Special: Treasure

MUSIC: “SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING”

NARRATION
Hey, there. It’s Dania Ramos, creator of Timestorm. We’re bringing you this special that takes the Ventura twins to the next phase of their journey. Listen in as Alexa and Beni meet a mysterious figure and learn about what they will soon seek.

THE TIMESTORM. ANOTHER DIMENSION.

MUSIC: TIMESTORM TRANSITION

HORACIO
My cousins are back, Atabey.

ATABEY
Indeed, Lieutenant.

ALEXA
It's been weeks. What happened?

BENI
Do you know how many thunderstorms came and went with us staring at this barometer? Waiting for it to change from bronze to purple?

ALEXA
Waiting for the word tempus to glow and open the inter-dimensional portal?

ATABEY
The Motherlands quest wasn't easy.

HORACIO
And there was all that new information about Josie and the tapestry.

ATABEY
Teleporting from the store in Newark to the store in San Juan.

HORACIO
You deserved a break.

BENI
And now?

ATABEY
Now it's time to learn what comes next.

HORACIO
Let’s see. Short sleeves. That’ll work. Jeans and leggings are fine. But let's make sure those feet are protected. Footwear!

WHOOSH OF A SHOE CHANGE.

BENI
Hiking shoes?

ALEXA
We're gonna climb a mountain?

ATABEY
No. You'll be at sea level.

HORACIO
Very close to the sea, in fact. But the terrain can be tricky.

BENI
Tricky?

ATABEY
Fear will visit.

ALEXA
Fear?

ATABEY
Trust that you will get what you need.

A ZAP INTO THE BAROMETER BUZZ.

ATABEY
Time unknown / tiempo desconocido / Boquerón / Cabo Rojo / Puerto Rico / cueva / cave / Roberto Cofresí / el pirata / pirate / colorful trio / trio colorido / treasure / tesoro

Your quest: Seek the true name of the colorful trio at hand in Cabo Rojo. Time: unknown.

MUSIC: COFRESI'S THEME.

VOICE
(Whispering) El pirata…

OUTSIDE OF A CAVE. BOQUERÓN, PUERTO RICO.

ALEXA and BENI laugh as they land on rocks. BENI loses his balance and falls.

BENI
Ahhhh!

ALEXA
Careful!

BENI
Ow.

ALEXA
Are you okay?

BENI
Yeah. Some of these rocks are sharp. Good call on the hiking shoes.

ALEXA
Hey, it's sunny. No rain. That's weird.

BENI
Don't jinx it.

ALEXA turns around.

ALEXA
Is it me, or is the light...strange?

BENI
Maybe the sun's setting soon? Or about to rise?

ALEXA
Where's the sea? Horacio said it'd be nearby.

BENI takes a couple of steps.

BENI
Maybe on the other side of these rocks? (Abruptly stops, terrified) Oh no.

ALEXA
What? An animal?

BENI
(Frozen) Cave entrance. Oh, man. Oh, man. Oh, man.

ALEXA
Guess this is the tricky terrain.

BENI
My legs are frozen.

ALEXA
Just walk back this way.

BENI takes a step.

ALEXA
Nice and slow.

BENI
I don't like caves.

BENI takes a step.

ALEXA
I'll take a look...

ALEXA takes a few steps toward the cave entrance.

BENI
Be careful!

ALEXA
Can't really see anything. And I don’t think this barometer's about to light up.

BENI gasps.

BENI
Uh, Alexa?

ALEXA
I'm being careful. Besides, caves are your fear, not mine.

BENI
Um, different fear.

ALEXA
Okay, did it just get brighter—

ALEXA turns and gasps as she sees COFRESÍ, a pirate.

COFRESÍ
Searching for something?

ALEXA
No...no...I...

BENI
We should have heard him coming.

COFRESÍ
You all come searching. Siempre buscando. But what is it you seek? Most don't know. But you two are different. You know the search is for more than artifacts.

COFRESÍ unveils his sword.

ALEXA
Is...is that a...

BENI
Wow. A sword!

COFRESÍ
A pirate must have a sword.

ALEXA
Please...please don't hurt us. We're only here to seek the name of...of—

BENI
The colorful trio at hand.

COFRESÍ
¡Un trio colorido! The finest treasure.

ALEXA
You know what it is?

COFRESÍ
I spent my life collecting it. Mí tesoro.

BENI
Okay. What is your treasure? Gold? Crystals? Jewels?

COFRESÍ
That's always the guess. Oro, cristal, joyas. You've heard the same pirate tales as those who have come before you.

BENI
I mean, you do have a sword just like in the pirate stories.

ALEXA
The sword—do you mind putting it away?

COFRESÍ
You see it as a weapon.

ALEXA
Isn't that what it is?

COFRESÍ
At times.

A WHOOSH.

COFRESÍ is suddenly atop the cave, speaking from above them.

ALEXA
Whoa.

BENI
How'd you get up there?

COFRESÍ
Look at the sword now. What do you see?

ALEXA
Huge scary blade.

COFRESÍ
And if I twist it así y así?

BENI
It shines so bright when the sunlight hits it.

ALEXA
Is it gold?

COFRESÍ
Time and again visitors like you visit this cave thinking they'll find mere gold. This is more precious.

ALEXA
More precious than gold?

COFRESÍ
Eh, oro. A worthy treasure...if fortune and riches are all you seek. But I was always in search of something more. As are you.

BENI
The colorful trio.

COFRESÍ
Three metals. When combined, they are brilliant. Powerful.

COFRESÍ swings the sword.

ALEXA
Your sword...

COFRESÍ
Gold. Silver. Copper.

ALEXA
Isn't that...bronze?

COFRESÍ
A special type of bronze. Known to have healing, supernatural energy.

COQUÍS.

BENI
Whoa. How'd it get dark so quickly?

COFRESÍ
People tell many legends about el pirata Cofresí. About my travels across this land and these waters. Here, atop this cave, I can see the ocean. The open sea second home. People thought they knew what I was after. But none of the tales get it right. The truth? I was always in pursuit of the colorful trio, sacred as Atabey to the Taínos. They called it—

A THUNDERCLAP.

ALEXA and BENI gasp.

ALEXA
No rain.

BENI
Where'd he go?

ALEXA
I don't know. I don't care. I just want to get back to timestorm.

BENI
He was going to tell us the name.

ALEXA
Why won't this stupid barometer glow already?

BENI
Wait a minute. The barometer. It's bronze.

ALEXA
Yeah. It's not turning purple at all.

FLASHBACK:

HORACIO
A barometer. Made of bronze.

FLASHBACK END.

BENI
Alexa, you’re holding a bronze barometer.

ALEXA
The colorful trio at hand.

A THUNDERCLAP.

ALEXA and BENI scream as they spot COFRESÍ again.

COFRESÍ
I was feared when I was alive.

ALEXA
Beni.

BENI
He's...he's...floating.

ALEXA
And see-through.

BENI
He's a ghost.

COFRESÍ
I'm still feared.

BENI
We...we just need to know what this barometer is made of.

ALEXA
Yeah. The true name.

COFRESÍ
The truth? I was always in pursuit of the colorful trio, sacred as Atabey to the Taínos. They called it...

COFRESÍ pulls out his sword.

BENI
That beam of light coming from the sword - it’s swirling with three colors.

ALEXA
And it’s connecting to the barometer. That color shines so bright.

BENI
It’s...

COFRESÍ
Guanín. You will cross this island as I did to find it. Buscan el tesoro. Find the treasure. Guanín.

COFRESÍ is whisked away.

MUSIC: SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING

NARRATION
Thank you for listening to this Timestorm special was written and directed by me, Dania Ramos, with audio engineering, sound design, and original music by Michael Aquino.

The role of Alexa Ventura was played by Leilany Figueroa. Beni Ventura was played by Claudio Venancio. Horacio Méndez was played by Orlando Segarra. Atabey was played by Alicia Rivas. Cofresí was played by Michael Aquino.

Timestorm is produced by Cocotazo Media and is a proud member of TRAX from PRX. If you enjoy the show, ask your parents to subscribe to Timestorm on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, or the Kids Listen App. You can also show your support for the series by sharing it with a friend or leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser.

We want to acknowledge the support that you, our listeners, have given us. We're truly grateful for every message, review, share-out, performance of our theme song, and donation we've received. Thank you!

Timestorm is produced in Essex County, New Jersey, which is situated on the traditional territory of the Leni Lenape people.

As always, thanks for listening.

ATABEY
Witness. Find. Remember.