The Moth Podcast Summary: "Margot Leitman & Vikki Kelleher: GrandSLAM Stories"
Release Date: January 17, 2011
Host: Dan Kennedy
Episode: GrandSLAM Stories
Introduction
In this episode of The Moth, host Dan Kennedy presents two compelling GrandSLAM stories from opposite coasts, featuring Margot Leitman and Vikki Kelleher. These narratives, captured live at Moth events in New York City and Los Angeles, delve into transformative personal experiences filled with humor, vulnerability, and unexpected twists.
Margot Leitman: Teenage Romance and Awkward Encounters
Recorded: November 2010, New York City
Margot Leitman begins her story by recounting a significant growth spurt in fourth grade, where she grew six inches, reaching five foot six by the end of the year. This physical transformation left her feeling like an adult trapped in a child's body, exacerbated by the presence of baby teeth that made her smile resemble a "killer whale" (02:23).
To navigate the challenges of her new stature and avoid being ostracized, Margot clings to her friendship with Amanda, a "very pretty and very tan and normal-sized" girl. Together, they form an aspiring rock group called the Jersey Girls, spending afternoons practicing dance routines to Chaka Khan's "I Feel for You" and developing demo recordings with surprisingly sexual undertones for their age, such as the lyric "I want you inside of me."
Their daily rehearsals continue until they encounter a telephone dating service commercial, the precursor to modern internet dating. Encouraged by Amanda, Margot decides to set up her own dating profile, embracing her role as the "actress" in their duo. She crafts an audio profile using a "sexy voice" she honed from watching the film Octopussy with her parents:
“Hi, I'm Margot. I'm 5 foot 6 and 125 pounds. I have long blond hair, blue eyes, and freckles. I'm an aspiring recording artist currently working on my demo on the weekends. I like to dance. My favorite song is currently Chaka Khan's 'I feel for you.' So if you feel for me, leave me a message.” (04:10)
Margot listens to profiles from men aged 25 to 35, selecting one from a man named Paul, a 30-year-old bank teller who shares her appreciation for Chaka Khan. Their exchange of messages becomes a daily ritual, culminating in Margot daring to share her home phone number with Paul—an audacious move for a 12-year-old.
When Paul finally calls, the reality of their age difference hits hard. Her mother answers the call, and Paul quickly realizes Margot is only 12 years old, leading to an abrupt and awkward end to their budding "relationship." Margot humorously likens the experience to a "bizarre experiment in the Meisner technique," reflecting on the surreal and comedic nature of the encounter (07:45):
“It was like a bizarre experiment in the Meisner technique.” (07:15)
Margot concludes her story with a lighthearted apology to Paul, underscoring the innocence and humor inherent in youthful misadventures.
Vikki Kelleher: Finding Humor in Grief
Recorded: October 2009, Los Angeles
Theme: Transformation
Vikki Kelleher shares an emotionally charged story about the night her father passed away, blending moments of profound grief with unexpected humor. Initially intending to present an "upbeat tale," Vikki navigates the complexities of coping with loss while maintaining a sense of levity.
The story begins with an urgent call from her sister informing Vikki that her father has taken a turn for the worse. Rushing from Minnesota to Los Angeles, Vikki's anxiety is immediately diverted to mundane worries, such as whether she should tip the hospital's BB cart attendant:
“I was so freaked out. I thought maybe he'd already died. But all of my energy went into do I tip this guy.” (10:05)
Upon arrival, Vikki discovers her father is in a coma, stripping away any remaining illusions of control or closure. She poignantly observes:
“When you're in a coma, you don't learn anything. But when somebody else is in a coma, you learn a lot.” (11:30)
As weeks pass, the family decides it's time to let her father pass away. Contrary to the dramatized portrayals on television, the process is excruciatingly prolonged and interspersed with unexpected interruptions, including the arrival of an "80-year-old woman" who humorously disrupts the solemnity of the moment by repeatedly saying "cinnamon" (13:39).
During a final and intimate moment with her father, Vikki reflects on the duality of emotions—tears and laughter—realizing the absurdity and fragility of life:
“That's what I felt. That was what was inside me, was... 'Don't go, John. It's okay.'” (14:10)
This blend of sorrow and unexpected comedic elements highlights Vikki's resilience and ability to find humor amidst tragedy, providing a transformative perspective on loss.
Conclusion
Margot Leitman and Vikki Kelleher's stories exemplify the essence of The Moth: authentic, unvarnished storytelling that captures the complexities of human experience. Margot's humorous take on adolescent missteps in romance and Vikki's poignant blend of grief and laughter offer listeners relatable insights into personal transformation. These narratives not only entertain but also resonate deeply, illustrating how storytelling can bridge gaps between diverse lives and emotions.
For more stories and live events, visit themost.org.