"Jody's Lock-In" is the second mission of The Home Front.
Jody is holed up in a warehouse surrounded by zombies. Thankfully she has plenty of supplies and a list of exercises from Maxine!
Exercises[]
Cast[]
Scenes[]
Go Wild!
Jody is taking over for a while so that Sam can rest. Start by warming up in whatever way gets your blood flowing. She's trapped outside Abel too, and has holed up in a warehouse near where the horde originated. Advice for everyone in the area is to lock your doors and stay inside! Thankfully she has plenty of supplies, because she's sprained her leg. You should try dancing to her favourite song since she can't. Go wild with it!
Banging Beats
Well, that wasn't the right CD, but Jody hopes you were able to dance to it anyway. She's also found some painkillers, and hundreds of DVDs that Sam will be excited about! Maxine has given her exercises to do. Start with a simple one - Air Punches. Punch the air without fully extending or locking your elbows. Maybe you should pretend you're punching a zombie!
Under Pressure
Hopefully you've worked up a sweat! In times like these, it's the people who are important, so you need to stay as healthy and fit as possible during this. The next exercise is Step Ups! They've been a hit with Sam's audience, and Jody is surrounded by boxes to use! Keep going for as long as you can while she plays some music.
Mt. Cushion
Jody says that there's a window near the ceiling which isn't covered up. If she can peek out she can see where the zoms are, make a daring escape, and get back to Abel. She can't reach it on her crutches but if she piles up cushions and beanbags, maybe she can climb up there. This seems like a good time for arm strength exercises, so why not try some Chair Dips! Find a sturdy armless chair, sit on the edge of it and grip the sides. Then slide your backside off the chair, and raise and lower yourself using your arms. If you're not able to do this, try some more air punches instead! Jody will time you for a minute, and then why not do some more dancing during the music?
Kill Those Invisible Zoms!
Jody is almost at the top shelf. It's good to know that people are listening while she does this. Being a runner is all about supporting each other, even when you're apart. It's time for some more Chair Dips while Jody counts down for you. And then why not try more air punches while she reaches that top shelf?
Abel Runner Promise
Jody has made it to the window! Unfortunately, the zombies are still there. The horde must be drawing them in from miles around. It really is safer for her to stay inside. The lockdown may last for a while, but she should be able to find more batteries somewhere. Meanwhile, some of the other runners have found broadcast equipment, and Maxine has an extensive list of exercises! Stay safe out there, Runners!
Transcript[]
JODY MARSH: Okay, uh, I think this thing is on. Hello, everyone. This is uh, Abel Runner Four, or Jody, as some of you know me. I’m gonna be taking you through a few exercises in a bit, so while I’m babbling on, why don’t you start getting yourself warmed up. Um, just swing your arms around, a little bit of jogging on the spot, whatever gets your blood flowing.
Um, so uh, as a lot of you probably know, there’s some really awful stuff happening. Basically, a bunch of runners opened a warehouse full of zoms and now there’s about a zillion extra undead swarming the countryside. Most of them are clustered around Abel, so advice to everyone in or near the town is to lock your doors and stay inside until the crisis passes.
It’s funny. I used to love a good lock-in back in the day. There was this pub on my street, did them every weekend. It was great fun, even if you didn’t drink. [laughs] We’d stay in the bar all night playing board games, chatting away.
Anyway, listeners, some of us runners were out in the field when the zoms got out. I managed to duck into a different warehouse in the same district, seal the shutters. Last I saw, the world outside was just a tidal wave of rotten flesh.
Not a bad spot to hole up, this. Used to belong to one of those big online delivery companies, so there’s supplies for days. Janine come through, asked me to use the equipment here to broadcast, take some shifts off Sam. Guess it makes sense. This place has an old CD collection that’d move Phil Cheeseman to tears.
Oh, ah. I sprained my leg on the way in, listeners, so I can’t really dance to this first song. Shame, cause it’s a favorite, so do me a favor. If you can, dance to it for me. Just um, throw your hands up in the air and go wild like I would, or sit and wiggle your fingers if that’s all you feel up to right now. It’d really cheer me up to picture people doing that. After all, just because we’re stuck indoors doesn’t mean we can’t have fun.
JODY MARSH: Okay, well, that CD wasn’t labeled right, listeners. It was supposed to be my favorite Snow Patrol album, not a mix tape, but hopefully you managed to bop along anyway. And the good news is I found a stack of painkillers the size of my body. I’ve been in touch with Dr. Myers. She says I’ll be up and around again in no time with a little rest.
I tell you what, this warehouse, Sam is gonna go nuts when he sees it. There’s about a thousand DVDs of Doctor Who, Blake’s 7. Hey, and since I know you’re probably listening, Sam, go to sleep. I know you want to be reassuring people 24/7, but Janine says you’ve got to rest while others are broadcasting.
This place must have really catered for the outdoor fitness crowd because there are loads of sports bras on the shelves. And speaking of sports, Dr. Myers gave me a list of activities to keep people healthy during lockdown. I’m supposed to give you a simple one to start with. How about, um, air punches? That sounds good.
Hold your arms out in front of you in the fighting stance, one fist protecting your face while the other is extended for an attack. Then punch the air, being careful not to fully extend or lock your elbows. You can always punch your pillow if you like, pretend it’s a zom and you’re getting it right in the squelchy bonce.
Just keep it up for as long as you can comfortably manage. Ready? Okay, it’s time to beat the zoms to these banging beats. Oh my God, that was terrible, wasn’t it? I am definitely getting more appreciation for the job that Phil and Zoe do.
JODY MARSH: Hello again, people. Hope you managed to work up a sweat there. I definitely took out my share of imaginary zoms there. It’s funny, all this stuff in the warehouse just sitting here collecting dust. None of it is important. We can all get by without it. It’s people that are important. That’s why you’ve got to take care of yourselves, body and mind.
So next exercise from the list. I’m just going to pick one at random. Uh… [laughs] Right, step ups. Dr. Myers says they’ve been a big hit with Sam’s audience. Don’t worry if you’ve forgotten how. I’ll recap. All you got to do is uh, find the bottom step of your home or a nice sturdy box that can support your weight. Be careful of using a box, though. I’ve tried this before and loads of them can overbalance. You want something that won’t topple over easily, so make sure it’s heavy and very stable.
Okay, got something? Now just uh, step onto the step, then step off of it. Simple. If you can’t find yourself a good box, it says here you can raise yourself up on tiptoes slowly throughout the song. Hold it as long as you can, until your calves burn. Give it a go. Okay, so now you’re going to try and keep that up for as long as you can at the briskest pace you can manage, and remember to vary which leg you step up and down with. I’ll play some music to help you through it. And for anyone wondering, yeah, I picked this exercise because it mentioned boxes and I’m surrounded by them. Look, it’s a long list, okay? I don’t choose well under pressure. Okay, here we go. Get stepping!
JODY MARSH: [laughs] Welcome back, listeners. Hang on, give me a minute. I’ve just got to move this. Okay, I’ll be straight with you. I’m not just wandering the shelves. Truth is, there’s one window here that isn’t covered, right near the ceiling. There’s a shelf rack right next to it. I could climb up, peek out. If the zom horde’s clustered near Abel, the coast outside might be clear. I can ride out on a delivery robot, find other trapped runners.
Yeah, I know Janine ordered me to stay put, but she’s running herself ragged thinking up strategies. I’ve got to get out there, try to do more to help. Trouble is, I can’t reach the rack’s bottom shelf, not on these crutches, so I’ve been pushing bean bags and cushions into a big mound right under it. I should be able to pull myself up from the top of the pile. Hey, and since my arms’ll be getting a workout, I think I know what should be next from Dr. Myer’s list: chair dips.
Right, here’s how they work. First, find a sturdy armless chair. Take your time looking. I’m busy making Mount Cushion. Got one? Don’t worry if you haven’t. You can go back to doing air punches instead. But if you have, sit on the front edge of the chair with your hands gripping the edge on either side of you. Your feet need to be flat on the ground a little way in front of you. Now slide your backside off the chair, raise yourself up and then down using your arms. Give one dip a try. See? Simple. If that was too easy, you can put your legs out in front of you so they don’t take any of your weight. If it’s too hard, you can use more force from your legs to push you up and down.
Okay, while I get ready to climb, you’re gonna try those for 60 seconds if you can manage it, but don’t push yourself so hard you get hurt. Ready? Then let’s get chairlifting. That’s 15 seconds. You’re doing great. Halfway there, keep going. 45 seconds, nearly done. And stop. Bet you’re feeling it now. Don’t worry, I’ll be feeling it myself soon.
So I can just reach the bottom shelf from here. I’m gonna pull myself up to the top of the rack one shelf at a time. It’s only, uh, two or three dozen. Oh boy. Right. Just gonna queue up some more music first, and if you guys want to exercise with me, honestly, I’d really appreciate the company. Anyone who’s feeling particularly buff can do more chair dips. Anyone else, how about a good old dance? Get ready, folks. On three. One, two, three, and go!
JODY MARSH: Hey there, listeners. Still with me? Just paused the music for a quick breather. Almost at the top shelf. God, my arms are aching, though. Shout-out to all of you working out at home and any of you listening, too. It’s good to have people with me. Honestly, this great big storehouse is kind of spooky.
This is what being a runner’s all about, you know. Supporting each other no matter what the challenge, facing adversity together even when we’re apart. Speaking of which, I think it’s time you did a bit more exercise. Ready for some more chair dips? Remember, sit on the edge of the chair, holding the sides, feet flat on the ground in front of you. Let’s try for another 60 seconds, as long as you feel up to it.
Get set, and go! 15 seconds down. That’s 30 seconds, halfway point. 45 seconds, hang in there. And you’re done. Okay, the top shelf is really near. Just stick with me a little further. Why don’t you try some more air punches while I’m at it, kill a few more invisible zoms for me? Let’s go!
JODY MARSH: That’s it, we did it. I’m at the top, listeners. Got to be at least 30 shelves beneath me. Just gonna, uh, scoot over to that window. Oh no. I thought the zoms would have all moved on by now. Janine says there are so many around Abel, but there’s still dozens of shamblers roving the streets outside. I bet the noise in the main horde is attracting stragglers for miles. There’s no way I’ll be able to get through that. I guess Janine was right. The only thing I can do is to stay inside and broadcast.
On the bright side, well, that’s about a hundred beanbags right under me, so getting down ought to be easy. I’m just gonna uh, chuck you guys down before I, you know. Anyway, I’ll uh, I’ll meet you down there. Ready? Here I come. Woohoo! Okay, [laughs] that kind of cheered me up. Landed right in the middle of the pile. Just goes to show, folks, even in the worst times, there are ways to have fun. Though uh, don’t try that one at home, eh? Stick to the Doc’s approved exercises. I think this lockdown could go on for a while, people. We’re gonna have to stay strong. On the plus side, Dr. Myers has plenty more activities to help with that.
Damn it, the power on this transmitter is fading. But don’t worry, listeners. There’s uh, there’s got to be some batteries around here to charge it with. I’ll be back soon, and in the meantime, I’ve heard a few other runners have got their hands on some broadcasting equipment, so don’t go anywhere. This is Jody Marsh saying stay safe out there, people. We’ll get through this, and we’ll get through it together, no matter how long it takes. That’s an Abel runner promise.
Codex[]
Letter[]
Hi Five!
Thanks for keeping me company on the comms earlier today! I think my leg’s starting to feel a little better, which is a relief - I don’t think “Hopper Four” really has the same ring to it as “Runner Four”, does it?
I hope you’re doing alright and taking good care of yourself while we all wait this out. I know it’s been hard not being able to see each other in person, but I’ve got to say, I’m really proud that we’re all taking this so seriously. I think I was a bit worried that we wouldn’t be able to handle being cut off from everything like this, but it’s been really lovely to see Abel rallying to support one another, even from a distance. Sort of affirming, you know?
Though gosh, it’s funny the things you miss during lockdown! Like archery practice. And our crafting groups. And okay, I know this might sound weird, but… I miss our supply runs? As terrifying as it can be, trying to outpace a dozen zoms with a backpack stuffed with tinned food and first-aid kits and (most importantly) yarn, I really do miss getting to be part of a team like that. I even miss Sam’s cooking, which… given how Marmite-heavy it can be, was a bit of a surprise to learn about myself!
I keep reminding myself that it’s not going to be like this forever, even if it feels that way sometimes. I really do appreciate you keeping me company on the comms today - I think it really helped, knowing you were out there too. I absolutely cannot wait to see you again when all of this is over, but until then, maybe we could do another one of those workout sessions over comms? Otherwise, feel free to drop me a line on ROFFLENET any time - I’ll just be over here, making my way through these mountains of Doctor Who DVDs.
All the best,
Jody
Supplies[]
The following supplies can be found in this mission.
(List may be incomplete.)
Baseball Bat
Board game
Candles
Cricket bat
Dress
Flashlight
Football
Laptop
Mobile Phone
Overcoat
Shirt
Shorts
Sports Bra
Trainers
Umbrella
Underwear
Whisky
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