One Side of the Line: Stories You Only Hear Once

Okay. Just… listen to my voice. Only my voice. Last week, we heard a call about talking someone down from a ledge. Turns out, the principle is the same, even when the ledge is a pressure plate. Tell me your name again. Alright, Sam. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere. Now, describe the device to me one more time. Slowly. Don’t rush. Okay. A metal box, grey.

A digital timer. What does the timer read now? Six minutes, forty-one seconds. We have time. We have plenty of time. You said there’s a lid held on by four screws? Good. You have the screwdriver from the kit I told you about? Okay, Sam. Very carefully, I want you to remove those screws. Counter-clockwise. Left to loosen. That’s it. Take your time.

Don't worry about the timer right now. You just worry about the screws. If your hands start to shake, stop, take a breath, and start again. I’m right here. Good. All four? Okay. Now, lift the lid. Gently. Lift it straight up and place it beside the box. Do not let it touch the device again once it's off. Right. Now tell me what you see inside.

Talk to me, Sam. A block of grey… putty. Wires coming out of it. How many wires? Five. Okay. What colors? Red, blue, green, yellow, and black. Standard. This is good, Sam. This is a pattern I know. Now, look closely at where they connect. Is there a small circuit board? Little flashing lights? No. No lights. That’s… also good. Simpler is better. Now, I need you to be VERY still.

Do you see where the black wire connects to the timer display? Okay. That’s our target. But not yet. We do that last. First, we have to isolate the power source. Follow the red and the blue wires with your eyes. Only your eyes. Where do they lead? To a silver cylinder? Looks like a battery? Okay. It’s not a battery. That’s the detonator. DO NOT touch it.

Do not even breathe on it too hard. Are we clear? Good. Now look at the green wire. It should run from the main block to a separate, smaller terminal. Do you see it? That’s the one. That’s our first cut. I want you to take the wire cutters. Get a firm grip. You’re going to cut the GREEN wire. Only the green wire. I know it’s close to the red one.

That’s why you need to be steady. Put the tool on the wire. Feel it settle into the blades. Are you ready? On my mark. Three… two… one… cut. Okay. Okay, good. The timer didn’t speed up. Nothing happened. You did perfectly, Sam. Absolutely perfectly. You’re doing great. Now for the yellow one. Same process. Find it, isolate it, cut it. Go. Done? Fantastic.

Two more. We’re almost home. Now… this is the important one. The blue wire. It’s the trigger for the pressure plate you’re standing on. We cut this, and you’re free. But you CANNOT move until I say so. You understand? Even after the cut. Okay. Cut the blue wire, Sam. Sam? Talk to me. Did you cut it? Sam? Okay. Okay. Don’t move an inch. We’re coming to get you.

Just… keep listening to my voice.