Two young men from very different backgrounds end up roommates at a state college in west Texas in the latter part of the turbulent sixties. Riki is the black sheep of a wealthy family, on his third and final chance to avoid the draft or disinheritance. His big dream is to be a hot guitarist with a rock band, and he has a weakness for recreational drugs that make him feel better about himself. Jerry is a true son of Bible Belt America, happy to be able to go to college and perhaps rise above the lower middle class level of his family. The two form an unlikely friendship that develops into a deeper bond as they experience drugs, sex, and rock n' roll in their heyday.

Midnight Cowboys

The stranger pulled a key from his pocket and stuck it into a lock. Before he swung the door open, he turned and gave both young men a toothsome grin. “My name’s Bobby,” he said. “And you boys are?”


Jerry could tell Riki was not feeling as certain as he tried to pretend. Still, Riki squared his shoulders and answered in a strong voice, “Riki,” he said, “and my bud here’s Jerry.”


The door opened silently to reveal a well-appointed sitting room. A big man with a wide-brimmed white hat and a rumpled western cut suit lounged in one chair. A half-empty bottle of Jack Daniels sat on the coffee table near him.


“Whasha got there, Bobby Dee?” His slurred voice confirmed Jerry’s quick impression that the big man had been drinking a while and a lot.


Bobby smiled in a fawning way and almost bowed. Definitely obsequious. So just who was the big man?


Chapter 3