A New Sit Down

Before the darkness falls

By James Ray, The Phantom Texter

October 2025

One of the first things people either ask or think is. Why? While I could always answer that question with what they secretly want to hear. “Because I’m crazy and I’m coming for your children!” Quite frankly anything else I say are words on deaf ears. I usually opt for somewhere in the middle ground of just saying. “I was bored and I don’t have any friends.” Of course, to that I always add the sinister laugh! Keep them guessing I always say.

I have created so many characters. I have gotten to release my inner demons in so many ways. This is just another one. 

So, the scene opens on a sinister looking fellow. Maybe a little reminiscent of the Russian Rasputin of history. Who’s to say. And he’s decided to do a podcast on YouTube. And his first guest, is me! The imagined fiend or infamous Phantom Texter! (And again, insert sinister laugh) 

Oh look! And just in time for Halloween! What timing that Texter has and he’s so handsome too!

A New Sit Down 

By James Ray, The Phantom Texter

October 2025

Rasputin Jenkins:

Hello, my name is Rasputin Jenkins. Yes, another one of those Jenkins boys. My mother always said I would go far. I just don’t think she knew I would go all the way to the Internet. I would like to welcome you to my first. Maybe my only, podcast. What I like to call, a new sit-down. To this end I’d like to invite my first guest. James Ray. Or as he is known to some, The Phantom Texter. He fancies himself a puppet master!

Phantom Texter:

Hello Rasputin. I’m happy to sit down with you. Although the title of puppet master may be a bit harsh.

Rasputin Jenkins:

But is it not you who says you pull the strings that move me?

Phantom Texter:

While I won’t deny having a hand in your creation and vocalizations. I must go on record as saying I give you as much personality outside of myself as I can.

Rasputin Jenkins:

And how pray tell can you manage to do that, if all of us so call creations come from your head?

Phantom Texter:

Well as you may or may not be aware. The human mind is multifaceted. Whereas some people deny and suppress certain aspects of their psyche, I choose a different route. I let my imagination wander. And when it does so, I assign it to sides of me that it best represents. Such as yourself. In a lot of ways, you’re a manifestation of my darker moments.

Rasputin Jenkins:

Blasphemy! I am unique! I am a scourge of the dark places! I alone stand awake in the abyss. It is I who sit with the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse at the Tavern of souls! To think that you! You, would think to have a hand in my creation? Utter blasphemy! This is exactly why I asked you here! To call you out! To let all that see you, know your trickery!

Phantom Texter:

Hmmm, that’s interesting cuz just the other day I was walking around the house sounding just like you. Although the lighting in my house and my clothes are a bit brighter. I even remember sitting on the couch and thinking… I feel like the dark shroud of death. Next thing you know I’m a podcast guest with what looks like a creature who is the dark shroud of death.

Rasputin Jenkins:

So, so you say, you dreamed me up? How dare you! One plague upon your house is not enough to purge your audacity! When next I meet with the Dark Lord, I shall petition him. I will cry out to him for justice! And foolish mortal, he will deal with you! He will deal with you most completely.

Phantom Texter appears dressed as the mentioned Dark Lord:

Would you mean this dark Lord?

Rasputin Jenkins:

Lords of Dark and Despair! My Lord!? It cannot be you! Take that visage away vile deceiver!

Phantom Texter:

I’m sorry, but you really do see, I am all of you. From the prettiest. The youngest. And even such as yourself, the darkest. But don’t worry Rasputin. In my imagination and psyche you have always been lurking about. You’ve always had some modicum of free reign within your boundaries.

Rasputin Jenkins:

But, but I’m hosting this podcast right now. If I were in your head how would that be possible?

Phantom Texter:

Well, let’s just say that my imagination knows no limits. Thinking any harder on it will break most people. Not to mention there are a few doctors in a certain sanitarium that don’t actually know I’m missing yet. It’s all quite funny if you really think about it. But remember if they get me, they get you. And it’s you they most want to get rid of. (Insert sinister laugh)

Rasputin Jenkins:

I know that dark laughter. My Lord! But this cannot be! My mind burns! I beseech you! Texter torment me no more!

Phantom Texter:

You say it can’t be? Why not Rasputin? Can you recall your childhood, your first love?

Rasputin Jenkins:

Why yes, I can! I was born in New York City! And my first love’s name started with in “A”. If we are but parts of you. Then what would her name be?

Phantom Texter:

That would be Abby. (Insert sinister laugh)

Rasputin Jenkins:

By all the dark! If this is true, then what of me? Why this podcast? What am I to do?

Phantom Texter:

No worries Rasputin. You will always sit in the places most dare not to look. No one does what you do better. And no one bears witness to that, more than me. As for the podcast? You don’t really need them. But possibilities are endless. And as I have created many other characters, who’s to say that much like your namesake that you won’t rise up again.

Rasputin Jenkins:

Then I guess what is left for me is to say thank you Phantom Texter or Dark Lord, for being my guest. So, I am to go. For now. But I will go as I came. Back to the dark. Back to the places that frighten you when you sleep… 

In the night of dark and dreary. I haunt the land red eyed and weary. To view the things that those deny. To understand them left to one such as I. Though cast to dark imaginations I wander. To deal with dark thoughts I ponder. Thank you for visiting yon podcast listener. To your own mind don’t be a prisoner. But beware for if I get loose. It will be cooked for you your goose! Good day and I hope for you a cold dark night. (Insert sinister laugh)

Fade to black……..

When the story was fed into Google’s notebook one of the first things it gives you back is an overview. This is what it said:

The Phantom Texter's Dark Imaginations

The source presents excerpts from a piece titled "A New Sit-down" by James Ray, also known as The Phantom Texter, a fictional writer who discusses his creative process. The text takes the form of a transcript from a YouTube podcast hosted by one of Ray’s creations, Rasputin Jenkins, where Ray is the featured guest. The central conflict of the dialogue revolves around Rasputin Jenkins's insistence on his own independent existence and The Phantom Texter's assertion that he is the creator of Rasputin and all his characters, viewing them as manifestations of different aspects of his psyche. The interaction escalates when The Phantom Texter seemingly transforms into the "Dark Lord," whom Rasputin reveres, ultimately proving his mastery over his creation's reality. The piece concludes with Rasputin accepting his role as a creation who occupies the dark places of his creator’s imagination, while The Phantom Texter hints at being an escaped patient from a sanitarium, adding a layer of meta-fiction to the narrative.

Video coming soon