The Labyrinth, Part 1
Hebrews 12:1-3
2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.“The Labyrinth, Part 1” is episode #703 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written by Paul McCusker and Nathan Hoobler, and originally aired on March 3, 2012.
Summary
Jason's pursuit of Mr. Grote leads him to London, where he finds a plot even more ominous than the Green Ring Conspiracy. Jason must seek the help of some old friends to unravel Mr. Grote's schemes before it's too late.
Plot
Agent Billings and Agent Florin, agents working for MI5, are in a van nearby waiting for an agent to show up to meet with Reggie Fingers. Agent Billings sees a man with a mustache, sports jacket and hat (through a camera monitor) and tells Florin that he's the one, Jason Whittaker. Jason enters the fish and chips restaurant and Agent Billings tells Agent Florin that he's their man. Billings explains to Florin that Fingers had been in contact with Grote about something. So Interpol, American Intelligence, and MI5 are working together to take him down. Florin questions if Jason is the right man for the job, and Billings reasons that Jason has been undercover all over the world and has been after Grote for a long time. Florin is suspicious that Jason may really be working with Mr. Grote. Billings points out that they've taken Whittaker to the back of the restaurant.
Once inside the restaurant, Jason Whittaker, disguised as The Grinder, is escorted to a back room where his hat, coat, and gun are taken. Reggie Fingers then begins to talk with The Grinder. Reggie mentions that he is better about making sure that there aren't any moles or double crossers that work with the government. Mycroft comes in and tells Reggie about a van. Reggie is unsurprised and has Mycroft get the girl and to tell Dennis to tend to the van as planned. The Grinder, unclear of what they are talking about, asks Reggie. Reggie Fingers explains that they suspected MI5 to be watching them from a van. He further explains that "the girl" is Agent Billings daughter, who they have kidnapped as insurance. Reggie tells The Grinder that it was Grote's idea to include him on this ordeal because Grote had no idea that The Grinder was in London and it makes him nervous when supposed allies do things without telling him first. Mycroft is ordered to take The Grinder to another room until they hear from Mr. Grote.
At the van, Florin is getting anxious. Billings expresses that all they can do is wait until they hear from Whittaker. Someone knocks on the van door. They're suspicious that Jason would be back so soon. They check the monitor and can only see someone in Jason's hat and jacket, but they can't see his face. Florin opens the door and the person at the door gasses their van knocking them out.
Mycroft leads The Grinder to a room and releases the girl from the refrigerator. She is very frightened and does not understand what is going on. The Grinder finds out the her name is Sue. The Grinder knocks out Mycroft, and they head down a hallway and toward a door. Just before going through, Jason tells Sue to hide. Reggie Fingers appears and says he saw the whole thing on camera. He goes on to say that Mr. Grote suspected The Grinder was Jason Whittaker, and figured that a damsel in distress would be just the thing to draw Jason out. Reggie has Sue come out and Jason realizes that Sue was hired and not actually Billings' daughter after all. Reggie acknowledges that he knows Jason's name and Jason drops his "Grinder voice". Reggie leaves Jason and Sue after locking the door. Sue shows Jason a vent, hidden from the camera, that serves as a way of escape.
The duo make their way out of the building and Sue wants to go off on her own. Jason convinces her to stay. They hear sirens and Sue guesses that they are headed to the van that Reggie knew about. Sue offers to go in and find out what's up. She asks the officer what happened to the people on the stretchers. She's told that someone gassed them. She also finds out that the police think it was Jason that gassed the agents thanks to Reggie Fingers. Jason borrows Sue's cell phone and calls his father, John Whittaker, to get help.
Jason knocks on a hotel door and Dale Jacobs answers. Dale and Ann Jacobs are in London due to a journalism symposium. Jason explains that he needs Dale to go with Sue to break into his hotel room to get a briefcase. He can't get it himself because his room is more than likely being watched. Jason explains that he booked two adjoining rooms under two different names, and his top secret belongings are in the second room in the bathroom in the vent above the sink. He figures that if Sue goes with Dale then they can pose as Father and daughter.
At the hospital, Billings talks with Florin. Billings explains to Florin that on the security recordings all that he can make out is a man with a hat and a coat, but his face is obscured. Florin is positive that the man was Jason. Billings trusts Jason though and knows that Jason wouldn't turn on them. Florin suspects that undercover agents, even Jason, can be turned if they get lost in the labyrinth and states that the sooner they capture Jason the better.
Dale and Sue get to the hotel room and, sure enough, an officer is watching for anything having to do with Jason's room. While Dale is talking to the officer, Sue is getting the briefcase from the bathroom. The detective leaves after he gives Dale his card. Dale figures that the detective would be suspicious if they left right away so Dale pretends to be putting valuables in the safe. The officer is suspicious and radios to another officer to watch for Dale and search him when they get off in the lobby. Once in the elevator, he lets Sue out of the suitcase. They get off on the second floor and take the fire escape to the back. Once on the ground, they're spotted and run off into the streets of London. (Continued in #704: “The Labyrinth, Part 2”)
Discussion Questions
- How does Mr. Grote operate like Satan?
Cast
Heard in episode
Mentioned in episode
Character | Mentioned By |
---|---|
Mr. Grote | Agent Florin |
Notes
- This is a main episode in The Green Ring Conspiracy (Saga).
- This episode has significant connection to The Ties That Bind (Saga).
- This episode takes place away from Odyssey: Episodes That Take Place Away from Odyssey
- This episode can be downloaded for free here.
- Trivia
- The original draft for this episode featured Jack Allen and Joanne Allen in the roles of Dale Jacobs and Ann Jacobs. Due to scheduling conflicts, the characters were switched out a week before recording. This explains certain plot elements like Ann's before-unseen interest in antique auctions, and Jason going to Dale at the conclusion of Part 3 for spiritual counsel. Both roles would have been more in character for Jack and Joanne.
- This is the first episode to feature Dale Jacobs since #417: “Not-So-Trivial Pursuits”.
- Not counting Welcome to Whit’s End, this is the first episode since the relaunch that is written by Nathan Hoobler.
- Jason was also locked in a refrigeration unit in The Day Ambrosia Stood Still.
- Dale refers to the Odyssey Times being bought "again". It was previously bought by Andromeda. The purchase would be mentioned again in #735: “Life Expectancy, Part 2”.
- Allusions
- Mycroft's name is probably an allusion to Mycroft Holmes.
- The title of the three-parter likely refers to the maze in Greek mythology which Theseus navigated to kill its resident Minotaur.
- Dale asks Jason if he will be breaking into 10 Downing Street; this is the address for the headquarters of the Government of the United Kingdom, as well as the office and residence of the First Lord of the Treasury.
- Dale claims that "the new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical" made Sue's stomach upset, which Detective Macintosh says is "understandable". The specific Webber musical they are referring to is most likely Love Never Dies, which premiered in 2010.
Quotes
Reggie Fingers: The Grinder. What kinda name is that? Is that something you do with your teeth? Or with your finger nails, or with other people?
Jason Whittaker: I used to have a dancing monkey in the street. Grinder. Get it?
Jason Whittaker: Wait a minute. Did you say your name is Thug?
Mycroft Thugg: Yeah. Thugg, with two g's. Mycroft Thugg.
Jason Whittaker: That is amazing.
Mycroft Thugg: I know. It's sort of like having a Doctor named..... Doctor.
Jason Whittaker: No kidding.
Sue: I can do an American accent! I've heard it in the movies! <in bad American accent> Hi. How are ya? Nice to meet ya!
Dale Jacobs: Oh, is that how they think we talk?
Sue: Isn't it?
Jason Whittaker: Where's the girl?
Mycroft Thugg: Inside the refrigerator!
Jason Whittaker: That's cold.
Mycroft Thugg: Exactly.
Jason Whittaker: You do much praying, Sue?
Sue: I'm 'fraid not.
Jason Whittaker: Now might be a good time to start.
Agent Florin: Jason Whittaker is now posing as... what is he called?
Agent Billings: The Grinder.
Agent Florin: Well, that sounds rather silly.
Sue: It's short for sewer rat!
Jason Whittaker: Hm, charming.
Jason Whittaker: (talking to Reggie Fingers) You teach dancing?
Jason Whittaker: How do you feel about breaking and entering?
Dale Jacobs: Ooo, that'll take me back to my days as a rookie on the newspaper! Name the place, Buckingham Palace? 10 Downing St?
Jason Whittaker: Actually you'll be breaking into my room at the Groveler Hotel.
Sue: Wow! Isn't that posh!
Dennis the Henchman: Hello, Sunshine (hear the sound of gas and the agents coughing)
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