On this episode, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black, our short story dives into the power of story: what is it that captures our attention, captivating our senses and intriguing our imagination? Over the last several months, a good story seems to be the answer for every entertainment issue in play, so it’s time for Smirk to discuss.
Welcome to Smirk. A podcast that covers society and culture through a storytelling lens. Part creative writing, part discussion, and always interesting. Each week our hosts brings a story to the show, a story they wrote themselves, which is immediately followed by discussion on the author’s moral or theme. These stories can cover any topic the host wants to discuss, it can be lighthearted or more serious. No one but the author knows if these tales are truth or fiction, and part of the fun is guessing while you’re listening before the reality is made clear. We want to hear from you! If you want to share YOUR story, join the conversation by writing in to mystory@smirkpodcast.com, and include your moral, or you can let us guess at it. This is the podcast that looks at truth, fiction, and reality. With a Smirk. Don’t forget to subscribe to Smirk and share the show with your friends!
Want to read Zack’s story “Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black” in full? Think you can identify the moral or theme for this episode? Read it below, and then take a listen to the podcast.
Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black
Jack was despondent at the best of times. Little had made him happy ever since he and his wife split up. Most days he just sat alone in the apartment, drinking away his sorrows while he played video games. Content to merely exist.
Day after day, he would toil away at the job he hated. Worked alongside co-workers who were friendly enough, but not exactly the friends he needed. Meaningless conversations to pass the time was the best he could hope for. Work, talk, drink. An endless cycle played on constant repeat.
One day he woke up still drunk from the night before. Normally he worked evenings, but someone asked him to cover the morning shift. He got a taxi and made it just in time, but everyone could tell Jack shouldn’t be working. In fact, his co-workers just made him sit in the back and eat a sandwich.
Jack got through that work day, but it was a wake-up call. He needed a new vice, some other way to spend his time. While walking home he passed a used book store and decided to buy a satisfying read to pass the time. Unfortunately, not a single book caught his eye. Until he got to their graphic novel selection.
Jack had obviously seen the movies and TV shows. Superheroes are inescapable in American culture. He decided to take a chance on one, and opened the first pages. Within seconds he was enamored. The bright colors and intricate paneling caught his eye, word balloons hanging in the air. Jack had found exactly what he needed. A whole new universe with endless possibilities.