The Tenth Grader: Missed it…

by that much

He was now a Tenth Grader and he had learned a few things from his reading. He was no longer an easy target. His life was much easier than it had been, but he still wanted to learn a martial art. His search had proven fruitless and had been put on the back burner. He still hoped to find a sensei some day, but it didn’t look like it would happen soon.

The Tenth Grader’s life was changing. He was moving to another state into a town even smaller than the one he grew up in. His family was scheduled to leave at the end of the school year, just a few weeks away.

Occasionally, they would have “Assemblies” at school. The whole school would stop and everyone would crowd into the auditorium to see a show of some sort. This time it was billed as “the Fastest Gun in the West.” Turns out this man really was the fastest gun in the west. Most of the students didn’t know it, but they actually had competitions at fast draw and he was the champion. Very cool. I think they still have these competitions. {note: the event is called Fastest Gun Alive World Championships and was last held in Fallon, NV in 2021.)

He taught the students about gun safety and the dangers of blank rounds, the only ammo he used. He had a timer that was used in the competitions. The 2 competitors would square off and a light would come on. When the light came on, they would draw their weapons and fire. The timer would stop and the side light of the fastest would light up. Very technologically advanced for the day.

He demonstrated the quick-draws of popular TV and movie cowboys of the day. James Arness, “Matt Dillon”, was first, then Dale Robertson, “Jim Hardy”, Clint Eastwoodand, “The Man With No Name” and many others, each one a bit faster than the last. Surprisingly, he named Sammy Davis, Jr. as probably the fastest actor in Hollywood. Having seen Mr. Davis on the western The Rifleman, it was easy to believe.

At one point, The Fastest Gun asked for a volunteer. Keith, one of the seniors, volunteered. The Tenth Grader knew Keith. They went to the same church and they were in the same Boy Scout troop. The Fastest Gun gave Keith his instructions. It was simple. When the light comes on, pull the trigger. Keith’s gun would already be cocked and out of the holster. They tried it once, just so Keith could get a feel for it. He was pretty quick. The Fastest Gun complimented Keith on his quick response time. Keith commented that it was probably because of his Judo training…

WHAT????!!! Keith had been training in JUDO????? Why did the Tenth Grader not know this? For a moment, the Assembly did not exist. Judo in his little town? The Tenth Grader was getting excited. Judo, yes.

Then the Tenth Grader remembered that he was moving in a few extremely short weeks. The Assembly continued.

To make a long story short, The Fastest Gun was able to draw, cock and fire his gun faster than Keith could pull the trigger, This guy really was fast.

Though the Tenth Grader knew he was not going to be able to study Judo before he moved, he could talk to Keith and learn a bit about his experience. He was sure there would be other opportunities in the future. He just had to be patient and ready to start learning when the time came. He left the Assembly feeling a bit like Maxwell Smart. “Missed it by that much.”