Summary of "George Dawes Green: The Haunted Freezer" – The Moth Podcast
Introduction
In the episode titled "George Dawes Green: The Haunted Freezer," featured on The Moth podcast released on August 19, 2014, George Dawes Green, the founder of The Moth and an acclaimed author, shares a deeply personal and haunting narrative. Delivered live in New York in 2012, this story falls under the theme "Bend Stories of Coming Home," exploring themes of friendship, loss, and the supernatural.
Setting the Scene: Poker Nights at Wanda Bullard's House
George begins by painting a vivid picture of his cherished poker nights at the home of his oldest friend, Wanda Bullard, located on St. Simon's Island off the coast of Georgia. He describes Wanda's eclectic household, filled with "junk" and personal lucky items like Chinese coins, shark's teeth, bottle caps, and a quirky ashtray from "south of the border" (03:36).
"I would pull up in Wanda's driveway and look through her dining room window... you know, she was a teacher. She'd been a teacher for 40 years. Her students loved her." (03:45)
Wanda, though 60, exudes a youthful spirit, amusingly resembling Charlie Brown with her distinctive habit of puckering her tongue when focused. Alongside her, George's friend Larry is characterized by his "black cowboy hat and his hooded cobra eyes," perpetually shuffling the deck.
The Dynamic of Friendship and Insults
The atmosphere during these poker nights is both warm and tumultuous. Wanda's generosity and kindness are juxtaposed with a sharp "mean streak." The nights are filled with playful yet biting insults exchanged among the friends, creating a unique camaraderie.
"Wanda would say, you're a weasel and your hand is pitiful and you're especially ugly tonight. And I would say, Larry, you look like a cobra tonight." (06:15)
Despite the chaos, the interactions are underpinned by deep affection and mutual respect, creating what George refers to as "a ring of just pure blissful chaos."
Introducing Lucy Mayo and the Freezer Curse
Among the colorful characters is Lucy Mayo, a petite woman deeply connected to the "invisible world." Lucy despises hunting and believes that the freezer in Wanda’s house is haunted by the spirits of murdered deer, cautioning that it brings a curse upon the household.
"She thought it would bring a curse on the house. And she said it was an abomination." (10:05)
Her constant agitation about the freezer creates tension during the poker sessions, ultimately leading Wanda to dismiss her fears:
"I don't care. Shut up and play." (12:00)
A Memorable Christmas and the Freezer Incident
During one memorable Christmas, Wanda gifts Larry a singing Santa, and George gifts a singing trophy fish, much to their amusement. Lucy Mayo contributes a Roomba, which disrupts the household harmony as the pets react furiously to the robotic vacuum.
Amidst the festivities, an intense poker game ensues:
"Wanda was saying, I own this hand. Put your money in the pot. Put your money in, you little cowards." (14:30)
After an exhausting 24-hour poker marathon, George leaves the house in a state of delirium from exhaustion, earning a playful insult from Wanda:
"You're a quitt." (16:10)
The Haunted Freezer Unleashed
Months later, Larry discovers that Lucy Mayo had unplugged the freezer on Christmas Day, unbeknownst to the others. Ignoring Larry's solemn warning—"Don't ever open this. Ever." (16:20)—Wanda decides to remove the freezer with the help of neighborhood kids.
As they attempt to haul the freezer, chaos erupts. The freezer crashes open, releasing a putrid stench from the rotten meats inside. Pets flee in terror, and the household descends into pandemonium:
"One of the neighbor boys came streaking through the kitchen and ran right past us... the smell because those neighbor kids had dropped the freezer and everything had come out." (16:50)
Realizing the severity of the situation, George and Wanda evacuate the house, only to return masked with scarves to retrieve the freezer. They encounter Lucy Mayo, who misconstrues the scene as a gruesome event involving "seven masked banditos" or the vengeful spirits of Frankie's murdered deer.
The Supernatural Revelation and Tragic Loss
In a surreal twist, Wanda begins to laugh uncontrollably upon seeing Lucy Mayo's terror, followed by everyone else, including the frightened neighbor kids:
"She just became a ball of laughter. And then all of us were laughing... Even Lucy Mayo had no idea what was going on." (17:10)
This eerie event marks the beginning of a series of tragic losses. Within a few months, Larry dies unexpectedly, followed by George's mother, and then Wanda herself—all within a short span. George reflects on his earlier attempts to prepare for loss, admitting:
"I told myself these things as a way to inoculate myself against any future grief. And I did succeed in making myself really sad for about 10 minutes. Until we started playing poker again." (17:20)
Conclusion: Reflections on Loss and the Supernatural
George concludes with a poignant realization about the unpredictability of life and the fragile nature of human connections. He admits that his mental preparation was inadequate, stating:
"I was not prepared at all. Because when the invisible world strikes, we're hopeless." (17:25)
He expresses regret for not cherishing more moments with his friends, underscoring the profound impact of their loss.
"I should have just gone back in that house and spent every minute I could playing poker with my friends and taking their money and listening to the insults of my beloved Wanda." (17:27)
Afterword
Following the story, Dan Kennedy, the podcast host, provides a brief biography of George Dawes Green, highlighting his achievements and upcoming events. The episode concludes with closing advertisements and acknowledgments, maintaining The Moth's tradition of blending storytelling with personal insights.
Notable Quotes
- Wanda to George after he leaves the poker game: "You're a quitt." (16:10)
- George reflecting on his inability to prepare for loss: "I was not prepared at all. Because when the invisible world strikes, we're hopeless." (17:25)
- Lucy Mayo's ominous belief about the freezer: "She thought it would bring a curse on the house. And she said it was an abomination." (10:05)
Final Thoughts
"The Haunted Freezer" is a hauntingly beautiful tale that intertwines humor, friendship, supernatural elements, and the inevitability of loss. George Dawes Green masterfully captures the essence of The Moth's storytelling ethos, offering listeners a poignant reminder to cherish moments with loved ones before it's too late.