Am I the only 1 to notice that Randy Wayne White’s recurring character, Dr. Marion Ford, bears a slight resemblance to the classic Florida boat bum character, Travis McGee, produced by John D. MacDonald and played out over the training course of 21 novels? Or probably it really is these an obvious observation that no a single else thought it was truly worth the exertion of strength to point out. Regardless, we have two middle-aged adult men with military/covert procedure knowledge in their early grownup existence, athletic as youth, in a position to however deal with them selves very well in a brawl, and somewhat obsessive with their plan for getting again into form once they detect the beers are beginning to outnumber the pushups.
Let us just take a glance at the cohorts.
So lots of excellent creations of fiction have a 2nd fiddle to participate in off, a trusty companion loosely orbiting the exact world, although saved at a specific length, who can be counted on to swoop in and save the working day now and then. Where by would Batman be with no Robin?. Ernie without the need of Bert? Butch Cassidy without the Sundance Kid? Travis McGee was accompanied on his adventures by a quick, stalwart, bull of a male named Meyer. Economist by trade, fellow boat bum by nature, Meyer was covered with a thick “black pelt” of hair. On the other hand, Doc Ford’s sidekick was a scrawny, psychic, sarong wearing hippie by the identify of Tomlinson. If you decide a gentleman by the enterprise he keeps, I’m likely to have to contact it a attract when selecting which male would be preferable to have your again when the you know what hits the you know exactly where.
Gals. You cannot truly examine either Travis McGee or Doc Ford with no mentioning the parade of female companionship in their life. Just about every has cherished and misplaced viciously, nevertheless Ford seems to be intent on leaving a trail of illegitimate youngsters throughout the world. So far, he’s got one in Central The usa and one in Iowa. In both scenarios, destiny intervened, as it often does in fiction, to frustrate our hero’s greatest options. He genuinely preferred to marry the mother of each individual, but the first didn’t want him and the 2nd returned to her lesbian roots. Ouch! It cannot be mentioned that Travis McGee has fared significantly better. Although apparently additional educated in the place of beginning control, he loves and loses with equal abandon.
Bodily, McGee is taller and, as a former faculty soccer participant, all set to tough and tumble with the best of them. Ford was a significant faculty wrestler and fights with a grim tenacity borne of his psyche and navy schooling as a “exclusive” agent. What would take place if you tossed them in the ring alongside one another and place a damsel in distress in the middle? Fascinating dilemma. One particular which we leave to MacDonald and White lovers to take care of in their very own minds. As for me, I’m heading with Travis by a smidgen in this contest.