Fire Escape Cast #95 Summary

Episode Information

• Title: Fire Escape Cast #95
• Host/Authors: Dan Ryckert, Mary Kish, and Jeff Grubb
• Release Date: December 2, 2024
• Description: The trio continues their engaging discussions on video games, sharing personal anecdotes, industry insights, and lively debates from their unique perspectives.

1. Wine: Perception and Industry Tricks

The episode kicks off with an in-depth discussion on the nuances of wine appreciation. Jeff Grubb shares his perspective on the wine industry, highlighting the psychological aspects that influence consumers' perceptions of wine quality based on labeling and pricing.

• Jeff Grubb (03:00): "I think there's a lot of research about, like, that there is no difference. If you do a blind taste test with people who claim to be experts... they always get it wrong."

Mary Kish adds to the conversation by acknowledging the difficulty in distinguishing between high-end and affordable wines, emphasizing the importance of personal preference over perceived quality.

• Mary Kish (07:29): "I could not tell the difference between that and a $200 bottle of wine, but I absolutely can tell..."

2. Domino's Emergency Pizza Feature

Dan Ryckert shares his humorous struggle with Domino's new "emergency pizza" feature on their app, which inadvertently led him to order more pizzas than intended due to the app's delivery minimums.

• Dan Ryckert (11:33): "Well, this started like a couple of weeks ago when that first happened... I get my free pizza. I got two pizzas and a macaroni and cheese. And the only thing I got free was the one pizza."

3. Black Friday and Consumer Behavior

The hosts delve into the chaotic nature of Black Friday, discussing how marketing strategies often manipulate consumer behavior through deceptive pricing and sales tactics.

• Mary Kish (14:02): "Imagine if you got daily bonuses in other parts of your life."

Jeff Grubb reminisces about simpler Black Friday experiences, contrasting them with today's overhyped sales events.

• Jeff Grubb (15:06): "I liked Black Friday... There was always like orderly lines for me."

4. Service Industry Tales: Working at Subway and Texas Roadhouse

Dan, Mary, and Jeff share their challenging experiences working in the service industry, particularly at Subway and Texas Roadhouse. They discuss the frustrations of dealing with demanding customers, inadequate training, and low wages.

• Mary Kish (21:25): "Any person that went in would piss me off... It was a very popular time."

Jeff Grubb recounts a memorable incident involving a difficult customer at Subway.

• Jeff Grubb (22:57): "Mary Kish: Three times."

Mary Kish vividly describes a confrontation with a customer demanding extra cheese, which escalated into a humorous yet tense situation.

• Mary Kish (21:25-22:58): Detailed account of handling an over-demanding customer and the ensuing conflict.

5. Navigating Interactions with Law Enforcement

The conversation shifts to personal encounters with the police, where Jeff and Dan discuss their approaches to handling tense situations, emphasizing the importance of remaining calm and respectful.

• Jeff Grubb (36:00): "It's more like a mental defect where it's the ADHD where I just like..."

Dan Ryckert shares a story about his friend's reckless behavior leading to a dangerous encounter with the police.

• Dan Ryckert (39:37-40:07): Narrates an incident involving a friend's irresponsible actions and the subsequent police intervention.

6. Video Games Spotlight: Silent Hill Remake and Vampire Survivors

The hosts transition to their favorite topic—video games. Jeff Grubb provides an insightful review of the Silent Hill remake, appreciating its enhanced mechanics and faithful recreation of the original's atmosphere.

• Jeff Grubb (60:09): "It's really lovely that when you go to a door and it's locked, he just very quickly, opens up a little piece of paper and writes..."

Mary Kish and Dan Ryckert discuss their experiences with Vampire Survivors, highlighting its addictive gameplay and the challenges it presents.

• Mary Kish (89:04): "It's very difficult. You have to save more men in levels five through eight..."
• Dan Ryckert (75:16): Reflects on the strategic aspects of the game and its impact on players.

7. Metaphors in Cinema: Analyzing Fight Club

Dan Ryckert reads excerpts from his college paper analyzing the film "Fight Club," engaging the hosts in a humorous critique of his own academic work. They explore themes of toxic masculinity, individualism, and societal conformity portrayed in the movie.

• Dan Ryckert (97:55): "It's a film that has changed countless outlooks on life and contributed to many personal philosophies."

Mary Kish and Jeff Grubb offer light-hearted feedback on Dan's analysis, poking fun at the depth (or lack thereof) of his arguments.

• Mary Kish (102:37): "It sounds like you never mentioned it."
• Jeff Grubb (101:10): "It sounds like you're bullshitting."

8. Listener Emails: Reimagining Classic Games

The trio addresses a listener's question about which classic games would resurface unchanged if all video games were wiped from existence and had to start anew. They agree on the enduring appeal of titles like Super Mario Brothers and Tetris, citing their fundamental gameplay mechanics and universal appeal.

• Eric from Saskatchewan (Submitted Email): "If all games were wiped out and we had to start from square one, which ones do you all think would come back just the same?"

• Jeff Grubb (104:00): "Super Mario Brothers... because it feels right."

• Dan Ryckert (105:12): "What about... Tetris... or like, Battle Royale."

9. Upcoming Events and Announcements

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts discuss upcoming projects, including the "Countdown to the Game Awards" and plans for future episodes on related shows like Bombcast. They also mention expanding their online presence through platforms like Blue Sky.

• Dan Ryckert (126:24): "I'm on Blue sky now. I'm Dan Riker.com on Blue sky, so you can find me there."
• Mary Kish (125:11): "I am still streaming every Monday, and right now I'm trying to get through Silent Hill 2 and I'm having a great time."

10. Closing Remarks and Final Jokes

The episode wraps up with light-hearted banter, personal stories, and humorous exchanges between the hosts, showcasing their camaraderie and the entertaining dynamic that defines Fire Escape Cast.

• Dan Ryckert (127:06): "Jake.org you be the judge."
• Mary Kish (127:34): "Don't forget to rate us 5 stars."

Notable Quotes:

• Jeff Grubb (03:00): "There's a whole industry that's just, like, all about the bullshit. That is awesome to me."
• Mary Kish (07:29): "I could not tell the difference between that and a $200 bottle of wine."
• Dan Ryckert (11:33): "I got two pizzas and a macaroni and cheese. The only thing I got free was the one pizza."
• Mary Kish (14:02): "Imagine if you got daily bonuses in other parts of your life."
• Jeff Grubb (15:06): "There was always like orderly lines for me."
• Mary Kish (21:25): "Any person that went in would piss me off."
• Dan Ryckert (36:00): "It's like an RTS."
• Jeff Grubb (60:09): "It's really lovely that when you go to a door and it's locked, he just very quickly, opens up a little piece of paper and writes."
• Mary Kish (89:04): "It's very difficult. You have to save more men in levels five through eight."
• Dan Ryckert (97:55): "Fight Club spoke to our generation bitter about countless promises of a successful life contrasted with the truth of reality."

Conclusion Fire Escape Cast #95 offers a blend of insightful discussions on wine perceptions, humorous takes on service industry jobs, personal anecdotes with law enforcement, and deep dives into video games and cinematic metaphors. The hosts' chemistry and candid conversations provide listeners with both entertainment and thoughtful reflections, making it a compelling episode for fans and newcomers alike.