The Bluegrass Boys
A Story of Politics, Horse Racing and Marijuana Smuggling
by
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CHAPTER 1
It's was sultry mid-August afternoon in Lexington, Kentucky and students were arriving at the university dormitories a few days before the start of the 1978 fall semester. Emotions ran high as some parents were leaving their children for the first time, at what will be their new home for the next four years. Two young men both carrying boxes stacked head high collide in front of the doorway to the men’s freshman dorm.
"Oh man, I'm sorry, didn't see you coming," the brown haired boy remarked. "Hey no problem, I didn't see you either. I guess everybody can tell we're both freshman," the shorter, stocky built boy replied. "I’m Lucas James, but everyone calls me Luke," he replied, holding out his hand. "Good to meet you Luke, I’m John Tripp."
Luke chuckled as he ran his hands through his close cut brown hair. "I bet you get alot of ribbing everytime you fall down," he remarked. "You got that right. Say, what room you in Luke?" "Room twelve on the first floor. How about you?" "I'm in room ten on the first floor. I guess that makes us neighbors," John said in a friendly manner. "It's too hot to be sitting out here on the sidewalk, let’s get moved in and then we can kick back and relax awhile," Luke said. "Sounds like a real plan to me. And this way we won't be running into each other." Both laughed as they picked up their belongings and rushed to get moved in. After about a half hour of carrying boxes and clothes John and Luke relaxed in John's room and drank a sodas, while talking and getting to know one another. "What part of the state you from," Luke asked, as he sipped slowly on his soda. "I live about ten miles east of Bowling Green. My dad's a farmer." "My dad farms too," Luke stated proudly. "Where abouts?" "We live about half way between Paducah and Smithland." "Are you gonna farm when you get out of school?" John asked. "I doubt it. I mean I like the farm and all but there's just not much money in it. I want to do something where I can be successful and get paid good for it." "I heard that," John replied with a casual nod of his head. "I don't know what I'm gonna major in either. But it's gonna be something where I can make a good living." Just at that moment another young face appeared at the open door, with belongings in hand, and a curious look on his face. "Is this room ten?" the dark haired stranger asked them. "Sure is," John said, in his usual friendly manner. The stranger put down a rather large box and extended his hand to John. "I'm Mark Adams," the dark haired boy stated, as he stepped into the room. "I’m John Tripp. I guess we're roommates," he replied politely, as he shook Mark's hand. "This is Luke James, he lives across the hall."
Luke shook Mark’s hand and asked where he is parked, and then offers to help him move in. The three of them moved Mark’s belongings from his small truck into the dormroom, as late afternoon turned to evening. As they carried the last of Mark’s boxes from his truck Mark asked if they are getting hungry. John and Luke both reply with a resounding "you bet." "Let’s chip in and get a pizza. It's the college thing to do you know," Mark commented. "I think he's right," Luke added. "Pizza it is gents. But while you boys call in the order I'm gonna sit here and check out these fine looking young babes moving in across the way," John remarked with a cat like grin, as he stared out the small dorm window at the girl’s Freshman dorm. "What do you boys want on it?" Mark asked. "Whatever’s good with me," Luke replied in a carefree manner, as he joined John at the window. "Same here," John replied, as he continued to stare out the window. Mark flipped open the phone book to find the nearest pizza joint that delivered, while Luke stood with the phone looking over John's shoulder out the window, as all three gazed toward the Freshman girls dorm like foxes watching a hen house. Mark called out a number to Luke, Luke placed the order, as they continued to watch the girls dorm with great intensity. Time passed quickly as they continued to sit at the window. Barely a word had been spoke. Then came a knock at the door.
"Pizza delivery," a voice shouted from the hallway. Mark jumped up to answer the door, as all three dug in their pockets for money. "Now this is the life. Pizza brought to your door, more women than you can possibly scope out just outside the window, no one to tell you to clean up the room, the only thing we're missing here is a good cold beer to wash down this pizza," John stated. "I'd like to drink to that," Luke replied. Mark smiled as he walked over to his closet. Inside he opened up a large ice cooler of beer. He handed each a beer as John and Luke sat in amazement. "Where did you get that!" Luke burst. "I've got my connections back home boys. And I always like to come prepared. But hey, keep this between us, we're not suppose to have beer in the dorm," Mark said quietly. "Sure thing," John and Luke replied.
All three boys grinning from ear to ear dig in to the pizza like starved dogs. Soon the pizza was gone, and with full bellies the new friends lay around drinking another beer. And getting to know one another. "Hey Mark, where are you from?" John asked. "I'm from a small town east of here called Rabbits Run," he said, as he took another drink of beer. "Man, that sounds really east of here," Luke chuckled. "Oh no, it's a suburb of Cincinnati," Mark replied with a sheepish grin. "You can't fool us, any town that has an animal name in it has to be in the mountains or there abouts, "John said with a laugh. "Okay you got me," he says with a laugh. "I'm a mountain man, a first rate hillbilly."
The laughter soon died off as the evening sun gave way to darkness. Luke got up, and once again shook hands with his two new friends. He thanked Mark for the beer, and told them he had better head
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About the Book
As young men Lucas James, Mark Adams and John Tripp meet for the first time their freshman year at college. The three boys, all from different parts of the State of Kentucky, quickly develop a close almost unbreakable friendship. They soon decide to refer to themselves jokingly as the three disciples. But it becomes no joke. Together their ambition, determination and strong desire to be successful under tough personal and economic times will compel them into a life of marijuana deals, money laundering and horse racing scams. With the help of yet another college friend, Juan Ortez, they become the Bluegrass Boys, and inherit a marijuana smuggling empire that they secretly run from their horseracing track. Their education, business knowledge and savvy take them from college graduates to become the youngest and most powerful controllers of marijuana in the State of Kentucky, while holding a strong grip on state politics in order to better protect their business interests. Their common, moral upbringings are honest and heartfelt. Their sense of business awareness is admirable. They very easily could be the boy(s) next door. But the business itself leaves no one untouched, and will bring about a very chilling end to their strong friendship.
About the Author
J.C. McElroy is a 37 year old Western Kentucky native. He holds a B.S. degree in Ag-Economics and business management from the University of Kentucky. He manages the family farm and owns a small cattle farm. He won the yearly and finals calf roping champion buckles in 1990 in the amateur division of the H.U.R.C. His fiction writing credits include, "The Bluegrass Boys", in 1994 "Sacred Ground" in 1995, "The Procurement", in 1999, and the short story "Time After Time", in 2002. Currently, he is working on two more books: "The Eliminator: In the Scope of Death" and "The Diary of a Confederate Civil War Soldier".