Death Calling xx-xx-xx Canon City Lazy Driver

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode Title: Death Calling xx-xx-xx Canon City Lazy Driver
Release Date: February 16, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Description: Reliving the Golden Age of Radio with classic shows like The Shadow, Abbott & Costello, Amos & Andy, Dragnet, and more.

---

Overview

In this episode of Death Calling, listeners are transported to a small town in Canyon City, Colorado, where a seemingly minor accident unveils deeper narratives of community, resilience, and the consequences of everyday negligence. The episode masterfully blends suspense with heartfelt character development, showcasing the storytelling essence of the Golden Age of Radio.

---

Key Characters

• John Shaw: A dedicated special investigator with Colorado Highway Accidents Reporting.
• Terry: A resilient young man overcoming polio, striving to run his delivery business.
• Death (Narrator): The personification of death, providing insights and commentary on the events.
• Henry: A concerned individual involved in the accident narration.

---

Plot Summary

The Accident (00:00 - 02:29)

The episode opens with a Shopify advertisement [00:00], quickly transitioning to the main narrative. John Shaw introduces himself as a special investigator handling a case in Canyon City (01:08). The incident involves a collision caused by "the worst kind of laziness" [01:08], referring to a driver failing to signal a turn, leading to an accident with Terry, a motorcyclist.

John Shaw [01:08]: "Case number CC29. Place of accident, Canyon City. Cause of accident? The worst kind of laziness."

Investigating the Incident (02:18 - 03:17)

Shaw delves into Terry's background, highlighting his battle with polio and his determination to graduate high school despite paralysis in his left leg [03:17]. Terry's entrepreneurial spirit is showcased as he runs a delivery business with the help of a motor scooter provided by a service club.

John Shaw [03:17]: "Sounds like we could use more like him."

Character Development and Personal Stories (03:30 - 04:40)

The narrative shifts to more personal interactions. Shaw visits Terry, emphasizing the police department's admiration for Terry's resilience. Terry converses about his business and expresses optimism about recovery despite his injuries [04:13].

Terry [04:20]: "That old leg and I have been through this before. It got well once, it'll do it again. I'll be raring the gold."

Shaw reflects on the tragic irony of the accident, attributing Terry's non-fatal injuries to the driver's failure to signal properly [04:40].

John Shaw [04:40]: "Blood clot in his head. Had it figured different, I guess. All on account of this woman being too lazy to signal."

Death's Commentary (05:08 - 05:29)

Death breaks the fourth wall, addressing the audience directly about negligent drivers who don't use turn signals. This segment serves as both a moral lesson and a nod to the episode's themes of responsibility and the fragility of life.

Death [05:08]: "I know a lot of drivers who don't bother to signal for a turn. [...] Happy driving."

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• John Shaw [01:08]: "Cause of accident? The worst kind of laziness."
• Shaw [03:17]: "Sounds like we could use more like him."
• Terry [04:20]: "That old leg and I have been through this before. It got well once, it'll do it again."
• Shaw [04:40]: "All on account of this woman being too lazy to signal."
• Death [05:08]: "Happy driving."

---

Themes and Insights

1. Resilience in Adversity: Terry's struggle with polio and his determination to succeed despite physical challenges highlight the human spirit's resilience.
2. Consequences of Negligence: The central accident serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of responsible driving and the potentially life-altering consequences of seemingly minor oversights.
3. Community and Support: The involvement of the police department and service clubs underscores the strength of community support in overcoming personal and collective challenges.
4. Mortality and Fate: Through the character of Death, the episode explores themes of fate, chance, and the thin line between life and death, prompting listeners to reflect on their actions and their impact on others.

---

Conclusion

Death Calling in this episode intricately weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. By focusing on Terry's personal journey and the ramifications of a single negligent act, the story resonates with timeless lessons on perseverance, responsibility, and the value of community. Harold's Old Time Radio successfully brings these classic tales to life, offering listeners a rich auditory experience reminiscent of the beloved radio dramas of the past.

---

Note: Advertisements and non-content sections, such as Shopify, VRBO, and Fred Meyer promos, have been excluded from this summary to maintain focus on the episode's core narrative.

Transcript

[Shopify Representative]

When you think about businesses that are selling through the roof, like Ello or Allbirds or Skims, sure you think about a great product, a cool brand and brilliant marketing. But an often overlooked secret is actually the business behind the business making selling simple for millions of businesses. That business is Shopify. Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Home of the number one checkout on the planet. And the not so secret secret with Shop Pay that boosts conversions up to 50%, meaning way less carts going abandoned and way more sales. So if you're into growing your business, your commerce platform better be ready to sell wherever your customers are scrolling or strolling on the web, in your store, in their feed and everywhere in between. Upgrade your business and get the same checkout Allbirds uses. Sign up for your $1 per month trial period at shopify.com try all lowercase go to shopify.com try to upgrade your selling today. Shopify.com try.

[Death]

Hello, Colorado, this is death calling. This is Death calling. Jewels.

[John Shaw]

John Shaw, special investigator, Colorado Highway Accidents reporting. Case number CC29. Place of accident, Canyon City. Cause of accident? The worst kind of laziness. Luckily, it wasn't fatal. I thought I'd tell you about this case because it illustrates so well. Excuse me, Mrs. Shaw.

[Death]

Line three. Call from Canyon City. I want you to hear this too.

[John Shaw]

Okay, boss. Go ahead.

[Death]

Now.

[John Shaw]

It can't be. What time? 7am did he not. Didn't. Yeah. I'll change the entry. The actual. So long, Mike. Yeah, boy.

[Death]

Do you want to take it to Hunaw?

[John Shaw]

Nah, of course not. I'll wait for that until it happens to my kid. I've suddenly lost all desire to tell this story. It was gonna be about a kid making a second great comeback, only now we can't. Guinness and I came across this story 3 days ago in Canyon City. One of the boys in the police department was telling us about this accident in town where a lady was driving along, possibly.

[Henry]

So I said to Mama, well, just don't say anything if she wants to treat her family that way. Running around while they're at home without a wife. And just don't get fixed up in it. Henry, you listening?

[Death]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Henry]

Well, then, so she told me the latest. And you'd hardly believe it. I wouldn't accept that. It was Ma that told me. And she wouldn't be passing it on if she didn't know it was true. Is this where I turn? Henry?

[Death]

You're in the wrong lane.

[Henry]

See anybody behind me?

[Death]

No, but signal.

[Henry]

Oh, what for? Well, I was going to tell you what? Made up. What was that, Henry?

[Death]

I don't know. Better stop, Henrietta. Felt like something hit us.

[John Shaw]

Terry hit him, all right. All 135 pounds of. He'd been riding on a motorcycle. Must have been in the blind spot to the left rear of the car. They were Both going about 15 miles an hour when the lady turned. Witnesses said Terry may look, a fullback hitting the center of the line. Fractured his skull, broke his left leg in two places. Internal injuries. But the real story lies in Terry's background, as one of the policemen told us.

[Death]

The thing of it is, fellas, Terry's a favorite this time. You see, he had polio a year ago this spring. Paralyzed his left leg. Well, he was supposed to graduate from high school that year. So he continues his studies in bed and makes it. Gets graduated in braces, see.

[John Shaw]

Sounds like we could use more like him.

[Death]

What I mean is, we could, but there's more. At the time he graduated, he wanted to go in business for himself, see. Just an 18 year old kid. Well, one of the service clubs gave him this motor scooter to set him up in the delivery business, see. And he's been doing great up till now. Seems a shame, gal. Just too busy talking. He's gonna pull through, though. I'm betting on that.

[John Shaw]

Can he have visitors?

[Death]

Yeah, Couple of the boys have been up lately. It was three days before he could even talk.

[John Shaw]

Well, we might go see him on our way out of town. That's just what we did. I go for kids, especially spunky ones like Terry. Seemed like nothing was gonna get him down.

[Death]

He told me I got a neighbor.

[Terry]

Boy doing my delivery. Mr. Shaw. Kind of makes me an executive. Directing the business to my office, you might say.

[John Shaw]

Everything you need. Terry, telephone for these secretaries. Well, I hope everything comes along just fine for you. Next time we're down this way, you'll be back in action.

[Terry]

Sure thing, Mr. Shaw. That old leg and I have been through this before. It got well once, it'll do it again. I'll be raring the gold.

[John Shaw]

Blood clot in his head. Had it figured different, I guess. All on account of this woman being too lazy to signal. Oh, yeah, One thing I forgot to tell you. Not only didn't she put out her arm to warn Terry, but she had turn indicator lights. Could have saved his life with a flick of her fingertips. Did I say it wasn't fatal? I guess that's what you call dead laziness.

[Death]

Hello, Colorado. This is death calling you. I know a lot of drivers who don't bother to signal for a turn. You of course, they're particular friends of mine. The Colorado Highway Safety Council tries to warn them, but there'd be more lazy drivers if I had my way. Happy driving.

[Terry]

Imagine being on a vacation for a very long time. Now imagine saving money nightly while you do it. Sounds pretty great, right? With vrbo's Long Stay Discounts, you can stay longer and save more. Our customers save an average of 10% when they book select properties for a week or longer. Just in case you needed another reason to extend that vacation book the perfect Summer getaway today with VRBO Private Vacation Rentals. Your future self will thank you later.

[Fred Meyer Advertiser]

Stay warm and save every day. All in the Fred Meyer App get juicy green, red or black seedless grapes for $1.99 a pound with your card and a digital coupon. Then find low prices on thousands of items like sparkling ice water, Kroger brand chips and more with your car. Shop these deals at your local Kroger Today or click the screen now to download the Fred Meyer app to save big today. Fred Meyer Fresh for Everyone. Prices and product availability subject to change restrictions apply. See site for details.