“You’re the One!”

“You're the one!”

I was a bit startled and thought, “The one what?” I had just entered the meeting room and designated area for “Extras” who would be in the movie, “Another Pair of Aces.” Over the years, I have often thought about that moment and what my reaction should have been. I had barely noticed the guy rapidly approaching to my left who said, “You're the one” but suddenly he was there and waiting for my response.

At the time, I was looking across the room and had immediately recognized Rip Torn, one of my favorite character actors. He was standing with a group of people about 50 feet away and they were all looking at me. Trying to get a grasp of the moment, I looked at the guy to my left and said, “Pardon?”

“The Real Texas Ranger!” he exclaimed, as soon as you walked through the door I said, “That's Him!,” we all agreed!”

Being a bit coy and not quite knowing how to respond, I said “Really?” He responded, “Yeah, they told us you would be here and we'd know the “Real Thing” when we saw it.” Playing along a bit, I said, “Yeah, some people are hard to fool!” “Well, I too, am an officer of the law, so it's kinda intuitive!” He then followed with, “let me introduce you to Rip!” “What is your name?” I told him, not...sure if I should continue the charade.

“Rip this is our Ranger!” he shouted, as we walked toward the group, who continued watch the two of us as we approached. I reached my hand out to Mr. Torn, a little uneasy with the subterfuge, I can still see his broad smile as he looked at me. “My pleasure Sir!” “It's a real pleasure meeting you!” I am sure, it was his showing respect, just the way he would to a real Texas Ranger. We were standing face to face, about a foot a part, firmly holding hands close to our chests long enough as to say it was sincere. We were surrounded by about 20 other Extras and a few stagehands. It was a friendly and very engaging conversation. At that moment, it was nice being the center of attention bantering with a famous actor.

This had all begun a couple weeks before when I went to a casting call from Third Coast Casting in Austin, Texas. After reading about the casting company and call in the paper, I put together a bio and head shot photo. I figured after all, I am a six foot 190 lb and reasonably nice looking guy, so being in a movie would be a nice addition to my life experience.

Shortly thereafter, I received a phone call about becoming an Extra on “Another Pair of Aces” Starring Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson and Rip Torn. As a fan and budding songwriter, I jumped at the chance to see both. Although, I had met Willie on a couple other occasions and even played golf with him once. And very hopeful he would remember me, a badge of honor for any Texan. Also, for me it was a thrill to just be in the same zip code with Kris Kristofferson, my all-time favorite songwriter. Willie was a close second, and if Townes Van Zandt had been there my life would have been complete.

I had just signed for my cowboy hat, gun-belt, gun and badge and bid farewell to Lana Nelson, the costume designer, at the huge costume trailer a moment before. The casting call had said, wear western cut clothes and it so just happened, one of my favorite blazers was western cut, I am convinced that blazer got me the part at the call. I had met Lana previously and had even gone to lunch with her once, hoping to pitch a couple of songs for her to show to her dad, (with no luck) but felt good about her recognition and seeing her again.

After a few adjustments of the costume and showing me how to wear the cowboy hat, I made my way up the hill trying to find the room for Extras. It was just getting dark as I arrived, wondering if this was the correct building where we would gather to get our instructions for the start of filming the next day.

I could hear the murmur coming from the room as I opened the door, still not sure I was in the right place when the guy rapidly approached and said, “You're the one!” Although  they had told me what my character would be, I knew little of the story. I discovered that Rip was to play a retired Texas Ranger Captain, accused of murder, being helped by Texas Ranger, Kris Kristofferson and Con Man/Safe Cracker, Willie Nelson. The thought of Kris and I both playing Texas Rangers (albeit on different levels) was a bit intoxicating.

After the initial introduction, I was thereafter referred to as “Captain,” although not quite sure how I achieved that rank. However, I was sure we would have a good laugh at some point when the real Texas Ranger showed up and I could say “Gotcha!” thereby proving my acting ability. Of course, hoping it would seem like the Ranger and I had planned the ruse. He didn't show that night, so I thought the laugh will still work tomorrow! A part of my personality has always been being a bit prankish, so.this seemed okay at the time.

At the end of the meeting everyone was told where to go the next day an,d if you have costumes, take them home, take good care of them, you are responsible for them. I wore my mine home, gun, badge, hat and all, feeling like the real thing. I didn't even take the hat off on my way home and must say -- after my portrayal during the meeting -- sure

I looked the part. Once home, I did look in the mirror and pose a couple of times, assuming my best Ranger poses and how they would look on film. My favorite, was hands on hips, head slightly cocked, right or left depending on camera angle with a “Really!” look on my face. (I often laugh to myself about this.)

Filming started the next day and movie making was great fun as was hanging around the with very personable Rip Torn. Rip was certainly the favorite among the extras as his interaction with us was same as with the stars. He was just one of the guys and a real treat and I very much enjoyed the respect shown to me from the other extras. Funny thing, I was never asked anything about law enforcement; all I had to do was move scene-to scene-and look Rangerly. After a day or two, it seemed unnecessary to

confess. And, for me, being in close proximity with Willie and Kris was a humongous thrill! I used to say that Kris had written everything I ever wanted to say in a song. Although, still hopeful, I would someday lyrically paint a picture in a song that would affect others the same way his songs had affected me, hoping something like Osmosis would occur in my writing abilities.

If you ever see the movie, in my most prominent scene, I am sitting right behind Willie Nelson and the female lead, Joan Severance at Kris' funeral, mouthing,“ He Was One of a Kind.”

My recollections of the movie and cast was that most of the others had a Texas connection. In fact, it had a number of other accomplished actors and well-known Texans. In addition to Nelson, Kristofferson, and Torn. It was a story written by Gary Cartwright and Directed by the Late Bill Bixby, whom I remember as friendly and charming. Quite a Texas gathering!

During Filming, I must admit, I was a bit star struck and hoping, Willie would recognize me and strike up a conversation about our last meeting a few years before when we played together on his golf course, which was known as“The Pedernales” or “Willies Cut And Shoot.” After playing 18 holes with him, I had the pleasure of sitting in his studio with he and the late, great fiddle player, Johnny Gimble, watching them collaborate on a song. (just the three of us) I shared a partially written song I would finish and record a few years later. I had hoped to have a chance to share a love of songwriting and maybe share some lyrics with Kris. Unfortunately, the opportunity never occurred, I came out of the movie with only fond memories.

As the filming continued, I enjoyed my status as we went through our parts as directed, also enjoying the great catered food, which, always seems present on movie sets. But after just a couple of days, it went on without me, as sets moved to other sites and locations and my “Rangerness” in the early scenes was no longer needed. After the shooting was over at that location, I turned in my hat, badge and gun.

Let me emphasize, I was only a lowly Extra, but for a few days I was a symbol. I laughingly wonder who was Rip's inspiration after my departure! I also wonder if a real Texas Ranger ever showed up!

It was a happy and nice memory but, seldom crossed my mind again until it led to another story I am now fond of telling on occasion, unfolded a couple years later.

I was on my way to Houston and admittedly, going way too fast through the city of Elgin, (just southeast of Austin) when I hear a siren and saw the red flashing lights in my rear view mirror!

Knowing I was about to get a well deserved ticket for speeding, I pulled over, stopped and got my license out of my wallet. Instead, of turning to face the officer as he walks up, I just reached my hand and license out the window. Resigned to my fate and staring at the stirring wheel. After a short pause, I hear “Hey Captain! what's with the Corvette?” Now, I have tried to imagine, how I appeared, solemnly looking forward with hand out of window, like I didn't want to make eye contact or have an exchange with the police officer and wonder if that didn't play into what happened next. Let me caveat, what I am about to say. First, I have great respect for the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers in particular, in fact, law enforcement everywhere and never, in anyway, did I put myself forward as one. I merely did not deny it, so hopefully, I did not commit a crime of impersonation of a police officer.

After “Hey Captain!” I looked up at the police officer and recognized the extra, who said , “You're the One!” looking back at me. To this day, I am not sure why -- was it at first in jest and I didn't know how to stop? But in a “Devil Made Me Do It Moment ”or something deep inside, t. I said, “Man!, I am covert, and I really shouldn't be seen talking to you!” For an instant, everything seemed to stop! He said something like “Yes Sir! handed me my license, sorta bowed, and almost sprinted back to his patrol car.

I slowly drove off, anxiously looking in the rear view mirror, muttering to myself, “What the Fuck!” Then with “Oh Shit!” and sudden feeling of great paranoia, then looking in my rear-view mirror, thinking he will come to his senses any moment and red flashing lights will re-appear and it won't be just a ticket!.

For the next several hours and there were several more, Oh shit!, Oh shit! moments and a few“bet he is checking with headquarters” moments, I felt like a criminal on the run for the rest of that night, wondering if arrest warrants had already been issued. I was equally as paranoid when I slowly drove back through Elgin a couple of days later.

I am not quite sure why I did what I did. But to this day, I have never again exceeded the rate of speed in Elgin. And still not sure if I should have given my real name to the officer at the start of this story.

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