cy' now?" asks Joanne.
"That's a mark of the new me. I actually now call Cy the way his mother did." says Darlene.
"That's good to hear. So, Cy, how did your practice go today?" says Joanne.
"What do you mean?" asks Darlene.
"Me and Elmer have accepted an engagement to be Polly's backing band when she makes her public singing debut at Cathy's Tavern tomorrow." says Cy.
"So, how did the practice go?" asks Darlene.
"It went well. I think me and Elmer are up to specs when it comes to backing Polly." says Cy.
"Did Thomas join in?" asks Joanne.
"He declined an invite to join. However, he will attend tomorrow's concert, which I also invite you two to." says Cy.
"I accept." says Joanne.
"Me, too. You know, you're gonna have to introduce me to this Thomas character. He sounds pretty interesting." says Darlene.
"When I got him in as a boarder, you told me I was the craziest person in Hyperion for doing so." says Cy.
"That was the old human iceberg that said that. This is the melted, human Darlene and I say it's nice to see Cy undertake such an effort." says Darlene.
"I didn't realize my efforts were so noteworthy." says Cy.
"Joanne, you have yourself quite a catch." says Darlene.
"Two days ago, you said I was crazy for just being with him." says Joanne.
"And I do apologize for that, Joanne. I now see Cy as a catch to be had." says Darlene.
"And I have him." says Joanne.
"Are you into him because of his heritage, as he calls it?" asks Darlene.
"A little. I've never been with anyone whose mother was famous." says Joanne.
"Would you ever have children with him?" asks Darlene.
"Why not, he wouldn't be a bad father." says Joanne.
"I think I would be a good father." says Cy.
"Look at us, Joanne, talking like old friends." says Darlene.
"Well, I certainly am a friend to you now." says Joanne.
"I've never had a friend before." says Darlene.
"Now you do." says Joanne.
"Come on, you hens, let us order." says Cy.
Darlene and Joanne then proceed to cackle like hens at Cy's statement.
"I think we should." says Darlene.
The next day, Cy waltzes down the hallway to the green roon as he hums a song. As he walks into the green room, he spies Phil reading the paper.
"Good day, good day, good day to all." says Cy.
"Cy, what is with you this morning?" asks Phil.
"I had the best time of my life with Darlene and Joanne at dinner last night." says Cy.
"Social dinners are always big." says Phil.
"But the biggest thing was that Darlene finally gained a true friend in the form of Joanne. You should seen how those two got together." says Cy.
"Two warm human beings, I guess." says Phil.
"Boy, I tell ya. I knew I was giving Darlene those bottles of whiskey for a reason. I didn't know they were human iceberg melters." says Cy.
"Speaking of former human icebergs." says Phil, pointing to the door.
Sure enough, entering the room is Darlene.
"Good morning, my friend." says Darlene.
"Good morning, Darlene. What are you doing here?" says Cy.
"Oh, Cy. I'm here to say thank you for granting me a chance to really met Joanne and finally make a friend." says Darlene.
"I accept. It was nothing." says Cy.
"Are you kidding? For the last 30 years, I was a human iceberg, cold to the world. I could care less that I was friendless. Now, that I've melted, I really care that I now have a friend to call my own." says Darlene.
"Thanks, and Darlene, count me as another friend." says Cy.
"Me, too, Darlene." says Phil.
"Thank you, guys. I needed that. I really do." says Darlene as she gives them both a hug.
"Darlene, are you still on last year's bottle?" asks Cy.
"I finished that this morning. I just lifted the top of the bottle from two years ago." says Darlene.
"It won't be long before they're all gone." says Cy.
"And I hope by then I have drank enough to keep the ice from re-forming." says Darlene.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Tomorrow, Conrad arrives from work and a new way of life may be short-lived, if he has anything to do with it.

Join us, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.

A production of WGN Chicago.  All rights reserved.

Episode 36

The Mutual Broadcasting System brings you another episode of Life in Hyperion.

Today's episode: "The Melting of the Iceberg", Part 11

Last week, we saw the 30th birthday party of Conrad's sister Darlene unfold with the usual results, except for one.  After a sharp barb about his mother, Cy dared Darlene to down his usual birthday gift, a bottle of whiskey.  After drinking the whole thing, she falls unconscious.  Believing Cy has harmed his sister, he leaves the party.
Soon, after the party ends, Cy and Joanne stand watch over Darlene, waiting for her to wake up, which she does three hours later.  When she does awake, her personality has changed, leaving Cy to conclude that Darlene's icy core has melted.  Darlene then takes Cy and Joanne out to celebrate her re-birth.
The next day, Cy finds Phil in the green room, but not Conrad, who has decided to take the day off.  Cy then tells Phil about what happened.  Curious, Cy takes Phil to the library to meet the melted Darlene.  As we begin this week, Cy and Phil are about to end their visit...

----------------------------------------------------------------------

"I'm amazed at the human Darlene." says Phil.
"Yeah, and if Conrad ever found out how she got that way, he'd actually try to re-freeze her." says Cy.
"I don't think Conrad prefers a human iceberg for a sister." says Phil as he sits down at the table.
"You don't know Conrad. He actually let her stay frozen for as long as he did." says Cy.
"Maybe he'll change his tune at the new, human Darlene." says Phil.
"I know one thing, I think I'll drag myself home. I've got to meet Polly and Elmer at my house so we can bone up for our gig." says Cy.
"Good idea." says Phil as he and Cy get up from the table and walk to the front of the library.
"I wonder how Conrad would take the human Darlene." says Cy.
"You are gonna tell him about it, aren't ya?" asks Phil.
"I think I should let him find out about himself." says Cy as he and Phil reach the reception desk.
"I wonder if that's wise." says Phil.
"Let me make the ideas, Phil." says Cy as he checks the book out.
"Cy, look at this." says Phil, pointing behind him.
Sure enough, in the children's section of the library, sitted in front of a group of kids, is Darlene, reading a story. Cy and Phil walk over to where the kids and Darlene are and listen in.
" ...And the third bowl was just right, so Goldilocks ate it all up." says Darlene as she reads.
"Reading the Three Bears to children. Now, I've seen everything." says Cy.
"She's actually good with kids." says Phil.
"After the ice has melted, of course." says Cy.
"She tried the first bed, and it was too hard. She tried the second bed, but it was too soft." says Darlene.
"But she tried the third bed, and it was just right." says Phil, sitted upon the floor like the rest of the kids.
"What are you doing?" asks Cy.
"Listening, what else?" says Phil.
"You're about 15 years past this." says Cy.
"Sit down." says Phil.
"Oh, why not." says Cy as he takes a spot on the floor.
"Two extra listeners. Now, where was I?" says Darlene as she notices the entry of Cy and Phil.
A couple of hours later, Cy arrives back at his house. As he walks into the house, he spots Polly and Elmer in the living room.
"Good day, guys." says Cy.
"You'we a wittwe wate." says Elmer.
"I'm sorry, but I was held up at the library." says Cy.
"By what?" asks Polly.
"Story time." says Cy.
"Awen't you 27?" asks Elmer.
"The storyteller today is Darlene, Conrad's sister." says Cy.
"The human icebewg?" says Elmer.
"Not anymore. Darlene actually downed my usual birthday gift to her and it melted the ice at last." says Cy.
"Is that true?" asks Thomas as he enters the room.
"Yes, and please come in and sit. I've gotta get my mandolin." says Cy.
"You mean this?" says Thomas as he holds up the case.
"Thank you for getting it for me." says Cy.
"I saw Polly and Elmer enter and they told me why they were here." says Thomas.
"You know, it's not too late to make this a quartet." says Cy.
"No thanks. I'm still so much in awe of Polly's voice that I wouldn't be able to play a single note." says Thomas.
"Anyway, what song is first up on the set-list?" asks Cy as he gets out his mandolin.
"I was thinking of some interesting." says Polly.
"What songs do you know?" asks Elmer.
"Just as many as you and those I don't know I can easily learn." says Cy.
"How about 'You Ain't Goin' Nowhere'?" says Polly.
"Good idea. I think it goes like this." says Cy, who then starts playing the tune on his mandolin.
"I'ww fowwow." says Elmer, who then himself starts in on the tune.
As Polly begins to sing, Thomas takes a seat and listens in.
That night, Cy and Joanne are walking down the street towards Darlene's house.
"So, you say Darlene has changed?" says Joanne.
"Changed is an understatement. The ice has melted and revealed the human underneath. Just you wait until you meet the human Darlene, you will be surprised." says Cy.
"Is it all promises with you, Cy?" asks Joanne.
"This one, I promise wholeheartedly." says Cy.
Cy and Joanne soon reach the house and walk their up to the front door.
"This is it, Cy." says Joanne.
"Don't I know it?" says Cy, who then gives the door a knock.
After a few moments, the door swings open with a swoosh to reveal Darlene, still in the same clothes as earlier.
"Hello there, Cy. Nice to meet you again, Joanne." says Darlene.
"This is the new Darlene?" says Joanne.
"I've been re-born, so to speak." says Cy.
"So I see." says Joanne.
"Coming inside?" asks Darlene.
"Let us do." says Cy.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Tomorrow, Cy and Joanne sit down to dinner and learn about a new Darlene, while the morning after finds a thank you in order.

Join us, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.

A production of WGN Chicago.  All rights reserved.

Episode 35

The Mutual Broadcasting System brings you another episode of Life in Hyperion.

Today's episode: "The Melting of The Iceberg", Part 10

Yesterday, Darlene had her celebration, honoring her re-birth at Cathy's Tavern.  The next morning, Cy relayed the news to intern Phil and was relived to find that Conrad wasn't there, in the effort of keeping the news from him, not knowing how he would take it.  Curious to see if it lasted, Cy and Phil decide to head down to the local library...

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Later that morning, Cy and Phil walk their way into the library, with Cy still holding the book.
"Here we are, the library." says Cy.
"I wonder where Darlene is." says Phil.
"The only think I'm hoping is that the ice hasn't reformed." says Cy.
"You better turn in the book." says Phil.
"Good idea." says Cy, who then walks over to the reception desk just as Darlene emerges from a back room.
"Hi ya, Cy!" says Darlene in a happy tone.
"Hi, Darlene." says Cy as he notices Darlene's appearence.
She is dressed in a peasant skirt and shirt, with her hair down and curled out, and upon her head, a fisherman's hat with a upturned brim in the front. Her usual appearence beforehand had always been something out of the 19th century.
"Returning the book, I see?" asks Darlene.
"That I am." says Cy.
"That's a nice read, you know." says Darlene.
"Darlene, have you looked at yourself this morning?" asks Phil.
"Oh, Phil! How's WHYP's favorite intern?" says Darlene.
"I'm the only intern and I'm doing fine." says Phil.
"Good to hear. So, Cy, planning on checking out another book?" says Darlene.
"Now that you mention it, I have something I've been dying to look over for some time now." says Cy as he places his book on the desk.
"Come on, show me where it is." giggles Darlene as she takes Cy by the arm again and leads him into the library, with Phil following behind.
"So, this is the new, human Darlene?" says Phil.
"That it is." says Cy.
"So, Darlene, how does it feel to be human?" asks Phil.
"So subtle." says Cy.
"It feels great. I don't know how you put up with the human iceberg." says Darlene.
"Me, neither." says Cy.
"So, tell me, what book do you wish?" asks Darlene.
"It's an old Jack London book, The Scarlet Plague." says Cy.
"Well, sit down over here and I'll get it for you." says Darlene as she leads him and Phil to the same table he sat at two days ago.
"Thank you, Darlene." says Cy.
"You're welcome." says Darlene as she lets go of Cy's arm and darts off into the science fiction section.
"I wonder why Darlene is so eager to do things for you." says Phil.
"Maybe she's making up for what happened two days ago." says Cy as he sits down at the table.
"What did she do two days ago?" asks Phil.
"She told me to not put my feet up. I didn't do so and ended up getting thrown out, even though this is a public library." says Cy.
"Even public libraries have rules, Cy." says Phil.
"Not the way the old human iceberg Darlene had it. She felt that in a library, one must do nothing but read or risk being banned." says Cy.
"She wasn't that cold, was she?" asks Phil.
"One day, she actually banned a three-year-old from the library for bumping into her and spilling a load of books. Luckily, the head librarian threw it out the minute he heard about it." says Cy.
"Good think that there were safeguards against the human iceberg." says Phil.
"Not only that, she actually wanted to impose a age limit on being able to enter the library." says Cy.
"You're kidding." says Phil.
"The age limit she wanted to set was 13. This would reduce the ability of young kids to read and would destroy the youth of Hyperion." says Cy.
"Good thing that it was voted down." says Phil.
"She mentioned it every day. They would never even think it or give it a second thought." says Cy.
"I wonder how long this human Darlene will last." says Phil.
"I wonder that, too." says Cy.
"Here you go, Cy, your book." says Darlene as she returns with Cy's requested book in her hand.
"Thank you, Darlene." says Cy.
"Put your feet up." says Darlene as she lifts them onto the table.
"You don't mind?" asks Cy.
"Go ahead. I'm a different person now." says Darlene.
"That I know." says Cy.
"Oh, Cy, I wish to say I'm sorry for all I did to you as a human iceberg." says Darlene.
"All is forgiven." says Cy.
"I don't think that's enough. I wanna invite you and your girl Joanne to dinner at my house tonight. Drinks are on me." says Darlene.
"Which allows me to invite this question, how much have you drank since our last meeting?" says Cy.
"I've been nipping at last year's bottle of whiskey." says Darlene.
"It should taste very good." says Cy.
"Say, Darlene, you're not on the verge of becoming an alcoholic?" asks Phil.
"Oh, Phil, I'm only trying to make up for lost time by drinking up my birthday presents from Cy." says Darlene.
"Well, is your drinking under control?" asks Phil.
"I know it was one big drink that melted me, but I know when to cut back." says Darlene.
"Let's hope it stays that way." says Phil.
"Don't I know it?" giggles Darlene, who then runs off towards the front of the library.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Next week, Cy and Phil finish their visit with the melted Darlene, a rehearsal takes place with eyes on the future, and a brother decides to stick up for a sibling, even if a friend doesn't feel that anyone needs help except the brother.  Talk about a mouthful there.

Join us, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.

A production of WGN Chicago.  All rights reserved.

Episode 34

The Mutual Broadcasting System brings you another episode of Life in Hyperion.

Today's episode: "The Melting of the Iceberg", Part 9

Yesterday, Cy and Joanne, after the party ended, stood watch over the body of the unconscious Darlene, waiting for her to relive.  When she did three hours later, her behavior was very different.  It took Cy only a moment to realize that Darlene's icy core had melted and the human within had sprang forth.  As we begin, Darlene was taking Cy and Joanne out to celebrate her re-birth...

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Cy and Joanne soon follow Darlene down to Cathy's Tavern, where, as they enter, the nightly crowd is starting to pour in.
"Hello, Cathy." says Cy as he walks in.
"Hello, Cy. I see you brought Joanne back here." says Cathy.
"And we came here with someone I never thought would do that." says Cy.
"Who?" asks Cathy.
"May I please present Darlene Harris." says Cy.
"The iceberg?" says Cathy.
"Not anymore. The ice has finally melted." says Cy.
"Hey there, Cathy. We meet for the first time." says Darlene.
"Will you have anything?" asks Cathy confusingly.
"'Will I have anything?' What a kidder!" says Darlene.
"Answer her question." says Cy.
"Okay. A shot and a beer. I've heard so much about it from Cy here." says Darlene as she walks her way up to the bar and takes a stool.
"A shot and a beer, coming up." says Cathy as Cy takes the stool next to Darlene.
"I'll take a beer." says Cy.
"And I'll take a glass of wine." says Joanne as she takes the stool next to Cy.
"What happened to you, Darlene?" asks Cy.
"What do you mean, Cy?" asks Darlene.
"I mean, is this the human being hidden under all that ice for so long?" says Cy.
"I must be. I mean, how did I ever live the way I do?" says Darlene.
"I don't know." says Cy.
"Well, that whiskey did something and I think I like the new me." says Darlene.
"I'm starting to like her, too." says Joanne.
"My mother often called alcohol a magic potion, capable of things that boggle the mind." says Cy.
"Your mother sounds like an interesting person." says Darlene.
"She does to me, too." says Joanne.
"She was. She spent the better part of her life in search of things and pass what she found on to me." says Cy.
"She must have been wise." says Darlene.
"I should know." says Cy.
"Here you go, a shot and a beer." says Cathy as she gives them to Darlene.
"Thanks, Cathy." says Darlene.
"Which one are you gonna drink first?" asks Cy.
"Yeah, which one?" asks Joanne.
"I think the shot first." says Darlene, who then downs the shot in a second.
"My mother used to knock them back that fast." says Cy.
"Heavy drinker?" asks Darlene.
"Her input was normal. She always said, 'Never drink alone.'." says Cy.
"Smart advice. That's what I'll say, too." says Darlene.
"Same here, Darlene." says Joanne.
"Good for you." says Cy.
The next morning, Cy makes his way towards the green room with a book in his hand. His walking has a slight wobble in it as he reaches the green room door. Inside the green room, Phil is reading a magazine.
"Good morning, Phil." says Cy with a slight slur as he enters the room.
"Good morning to you. What is with you this morning?" says Phil.
"Good thing you're here this morning instead of Conrad. By the way, where is my usual sidekick?" says Cy.
"He's decided to take the day off. Said he needed to think about something." says Phil.
"Well, nice to see that you'll be by my side today." says Cy.
"Let's get back to my original question." says Phil.
"Well, my night last night was interesting. Ask me why." says Cy.
"Okay, why?" says Phil.
"Because I had the most unusual drinking partner." says Cy.
"Who was it?" asks Phil.
"It was Conrad's cold as ice sister Darlene." says Cy.
"What did she do, lecture you into a stupor?" says Phil.
"Phil, what I'm about to impart to you is information I don't want flying into Conrad's ears." says Cy.
"Gotcha. Now, tell me what happened." says Phil.
"Well, you remember what happened at Conrad's disaster of a party." says Cy, feeling his forehead.
"Darlene drinking the booze and passing out." says Phil.
"Well, Me and Joanne, after you left, took her into the bedroom and put her on the bed. Three hours later, she woke up and she actually called me 'Cy'." says Cy.
"She's never done that in her life." says Phil.
"Not only that, she was playing with her hair and saying things so unlike her." says Cy.
"What happened to her?" asks Phil.
"Apparently, that whiskey was all that was needed to melt the ice and make her human." says Cy.
"And how was the human Darlene?" asks Phil.
"You wouldn't believe it. She has wit, charm. She actually spent the night telling me stories she had heard." says Cy.
"What was she like, overall?" asks Phil.
"She seemed to have my mother's personality hidden under that ice, and she said all those things about her." says Cy.
"I wish I could see for myself." says Phil.
"That's why after the show, I'm gonna take you over to the library and see if the ice is still melted and introduce you to the human Darlene." says Cy.
"That would explain the book in your hand." says Phil.
"Last time I was there, I got on the unmelted iceberg's nerves and I had to check it out. I'm returning it as an excuse." says Cy.
"Always with a plan." says Phil.
"Would I be me if I didn't have a plan?" asks Cy.
"I don't know, but let's not find out." says Phil.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Tomorrow, a visit to the library finds the melted Darlene enjoying a new life, and a new worklife, to the surprise of Cy and Phil.

Join us, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.

A production of WGN Chicago.  All rights reserved.

Episode 33

The Mutual Broadcasting System brings you another episode of Life in Hyperion.

Today's episode: "The Melting of the Iceberg", Part 8

Yesterday, Conrad, in trying to smooth over things at the birthday party he was holding for his sister Darlene's 30th birthday, ordered her and Cy to cease their arguement.  However, Cy and Darlene continue anyway, with Cy daring Darlene to drink his usual present to her: a bottle of whiskey.  She then downed the whole thing, which causes her to faint onto the floor and Conrad to leave in disgust over Cy's actions...

---------------------------------------------------------------------

"I've never seen Conrad like that before." says Phil.
"Well, he's never seen his sister in this shape before." says Cy.
"You mind if I leave?" asks Phil.
"You mad at me, too?" asks Cy.
"No. I have a date with Officer Grace tonight." says Phil.
"A second date. She must really be for you." says Cy.
"I'd like to think so." says Phil.
"I release from your duties. See you at work tomorrow." says Cy.
"Thanks." says Phil, who then departs.
"You got anything else to do tonight?" asks Cy.
"No, not a thing." says Joanne.
"Then help me get Darlene to her bed." says Cy.
"Gladly." says Joanne, who then grabs Darlene's legs as Cy grabs her head and they pick her up off the ground.
"I never knew how heavy she was. Of course, there's all that ice." says Cy.
"I thought ice was light." says Joanne.
"When it's in water. On land, remember, this whole state was flatten by a sheet of it." says Cy.
"I forget that." says Joanne.
"There's the bed. Be careful." says Cy as they reach Darlene's sofa.
"Ready, one, two, three." says Joanne, who then, along with Cy, puts Darlene on the sofa.
"Now we wait." says Cy.
"I guess it will be interesting." says Joanne.
"Last week, you had no idea what goes on in this town." says Cy.
"I think I will stay with you." says Joanne.
"Is that a promise?" asks Cy as he nears the door.
"Where are you going?" asks Joanne.
"To wait my own way." says Cy.
"I'll alert you when Darlene revives." says Joanne.
"I can trust you." says Cy, who then leaves the room.
Three hours pass by as Joanne and Cy await for Darlene to return to consciousness. At 5:30 pm, Cy returns to the living room with a plate of food in his hand.
"Hello, Cy." says Joanne, staring at Darlene's body.
"Hello, Joanne." says Cy, with a mouth full of food.
"What are you doing?" asks Joanne.
"Eating dinner." says Cy, swallowing.
"You're suppose to be a guest." says Joanne.
"I am a guest. I'm eating what I found in Darlene's fridge." says Cy.
"I don't think you're supposed to do that." says Joanne.
"Why not? I found that this food is very good. I can't believe that in five years, Darlene has never invited me or anyone else to a dinner party." says Cy.
"If Darlene regains consciousness with you eating, I hope you can explain yourself." says Joanne.
"Even if I saved you a little to eat as I relive you and allow you to eat dinner while I watch Darlene?" asks Cy.
"Does this count as a date?" asks Joanne.
"Two people, who happened to be in a relationship, sharing the food out of someone else's fridge?" asks Cy.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt." says Joanne.
Just then, Darlene stirs for the first time in hours. Her eyes slowly pop open as Cy and Joanne look on. With her eyes, she soon stares at the ceiling.
"I guess Darlene's alive and well." says Cy.
"Now Conrad can calm down." says Joanne.
"Hello, you two." says Darlene as her eyes lock on the duo.
"Nice to see you awake." says Cy.
"It's nice to be awake at last." says Darlene as she raises herself off the sofa.
"If you're wondering where the party guests are, they went home." says Cy.
"That's helpful, Cy." says Darlene as she gets off the sofa.
"Did she just call you 'Cy'?'" asks Joanne.
"I think she did." says Cy.
"So, Conrad and Phil went home?" asks Darlene as she walks over to a mirror.
"And she called Conrad by his first name." says Joanne.
"She's creeping me out a bit, I mean more than usual." says Cy.
"Look at this hair style. Why would I ruin such great hair?" says Darlene as she looks at herself in the mirror.
"It's what you prefer." says Cy.
"Well, I don't like it." says Darlene, who then loosens the bun and lets her hair fall down.
"What's happened to you?" asks Cy.
"I don't know." says Darlene as she plays with her hair.
"Me, neither." says Cy.
"Then we'll share it." says Darlene as she undoes the top button on her shirt and breathes.
"Feel better?" asks Cy.
"Cy, I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I think your mother's great." says Darlene.
"Joanne, something's wrong with Darlene." says Cy.
"Well, she's seems nice." says Joanne.
"That's the point. She's never been nice to anyone." says Cy.
"Are you two gonna keep talking to yourselves or are you gonna let me in?" asks Darlene as she walks up to the duo.
"Maybe, if you promise to tell us what's going on." says Cy.
"Something that I can't put my finger on." says Darlene.
"She didn't act like this before." says Joanne.
"You mean her usual... frozen self?" says Cy.
"What is it, Cy?" asks Joanne.
"Joanne, I believe that the impossible has happened at last." says Cy.
"What has happened?" asks Joanne.
"The iceberg has finally melted!" shouts Cy.
"Is that it?" asks Darlene.
"Your icy core has turned into water, warm water." says Cy.
"I do feel warm and friendly." says Darlene.
"Of course you do. The ice has melted." says Cy.
"You've been re-born, so to speak." says Joanne.
"I have been re-born. A new Darlene." says Darlene.
"What shall we do?" asks Cy.
"Let's go out on the town to celebrate." says Darlene.
"I guess so." says Cy.
"Can you believe it?" asks Joanne.
"I can't believe it. One bottle of Jack Daniels and it causes the iceberg to melt and the human being to emerge." says Cy.
"Almost like a miracle." says Joanne.
"Your people believe in them." says Cy.
"But not in this way." says Joanne.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Tomorrow, Cy and Joanne follow Darlene to celebrate her re-birth and Cy tells Phil, but not Conrad, about what has happened.

Join us, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.

A production of WGN Chicago.  All rights reserved.

Episode 32

The Mutual Broadcasting System brings you another episode of Life in Hyperion.

Today's episode: "The Melting of The Iceberg", Part 7

Yesterday, Conrad, Cy, Phil, and Joanne made their way to the house that Conrad share with sister Darlene for her 30th birthday party.  However, things get off on the wrong foot when Darlene foils the efforts of the party-goers to hide.  As we begin, Cy has been trading barbs with Darlene, their usual way of speaking...

---------------------------------------------------------------------

"You two, for once, can you put aside the arguements?" asks Conrad.
"I guess so, if Darlene will." says Cy.
"I promise, my brother." says Darlene.
"She hasn't referred to her brother by his name in 15 years." whispers Cy to Joanne.
"He knows who he is." says Darlene.
"I wouldn't hurt to refer to your sibling by the name his parents gave him." says Cy.
"Is that the same with you, Cyrus McLean Scott?" asks Darlene.
"I was named after two great people in my mother's life." says Cy.
"Guys, let's stop the fight now." says Conrad.
"Okay, my brother." says Darlene.
"Right-o, Conrad." says Cy.
"So, Darlene, how old are you?" asks Phil.
"I am 30 years of age as of this day." says Darlene coldly.
"I turned 21 myself only three months ago and I still feel like a different person. I still remember taking my first sip of beer." says Phil.
"Bought for you by Cyrus, no doubt." says Darlene.
"There's another reason I don't like her. She always calls me Cyrus." says Cy.
"But that is your name." says Darlene.
"I prefer Cy. It's what my mother called me." says Cy.
"Darlene, it's so nice to finally meet you." says Joanne.
"And who are you?" asks Darlene.
"I'm Joanne Shulman. I'm Cy's girlfriend." says Joanne.
"I didn't realize Cyrus was in any kind of a relationship." says Darlene.
"I can get myself a girlfriend once in a while." says Cy.
"The way I see it, Cyrus, I still can't believe any right-thinking woman would have anything to do with you." says Darlene.
"Are you saying my girlfriend's a loony?" asks Cy.
"I believe so, Cyrus, but not in those words." says Darlene.
"She is cold, Cy." says Joanne.
"I warned you, didn't I?" says Cy.
"What's wrong with what I said?" asks Darlene.
"I can't believe that you would even asked that question. You actually believe that I should go through life alone." says Cy.
"Not alone, Cyrus. Just that you should shape up so you can settle down with someone." says Darlene.
"My mother didn't want to settle down until she was 40 and I can wait the same." says Cy.
"Who cares what your mother did?" asks Darlene.
"Darlene, you are the coldest thing on this planet. If Al Gore looked at you, he'd stopped talking about global warming because it doesn't work on you." says Cy.
"Is that so, Cyrus?" asks Darlene.
"My name is Cy and I would like you to call me that." says Cy.
"I see you brought your usual gift again." says Darlene, pointing to the bottle of whiskey in his hand.
"This is the fifth bottle I've gotten you, in the hopes that you drink this and it would melt the ice." says Cy.
"I'll never drink." says Darlene.
"That's what you keep saying and I keep hoping it doesn't come true." says Cy.
"Why do keep holding on to such an idea?" asks Darlene.
"Because I believe that there's a warm human being hidden under all of that ice and if something would melt that ice, maybe you'd actually have friends." says Cy.
"Cyrus, you are a dreamer, just like your mother." says Darlene.
"She was not a dreamer and neither am I." says Cy.
"Really, Cyrus?" asks Darlene.
"I know I'm not a dreamer." says Cy.
"Even with such a silly idea as giving me a bottle of whiskey every single birthday?" says Darlene.
"You think it's such a silly idea, why don't you do something about it?" asks Cy.
"Like what, Cyrus?" asks Darlene.
"Drink the whiskey." says Cy.
"You want me to get drunk just to prove your point?" asks Darlene.
"Why not? You have nothing to lose." says Cy.
"If you think so, then I will drink it." says Darlene, who then unscrews the top off the bottle.
"Drink it." says Cy.
"You don't have to do this, sis." says Conrad.
"I must, my brother, if only to prove Cyrus wrong." says Darlene.
Darlene then puts the bottle to her lips and starts drinking down the whiskey. As the party guests look on, Darlene, in a few short minutes, manages to down the whole bottle, leaving nothing left as she removes the bottle from her lips and puts it down on a table.
"Well, Darlene?" asks Cy.
"There, I drank it all down... " says Darlene before she drops to the floor.
"Darlene!" shouts Conrad.
"Calm down, Conrad." says Cy.
"Calm down? You've just killed my sister!" says Conrad.
"Let me check." says Joanne, who then checks for Darlene's pulse.
"Well, Joanne?" asks Conrad.
"She's still alive." says Joanne.
"So, she must be in a coma." says Conrad.
"You don't know what's going on." says Cy.
"Oh, yes I do. You've done something to my sister." says Conrad.
"She's still alive, Conrad, so there's no need to panic." says Cy.
"What if that whiskey has put her in a coma? She'll never regain consciousness." says Conrad.
"You're worrying your head off over nothing." says Cy.
"And you're not doing anything to help her." says Conrad.
"What do you do when someone downs a whole bottle of whiskey and then passes out?" asks Cy.
"Call a doctor." says Conrad.
"Conrad, you're overrecting." says Cy.
"And you're underreacting." says Conrad.
"Conrad, I've had enough of this." says Cy.
"And I've had enough of your atittude towards my sister." says Conrad, who then storms his way towards and up the stairs.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Tomorrow, the party-goers go their separate ways, Cy and Joanne perform guard duty over Darlene, and a strange occurrence enters the scene.

Join us, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.

A production of WGN Chicago.
All rights reserved.
This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.

Episode 31

The Mutual Broadcasting System brings you another episode of Life in Hyperion.

Today's episode: "The Melting of The Iceberg", Part 6

Last week, we began our third serial of the series with Conrad filling out a card for his sister Darlene's 30th birthday.  However, Cy feels that the whole idea is silly due to his feeling that Darlene is a human iceberg and has no friends, making a card a very bad idea.  This only allows Conrad to con Cy and Phil into attending the birthday party that Conrad is throwing in Darlene's honor.
Cy then goes to the library and meets up with Darlene, whose coldness at Cy makes her force him to leave, for only annoying her.  Meanwhile, Polly, the ever-budding singer/songwriter, decided to take her music out of the jail cells and into the world by requesting a show at Cathy's Tavern, even earning the services of Elmer and Cy as backing musicians.
As we begin this week, Darlene's 30th birthday has arrived and Conrad has basically ordered not only Phil and Cy, but Cy's faithful girlfriend Joanne to attend the party...

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Cy and Conrad's show soon comes and goes and the two make their way to Darlene and Conrad's house at about 1:30 pm. As they walk inside the house, they notice that Darlene isn't in sight.
"Well, she's not here, yet." says Cy.
"Just as planned." says Conrad.
"She could be hiding in the house, waiting to surprise us and foil your plans like the iceberg she happens to be." says Cy.
"Don't talk like that about my sister on her birthday." says Conrad.
"I've been doing it for the last five of them, you should be used to it by now." says Cy.
"Break with tradition today, for once." says Conrad.
"Hello, guys." says Joanne as she walks into the house.
"You got Joanne to participate in this?" says Cy.
"I thought it would prove you wrong about Darlene not having any friends." says Conrad.
"Joanne has never met Darlene and I was set that it would never happened." says Cy.
"Cy, you would dare not to allow me the pleasure of meeting your best friend's sibling?" says Joanne.
"Joanne, you don't know Darlene the iceberg the way I do." says Cy.
"I think I'll see that for myself." says Joanne.
"And did you have to buy your usual gift?" says Conrad, pointing to the thing in Cy's hands: a bottle of Jack Daniels Whiskey with a ribbon tied around the neck.
"I feel it helps to break the ice, around the iceberg, so to speak." says Cy.
"Cy, my sister's not a drinker and never will be." says Conrad.
"One of these birthdays, my gift will be welcomed." says Cy.
"It hasn't for four birthdays in a row and will never work." says Conrad.
"Give it time." says Cy.
"I hope this time Darlene throws it out." says Conrad.
"Tell me, did you invite anymore of our friends to this?" asks Cy.
"You forget about Phil." says Conrad.
"And here I am." says Phil as he enters the house.
"I can't believe you actually showed up." says Cy.
"And I can't believe Conrad invited Joanne here, althought it's nice to meet her at last." says Phil as he walks over to where Joanne is standing.
"Nice to meet you, Phil, and good to see you here." says Joanne.
"Has the iceberg arrived yet, Cy?" asks Phil.
"No, and you better hope she isn't behind any of the furniture." says Cy.
"She would popped up by now." says Phil.
"Cy, Phil, please lay off those jokes." says Conrad.
"Okay, but only for Conrad." says Cy.
"C'mon, let's hide and wait for Darlene." says Conrad.
Conrad, Phil, Cy, and Joanne soon disperse to various areas of the living room to hide behind. Cy walks around for a bit and sees Joanne duck behind a sofa. Cy then walks over and hides behind the sofa, as well.
"Nice to see we can share a hiding place." says Joanne.
"Yes, but it won't be a hiding place before long." says Cy.
"I know that, Cy." says Joanne.
"I mean, hiding won't work. Darlene probably knows we're all here already." says Cy.
"How can she know that?" asks Joanne.
"Because she's an iceberg, cold and unfeeling. She gets through by knowing what people are doing. She has never been surprised in her life for that is the response of a warm human being, not an iceberg." says Cy.
"She had to be warm at some point." says Joanne.
"I never knew that time. By the time I first met Darlene, the ice had started to form and it formed quickly." says Cy.
"No one is that cold." says Joanne.
"Darlene is. That's why every year, I get her a bottle of whiskey, in the hopes that she'll drink it, warm up, and melt all that ice." says Cy.
"I see she hasn't drank any of it." says Joanne.
"She's a tea-toller to the max. She thinks the invention of beer by early man was a wrong move, even if it did lead to civilization." says Cy.
"Maybe Darlene will be warm today." says Joanne.
"Oh, no. I bet you ten bucks that when she comes through that door, she'll ask all of us to come out of hiding." says Cy.
"She wouldn't say that." says Joanne.
"Don't underestimate the iceberg." says Cy.
2:00 pm arrives and the footsteps of Darlene are heard coming up the walk.
"Alright, everyone, be quiet." whispers Conrad to everyone.
"He's so naive." says Cy.
The sounds of the door opening is heard and Darlene steps inside the house.
"Alright, gang, come out of hiding." says Darlene.
At that moment, Conrad, Phil, Cy, and Joanne come out from behind their hiding places, with Joanne handing over a ten to Cy.
"Why do you do this to me?" asks Conrad.
"It's so predictable, you know." says Darlene.
"Then why go along with it?" asks Conrad.
"Because if I didn't, you wouldn't be yourself." says Darlene.
"The iceberg at work." whispers Cy to Joanne.
"I'm still an iceberg, Cyrus?" says Darlene.
"I'm considering an upgrade to glacier." says Cy.
"I'm not a cold person." says Darlene.
"You're right, Darlene." says Cy.
"You admit it?" asks Darlene.
"No, you're not even a person in my mind." says Cy.
"What would your mother say if she heard you slander me like that?" asks Darlene.
"Luckly, my mother ain't here to hear it." says Cy.
"And for once, I wish you would use the English language correctly." says Darlene.
"I uses it the best that I cans." says Cy.
"Stop it, or I'll throw you out of my house." says Darlene.
"While your brother and my best friend is here?" asks Cy.
"I hate it when you win one over me." says Darlene.
"All that hot anger doesn't melt that ice." says Cy.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Tomorrow, the party continues onward with Conrad trying to get the proceedings under control and with things taking a very interesting turn.

Join us, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.

This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.
All rights reserved.
A production of WGN Chicago.

Episode 30

The Mutual Broadcasting System brings you another episode of Life in Hyperion.

Today's episode: "The Melting of the Iceberg", Part 5

Yesterday, Cy and Thomas shared songs and opinions of life and Cy shared his feelings for Conrad's sister Darlene, who Cy calls a human iceberg and feels that she will never melt.  As we begin today, we head to the house that Conrad and Darlene share together...

---------------------------------------------------------------------

At his house, Conrad is sitted in a easy chair, reading the local paper. After a while, he lowers the paper to see if anyone is around. When he feels alone, he puts the paper down and gets out of the chair. He then tiptoes to a closet.
Carefully, he opens the door and pulls out an instrument case and walks back over to his easy chair. He opens the case, revealing a banjo, which he gets out and climbs back into the easy chair with it.
Conrad then puts banjo picks on his fingers from the case and then starts doing a banjo roll. The roll soon turns into a song and the song soon gains its lyrics.
"Come gather round, my children, this story I will tell, about Pretty Boy Floyd the outlaw, Oklahoma knew him well." sings Conrad.
As Conrad continues to play, his sister Darlene opens the front door and walks into the house. Hearing the banjo music, she closes the door carefully behind her and walks slowly into the living room, where Conrad is singing his heart out. When Conrad finishes his tune, Darlene gives him applause.
"Darlene, when did you get in?" asks Conrad.
"About the time you started on the second verse." says Darlene.
"I'm sorry that my playing upset you." says Conrad.
"Why can't you play something a little more up-scale, instead of that poor-man's excuse?" says Darlene.
"I happen to enjoy it. It gets me out of being bored." says Conrad.
"There's no such thing, my brother." says Darlene.
"Well, I know they exist." says Conrad.
"You've got to stop listening to that Cyrus." says Darlene.
"Why not? He has great ideas, like taking in Thomas so he wouldn't be homeless." says Conrad.
"Why would Cyrus find escape with that ex-con?" asks Darlene.
"Cy has a heart for hard-luck cases." says Conrad.
"After all, he is named after one." says Darlene.
"His mother found McLean Stevenson funny." says Conrad.
"Let us not discuss it, my brother." says Darlene.
"Why are you here anyway? You're suppose to be at work." says Conrad.
"The chief librarian actually let me off early. He thinks I actually need it." says Darlene.
"Well, after your age limit idea, I'm inclined to believe him." says Conrad.
"The library is no place for three-year-olds." says Darlene.
"Then how will three-year-olds learn reading?" asks Conrad.
"From their parents, of course." says Darlene.
"Of course, why not?" says Conrad.
"My brother, why did you ask me here today?" asks Darlene.
"To give you this." says Conrad, plucking an enevlope from behind the chair.
"Oh, another birthday card." says Darlene.
"You could at least be happy for me." says Conrad.
Darlene then flashes a bad smile at Conrad, which causes him to finch a bit as Darlene opens the enevlope and the card.
"I am your only sibling, my brother." says Darlene.
"That's what Cy said." says Conrad.
"Well, after today, I'm beginning to not like anything Cyrus has said." says Darlene.
"What happened today?" asks Conrad.
"Cyrus came into the library today." says Darlene.
"He did mention that when he left work today." says Conrad.
"Well, after a minor altercation, I asked Cyrus to leave the library." says Darlene.
"Cy isn't gonna be happy tomorrow." says Conrad.
"When is he happy?" asks Darlene.
"Darlene, could you knock off early again tomorrow?" asks Conrad.
"You are not throwing another party for me, are you, my brother?" asks Darlene.
"Of course not. I just want you to enjoy your birthday." says Conrad.
"I enjoy it enough, my brother." says Darlene.
"Do it for me, Darlene." says Conrad.
"Alright, if it will help you, my brother." says Darlene.
The next day, Cy makes his way back to work, where Conrad is sitting in the green room. Conrad looks at the muttering Cy as he walks in.
"I can't believe that Darlene!" says Cy.
"What's wrong with my sister this time?" queries Conrad
"Darlene! She tells me what to do because I'm some toy to her." says Cy.
"She believes in the rules, Cy." says Conrad.
"I know, but she doesn't have to do it all the time." says Cy.
"You can't blame her, Cy." says Conrad.
"Of course not. It amazes me how a person can turn into a iceberg, frozen solid." says Cy.
"Don't you start on my sister, it's her birthday today." says Conrad.
"Thanks for reminding me. 30 years on this globe and nary a friend to help you in the birthday count." says Cy.
"Don't forget about the party today." says Conrad.
"You can forget about me being there today." says Cy.
"You gotta be there for Darlene." says Conrad.
"Not after what she did to me yesterday." says Cy.
"Remember, the party is to start at 2:00 pm." says Conrad.
"Isn't that when your sister works?" asks Cy.
"I managed to convince her to knock off work early." says Conrad.
"How did you manage to swing that with the iceberg?" asks Cy.
"I talked her into observing the occasion." says Conrad.
"Without tipping her off?" says Cy.
"I even told her that I wasn't gonna put on a party." says Conrad.
"I'd like to see her actually surprised, even though it won't work." says Cy.
"It will, just wait and see." says Conrad.
"That's what you said last year, and it wasn't true then, and isn't now." says Cy.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Next week, Conrad and friends gather for Darlene's 30th birthday party, which starts off bad, as Cy predicted, but it soon makes a turn that changes the lives of those at the party, for better or worse.

Join us, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.

This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.
All rights reserved.
A production of WGN Chicago.

Episode 29

The Mutual Broadcasting System brings you another episode of Life in Hyperion.

Today's episode: "The Melting of the Iceberg", Part 4

Yesterday, we met Conrad's sister Darlene, who works at the local library.  She interupted Cy's reading and after trading a few barbs, forced Cy to leave.  Afterwards, Cy went down to the Tavern and was met by Polly, looking for a place to play.  With Cy's help, she won the gig and the services of Cy as a back-up player.  As we begin today, Cy is returning home...

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Upon his return home, Cy opens and slams the door. Still upset at what happened, he makes his way into the study. He spots the guitar and decides to play some music. He picks up the guitar and puts the book up on the holding board. He then plays a flurish on the guitar and launches into a tune.
"Most of the people upon this Earth, are warm and friendly, some even from birth. However there are, though they are few and far, those whose very humanity is locked behind a sheet of ice, rendering them unable to be nice." sings Cy.
As Cy plays a small bridge, Thomas walks into the study as Cy plays on.
"What are you singing?" asks Thomas, which stops Cy's playing.
"A tune that I wrote myself. It's called 'The Human Iceberg'." says Cy.
"It sounds like an interesting tune." says Thomas.
"It was inspired by an interesting person." says Cy.
"Do tell who that is." says Thomas.
"It's Conrad's sister, Darlene." says Cy.
"She sounds like an interesting person to me." says Thomas.
"I wrote the song a long time ago and she hasn't changed since then." says Cy.
"More interesting." says Thomas.
"Have you, in your life, encountered a human iceberg?" asks Cy.
"It would help to know what one was." says Thomas.
"A human iceberg is a person who's cold, very cold. They just float through life, like an iceberg floats through the sea." says Cy.
"Don't icebergs melt?" asks Thomas.
"Not human ones. I do admit that some do, most don't because a human iceberg never ventures into a warm climate." says Cy.
"Maybe this one will." says Thomas.
"I don't think so. I don't know when the ice started to form but it'll be there for a long time." says Cy.
"I've never really met a human iceberg that didn't melt." says Thomas.
"The human icebergs that float inside prisons are the only ones that do." says Cy.
"I guess you have a point." says Thomas.
"I know I do." says Cy.
"When did you write your very first song?" asks Thomas.
"About a month into my lessons. It was the song you just heard." says Cy.
"How many have you written?" asks Thomas.
"About a dozen. I prefer to do covers but I come up with an original once in a while." says Cy.
"That's good to hear." says Thomas.
"That first song I wrote I wrote it as a country shuffle because I knew it would upset its target." says Cy.
"A song with a bite." says Thomas.
"Whatever you decide, just remember: always write with the audience in mind." says Cy.
"Helpful." says Thomas.
"Have you written any?" asks Cy.
"I've written a few, mostly instrumentals. I just can't seem to get the hang of writing lyrics." says Thomas.
"Why don't you get your guitar and play me one of your tunes?" says Cy.
"I will." says Thomas, who then rushes into the study and returns with his guitar in hand.
"Now that you have your guitar, we will go about putting words to your music." says Cy.
"That would be lovely." says Thomas.
"Pull up a chair." says Cy.
Thomas then goes and grabs a chair from the dining room and brings it into the study and sits down in it.
"I'm ready." says Thomas.
"Play me a tune." says Cy.
Thomas then starts playing a instrumental. The song's style is that of a country shuffle. As Thomas continues to play, Cy starts picking the notes and playing them on his guitar. Within a few moments, Cy conjures some lyrics.
"Within the state of my mind, the rate of passing time, changes as I go along, like the rhythm of an old song, I feel like an old nursery rhyme. Given the way things go, I feel like there's nothing to know, that there's no room to grow, I must expand so I may go." sings Cy.
"That's a good set of lyrics." says Thomas as he and Cy stop playing.
"That's what came to my head. Say, that song was in a country shuffle type of mode. Is country music your preferred style?" says Cy.
"I've had a liking for it and it seems the best to learn in prison." says Thomas.
"'I got life in prison, for all the wrongs I've done.' That's from an old country song. Here's another one." says Cy, who then launches into a cover of "If I Lose."
Before long, Thomas picks up the melody and sings along with Cy as he sings the lyrics. Thomas then improvises a bridge as Cy plays on.
"Great work." says Cy as Thomas finishes the bridge.
"Know anything else?" asks Thomas as Cy stops playing.
"This will be familiar to you if this actually happened to you inside." says Cy, who then plays the first few chords of "Sing Me Back Home".
"I remember getting that song played to me during my stint in jail recently." says Thomas, interupting Cy as he is about to sing the first verse.
"No doubt performed by Polly." says Cy.
"That's her name. She has quite a voice." says Thomas.
"Don't we all know it?" says Cy.
"I wonder why she doesn't sing in front of people on the outside?" asks Thomas.
"I've asked myself, and Polly, that many times. She only sings for the prisoners and her friends. Never for anyone else." says Cy.
"I wish she would perform somewhere where there aren't bars in the window." says Thomas.
"Maybe she will, one of these days, which is a song she does well." says Cy.
"What?" asks Thomas, not catching it.
"Never mind." says Cy, who then goes back to his redition of "Sing Me Back Home"

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Tomorrow, we venture to the home of Conrad, who shares it with Darlene, who shares a birthday greeting from her brother, who offers an idea, who offers...  You can see where this is going.

Join us, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.

This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.
All rights reserved.
A production of WGN Chicago.

Episode 28

The Mutual Broadcasting System brings you another episode of Life in Hyperion.

Today's episode: "The Melting of the Iceberg", Part 3

Yesterday, Conrad managed to talk and con Cy and Phil into attending his sister Darlene's upcoming 30th birthday party, even getting Cy to agree to bring along Joanne.  Meanwhile, Elmer manages himself to convince Polly, the ever-budding singer, to seek out a concert venue other than the Hyperion city jail.  As we last left off, Cy had gone to the library and is presently reading a book...

-------------------------------------------------------------------

As his eyes scan the page, he is unaware of the librarian, now seeing Cy just lazily reading away in the back of the library. Her appearence is one of the typical librarian and she takes in the delight of controlling Cy.
She walks over to Cy, who is reading from the book as she approaches. His reading takes the form of mumbling, a trait which he inherited from his mother.
"I wish you would not read like that." says the librarian as she makes it over to where Cy is.
Cy looks up from his book and spies a familiar face to him.
"Ah, Darlene, my friend's sister." says Cy.
"Cyrus, what have I said about the feet?" says Darlene.
"Not to put them up?" says Cy.
"Right." says Darlene.
"You take some kind of joy in putting me down, even thought I'm your brother's best friend." says Cy.
"I'm older than you and Conrad and I have to teach you." says Darlene.
"You ain't my teacher." says Cy.
"That mangling." says Darlene as she winces from Cy's speech pattern.
"I'm sorry if my grammar is terrible to you, but I do it to annoy you." says Cy.
"I do not want to hear it." says Darlene.
"Well, I believe that I have the right to put my feet up." says Cy.
"And I say you do not." says Darlene.
"This is a free country, is it not?" says Cy, in Darlene's imitatable speech pattern.
"Do not do that." says Darlene.
"Free country!" says Cy.
"It is not really the feet, but the dirt and slush on the soles of them that I hate." says Darlene.
"Go busy yourself and you won't have to look at them." says Cy.
"Fine." says Darlene as she begins to walk away.
As Darlene moves away, Cy decides to fire a jab at her.
"Have a nice day... Hooja." says Cy, referring to a character in the book he is reading.
Darlene, having endured Cy's boasting of the story itself and of Cy's love for old-fashioned science-fiction and fantasy, takes the jab and spins around.
"Get out!" she mutters to Cy.
"You can't kick me out." says Cy.
"I can, too, if you are being disrupted." says Darlene.
"I'm not doing anything except reading." says Cy.
"Then check the book out!" says Darlene.
"Whatever you say, Darlene." says Cy as he finally takes his feet off the table.
He plants them on the ground and gets out of the chair and walks to the front of the library.  Cy takes out his library card and waits for the book to be checked out. When the card is returned to him, Darlene looks on as Cy collects his book. A smile crosses her face as Cy makes his departure.
As the sound of the jukebox fills the air, Cy enters the tavern. As he looks around, he sees the late morning first-in crowd he now joins.
"Good afternoon, Cy." says the waitress behind the bar.
"Good afternoon, Cathy." says Cy.
"What brings you around here at 11:30 am?" asks Cathy.
"I've had an interesting day." says Cy.
"What makes today interesting?" asks Cathy.
"Darlene practically threw me out of the library." says Cy.
"That sounds interesting already." says Cathy.
"It gets better. Conrad decided that me, him, my girl Joanne, and Phil have to get together and throw a party for Darlene tomorrow, for her 30th birthday." says Cy.
"How'd you get into that?" asks Cathy.
"Conrad forced us on us." says Cy.
"Even he should know better." says Cathy.
"It amazes me how Conrad can live with an iceberg for a sister." says Cy.
"Me, too. What will you have?" says Cathy.
"A big mug of beer." says Cy.
"You got it." says Cathy.
Just then, Polly enters the tavern with her guitar case in hand. She soon spots Cy at his stool.
"Good afternoon, Cy." hails Polly as she walks up to him.
"Good afternoon to you, Polly. What brings you to the tavern?" says Cy.
"Hopefully not the same reason as you." says Polly.
"I'm here to forget a bad day. Your reason?" says Cy.
"I'm here because I wanna play here." says Polly.
"You wanna play the tavern?" asks Cathy.
"Easedropping in your spare time, eh?" says Cy.
"That's right. I request a concert here." says Polly.
"Well, Polly, this place has a policy that anyone who can play an instrument and/or sing can do so here." says Cy.
"He's right." says Cathy.
"Say, I thought you were gonna play at the city jail until the day you die." says Cy.
"I've decided to play other places." says Polly.
"That's how a true musician does operate. You certainly have a grasp of this." says Cy.
"Well, can I perform here?" asks Polly.
"That depends. How good are you?" says Cathy.
"Cathy, you dare ask that of this, the best singer ever to grace the stage at Sam's Place and possibly the world?" says Cy.
"Are you my manager?" asks Polly.
"I guess I am right now. Believe me, she can sing, just don't ask her to do it now. I wouldn't wanna spoil the surprise." says Cy.
"You play here on Friday." says Cathy.
"Thanks, Cy." says Polly.
"No problem. I'll even back you up." says Cy.
"Thanks, but I've already got Elmer on his fiddle to back me up." says Polly.
"Well, at least let me join Elmer as a member of your backing band." says Cy.
"I guess it couldn't hurt." says Polly.
"I'll be there, backing you to the hilt." says Cy.
"You'll play your mandolin, as usual?" asks Polly.
"That's why I have ol' Debralee." says Cy.
"You're hired." says Polly.
"Be over at my house at Thursday so we can go over your set-list." says Cy.
"It's a deal." says Polly.
"Be there at 1:30 pm." says Cy.
"Right." says Polly.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Tomorrow, Cy returns home and discuss life, liberty, and song with his new boarder and finds that Thomas has his own views of life worth living out.

Join us, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.

This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.
All rights reserved.
A production of WGN Chicago.

Episode 27

The Mutual Broadcasting System brings you another episode of Life in Hyperion.

Today's episode: "The Melting of the Iceberg", Part 2

Yesterday, we began our third serial with Conrad filling out a birthday card to give to his sister Darlene on her upcoming 30th birthday.  However, Cy believes that it is pointless as he describes Darlene as a human iceberg.  As we begin today, Cy has filled in Phil on the human iceberg as Conrad has left the room for a minute...

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Just then, Conrad comes back into the room, the birthday card now sealed in a large enevlope.
"Good morning, Phil." says Conrad.
"Good morning, Conrad. Cy was just telling that your sister's birthday is tomorrow." says Phil.
"I know, and I have an idea on how we can help her celebrate." says Conrad.
"And what idea would that be?" asks Cy.
"A surprise party." says Conrad.
"That's a good idea. She'll really be surprised by the lack of people there." says Cy.
"There'll be people there." says Conrad.
"If you think you can sucker me and Phil into attending, you're nuts." says Cy.
"Please, do it for me." says Conrad.
"I signed that card for you. Don't push what little luck you have." says Cy.
"It would help, if what you say is true." says Conrad.
"I know what I say is true, but that doesn't mean I should do something about it." says Cy.
"Do it then for your mother, who would make you do it." says Conrad.
"If only on my mother's late soul I do this, I accept." says Cy.
"I better go along, too, if my threat is the loss of my job." says Phil.
"Then we have three people to attend my sister's 30th birthday party. I'll see you there." says Conrad, who then leaves the room.
"What would your mother say if she were around to hear you talk about Darlene?" asks Phil.
"I talked like that about Darlene in my mother's presence and she told me that all people have the ability to be human, just that some don't have the ability to use it." says Cy.
"Smart woman, she was." says Phil.
"Don't I know it?" says Cy.
At the police station, Elmer is busy pulling the bow across his fiddle, playing "One of These Days" by Emmylou Harris, with Polly singing the lyrics as she mops a section of floor. Her voice is filling every corner of the room with sound.
"Youw singing is vewy good today." says Elmer during the bridge.
"My singing's good everyday." says Polly.
"Shame mowe peopwe can't heaw it." says Elmer as he stops playing.
"Plenty of people hear me sing." says Polly.
"Onwy when they end up in the jaiws." says Elmer.
"Well, my friends hear it, too." says Polly.
"How about those peopwe out thewe?" asks Elmer.
"One of these days, Elmer." says Polly.
"When wiww that day come?" asks Elmer.
"Someday." says Polly.
"Someday soon?" asks Elmer.
"Quit that. You've been on my case about this for days." says Polly.
"Powwy, you'we my fwiend and I don't want that tawent to go unnoticed." says Elmer.
"My talent isn't going unnoticed." says Polly.
"Reawwy? You think any of those pwisonews care about youw tawent?" asks Elmer.
"Well... I have been thinking of taking my act to a larger audience." says Polly.
"Good fow you. Whewe awe you going?" says Elmer.
"Where should I go?" asks Polly.
"How about Cathy's Tavewn? I pway thewe a wot and I think you'ww fit in gweat." says Elmer.
"I'll go there this afternoon." says Polly.
"That's the spiwit. I'ww even back you up." says Elmer as he resumes his fiddle playing.
Cy and Conrad soon do their show after Barry and Terry and the two manage to squeak through once again. As the two exit the studio, Cy begins to speak, "Conrad, I think I'll go to the library today. For some reason, I feel like reading."
"Good for you, Cy." says Conrad.
"I think I'll read what I was reading last time and pick up where I left off." says Cy.
"I hope that you remember where you left off." says Conrad.
"I do very well." says Cy as he makes his way out of the control room.
Cy soon makes his way down the corridor to the front of the building, passing Phil on the way, reading as well. Cy walks out of the radio station and makes his way to the library itself.
The library is an unassuming little building in downtown Hyperion. As Cy walks up to it, he is whistling a happy tune. He soon quiets down as he enters. He looks around and finds his way pass the main desk.
Cy soon moves into the tall rows of shelves that make up the library's collection. He scans the bindings of the books, reading the titles, looking for the one he wants. He soon reaches the far side of the library and finds what he is looking for.
"A adventure from Mr. E.R. Burroughs. How are things back in Pellucidar?" says Cy as he pulls the book from the shelves.
He walks over to one of the many reading tables and pulls out a chair and sits down. He places his feet upon the table, opens the book back to where he left off, and begins reading.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Tomorrow, a figure decends upon Cy and gives him reason to an argument, whose result launches Cy into a chance of a lifetime.

Join us, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.

This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.
All rights reserved.
A production of WGN Chicago.

Episode 26

The Mutual Broadcasting System brings you another episode of Life in Hyperion.

Today's episode: "The Melting of the Iceberg", Part 1

Last week, we finished our second serial.  In that last week, we saw Officer Grace and Phil have their date, which ended in the rise of the morning sun.  Meanwhile, Cy opened up his home to Thomas and gave him a place to stay.  That second serial also served as our tour of Hyperion.  Now, we begin our third serial by proceeding past Sunday and Monday and starting with Tuesday morning...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

In the green room of WHYP, Conrad sits at the green room table, writing in a gift card with a pen. As Conrad finishes writing, Cy enters the room with a grin on his face.
"Good morning, Conrad, my bestest friend in the whole wide world." says Cy.
"Good morning, Cy." says Conrad.
"What are you doing?" asks Cy.
"Writing something in a birthday card." says Conrad.
"Who for?" asks Cy as he walks over to the table.
"My sister." says Conrad.
"That's right. She turns 30 tomorrow." says Cy.
"My older sister." says Conrad.
"Let me see what you wrote." says Cy, who then picks up the card and reads what Conrad wrote, "To Darlene, from your favorite brother, Conrad."
"You like it?" asks Conrad.
"I think it's a sweet thought, even though you are her only sibling." says Cy.
"It's the thought that counts." says Conrad.
"If that were true, you wouldn't even buy this card." says Cy.
"Did you buy your mother a birthday card?" asks Conrad.
"A few, but that's not the point." says Cy.
"Can't you be happy for this?" asks Conrad.
"I could, if I wanted your sister to have a happy birthday." says Cy.
"I know you two don't get along, but can't you be happy just this once?" says Conrad.
"I wish I could, but I just can't see myself up to it." says Cy.
"I thought your mother taught you not to judge people." says Conrad.
"With your sister, I made an exception because how can you not judge her after five minutes in the same room with her." says Cy.
"My sister's a nice girl." says Conrad.
"She's an iceberg, nice and cold." says Cy.
"She's not that at all." says Conrad.
"Really? I wouldn't send her that card. It's hard to have a happy birthday when the total number of cards is one or zero." says Cy.
"Will you at least put your name to the card?" asks Conrad.
"Why should I?" asks Cy.
"Because I feel you should." says Conrad.
"I should? I think you need your brain checked." says Cy.
"Please sign the card. After all, you did help her alwhile back." says Conrad.
"You were sleepwalking and that was entirely for your benefit, not hers." says Cy.
"Then, do it for me." says Conrad.
"Alright, if it will get you to shut up about it." says Cy, who then takes a pen from one of his front pockets and signs the card.
"Thanks, Cy. I'm sure Darlene will enjoy it." says Conrad as he leaves the green room as Phil enters.
"Good morning, Cy." says Phil.
"What's it to ya?" asks Cy.
"What's with you, Cy?" asks Phil.
"It's Conrad. It's his sister's birthday tomorrow." says Cy.
"Another year for the iceberg." says Phil.
"Conrad has decided to give her a birthday card and he forced me to sign it." says Cy.
"Darlene can't be all bad." says Phil.
"You haven't known her as long as I have." says Cy.
"I guess I haven't." says Phil.
"I knew her since I first met Conrad when he and his family moved to New York around the same time me and my mother did." says Cy.
"How was she then?" asks Phil.
"She grew cold as she lived in New York. The opera, library, and museums were her favorite haunts." says Cy.
"I guess that left little time for friends." says Phil.
"Very little, both in friends and time. In fact, she doesn't really have a single friend now, besides Conrad." says Cy.
"We could be called her friends." says Phil.
"By virtue only of our friendship with Conrad. She has no friends that she has made." says Cy.
"I guess that would make someone lonely." says Phil.
"Being an iceberg and a lady of victorian values, it's hard to open up to people without, in her mind, breaking several social codes." says Cy.
"Maybe she'll warm up this year." says Phil.
"Not even global warming could melt that iceberg of a person." says Cy.
"Maybe if you try really hard... " says Phil.
"I don't need to, and I won't." says Cy.
"Well, maybe you can give her something." says Phil.
"I'll get her the same thing I always get her and that's it." says Cy.
"That, every year, keeps getting useless." says Phil.
"One day, it will work, just you see." says Cy.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Tomorrow, Conrad issues a favor to Cy and Phil, which turns into an order, and Cy decides to take some time and read a little.

Join us, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.

This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.
All rights reserved.
A production of WGN Chicago.

Episode 25

The Mutual Broadcasting System brings you another episode of Life in Hyperion.

Today's episode: "The Streets of This Town", Part 13

Yesterday, Cy finished the tour he was giving to his new boarder, Thomas, with visits to Cy's study and Thomas' new bedroom.  Today ends our second serial and as we begin today, Cy has just finished and Thomas has offered his thanks...

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Cy then hears a knock at the door. He walks out of the bedroom and to the front door. When he opens it, he finds Joanne.
"Joanne. What are you doing here?" asks Cy as Joanne walks inside.
"I came here to... " says Joanne before she's taken aback by the same fixings as Thomas.
"Like it?" asks Cy as Joanne spots the painting of Cy's mother.
"Your mother looks beautiful." says Joanne.
"The painting was taken from an old photograph I had of her. I had it made for her funeral." says Cy.
"Well, I never... Where was I?" says Joanne.
"You wanted something." says Cy.
"Ah, yes. I wish to invite you to dinner at my house." says Joanne.
"What for?" asks Cy.
"Because after what happened Monday, I wanted to smooth things over." says Joanne.
"Well, you got the right idea." says Cy.
"Will you come?" asks Joanne.
"I will." says Cy.
"Thanks." says Joanne, who then turns and leave.
"Who was that?" asks Thomas, standing nearby.
"That was Joanne, my new girlfriend." says Cy.
"She looks nice." says Thomas.
"Get your own girl." says Cy.
That night, at the Shulmans' dinner table, the Shulmans and Cy sit down to eat dinner, which sits in the center of the table. As they sit down, Joe I looks over at Cy.
"I hope this dinner is good enough for you." says Joe I.
"I hope it is." says Cy.
"You promised, grandpa, no fighting." says Joanne.
"Then how will we talk?" asks Joe I.
"Grandpa... " says Joanne.
"Okay, okay. What a girl you gave me, Joe II." says Joe I.
"And that goes for you two, too." says Joanne.
Cy then emits a chuckle at Joanne's statement.
"Say, that was funny." says Joe I.
"My mother taught me to enjoy humor, no matter where it came from." says Cy.
"Who exactly was your mother?" asks Joe I.
"The late Debralee Scott, world-famous television and film actress." says Cy.
"I haven't heard of her." says Joe I.
"Ever heard of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman?" asks Cy.
"I used to watch it a lot. Every day, as a matter of fact. I was a fan." says Joe I.
"My mother was Mary's sister." says Cy.
"Are you kidding?" asks Joe I.
"No, I'm not. She was also the woman all the sweathogs talked about, until she got them to stop." says Cy.
"How does a guy like you end up at a Michigan radio station?" asks Joe I.
"Well, my friend Conrad was born in Hyperion and his father moved the family to New York City around 1990. We became friends from the first meet." says Cy.
"Very interesting." says Joe I.
"However, after the twin towers, Conrad's father moved them back here. I stayed with my mother until her untimely passing." says Cy.
"I'm sorry for your loss." says Joe I.
"Well, when Conrad heard about it, he invited me to live in Hyperion, so I did." says Cy.
"What a life story. I guess I misjudged you, boy." says Joe I.
"A lot of people do until they hear who my mother was." says Cy.
"Excuse me for a minute, but how long are you two gonna keep talking?" asks Joe II.
"Until he leaves." says Joe I.
"That gives me enough time to tell you a few stories." says Cy.
"Do go on. I love to hear about her." says Joe I.
"I tell ya, if you can name a cuisine, trust me, New York City has a restaurant that serves it." says Cy.
"Including bagels?" asks Joe I.
"I lost track of how many bagel shops there were." says Cy.
"I can't believe how interesting you are." says Joe I.
Later that night, Cy returns home, making sure not to close the door loudly, as not to awaken Thomas. However, as soon as Cy closes the door, Thomas appears in the living room.
"Hello, Cy." says Thomas as Cy closes the door.
"I thought you were asleep." says Cy.
"Well, I decided to stay up and greet you upon your return home." says Thomas.
"So it seems." says Cy.
"So, how was your time among Joanne's people?" asks Thomas.
"Interesting." says Cy.
"Do tell." says Thomas.
"Well, when I got there, I met Joanne's family. Joanne's mother, who looks like that nanny character on that old sitcom, not to mention three different Joe Shulmans, the first, second, and third." says Cy.
"How were they each?" asks Thomas.
"The third had a minor indifference in me but the first, althought he took a slight dislike to me at first for being non-Jewish, he soon grew to enjoy me as I entertained him with stories of my mother." says Cy.
"I wish I had your life." says Thomas.
"Not everyone can have mine." says Cy.
"Thanks for taking me in." says Thomas.
"No problem. Maybe one day, you can take back your own house." says Cy.
"Too many ghosts there." says Thomas.
"Well, when the ghosts move out, you'll move in." says Cy.
"I wonder when that is?" asks Thomas.
"Up to you, Thomas." says Cy.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Next week, we begin our third serial, which deals with the re-birth of a close figure in Cy and Conrad's life, although closeness isn't a trait of the person to be re-born, and that re-birth might begin to drive a wedge between our duo, the best of friends.

Join us, won't you?
Yours truly, John Maxwell.

Produced at WGN Chicago.
All rights reserved.
This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.
"The feelings here always Mutual"

NOTE: Next week, as part of the continued schedule changes to the Mutual line-up, Life in Hyperion is moving from 5:00 pm EST to 2:30 pm.  Further changes will be broadcast by your local Mutual station.