Richard Foreman's Dodgy Reg Encounters

In this, the final episode of the Encounters with Dodgy Reg podcast (at least for now), Richard is finding that Reg has become a bit too pushy with some of his notions. Things come to a head when Reg becomes suspicious that Richard is writing stories about him. Of course, as regular listeners to this podcast know, Richard wouldn't dream of doing such a thing.

When Richard thinks he has a theory of his own, Reg is quick to instruct how certain formulaic elements must be added to the basics, before there is any chance for mass consumption. So watch out BP, Shell, Exxon et al, your days are numbered... just as soon as Richard gets it right!

Once again, Richard presents a challenge as he attempts to penetrate some of the secret knowledge that Reg alludes to but is not 'prepared to divulge'. He's left wondering where exactly he stands in the conspiracy theorists' pecking order.

In this episode we meet Slack Jack who does a very good line in Dodgy Reg impersonations and also in needling Rich regarding Reg's influence. This sets our ever-bewildered writer off, thinking about a recent encounter with Reg's former paramour, Cass, and wondering what motivates Reg's continuing connection with her.

Reg summons Richard to an isolated country location to review evidence for the existence of faceless bogeyman. Richard is dubious, but shares an unsettling experience that leaves him wondering.

In this story, set in the period just after the first UK Covid Lockdown, Richard is surprised to learn that Reg takes a dim view of QAnon and the manipulative right-wing influencers behind it. "If you want to know what's really going on, you 'ave to look into it a bit deeper," says Reg, and proceeds to reveal that beneath it all there is a deeper and far more scary 'meta-conspiracy' .

In a story written before the death of Queen Elizabeth II, an incredulous Richard listens to Reg's take on her waving technique. We learn of the possibility that she may use machinery installed in her vehicles to do the waving for her, and - when it's clearly her own hand - how small shifts of her gloved fingers might convey certain messages to certain people. Conspiracy theorists, eh? What will they think of next?

Richard ponders the mysterious novels of Oliver Tremayne, hoping to find a new angle on them & write a piece for Unearthing magazine. But it's Dodgy Reg's take on them that might just be the one that blows open their secret.