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

“Yeah.” Rick’s eyes narrow. “You remember our deal,
don’tcha? The one where you give me half your dough?”
Roy feigns enlightenment.
“Oh, yeah, right. Our deal.”
“Yeah, right. Our deal.” Rick bounces some more on the
mattress. “And since you forgot our deal, you get dinged.”
“Dinged?”
Roy’s knees turn to water. He knows what’s coming next.
Rick compresses his lips into a thin slit then pops them apart
with a popping apart sound.
“It’s like a bank charges late fees, Roy—dinged. And my late
fee is—one hundred per cent.”
Roy tries hard to think.
He wishes he wasn’t so distracted by his bladder.
“You said I should bring it Thanksgiving.”
This recalled fact nudges Rick back into the Anger Zone.
“Don’t fuck with me, asshole! I need that money now—TO
day.”
He slides his feet to the floor and with a swift practiced
motion the switchblade puts in its appearance.
He flicks it open.
“Where’s the money, Roy?”
Roy can’t help himself. Involuntarily, his eyes dart from
Rick’s snarling face to his mildewed, money-stuffed mattress. It
only lasts an instant, but it’s long enough for Rick. He smirks.
“You’re so fuckin’ predictable, Roy.”
He holds Roy at bay unnecessarily with the point of his bare
bodkin while, with his other hand, he lifts the mattress.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
Who said that?
Roy didn’t.
The brothers—whose eyes have been riveted on each other
to the exclusion of the rest of the world—spin as one at the
introduction of this new voice.
THE GOOD
Roy’s bald dome is beaded with sweat. His face is covered
by several days’ stubble. His eyes are red-rimmed from residual
ROY ROGERS IN THE 21ST CENTURY 2