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The comedy4cast network. Let's dog-ear that for now.

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This is comedy4cast, Episode 820, Signs of Trouble.

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It's time once again for the Dog Days of Podcasting. For more information and

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to hear all the shows, go to dogdaysofpodcasting.com.

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Let's get started with Odd News Plus.

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Here are our odd news stories for Wednesday, August 28th, 2024.

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First up, a shocking new report says those autographs you get from your favorite

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celebrities at a convention may be forgeries.

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Using the latest advances in AI and robotics, famous people are deciding to

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ditch the crowds. Instead, lifelike automatons deal with the endless lines of

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selfie-seekers and autograph collectors.

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It was a nearly perfect plan.

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But when Nathan Fillion showed up at conventions in New York,

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Berlin, and Los Angeles on the same day, people became a bit suspicious.

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Regarding one celebrity in particular, a fan said that they could tell something

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was wrong because the TV star was, quote, super nice and listened to my whole

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rambling fan fiction story. Close quote.

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While authorities have put an end to this clear violation of contract,

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that one fan is hoping the robot comes back to Comic-Con again next year,

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because she has a lot more fanfic to share.

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Now let's get to our actual for real odd news story. This story practically writes itself.

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Morhead City, North Carolina. An average town that uses the word city in its

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name, just to make sure you're paying attention.

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A town where you can catch a baseball game featuring the Morhead City Marlins

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at Big Rock Stadium, charter a private boat tour along the Crystal Coast,

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or dine at one of the town's, not city's, many restaurants.

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Which brings us to Ioanni's Grill and Bar, where the friendly message,

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Happy Birthday, Jeff, ended up staying on their sign's message board for several weeks.

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Eventually, Clarke Merrill, owner of the neighboring Dank Burrito restaurant, had had enough.

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He used the Dank Burrito message board to craft the message,

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Ioanni's quit being lazy. Change your sign.

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Sam Turnage, owner of Ioanni's, did just that, changing the sign to read, Dank, we're not lazy.

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Just busier than you. Ooh, gauntlet thrown, second volley fired. It was now all-out war.

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Dank Burrito responded with a new sign. Y'all just look busy because it takes

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two hours for a dollar taco.

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The good-natured ribbing. Wait, do they serve ribs? Anyway, the signs caught

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the attention of other businesses in the area.

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Soon, they were all weighing in on the battle with message board missives of their own.

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Flashback Arcade Retro Fun Center messaged, Let's squash this beef like men,

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over a game of Soul Calibur.

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Sandy's Florist Shop took the opportunity to remind people, Burritos are great, bouquets are better.

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Furniture store Our Coastal Home wanted to declare its neutrality by posting

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their message, No beef, we're for the sheets, not the streets.

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And one local church chimed in with, Ioanni's, Dank, our church has better service.

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But when EJW Outdoor Sporting Goods Store had their sign read,

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Guys, do we need to taco about this?

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Dank Burritos replied via their sign, Guac, EJW. This is nacho beef.

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All in all, about 70 businesses have been playing along with this faux fight.

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And people have been stopping to take pictures of the signs.

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And hopefully stop into the stores and restaurants. When will it all end? That's hard to say.

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Dank Burrito's owner Clark Merrill thought it would have already ended,

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but Sam Turnage wants to keep this thing going as long as possible.

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In case things get too hot, guys, remember the message sign outside the Moorhead

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City, not a city, Fire Department Station Number 2.

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In queso fire, call 911.

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And finally, it's time for another gardening tip straight out of the middle-aged

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farmer's almanac. Creating a topiary garden can be a demanding yet fascinating hobby.

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It requires the skills of a master gardener and the talent of a world-class sculptor.

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If that doesn't sound like you, consider the new line of giant chia pets.

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They're just like normal chia pets, but supersized.

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Your neighbors across the street will be literally stunned by the six-foot-tall

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Bob Roth head on your front lawn. The one with that grin.

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The one that just stares at them. Unblinking. 24 hours a day. Not creepy at all.

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That about wraps it up for today's Odd News Plus.

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A big thanks to the comedy4cast patrons for helping make this show possible.

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Story, voices, and original music by Clinton Alvord. Copyright 2024 All rights

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reserved Talk to you next time But for now, that's it We're done,

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done, done, done, done Bye-bye.

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Music.