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

“They were released th’ same year, but Hawks’ picture was
made first. It was his first Western.”
The bowl gets placed on the hassock and a glass gets handed
to Roy.
Once again, from the dark side of his chair, Pete brings forth
a bottle. Once this is uncorked and poured, he replaces it and
picks up the bowl of popcorn. Then he settles back, removes his
silver spurs, stretches out his legs, crossing them on the hassock,
and drops the bowl onto his lap.
Roy drags his chair nearer so he can reach the popcorn.
Pete raises his glass.
“Cheers.”
Roy presents a sheepish grin. He’s never been cheered before.
They tap glasses.
“Cheers.”
He grabs a handful of popcorn.
The brandy tastes awful—that is, at first—but soon enough it
makes his belly feel warm and snuggly.
“At this point, only eight of Wayne’s twenty-eight movies were
Westerns, an’ only Tall in th’ Saddle was worth watchin’. Wayne
had never done anything like what Hawks wanted. This—this
was th’ pitcher made ’im a star.”
On that note, Pete presses PLAY.
This is some really great popcorn, thinks Roy, and tries to follow
the action on the screen.
The brandy has waffled his brain.
The room is cozy from cooking and from two male bodies
releasing tiny coils of heat and from tummy-warming alcohol.
Perfect for long winter naps. Best popcorn in the world. He licks his
fingers with great study and deliberation. Wouldn’t want to miss
any. He stares into the bowl. Only a few oily, unpopped kernels
remain. He’d like some more, but Pete is absorbed in the picture.
He returns his attention to the tube. He could use another toke,
too. And his brandy glass has been empty far too long.
So?
What do you think, Roy?
Do you boldly rise and walk around Pete’s chair to where he
keeps his stash? And do what—roll yourself a doobie? You don’t
know how. Take a pull off his brandy bottle?
2 ROY ROGERS IN THE 21ST CENTURY