volume one IN THE D U D L E Y C L A R K - Ohio Vine Tours

promises that one day they, too, shall experience this glorious
land of rain.)
“Look, dude—” John acts butch for Bob’s sake, who stands
behind the glass door, watching. “—we don’t want your kind
around here, OK? Go to the library, you wanna look at books.”
“Yes, please,” enjoins Workneh, with a ferocious smile. “Trust
in the Sons, my friend. That is how you will find them.”
Roy blinks into Workneh’s small face.
“Th’ what?”
“The Son of God.” He burns his smile into Roy’s reddened
eyes. “Trust in Him. That is how you will find your way.”
They release Roy’s arms.
John wipes his hands on his tan Dockers.
Workneh extends one of his hands to Roy who, flustered and
confused, accepts.
Workneh shakes Roy’s hand vigorously.
“It has been a pleasure meeting with you today, sir!”
John rolls his eyes.
“Come on, Workneh.”
Workneh continues to pump Roy’s hand.
“We must now return to our prominent positions as purveyors
of books and CDs and other wonderful amusements.”
He releases Roy’s hand. Reluctantly, with a wistful smile
towards the purple clouds, he follows John inside.
Inside, where Bob is in charge. Bob, who escorts the fat lady
towards the coffee counter where he will treat her to a fabulous,
free Grande Frappuccino, a mere 247 calories per serving.
That ought to make her sing.
Roy watches as John and Workneh and Bob and the fat lady
and the name-tagged employees are gobbled up by the Corporate
monster.
As for them, the Angel Dust Incident has been resolved.
As for Roy, he has been eighty-sixed twice in the same day.
That’s a record. Even for Rick the Asshole.
The crowd, who had assembled for a free show, groan their
disappointment that no-one had been killed or, at the very least,
arrested.
What is Seattle coming to?
ROY ROGERS IN THE 21ST CENTURY 1 1