The 3:57: REMEMBERING, Episode Three – No Money

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#

The 3:57: REMEMBERING, Episode Two – Intersection

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#

The 3:57: REMEMBERING, Episode One – Leave

 

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#