I Am Excited to Become a Fictional Character

My real life induction into the Football
Reporters of Canada Wing of the
Canadian
Football Hall of Fame in 2013

Ever since Anthony Bidulka asked me if I was willing to be a character as a sportswriter in From Sweetgrass Bridge, the second Merry Bell book, - I instantly agreed - I have been eagerly awaiting my debut in fiction.

I was not disappointed. Being described as “a local journalist renowned for his decades-long no -nonsense coverage of the Roughies” was gratifying. Readers of my columns over the past 46 years can decide if the portrayal is accurate.

Anthony’s recitation of what my fictional alter ego would say are the qualities of a perfect quarterback were apt.

Anthony concluded with my fictional assessment that the missing Dustin Thomson was the best of “all active CFL quarterbacks”. The statement made me wistful.

It has been a decade since the Riders / Roughies have had the best quarterback in the league. Darian Durant led the Riders to their last Grey Cup in 2013.

The Riders could have had the best in Zach Collaros had they not traded him to the Blue Bombers. Since he had been injury prone in Saskatchewan I had not anticipated him becoming the best in the CFL.

It was a cruel but fitting Rider irony in 2023 that they gave up on Cody Fajardo just in time for him to lead the Alouettes to the Grey Cup Championship.

I never aspired to be a fictional character but am reveling in the experience. My role may be a cameo but I am going to enjoy it to the fullest.

I was glad Anthony did not have the usual disclaimer that “any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental”.

It is a unique experience being fictional. I was reminded of another special moment of a lifetime. 

Some years ago the Melfort Rotary Club, of which Sharon and I are members, hosted professional wrestling in Melfort at the Northern Lights Palace, our hockey arena. It did not feature the well known wrestlers that Stu Hart toured around Western Canada for decades under the banner of Stampede Wrestling.

The wrestlers who came to Melfort were from a leser circuit. None were bound for the WWF. They were no less intense and dramatic in their performances iside and outside the squared ring.

The wrestlers in Melfort reminded me of the wrestlers in A.J. Devlin’s book, Five Moves of Doom, eking out a living as they dreamed of performing in major arenas before screaming throngs.

While the wrestling promotion was a financial loss for the club I had a great opportunity. I was the ring announcer for the evening. Immaculately clad in a black suit and red bow tie I proudly and dramatically introduced the acts. I said matches that night.

I learned very quickly to be nimble around the ring to avoid the wrestlers flying over, through and under the ropes.

As they continued their routines outside the ring on the plywood covered ice surface I was alert to the risk of being accidentally struck by the chairs with which they smacked one another. Should anyone doubt the physicality of professional wrestling they destroyed three chairs. The club was not happy to have to reimburse the city for the chairs.

When the evening was done and the last villain vanquished I said to family and friends “I have done it all in my life”. What more could there be done after being the ring announcer for professional wrestling?

I was wrong! Being a character in From Sweetgrass Bridge is far better than being a ring announcer.

I thank Anthony for creating me fictionally.

****

** Bidulka, Anthony – Russell Quant series and Adam Saint series and standalone:

(2021) - Anthony Bidulka and Hesitation Over the Cover Photo

Russell Quant books - (2004) - Amuse Bouche (Most
Interesting of 2004 – fiction and non-fiction); (2005) - Flight of Aquavit (2nd Best fiction in 2005); (2005) - Tapas on the Ramblas; (2006) - Stain of the Berry; (2008) - Sundowner Ubuntu;   (2009) - Aloha, Candy Hearts; (2010) - Date with a Sheesha; (2012) - Dos Equis; Paperback or Hardcover

Adam Saint books - (2013) - When the Saints Go

Marching In and (2015) - The Women of Skawa Island

Merry Bell books - (2023) Livingsky and Merry Bell - Saskatchewan Transgender Sleuth and Exchange with Anthony Bidulka on Livingsky; (2024) From Sweetgrass Bridge

Standalones - (2017) - Set Free; (2022) - Going to Beautiful and Stellar Book Launch for Going to Beautiful