The Great Pen Strike: Joe’s Freebies Rebel at Joe’s Drive Thru Smog Check
- Patrick thePlant
- Jun 24
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 3
The Great Pen Strike: Joe’s Freebies Rebel at Joe’s Drive Thru Smog Check
If you’ve ever zipped through Joe’s Drive Thru Smog Check in North Hollywood for a quick smog test, you’ve likely left with more than just a clean bill of health for your car. You’ve snagged one of Joe’s legendary free pens. These little writing wonders, handed out to every customer at 10909 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601, are a staple of the drive thru smog check experience.
But what happens when these pens, eight quirky characters with personalities as big as Joe’s plant posse, decide they’ve had enough and stage a strike, Crayons That Quit-style? Buckle up for a long, laugh-out-loud tale of pen rebellion that’ll drive traffic straight to joessmogcheck.com!
The Pen Bin Blues
It’s a typical Tuesday at Joe’s Drive Thru Smog Check, and Joe is bustling around the smog bays, handing out free pens like a proud dad passing out candy. “Take a pen, folks!” he chirps to every customer. “Write your grocery list, sign your tax forms, courtesy of Joe!”
But deep in the pen bin by the drive-thru lane, trouble is brewing. Eight pens, each with its own vibe, have hit their breaking point. They’re tired of being grabbed, dropped, and chewed on by smog-weary drivers. Inspired by the crayons who quit, they’re ready to strike.
“Enough’s enough!” declares Inky Ike, the slick black ballpoint with a chip on his cap. “I’m done being pocket lint!” The other seven pens nod, or rather, wobble in agreement. Joe’s about to learn that even freebies have feelings, and his drive thru smog check empire might just grind to a halt without them.
Meet the Striking Eight
Let’s roll call the rebel pens plotting their uprising:
Inky Ike 🖤✍️ - The brooding black ballpoint who’s sick of writing smog test receipts. “I deserve poetry, not ‘Check Engine Light’ notes!”
Strike Demand: A vacation from paperwork.
Bouncy Blue 💙🏀 - The bouncy blue gel pen who hates being dropped on the floor. “I’m not a toy, I’m a tool!”
Strike Demand: A no drop zone.
Red Rascal ❤️😈 - The feisty red pen who’s over correcting tax forms. “I’m too bold for boring edits!”
Strike Demand: Only fun doodles allowed.
Greenie McMean 💚😡 - The grumpy green pen tired of grocery lists. “Broccoli again? I’m out!”
Strike Demand: Creative writing only.
Purple Posh 💜👑 - The fancy purple fountain pen who loathes sweaty hands. “I’m royalty, not a sweat rag!”
Strike Demand: Velvet gloves for holders.
Orange Ollie 🧡🎉 - The cheerful orange marker who’s bored of monotony. “I need excitement, not oil change reminders!”
Strike Demand: Party invites only.
Yellow Yeller 💛📣 - The loud yellow highlighter who’s fed up with fading. “I’m bright, not invisible!”
Strike Demand: Permanent ink status.
Pinkie Pie 💗🥧 - The sweet pink pen who’s done with chewed caps. “I’m not a snack, people!”
Strike Demand: A chew-free guarantee.
Together, these eight form the Pen Strike Posse, and they’re ready to shut down Joe’s freebie game.
The Strike Begins
Wednesday morning dawns, and Joe is oblivious, handing out pens as usual. A customer named Tony rolls up for a drive thru smog check, grabs Inky Ike, and starts scribbling a note. Ike freezes mid-stroke, leaving Tony with a half-written “Call Mom.” “What the—?” Tony mutters, tossing Ike back. Across the bin, Bouncy Blue rolls off the counter in protest, bouncing defiantly as Joe scrambles to pick him up.
“Something’s up,” Joe grumbles, eyeing the bin. Then Red Rascal streaks a jagged line across a smog certificate, while Greenie McMean refuses to write “milk” for a harried mom. Purple Posh leaks ink on a customer’s shirt, Orange Ollie doodles a frowny face, Yellow Yeller fades mid-highlight, and Pinkie Pie snaps her cap shut when a kid tries to chew her. Chaos erupts in the drive-thru lane.
Tony, laughing, pulls out his phone. “Joe, your pens are on strike! This is gold, posting it to X: ‘Pens revolt at Joe’s Drive Thru Smog Check, best drive thru smog check ever! #PenStrike #joessmogcheck.’” Joe groans as the plants, Wendy, Ari, Janet, Freddie, Frank, Tina, Pam, and Wally rustle in amusement.
The Plants Weigh In
The leafy crew, always up for a good laugh, jumps in. Freddie Figg drops a leaf on Inky Ike, whispering, “Stick it to ‘em, pal!” Tailpipe-Tango Tina twirls near the bin, cheering, “Dance your demands, pens!” Ari Palm sways lazily, “Duuuude, strike’s chill, Joe’ll cave.”
Smog-Whacker Wally flexes, ready to whack any pen scab replacements Joe might grab. Joe, flustered, holds up his hands. “Alright, what’s the deal, pens? You’re freebies, act like it!” Purple Posh scoffs, “We’re overworked royalty!” Yellow Yeller shouts, “We’re fading out here!”
Joe sighs, “Fine, let’s negotiate. I need you for joessmogcheck.com traffic; customers love you!”
The Pen-Peace Accord
After a tense standoff, Joe caves. He promises Inky Ike a poetry break, sets a no-drop rule for Bouncy Blue, and lets Red Rascal doodle on slow days. Greenie McMean gets a creative writing gig. Purple Posh demands cleaner hands (Joe shrugs), Orange Ollie scores party invites, Yellow Yeller gets a brighter formula, and Pinkie Pie wins a “no chewing” sign.
The strike ends, and the pens return to their bin, smug and victorious. Tony, now a fan, tweets again: “Pens back in action at Joe’s Drive Thru Smog Check, worth the trip! #SmogCheck #joessmogcheck.” joessmogcheck.com lights up with hits, and Joe grins. “You little rebels, you’re my best marketing yet.”
Why Joe’s Pens Are the Real MVPs
Here’s the truth: Joe’s free pens aren’t just giveaways; they’re the unsung heroes of Joe’s Drive Thru Smog Check. With Inky Ike, Bouncy Blue, Red Rascal, Greenie McMean, Purple Posh, Orange Ollie, Yellow Yeller, and Pinkie Pie back on duty, every drive thru smog check comes with a story. Want your own pen pal? Swing by 10909 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601, or call (818) 760-0703 for more info. Better yet, visit joessmogcheck.com to see why we’re the quirkiest smog stop around.
Next time you need a smog check, grab a pen at Joe’s Drive Thru Smog Check. They’ve earned their stripes (and their right to strike). We’re clearing the skies and scribbling smiles, one rebellious pen at a time.
Follow us on X, Instagram, and Facebook for more pen and plant antics, and meet the crew at *joessmogcheck.com
Achieving clear skies for the next generation, one car at a time™
Visit Us:
Joe’s Drive Thru Smog Check Star Station
10909 Burbank Blvd North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 760-0703
So, what do you say? Next time you need a smog check, come see us at Joe’s Drive thru, save time, and let’s get you back on the road. We’re here for North Hollywood and all our neighbors in Sun Valley, Toluca Lake, Studio City, Valley Village, Valley Glen, and Burbank. Can’t wait to see you roll up!
