Synopsis: The members of Greta Van Fleet agree to do an interview with the Human Napkin himself, Nardwuar, and find themselves ridiculously unprepared for his interview style.
Words: 2k
Warnings: language, some sexual innuendos (kinda?), mentions of stalking, the void™️
Notes: Shoutout to @skywaydrifter for the amazing fic idea, and sending me down a wild Nardwuar binge-fest
----------------------------------------------
Nardwuar theme plays with the animated intro video. The shot opens to show NARDWUAR standing in front of an impressive display of vinyl records, next to JOSH KISZKA.
NARDWUAR: How are you?
Nardwuar shoves his microphone into Josh’s face. Josh flinches back a bit, but then leans into the microphone.
JOSH: Absolutely groovy.
NARDWUAR: Tell me who you are.
JOSH: That’s a bit of a loaded question. I’m a dreamer, a mere mortal, a man with a dream…
NARDWUAR: Your name.
JOSH: Oh. Josh Kiszka. Frontman for the group, Greta Van Fleet.
Josh curtsies to the camera.
NARDWUAR: Welcome to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. And right off the bat, I have a gift for ya.
JOSH puts a hand over his heart and looks at the camera in shock.
JOSH: Now I feel bad, I didn’t bring you anything.
NARDWUAR (continued): I’ve got this 1966 album, All About Miriam.
JOSH: (taking the album and cradling it in his arms) Oh my goodness.
NARDWUAR: I heard that you’re a fan.
JOSH: Miriam Makeba? Oh yeah, she’s one of my favorites. My parents had a few of her albums that they would play all the time when I was younger. She’s got such a rich voice, I can only dream of sounding like that.
NARDWUAR: But you do have a pretty distinct voice that I’m sure a lot of people are jealous of. How did you find that sound?
JOSH: I started screaming and then I guess I kind of found my way, eventually. (chuckles) No, but actually, my vocal coach, Ron, I call him “The Master” because he genuinely saved my vocal cords. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.
NARDWUAR: How do you do it? Is it special vocal warmups? Some kind of mystery technique?
JOSH: Well, you see, if I told you, I’d have to kill you.
NARDWUAR: I’ve got another gift for you here, Josh.
JOSH: Oh god, now I feel super bad.
NARDWUAR: Costumes are a big part of your stage presence. Here, I’ve got a piece that might look familiar to you.
Nardwuar holds out Josh’s infamous golden pants, and Josh reluctantly takes them.
JOSH: Oh boy, I forgot how shiny and see through these were.
NARDWUAR: You wore these in the sweltering sun on the iHeart Radio festival stage in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, September 22, 2018, didn’t you?
JOSH: I’m not sure if these are the exact pair…
NARDWUAR: They are.
JOSH: Huh? Did you dig them out of the dumpster or something?
NARDWUAR: Now, Josh, can you tell me about Sean Reyes?
Josh looks at Nardwuar with intense skepticism.
JAKE: (offscreen) What the fuck?
JOSH: Now how do you know about Sean Reyes?
NARDWUAR: It’s Josh Kiszka trivia!
Josh squints at Nardwuar, uncertain.
JOSH: Sean Reyes was my third grade teacher.
NARDWUAR: And he was the one who encouraged you to write poetry, right?
JOSH: Yes…..
NARDWUAR: Like haikus?
JOSH: Mr. Reyes would play a lot of folk stuff for us, like John Denver, Joni Mitchell, all the classics, and he could tell I really dug it. He pulled me aside after class, showed me some of his favorite lyrics, and explained how it was a form of poetry. I took that to heart and spent a lot of time outside of class writing poems after that.
NARDWUAR: Were they any good?
JOSH: Well, some lines ended up in our songs, so you tell me.
NARDWUAR: Well, I heard your twin brother behind the camera just now. Let’s bring him out here. Come here, Jake!
JAKE joins Josh’s side in front of the camera, looking nervous. He’s wringing his hands, avoiding eye contact with Nardwuar.
NARDWUAR: Hello, Jake.
JAKE: (short) Hi.
NARDWUAR: I have a gift for you.
JAKE: Uh, okay.
NARDWUAR: It’s a poster from H.O.R.D.E. Festival at Deer Creek Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana featuring big names like Blues Traveler, The Black Crowes, and Taj Mahal from 1995. Something important happened at this festival, right?
Jake pales.
JAKE: Uh. Uh.
Josh is staring pretty hard at Nardwuar.
JAKE: (to Josh) There’s no way he knows about that. How could he know about that?
Nardwuar sneaks the microphone closer into Jake’s mouth.
NARDWUAR: Well?
JAKE: Okay, uh, they might kill me for admitting this on camera, but my parents are pretty sure that’s where Josh and I were conceived.
NARDWUAR: Do you like Taj Mahal?
Jake struggles to rebound from that 180.
JAKE: Um (beat) yeah. I’d list him as a big influence.
NARDWUAR: And another gift for Jake Kiszka!
JAKE: (whispering to Josh) This guy freaks me out.
NARDWUAR: Here you go!
Nardwuar tosses Jake a ziploc bag containing something brown. Jake’s reflexes get the better of him and he grabs the bag out of the air, and then blankly studies what’s in his hands.
JAKE: What the actual fuck.
NARDWUAR: Tell me what you’re holding there!
JAKE: Hair. It’s my hair.
JOSH: What??
JAKE: I’m not even joking. This is what they chopped off, like, last year before our second leg of the Dreams in Gold Tour.
JOSH: (growing defensive of his brother) Where did you get that from?
NARDWUAR: What was the reason for the big chop?
JAKE: I could have sworn my hairdresser said she was going to donate that.
NARDWUAR: Oh, she did.
JAKE: I’m sorry, what?
SAM bounds into the scene in front of the camera, looking energetic.
SAM: This is fun! Do me now!
NARDWUAR: Sam Kiszka! Alright, Jake. Thanks and doot doola doot doo…
JAKE: Huh?
NARDWUAR: (finishing for Jake) Doo doo! (turns to Sam) I have a question for you.
Sam is hopping from foot to foot and clapping his hands with glee while Jake confusedly wanders off camera.
SAM: Fire away!
NARDWUAR: Your aunt works at State Farm in Chicago.
DANNY: (offscreen) That’s not a question.
JOSH: How could you possibly know that?
NARDWUAR: Have you ever had to file a claim with her?
SAM: Well, actually one time…
JOSH: Ssh! Don’t tell him anything.
NARDWUAR: (entirely unbothered) I have a gift you might like, Sam!
SAM: Oh my god! You guys aren’t gonna believe this. It’s my birth certificate!
JOSH: What kind of interviewer are you??
NARDWUAR: I’m just a fan, guys, just a fan. I love your music!
Sam’s phone rings.
SAM: Whoops, sorry. I know this is unprofessional but, one sec. I gotta take this.
Instead of going off camera to answer the phone in private like a normal person, Sam answers the phone and puts it on speaker.
SAM (continued): Y’ello?
KAREN: (obviously shaken) Sam?
SAM: Hey Mom, what’s up?
KAREN: Are you boys alright?
Josh grabs the phone from Sam.
JOSH: Mom? What’s going on?
KAREN: Someone broke into our house while your dad and I were on our trip. We’re worried it might have been a stalker since they took a lot of your possessions and some important documents.
JOSH: Oh my god, are you okay?
KAREN: Fine, just a bit shaken up. But, I’m so sorry, they stole Sammy’s birth certificate.
Sam calls into the phone over Josh’s shoulder.
SAM: Don’t worry about it, Mom! I just got it gifted back to me!
Josh hands Sam his phone and rushes away.
JOSH: (screaming offscreen) RICHARD! WE NEED BACKUP!
KAREN: I’m gonna have to call my sister to file a claim. They broke a crazy amount of our windows. Like, way more than they needed to. What a headache.
DANNY: (to Nardwuar) You have a lot of explaining to do.
NARDWUAR: I’ve got a gift for you, Daniel!
Nardwuar pulls out a pack of old Beatles cards.
DANNY: I don’t want it.
NARDWUAR: It’s a pack of 1964 Beatles collector’s cards, in mint condition!
DANNY: Wait, I do want it.
Danny takes the cards from Nardwuar and looks at them with delight.
NARDWUAR: You’re a big fan of the Beatles, right?
DANNY: Oh yeah, I always have been.
JAKE: You’re not seriously continuing this interview.
DANNY: (while opening and flipping through the pack of cards) I mean, this is a pretty cool gift.
JAKE: (evidently at his wit’s end) This guy 100% broke into my family’s house, and he for sure did the same to your parents.
NARDWUAR: Would you say there was a specific Beatles album that most inspired you?
DANNY: Definitely Rubber Soul. I loved hearing them try folk.
Jake throws up his hands in exasperation.
DANNY: Norwegian Wood genuinely changed my life.
NARDWUAR: In what way?
JAKE: Nope, we’re not doing this anymore.
Jake thrusts his finger up into Nardwuar’s face.
JAKE (continued): What else did you take from us, you son of a bitch?
NARDWUAR: Does it count as “taking” if I give it back to you?
JAKE: Yes!
NARDWUAR: I’d beg to differ.
DANNY: (looking through his cards) Woah! I’ve never seen this photo of Ringo Starr before!
Josh comes rushing back to the scene with their bodyguard and pal, RICHARD.
RICHARD: (scanning around on full alert) Where is he?
JOSH: (shrill, pointing at Nardwuar) There!
Nardwuar simply grins at Richard.
NARDWUAR: Can you tell me about Grubbyknot?
Richard is obviously thrown off, and he lets down his guard.
RICHARD: Huh? Grubbyknot? That was my metal band in high school. But we only played like two shows. One was in my parent’s garage.
JOSH: Don’t let him get into your head, Richard! You’re our big guns, we can’t lose you!
SAM: Do you have another gift for me, Nardwuar?
Nardwuar stares at Sam, entirely expressionless.
NARDWUAR: No, I don’t. Doot doola doot doo…
SAM: Doo-doo?
Upon Sam’s words, he vanishes into thin air. Jake is so terrified, he falls to the ground and cowers on the floor.
JAKE: Jesus Christ!
NARDWUAR: I usually like to speak with only 1-2 people at a time on camera. It’s getting a little bit too crowded for me right now.
Nardwuar looks at Danny, whose attention is finally away from his cards, and is gawking at the empty space where Sam was just standing.
NARDWUAR: (continued, making eye contact with Danny) Doot doola doot doo…
Danny stares back at Nardwuar in horror, his mouth sealed shut. Nardwuar sings the little tune again, holding his microphone up to Danny to finish it.
JAKE: (cutting in) Doo doo! (beat) Fuck!
Jake disappears.
JOSH: (explaining to Richard and Danny) He has this condition where he can’t handle hearing an unfinished tune. Poor guy has a curse.
NARDWUAR: Just one more to go.
Nardwuar focuses his attention back to Danny.
DANNY: Where did you send them?
NARDWUAR: To another place.
DANNY: Super helpful, thanks.
NARDWUAR: Don’t mention it.
DANNY: Are they still alive?
NARDWUAR: I can’t see why not. I’m a fan! I wouldn’t hurt you guys.
Danny sighs.
DANNY: Okay. Send me away so I can do some damage control.
RICHARD: No!
NARDWUAR: Doot doola doot doo…
DANNY: (unenthused, clapping his hands on the beat) Doo doo.
Danny is gone.
RICHARD: My boss is gonna kill me.
JOSH: I’m pretty sure I’m your boss.
Richard widens his eyes and holds his hands up in a defensive position, backing slowly away from Josh.
JOSH (continued): Oh, come on. I’m not gonna hurt you, Richard.
RICHARD: You did dump an entire bag of flour over my head that one time. And kicked that giant chocolate bar in my hands. And swung a folding chair at me backstage.
JOSH: All tiny, insignificant hiccups.
NARDWUAR: Josh, you’re gonna love this next thing that I’ve got for you.
JOSH: Please, no.
Nardwuar hands Josh a Scooby Doo plushie.
NARDWUAR: Tell me what that is.
Josh studies the stuffed animal, trying to discern how it has any relevance to him.
JOSH: Scooby Doo?
NARDUWAR: What was that second word?
JOSH: Doo?
NARDWUAR: Wait. Say it again? (under his breath) Doot doola doot doo…
JOSH: Doo?
Nardwuar taps on his ear, signaling that he didn’t hear Josh. Josh huffs and rolls his eyes.
JOSH (continued, enunciating maybe a little bit too much): Doo!
Josh disappears.
NARDWUAR: Well, this has been fun. Keep on rockin’ in the free world and doot doola doot doo…
It’s silent around him since there’s no one there to finish his jingle. Nardwuar continues to grin wider and wider until he’s nearing uncomfortably close to uncanny valley.
The scene shifts to a confusing plane seemingly everywhere and nowhere at once. A pattern reminiscent of Nardwuar’s red and green plaid Tammy cap stretches from the floor to the sky. Josh and Richard appear in the mysterious space, Josh screaming with terror.
JAKE: Hey.
DANNY: Nice of you to join us.
It takes a while for Josh to collect himself but, when he does, he notices Jake and Danny standing in front of him.
JOSH: Where’s Sammy?
DANNY: He went to take a piss.
RICHARD: Hey, wait, I didn’t say the doo doo thing. Why am I here?
Josh shrugs.
JOSH: We must be a package deal or something.
RICHARD: That’s wildly unfair.
SAM: (off in the distance) Woah, I had a lot more in my bladder than I thought. I wouldn’t come over here if I were you, guys. I can cross “building a manmade lake” off my bucket list.
JAKE: God, I need to get out of here.
DANNY: And how are we gonna do that, Jake?
Jake has no clue. He’s frankly dumbfounded.
The scene jumps back to Nardwuar, still in front of the records. He seems unaware that the camera is still rolling.
NARDWUAR: (to someone offscreen) Yeah, yeah. They should be gone for good. Yup. The plaid void, where I sent Dave Rowntree. We should be good to steal their identities now. God knows we’ve done enough research.
Back in the plaid void.
DANNY: Holy shit, is that Dave Rowntree?
RICHARD: The guy from Blur?
DAVE ROWNTREE: CURSE YE FOUL BEAST, NARDWUAR!
Fin.
Note: The names/facts listed in the interview within this fic are all entirely fictitious. I'm not about to start leaking private and personal information about the guys.
18 notes
·
View notes