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

Walsh saw ’im an’ tapped ’im to star in his masterpiece, Th’ Big
Trail. Ford would lie later, say he done it, but it was Walsh who
discovered Marion Michael Morrison an’ changed his name to
John Wayne. He taught ’im how to walk, talk, shoot an’ ride.”
Roy is to the point now, after only a week, of looking forward
to the lightness in his head that pot produces.
His mind still drifts into worry about if he’s doing the right
thing—growing holes in his brain—but he assures himself that,
after his education is complete, he will have no tribble quoiting.
Trouble quoting.
Quiting.
What did Pete just say?
“Walsh told ’im to let his hair grow long. Wayne hated horses.
Walsh gave ’im a buckskin suit. Said he chose ’im ’cause’ve th’
way he moved, he wanted to accentuate it. Wayne was maybe
twenty-two—you followin’ any’ve this?”
Roy has been studying his left hand for some time now. He
holds it between his eyes and the blue TV screen, inspecting it for
light leaks.
He is wondering how X-rays work when Pete surprises him
with his question about Mildred Mumson Something.
He had no idea there would be pop quizzes.
“OK. John Wayne.”
Pete nods—satisfied Roy will get the big picture, if not all
the delightful little details—and pries the joint from between the
fingers of his student’s uninspected hand.
snap
A light pops up from Pete’s Bic lighter.
He inhales.
Where was he?
Raoul Walsh.
He looks at Roy who, for lack of anything better to do, intently
studies the light-absorbing characteristics of his left hand.
Johnwayne. Johnwayne. Johnwayne.
Pete turns his attention back to the screen.
“Walsh shot Th’ Big Trail in 70mm as well as 35mm, but it
was released in 1929—th’ year th’ Stock Market crashed—an’ no
2 0 ROY ROGERS IN THE 21ST CENTURY