Ghost at the Dreadful Depot

An audio recording that tells a backstory before a short skit. It would read "Sit now, everyone, and listen intently.
(Pause.)

Are we all listening?
(Pause.)

Good. Because what I have to say needs to be heard—and what needs to be heard is the story of…
(Long pause.)
David Dreadful.

It was a dark and stormy night in October of 1876 when a passenger train slowly rolled through the North Georgia countryside, weary travelers aboard as they made their way from Atlanta to Chattanooga.

As the rain poured and the wind howled, the nervous passengers clung to one another. They peered through the darkened windows, straining to see what dangers might be hidden within the storm.

As they peered, a bolt of lightning illuminated a sign beside the tracks:

“Chatsworth Depot — One Mile Ahead.”

Relieved to know that shelter was near, the some of the passengers began to settle, some anxious to take a break inside this depot, while others planned to rent a room at the Wright Hotel. But, just as the lights of the depot appeared ahead, a second flash of lightning split the darkness—followed by a deafening crack of thunder.

Nearby, a mighty oak tree shuddered beneath the force of the strike. Its ancient trunk splintered, and the fierce wind sent it crashing directly across the tracks.

The engineer saw the fallen tree and desperately pulled the brakes—but it was too late.

Though the train was moving slowly, the tree was so large that when the train struck it, it halted suddenly, sending the passenger car careening off the rails and tubling over and over down a nearby hill, settling at the bottom. Sadly, not a single soul aboard survived.

Almost all of the passengers instantly move on....all except for one.

His name was… David Dreadful.

Over the decades, a legend grew, stating that every October, on this very night, David returns here to the depot for reasons no one can quite understand, his return always marked by the sound of a ticking clock. He can be heard walking the rooms, walking around the perimiter, causing the lights to flicker. Moving about as if he's searching.....searching for something that only he knows.

Perhaps lost on that terrible night.

Here’s what I need from you:
• Record or edit the spoken narration so every word lands cleanly with no background noise.
• Source or create sound effects that fit a fantasy setting that focuses on a dark stormy night, following by a ghostly walk without being too overbearing or scary for children in a live audience
• Blend the dialogue and effects into a balanced, immersive mix, paying attention to pacing and dynamics so tension rises naturally.
This is a small scale production. Nothing outrageously fancy needed, just an audio voice telling the story with appropriate sound effects and light background music that fits the theme (if it enhances the effect). A focus on sound effects using a storm, a train, a wreck and a clock. Audio should speed up and become firmer where appropriate to add urgency/excitment at the more 'thilling' moments. I also want the option to request modifications