Memorable scenes in movies last longer than their brief time on the screen. Especially so, when the memorable scene brings back memories you recognize.
That happened to me watching a Crocodile Dundee film when Mick was confronted by an armed thug.
Mick didn't seem alarmed. The thug was taken aback. "How come you ain't scared? You don't even got a gun".
Mick smiles as he looks over and above the guy's shoulder. "Naw. Don't need one, 'uve got a Donk". The guy turns to look behind him just as a massive fist knocks him unconscious.
How satisfying.
I never heard of a "Donk" before that movie, but I did remember when I had a Donk of my own. I didn't think of him as a Donk at the time, but that's what he was.
His name was Tom Yody.
Tom was six-foot something and well over two hundred pounds. Tom was large. I was small. Despite the Mut & Jeff appearance, we were the best of friends.
I remember trouble with a few bullies in middle school. I don't remember any trouble with bullies in high school. I'm pretty sure that's because Tom was usually towering behind me.
Tom was aware of the effect he had in pacifying thugs. He took a certain pride in being my bodyguard. It was a role he was made for. Tom was also a guard on the high school football team, and enthusiastic about sports in general. I, on the other hand, hadn't the slightest interest in sports of any kind.
I was interested in Art. So was Tom. In fact, I think Tom was more interested in Art than football. That's why we were friends. We spent a great deal of time on drawings, paintings, artistic philosophy, and reading whatever we could find about artists.
Tom's room at home was filled with supplies: pencils, pens, pastels, brushes, and tubes of oil paint. His mom would chide him to be careful lest one of his friends (like me) walk-off with some of his treasure.
Tom's mom was a nice lady. She was just being a mom. We joked about it.
One day, as I was leaving, I jammed as many pencils, pens, and brushes as I could manage into all the pockets I had. They stuck out all over. I looked like a porcupine.
Tom looked up from the drawing he was working on, saying, "See you later - You didn't steal anything, did you"?
Along with the Art, we also shared a wry sense of humor.
Those were good times, filled with serious discussions of Art and serious production of our personal versions.
I haven't seen Tom since high school. I think he might've moved to Washington State.
It would be nice to talk to him again after all these years.
Tom would get a big kick out of my remembering him as my Donk.