Episode 23 - Opening Night

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ROSLYN: You've reached the Love and Luck Podcast.

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JASON: Hey, so I think this is the first time in history where I'm actually awake and up before you are. I hope you wake up feeling calm and peaceful. I know you were anxious about opening night tonight, but I promise, it's going to be really amazing.

I'm going to duck out and buy us some delicious breakfast, okay? So stay in bed when you get this, because I'll bring it back to you. Hopefully though, you'll still be asleep, so I can wake you up with food. And also kissing.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: [Sleepily] Mm... sorry, I woke up. But I promise to stay in bed until you get back.

I slept okay. I'm still kinda anxious but just the normal amount. Looking forward to this special breakfast delivery of yours.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Excited] Tonight's the night!!! I know I've already said that like a thousand times today but I'm really excited!!

I was going to burst into the bathroom and excitedly exclaim that in person once again, but then thought that maybe suddenly and unexpectedly appearing and shouting at my anxious boyfriend while he's in the shower wouldn't be the best idea in the world.

So you're getting a voicemail instead!! Tonight is the night!! Opening night!! Tonight's the night the rollercoaster tips over the peak and we start the awesome descent into our new business!! I'm so fucking pumped for it, babe, this is going to be awesome!!

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: [Tired] Hey... I thought I'd leave you a voicemail before I went to sleep.

Sorry I tapped out so early, I know it probably would have been better for me to stick the party out a while longer, but then again I do still have to be up at like, at least eight tomorrow morning to open up again, so... yeah. Also, to be honest? I think I reached my peak tolerance for loud partying for the night.

Tonight's gone really well so far. I'm so fucking tired though, so I'm gonna go to sleep. See you tomorrow. I hope the rest of the night goes as well as the the first part did. I love you.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Tired] Hey babe. I'm outside getting some of that fresh morning air into my lungs, and then I'm gonna head upstairs and crawl into bed with you.

It's good you decided not to try and last the whole night though, because it's only just wound down now... and it's ten to five in the morning. Some of my friends are crashing on the floor downstairs, which I figured you wouldn't mind, but if you do, just wake me up in the morning and I'll go downstairs and shoo them all out.

[Happy sigh] Man, this went even better than I expected. I thought we'd have a good night with mostly just our friends but... we had a great night, and there were so many people we hadn't met before, and all the performances were amazing, and everyone was in such high spirits...

I feel so happy and so... proud right now, you know? We did it! We opened a bar! We got everything organized, we got people interested, and now... now we're a part of the infrastructure of the community. Can you believe it? I never imagined I would be in this position. But I am, and so much of the reason why I am here is you, and I'm so incredibly happy and grateful to have you in my life.

I know that the hard work really starts now, but man... I am so ready for it. I feel like everything in my life has fallen into place. My bar, my boyfriend... everything.

I love you, I love this, and I'm so glad that we did it.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: [Happy] Hey you. Considering the time of your last voicemail, I'm glad you're still asleep right now. Some of your friends were still downstairs when I came down, but they were all awake, so thankfully I didn't have to rudely awaken anyone before getting ready to open for our first morning.

Pat stuck around and helped tidy up and get things ready for the day, too, so I feel like I've started today on easy mode. I told them they didn't have to help out, but they insisted on it. I gave them a coffee as thanks - I also sucked the hangover out of their head, although they don't know about that, obviously. They think they just held up really well, heh.

I'm really glad last night went so well, too. I'm still amazed that we've done this. I mean... I've played everything safe my whole life. The idea of taking a risk like starting a business? Absolutely a terrifying thought. But it hasn't been that bad at all with you there supporting me. I mean, sure, I've had my anxiety over it... but I have anxiety over everything, so, y'know. I've learned to mostly deal with that.

I'm a little scared but mostly really excited to see where things go from here. It's like a whole new chapter. Every page that gets turned with you gets increasingly more and more exciting and wonderful.

I love you.

[Dial Tone]

[Pickup]

KANE: Hi, you've reached Best of Luck Bar, a dry bar and cafe run by and for LGBTIQA+ people in St Kilda. Our opening hours are 9am till 3am, every day except Monday. We're not available to take your call right now, so please leave a message, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. Thank you!

[Hangup]

[Beep]

[Music]

ROSLYN: Love and Luck is written by Erin Kyan, and produced by Passer Vulpes Productions. Kane is voiced by Lee Davis-Thalbourne. Jason is voiced by Erin Kyan. Credits spoken by Roslyn Quin. Recorded by Kermie Breydon.

For more information about Love and Luck, check out our website, loveandluckpodcast.com. You can also find us on facebook as Love and Luck Podcast, and follow us on twitter, at @LoveLuckPodcast.

Episode 22 - Radio Interview

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ROSLYN: You've reached the Love and Luck Podcast.

[Music]

[Beep]

[Radio Style Music Intro]

CINDY: Hi everyone, it's Cindy here and welcome back to Hot Spot Watch, where we discuss upcoming and currently running events in Melbourne for the LGBTIQA+ community. Tonight I have two guests in the booth with me here, Jason Flint and Kane Baxter, owners of the soon to be opening Best of Luck Bar! Hi fellas!

JASON & KANE: Hi Cindy!

CINDY: So, the Best of Luck Bar is a new bar for queer people that's opening this Saturday! And you guys are in St Kilda, is that right?

KANE: Yes, that's right. We're on 35 Coursington Street, in St Kilda.

CINDY: Now, the thing that really caught my attention about the Best of Luck Bar is that it's a dry venue - you don't serve any alcohol on premises at all! Can you tell me a little bit about your decision to do that?

KANE: Well, it was a difficult decision actually, for a lot of reasons. One of them is that there is a rich history of gay bars being one of the few places where our community could safely come together, for decades. Another is that bar's that don't sell alcohol don't tend to be particularly profitable, and we've had to factor that into our business plan as well.

JASON: It was also a difficult decision because I, personally, really enjoy drinking alcohol.

Joking aside, though, there are some good reasons why we decided to avoid selling alcohol.

KANE: Right. The main thing that triggered the discussion in the first place was that liquor licensing laws are... very complicated, and very expensive. For a very small start up business, you need to be okay with closing fairly early by nightlife standards, since more extensive liquor licences cost a lot more money.

CINDY: Right, and you wanted to be open later than you'd be able to, if you served alcohol?

KANE: Right, we wanted a more flexible range of trading hours than liquor licensing would offer us.

JASON: There's also the fact that alcohol and other substance abuse has a much higher rate in the queer community than in the mainstream straight world. And we want to try and help the queer community shed or avoid self destructive or potentially damaging behaviours, rather than indulge them.

KANE: Which isn't to say that there's no place in our world for alcohol - as previously mentioned, bars and gay culture have an important link between them - just that for us, and for what we want to achieve with Best of Luck Bar, is easier done by avoiding alcohol. We still actively support all the gay bars and clubs around Melbourne and wouldn't want to see them closed or changed.

JASON: Yeah, like I said, I personally love drinking alcohol, and I've spent a lot of money drinking at clubs over the years and plan to continue to do so when I can, so believe me, we're not against alcohol in general.

KANE: No, not at all. Originally we were actually planning to run a more regular bar, partially because Jason just really wanted a reason to turn partying into a job.

JASON: I really did. It's the only career dream I've ever had.

KANE: But we both agreed that we have an opportunity here to create a place where people could naturally congregate, and where we could encourage a certain atmosphere of community and caring for each other, without the barriers that are introduced by alcohol.

We wanted to make this space as accessible and inclusive as possible. By not serving alcohol on premises, we can have people under 18 in our bar, which is good, since queer youth is often shut out of a lot of broader queer community venues as they tend to mostly be clubs and bars. It also makes us a safe place for recovering alcoholics to spend their social time, which is something that is often a genuine struggle in this country, regardless of your sexual orientation or gender.

JASON: It also lets us focus on creating a space that's interesting, and has to have more of a draw to it than alcohol, which is one of the main reasons that people go to bars in the first place.

Generally people go to bars mainly to socialize and have a good time, so we have to try and find ways to show people that we can give them that, even without the alcohol.

CINDY: Right, that's a really good point! So tell me, what sorts of things are you doing to make Best of Luck Bar interesting, without alcohol?

KANE: Well, for the more introverted of us, we have a couple of xboxes with a good library of games set up, as well as some traditional board games and things like that. We've got a little projector that we're going to set up so we can have film events, and we're hoping to be able to run some workshops and art classes and that sort of thing, too.

JASON: And for folks like me who like to be a bit louder and flashier, we've got a small but decent stage so that we can host live music and performances of other types... um, I know one of our friends is keen to start a monthly poetry night, using our venue, for example.

KANE: We're also currently looking into partnering with some sexual health organizations to arrange educational events and on site quick testing, things like that. Oh, and we're in the process of ordering some stock of some cool queer books, comics and magazines, too.

JASON: We'll also be available to hire as a venue, so, y'know, keep us in mind for your birthday parties and things like that, too!

CINDY: That all sounds amazing! I definitely know where I'm looking into for my next birthday party.

So, you don't serve alcohol, but you still call Best of Luck Bar ... well, a bar! What sorts of drinks do you serve?

KANE: We have some pretty fancy mocktail recipes that we're excited about! We also serve all the usual suspects - soft drinks, juices, milkshakes, smoothies, that sort of thing.

JASON: We'll also be doing coffee, of course, because we're not silly enough to try and run a business that involves beverages in Melbourne without knowing how to serve up a decent espresso.

KANE: Right, we definitely do coffee. And we'll have some lovely cakes, pastries and other snack foods to go along with it, too.

JASON: We also have a lot of vegan and gluten free options as well, both in food and drinks.

CINDY: Now, you mentioned trading hours being a factor in your decision to run Best of Luck Bar without alcohol - what kind of hours are you going to be open?

KANE: We're aiming for combined cafe and bar hours. We want to be available for people whenever is best for them, so our trading hours will be 9am till 3am, most days of the week. We'll be taking Mondays off, but other than that, we're open.

CINDY: Wow.

KANE: Yeah. Look, it's a long day, but the fact of the matter is - we are making this space for our community - and that space is not particularly useful to anyone if they can't access it whenever is most useful and convenient for them.

CINDY: Do you think it's going to be difficult, maintaining such long hours?

JASON: Fortunately, Kane and my natural sleep schedules overlap in such a way that we'll be able to work these hours without too much of a problem. And it's not like we need to commute far. We've just moved in together and, well, let's just say we're extremely close to the bar.

KANE: It's really nice to get to make this our life now. The chance to not only live together, but to completely direct our lives to working on a place for our community is a very special one. We're not taking this for granted - we want to make sure we do whatever we can with this opportunity.

CINDY: You've mentioned inclusivity being an important part of this bar, so I feel it's important to ask - do you have gender neutral toilets?

JASON: Yep.

KANE: Yes, we absolutely do. In fact we only have gender neutral toilets. We also have a disabled toilet, and the entrance to the bar is a flat, low angle ramp, so we are wheelchair accessible as well.

CINDY: That's something that's overlooked a lot in the community, I feel. Our disabled population are definitely kept out of a lot of queer venues.

KANE: Yeah, it's a real shame, and we are definitely not falling into the same trap. We also refuse to have strobe lights or any other kind of light that flashes quickly, so any people with epilepsy can feel assured that they are welcome in our bar, too.

CINDY: So, for people who are excited to hear about this, and who want to help make Best of Luck Bar a successful social hub for queer people, what can they do to support you?

JASON: Spend money on us!

[Everyone laughs]

JASON: No, but really, the best thing you can do is come attend our events, come catch up with your friends over coffee. Every latte drunk is another couple of dollars towards keeping things going, so don't feel like you need to like, donate sums of cash or anything. Places like this only work if people use them, so please, use us!

KANE: You can also support us by suggesting or helping to run events for us. If you've got a cool idea, or a launch, or a party, or anything that might be something cool for our community, we would love to help you make it happen. The more cool stuff we get to do, the more people will come to visit us, and hopefully we all get to make new friends and connections.

JASON: Yep! So basically, the best way to support us is to get involved with us.

CINDY: That's fantastic, and I definitely will be coming along to opening night. And that's this Saturday, am I correct?

KANE: Yep, this Saturday. Our doors open at 5pm, and it's going to be an amazing night. We have live music planned from some local queer bands, circus performers, and some amazing prizes donated to us to raffle off by our amazing community partners - including tickets to some upcoming dance parties, a beautiful steel boned corset from our fashion friends at the FF Show Way, and some books published by local queer writers.

JASON: Also, Kane's making cupcakes. You should totally come by for the cupcakes alone, if nothing else.

CINDY: Well I do have a weakness for a good cupcake!!

Unfortunately, we've run out of time, but you can check out Best of Luck Bar online, or just come along and check it out in person. Thank you so much to my wonderful guests, Kane and Jason--

KANE: Thank you.

JASON: Thanks for having us!

CINDY: And I'll be back next week with more community event news. Thanks for listening, folks!

[Music]

ROSLYN: Love and Luck is written by Erin Kyan, and produced by Passer Vulpes Productions. Kane is voiced by Lee Davis-Thalbourne. Jason is voiced by Erin Kyan. Cindy is voiced by Jai Moore. Credits spoken by Roslyn Quin. Recorded by Kermie Breydon.

For more information about Love and Luck, check out our website, loveandluckpodcast.com. You can also find us on facebook as Love and Luck Podcast, and follow us on twitter, at @LoveLuckPodcast.

Episode 21 - A Quiet Moment

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ROSLYN: You've reached the Love and Luck Podcast.

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KANE: Hey honey. So... I know that middle of the night voicemails are usually your thing, but... well, I woke up in a panic again. And I know that I could have woken you up for comfort but... I don't know. Sometimes you just need to sit with your discomfort alone, you know? I just... I needed to spend a little while being a mess. I've calmed down now, though. Still anxious, but not panicked.

I'm just... I'm really scared that we're going to fail at this. At the bar. At trying to help people. I'm... I'm not sure that I'm strong enough to make any real difference. I don't even know what I'm doing, sometimes. I mean... I research stuff, and I triple check everything, but... you're the one that seems to know how to make things happen. I just... I don't know. I tag along and I try to be helpful. Is that enough? I don't know.

I'm also scared about all this magic stuff. Like I mean... it's exciting sometimes, sure. And the times when we're like... fully connected to each other empathically or whatever is literally some of the best moments of my life. But... we don't really know what we're doing, we're just trying things out and hoping they work and trying to just... figure out our ethics and limits as we go. And that's fucking terrifying.

I wish we had some guidance, you know? I wish... I wish Mumma was still alive. If she really was a witch, she'd be able to help us. And even if she wasn't... she was such a good person and she was always so comforting and supportive of me. I really just... I felt so loved by her. She would know what to say, where to look, something, even if she didn't have the answers herself.

I just... I really... I really miss her.

[Sighs] Anyway... I have more to say but I've already talked a lot, so I'll leave you a second voicemail after this one, okay? I'm going to make myself a cup of tea, first.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: I don't know why I made chamomile tea, I actually hate it. I think I must subconsciously believe the whole ‘it makes people sleepy and calms them down' thing. I have no idea if it actually does. But... well, placebos are still helpful, even if they don't work mechanically or chemically or whatever.

Although, I still wish this particular placebo tasted better.

You know, you were right about the view from our living room being lovely at night. It's really peaceful. I don't see this hour very often, and I forgot about how... liminal it can be. I really get why it's called the witching hour. Everything feels... frozen and possible, all at the same time. Maybe that's why it's simultaneously easier to freak out and calm down in the middle of the night.

You know... talking things out in voicemails really does help. I know it's kind of one sided, but I think that's why it's easier to talk about things that make me feel scared or vulnerable. I get to say everything I want to say and I don't even have to be present for the receiving of it. And maybe that sounds cowardly but... well, I guess it is a little cowardly. But... you said you were okay with it, so... [sighs]

Not that you've ever been anything less than perfect about my feelings, mind you. I feel safer with you than I have ever felt in any other place or with any other person. But... sadly, anxiety doesn't really play by the rules of logic. Even though I know you're safe, even though I know you're kind to me, sometimes my brain just... freaks out anyway.

I'm... I'm really sorry about that. I really hope you understand that I trust you completely, and that I do feel safe with you. It's just that my brain's a jerk sometimes.

[Sighs] I should go back to bed. I love you, Jason. I love you so, so much.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey babe. If you were up so late last night I kind of wish you'd chucked a sickie today and stayed home and slept, but I know you worry about money. We'll just try to make sure you get an early night tonight.

I do kind of wish you'd woken me when you were panicking, but I get why you didn't, and that's totally fine. However you need to look after yourself is always going to be fine. I'm still going to remind you that you can wake me, though. You can always wake me, call me, email me, whatever you need to do. I'm always here for you, in whatever way you need me to be.

It's okay to be scared about all this, I think. It's probably healthy, actually. I think if there wasn't any fear at all, we'd probably be missing something, you know? It's not like I'm not scared, either; I'm terrified. I've never wanted something this much or tried this hard before, and the idea that we might fail is utterly horrifying.

But you know... then I think about you, and I feel better. And I figure, you know what? Even if we fail, whatever. At least we tried, and at least we still have each other.

I love you too. More than I've ever loved anything or anyone before.

And... I wish your Mum was here, too. I would have loved to have met her. But... if there's anything after death, then whatever or wherever she is... I know that she would be happy. Because her son is such a wonderful, kind hearted person.

She would be so proud of you.

[Hangup]

[Music]

ROSLYN: Love and Luck is written by Erin Kyan, and produced by Passer Vulpes Productions. Kane is voiced by Lee Davis-Thalbourne. Jason is voiced by Erin Kyan. Credits spoken by Roslyn Quin. Recorded by Kermie Breydon.

For more information about Love and Luck, check out our website, loveandluckpodcast.com. You can also find us on facebook as Love and Luck Podcast, and follow us on twitter, at @LoveLuckPodcast.

Episode 20 - Meeting Cindy

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ROSLYN: You've reached the Love and Luck Podcast.

[Music]

[Beep]

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JASON: Hey, so, I've got some good news! I figured I'd try and improve my skill with the luck magic stuff more, right? So I was headed to lunch with friends today, and I was kind of... throwing the intention for something lucky to happen to help us out with opening the bar on my way there or during it or something, right?

So there we all were at the pub, having lunch, and they introduced me to this new woman I haven't met before, right? So I was chatting with her about Best of Luck Bar, and she's like, super interested in the fact we're opening a queer dry bar. She thinks it's this really amazing idea, especially since alcohol abuse is kind of an issue in our community, right?

So, then, I find out that she has her own radio show! It's about cool stuff happening in queer Melbourne! And - dun dun dun - she wants to do an interview with us for her show!

So - radio exposure! There's like, apparently like, thousands of people, on average, who listen to the station she's on! This could be really, really good for us!

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Holy shit, honey! That's really good news!

I... I feel kind of weird about using magic like this though. Should we really be using magic for our own ends like that? I mean... I know we don't do mean spirited things with our magic, but... is selfishness really that much better?

I mean like... is it ethical to use our powers to improve our business? I mean... we found the bar with magic, and magic's been helpful in setting it up, I guess, so like, I know that we've already been doing it in a lot of little ways... and I mean, I guess we do practise by changing little things to be better around us in general.

That's kind of my issue though... when does it stop being just a little nudge here and there and start to become a real problem, instead?

I don't know... I just don't want to wake up one day and realize I've crossed a line somewhere, you know?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Gently] Hey... look, I get why you're worried. It's not like we have a book of rules for this stuff, or a mentor or whatever to help us along. It's good to worry about the ethics of what these weird powers mean for us. And I like that you worry about it - it shows how much you care about making sure we don't hurt anyone with any of this.

But remember our little rule of mundanity. If we could do it non magically and it would be okay, it's probably fine to do magically. I could still have made today happen by asking my friends if they had media contacts I could talk to, or something like that. Or I could have called the radio station myself, or whatever. Or we could have just met via pure circumstantial luck rather than magic luck! Those things would have still been perfectly fine - so the fact it happened this way, with some luck magic, doesn't suddenly change it to being automatically unethical.

Also, and I think this is important, especially when it comes to ethics or magic or whatever - we're not doing this for ourselves alone. I mean, yes, we're getting a lifestyle we want out of it, but so much of what we've been planning for Best of Luck Bar is to build somewhere that's a good, safe and welcoming place for people to spend their time. So... yes, we benefit from the radio exposure. But so does the Best of Luck Bar, and so does the little piece of the world we're trying to make better, you know?

Look... it's good to worry about this in general, but I think you can probably worry less about this specifically.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey... [Sighs] I mean, I guess you're right. I just... I don't want to fall into the trap of "the end justifies the means", you know? And I know that like... we're not even talking about that kind of thing in this situation. But I want to think about it now, I want to worry about it now, before it's anything like that, so that it doesn't just... pop up and surprise us, you know?

I don't know. You're right, the rule of mundanity stands up to a lot of scrutiny so far and... it seems to be guiding us pretty well. I'll try and calm down about it.

But... we can keep talking about this stuff, right? Maybe run stuff by each other as we go? I just... I want to stay vigilant, you know? I want us to check ourselves every step of the way and make sure that we're not crossing that line. I don't want to wake up a monster.

I love you. Sorry I'm such a worry wart.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Babe, are you kidding, you being a worry wart is one of the great things about you. You're always thinking like, ten steps ahead of me and figuring things out and planning for all eventualities. It's amazing. You're amazing.

And I am 100% on board with checking in with each other as we go. I promise I'll talk to you about this sort of thing before acting on it more in future, okay? We'll keep an eye out for and on each other.

I love you too, heaps. Only a week to go till opening night!

[Hangup]

[Music]

ROSLYN: Love and Luck is written by Erin Kyan, and produced by Passer Vulpes Productions. Kane is voiced by Lee Davis-Thalbourne. Jason is voiced by Erin Kyan. Credits spoken by Roslyn Quin. Recorded by Kermie Breydon.

For more information about Love and Luck, check out our website, loveandluckpodcast.com. You can also find us on facebook as Love and Luck Podcast, and follow us on twitter, at @LoveLuckPodcast.

Episode 19 - Witch Boyfriends

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ROSLYN: You've reached the Love and Luck Podcast.

[Music]

[Beep]

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[Beep]

KANE: Hey honey, I hope you managed to get back to sleep okay. I'm really sorry for waking you up at sparrow's fart with my stupid anxiety. It's been like, years since I last had a panic attack... I was kind of hoping they were gone for good, but I guess that sort of thing never 100% goes away.

[Sighs] I'm really sorry. You handled it amazingly, but I wish you hadn't had to.

I suppose on the bright side, it gave us some more practise with the whole weird emotion magic thing, though. And... it was really nice feeling you smooth out the anxiety wrinkles in my brain. It was like... even outside of the actual soothing you were doing, it made me feel more connected to you again, and it's much easier to calm down when you don't feel alone, you know?

Anyway... thank you, and I love you, and I'll talk to you later.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Kane, listen, don't apologise for having a panic attack, okay? Don't feel like you ever have to apologise to me for your anxiety. I'm fine, I don't mind dealing with it. I'm here for you, okay? If you freak out again, once, twice, or a thousand times, that's fine too, I'll be here then too.

I hope you're feeling better this afternoon. I promise we're going to make this work. Or... no, actually, it's more like this: even if we don't make it work, even if Best of Luck Bar falls to pieces and fails, we'll still be all right. Okay? We'll still be all right.

I love you and I'm gonna try and send you happy little brain sparks today to cheer you up.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey... I love you. Thank you for... well, everything. Being so good about all this.

Also, thank you for brain sparks, although you can probably dial down the intensity a bit! The first one that happened literally made me startle and the woman in the cubicle next to me asked me if I was okay! It's kind of like you're occasionally dropping pop rocks into my brain, which is... I mean, it's an interesting enough experience, and I certainly appreciate the love and tenderness that comes along with it, but I could probably do with looking a little less weird to my coworkers. Although, I guess I'm not going to be here much longer, so maybe it doesn't matter.

Having said that... my day still improved a lot after your little psychic pop rocks. It's difficult to feel bad when there's tingly reminders of your wizard boyfriend's love floating around in your head.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: See, I knew you'd be on board with operation wizard boyfriends eventually. Or is it witch boyfriends? Did we ever decide on that? Very serious linguistic decision to be made there. Can't be made too lightly.

Oh, by the way! We got some calls from a couple of gay clubs offering to give us some tickets to upcoming dance parties they're throwing, so we can raffle them off on opening night. Isn't that cool? They also said they're spreading the word a little bit to other queer orgs to see if anyone had anything cool they could donate.

It's really nice that other members of the community are supporting us, you know? Like... there's no nasty competition here. We all want to see each other succeed. That's... that's amazing, and so against everything we've always been told about business, you know?

For a long time I wasn't even sure I believed in ‘community' as such, but... I don't know, I mean, I'm definitely starting to believe in it. Everyone we've talked to, from our friends to the tradies to other business owners... everyone's just cheering us on. Cooperation without competition. I love it.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Wow, that's really awesome about the tickets! A raffle would definitely be a fun thing to have on opening night, too. I know I used to go to some events that had raffles each time, it was always a lot of fun. Raffles are great. We should put the word out that we're accepting donations for that, too, might get some good results.

As for witch boyfriends versus wizard boyfriends, does it really have to be one or the other? In a world that's increasingly more accepting of multiple genders and sexualities, are you telling me we have to choose one or the other? That doesn't sound very inclusive to me. I choose whatever the third option is. [Feeling it out] Wiil... zitch... iqueer... or, no... magiqueer? Hmm. This needs thought.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Oh my god, you massive dork, there are heaps of other terms for magic users we could use. Like... mage, sorcerer, warlock... okay that's the only other ones I can think of, off the top of my head, but that's still three more in the running.

Having said that, ‘magiqueer' is pretty adorable, you fucking nerd.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Oh, you're the one who can brainstorm magic user terms quickly off the top of your head, but I'm the nerd? Pfft. You're so much nerdier than you think you are.

I'm kind of... weirdly attached to ‘witch', the more I think about it. Maybe it's just because of the whole thing where Mumma was called that? It does make me feel a little more connected to her, I have to admit.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Operation witch boyfriends it is. Love you, witch boyfriend. See you tonight.

[Hangup]

[Music]

ROSLYN: Love and Luck is written by Erin Kyan, and produced by Passer Vulpes Productions. Kane is voiced by Lee Davis-Thalbourne. Jason is voiced by Erin Kyan. Credits spoken by Roslyn Quin. Recorded by Kermie Breydon.

For more information about Love and Luck, check out our website, loveandluckpodcast.com. You can also find us on facebook as Love and Luck Podcast, and follow us on twitter, at @LoveLuckPodcast.

Episode 18 - Setting Up

[Dial tone]

[Pickup]

ROSLYN: You've reached the Love and Luck Podcast.

[Music]

[Beep]

[Pickup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey honey, just a reminder that the tradie is coming by today for the bar's touch ups. Oh, and the sign guy will be by do some measurements as well. I'll drop by the bank during my lunch break to finish setting up the accounts. Hopefully if all goes well we'll be officially trading by the end of the week, if not sooner!

I love you, and I hope you slept well this morning.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey babe, I slept pretty okay actually. I hope I didn't bother you too much when I slithered back into bed with you in the middle of the night. You're too warm and nice to not cuddle, though.

The sign guy has come and gone, still waiting on the tradie, though.

Oh, and I have some ideas about opening night. If we're going to start strong in our first year, I really think a killer launch will make a huge difference, especially since we don't have alcohol to pull people in with, hah. I've been in touch with a few friends of friends who are in bands, and I realized that I know, like, at least three people who are really experienced in circus arts too, and it might be cool to have them come along and do something.

Still pondering details on a lot of stuff, obviously, but the wheels are definitely turning. I think a big performance night will be the best way to go, honestly. Melbourne loves its performing arts, and we sure as hell do not have a shortage of talent, even in our own social circles let alone people we don't know yet.

Oh, sounds like the tradie's here, gotta go. Love you.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey! Okay so, tradie's come and gone - he said that there's not actually much stuff that needs work, and a lot of what needs to be done is mostly cosmetic and fairly easy. He gave us a quote, and I've forwarded the email to you so you can check it out. Nice guy, incidentally.

Anyway, so, yeah, opening night! I figure we can't go wrong with live music, especially later in the night, but we might want to start on something a little easier to socialize around. That's why I thought of the circus stuff - you can easily talk and watch a juggler or ribbon acrobat at the same time, you know? Uh, not that I'm sure we could have any aerial stuff - damn, should have had the tradie check the structural stuff for that while he was here. Damn it. Oh well, I'll ask him about it when he comes back to start work.

I'm going to go shopping for bar stools today, which I should probably get onto doing, like, soon, since the day is wearing on. Love you, talk to you later!

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, I checked the email with the quote and it's pretty good, so I've called the tradie and confirmed everything with him. He'll start work tomorrow. Which, sadly, probably means a few early mornings for you if there's going to be construction noise. Hopefully it won't be too bad, though.

Your launch ideas are really good... I'm so glad you're here for this, I'd be so out of my depth trying to organize a big fun thing like an opening night event, oh my god. I'm so glad you can handle all that and I don't need to worry!

I hope you're enjoying furniture shopping! I'll see you tonight. Love you.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Shopping is all done! I got really cute stools, they're blue! I wanted to kind of avoid the dingy bar sort of look so I figure we'll go for some bright colours in the decor. Might help it feel a little bigger than it is, too, especially if we match them with some lighter neutrals. Should be able to sand back and stain up the timber in here to a nice light pine colour I think. That'd be really nice.

[Jokingly] Furniture shopping is very tiring, though. I am so very tired and so very sore. It is a very hard life, this startup party business stuff. I am definitely going to need some kind of full body massage tonight. You know, to ease the pains brought on by messing around with furniture all day.

Just because of that, I mean... no ulterior motive...

[Laughs] Okay I can't even keep that up, I do have an ulterior motive. What can I say? I'll take any excuse I can get for more touching.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: [Jokingly] Oh no! Well, furniture shopping is very strenuous. I will make sure to give you my full, therapeutic attention the moment I get home.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: So, I just woke up a few minutes ago, and at first I was really pleased because I actually went to sleep at the same time as you... until I realized that it's four o'clock in the morning and not like, some reasonable hour to be awake. [Sighs]

It was still nice to fall asleep with you, though. That doesn't happen much. I mean... it's not like, essential to our relationship or anything, I'm normally quite happy to tuck you in and then just come back and crawl in next to you later, but there is something very nice about actually going to sleep together every now and then.

Well, I'm going to do some quiet unpacking and cleaning and stuff for a while, and hopefully I'll get back to sleep in a little while. Love you.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Ugh, work fucking sucks today. Everyone's in a bad mood and all I can think about is how I can't wait to be rid of this place. I swear to god, even if we make no money at all and live on two minute noodles while running the bar, it is still going to be more fun than this god damn phone monkey wage slavery bullshit.

[Sighs] Not long to go. Only a couple more weeks till I leave. I can totally hang on a couple more weeks. Hey, when you get up, leave me a nice voicemail? I could definitely use a pick me up as the day drags on, and waking up to the one you left me last night was really nice.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey, I'm sorry you're having a shitty day. Hopefully it will get better soon, or at the very least not get any worse.

I'm really sorry you have to keep going for a couple more weeks. Like... I get it, our budget is tight as it is, so working till opening night makes sense, but... damn, I hate to see you feeling crappy, you know?

Oh, I have some good news, though! That band we were talking about last night, Lalić? I booked them for opening night. It's gonna be so good!

I'm still waiting on confirmation from a couple of other performers, but even if they all flake, I've got some other back ups in mind that are all really cool too. And I mean, I know a lot of these people, or we have mutual friends, so I trust that they're pretty decent folks all around. Regardless of who can or can't do it, the list is long enough that I'm feeling very confident that our lineup is going to be really great.

I love you, and yes, there's only a couple more weeks of call center hell to go. Soon it will be fancy drinks, happy queers, and supporting the arts every day. I love you a lot. See you when you get home.

[Hangup]

[Music]

ROSLYN: Love and Luck is written by Erin Kyan, and produced by Passer Vulpes Productions. Kane is voiced by Lee Davis-Thalbourne. Jason is voiced by Erin Kyan. Credits spoken by Roslyn Quin. Recorded by Kermie Breydon.

Lalić is a real band in Melbourne, and you can check them out on bandcamp - lalic.bandcamp.com. That's l-a-l-i-c.bandcamp.com

For more information about Love and Luck, check out our website, loveandluckpodcast.com. You can also find us on facebook as Love and Luck Podcast, and follow us on twitter, at @LoveLuckPodcast.

Episode 17 - The Best of Luck Bar

[Dial tone]

[Pickup]

ROSLYN: You've reached the Love and Luck Podcast.

[Music]

[Beep]

[Pickup]

[Beep]

JASON: It's after midnight so that means it's your birthday! Happy birthday Kane. I'm sorry that you are both working and still packing on your birthday, but at least it will all be over soon. Also, check your fridge when you wake up, because I've made arrangements for your birthday. Love you.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, thank you so much for the cake! My housemate said you dropped it off after I went to bed last night... very sneaky of you, well done. I had honestly kind of expected not to have anything birthdayish occur today, so I'm really glad that I get a cake. Wish you could come share it, but I think today's going to be busy enough for you.

Which reminds me, don't forget that the moving van will be coming by your place at around 3pm. The driver has your number if there's a problem. I wish I could come over after work to help out, but I've got my own packing to finish up.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey babe, don't worry about helping me unpack, there will be plenty of unpacking left for us to share after your stuff is here as well.

Do you want me to come over your place tomorrow to deal with the removalists there so you don't have to worry about leaving everything to your housemates? It's not like I have anything else I'd be doing tomorrow other than unpacking anyway. Plus the removalists will already know me from today and you'd get to skip the small talk entirely, which I imagine would be good for your anxiety levels.

I'm really glad you like the cake. Sorry it's not homemade, but you know I'm a disaster in the kitchen. Love you.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, I was just gonna chuck a sickie to be honest, but your idea is actually better and also means I don't lose a day's worth of pay. Thanks. I'll let my housemates know. See you tomorrow!

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Oh my god, I am so tired. Moving is exhausting. At least I get to sleep before doing this all again with your stuff. I hope you're sleeping well. Love you. Can't wait to see you tomorrow.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey honey, work is slow as fuck today and I'm bored as hell. I miss you. I hope the moving is going smoothly. I'm sorry I'm not there to help yet, but on the bright side, since I'm not there, you won't have to yell at me to leave the heavy lifting to the professionals.

I'll see you later tonight... in our new home, that we will be officially moved into by then! Oh, in case no one told you, there's cake leftovers in the fridge for you. Eat them. You deserve it.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey babe, so... I've started the unpacking and cleaning, and in the process of that was poking around the bar downstairs today. It's definitely in need of some TLC, but I think it has a lot of potential. Plus I just kind of... love it. Like, sure, it's a bit small, and it needs a thorough dusting, and there's some things that need repairing or just updating but... I don't know. It feels good. I feel like it could be really special.

I kind of... I kind of want to quit my shitty casual jobs and try to make a go of this, for real. I don't know if we can really afford that, or if I could even handle it at all, or if it would be successful, or any of that stuff. But... you've done all this research, you know the paperwork stuff inside out now, and I... for the first time in my life I feel like I want to work really hard at something for its own sake, not just coasting along working hard at shit jobs just to keep my head above water.

I... look, I don't know if we can pull this off, but... I'd really like to try. Can we talk about that when you get here tonight?

Or... well, when you get home tonight, I suppose I should say, since this is home now. Wow... that feels really good. I feel really good about all of this.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey. We will definitely talk about the bar tonight. I'm sure we can find a way to make it work, somehow.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Softly] Hi. It's just almost midnight, and you're asleep. I'm not used to the whole "going to bed before 2am" thing, so I slipped out of bed once you started snoring. Which is the best sound in the world, by the way. I know people are supposed to be annoyed by their partners snoring, but I actually find it really soothing.

I've been unpacking a little bit, but I'm taking a break. I might head back to bed soon.

The view of the street from our lounge room window is really pretty at night. Streetlights and a slow trickle of cars... every now and then a tram goes past. Enough movement to make things feel alive, but not so much that it's anything but peaceful.

Everything starts slowing down about this time of night. It doesn't get real magical until like, 4am, but even the slow march towards that hour has its own kind of special feeling. I really like being a bit of a night owl... I mean, obviously I'm usually up late for party related reasons, but... even outside of that, I like it.

[Sighs softly] You're beautiful when you sleep, you know. I mean, you're beautiful all the time, but especially when you sleep. All your tension goes away. You look... vulnerable, I guess is the word. Soft.

Oh... hey, the clock just ticked over. That means we've officially been together for one whole year.

Happy anniversary, Kane. This place and this new chapter of life with you is the best gift I could possibly receive. I'm really looking forward to making this bar more than just our home. I love you.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey you... thank you for that voicemail. I'm going to be walking on air all day. When my coworkers ask me why I'm smiling like an idiot I hope you're okay with being blamed for it.

Sorry I didn't wake you before I left this morning, but... honestly, I just can't ever bring myself to do it. I know you said it's okay if I do, but I just can't do it. You should probably get used to waking up to voicemails from me, I think. I doubt I'm going to grow out of my inability to disturb you in the morning any time soon.

Happy anniversary, Jason. I love you, and I'm looking forward to many more years with you.

[Dial Tone]

[Pick up]

JASON: Hi, this is Jason, and you've reached the Best of Luck Bar! An alcohol free social hub for queer, weird, and otherwise delightful people. We're not open yet, as we are still undergoing construction. If you need to get in touch with us for trade reasons, please leave a message. If you're a soon to be customer, then please be patient with us while we set up over the next few weeks. Check us out on social media in the meantime, and we hope to see you when we open!

[Hangup]

[Beep]

[Hangup]

[Music]

ROSLYN: Love and Luck is written by Erin Kyan, and produced by Passer Vulpes Productions. Kane is voiced by Lee Davis-Thalbourne. Jason is voiced by Erin Kyan. Credits spoken by Roslyn Quin. Recorded by Kermie Breydon.

For more information about Love and Luck, check out our website, loveandluckpodcast.com. You can also find us on facebook as Love and Luck Podcast, and follow us on twitter, at @LoveLuckPodcast.

Episode 16 - Team Dry Bar

[Dial tone]

[Pickup]

ROSLYN: You've reached the Love and Luck Podcast.

[Music]

[Beep]

[Pickup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey babe, don't forget, don't pack or move anything heavy, okay? I'll come do that for you. Don't fuck up your back any more than it already is, all right?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, are you sure you're okay with doing all my heavy packing, though? Like, I know you offered to do it, but I don't want to take advantage of you or anything. I know you've been doing the majority of the heavy lifting - literally - for this move and I just... don't hurt yourself on my account, okay? I'll figure something out.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Kane. Kane, listen to me. You have a bad back. I, on the other hand, am completely healthy and able bodied. Besides, you're the one who's been getting less sleep because he's doing all this research and paperwork and shit that's going to mean we can actually open the damn bar if we decide to do it, just because it makes his boyfriend happy. While still pulling full time hours at a call center job, by the way. So don't be stupid about this, okay? If you can overwork yourself and I'm not allowed to complain because you want to do it for me, then you can let me do your damn heavy packing.

Look... you do you, and I'll do me, and we'll work together by complementing each other, rather than trying to split things into some kind of so-called ‘objective' divide that would just make us both annoyed and sick and generally not be of much help to ourselves or anyone else, okay?

We're a team, yeah? We don't have to do the same things the same ways to make things work. We can play to our strengths and prop each other up in our weaknesses. That's how this stuff is supposed to work, right?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey... [Sighs] So, yeah... you're right. I guess I just... I worry that you're going to get frustrated or resent me or something, I don't know. Which is... I know you'll tell me before things get to that. I just... I just can't help but worry.

I'll try and get over myself. But I might need some reassurance every now and then that things are okay. Is that okay?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Babe, that's totally fine. You just let me know when you need that reassurance, okay?

Oh, and right now? For the official record? Things are totally fine, unless you insist on lifting heavy things instead of letting me do it. If that happens, things are less fine. So keep things fine, babe, yeah? Let me lift the heavy things.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: [Laughs quietly] Hey... okay. I promise I'll let you lift all the heavy things.

By the way, speaking of red tape and shit, I've been thinking. Liquor licensing laws are... an adventure. To put it mildly.

I know it's a bar, and we're going to partially run it as a bar, but... considering that a big part of our motivation for this is to have a safe and cool queer hangout where anyone, including teenagers can come by, it gets complicated, legally. And if we want to stay open into the wee hours of the morning, that makes things really expensive, as well as complicated.

Anyway... my point is... [deep breath] Do you think you could handle it, if we didn't serve alcohol in our bar? I know that sounds bizarre and silly but we could still do cool drinks and stuff, we could still maintain a pretty bar-like vibe, just... not serve anything alcoholic. Let me know what you think.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Oh my god. This is the biggest thing you've ever asked of me. This is possibly the biggest thing anyone could ever ask of me. Oh man. I need to think about this for a while, okay?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey, so... could we get some kind of live music licence thing? If we're not selling alcohol, I mean? Because if we could have like, bands and singers, or even fucking slam poetry or whatever... that might make up for not having alcohol.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: [Relieved] Oh my god honey, yes, we can have as much live music as you want and the powers that be will legally allow us to have.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Sighs] Well... if we can have lots of cool performance stuff then... I guess we can have a dry bar. I'm not super happy about it, but even I know that liquor licensing is a nightmare, and you're the one who's actually handling all these details, so... if that's the right decision, then that's the right decision.

That reminds me, though, that we should invest in a couple of like, xboxes or something. Maybe some board games, and some books and stuff too. So that the nerds like you enjoy being in our weird little dry bar as much as the party animals like me. Although the party animals like me... well, we're definitely going to need that live music happening if there's no booze, let's put it that way.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, okay, so, I love that. I mean, I know you called me a nerd but... well, first of all, you're not wrong, and second of all, that's a really good idea. We should definitely consider all the ways we can create a social space people will feel comfortable being in. The better we can diversify our entertainment options without limiting the purpose of the space too narrowly, the better.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Wow, that was some very businesslike talk going on there. [Teasing] You fucken nerd.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: [Amused, lovingly] Shut up, you love me. You love a nerd, that's even worse than being one. So there.

[Hangup]

[Music]

ROSLYN: Love and Luck is written by Erin Kyan, and produced by Passer Vulpes Productions. Kane is voiced by Lee Davis-Thalbourne. Jason is voiced by Erin Kyan. Credits spoken by Roslyn Quin. Recorded by Kermie Breydon.

For more information about Love and Luck, check out our website, loveandluckpodcast.com. You can also find us on facebook as Love and Luck Podcast, and follow us on twitter, at @LoveLuckPodcast.

Episode 15 - Isn't It Worth Trying?

[Dial tone]

[Pickup]

ROSLYN: You've reached the Love and Luck Podcast.

[Music]

[Beep]

[Pickup]

[Beep]

JASON: So, hi! I have been pretty damn effective today. I asked Pat some stuff about what they're looking for and they confessed to me that there's this guy they've been mooning over for like two years, but he's been unavailable for most of those years and he's only recently single again, and they feel like it's too soon for them to make a move, right?

Sooo... I figured hey, that's already pretty lucky, right? It wouldn't take much to just push that luck a little bit further.

So they've been texting with this guy for like an hour now, and every time their phone goes off they get this stupid blushy grin on their face. Apparently this guy just happened to make a move first, so now they don't have to worry about the whole ‘is it too soon after his breakup' thing.

So, ya know. I'm a great superhero.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: [Amused] I love that your idea of "let's use our powers for good" translates into getting your friend a boyfriend.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Well, when it comes to using our powers for good, what would you do? Or more, what will you do, I suppose is the question. It's not like you're any less brimming with potential than I am.

Not that you have to do anything, mind you. Possessing magic powers doesn't obligate you to use them. But doing good seems to matter to you, so I guess I'm curious what sorts of things are covered by that for you. For me it's as simple as helping people out if I can, even if it's just with little stuff like getting them a boyfriend.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: You know... that's a really good question.

I guess... I agree with you, actually. Helping people is kind of the first step in doing any good. So I guess I owe you an apology, because as much as it's fun to tease you about matchmaking, it's not like that didn't actually help someone. You said Pat's been smiling about it... making someone genuinely smile is a surprisingly difficult thing to do these days, especially when they're going through a rough time like Pat is. It's not really as small of a thing as I've teased you about it being. So... sorry about that.

I guess... I don't know. I want the world to be better. Everything feels kind of fucked up all the time right now, especially for minorities. I want people to be safe and happy. I don't want people to be afraid or unstable or lost, you know? I want to protect them, or help them heal, or ease their distress. I don't... I don't know if I can actually do that, but... that's what I want. I want to ease a little bit of the pain and dysfunction in the world.

That's... that's a lot of what I think about when we talk about the potential for the bar, really. Being able to have a space that can help that along. Somewhere to start.

Is that... is it all too idealistic? Is it even something I should be able to do, even if I can theoretically do it? I mean... every story I've ever heard about people meddling with magical shit hasn't exactly had a happy ending. Is it ethical to fuck around with this stuff, just to try and bring the world a little closer to what I think it should be? Because that sounds... like it could lead somewhere bad, you know?

I don't know. Maybe this is all a terrible idea. Maybe I shouldn't even be thinking about it.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Wow, babe, okay, first things first: see if you can relax a little. That last message was a spiral from curiosity to despair in what, like, a minute?

Second... the world is a terrible enough place as it is. If we fuck things up a bit while trying to help... would it really be that much worse than all the other shit that happens every day?

All that you want to do... you know, why don't you think about it from the mundane angle? Isn't it a good thing to do mundane, non magical things to try and make the world better? To try and ease people's suffering?

And if it's a good thing to try to do good things non magically - which it is, obviously - then why wouldn't it be a good thing to try and do good things magically, too?

We can do good things, Kane. We can do them together, too - we don't have to go through this alone. We can look after each other and watch over each other while we try to make a difference. And soon we'll have a little bar we can use as our base headquarters, somewhere we can gather all our goodwill and try to make great things happen.

If you want to make the world a better place, then let's do it. I'm beside you the whole way.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: You're right. The world is hard enough. There's no reason not to try and make it softer.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, I'm going to crash at my place tonight, okay? I'll see you tomorrow for the lease signing. I'm so excited!!

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Ugh, you mean I'm going to have to go another night without you? That sucks. I mean, I'll deal, but I'm definitely going to be a little bit grumpy about it.

It's kind of weird how even a day makes a difference these days. I mean... a bit over a year ago, I didn't even know who you were. These days I feel kind of bummed if I'm without you for a night, and I used to spend my whole life without you? That's so weird.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: I know what you mean... it sometimes feels like we've been together forever. It's so strange knowing that it's been hardly any time at all in the grand scheme of things.

And, well, if it helps, you only have a few more nights to spend without me. Then we get to spend every night together from then on onwards.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: A few more nights... it does help, to have that put in perspective. Soon we'll live together. I hate waiting for it, but I will.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: You know, it's weird actually, that I can't wait to live with you and I'm so excited about this? I mean, not weird in the general sense, just weird in the specific-to-me sense.

I mean... I've always been so flighty, you know? The idea of a real relationship instead of just a series of hookups punctuated by awkwardness and limbo was completely alien to me before you, really. Every time I tried to do the relationship thing, it always just fell to pieces. Not because anyone did anything wrong, or anything. It was just that nothing... stuck. I couldn't calm down, I couldn't sit still, I couldn't focus, I couldn't commit. So it just became a part of me. I just owned the whole flaky gay dude stereotype.

But you... I don't feel flighty about you, not even a little bit. I'm really looking forward to living with you. I love seeing you, I love being around you, I love getting your voicemails and grinning like an idiot while I listen to them.

I feel like I could never get sick of you. I mean... we'll get to test that theory in the coming years, I suppose, but right now... I can't even imagine what that would feel like.

Normally the whole idea of moving in with someone and being all serious about the relationship would freak me out... and I mean, it's not like it hasn't, as I'm sure you remember my painfully embarrassing voicemails.

But I was scared about the idea of this. Now that the reality is here... I'm not scared at all. [Quietly] I'm not scared at all.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: [Choked up] Hey... you made me cry a bit. In a good way.

I love you.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Lovingly] Hey... I'm sorry I made you cry. Even if it was good crying.

I love you too. I'll see you tomorrow.

[Hangup]

[Music]

ROSLYN: Love and Luck is written by Erin Kyan, and produced by Passer Vulpes Productions. Kane is voiced by Lee Davis-Thalbourne. Jason is voiced by Erin Kyan. Credits spoken by Roslyn Quin. Recorded by Kermie Breydon.

For more information about Love and Luck, check out our website, loveandluckpodcast.com. You can also find us on facebook as Love and Luck Podcast, and follow us on twitter, at @LoveLuckPodcast.

Episode 14 - Dinner With Pat

[Dial tone]

[Pickup]

ROSLYN: You've reached the Love and Luck Podcast.

[Music]

[Beep]

[Pickup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey honey, since we're signing the lease next Wednesday, do you want to come meet me after work and we'll head over to the real estate office from here? My boss is letting me out at 3pm that day for some reason, but hey, I'm not complaining.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Pleased] Heyyyy. Yeah, I know your boss is letting you out early. Or at least I was expecting it. I was the reason he did it. I'm getting pretty good at wielding these magic luck powers.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: [Amused] So... while I'm glad you're practising, we should probably try to do some good with our magic that serves more than just us at some point, I think. I still appreciate it though, so thanks.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey, you know what? You're right. Plus, we haven't really checked if we can do our weird emotional soothing thing on people other than each other yet, either.

I might feed two birds with one worm today - I'm seeing my friend Pat a bit later today for dinner, and they're going through a rough patch right now. Boyfriend troubles, family troubles, it's all a bit fucked up and they're stressed as hell. I'll see if I can help them relax a little, maybe.

Actually, while I'm thinking of them, do you want to meet them? You've met a lot of my friends but I don't think you've met Pat yet. They're cool, and kind of a homebody like you, so I imagine you'll get along pretty well. Come over to my place after work today?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, that sounds good actually. Count me in.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey honey, sorry for leaving while you're sleeping again. You're still too cute to disturb though.

Anyway, I had a lot of fun last night, and you were right, I really like Pat. We should definitely make sure to have them over for dinner again or something after we move.

Also I'm still kind of freaked out by the fact we can affect other people's emotions but they can't feel us do it in the same way that we can feel each other. Seems kind of... I don't know. Like something that could be abused very easily. I think we're going to have to be very careful with it.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey, yeah I know what you mean. This emotional magic stuff could easily be kind of dangerous. Messing around with people's emotions isn't really something that's good to do at the best of times even without magic.

Normally I'd say let's come up with some rules about it, but let's be honest, if there's one thing Hollywood has taught me, it's that coming up with rules for complex situations like magic just makes everything a lot worse.

I think if we're just careful, and look out for each other, and keep in mind that we're capable of some scary shit... I think we'll probably be okay. I mean... we're already capable of bad shit that we have to not do, just by virtue of being human, so it shouldn't be too hard to add some magic to that equation, you know?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: You know, that's a really good point. I think we should treat this stuff as if it were mundane.

Like... if someone has gone through a breakup, and you ask them if they want to be cheered up, it's okay to take physical steps to make that happen. Like, ice cream, hugs, going to the movies, that sort of thing. But you shouldn't try to cheer them up without asking, right? They might want to feel sad for a while first, and so you should be there for them during that instead, rather than try and force them to cheer up.

So I feel it's probably the same. If someone feels bad and wants to feel better, then it's okay to help them feel better magically. But it has to be something they want, we can't just... go around making people feel whatever we think they should feel.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: That's a really good way of looking at it. You're so smart. I love you.

Also, you have solidified my next action for me. I am going to continue using my powers for good today by helping Pat find a boyfriend. I mean, you heard them last night. They're lonely as hell, romantically speaking. And I, Jason the Match Maker, shall make their dreams come true!!

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Oh boy. [Sighs] Okay, but they're okay with you helping, right? I mean, we literally just went through that.

I love you. Don't be too pushy.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Jokingly] I am hurt, utterly wounded, by the implication that I could ever be pushy about anything. I am a gentle night breeze of suggestion!!

I am also a grand super hero, using my powers for good! The good of getting my friend laid! It's a very important cause!!

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: [Laughing] Behold, matchmaker man! Faster than a newspaper printed personal ad! Stronger than a Tinder swipe! Able to smooth awkward first dates with a single joke!

[Hangup]

[Music]

ROSLYN: Love and Luck is written by Erin Kyan, and produced by Passer Vulpes Productions. Kane is voiced by Lee Davis-Thalbourne. Jason is voiced by Erin Kyan. Credits spoken by Roslyn Quin. Recorded by Kermie Breydon.

For more information about Love and Luck, check out our website, loveandluckpodcast.com. You can also find us on facebook as Love and Luck Podcast, and follow us on twitter, at @LoveLuckPodcast.

Episode 13 - White Lillies

[Dial tone]

[Pickup]

ROSLYN: You've reached the Love and Luck Podcast.

[Music]

[Beep]

[Pickup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey Jason, so I've been thinking about the bar business idea. Do you think we could do it like, as a cafe during the day and as a bar at night? You know, like some of the places near my place do?

Because I've been thinking about what kind of place I'd like to run, and I think... it's important to me that it's open at different times of the day. I think that we have an opportunity here to build a sort of... safe and welcoming social hub for people like us, and that would be a dream come true for me.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Affectionately] That's so you, wanting to use this space for good things instead of just good times business. You're so wonderful.

We can totally run it day and night - that'd probably work out better for our slightly conflicting sleep schedules anyway. That's a really good idea.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: I'm really glad you like the idea. I think this could be really special if we do it, you know? My whole life I've always just... desperately needed those places, places where people feel welcome, where you can just hang out, or you can go if you need some space, or some distraction or whatever.

I've just... I've always wanted to build more spaces like that. And I was really scared about the possibilities of this bar but then I realized... this is a chance to do it. I don't have to just desperately seek those places outside myself, if we do this. I can wrap one around me.

Thank you. None of this would even be a possibility to ponder without you.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, just a heads up, I'm going to practise some of the non-emotional magic stuff today. I'm going to try and get someone to give you a bunch of flowers, okay? Let me know if it works!

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Laughing] Oh my god, babe. So... it worked! In the weirdest fucking way possible!

You know those dickhead squeegee guys at intersections? And you know how lately the Nepean Highway intersection has had jugglers and shit instead of the squeegee guys? Okay, so! I was crossing the road there, and instead of even just normal jugglers, there were fucking clowns there today. Fucking clowns!! And one of the fucking clowns did that magic trick where they pulled a bouquet of flowers out of their sleeve, right? And guess who was nearest to the clown when they did that, and was thus offered the bouquet of flowers?

Why yes, it was me! [Laughing] You not only magicked me some flowers, you magicked me some fucking clown illusion flowers. Unbelieveable. Good job.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Oh my god. Okay. So... that wasn't what I was aiming for. Although, I have to admit, I didn't exactly consider in depth what I was aiming for other than just "someone gives Jason flowers".

I think I'm getting the hang of it though - and I think you're right, luck seems to be the thing that makes it work. I tried a few other ways of thinking about it over the day, but when I started thinking about "wouldn't it be lucky if someone gave Jason flowers", I felt this like... tug, I guess? Like there was something there that could be... pulled.

So I sort of pushed and pulled at the luck, or at least that's what I felt like I was doing, and it felt like I was throwing the intention to push and pull at it? Rather than just thinking it, or picturing it like you'd normally picture something happening. It had that same weird outside feeling that I've felt every other time I've managed to get something like this to work. Like there was always a kind of... traction whenever I was pulling out your hangovers or whatever.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey, yeah!! I know what you mean! Both the throwing it feeling and the pulling. That's how I feel when it works too! I guess that's like, what "spell casting" feels like or whatever? Although they're not really spells I guess, since we don't, like, say or do anything really, there's no ritual or whatever. I don't know what we'd call it. I guess just sticking with the generic term "magic" seems to do the job at the moment, at least.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: You know... while we've been playing around with all this, I've been thinking a bit about my mother. When I was a kid everyone used to say that Mumma was a witch. I thought it was just a silly mean thing kids say, you know? I never thought it was real or anything like that.

But now... I'm reconsidering that. What if she was? What if that's what I am? What if that's what all of this is - witchcraft? Maybe there's a genetic factor to this ability, or something?

Although, can men even be witches? Can witch be a gender neutral term? I have no idea. But it's easier to worry about linguistics than existentialism. [Sighs]

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: KANE. Your Mum is a witch?? Call her and get her advice on this stuff! We've been floundering around cluelessly, and maybe we don't have to be! I can't believe you didn't think to mention this earlier!

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, Jason... listen, I... I can't call Mumma for advice. She died a few years ago.

This... feels kind of weird to tell you in a voicemail instead of in person, but at the same time it's... it's also easier this way. I still struggle with it sometimes, to be honest and... voicemail is easier. Less confrontational. More distance. For me, I mean. It's... hard to accept that she's gone, sometimes, even now. So saying it into a phone instead of in front of you... it makes it a little easier.

I know that probably sounds weird, sorry. I know I'm normally good at talking things out and everything but sometimes... sometimes it's hard. And anything that makes that easier is... useful. Sorry.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Oh shit, babe, I'm sorry. I love you. And don't apologise, okay? I'm glad the voicemail made it easier to tell me.

You can always use voicemails to tell me stuff you find difficult face to face, okay? I'll never be mad about it. I always listen to voicemails from you anyway, with my full attention, so it's a totally fine way to tell me stuff like this if you need to, okay?

I love you. I'll see you tonight.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey... thank you. Thank you for understanding, and for being so good about it.

And Jason?

... She would have loved you.

[Hangup]

[Music]

ROSLYN: Love and Luck is written by Erin Kyan, and produced by Passer Vulpes Productions. Kane is voiced by Lee Davis-Thalbourne. Jason is voiced by Erin Kyan. Credits spoken by Roslyn Quin. Recorded by Kermie Breydon.

For more information about Love and Luck, check out our website, loveandluckpodcast.com. You can also find us on facebook as Love and Luck Podcast, and follow us on twitter, at @LoveLuckPodcast.

Episode 12 - Forever??

[Dial tone]

[Pickup]

ROSLYN: You've reached the Love and Luck Podcast.

[Music]

[Beep]

[Pickup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, sorry again for leaving without waking you, but you're so cute when you sleep, I can never bear the thought of it. Love you.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: It does kind of make me sad when I wake up and you're not here - but on the other hand, whenever that happens, I roll over and look at my phone and you've always left me a voicemail, and that 100% makes up for it.

Also, I can then starfish on the bed and mess up the blankets without actually being a nuisance to you, so that's good too.

I'm pretty sure at this point we're the last people on earth using voicemails instead of just texting like normal people, but I don't care. I love it, and I love you, and I hope we keep doing this cheesy bullshit forever.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Anxious] Hey, uh, I mean, I don't mean like... forever forever. I just mean, like, a long time. I mean, unless you like the idea of forever, but that's... I mean, that's not what I meant, but if you want that then... you know, it's just, forever can mean a lot of things, and like, I didn't necessarily mean all of the things forever can mean when I said it, you know? Yeah.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Freaking out] I mean, I'm not saying that I definitely don't want to be with you forever! I mean, I love being with you and I don't want this to end anytime soon! Or, uh, ever, I guess? But like, it's just that forever is a really long time, and I mean, I don't want either of us to feel pressured by that, you know?

And I mean, am I even able to promise forever? Is that even possible? I mean... shit happens, life happens, and I don't want to break a promise like that to you, you know? I love you way too much to break a promise that's that important, but life doesn't always play out the way we intend, and... so... I'm just not sure I could even make that promise, considering that I don't know if I could keep it? You know?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Still freaked out] I mean, that's even assuming that you're even okay with that kind of promise in the first place, which is a whole other discussion, which we haven't even had. And I don't want to make assumptions about how you feel, you know? I just... you know, it's a really big thing, and I don't want to take it lightly, and so I don't want you to think that... I mean... I mean I know I just kind of said it lightly in the first place and that's what started me on all this but it's just... it's such a complicated and serious thing... and I probably shouldn't have done that... I don't know.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Calmly] Hey, so, listen. These magic powers we have? Could you use yours to make the ground swallow me whole so that I don't have to live with knowing I left you those ridiculously freaked out voicemails? Thanks.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: [Stifling laughter] Hey, I love you too. Don't feel bad about the voicemails. They're cute, in a weird kind of way.

And we can keep doing this for as long as it makes us both happy, I think. If that's forever, then, great! If it's only a few years, then at least they'll be a wonderful few years.

And if it's only a week or so, well, that's awkward since we just decided to move in together, but that's totally okay too. Let's aim a little closer to forever than a week though, yeah? I've already given notice to my housemates and started packing boxes, so it'd be super annoying to have to cancel that.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Well, for the sake of convenience, it's pretty clear that we're going to have to stay together. You know, so we don't bother your housemates unnecessarily.

[Seriously] Seriously though, uh... thank you. I'm sorry for freaking out. I love you, and I'll try and contain my freakouts a little better in future.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, don't worry too hard about containing it. Dealing with each other's freakouts is a pretty big part of this whole relationship thing, so I hear. I love you.

[Hangup]

[Music]

ROSLYN: Love and Luck is written by Erin Kyan, and produced by Passer Vulpes Productions. Kane is voiced by Lee Davis-Thalbourne. Jason is voiced by Erin Kyan. Credits spoken by Roslyn Quin. Recorded by Kermie Breydon.

For more information about Love and Luck, check out our website, loveandluckpodcast.com. You can also find us on facebook as Love and Luck Podcast, and follow us on twitter, at @LoveLuckPodcast.

Episode 11 - A Lucky Find

[Dial tone]

[Pickup]

ROSLYN: You've reached the Love and Luck Podcast.

[Music]

[Beep]

[Pickup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey honey, it's me. I'm sorry we didn't find any good places this weekend. You're absolutely right though, that we shouldn't settle for something that doesn't feel right. I'll keep my eye on the real estate websites this week and hopefully we'll find something more suitable next weekend.

Hope you have a good day today. Love you.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: [Excited] Oh, my god, Jason. I just saw the world's fluffiest dog. Like... remember the last time I left you a message about a dog that was super fluffy? This one is like, three times the volume. I want to steal it!! It's so cute!! Why am I not cuddling a super fluffy dog right this minute!!

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Tsks] For all your talk of karma, you want to steal fluffy dogs. [Laughs]

You're so cute. Please tell me about every dog you love.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: I literally cannot tell you about every dog I love, because voicemail messages have a limit of 180 seconds, and voicemail inboxes have a limit of 999 seconds, and yes, I absolutely did google those numbers. I would fill up your entire voicemail inbox just with me talking about dogs I love.

[Keening noise] Okay, so, having said that though, a person just went past walking their bulldog, and it's so cute and fat and wrinkly, and I want one.

Oh my god, Jason, the Royal Melbourne Show has a dog show, right? Can we go, next time it comes around? I want to see every dog.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Amused] We will see every dog you want to see, babe, I promise.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey, so... you know how when I drunk dial you, I tend to eventually end up talking about how we should run a bar? Is that... something you'd be interested in discussing?

I ask because... okay, so, you know how we've been experimenting with this magic thing, trying to figure out what we can and can't do and that sort of thing? I was thinking, aside from the emotional stuff, there seems to be this huge component of luck in all this, right? Like... we seem to be able to affect luck.

So I was like, okay, I'm going to try and make myself extra lucky as I walk to the shops today. And I thought, well, one area we could use some luck in right now is house hunting, right? So I was trying to... I don't know. I didn't have much of a plan. Just trying to... make myself lucky. Try and stumble across something good, you know?

And well... I did. I tripped and fell on my arse, right outside this older building that I've never really noticed before. It's this like, dingy little terrace bar with a residence upstairs. It's really small... the capacity is probably only like fifty people.

But, here's the thing - it has a ‘for lease' sign in the window. The contact number is this little indie real estate agent nearby. So I figured fuck it, and I gave them a quick call to ask about the place, and... the whole building is actually within our budget. Basically because it's a bit run down.

So... obviously this is kind of a big decision and we'll need to talk about it and think about it and all that shit but... what do you think? Wanna follow the advice of drunk Jason and open a bar together?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, so... wow. That's a lot to think about.

I have to say though... I'd really love to stop being a phone monkey. Let's talk about it tonight. I'll come over to your place with pizza, okay?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, sorry I didn't wake you before I left, but you were so cute and sleepy, I couldn't bring myself to disturb you. I'll be on the phones all day, so can you call the real estate agent again about the bar? Thanks honey.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey, so, I called the agent, and we can inspect the place on Saturday if we're keen, which I said yes to since I figure there's no harm in checking it out. Also, apparently there hasn't been much interest in the place - the agent's not sure why, since there's not much particularly wrong with it, it's just a bit cramped and dirty, but on the bright side that means we're in with a good chance if we like it and want to apply for it.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: [Amused] I can't help but feel that your magic luck had a hand in there not being much interest outside us. Even if you didn't mean for that to happen, heh.

[Serious and anxious] I'm actually really nervous about this. I mean... I know we're just considering it, we haven't actively decided anything for certain yet, but... could we really do it? Could we really run a business? I mean... I know people do it all the time, like, especially small businesses, but... I don't know. I guess I'm just intimidated by the idea.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey, babe, listen. I don't want to push you into this, okay? If you don't want to do it, we won't do it, simple as that. But as for whether we're able to do it? I think we are. Like, yeah, sure, we're going to have to learn a lot of new things, but I think we're up for it. I'm good with people and entertaining, and you're good with organization and planning, and I think between us we'd make a really good team for something like this.

Also worth remembering? We don't have to open business right away. There's nothing in the lease that says we have to operate the bar. We can just live there if we want to, and not think about running a business at all. We don't have to rush into anything.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey... you're right, and I feel a lot better about it all now, actually. There's no rush on the business side of it... just the lease side of it. And... I like the sound of living above a bar, even if we don't open it right away, or ever. We'd be able to throw some really excellent house parties. So... yeah, you're right, we can just see if we like the place and take it one step at a time from there.

Thanks. I'm sorry I get so anxious over this stuff so easily. Change is kinda scary. But I always feel better about it when you help me through it.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Don't apologise for being anxious, babe. At least one of us has to worry about things, and fuck knows I never do. You're good at keeping me grounded. I can get a bit airheaded about this stuff sometimes. We balance each other out pretty well, I think. I love you, and I'll see you tonight.

[Hangup]

[Music]

ROSLYN: Love and Luck is written by Erin Kyan, and produced by Passer Vulpes Productions. Kane is voiced by Lee Davis-Thalbourne. Jason is voiced by Erin Kyan. Credits spoken by Roslyn Quin. Recorded by Kermie Breydon.

For more information about Love and Luck, check out our website, loveandluckpodcast.com. You can also find us on facebook as Love and Luck Podcast, and follow us on twitter, at @LoveLuckPodcast.

Episode 10 - Ethics 101

[Dial tone]

[Pickup]

ROSLYN: You've reached the Love and Luck Podcast.

[Music]

[Beep]

[Pickup]

[Beep]

JASON: Morning babe - or, well, actually, it's afternoon now, but I just woke up, so it counts as morning to me. There's like, at least an hour or so after waking up that counts as morning no matter what time of day it is, in my opinion.

You've successfully hoovered my hangover again, so thank you for that.

And... I know what you mean, about it not being scary to feel each other like that. I mean, I'm not scared of these weird arse powers anyway, I think they're cool as hell - but feeling super connected to you doesn't feel like any kind of particularly unusual magic. Like you said... it just feels natural.

It makes me wonder sometimes if there's really magic in those moments or if we're just... feeling really intimate, you know? But... I've never felt anything like it before, and the way my brain feels in those moments feels kind of like how my brain feels when we do... whatever it is that we do. But then again, I've never had a boyfriend I felt as comfortable with as you before, so... maybe I'm just misunderstanding something about basic intimacy because of my previously shitty taste in men.

Well, anyway... I'm really glad we have this magic stuff, real or not. I'm really glad we have each other.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, yeah... I don't think that it's not magic when we feel connected like that. I mean... I've never felt anything like it before either. And I definitely have felt really close to people, or really connected to people before. But not in the really tangible way that I do with you. When we're together like that, it's... it's so different from any other kind of intimacy I've ever felt. Like you said... it feels different in the brain. My skin feels different, too. I feel like the line between us blurs a bit. Not enough to merge or anything... also, heaven forbid, do not let us become that couple that turns into clones of each other.

But yeah, it's definitely different. Not like normal intimacy.

I don't know. I'm still kind of thrown by all this... even just the possibility of all this, let alone the reality of it. I worry that we might hurt each other or someone else accidentally by playing around with all this. But it's not like anyone's gotten hurt by anything we've done so far, and certainly no one gets hurt when we soothe each other - quite the opposite. So maybe... maybe it's okay, whatever it is. I don't know.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey. It's really nice that you worry about us hurting people with this stuff, but like you said, nothing bad has happened so far. It's not like we're trying to make people spill coffee on themselves or something. Supermarket dickheads and their soft drinks notwithstanding.

I think we should try and use it more. Experiment with it. Practise. Try and learn a bit about what exactly we can affect and what our limits are, that kind of thing. Knowledge never hurt anyone, right?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: [Amused] I'm pretty sure the Garden of Eden story has opinions about whether knowledge hurts people, but... [Sighs] I mean, I guess you're right. Your point is valid.

I don't know. I just worry that there's going to be some kind of massive karmic payoff for all this, you know? Isn't that a thing in magic?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Babe, if you're worried about karma, I think "doing nice things for people" probably covers you from that angle.

I don't know, I mean, if you're that worried about it maybe we should ask someone, or google this shit or something.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: I've already been googling, ever since this first started happening. Didn't find much, just a lot of new age sites about ‘manifesting desire' and stuff like that.

Which... I don't know, this doesn't really feel like that. I mean, I say that as if I have any idea what ‘manifesting' feels like at all, which I clearly don't, but... at the same time, I also feel pretty sure that whatever this is, it's not ‘manifesting'.

Manifesting sort of conjures up associations of making something out of nothing, you know? Which... I really don't think we're doing that. We seem to be affecting probability more than anything else. [Sighs] I don't know. I really do wish we could ask someone about this.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Oh, before I forget - I've lined up some apartments for us to look at tomorrow. Come stay at my place tonight so we can get up and head out first thing, yeah?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hell yeah, I'm pretty excited to go house hunting with you. See you tonight babe. Love you.

[Hangup]

[Music]

ROSLYN: Love and Luck is written by Erin Kyan, and produced by Passer Vulpes Productions. Kane is voiced by Lee Davis-Thalbourne. Jason is voiced by Erin Kyan. Credits spoken by Roslyn Quin. Recorded by Kermie Breydon.

For more information about Love and Luck, check out our website, loveandluckpodcast.com. You can also find us on facebook as Love and Luck Podcast, and follow us on twitter, at @LoveLuckPodcast.

Episode 9 - Cute Dogs and Drunk Voicemails

[Dial tone]

[Pickup]

ROSLYN: You've reached the Love and Luck Podcast.

[Music]

[Beep]

[Pickup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey Kane, it's me. So... unfortunately, my housemates weren't any more enthusiastic to the idea of you moving in here than yours were about me moving in there. [Sighs] So I guess we're going to have to either find another sharehouse or our own place.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: So... thoughts? I guess finding a new sharehouse would be the sensible thing to do, but to be honest I do really like the idea of getting our own place. I know we don't exactly make a lot of money between us but... it's worth at least checking out the market and seeing what our options are like, yeah?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey! I'm so with you, I'd totally love to get our own place if we can manage it. Let's go real estate hunting this weekend! ... Which is a sentence I never thought I would say, let alone be excited about, but hey, we live and learn new things about ourselves all the time.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE:[Excited like imploding] Oh my god, I just saw the cutest dog, and I just had to tell you. It was like, I don't know, some kind of pomeranian thing I think, it was SO FLUFFY. Like, the fluffiest dog I have ever seen. It was amazing!!

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Amused] That was the cutest voicemail I think I've ever received. Thank you for telling me about the cute dog you saw.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Oh hey babe, my friend Jack is having birthday drinks tonight, you want to come along?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, nah, I think I'll stay in tonight. You go and have a good time though. Have a shot of tequila for me, yeah? We'll catch up on Saturday when we go look at apartments.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Drunk] BAAAAAAABE. I'm sorry for calling at like, 1AM, but like, you'll be asleep anyway with your phone on silent, and even if you wake up, you'll see it's me and let it go to voicemail anyway. Which I genuinely love, by the way. I can't believe we're still doing this voicemail thing and that it's just, like, become part of our routines now? We're so fucking weird, I fucking love it.

Anyway... I'm calling because I just needed to tell you that... I just love you so much. Like, today? When you left me a message to tell me about a cute dog you saw? That was like, so fucking cute. Like, my heart damn near fucking exploded. I love you so much, and I can't wait to live with you.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Drunk] Oh my god. Oh my god, Kane, I was just thinking, right? You know how last time I drunk dialled you I said we should open a bar together? We should totally open a bar together. I've been talking shop with the guy who owns this one I've been drinking in, and, like, holy shit dude, it's like, my lifestyle. Only it's a goddamn job. That's so fucking cool.

We could quit our shitty jobs and run a BAR, Kane. A BAR. We could be our own bosses! And we could get you a cute fluffy fucking dog, too, if you wanted. Can a bar have a resident dog like second hand bookstores have resident cats? I don't fucking see why not. We can get a bar dog. We'll call it, like... Whisky, or something, so it's, like, thematic. [Laughs] Whisky the bar dog.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Tired and drunk] Hey... I just got home, and I just wanted to say... I love you. I mean, I know I've already told you that tonight, but like... it's important, okay? It's really, really important.

[Softly] I love you, and I'm thinking about you. Thinking about being in bed with you. Not, like, in a sexual way... [chuckles] Well, not only in a sexual way. I just... I love being near you. You're warm and soft and furry... your breathing is such a good sound, and your skin is so good to touch. I love the way I can curl up against your back and even if you're asleep, you automatically sort of shuffle back against me. I can't wait to live with you and sleep like that with you every night. [Mumbles] I love you.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Good morning honey, I hope you're sleeping well.

You know... I actually woke up in the wee hours last night, because I thought you were in bed with me. It was... it was really nice. I felt you against my back, or at least, I thought I did. Then this morning, when I heard your voicemail... I wonder, do you think our weird... empathy magic... stuff did something? I really... I really thought you were here, when I was half asleep... like I think I thought to myself something like "oh, one of my housemates must have let him in... that's nice". I was actually kind of surprised when I woke up and you weren't here.

I think... I think that whatever this is, I think that we're really strongly connected by it, or to it, or something. But you know... it's not scary at all when it's like this. When it's feeling you with me, or feeling close to you... it's just right somehow. Natural. Like it's supposed to be like this.

I like that.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Oh, hey, I'll try and get rid of your hangover again, okay? Sweet dreams.

[Hangup]

[Music]

ROSLYN: Love and Luck is written by Erin Kyan, and produced by Passer Vulpes Productions. Kane is voiced by Lee Davis-Thalbourne. Jason is voiced by Erin Kyan. Credits spoken by Roslyn Quin. Recorded by Kermie Breydon.

For more information about Love and Luck, check out our website, loveandluckpodcast.com. You can also find us on facebook as Love and Luck Podcast, and follow us on twitter, at @LoveLuckPodcast.

Episode 8 - Should We Move In Together?

[Dial tone]

[Pickup]

ROSLYN: You've reached the Love and Luck Podcast.

[Music]

[Beep]

[Pickup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey, so I hate this thing where you have to go to work in the morning. I hate waking up and not having you next to me, it seriously sucks. I miss you. I hope you have a good day at work today.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, I hate leaving you in the morning, too. It definitely sucks. I miss you too.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Clearly the solution to this problem is that I kidnap you and store you under my bed. Or maybe I could hide under your bed. Hmmm. Must start planning this evil scheme. Operation: don't be too far away from boyfriend because it makes us sad. Good name, I think.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: [Amused] I think you need to come up with shorter names for your evil schemes. Also, I mean... if we're both sad to part ways when we do, we could always talk about moving in together. Just a thought.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Uncomfortable] Hey. Um. Yeah. I mean, we could talk about moving in together. I mean, unless you're joking, in which case, like, [forced chuckle] you know, g-good one, you got me.

But I mean... uh, it's a really big step? But I mean, we can talk about it. Talking about it isn't doing it. It's just... talking about it. Yeah. Yeah.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: [Amused] Hey, don't freak out, okay? It was just an idea. We don't even have to talk about it if it makes you uncomfortable. Don't worry about it.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Anxious] Hey, it's me.

I just wanted to say... I mean - I do want to talk about it? I mean, if you want to talk about it. If you don't want to talk about it then... we can just not talk about it. I mean, we don't have to talk about it, you know? We can just... keep on... going... doing whatever... I mean... we haven't even been together very long, you know? So we don't have to talk about it... but we can! [Quietly] Fuck.

Argh, I don't know. I'm all... mixed up and freaked out. Ugh.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey, it's me again. Look, I just, uh, wanted to apologise for that last voicemail. I think it made me sound like I definitely don't want to talk about moving in together, and that's... that's not the case. Like... I am definitely freaking out, but... like... we can definitely talk about it.

[Sigh] The more I think about it, the more I think... I think maybe it would be weird, now, if we didn't talk about it? Just because it's... well, it's come up now, so we should talk about it. There's no pressure though, right? It's just talking.

I... I really do love you, though. And I love being with you. And I really do hate it when we have to go back to our own houses. And look it's... it's just kind of a big deal to me, the idea of moving in together. I've never lived with a partner before, and it's just... it's a big deal to me. Yeah.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey honey, don't freak out too much okay? We'll just talk about it tonight. No big decisions, just talking. It'll be okay, I promise. I love you.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey... thanks. I'll see you tonight. Love you.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey babe, hope you have a good day at work today. Also... I know last night we said we'd hold off on actual decisions about moving in together for a little while but... I've been thinking about it on the way home. Not just the idea itself, but also how we talked about it last night, and how I felt while we discussed it.

Like... I've always loved my independence, you know? Well, I mean, of course you know, you were there for my freakout yesterday. But that's just it... you were there for it, and I didn't feel like you were upset with me at any point, or disappointed, or anything like that. You were just... there. I was so scared and you were just gentle with me. I didn't want to leave, or hide, or argue, or anything like that, which normally are my go to moves when it comes to emotionally heavy conversations.

I... I really do hate it when we have to sleep in separate houses, and I hate it that we can't assume we'll be eating dinner together without confirming it first, and I hate that I have to pack a backpack to spend the night with you instead of just... putting things away and going to bed.

If... if you'd like to, or if you feel up to it? I'd like to talk about moving in together again. But not just a "feeling out how we feel about the idea" talk. A real one. Maybe even a planning one?

I'd... I'd like to move in with you. I'm still scared about it, but... I feel safe with you. And maybe we're moving too fast or whatever, but, I really don't care, and it's not like I've shied away from being a queer stereotype in literally any other part of my personality, so... yeah.

I love being with you, and... I want to live with you.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: [Gleeful] Oh my god, Jason, I'm so excited. I've had a stupid grin on my face ever since I got your voicemail. I'm just... I'm really happy. I love you and I would love to live with you. Let's definitely start talking about it seriously. I can't wait.

[Hangup]

[Music]

ROSLYN: Love and Luck is written by Erin Kyan, and produced by Passer Vulpes Productions. Kane is voiced by Lee Davis-Thalbourne. Jason is voiced by Erin Kyan. Credits spoken by Roslyn Quin. Recorded by Kermie Breydon.

For more information about Love and Luck, check out our website, loveandluckpodcast.com. You can also find us on facebook as Love and Luck Podcast, and follow us on twitter, at @LoveLuckPodcast.

Episode 7 - Bond. Magic Bond.

[Dial Tone]

[Pickup]

ROSLYN: You've reached the Love and Luck Podcast.

[Music]

[Beep]

[Pickup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey Kane... so, I know you think I'm being silly about the whole magic thing, but... last night, when we were together and joking about trying to feel each other's feelings...and then we went quiet for a bit? And I think we were both trying it out. I mean... I was definitely trying it out, and I think you were...

And I... I felt something. I did. Something foreign, but still close, like when I felt the loneliness that time. And I think you felt something too. I know we didn't talk about it at the time, and I'm not sure why... maybe it's just too strange and scary to think about so lightly, I don't know. But I regret not talking about it, because it's all I can think about today.

I think... I feel like we managed to really feel each other, or sense each other's feelings, or... I don't know. I don't know how to describe it. And I don't know if it's like... tantra, or just psychology or whatever but... I think it's real, whatever it is. Even if it's just wishful thinking... I still think it's real.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey. [Sighs] I don't... I don't know what happened. You're right though, I mean... whatever it is, it definitely did happen. I didn't say anything at the time because... I was scared. I mean... what does it mean, you know? What is it? Are we having some kind of reality break, or is it just... empathy with a side of romanticism?

[Sighs] I don't know. Maybe it is just wishful thinking. Maybe we're just making shit up. [Quietly] I don't know.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey... look, maybe it is nothing. Maybe we're just high on NRE like a couple of teenagers or something. But... isn't it worth exploring a little bit? I mean... it's not like we're hurt by it, and we're not hurting anyone else by it. And it's really cool.

Like... let's try and affect something else today. Like... change something, like you and the hangover, or feel something, like this weird super empathy we seem to have with each other.

Let's just try it out, you know? I mean, what's the worst that could happen? We feel kind of stupid? I feel kind of stupid every day of my life, I'm pretty sure I can handle that.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: [Sighs] Okay big shot, let's at least try and make it fun. See if you can convince my boss to play darts with Jane, one of my coworkers. As far as I know, neither of them have any interest in darts, and I don't think you know anything about either of them, so that should be a pretty clear sign that something magicky is up if it happens.

And hey... putting aside for a moment whatever this magic nonsense is, and whether it's real or not...

I love you. Feeling so connected to you last night was really special, regardless of whatever caused it. I feel really safe with you.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey... I love you too.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey, Kane? [Pleased] Okay, so you might not believe this. This guy at the supermarket was being a grade A arsehole and I was pissed as hell at him, and I saw him carrying this bottle of coke and I was just like, "damn, I hope your stupid soft drink explodes all over you" and then it did.

Dickhead was drenched in coke. It was hilarious. Like, oh my god, never has a coke exploded on a more worthy arsehole.

Now I mean, it could have been a coincidence, like I'm sure you're thinking, but like... I don't know, man, we're just stacking up a lot of coincidences this last while, you know what I mean?

Anyway, I am feeling pretty fucking confident right now, so I am definitely going to make your work people play darts now. Let me know if it works, okay?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, it's me... so, uh... Kevin and Jane are playing darts. Right now. Really badly, too, I might add. I don't they've actually hit the target. At all.

But... they are playing darts. They mysteriously found a darts set in the break room behind the couch which is... unlikely, to say the least. Just as unlikely as them deciding to use it.

This is... very weird. And I am definitely at the point where I need to consider that this isn't just a bunch of coincidences any more.

What did you do?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hell! Yes! Magic powers!! This is awesome! I can't believe that worked. Amazing.

As for what I did... it's interesting you used the word unlikely, actually, because I was trying to figure out how the hell I could make people I don't know do something they don't do somewhere that I'm not, right? So I thought, well... what if I could just make it more likely that that stuff would happen?

So when I was thinking about it, I was picturing like... I don't even know how to explain it. Like... okay, it was kind of like imagining statistics? But not in like, a logical way, or with real numbers or anything like that. In an emotional way, with like... vague ideas of possibility instead of numbers. Like it was definitely about how I felt. There was no actual statistics, right?

Then I was like... kind of pushing the emotional statistics around, I guess? Like... trying to make it so that instead of "no chance they would play darts" it became "definite chance of playing darts". I don't know if that makes any sense.

Well... anyway, it worked, so that's pretty fucking cool!!

Okay, so, it's your turn now, okay? Um... Hmm, I'm not sure. Oh, I know! See if you can get my Dad to give me a phone call. He hasn't spoken to me since I came out to him like six years ago. So if he calls me, that's definitely not a coincidence, that is a goddamn miracle.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: HOLY. SHIT. KANE.

My dad called me. He actually called me! And when I asked him why he called, he said that he didn't really know, nothing had changed between us, but that he just felt this powerful urge to call me.

Holy. Fucking. Shit. You did it! This shit is definitely real, it has to be!

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, so... I really was not expecting that to work, and this is all really kind of freaking me out. Can you come over to my place tonight? I'm just... yeah, I'm... I'm really freaking out about this.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Gently] Hey, sure thing babe, I'll come over tonight.

Also, if this makes you feel any better... it was actually really good to hear from my Dad. I mean, we didn't talk long, but we also didn't yell at each other or curse each other's name or anything. We just talked about the weather and checked that the other one wasn't in hospital dying of something. That's the most positive experience I've had with my Dad in nearly a decade.

So... I know you're freaked out. But... whatever this weird power is that we've got? You used it for something really good today, even if it was just because your dickhead boyfriend was egging you on. So... thanks. I love you.

[Hangup]

[Music]

Love and Luck is written by Erin Kyan, and produced by Passer Vulpes Productions. Kane is voiced by Lee Davis-Thalbourne. Jason is voiced by Erin Kyan. Credits spoken by Roslyn Quin. Recorded by Kermie Breydon.

For more information about Love and Luck, check out our website, loveandluckpodcast.com. You can also find us on facebook as Love and Luck Podcast, and follow us on twitter, at @LoveLuckPodcast.

Episode 6 - Second Magic

[Dial Tone]

[Pickup]

ROSLYN: You've reached the Love and Luck Podcast.

[Music]

[Beep]

[Pickup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey Jason, so remember when you had that hangover that you think I scooped out of your brain? So... this is weird, but today a guy at work had a migraine. He didn't really want to go home because he needs the money, but he was looking rough. A lot of us were worried about him.

And I was thinking about your hangover, and then mostly to amuse myself, I took a quiet minute when I was on break and I thought about pulling the migraine out of him.

And I know this sounds weird, but it was... sticky. Like when I visualized vacuuming your hangover out it was an easy thought, like sucking something through a straw. But when I thought about this guy's migraine, it was sticky, like dough. I was really surprised by that, and kind of interested, because that's really fucking weird. So I kept at it for a bit.

And after a few minutes, I hear him let out this huge sigh on the other side of the room, right? And someone passing by him asks how he's doing, and he kinda blinks and says that his migraine is gone. He was really bewildered by it. Apparently migraines don't generally just... disappear like that, all at once.

Did I... did I do that? Do you think? Or was it just another coincidence? I can't tell. One coincidence is kinda funny, but a second, really similar one like this... I don't know. It's weird. [Sighs]

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey, so, if it is a coincidence, it's a really fucking specific one. I think it's more likely that you're some kind of wizard. Which is awesome, by the way. I've always wanted a wizard boyfriend.

Oh, hey, I have another job interview this arvo at this shitty bar, do you think you can use your newfound magic powers to make that go well? It's a crap job but I really need the money. Rent's a bit tight this month and it's my birthday today so I could use a good mood booster. The interview's at 2:40.

Oh! Oh I have an idea! Make the interviewer say, like, a code word or something, that way we'll know that it was you! Make them say like... uh... how about "teddy bear"? That seems an unlikely enough word to hear at a job interview in a bar that it'll stand out.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: I didn't know today was your birthday!! How the heck did that bit of information get missed? Are we doing something ??

[Amused] Anyway, I guess I deserve that. I don't think you should hold out hope for a wizard boyfriend any time soon though - I'm pretty sure I'm just being startled by coincidences, and also I'm not Daniel Radcliffe, so I think you may have to settle for a normal boyfriend instead.

I will, however, definitely try and make your interviewer say "teddy bear", because that would be hilarious. Good luck!

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Oh my god!! Okay, so, first of all - I got the job! She offered it to me on the spot!

Second of all, I don't think you should discount the wizard theory just yet. Because not only did I get the job, but in the middle of the interview, she suddenly started telling me this weird story about her favourite teddy bear from when she was a kid. There was no reason for her to do that - it was definitely not a natural shift in the conversation.

YER A WIZARD, HARRY!

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: [Amused] Hey, don't make fun of your boyfriend! It's not nice! I still love you, though.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Serious] Kane, I'm not joking. I mean, yeah, I made a stupid Harry Potter joke, but I wasn't joking about the rest. I really did get the job, and she really did tell me this weirdly out of context story about her childhood teddy bear. I really don't think it was a coincidence. I think you affected it, somehow.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, that's... that's weird. I'm not... I'm not really willing to agree with you on this just yet but... that's definitely... weird.

Anyway, I'm really glad you got the job though! That's a pretty great birthday present! Speaking of which, we are doing something for your birthday tonight, right? Your place or mine?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Right! Yes, sorry! My place! Come around after work? And bring your magic, wizard boyfriend!

[Hangup]

[Music]

ROSLYN: Love and Luck is written by Erin Kyan, and produced by Passer Vulpes Productions. Kane is voiced by Lee Davis-Thalbourne. Jason is voiced by Erin Kyan. Credits spoken by Roslyn Quin. Recorded by Kermie Breydon.

For more information about Love and Luck, check out our website, loveandluckpodcast.com. You can also find us on facebook as Love and Luck Podcast, and follow us on twitter, at @LoveLuckPodcast.

Episode 5 - Hangover Scoop

[Dial Tone]

[Pickup]

ROSLYN: You've reached the Love and Luck Podcast.

[Music]

[Beep]

[Pickup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey babe... it's only 10am right now, so hopefully you're still sleeping it off. Sounds like you had a pretty big night. Give me a ping today if you need me, okay? Like I said, food and painkillers can quickly be yours if you dial boyfriend delivery services.

Also... and this is really important, okay? You're not stupid or shallow. Or... well, even if you think are, perhaps it's better to say that being stupid or shallow are not innately bad things, and they certainly have no bearing on whether or not you're a good or valuable person.

You're a really fun person, you're really good at making people feel happy and energized, and you have not a single drop of pretension in your whole body. I think you're amazing. Like... honestly, I wish I was even half as much of a bright, shining person that you are.

I'm... I'm gonna wish really hard, that you're not hungover, okay? Like... I'm gonna visualize taking that shit straight out of your head, like some kind of psychic vacuum cleaner. And then you're gonna wake up, and not have any hangover at all. I decree it.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey... it's me. I'm... I'm really sorry about those voicemails. You're really way too good to me.

Also your psychic vacuum cleaner is pretty damn effective. Because weirdly, I have no hangover today. Which makes basically no sense, by the way, because I drank enough tequila to kill a rhinoceros last night.

And... okay, I know this sounds weird, but I remember waking up around ten, because I felt like my brain was being scooped out. Like... not painfully, just like... yeah, like someone opened me up like a car bonnet and scooped something out. Then after a moment, that feeling went away, I felt totally fine, and I went back to sleep. I didn't really give it any thought until I listened to your message... that you left at 10am. I know it sounds kind of weird, but that's a pretty spooky coincidence, right?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, don't ever apologise for leaving me voicemails. I like them. I even like sad and drunk voicemails. Not that I like you being sad, I mean, I just like hearing from you, even if you're sad.

Hooray for hangover free, though! Clearly a good morning brain vacuum is the solution we've been looking for all this time. [Laughs] Not really spooky though, just really good timing, I think. Much weirder coincidences have happened.

I'm glad you're feeling all right. Text me later, okay?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey, I texted a little while ago but I guess you must be showering or napping or something.

Anyway... I don't know, babe. You telling me that you're going to magically cure my hangover at the exact time my hangover went away is pretty damn spooky in my opinion. What did you do, or think, or whatever, when you said that? Or after you hung up? Maybe we can recreate it somehow. I feel like this deserves some testing.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Wow, we're having a bad day for catching each other on the phone again today, huh? Maybe that's how we should test your theory? [Chuckles]

Anyway, I don't know... I don't think there's anything to this. I pretty much did exactly what I said. I visualized scooping the hangover out of your head. But I really don't think it was me, I think it was just a coincidence. But hey, if you want me to visualized hangover scooping and/or vacuuming again in future, I'm totally willing to try that.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Shit, missed you again. I was the one in the shower this time.

Anyway, obviously there's no hangover to scoop in your case, but I thought I'd try something too, to see if it could go both ways or whatever, right?

So... I tried just like... thinking about you? But more... I don't know, concretely, I guess. Like... I was picturing you, and then I was trying to like... feel inside you, see if I could figure out how you're feeling, or something like that.

And... again, maybe this is just weird and nothing real but... I felt... lonely. But not like how I feel lonely. It was a foreign kind of lonely feeling.

Kane, maybe this is like, super arrogant or whatever but... are you lonely? Do you want me to come over and see you?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey... it's me. And... yeah. I... I'd really like you to come over, actually. I'd... really like that a lot.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, so... these last couple of days have been kind of... a big deal for me. I'm not really used to letting myself be quite that vulnerable with people, or quite that... honest, I guess? I mean... I don't repress anything, but I definitely don't let it out for people to see much, either.

But you... you make me feel okay about my weaknesses. And you... I don't know. You're patient with me. I really appreciate that.

I know you weren't looking for a serious relationship when we started seeing each other but... I'm really glad that we ended up here. And I know I've said it a few times in person now but... I just wanted to say it again.

I love you.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: I'm so glad you left me that message. I'm keeping that. I'm saving it forever. As long as my voicemail inbox exists, I'm going to keep that message in it.

And hey... I love you too.

[Hangup]

[Music]

ROSLYN: Love and Luck is written by Erin Kyan, and produced by Passer Vulpes Productions. Kane is voiced by Lee Davis-Thalbourne. Jason is voiced by Erin Kyan. Credits spoken by Roslyn Quin. Recorded by Kermie Breydon.

For more information about Love and Luck, check out our website, loveandluckpodcast.com. You can also find us on facebook as Love and Luck Podcast, and follow us on twitter, at @LoveLuckPodcast.

Episode 4 - It Just Sucks, You Know?

[Dial Tone]

[Pickup]

ROSLYN: You've reached the Love and Luck Podcast.

[Music]

[Beep]

[Pickup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey, it's Jason. So, I know I was going to stay over at your place tonight, but I just got a job interview for tomorrow morning that's right near my place. Do you want to come over here instead?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, yeah, I'll come over to yours instead. It's probably about time I met your housemates anyway, since you've met mine. Want me to bring anything?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Don't worry about bringing anything. I'll let my housemates know to expect you. Hopefully they like you more than your housemates like me!

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, my housemates may not love you, but they don't hate you. Which, considering they hate almost everything and everyone, is actually very high praise.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Oh my god, are you serious? I thought they like, full on hated me. I'm glad they don't, but man, tough crowd. Anyway, I'll see you later, I figure you'll just come on by around dinner time?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Yeah, I'm not really sure what the deal is with them, but they pay their rent on time and they tidy the kitchen when they're done using it, so as far as I'm concerned they're perfect housemates.

Dinner time sounds good. See you tonight.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Good luck with your job interview today! I'm thinking of you!

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Defeated] Hey, it's me. The job interview didn't go very well. I should be used to this by now, but I'm not. [Sighs]

I always strike out at interviews. I do great on phone interviews, and they always like my resume - not that resumes are much important for the shitty jobs I apply for, but anyway - the moment they get into the same room as me though... I don't know.

I think I'm too obviously gay, you know? Like... they never give me a solid reason for turning me down on reacting badly, sometimes I get the bullshit "not the right cultural fit" answer, but never anything more. Which only makes me sure that that's it, because if they admitted they didn't want me because I'm too gay I could sue the shit out of them.

I've tried to butch it up before, but it's just so obviously drag, you know? And I shouldn't have to butch it up. Just for stupid office or retail jobs! Even fucking pubs don't want me pulling beers, for fuck's sake! I'm going to be stuck doing shitty casual hospitality work forever, I swear to god.

Ugh. Sorry for the negative voicemail. This is just... it's so frustrating, and I feel like I can vent to you, but like, if it's too much, let me know and I won't.

I'm just... I'm so tired.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, it's me. You can absolutely vent to me, okay? I'm here for that.

That fucking sucks about the interview. Do you want me to come over again tonight? I can make you a nice dinner or something.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: Hey... thank you. For listening and for offering to make me dinner. I think... I think I'm just going to go out and get maggoted tonight instead, though. I need to decompress, you know? Just... get it all out. I'll call you tomorrow, okay?

[Hangup]

[Beep]

KANE: Hey, so, I'm not like, super keen on the ‘get maggoted' plan, but hey, you do you. Call me tomorrow if you need a hangover nurse, okay? I've got the day off, so I can come around with food, berocca, and panadol if you need me. Have a good time tonight.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Drunk, happily] Hey babe! It's like, 3am right now, and I'm... soooo fucking wasted, oh my god. But! I wanted to tell you, that I'm really sorry if I made you worry about me. You're so fucking nice, and you sounded really worried in that last voicemail, and I just... thank you for worrying about me, and I'm sorry to make you worry, okay?

You're so nice, you know that? And like... actually nice, not just polite or whatever, but like... genuinely sweet and wonderful, and... nice.

Oh, shit, the bar is closing, hang on, I'll call you back.

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Drunk, giddily] Okay!! I'm outside!! I'm literally in the gutter!! [Laughs] Ah shit... it's where I belong, so my mother would tell me.

Man, it fucking sucks when bars close so early. I like to stay out laaaate. I should open my own bar!! Then I could keep it open for as long as I'd like!! Shiiit, I'd be soooo good at running a bar, I mean, I practically live for this shit anyway, and it'd just be working for myself, right? I already do bartender work when I can get it! I could be a business owner! [Laughs] Jason the business man!

Oh! Oh man!! You know what would be cool? If we opened a bar together. Because you're like... you're so smart, and you're good with, like, books and learning and shit. I bet you would know all about running a business. Or like... if you don't, then like, you could learn it like... sooo fast.

Hah... aw, shit, I should probably go home now the bar's closed. Can't stay in the gutter forever. Probably. I'm pretty sure people frown on that. [Laughs]

[Hangup]

[Beep]

JASON: [Drunk, in a "tired end of the night" way] Hey... it's me again. [Unwell grunt] It's like... five o'clock now? And I just threw up twice, so that's how my night is going.

I proooobably shouldn't have drunk so much, but like... fuck it, you know? Like honestly... just... fuck it. Fuck everything. There's no fucking jobs, and I'm too gay to get any of the jobs that do exist, and it's just... just, fuck it.

It fucking sucks, you know? Everything fucking sucks.

Except you. You don't suck. Or... [chuckles] Well. You know what I mean! You don't suck in the bad way! You're just... really good. You're a really nice person and a really nice boyfriend. Shit... I'm still kind of amazed you are my boyfriend? Like... you're so good! Like... lots of people think I'm stupid and shallow, and I mean... I kind of am? But you never treat me that way. You're just... really nice. You're really good to me.

I really... I really like you.

[Hangup]

[Music]

ROSLYN: Love and Luck is written by Erin Kyan, and produced by Passer Vulpes Productions. Kane is voiced by Lee Davis-Thalbourne. Jason is voiced by Erin Kyan. Credits spoken by Roslyn Quin. Recorded by Kermie Breydon.

For more information about Love and Luck, check out our website, loveandluckpodcast.com. You can also find us on facebook as Love and Luck Podcast, and follow us on twitter, at @LoveLuckPodcast.