I’ve only recently begun listening to the podcast Nightlight, described by its website as “a horror anthology audio drama featuring stories written by Black writers and voiced by Black actors.” I’ve been enjoying it immensely thus far, and have listened to several episodes, chilling stories all. But the episode I listened to a couple days ago really captured my imagination.
“Wilson’s Pawn and Loan” tells the story of a young Black man, Eddie, at the end of another long day working his recently deceased father’s pawn shop. Just before closing, a pale stranger walks in, in possession of an impossible claim ticket, insistent on the return of his property. Eddie doesn’t trust the stranger, and for good reason, as the unsettling man knew his father, and shares more about him than Eddie ever wanted to know. Eddie, in learning this new information, is confronted with a choice – one that will define him as either his father’s son, or his own man – and the stakes are high.
This story asks us to consider what makes us who we are, how we are beholden to our parents for the love they gave or withheld, and the limits of loyalty. It also comes with a surprising, chilling, but very satisfying twist. Eddie is a character whose fear of the stranger we share, yet who exhibits cleverness and bravery in the face of strange and horrifying revelations. Even if you’re not interested in picking up a whole new podcast, I can’t really recommend this episode highly enough. It is a great story.
The podcast runner, Tanya Thompson, conducts an interview with the story’s author, Lamar Giles, at the end of the episode. If you’re a writer of any kind, or at all interested in learning more about the story and the author’s process, it’s a really fascinating listen.
For more information on the podcast, visit their website at https://nightlightpod.com/. Listen to the episode on Spotify or your favorite podcasting platform, or visit their Patreon for more information.
Leave a comment