Podcast Summary: The Moth – Episode Featuring Matt Mercier, Brian Brown & Joe Charnitski

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Moth
• Host/Author: The Moth
• Episode: Matt Mercier, Brian Brown & Joe Charnitski
• Release Date: October 25, 2016

Overview: In this special Halloween episode of The Moth podcast, listeners are treated to three spine-chilling stories that explore themes of spirit, haunting, and the edge-of-your-seat moments of no return. Hosted by Dan Kennedy, the episode features captivating narratives from Matt Mercier, Brian Brown, and Joe Charnitski, each delving into their unique encounters with the supernatural and the inexplicable.

1. Matt Mercier: Confronting the Spirit of Edgar Allan Poe

Timestamp: [01:43 - 08:17]

Summary: Matt Mercier, a writer and former caretaker of Edgar Allan Poe’s last residence in the Bronx, shares his eerie experience while living in Poe’s historic cottage. As the basement caretaker, Mercier enjoyed a harmonious arrangement: free rent in exchange for guiding tours. However, his routine encounter with a peculiar visitor spirals into a haunting ordeal.

One Halloween afternoon, a mysterious man dressed entirely in purple arrives seeking a tour. Initially accommodating, Mercier notices the visitor’s odd behavior and eventual request to conduct a seance to summon Edgar Allan Poe’s spirit.

Notable Quotes:

• "I consider myself a rational man, all right? Logic and reason are my twin gods." ([Brian Brown, 03:30])
• "I don't want him in the house anymore. It's my house too, you know?" ([Brian Brown, 07:45])

As the visitor becomes increasingly insistent, chanting and attempting to connect with Poe’s spirit, Mercier grapples with disbelief and fear. The tension peaks when the man abruptly asks about the safety of his car, revealing his true intent to leave. Mercier’s confrontation with the supernatural culminates in the mysterious guest fleeing, leaving Mercier to reflect on the lingering presence of Poe’s spirit within the cottage.

Conclusion: Mercier’s story underscores the thin veil between the rational world and the supernatural, leaving listeners questioning the boundaries of reality and the enduring legacy of Edgar Allan Poe.

2. Brian Brown: The Legend of Mookie the Monkey

Timestamp: [08:51 - 14:30]

Summary: Brian Brown recounts the haunting folklore of Mookie the Monkey at Circle F Dude Ranch camp. The legend begins with Mookie, originally named Shmoopy, a solitary camper with peculiar habits who mysteriously vanished in the 1960s. Over the years, campers reported sightings of Mookie wandering the woods, sharpening knives and instilling fear.

Brown, a camp counselor, describes his efforts to quell the campers’ fears. He shares a pivotal moment when he confronts the terror by revealing the true, benevolent identity of Mookie as Shmoopy—a friend who once brought joy and lollipops to campers.

Notable Quotes:

• "Mookie comes back, kills everybody, and is now said to wander the woods of Circle F looking for his next victim." ([Brian Brown, 10:05])
• "There is something there, right? There is something there." ([Brian Brown, 04:50])

However, despite his attempts to demystify the legend, the story takes a dark turn when the campers experience unexplained phenomena, leading to Brown’s sleepless nights and lingering paranoia. The climax reveals the unsettling possibility that Shmoopy’s presence may still haunt the camp, leaving a lasting impression of fear and ambiguity.

Conclusion: Brown’s tale blends folklore with personal experience, illustrating how legends evolve and the power they hold over collective memory and individual psychology.

3. Joe Charnitski: A Night at the Haunted Asylum

Timestamp: [15:04 - 21:17]

Summary: Joe Charnitski narrates a harrowing adventure from his teenage years when a group of friends decide to explore a supposedly haunted, abandoned insane asylum. Accompanied by his friend Gumby, who brings a video camera to capture evidence of ghosts, they embark on a daring quest fueled by youthful bravado.

As they navigate the eerie setting, unexplained noises and sudden scares escalate the tension. The night culminates in a terrifying car chase down a narrow, dirt road after a mysterious third car appears, leading to a dramatic crash that leaves Charnitski and his friends shaken.

Notable Quotes:

• "Ghosts are never the problem. People. People are the problem." ([Joe Charnitski, 19:10])
• "Shmoopy's real." ([Charnitski’s Friend, 20:45])

The aftermath reveals the interplay between fear and responsibility. Charnitski grapples with the consequences of the ordeal, including dealing with his parents’ reaction to the crashed car, highlighting themes of accountability and the blurred lines between reality and supernatural fear.

Conclusion: Charnitski’s story emphasizes the unpredictability of adventures gone wrong and the lasting impact of fear-inducing experiences, leaving listeners to ponder the nature of courage and the human inclination to seek thrills despite the risks.

Final Thoughts: This Halloween edition of The Moth weaves together stories that explore the essence of fear, the supernatural, and the human experience of confronting the unknown. Through personal anecdotes and vivid storytelling, Matt Mercier, Brian Brown, and Joe Charnitski deliver narratives that are both haunting and thought-provoking, perfectly capturing the spirit of the season.

Attributions:

• Matt Mercier: Writer and storyteller with experience as caretaker and head docent of Edgar Allan Poe’s cottage.
• Brian Brown: Writer based in Los Angeles with personal connections to camp folklore.
• Joe Charnitski: Moth Story Slam winner and producer involved in storytelling performances.

Production Credits:

• Host: Dan Kennedy, author and regular Moth host.
• Production: Timothy Lou Lee.
• Recording: Argo Studios, New York City, supervised by Paul Rue West.
• Presented by: PRX, the Public Radio Exchange.

Closing Note: Listeners are encouraged to visit the Moth’s website for more information on programs and live events.