Selected Shorts Episode: "Playing Games"
Release Date: December 26, 2024
Host: Meg Wolitzer

Introduction: The Intricacies of Games

In this engaging episode of Selected Shorts, host Meg Wolitzer delves into the multifaceted world of games, exploring both their literal and metaphorical dimensions. Wolitzer sets the stage by distinguishing herself as a "word person" (01:10), contrasting her affinity for words over numbers—a theme that permeates the evening's narratives. She introduces the episode's central theme: how games, from board games to psychological maneuvers, reflect, mediate, and sometimes complicate our lives.

Story 1: "The Rules of This Board Game Are Long but Also Complicated" by Brian Agler

Narrated by: Meg Wolitzer
Source: McSweeney’s

Brian Agler’s whimsical story serves as a satirical take on overly complex board games. Hosted humorously by Wolitzer, the narrative centers around a fictional game titled "The Secret of the Golden Tomb," which is anything but straightforward. Agler’s protagonist, acting as the host, attempts to explain the convoluted rules to eager players, only to reveal the game's deeper, more existential undertones.

Notable Quotes:

• “It probably won’t be a big issue, but then again, it almost certainly will.” (03:45)
• “Have you read Nietzsche's Thus Spake Zarathustra? That's basically what you're trying to do.” (07:30)

Summary: The story humorously critiques the obsession with complexity in modern game design, paralleling it with life's own convoluted rules and expectations. As players navigate through arbitrary hurdles—like rolling 32 separate dice to achieve ascending numbers—they inadvertently engage in a metaphorical journey mirroring existential struggles. Agler masterfully uses the game as an allegory for life's unpredictability and the often arbitrary nature of societal rules.

Insights: Agler's narrative suggests that beyond the surface-level enjoyment, games can reflect deeper philosophical questions. The complexity of the game symbolizes the complexities of life, where understanding the rules is both a challenge and a form of engagement with the unpredictable nature of existence.

Story 2: "Cleaning Out the Attic" by John Updike

Narrated by: James Naughton
Source: Selected Shorts

John Updike's poignant story, "Cleaning Out the Attic," explores themes of nostalgia, loss, and the lingering shadows of the past through the lens of abandoned board games found during an attic cleanout. Naughton's evocative narration brings to life the emotional weight each forgotten game carries, serving as a metaphor for the fractured family dynamics and unhealed wounds of the protagonist, Foster.

Notable Quotes:

• “The slant ceilinged rooms stood empty with drooping insulation. How can you bear it?” (15:20)
• “It wasn’t enough to stay in the game; he had to understand why he was playing.” (18:05)

Summary: Foster, tasked with cleaning out his former home’s attic, stumbles upon a collection of broken and forgotten games. Each game triggers memories of happier times and unspoken tensions within his family. The act of discarding these games becomes a symbolic ritual of letting go, yet Foster grapples with the inertia of holding onto the past. The interactions with his sons further illuminate the generational gaps and the silent struggles each family member endures.

Insights: Updike uses the attic as a repository of memories, where each game represents unresolved emotions and the complexities of familial relationships. The story underscores how objects from our past can serve as both anchors and barriers, influencing our present interactions and emotional well-being.

Story 3: "Some Say the World" by Susan Perabo

Narrated by: Colby Mine
Source: Selected Shorts

Susan Perabo's "Some Say the World" intricately weaves a narrative around the protagonist’s tumultuous relationship with games and the underlying psychological battles they symbolize. Mine’s compelling performance captures the protagonist’s inner turmoil and the blurred lines between reality and the escapism offered by board games.

Notable Quotes:

• “The thing about fire is it is completely yours. For one glorious moment.” (28:28)
• “Nice night for driving, I hear myself say.” (35:45)

Summary: The story follows a young adult grappling with personal demons, who finds temporary solace in the structured chaos of board games shared with Mr. Arnett, his mother’s new husband. These games become a battleground for control and a means to navigate his fractured reality. As the narrative progresses, the protagonist's attempts to rid himself of destructive habits mirror his struggle to reclaim agency over his life, culminating in a surreal and intense climax that intertwines the motifs of fire and games.

Insights: Perabo’s narrative delves deep into the therapeutic and destructive potentials of games. They serve as both a refuge and a reflection of the protagonist’s internal struggles, highlighting how the structures and rules of games can offer a semblance of control amidst personal chaos.

Host Commentary: Reflecting on Games as Life Metaphors

Throughout the episode, Meg Wolitzer interjects thoughtful commentary that bridges the stories' themes with broader reflections on human behavior and psychology. She highlights how games embody aspects of aggression, emotional expression, and escapism.

Notable Quotes:

• “Games are a rite of passage. Attics are always full of material detritus... but also of the immaterial.” (24:04)
• “When we sat down for a round of Trivial Pursuit all those years ago, we were probably just wondering if Cary Grant was the right answer to the silver screen question, not how our marriages were holding up.” (59:09)

Insights: Wolitzer emphasizes that games transcend their surface-level appeal, acting as mirrors to our personal and collective psyches. Whether it’s the competitive spirit in Agler’s story, the nostalgic weight in Updike’s, or the escapist refuge in Perabo’s, games facilitate a deeper exploration of identity, relationships, and existential challenges.

Conclusion: The Endgame of Emotional Landscapes

As the episode wraps up, Wolitzer ties together the narratives, reinforcing the idea that games are not just pastimes but are deeply intertwined with our emotional and psychological journeys. She encourages listeners to view games through this enriched lens, appreciating their capacity to reflect and influence our lives in profound ways.

Notable Quotes:

• “In the stories on this program, we've been asked to think about games in more complex terms, as a form of aggression, as an emotional catalyst, as an escape. Well played.” (59:09)

Final Thoughts: Selected Shorts successfully illustrates how games, both literal and metaphorical, serve as powerful tools for storytelling and introspection. By weaving together humor, poignancy, and philosophical musings, the episode offers listeners a nuanced perspective on the roles games play in shaping our narratives and emotional landscapes.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Meg Wolitzer on Word People vs. Numbers People:

   • “From hide and seek to checkers and beyond, I am what's known as a word person.” (01:10)

2. Brian Agler’s Overcomplicated Game Rules:

   • “Have you read Nietzsche's Thus Spake Zarathustra? That's basically what you're trying to do.” (07:30)

3. John Updike’s Nostalgic Reflection:

   • “The slant ceilinged rooms stood empty with drooping insulation. How can you bear it?” (15:20)

4. Susan Perabo’s Protagonist on Fire and Control:

   • “The thing about fire is it is completely yours. For one glorious moment.” (28:28)

5. Meg Wolitzer on the Complexity of Games:

   • “In the stories on this program, we've been asked to think about games in more complex terms, as a form of aggression, as an emotional catalyst, as an escape.” (59:09)

Additional Information

Production Credits:
Selected Shorts is produced by Jennifer Brennan and Sarah Montague, with recordings by Myles B. Smith and Phil Richards. The theme music, "That's the Deal," is performed by the Deardorf Peterson Group. The episode is supported by the Dungannon Foundation and public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, under the governance of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature. Produced and distributed by Symphony Space.

Whether you're a seasoned fan or a newcomer, this episode offers a rich tapestry of narratives that explore the profound connections between games and the human experience. Dive into Selected Shorts "Playing Games" to uncover the layers beneath every roll of the dice and every strategic move.