Speaker 1: Welcome to Endo the Night. I'm Narri your guide on
today's excursion down a twisted path. Be careful not to
get lost. Be it dark or light, It's easy to
lose your way. Are you ready, then let's begin.
Speaker 2: The Name Dropper Society Part one. I first met the
Thursday Nighters as we called them, down at O'Malley's Pub
the summer I turned twenty one, Barely able to drink myself,
I worked nights right after college, serving drinks, serving food,
and serving as a sympathetic ear to the patrons. History
majors like me had a hard time finding professional jobs.
My dad tried to warn me that a social science
degree wouldn't yield many opportunities for a career, but of
course I wasn't one to be deterred by reason, not
then Anyway. Some days and even years go by that
we barely remember later in life. Others stick with you,
or at least the memories of the meaningful friends you
met at the time.
Speaker 3: Do.
Speaker 2: Some people, like the Thursday night Ers, are impossible to forget.
And while my father would never understand, I learned more
that gave me a proper perspective on life. When I
worked at O'Malley's pub than I would ever learn anywhere else.
He wouldn't understand, though, because I never told him what
happened back then. He'd never believe me if I did
that dead end job he criticized changed my life. If
a person wants to study human nature, a bar is
a great laboratory to conduct observations. I learned subtle things,
like watching which direction a man or woman's feet pointed
when they talked to someone. If a guy was into
a girl, his feet would point toward her while they talk.
If he wasn't interested, his feet would point away from her.
I made some good money placing bets on couples with
people who didn't know about the foot trick. A few
of my less observant coworkers thought I was psychic because
nearly every time I could tell who'd leave the bar
with whom that night. The only exceptions were the ones
too drunk to care after a while, as long as
they left with someone. Beer goggles were real, and I'd
shake my head in amazement at the pairings they created.
Who knows how many children have resulted from beer goggles.
I'm guessing we all know a few. If truth were
told We had our share of patrons who stopped for
just one night while they were in town for a game,
a concert, or business. Strangers loved to bear their souls
and clear their consciences, especially once they start drinking. I've
heard about more bad marriages, affairs, gambling, obsessions, health problems,
and the like than I can begin to tell. I
guess it's easier to come clean to someone you figure
you'll never see again. Their secrets stay safe fate.
Speaker 3: Ever.
Speaker 2: It's were the regulars, though, and that's who this story
is really about. Each of them had their own routine.
Some came in every night, and it was clear that
we were the closest thing to family that they had.
Some only came in on certain nights, but we could
count on them to show up right on time every time.
That's how it was with the Thursday nighters. They had
names ed McElroy, Henry case, Lionel Caldwell, and Casper Rydell.
To look at them, they seemed like the coolest grandpa's
on the planet. Once you spoke with them, you knew
it was true. I became especially close with them because
Thursdays were slow nights, so at times I had little
or nothing to do. The men would invite me to
their table and they'd start swapping stories. I of course,
was fascinated, since they'd talk about events that happened before
my time. History was a passion of mine already, but
to hear first hand accounts captivated me. Each of the
men told of person on accounts at crucial points in history.
A few times I doubted their honesty, and I think
they could tell when they'd treaded into those waters. Now, ed,
you're going to make a sound like a bunch of
old men telling fishing stories. Let's go back to talking
about Vietnam. They'd smile at me as if they shared
an inside joke, and try as I might to remain skeptical,
they'd soon drag me full on into their next story.
Between the four of them, they'd met several impressive people
in our history, presidents, military leaders, scientists, actors, politicians, and
business moguls. To see if they pulled my leg, I'd
later research the stories they told. To my surprise, they
were accurate. Sometimes I had to dig deep to find
the information, but my research always corroborated their accounts. Kyle,
why are you always hanging out with the Thursday night.
Speaker 1: Ers.
Speaker 2: Don't you get bored talking to gazers? No, Jake, I don't.
You'd learn a lot more if you paid attention to
what they have to say. They're amazing. They've lived the
history you and I have only read about or watched
in the movies. Suit yourself sounds boring to me.
Speaker 1: History boy, it's your loss.
Speaker 2: I looked forward to Thursdays when the men I considered
my friends came in. I knew their drinks and their
favorite foods to order by heart. They repaid me with
generous tips and interesting conversations. Weeks than months passed, and
Thursdays became my favorite night of the week. Occasionally, only
three of the men showed up at their regular six
o'clock rendezvous time. They'd nervously watch the door for their
friend to arrive. He'll be here. I'm sure he's just
running late.
Speaker 1: I'm sure their.
Speaker 2: Age is an inspect of illness with worse. Isn't out
of the realm of possibility? I can understand why I worried.
Each time, they'd breathe a sigh of relief and smile
when the missing member of their group arrived, usually looking
a little friend Soon they'd be back to their regular antics, talking, laughing,
and swapping stories while they ate and drank. Whenever I
had a chance, I joined them. You know, Kyle, you
are a little younger than the rest of us, but
we consider you a part of our Thursday evenings. I
look forward to you guys coming in here. You are
so interesting to talk to. Not everyone wants to listen
to a bunch of old men talk about the past.
I do. Ever since I was a little kid, I
have wanted to hear about history from people who have
lived it. Maybe someday, Kyle, you'll be one of those
men that shares what he's learned with young people. For now,
thanks for putting up with us. Looks like you've got
customers coming in. Kyle.
Speaker 3: When you get back here, I'll tell you about the
time I was at the State of the Union dress
given by Richard Nixon, and I may have one to
top Henry story. It just might have something to do
with Queen Elizabeth, Elizabeth the First or Elizabeth the Second.
Speaker 2: I smiled and shook my head. They had a running
joke about who was the oldest in the group. The
men laughed and chattered away as I went about taking
orders and refilling drinks. One night, they'd had a few
more drinks than usual and became sentimental about friends they'd
had in the past. They shared stories about longtime friends
who'd passed away and the loves of their lives who
also no longer lived. A few tears came to their eyes,
and I sat quietly in the booth, afraid any comment
made by me would intrude on the importance of their emotions. Kyle,
I hope we haven't been too depressing for you tonight.
We got carried away talking about old times, not at all.
Thank you for including me and letting me hear about
the people who've been important to you. You're a good kid.
You remind us of when we were your age. You're smart, thoughtful,
and no when you have to listen. Those are all
good traits to have. Is there anything you'd like to
know more about that we discussed tonight. I'd like to
know more about that one guy. Hell, he sounded like
a real character. Whatever happened to him? The men squirmed,
but then Lionel grinded, Oh, he didn't make it out
of the revolution, which revolution the French. He and Edward
boys at the time me. Even at that somber and
sentimental moment, they could still tease each other about being
or thank you for joining me for this episode of
the End of the Night Anthology podcast. Written by Caroline Giamanco,
narrated by Nari, Theme music by Nico Rodriguez, all other
original music, sound design and editing by Ohmenhawk Studios. You
can find our links in the show notes. Into the
Night is on your favorite podcatcher, so make sure to like,
subscribe and leave a five star review to help other
Excursionists to join us. I'll see you next time, and remember,
whether in the shadows or in the daylight, all twisted
paths lead you into the night. Into the Night Anthology
is a creative typo entertainment production.
Speaker 1: Hi, Excursionists, I'm so glad you stayed. If you ever
wonder what I'm working on when I'm not here, you
can find my current and past projects at Nari narrates
dot com. That's also where you can sign up to
be a story in my library, where every story somehow
finds its way back home.