The Black Bullet: An Exposé (Part 1)
Editor's note: This is the first in a three part series on the rise, fall and resurrection of Mark Bowie's beloved Black Bullet bus.
The infamous Black Bullet (formerly known as the Dog Catcher) in her first life while on vacation in Grand Canyon National Park.
The tennis match was finally over. Ray and I had just gotten our asses beaten by a father-son duo from Leland, Mississippi, home of Kermit the Frog and the venerable Edward Sanders. As I made my way into the dark black bus in the parking lot, all I wanted to do was to pop a top and commence in the ritualistic chugging of a Bud Light.
The Thursday night was still young and promised to be even more eventful at our team's rally point, The Flatland Grill. But as I sat slumped in the bench-seat facing the main door to the bus, I couldn't help but wonder about her past. After all, everything has a back-story and our beloved party bus should be no different, right?
So I took it upon myself to research her past life and times in order to more formally introduce her to the likes of Greenwood's citizenry. This is her story...
In what has become a legend among transportation devices, Mark Bowie's black bus, affectionately known about town as "The Black Bullet," has come seemingly full circle since its origination as a balloon chase vehicle.
The Rise
One hot, summer day in 1994 Mark Bowie of Balloon Promotions, Inc. gave birth to his newest family member: a bus built for ballooning. Originally designed to escort the world's largest flying wiener, the "Dog Catcher," as it was formerly and formally known, was the requisition of Sara Lee Corp's Ball Park Frank division. They needed a one-of-a-kind marketing device to accompany their flying "SkyFrank" balloon. Mark Bowie delivered the bus pictured above.
The SkyFrank team was originally headlined by notable balloonists and self-proclaimed comedians Jeannie and "Cajun" Charlie. When given the task of entertaining Sara Lee's VIPs, Charlie and Jeannie were more than up to the challenge. Traversing the United States with champagne wine in tow, the Dog Catcher was quickly building a name for herself as the finest balloon chase vehicle in the land.
Noted Bowie, "Charlie and Jeannie entertained with such style, they were requested all over the U.S. to spread their hospitality. From day one the vehicle has had a mystical power over the many people within her confines."
Enter Dr. Bob, the notorious "roving Gynecologist" from Atlanta, and his quick-witted sidekicks Jackson and Eugene, both from Florida, the least southern of all southern states. This trio kicked things up a notch by adding scotch whiskey and barley brews to the VIP menu.
Bowie added, "It was these characters that instilled the party atmosphere that this vehicle is known for today."
But for every bright, sunny day, there is a hailstorm to follow. 'Twas true for the "Dog Catcher" as well. How long could she imbibe before rehab came knocking on her door? It was only a matter of time. I will investigate the cause behind the fall of the Dog Catcher in part two of this series. Stay tuned...
Mark Bowie, proprietor of Balloon Promotions, Inc., contributed extensively to this report.
The infamous Black Bullet (formerly known as the Dog Catcher) in her first life while on vacation in Grand Canyon National Park.
The tennis match was finally over. Ray and I had just gotten our asses beaten by a father-son duo from Leland, Mississippi, home of Kermit the Frog and the venerable Edward Sanders. As I made my way into the dark black bus in the parking lot, all I wanted to do was to pop a top and commence in the ritualistic chugging of a Bud Light.
The Thursday night was still young and promised to be even more eventful at our team's rally point, The Flatland Grill. But as I sat slumped in the bench-seat facing the main door to the bus, I couldn't help but wonder about her past. After all, everything has a back-story and our beloved party bus should be no different, right?
So I took it upon myself to research her past life and times in order to more formally introduce her to the likes of Greenwood's citizenry. This is her story...
In what has become a legend among transportation devices, Mark Bowie's black bus, affectionately known about town as "The Black Bullet," has come seemingly full circle since its origination as a balloon chase vehicle.
The Rise
One hot, summer day in 1994 Mark Bowie of Balloon Promotions, Inc. gave birth to his newest family member: a bus built for ballooning. Originally designed to escort the world's largest flying wiener, the "Dog Catcher," as it was formerly and formally known, was the requisition of Sara Lee Corp's Ball Park Frank division. They needed a one-of-a-kind marketing device to accompany their flying "SkyFrank" balloon. Mark Bowie delivered the bus pictured above.
The SkyFrank team was originally headlined by notable balloonists and self-proclaimed comedians Jeannie and "Cajun" Charlie. When given the task of entertaining Sara Lee's VIPs, Charlie and Jeannie were more than up to the challenge. Traversing the United States with champagne wine in tow, the Dog Catcher was quickly building a name for herself as the finest balloon chase vehicle in the land.
Noted Bowie, "Charlie and Jeannie entertained with such style, they were requested all over the U.S. to spread their hospitality. From day one the vehicle has had a mystical power over the many people within her confines."
Enter Dr. Bob, the notorious "roving Gynecologist" from Atlanta, and his quick-witted sidekicks Jackson and Eugene, both from Florida, the least southern of all southern states. This trio kicked things up a notch by adding scotch whiskey and barley brews to the VIP menu.
Bowie added, "It was these characters that instilled the party atmosphere that this vehicle is known for today."
But for every bright, sunny day, there is a hailstorm to follow. 'Twas true for the "Dog Catcher" as well. How long could she imbibe before rehab came knocking on her door? It was only a matter of time. I will investigate the cause behind the fall of the Dog Catcher in part two of this series. Stay tuned...
Mark Bowie, proprietor of Balloon Promotions, Inc., contributed extensively to this report.
Comments