Travel Tales: When Features Attack
Whenever I’ve got a new car and want to surprise the kids, I get them to try out one of the features that I think are cool in order to see what kind of reaction I get. This is a transcript of one of those moments. It may not be word-for-word, but it’s close.
Suburban Dad to 15-Year-Old: Hey, check out that latch on the floor by your feet.
15-Year-Old: I’m not kicking your seat.
The Wife, after looking back over her left shoulder: He’s not kicking your seat!
Suburban Dad: No, no, take a look at the latch on the floor by your feet.
15-Year-Old: Yeah, what about it?
Suburban Dad: Try lifting it up and see what’s underneath it!
15-Year-Old: Hold on. (Pause) Owww!
Suburban Dad: What’s the matter?
15-Year-Old: Leg cramp!
Suddenly, a painful throbbing noise fills the car. The left rear window has gone down, and because it’s the only window down, it’s creating a horrible pressure in all of our ears.
Whole Family: Aaahh! That hurts! What is that! Close that window!
15-Year-Old: I’m trying!
(He finally gets window closed.)
15-Year-Old, laughing: When I laid down my arm on the armrest, the window opened up.
And… scene.
This is something to keep in mind if you get the Journey: the lock-windows button just behind the driver’s seat window switches may turn out to be your best friend. And don’t spring new features on kids while you’re driving.
