This episode can be played as a drinking game. Every time Rudy and I find a pop culture intersection, you drink. I would never play it because I think all games are pointless. I also think most of our listeners are drinking just fine without a gaming element. But I leave the choice up to you.
Rudy Johnson is a quiet legend of our scene. He’s collaborated with his childhood friend, William Duryea, on many literary projects, most famously on the online journal Misery Tourism and the coinciding live virtual reading series, Misery Loves Company. Rudy and I met during the short lived but much loved reign of Last Estate, which he also co-led with William. We worked on art and layout together. It was so easy to work with him. He kept his camera off and he became, for me, a consistently kind Eeyore voice in the gloomy winter. When you view his sub-stack, which you should, it’s clear that, despite his common name, there is only one Rudy Johnson. I like to imagine him in a room with 100 Rudy Johnsons, even 100 black Rudy Johnsons from New York. What would they make of him? I believe they’d find him odd and delightful. Rudy, my friend, I hope the Ketamine helps.