Tag: short story

Teaser – Chris Rowe’s better life is about to be interrupted. On a cold December evening, the teenager argued with the talking car and then agreed to look for a dying stranger. But they would have to travel for three hours through freezing rain. Will the teenager find her in time? Also, does the talking car have other plans for Chris?

Full Transcript –

Remembering, Episode #6: The Mount Rushmore of Nobodies

Original Date: 27 May 2020

Hello. This is . . . The Three Fifty-seven.

[The 3:57 Theme plays]

[Remembering Theme plays]

You’ve just listened to Episode Six of REMEMBERING. The series music, What A Way – The Prelude, is through the courtesy of Semaphore.

The Three Fifty-seven is an anthology of comedy, drama, and supernatural stories. Theme music is Not On The Bus . . .

[The 3:57 Theme plays]

. . . by U. S. Army Blues.

The Three Fifty-seven is Written and Produced by William Spear.

Thank you for listening.

Teaser – Nearly two years ago, Chris Rowe went looking for a better life and found one. Since leaving Hunterdon County in New Jersey, the teenager has worked in a restaurant and begun meeting friends. But Chris will receive information that forces a choice between staying in the new life or giving it up.

Full Transcript –

Remembering, Episode #5: Terms and Conditions

Original Date: 13 May 2020

Hello. This is . . . The Three Fifty-seven.

[The 3:57 Theme plays]

My name is William Spear and I am the Host of The Three Fifty-seven. The current series is titled REMEMBERING.

And this episode is called TERMS AND CONDITIONS. Nearly two years ago, Chris Rowe went looking for a better life . . . and found one. But the teenage will receive information that forces a choice between staying in the new life or giving it up.

And now Episode Five of REMEMBERING.

[Remembering Theme plays]

For nearly two years, Chris worked at the diner. When people heard where the teenager was from, gifts and greetings were offered for friends and relatives back home.

One day, in early December, after Chris and the Odyssey had finished driving, the car said, “We must talk.”

But Chris was heading off to meet friends for a holiday lunch and did not have time.

When the teenager returned, the car started again, “You know, we left almost two years ago.”

Chris interrupted, “And it’s been two pretty good years.”

The car agreed, “Yes. You’ve done well. But there were terms and conditions.”

The teenager said, “And I lived up to my part of the bargain. I play music for you.”

“Well, yes,” said the car. “But-“

“-And don’t forget everything piling up in the trunk and back seat.” The car reminded Chris the gifts and the greetings were for people back home.

Then the teenager added: “I left to find a better life and I have one.”

The Odyssey pushed back hard: “You agreed to visit as many towns as possible.”

Chris began to have an uneasy feeling about the conversation: “What are you saying?”

The car replied, “It’s time to move on.”

The teenager roared, “I am not leaving and there is nothing you can say to change my mind!” Chris left for work and walked through the snow.

The car mumbled to itself, “Kids.”

The teenager’s work was fueled by a fury to forget the Odyssey’s words. Chris worked without stopping until the diner closed, then slept in a cushioned booth, got up, and worked another full day and evening. The teenager staggered home exhausted and fatigued.

But the Odyssey was waiting to continue the conversation. “It’s time,” said the car. “To leave.”

“What could be so important?” Chris begged to know.

“You are leaving to help someone,” said the car. “Everybody I know is here,” replied the teenager.

“THE PERSON KNOWS YOU,” roared the car. “You can save her.”

“Oh come on. You are talking about me. I am on the Mount Rushmore of Nobodies,” said the teenager. “There’s nothing I can do.”

The car spoke softly, “She’s dying.”

[Remembering Theme plays]

Teaser – Chris has run out of luck and is leaving the diner when the manager says, “I have an idea.”

Full Transcript –

Remembering, Episode #4: Fitting In

Original Date: 22 April 2020

Hello. This is . . . The Three Fifty-seven.

[The 3:57 Theme plays]

My name is William Spear and I am the Host of The Three Fifty-seven. The current series is titled REMEMBERING.

And this episode is called FITTING IN. Chris has run out of gas, has no money, and is inside a diner.

And now Episode Four of REMEMBERING.

[Remembering Theme plays]

The manager refused to lend money for gasoline and Chris turned to leave.

“However,” continued the manager, “I have an idea. Our dishwasher is out sick. If you work for us tonight, we will pay you, fill your car with gasoline, and give you dinner.”

Chris replied: “How about if I do that, wash the floors, help open the restaurant in the morning and you let me sleep here tonight.”

“All that?” asked the manager.

“All that,” said Chris.

“Agreed,” said the manager. They shook hands.

Chris went to work and the dishes and floors were cleaned by midnight. Dinner was a few plates of hamburgers and a mountain of french fries; ordinary food for most people.

But for the teenager it was the first meal in months not picked from a garbage can.

A gourmet delight.

Bed was a cushioned booth in the diner. With heat! For the orphaned and homeless teenager used to sleeping rough, a five‑star hotel would not have been more comfortable.

As promised, Chris got up early the next morning and helped open the restaurant. Floors were mopped and dishes were washed from the breakfast customers.

The manager was impressed with the teenager’s work. When Chris finished, a job was offered, with meals, and new clothes.

And a place to sleep!

Chris agreed, took the gasoline to the car, and they talked about the job. The Odyssey was pleased and scratchy music poured from its radio.

The teenager worked hard at the diner. Wages were earned and meals were regular.

Chris met many people in and out of the diner. Some knew of the teenager’s home town and asked to pass along a “Hello” or “Hope you are well” to relatives and friends. A few even gave gifts to take back.

The teenager wrote down notes and packed everything into the car.

One day when they were out driving, the Odyssey said, “We must talk.”

[Remembering Theme plays]

You’ve just listened to Episode Four of REMEMBERING. The series music, What A Way – The Prelude, is through the courtesy of Semaphore.

The Three Fifty-seven is an anthology of comedy, drama, and supernatural stories. Theme music is Not On The Bus . . .

[The 3:57 Theme plays]

. . . by U. S. Army Blues.

The Three Fifty-seven is Written and Produced by William Spear.

Thank you for listening.

Teaser – Chris argues with the talking Odyssey which pulls over and tells the teenager to get gasoline. But without any money, prospects are bleak for Chris.

Full Transcript –

Remembering, Episode #3: No Money

Original Date: 8 April 2020

Hello. This is . . . The Three Fifty-seven.

[The 3:57 Theme plays]

My name is William Spear and I am the Host of The Three Fifty-seven. The current series is titled REMEMBERING.

This episode is called NO MONEY. After surviving a near collision when the Odyssey refused to move, Chris has run out of gas. But without any money, the teenager’s journey for a better life seems to be coming quickly to an end.

And now Episode Three of REMEMBERING.

[Remembering Theme plays]

The Odyssey sat in the middle of the busy intersection. Traffic was racing by on both sides. Even a truck bearing down with its brakes whining and smoke billowing from its tires could not budge the car. It insisted music be played on its radio.

At the last second, the car’s driver, Chris, found a station and scratchy notes played out. The Odyssey bolted westward.

A few minutes later, with Chris still in shock, the car spoke. “From now on,” said the Odyssey, quite casually despite the near collision, “I will allow you to ride only if you give me presents.”

“Presents?!” roared Chris. “You nearly got me hit by a truck!”

The car continued, “You will play the music I ask for and then you will give me gifts.”

“What do you want for nearly flattening me?!” asked the teenager.

“Let’s start with gratitude for getting you toward your better life,” said the car.

The teenager got quiet and asked, “How did you know that? And how can you talk?” The car did not speak.

For several hours, the only sounds were scratchy music and tires rolling on the pavement. At length, the car pulled over and said, “I will now let you fill my tank. There is a gas station up ahead.”

“I don’t have any money,” said the teenager. Once again the car was quiet.

The teenager started walking and found the gas station. It was next to an all-night diner.

No one was pumping gas so Chris went to the diner. There were

hamburgers and hot dogs, pasta and salads, and the biggest dessert

table in the world.

Desperately trying to ignore the food, Chris spoke with the manager and wondered if a small amount of money might be borrowed to fill the car’s tank. The response was: “I’m sorry but we can’t do that.” The teenager turned to leave.

“However,” continued the manager, “I have an idea.”

[Remembering Theme plays]

You’ve just listened to Episode Three of REMEMBERING. The series music, What A Way – The Prelude, is through the courtesy of Semaphore.

The Three Fifty-seven is an anthology of stories. Theme music for the anthology is Not On The Bus . . .

[The 3:57 Theme plays]

. . . by U. S. Army Blues.

The Three Fifty-seven is Written and Produced by William Spear.

Thank you for listening.

#30#

Teaser – Orphaned and homeless teenager, Chris Rowe, has received a car while looking for a better life. Everything seems great until the car stops in a busy intersection.

 

Full Transcript –

Remembering, Episode #2: Intersection

Original Date: 25 March 2020

Hello. This is . . . The Three Fifty-seven.

[The 3:57 Theme plays]

My name is William Spear and I am the Host of The Three Fifty-seven. The current series is titled REMEMBERING.

This episode, the second, is called INTERSECTION. In it, orphaned and homeless teenager Chris Rowe has received a car while looking for a better life. Everything seems great until the car stops in a busy intersection and refuses to move.

And now Episode Two of REMEMBERING.

[Remembering Theme plays]

Chris Rowe, an orphaned and homeless teenager looking for a better life, sat in the driver’s seat of an ancient Odyssey. The teenager could drive the car for the next twenty years as long as they went to as many towns as possible during that time.

By the way, the car talks.

The key was slowly turned with great anticipation and . . . Nothing happened. A second attempt was made and still nothing happened. The car spoke: “Sometimes it takes three tries.”

Chris asked, “How do you-?”

“-Sometimes three tries,” said the car.

The teenager turned the key again. The engine coughed, sputtered, protested, and roared to life. The rusty automobile idled forward and onto the road.

They drove for a few miles. Chris got used to driving and the Odyssey got used to the teenager. They came to a busy intersection. The car started to cross and stopped! The engine was running but the car was not moving.

Chris turned it off and back on but nothing changed. A second attempt was made and still it didn’t move. Recalling “Sometimes it takes three tries”, a third effort was made with no results. A truck was getting closer.

The car spoke, “I like music. It helps pass the time.” The driver noted the truck was bearing down on them and asked for ‘A little help.’ The car said to try the radio.

Buttons were pressed and knobs were turned but no music. The truck’s horn screamed at a fevered pitch but the car sat patiently in the intersection. Time was running out.

The brakes of the truck whined and smoke billowed from its tires.

Chris begged the car to move and made a last‑ditch effort to find music when suddenly . . .

[extended silence]

. . . You’ve just listened to Episode Two of REMEMBERING. The series music, What A Way – The Prelude, is through the courtesy of Semaphore.

The Three Fifty-seven is an anthology of stories. Theme music for the anthology is Not On The Bus . . .

[The 3:57 Theme plays]

. . . by U. S. Army Blues.

The Three Fifty-seven is Written and Produced by William Spear.

Thank you for listening.

#30#

 

Teaser – Orphaned and homeless teenager Chris Rowe has decided to look for a better life. After 90 minutes of walking, a set of keys with a note that reads, “Bring the keys to row Z, number one thousand and nine” is found. It is the beginning of a 20-year adventure.

 

Full Transcript –

Remembering, Episode #1: Leave

Original Date: 11 March 2020

 

Hello. This is . . . The Three Fifty-seven.

[The 3:57 Theme plays]

My name is William Spear and I am the Host of The Three Fifty-seven. This is the start of a new series titled REMEMBERING.

The first episode is called LEAVE where an orphaned, homeless teenager named Chris decides to look for a better life.

And now Episode One of REMEMBERING.

[Remembering Theme plays]

This story happened a long time ago in a town not far from here. The people were very successful but had lost their compassion for others. They had forgotten the kind of “plain, ordinary, and everyday kindness” that builds communities.

In the town were many homeless teenagers. One was Chris Rowe, whose parents had died many years ago. Chris attended school during the day, walked around the town at night, and slept in abandoned buildings and empty automobiles. Meals were picked from garbage cans – if there was food at all.

Chris believed somewhere there must be a better life and decided to find it.

With only a backpack, Chris started walking. Ninety minutes later, the teenager was passing an automobile dealer. On the ground was a set of keys with a note that read: “Bring the keys to row Zee, number one‑thousand‑and‑nine.”

The keys were picked up and walked to row Zee one‑thousand‑and‑nine. In the spot was a rusted car. An Odyssey according to the front grill.

Tucked under a windshield wiper was an envelope with a note: “The enclosed Certificate of Ownership entitles the holder to drive and operate this Odyssey for twenty years from today’s date. During that time you must visit as many towns as you can. By the way, the keys will start the car. One other thing, it has more power than it seems.

Chris was not sure what to do. The car spoke: “Are we going to start this journey in my lifetime?”

The teenager looked at the car and asked, “You can talk?”

The car answered, “I would dance for you but nobody writes songs like they used. LET’S GO.”

Chris got into the car.

The teenager wondered how the car could talk and where it came from? And what was beyond the town? Fear of the unknown caused hesitation. But the commitment to have a better life was more powerful.

Plus, there would be twenty years of driving a talking Odyssey.

Slowly and methodically Chris turned the key.

[Remembering Theme plays]

You’ve just listened to Episode One of REMEMBERING. The series music, What A Way – The Prelude, is through the courtesy of Semaphore.

The Three Fifty-seven is an anthology of serialized stories. Theme music for the anthology is Not On The Bus . . .

[The 3:57 Theme plays]

. . . by U. S. Army Blues. The Three Fifty-seven is Written and Produced by William Spear.

Thank you for listening.

#30#