Post

A Roadside Redemption in Toms River

2026-05-18

Just after crossing the bridge from the island back into the main part of Toms River, the Jeep decided it had fully committed to the authentic American road trip experience and dramatically lost power. Not ideal. We…

Just after crossing the bridge from the island back into the main part of Toms River, the Jeep decided it had fully committed to the authentic American road trip experience and dramatically lost power. Not ideal. We coasted along while frantically trying to change lanes to get off the road, desperately trying to squeeze every last inch of momentum out of it while mentally preparing ourselves to become “those British idiots who sail past petrol stations while the car beeps ‘empty’.” Then, in what genuinely felt like something from a low-budget comedy, the Jeep rolled to a stop literally just short of a petrol station. The attendant very kindly gave us enough fuel to get the engine going again so we could crawl over to the pumps properly. Absolute hero. What made the whole thing even stranger was that he looked almost identical to a former staff member from the Maldon Escape Room branch who, during one particularly busy Saturday many years ago, removed his jumper mid-shift, threw it dramatically onto the floor, stamped on it, announced he wasn’t doing Rob the Bank, and walked out… never to be seen again. The irony was he’d originally been hired as a greeter. Nice easy job. Smile at c…

Topics: Escape roomsFamilyTravel

Matthew Eaves — escape room franchise founder, operator, and writer. Also: franchise, posts, contact.