On this episode of Smirk, Amanda takes us through a story revolving around three friends embarking on an adventure of chaos and joy, before ultimately sparking a spirited discussion on where the road takes them.
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.
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Want to read Amanda’s story “Come On, Eileen” in full? Think you can identify the moral or theme for this episode? Read it below, and then take a listen to the podcast.
Come On, Eileen
Bags shuffle their way into empty space of the trunk, packed high. Enough gear for these three individuals to each to survive a camping trip for a week and a half, truly. A group who’s excited to leave for a weekend and see what they so desire. A land that waits for one to approach it with peacefulness, joy, and anticipation. The GPS is set, and the tires wear their tread as they take this collection of individuals to their intended destination. Each trip has people who handle long drives in a different manner. The ‘Baby Driver’ of the day, Robert, follows the course mapped out for him. Life is what it is and he’s ready to experience it. Eileen is the rambunctious one of the group; she loves to have fun and laugh, and on road trips, she’s the one singing at the top of her lungs getting everyone invested in the travel ahead. She’s also the one to panic in a frustrating situation. Nicole on the other hand is very even-keel and is mostly just eager to explore the beautiful outdoors that awaits them all. She’s the tiny one in the backseat with her headphones in consistently. Smiles and songs are exchanged as they move along and then…
Only thirty minutes into the drive – the wind catches the hood and rips it upwards, blinding Robert’s vision of the road. He pulls off to the side of the road, digs out rope that one of the passengers had in their bag, and ties the hood down tight so they can continue their journey. Meanwhile Eileen is calling AAA, non-emergency police, and her mom. “It’s a brand-new car! This shouldn’t even be happening!” she says. Robert calms her down by telling her it’ll be okay, and that they’ll get it fixed when they get back. She takes a deep breath, looks to Nicole, and Nicole smiles. They’ve been friends long enough that she doesn’t need to say anything to Eileen.
Hours pass by in the moments of silence, the moments of laughter, and in moments of wrappers crumpling as meals come to an end. A transportation method that is so commonly used, its very purpose is underappreciated. The same transportation that will take three individuals from one area of the country to another. To a different atmosphere, a different elevation level, a different culture, and a much more difficult time breathing. Finally – they’ve reached the Rocky Mountains. Nicole has been waiting for this moment for a very long time. Her eyes rapidly pan across the exquisite nature as it passes her by like the movement of a film reel. An endless and vast azure sky, marked by an array of mountains that seem almost as beautiful as the person you lay next to at night. A powdery dust that covers the tops of the seemingly endless quantity of mountains. A powdery dust that swifts across the asphalt as they drive by, which encapsulates her. Bumps in the road are insignificant, persisting her serenity. A slight whistle flows through the window as her cheek rests upon it, and the sound gently strikes Nicole’s eardrum. Eileen is still singing at the top of her lungs, giving a chihuahua a run for its money.
Suddenly, a jolt from the road sends a shock to the group. The road abruptly feels bumpy and unbalanced. Robert calmly turns his hazards on, steps his foot to the brake, and turns the wheel just slightly enough to have the tires meet the gravel on the side of the road.
A flat tire.
“ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! SOMETHING ELSE IS GOING WRONG?!” Eileen exclaims to everyone in the car, followed by a deep and almost fear-inducing sigh. Robert remains calm and begins unpacking all thirteen bags from the trunk (again), so he can get to the location of the spare tire. Nicole offers assistance, but Robert insists he will take care of it, so she need not worry. Eileen, though, she’s freaking out. Unsure of what’s going to happen. One problem after another, it seems to her. This is her car, after all.
Nicole takes her headphones out, tells Eileen to take a deep breath and listen to this song she wants to play. They’ve known each other for so long, Nicole knows just what to do. It’s the Dexys Midnight Runner’s song, ‘Come on Eileen’. Eileen smiles and laughs, throws her sunglasses on, and the two of them dance to their favorite song on the shoulder of the road.
Don’t worry, they don’t die. Robert gets the tire switched out while they dance with each other, laughing, and they pursue their travels once more. Everyone is in a good mood now. They’re in Colorado, isn’t everyone happy when they see something that impressively stunning? They continue along the road until they reach their campsite and prepare to unpack everything they’ve brought with them. Once everything is unraveled and set up, they start a fire, roast some mellows, and talk about the hell of a drive they’ve had today. Everyone seems at peace and at ease. They finish their snacks and lay down together, staring at the vastness of the sky as it’s turned dark all around them.
No one needs to say anything, they got there.
Now, listen to the full episode as we dissect Amanda’s story.