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

chance to shut up. Don’t squat with your spurs on. Always drink upstream
from th’ herd. Don’t corner something meaner’n you. Life is easier when
you plow around th’ stump.”
Lucy, arrived with their food, adds,
“An’ never name a cow you plan on eatin’.”
She settles the plates before them.
“Anybody ever tell you you look like Willie Nelson?”
She smiles at Pete while Roy tries to flag her attention.
“No.”
“Excuse me, ma’am—you have Tabasco?”
Lucy nods.
“Sure do, hon.”
Pete feels uncomfortable beneath her stare.
“That’s a handsome rig you’re wearin’. From ’round here?”
“That’s right,” admits Pete, as he pricks a jittering yolk with
his fork.
“Y’all should come in more often.”
Lucy’s smile appears to lack as many teeth as the counter
lacks stools.
She takes a step towards the table behind her and returns with
a bottle of McIlhenny’s Pepper Sauce.
She hands this to Roy.
“This your boy, Willie?”
A smile creeps across Pete’s face.
Roy has the cap off, bottle poised—awaiting Pete’s reply.
Pete shrugs.
“Nephew.”
Lucy’s smile deepens.
“From Texas.”
Lucy is impressed. She scrunches her chin.
“Name’s Roy.”
She widens her eyes.
“That right?”
ding
“Roy Weston.”
Lucy’s eyebrows soar. A tone of reverence invades her voice.
“That was one’ve his names.”
2 ROY ROGERS IN THE 21ST CENTURY