Spare Parts - Part Two
American. Born and Raised. Like you.
Pick Up the Pace!
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Flat Tire
Olavo turned a corner and saw Werner needed help. Werner’s shoulders curved inward under the weight of years of farm work. Olavo could see he was having trouble lifting the spare tire out of his dilapidated truck. He’d led Werner’s hunting party a while back, but doubted Werner would remember.
He parked parallel to Werner on the opposite end of the rustic highway stretch, so Werner could see him coming. By the side of the road, a yellow-and-brown road sign was covered in fall foliage. Sunlight dipped behind the clouds and a chill in the air made Olavo shudder. He was glad he’d brought his thicker work coat with him.
Olavo greeted Werner with an extended hand. Werner greeted Olavo with a hunting rifle.
“What kinda name is Olive-o?”
“Olavo. Call me Oliver. That’s easier.”
“You illegal?”
“American. Born and Raised. Like you.”
Werner’s eyes narrowed in skepticism. Then he grunted, lowering his hunting rifle.
“You gone huntin’ in these parts that time.”
Olavo wasn’t being asked; he was being told. He responded with a nod in the direction of Werner’s truck.
Meeting his gaze, Werner walked to stand to the right of one taillight. Olavo followed from the left. He leaned forward, lifting the heavier end of the dusty spare tire. Werner grabbed the other. Together they lifted the spare out of the trunk and rested it between them and the yellow lines running parallel on the pavement.
Policy Roadmap
Enjoyed reading Spare Parts - Part Two? Get up to speed on the other stops in this story by swinging by Spare Parts - Part One and consider sharing it with a few friends to jumpstart the conversation. Spare Parts - Part Three parks in your inbox on Sunday.
Pit Stops
In case you missed it, here are two events this week that belong on your roadmap:
Force Multiplier and Rural Democracy Initiative’s Zoom for Rural America
Thursday, October 17 - 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM PT/ 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET
Route 24’s Subscriber Ask-Me-Anything Chat on Substack
Friday, October 18th - 9:00AM - 10:00AM PT/ 12:00PM - 1:00PM ET
…and a few good reads/listens:
It’s been a little over a month since we launched this Substack. What a thrill ride!
Thank you for being a passenger on Route 24 and for your ongoing support of independent filmmakers!
I’d love to hear your feedback. Stop by the comments section or DM me with your thoughts.
The next few weeks are mission critical. Help get out the vote in a battleground state near you.
When we vote, we win! I’ll see you on the road.
Stay the course,
Sam
Are we there yet?!
Route 24 has been building the car as we’ve been driving it. Help us reach our $2,024 destination by 11:59PM PT on Sunday, October 20.
Paid subscriptions support bringing Probable Cause into public view and educating swing state voters to consider a Harris-Walz ticket. Learn more about the project on Route 24’s About Page.
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