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Frank Cotolo
August 7, 2014 |
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My rodeo clown work at The Rootin' Tootin' Wildcat Rope and Revolver Rodeo almost killed me. The
unfortunate scare took place when the show was being presented in Chloride, Arizona.
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Buster Evans was working with his partner, Evans Buster, doing his usual routine where Buster,
riding a Shetland pony, jumps a burning wagon that Evans is driving. It was a dangerous act on its
own but Buster decided to up the ante for one show. He wanted to tie up a rodeo clown, put him in
the back of the burning wagon and have Evans save the clown from burning when the wagon crashes.
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Evans said, "But the wagon doesn't crash, Buster."
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"That's the other addition to the act," Buster said. "When Scorpion [his pony] and me jumps the
flames coming from the wagon, we make a quick turn around and ride in the opposite direction while
the wagon hits a brick wall."
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"What brick wall?" said Evans.
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"That's the other addition to the act," Buster said. "We build a brick wall and before the wagon
crashes into it, you get in the back of the wagon and untie the rodeo clown so he is free to get
off with you before the crash."
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When Evans Buster agreed to do the trick with his partner Buster Evans, they both thought of me to
the be rodeo clown in the act. Mind you, there were at least six other rodeo clowns working the
company but Buster said he wanted me because I had the best smile of all the rodeo clowns.
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As flattered as that was to me I resisted being in the act.
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"I can burn to death," I said to Buster.
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"You sure can and that’s what makes the whole thing so exciting," Buster said.
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"You don't have to worry," said Evans, "because I untie you and you jump off the burning wagon with
me unharmed."
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"You can do that?" I said. "You can jump into the back of a burning wagon moments before it crashes
into a brick wall and untie a man and still have enough time to jump off with him?"
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