Slaughterhouse-Five | Ch. 3.2 - Billy Pilgrim Meets St. Elmo's Fire

Banned Camp: Banned Books, Comedy, and Free Speech vs. Censorship

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In this episode of Banned Camp, we’re diving into Chapter 3.2 of Slaughterhouse-Five. Picture this: Billy Pilgrim, a time-traveling optometrist, just trying to get through his day, napping on a bed with a vibrating "Magic Fingers" contraption (doctor’s orders, apparently). There’s Wild Bob, a guy you’ll never forget, who dreams big—like "barbecue-an-entire-steer" big. And let’s not forget the surreal glow of St. Elmo’s Fire.

You’ll laugh, you’ll cringe, and you might even wonder if your bed needs a vibration upgrade. Seriously, this chapter has it all: war memories, Lions Club meetings, and a salesman pitch gone hilariously wrong.

Things To Listen For:

• The weirdest nap setup you’ve ever heard of (hint: vibrating beds + tears).
• Wild Bob’s unforgettable farewell speech and barbecue ambitions.
• Jennifer and Dan debating whether Kiwanis is an animal or a fruit.
• Why grocery store exits are dangerous if Girl Scouts are on the prowl.
• A surprisingly heartfelt take on the surreal beauty of St. Elmo’s Fire.

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Featured Clips:
Featured clips include a snippet of "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" performed by John Parr, and a few seconds from the classic ABC’s Wide World of Sports introduction. All rights and copyrights are the property of their respective owners, used here under fair use guidelines for commentary and education.

Disclaimer:
Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment under fair use guidelines. Material from Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut is used with the intent of sparking thought and discussion. We encourage listeners to purchase a copy to fully enjoy its original context. This podcast is not endorsed by Vonnegut's estate or the book’s publishers.

Topics Covered:
Billy Pilgrim, Magic Fingers, Wild Bob, St. Elmo's Fire, POW marches, wartime scams, Lions Club, banned books.