Read One
Chasing McDaniel on Horseback
JOHNSON MCDANIEL!
You no-good, two-bit bootleggin’ rascal
You best ride faster, ‘cause I’m gainin’ on ya!
You got one chance, McDaniel—
Pull up that horse and hand over them bottles
OR I’m draggin’ your sorry boots back to Perkins myself!
Read Two
Frank Eaton – Dialogue with the Ladies(Scene: Frank rides into a dusty Oklahoma crossroads. A group of women stand outside a general store, arms crossed. Frank tips his hat, slows his stride, and senses trouble in the air.)
Afternoon, ladies. I hate to interrupt what appears to be a perfectly synchronized glare... but might I inquire, Has a fella ridin’ dirty and talkin’ slick been through here? Answers to the name Johnson McDaniel?
(One woman scoffs. Another snaps a fan shut.)
(grinning)That’s a yes, then.
(pauses, then lowers his voice, conspiratorial)
Now I don’t mean to pry, but from the look on y’all’s faces, I’m beginnin’ to suspect he ain’t just run off with the whiskey...
(One woman throws a glove at the ground. Another mutters "he said he was widowed.")
(deadpan, nodding)Widowed? Ma’am, I seen the man’s livin’ wife in Stillwater just two days ago. Unless she’s a ghost with strong opinions and a cast-iron skillet, he’s been stretchin’ the truth like a snake in church.
(chuckles, then tips his hat again)
Well, I reckon I’m chasin’ him for whiskey...But sounds like I’ll be bringin’ him back for a whole lot more than that.
(starts to walk away, then pauses)
Any chance y’all want to form a posse?