“Are These Actual Miles?” is a short story written in the third person about a man and a woman trying to sell a car. The man, Leo, “sends” the woman, Toni, out on a date to see if her charm and good looks could hook a buyer for their automobile. Leo downed drink after drink and agonized over how Toni handled the transaction. He appeared less concerned about her safety on the date. Through a series of phone calls with Toni and even the restaurant she is stationed at Leo came to believe she has made the sale. Soon after, Leo discovered the plan encountered some casualties, with Toni left in a shameful state and the couple’s pocket book in, some would say, an even more displeasing position. Through repetition in the story, it became very clear that Leo, at all costs wanted to avoid bankruptcy. He even exclaimed, “he would rather be classified a robber or a rapist than bankrupt.” Toward the beginning of the story Leo promised Toni, “things are going to be different…we will start over Monday.” In other words he would no longer put the two of them in stressful, uncomfortable situations for the sake of making money. Then, near the end of the story, Leo arranged a meeting for that same Monday he said things would change, for the sake of money, which, once again, could put Toni and himself in an undesirable situation. I believe this story highlights the tight hold that the potential of wealth has on Leo and how he is unwilling to sacrifice this potential, even for the health and wellbeing of himself and those he claims to care for.
Britt: You offer a fine summary, but you don’t discuss the elements of craft that make this an engaging or compelling story. In what ways are these characters complex? And how does that complexity contribute to the effect of the story? How does Carver use voice or detail or irony? How does the third-person limited omniscience affect our understanding of the story? (For example, what does Leo *not* know, and how does that she his response to what takes place in the story?