Thomas walks into Dayton, Washington on a winter night and finds a hospital fighting for its own heartbeat. A slick “partnership” promises modernization and 24/7 virtual care. The people who clean the floors, ride the ambulances, and sit up with the sick know what it really costs when a night shift disappears.
In this episode, Thomas listens while a small town decides whether to trade presence for a screen.
Credits & Copyright
Written and Directed by Stephen Brewer
Series Bible, worldbuilding, and episode structure by Stephen Brewer
Music created with Suno
Voices created with Elevenlabs.io
Artwork by Cicero
Produced by Stephen Brewer for the Columbia podcast on Substack
Statement on the Ethical Use of AI
This is a work of fiction rooted in themes of conscience, mercy, and civic responsibility. It does not depict real institutions or endorse political action. The moral and spiritual themes in Columbia are presented for storytelling only. They do not speak for any real religious body, denomination, or church.
This episode includes depictions of economic precarity. No violence is depicted, and the tone emphasizes peace, restraint, and civic dignity.
© 2026 Stephen Brewer. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from the author.
