Gabby Durango

"I fell in love in the moonlight. You know, the way it kinda' shined on the barrel of her pappy's shotgun."

The role of chance occurrence directs the pathway of life more than most folks realize. Young Trout Sherrod's escape through Louisiana's bayou country leads to a series of dangerous, curious and even humorous events and to a twisted path through life.

A chance encounter in an Arkansas bordello leads to romance. A run-in with a man wanted for murder in Arizona leads to a lifelong friendship. A practical joke in California leads to a savage beating, tragedy and a quest for revenge.

And a lucky break leads to stardom in film and radio in a place called Hollywoodland.