The Black Bullet: An Exposé (Part 3)
Editor's note: This is the third and final in a three part series on the rise, fall and resurrection of Mark Bowie's Black Bullet bus. Please click the following links for Part 1 and Part 2.
Capt. Mark Bowie, skipper of the S.S. Black Bullet, drinking and driving his beloved Black Bullet bus.
The Dog Catcher - just barely alive from her time spent underneath the "Flat Tire Curse" of Greenwood fame - was fighting for survival. She had been at the very pinnacle of any bus' dream life, chasing hot air balloons all over this great nation.
She had also seen her fair share of valleys. Blowout laden trips to Delta restaurants proved to be too much to handle, until she made a successful trip to Bourbon, Mississippi.
This was just the beginning, however, of a legacy that will be forever revered.
Fate Leads to Party Busses
I can still remember the fateful conversation that led to my eventual relationship with the Black Bullet. It was late one Thursday afternoon - before Daylight Saving Time had lifted - and I was the new kid (back) in town.
Freshly degreed and working in Greenwood, I found myself bored stiff one Thursday after work. So I headed down to The Alluvian for their infamous happy hour for several spirits and the hope of running into a few familiar faces.
While talking to Brandon McCaleb, everyone's favorite Giardina's barkeep, I noticed Reese Pillow pull up next to me at the bar. Being old friends and fellow Sigma Chis, we quickly started a conversation that led immediately to the tennis team he was just starting.
By the time I left the bar, I was sold on the idea of a 3.0 tennis team with beginners who, like me, hadn't played in years. Personally, I hadn't picked up my racquet since I put it down at the end of Pillow Academy tennis season my senior year. Nevertheless, somehow I knew this was going to be fun.
The Town's Tennis Team
The first order of business was to organize our team lineup. A trip with Reese to Greenville and the craziest carnival-like atmosphere in the Delta left us fairly pleased with a workable schedule. We were, however, a little upset with the number of away games we had scheduled. After all, who wants to travel to play tennis?
Little did we know at the time how these traveling trips would change our lives.
As we were organizing our first away game, someone suggested taking Mark Bowie's bus. It hadn't taken a trip in a long while, but it was big enough for everyone to fit and had an entire room dedicated to coolers. We would drink a few beers on the way, play some competitive tennis, and have a cold one or two on the ride home, we thought.
Well, as the season went on, the "few" and "one or two" turned into "six packs" and "shotgunning." Co-Editor R.D. Seawright became our official team cheerleader and a group of women renamed the beloved bus "The Black Bullet" because it "reminded them of a warm and tingling sensation each time they experienced it."
After the first trip or two, The Black Bullet was officially Christened "The Official Transportation Vehicle of the Famous Greenwood Country Club's Men's 3.0 Tennis Team." T-shirt designs with flaming tennis balls and the catchphrase, "Bring It, Bitches" emblazoning the back began the team's new nickname: The Bring It Boys.
Born to "Bring It"
The 'Bring It' Boys: (from L-R) Billy Dunn, Ray Nilssen, John Stewart, Mark Bowie, Thomas Gregory, Autin Wilkey, Floyd Melton, John Coleman. Not pictured: Reese Pillow, Matt Ortner, Holt Lowe. Bowie's beloved bus in background.
Yes, things were moving on up for the ole Bring It Boys. As Black Bullet pilot Mark Bowie said, "Although the team is not known for great tennis, we can hang with anyone in the 'good times' department."
Bowie continued, "A recent week's tennis tour included cheerleaders, liars, drunks, nudity, moons, laughter, swearing and smoking. We also found out that it takes two cases of beer to make it home from Cleveland."
New characters were soon were added to the those whose legacy still lives on. "Shotgun" Reese, "Can I Get You a Beer" Stewart, and "Awful Moon" Austin among others helped to liven up the crew.
But as the good the times continued, all the pressure of owning and operating a vehicle of this magnitude soon became too much for Bowie to handle. After one particularly long after-match team celebration, Bowie sent out the following email to his inner circle:
The Response and Resurrection
With such bad news came an immediate outcry for mercy. Black Bullet fan club president John Stewart was even reported to shed a few tears at the thought of losing his favorite auto.
After such negative press and publicity, Bowie has since rescinded his open invitation and continues to operate his "glorious vessel" in all her splendor. He does, however, offer a disclaimer on his most noted posession.
"Should you ever get an invitation to ride, please do so with caution. Your life may never be the same."
Mark Bowie, proud owner and operator of The Black Bullet contributed to this report.
Capt. Mark Bowie, skipper of the S.S. Black Bullet, drinking and driving his beloved Black Bullet bus.
The Dog Catcher - just barely alive from her time spent underneath the "Flat Tire Curse" of Greenwood fame - was fighting for survival. She had been at the very pinnacle of any bus' dream life, chasing hot air balloons all over this great nation.
She had also seen her fair share of valleys. Blowout laden trips to Delta restaurants proved to be too much to handle, until she made a successful trip to Bourbon, Mississippi.
This was just the beginning, however, of a legacy that will be forever revered.
Fate Leads to Party Busses
I can still remember the fateful conversation that led to my eventual relationship with the Black Bullet. It was late one Thursday afternoon - before Daylight Saving Time had lifted - and I was the new kid (back) in town.
Freshly degreed and working in Greenwood, I found myself bored stiff one Thursday after work. So I headed down to The Alluvian for their infamous happy hour for several spirits and the hope of running into a few familiar faces.
While talking to Brandon McCaleb, everyone's favorite Giardina's barkeep, I noticed Reese Pillow pull up next to me at the bar. Being old friends and fellow Sigma Chis, we quickly started a conversation that led immediately to the tennis team he was just starting.
By the time I left the bar, I was sold on the idea of a 3.0 tennis team with beginners who, like me, hadn't played in years. Personally, I hadn't picked up my racquet since I put it down at the end of Pillow Academy tennis season my senior year. Nevertheless, somehow I knew this was going to be fun.
The Town's Tennis Team
The first order of business was to organize our team lineup. A trip with Reese to Greenville and the craziest carnival-like atmosphere in the Delta left us fairly pleased with a workable schedule. We were, however, a little upset with the number of away games we had scheduled. After all, who wants to travel to play tennis?
Little did we know at the time how these traveling trips would change our lives.
As we were organizing our first away game, someone suggested taking Mark Bowie's bus. It hadn't taken a trip in a long while, but it was big enough for everyone to fit and had an entire room dedicated to coolers. We would drink a few beers on the way, play some competitive tennis, and have a cold one or two on the ride home, we thought.
Well, as the season went on, the "few" and "one or two" turned into "six packs" and "shotgunning." Co-Editor R.D. Seawright became our official team cheerleader and a group of women renamed the beloved bus "The Black Bullet" because it "reminded them of a warm and tingling sensation each time they experienced it."
After the first trip or two, The Black Bullet was officially Christened "The Official Transportation Vehicle of the Famous Greenwood Country Club's Men's 3.0 Tennis Team." T-shirt designs with flaming tennis balls and the catchphrase, "Bring It, Bitches" emblazoning the back began the team's new nickname: The Bring It Boys.
Born to "Bring It"
The 'Bring It' Boys: (from L-R) Billy Dunn, Ray Nilssen, John Stewart, Mark Bowie, Thomas Gregory, Autin Wilkey, Floyd Melton, John Coleman. Not pictured: Reese Pillow, Matt Ortner, Holt Lowe. Bowie's beloved bus in background.
Yes, things were moving on up for the ole Bring It Boys. As Black Bullet pilot Mark Bowie said, "Although the team is not known for great tennis, we can hang with anyone in the 'good times' department."
Bowie continued, "A recent week's tennis tour included cheerleaders, liars, drunks, nudity, moons, laughter, swearing and smoking. We also found out that it takes two cases of beer to make it home from Cleveland."
New characters were soon were added to the those whose legacy still lives on. "Shotgun" Reese, "Can I Get You a Beer" Stewart, and "Awful Moon" Austin among others helped to liven up the crew.
But as the good the times continued, all the pressure of owning and operating a vehicle of this magnitude soon became too much for Bowie to handle. After one particularly long after-match team celebration, Bowie sent out the following email to his inner circle:
"It is with deep sadness that I have to announce that I must rid myself of the infamous Black Bullet. After much deliberation this week, along with consultations with therapists, preachers, doctors, lawyers, police officers and beer distributers, I have decided it must go. I simply cannot take the constant loud noise, late nights, nuidity, profanity and alcohol consumption that is necessary for the proper upkeep of this type vehicle. After last night, I will give the Black Bullet away to anyone who thinks they might can handle the constant agony."
The Response and Resurrection
With such bad news came an immediate outcry for mercy. Black Bullet fan club president John Stewart was even reported to shed a few tears at the thought of losing his favorite auto.
After such negative press and publicity, Bowie has since rescinded his open invitation and continues to operate his "glorious vessel" in all her splendor. He does, however, offer a disclaimer on his most noted posession.
"Should you ever get an invitation to ride, please do so with caution. Your life may never be the same."
Mark Bowie, proud owner and operator of The Black Bullet contributed to this report.
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