In this episode of "Storytellers," the narrator recounts an adventurous trip from Gainesville, Texas, to El Paso, Texas, in the early 1980s. They faced challenges, including a blown engine and a mistaken entry into Mexico due to a missed turn. The narrator's companion, John, resolved the situation by writing a check from a closed account, which surprisingly worked, and they continued their journey. The narrative is filled with vivid details and humorous anecdotes.
Here are the key facts extracted from the provided text:
1. The narrator and John were traveling in a truck and trailer to Gainesville for a racing event.
2. They blew the engine during the first round of racing in Gainesville.
3. Despite the engine issue, John wanted to get to California for another race.
4. The narrator drove non-stop from Gainesville to El Paso, Texas, except for a brief stop in Fort Stockton.
5. John slept for most of the journey and occasionally talked in his sleep.
6. They accidentally entered Mexico while driving through a side road instead of the intended route.
7. Mexican police officers stopped them and demanded money for running a nonexistent stop sign.
8. The narrator and John didn't have enough money to pay the fine.
9. They were handcuffed briefly, and the Mexican police took their handcuffs off when John showed them a check.
10. The narrator and John eventually returned to the U.S. without further incident.
Please note that these facts are extracted directly from the text and do not include any opinions or additional context.