Chet Duke

It was a brisk an cold day in Hazzard County, the weather man had been calling for a record snow fall. The temperatures were already dropping well below freezing, the cold air caused a young man with dark hair to rub his hands together in attempt to warm them while he watched his older cowboy friend. Bryce flipped the collar up on his well worn Carhart jacket an tucked his hands deep into his pockets as he tried to pay close attention to his friends directions in the bitter air. “Now ya just hug real tight with your calves an knees, its not like bronc’s Bryce. You gotta train your mind to hold on with your spurs, these bulls can take it.†Chet Duke instructed the younger man who shivered as he watched an listened to the Duke boy. The black haired Duke boy paused watching the shivering young man with his mismatched eyes, it really wasn’t that cold out. This young man was gonna have to toughin’ up if he ever expected to become a real good bull rider, it was surely a very rough sport. Just as Chet was about to continue with his lesson his voice was cut short by the sound of a car coming down his Ranch’s driveway. “Who the....†Chet straitened his back an Bryce jumped down off the fencing of the chute an stood beside his friend. “Who is that Chet?!†The Duke boy shook his head raising his dark eyebrows at the pure white Cadillac coming down the dust billowing drive. He’d herd the older Dukes an some other people talk about how ol’ J. D. Hogg aka Boss Hogg used to drive a car all over like that. But he also knew that Boss Hogg had been dead many years, many years before his returned at that. “I don’t know.... but I aim to find out.†Chet said his brow furrowing into seriousness as he strut towards the Cadillac as it came to a halt. As he approached the Cadillac a well aged an stubborn as ever looking Hughie Hogg stepped out of the white Cadi. He was plump now, much like his late Uncle Boss had been, his suit a traditional white an his hair greying. “Chet Duke?†The young Duke paused by the Cadillac, crossing his arms over his chest his brow set into a all business expression. “That depends on who’s looking for him an why.†Hughie pressed his lips together in a smug expression an with drew a notice from his pocket. “Well I Boss Hughie Hogg, the new commissioner of Hazzard County, an Im here to notify him that he is behind on his payments for this here Ranch.†Feeling the heat of anger boil in his veins Chet’s jaw line set hard as he clinched his teeth. He shoulda’ known that Boss Hoggs damned nephew would be more cocked then Boss had been himself. An he’ double damned near do anything but kill someone to swindle an honest working man for a buck. “This Ranch is paid for, in full....Boss.†Chets words came out like venom. “Now get your carcass off my property.†The young Duke glanced over his shoulder at the huge 2000 pound Brahma bull in the chute. “Or I’ll let ol’ Jet over there chase your crooked ass out.†Hughie’s face paled into four shades of white as he glanced at the massive bull, Bryce smirked widely beside Chet. He couldn’t help but admire the old outlaws style of chasing unwanted visitors away, especially the Hogg sort of visitors. “Ooh! Well....I’ll be back Duke!†Hughie scrambled to get into the back seat of the convertible an tapped his driver on the shoulder to signal him. “This isn’t over you Duke! I’ll get you.†***2:00AM Hazzard County Bank; The next evening.*** A sharp an loud explosion echoed through out the town, the front window on the bank exploded into a million pieces an a horse squealed into the darkness. A pair of matching horses stood in the street, there handler a young man in a black Cowboy hat an darkly colored cowboy attire. A bandanna pulled up over his nose, he held tightly onto the startled pair of horses reins as the two matching horses shied from the explosion. “Whoa!! Easy! Easy!†The young boy holding the horses soothed. Another Cowboy, a taller an older one appeared from the settling dust of the remains of the front entrance of the bang. He quickly slung money packed saddle bags behind each horses saddle an secured them. The young boy stepped into his mounts saddle an held the reins out to the older cowboy. In seconds the they were ridding away into the darkness, the bell on the fire station in town wailed an fire an security alarms from within the bank screeched in warning. The horses galloped hard an fast over the concrete an escaped out of town, there hooves leaving only a stream of dust from behind them. Chet an Bryce rode out of town, the horses beneath them ran steadily deeper an deeper into the dense GA territory. Soon they slowed as they came to a fence where a deep red chestnut an a blue roan paint horse stood quietly awaiting there return. Quickly Chet an Bryce unsaddle the matching bay horses that they had semi borrowed from the neighboring farm an saddled the awaiting horses. In a few moments Chet released the bays into the big pasture an mounted his trusty Thoroughbred. “Bryce you ready?†He looked over his shoulder at his partner as he mounted Chet’s blue roan. “Yeah Im ready....†Bryce replied, whirling the big stallion around behind Chet’s tall gelding. They galloped away into the rising sun secretly returning to Chet’s ranch, to hide away the stolen cash. Bryce an Chet’s laughter carried over the land. “Ha ha! That was great! Ol’ Boss Hughie Hogg will think twice about trying to swindle you again.†He grinned widely as he galloped the roan beside Chet. Chet smirked to himself pridefully, it sure felt good to be bad again, even if it was just for one evening. “You better believe we he will.†(CUE ANYONE WHO DARE.)

The black haired sleeping Duke boy grumbled aloud as Amanda toppled over him an began shaking him. He turn his head the other way an wrapped his arms around the pillow, wanting nothing more then to sleep. It wasn’t like Amanda to try an wake him up, hence his annoyance. “What.... what is it... Om’ sleepin here.†He groaned an gave a small yawn. Soon her shaking became alarming he sat up on the bed, clad in a pair of bright red night shorts he slung his legs over the side of the bed. Yawning he rubbed his eyes an put his arm around her in comfort. “Relax...relax... whats going on?†Chet yawned again, barely awake. (Aint much but its something.)

The sound of his girl friends voice drew a small smile on Chet's face, it was so good to see her after his little scare. What ever he'd seen had been enough to rattle an shake him, the cold autumn breeze blew in hard through the open barn door. "I was feeding my horses." He sighed an smiled at her, washing the remainder of his thoughts from his mind about the...what ever it was he saw and concentrating on her. "Well baby what do you think I'm doing out here, I had to feed the horses." He teased good naturedly. Chet couldn't help but chuckle, he hung the halters up on the pegs in the tack room an closed the door behind him. Putting his arm around her he shut the lights off in the barn an started inside to get some supper started. "I hope your hungry. I worked on supper for half the day, dinners your favorite an baked apples in carmel for desert, cowboy style of course." The young Duke boy kissed his girl friend on the cheek and opened the door into the half remodled farm house for her. They both went inside, laughing an talking, autumn was such a beautiful an lively time of the year. So festive an cool enough to enjoy during the day an chilly enough at night to sit close to the one you love by a warm fire. Chet spent the rest of the evening with Amanda, enjoying his supper an there time together. It felt nice just to be in a place he could call home an with someone he could hold tight an take deep comfort in and have her feel the same in return. He sighed in content an lay awake for a few moments, savoring in the darkness an the peacefullness of the evening. Chet couldn't help but wonder what tomarrow could bring, with Halloween only a week away and all the sweet treats accumulating around town. Work was picking up at the garage where he'd been working with Cooter, an the boys ranch was settling into the season as well. What could possibly go wrong, Chet yawned an drifted off to sleep, hugging Amanda close to him.

“What in the hell are you doing?†Chet Duke looked up at his father Bo Duke as he began to haul out the living room closet of the old farm house. “Watch your mouth, Im looking for Halloween decorations... you know like witches, spiders an all sorts of cool spooky stuff. Chet rolled his eyes an got up from lounging on the living room sofa, closing the Western Novel in his hands. “Yeah Bo, I know what Halloween is.†The young Duke boy grumbled calling his father by his name to purposely annoy him as he went outside an laid in the hammock in the front yard of his parents house. Bo shook his head an pull out more of the orange an autumn colored decorations. Chet lay out in the hammock, letting it swing back an forth in the cool breeze, he hated Halloween. There was no point in celebrating the dead, they were dead... gone forever, the past, the end and so forth. Sighing he continued to read his novel, enjoying the action packed gun fights and thrilling shoot outs. But best of all... the fantastic train and bank robberies, he couldn’t but chuckle to himself. After a half hour of enjoying his book he got up an drove back to the old ranch house a couple miles down the road from Cooters. He’d bought the place a couple of weeks before an now spent the majority of his time remolding it an taking care of his horses in the old barn. Lately some weird things had been going on out to the old Ranch house an he’d been trying to make some sense out of it. For example, he’d left his old roping saddle on the fence out back before going to work at the boys ranch, come home that afternoon only to find the saddle in the middle of the isle of his barn. There was no way anyone could get into his barn, he’d padlocked it an only he had a key. Chet shrugged his shoulders remembering a few other weird things but not thinking too much of them. He returned home an began to feed his horses, after each horse had eat he opened there stall doors an let them out into the big pasture for the rest of the night. Chet walked down the isle of the big old barn, carrying a halter in each hand an one slung over his shoulder. He glanced up an froze in his tracks, his blood running cold with surprise an heart skipped in fear. The black haired Duke boy blinked his eyes trying to better see the smoggy image before him, the faint outline of a man in a cowboy hat an a long duster. Chet blinked again slowly the smoggy, almost dusty image was swept away by the breeze blowing in the open doors at the end of the barn. His heart still racing, Chet stepped back an took a seat on a bale of hay on the floor of the barn, resting the halters in his lap. “What the hell was that?...†He whispered aloud, asking himself and making sure he still could find his voice. Taking a deep breath he sighed an stood back up to return the halters to the small tack room in the barn. His mind turning over what he’d seen, what had it been? A figment of his imagination...maybe a beam of light, or his eyes playing tricks on him or....could it have been....a ghost? (Cue Anyone, please try an stick to the idea please.)

Yeah folks! The Hazzardnet Chat room is looking like the ghost town on razor back ridge. Come on over anytime an drop into the room, hang out for a time, the more people that drop in a regular basis the better outcome there'll be!!! Come on lets get it together. ~Chet Duke

The sound of a Hemi engine was unmistakable on the back roads of Hazzard County as the General Lee tore up the roads. Dirt flying, mud slopping and the engine roaring.... the only thing out of place was the driver of the orange Dodge Charger. The driver was a stranger, rather then the usual Duke, General Lee was in trouble. As luck would have it another Dodge Charger sat concealed at the side of the road where the General Lee was bearing towards. Chet Duke sat up on the door frame of the white 1970 Charger, listening to a familiar roaring engine drawing closer and closer. His mismatched eyes watched down the road waiting to see the orange car come into view. But with the sound of the hemi engine came the sound of screamin’ sirens, as in the infamous siren of a Sheriffs car. Rosco P. Coltrane sort of Sheriffs car to be exactly accurate. Chet leaned against the roof of the car and fished the mic to his CB out from near the dash board an pressed the button on the side talking into it. “Lost Sheep, this is Ghost. I’ve spotted the General Lee bearing fast on high way 17 headed north.†Chet slid into the drivers seat of his car and fired up the engine, in seconds General Lee flew by, the white Charger let out hot on his heals. The Ghost’s V-10 engine snarled an pulled up on General’s passenger side an swung fast cutting the orange car off, its driver forced to come to a dirt kicking halt. Quickly Chet climbed out the window of his car and walked down the cars white hood, stepping around the shinny chrome blower. “Alright, who ever the hell you are get your ass outta my fathers car!†Chet said spitting the words, knowing his father Bo would be pleased to have the General Lee back. (I hope my post is ok.... )

Chet only nodded broadly to the Sheriff, he understood how strongly the older man felt towards his kin. It wasnt soon enough when finally they were all on there way back to town, feeling much like a single thorn on a rose bush he slowly drifted to the back of the pack, his mind wondering what returning to town could bring. What would happen now that he was returning? What would happen to the blond drifter an the black clad stranger, Brian and Alex? The Duke boys brow wrinkled in uneasiness, he’d already earned a bullet to his gut that he had some how managed to survive, curtsey of the blonde haired slick. He drifted back further until he was riding in the very back, his horse sensing his almost depressed an floundering thoughts rested its head low looking tired form the days trials. Quietly Chet whispered to his horse, the animal that he’d always shared a close companion ship with. “What do you think old boy? Is it not a bad idea to return to town like this? Or should we be ridin back in the other direction?†The Red horse shook its head at him an bobbed his nose an walked on forward at faster pace. “I know... after all I’ve done it should be me riding away with those cur’ dogs, not Alex.†Chet paused letting his whispering voice linger for a few moments, his horse turned its ears back waiting to hear the rest. “Much as I know I’d like to gut shoot him in return, I should be the one riding away...†Suddenly Chet brow sank in realization, his use of dynamite had drawn a lot of people in, what was the chances of it drawing in Brian and..... quickly Chet shook his head an blinked his eyes. He’d already stated he was going back to town, he couldn’t turn back now.... even with the chances of the explosion drawing the black clad..... Chet nearly gritted his teeth. That dammed black clad desperado! (Cue anyone)

Chet only nodded broadly to the Sheriff, he understood how strongly the older man felt towards his kin. It wasnt soon enough when finally they were all on there way back to town, feeling much like a single thorn on a rose bush he slowly drifted to the back of the pack, his mind wondering what returning to town could bring. What would happen now that he was returning? What would happen to the blond drifter an the black clad stranger, Brian and Alex? The Duke boys brow wrinkled in uneasiness, he’d already earned a bullet to his gut that he had some how managed to survive, curtsey of the blonde haired slick. He drifted back further until he was riding in the very back, his horse sensing his almost depressed an floundering thoughts rested its head low looking tired form the days trials. Quietly Chet whispered to his horse, the animal that he’d always shared a close companion ship with. “What do you think old boy? Is it not a bad idea to return to town like this? Or should we be ridin back in the other direction?†The Red horse shook its head at him an bobbed his nose an walked on forward at faster pace. “I know... after all I’ve done it should be me riding away with those cur’ dogs, not Alex.†Chet paused letting his whispering voice linger for a few moments, his horse turned its ears back waiting to hear the rest. “Much as I know I’d like to gut shoot him in return, I should be the one riding away...†Suddenly Chet brow sank in realization, his use of dynamite had drawn a lot of people in, what was the chances of it drawing in Brian and..... quickly Chet shook his head an blinked his eyes. He’d already stated he was going back to town, he couldn’t turn back now.... even with the chances of the explosion drawing the black clad..... Chet nearly gritted his teeth. That dammed black clad desperado! (Cue anyone)

Resting his wrists over the horn of his saddle, Chet rounded his back tiredly, his mismatched stare lowered to the ground as he slid deep into thought. Although he’d been absent from Hazzard for quite sometime now, it did feel good to be back in a territory that he’d once called home. Slowly he looked up at the female deputy and then at Enos an Val, then back to MaryAnne. So much had happened in the last couple of days, all the men he’d riddin’ with had been killed, he’d lost his strand of horses. Wincing Chet touched his side an rolled his stiffening shoulder, he’d been shot twice, an tons of other things on top of all that had happened. Again Chet glanced around himself, he didn’t really have anywhere to go from here, even as he had stood in the jail cell he hadn’t known where he was going to go once he’d been escorted out of town. His gaze lingered on the deputy, she was giving him the chance to return with his name some what cleared of the things he’d done, she was granting him Amnesty. His mind made up, Chet stepped his horse closer to the deputy’s, feeling a little hesitant and nervous he removed his had from his head and held it in front of his chest with both hands. “Deputy... I... you sure don’t owe me anything. What I did back there to help you...†He paused his words caught in his throat, his eyes darting from side to side. “I really appreciate this... an if you don’t mind I think I’ll come back to town with ya’ll. If I’m welcomed to.†Chet couldn’t help but look from face... to face to face and back again. Only the day before he’d been hell to these three people, an now he had decided to take there side. “ An.... my iron is open for your use... in any way that I can help. I’d be obliged to help.†(Cue Anyone...)

“Don’t sweat it Deputy...†Chet said looking back at the Deputy and listening to what she had to say about the men who had tried to take her out of the picture. He could careless that it was a female sitting on a horse with a tin star on her chest, man or women, she could part his hair as well as any man could. “I see... he kinda forced you into killing him, some people are foolish an dumb when they been at the bottle. Others get testy and feisty, they bite off more then they can chew an get themselves killt. An you correct I have no interest in sticking around Hazzard, unless you request that I do so...†The faint sound of a pair of riders drawing near made Chet look up, long before they were in the range of identifying them. Not wanting to take a the chance that maybe this was a trick to get to the Deputy again, Chet trotted his horse down into the water, across it an up the other side blocking the riders an protecting MaryAnne. After a few long minutes, the riders came into better view and Chet relaxed, these people were of no threat to the Deputy. Slowly he backed his horse away and allowed him to stand quietly and rest. Chet hooked his knew over his saddle horn and began to comfortably roll a smoke as Valerie and Enos Strate rode up to them. (Cue Val and Enos... or anyone.)

There was nothing more Chet could do, except see the deputy back to the safety of the town. Although tired Chet kept a watchful eye on there surroundings, an when they paused a half of mile back towards the town at a creek, he allowed his horse to draw water, but he wouldn’t pause his watchful visual over the deputy to fill his canteen. Years on the trail alone had stirred his senses and strengthened them, he’d not yet met a man or beast that could sneak up on him while he was on the trail. After Chet’s horse had had his fill of water, he rode him up onto the creek bank an waited for the deputy, his mind made up. He’d offer to ride back to town with the deputy, then leave one his own accord an do as he had promised and never return. “So whats the plan deputy? I’d be obliged if you let me escort you back to town...†He sighed and shook his head. “I don’t want to take a chance of those yeller coyotes circling back this way to have another try at you.†Chet looked down at the deputy and he horse, still standing in the creek getting water, he couldn’t help but wonder what the hell those gunslingers could want with a small town deputy like her. They were damned serious about taking her head, an what more they didn’t seem to care what stood in there way. “What the hell do they want with you anyway? Who the hell are they?†Chet questioned, his mood as usual. Unhappy, annoyed and right down dark clouded temperament. (Cue anyone.)

(OOPS!!!)

Chet released a heavy sigh as the pack road away with Alex in tow, had it not been for the slicks sudden appearance, him and MaryAnne very well may bit the dust. The young rustler wrinkled his brow and spun his horse around, he would have to remember what Alex had done for him. He spurred his horse forward and rode up beside the deputy, who still stood holding her shouldered rifle at ready. “Come on...†Chet said to her under his breath, only loud enough for her to hear. He knew that the blond slick would have a better chance of running with the pack, then he an MaryAnne would have running from the pack. Wordlessly he grabbed hold of the Appaloosas bridled head and moved Red up into a trot, pulling the unwilling Appaloosa behind him. There horses were in desperate need of water, an a short rest from there long, exhausting run. (Cue anyone.)

Its was as though his own heart was going to burst out of his chest and take flight on him, Chet thought as he galloped Red up beside MaryAnne’s Appaloosa. What now? There horses would be winded soon an need water, they couldn’t expect to out run these guys... it would be difficult just to hide from them. They were gaining on them now, Chet glanced over his shoulder to see how much space there was between them an there pursuers. As he had feared the space was dwindling to nothing, unlike MaryAnne an himself, they were pushing there horses beyond the limits. Chet glanced down at the back of Red’s head, he could feel the Thoroughbred heaving between his knees already. If a well trained runner like Red was getting near winded, then MaryAnne’s Appaloosa would be near to the same breaking point very soon. “What now...†Chet whispered to himself releasing the pressure on his horses sides and allowing the horse to slow to a swaying tiring gallop. Red tossed his head, his nostrils flared as he panted for breath and slowed to a quick canter. There was only one more alternative, Chet suddenly drew back on Red’s reins and brought the winded horse to a stop an turn him in the path, blocking the on coming gang from continuing there pursuit. He drew up both guns and steadied his tired horse, just watching and waiting as the trio barreled towards him. As soon as they were just in shooting range, the Duke boy planned to bear down on them with everything he had. Although his attention seemed centered on the cut throats galloping closer the sight of a fourth rider coming up from behind caught his eye, but the rider was too far off to identify. Chet gritted his teeth, he thought he had taken out the other riders, but hell what was one more gun bearing on him. (Cue Anyone)

Hey ya'll, I havent been around the actually boards in probably little over a month now, just been busy. Im sorry, had I been around I could have answered all the Garth Brooks questions you need answered. Ive followed Garth and his music from true day one, if anyone has any questions about him or his music I have information coming out my ears. Man, i can even tell you the brand of boots he wears and where he gets those awesome cowboy shirts. LMAO Yes "A friend to me" is off Sevens. Its actaully the one song on the album that almost didnt make the cut. Garth found it only days before the album was completed. Its a great song... ~Dee

Ya'lls are confusing me real bad. I been gone a couple of days and I got way behind on the boards. Is that a new Charger? I thought it was a four door... did you stretch that picture out, or is that how the Charger looks. It aint so bad lookin orange if that how it really looks, an if that is how it looks compare the body to the 69" Charger. There similiar in alot of ways. ~Chet

Not sure if this interests any one, but Im currently building a model of a 1970 Dodge Charger. The Black Dodge Charger (Known as "The Beast" to my friends an I.) in the The Fast and The Furious was a 1970 Dodge Charger, it wasnt a 1969 like General Lee was. I bought the 1970 model specifically to build a car that is to scale to my creation, the General Lee's Ghost. It is very unfortunet that all these beautiful Chargers were destroyed in these movies. There was also a black Dodge Charger in the first and the second movie of "Blade." I thought it would just be nice to share that Im building a Charger from the Black Charger model from the fast and the furious. If that makes any sence lol. Oh an by the way, no worries, General Lee's Ghost is white, not black. 8) ~Chet

I heard the same about Toby Keith, though its a rumor. ~Chet

The Ace of Spades was a 1957 Chevy Belair, it was black with white lightening bolts on it if I recall correctly. Hope this helps. ~Chet

My friends, today we have lost a true Legend of country music. We have lost a man that was not only a legend in music, but he was also a legend in rodeo. He was a friend, a cowboy and a house hold name and a hero, just like Cash, and Jennings. Today, Wednesday March 9th 2005, Chris LeDoux passed away due to cancer complications. He was surrounded by his friends and close family at the time of his death. Chris LeDoux was well known for his many years a a bronc rider in Wyoming and many other states. Chris inspired many big names like Garth Brooks, an he was known to perfirm with the other legends. He will be very sadly missed, but he will never be forgotten for what he did and who he was to so many people. We will all miss you Chris... rest in peace cowboy. "Cowboy Up!" ~Chet & Author Denise W. (P.S. You may find the details on Chris death here... http://launch.yahoo.com/read/news/17110931 )

****CHEERS AND WHISTELS*** Bravo! Bravo! That was awesome! ~Chet

Welcome to the board Jessi! Have fun! Wahhooo! ~Chet

Ok now im really confused... I love the new Charger on the first page, the top pisture the first one. Bit whats the picture that Capt posted? I also like the New Charger in the picture I posted... Im confused. ~Chet

This is a trio of chargers.

Nope. That still dont answer my question. I understood ya the first time Scott when you explained HOW they made these DIFFERENT General Lee's look the way they do. My question was HOW do you know that hows they did this. But by the way you talk I asume you went to one of the filmings or was on base when they actually did this. ~Chet P.S. If anyone would like to see a handfull of creative ways the General Lee could be painted DIFFERENTLY just email me. I have a bunch of models of future General Lees that I have thought of.