Angry Radio

I've been listening to the Moth podcast a lot in the past few months, after a friend pointed it out. This week, I listened to the episode called "Pete Aguero: The Entertainer." It started out funny, or funny-ish, but it quickly darkened in tone.

Aguero's tone changed dramatically in just nine minutes, and the narrative went from lighthearted to apalling. The whole time, I could picture exactly what the scenes looked like - his description was vivid. The anger and rage he felt came right through the car stereo speakers and slapped me in the face. I mean, it was one of those tales that's so awful to think about that you doubt its truth for a moment afterward.

When the story wrapped, I still had questions. I think that's what I like about radio, but also what I don't like - when the end of the story for the producer or the teller, isn't the end for the listener. But what do you do? Make up alternate endings, or try to answer the questions yourself?