Free Billy

by Don Winslow, Ed Harris (Narrator)

Billy has figured it out.

How to live free.

That’s "free" as in "it costs no money" at hotel buffets, fast-food drink fountains, beachside shower, his old van....

From the master of crime fiction comes an unexpectedly whimsical short story about this San Diego surfer whose life plan is working perfectly until he meets a wealthy woman at an art gallery opening (the hors d’oeuvres), falls in love, and then has to masquerade as an upstanding member of society.

This O. Henry-style yarn will surprise and delight Don Winslow fans and short-fiction devotees alike

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Short Stories, Romance, Humor, Comedy, Crime

Audible Audio

First published March 22, 2022

About the author

Don Winslow is the author of twenty-one acclaimed, award-winning international bestsellers, including the New York Times bestsellers The Force and The Border, the #1 international bestseller The Cartel, The Power of the Dog, Savages, and The Winter of Frankie Machine. Savages was made into a feature film by three-time Oscar-winning writer-director Oliver Stone. The Power of the Dog, The Cartel and The Border sold to FX in a major multimillion-dollar deal to air as a weekly television series beginning in 2020.

A former investigator, antiterrorist trainer and trial consultant, Winslow lives in California and Rhode Island.


Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Barbara (I can only comment 10 times!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Free Billy” takes mooching to a professional level. Yes, Billy is a San Diego surfer who likes a free lunch, a free anything. Ed Harris narrates this story perfectly. He voices Billy as a total goof. Want to know how to eat a free lunch? Treat yourself to this one hour of silly joy.

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had its moments, but not many.

[Brandice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Free Billy is an Audible Original short story about a grown man who gets by in life, for free. Billy lives in his van in San Diego, surfs daily, and eats most of his meals by rotating through local hotel breakfast buffets and other patterns he’s devised over the years. Billy is content with his lifestyle until he meets a wealthy, attractive woman at an art gallery, causing him to pretend to live a life much different from his reality. Can he pull it off?

This was an entertaining story with a twist I didn’t see coming! An enjoyable, short listen, well-narrated by actor Ed Harris.

[PattyMacDotComma · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5★~4
“It being the second Tuesday of the month, Free Billy hits the Residents Inn on Carmel Mountain Road. The hotel serves free hot breakfast from 6 to 9am, and Billy arrives at 8:15 so as not to attract attention by being the first or last there.”

This is an amusing, even charming, short story by Don Winslow, produced as an Audible original story and performed by Ed Harris. It’s his voice and performance in the last couple of Winslow stories I listened to that convinced me to give this one a try.

It’s not a mystery, but instead a quirky account of a laid-back 30-something surfer dude in San Diego who’s worked out how to live free.

Short of dumpster-diving - I’m not going to take food from the homeless (or words to that effect) – the only money he needs is just enough to keep gas in the VW van he lives in, as long as he doesn’t go very far. He’s adept at parking for no longer than a night or two in one spot, so nobody complains. And is schedule for meals is something to aspire to.

But then he meets a lovely woman. What on earth is he to do?

It’s an entertaining way to spend an hour or so, and although I could see where it was going, the getting there was fun.

A nice freebie for Audible members.

[Alan (the Lone Librarian rides again) Teder · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dawn Patrol 2.1
Review of the Audible Originals audiobook narrated by Ed Harris (March 22, 2022).

Surprisingly for crime writer Don Winslow, Free Billy is not a short story about cartels, cops and mayhem. You could even say it is rom-com meet-cute fiction. The "Free Billy" of the title is the nickname given by Boone Daniels when Billy joins the Dawn Patrol group of surfers on their early morning rides on the waves. The Dawn Patrol feature in Winslow's duo novels of the Boone Daniels series (2008-11) with the former cop/now private investigator & sometime surfer.

Billy is a scrounger who eats for free at a rotating series of breakfast buffets in area hotels, those large enough where an extra person won't be noticed. He attends art gallery openings where free drinks and snacks are served. He sleeps in his van or in friend's homes by regular house-sitting jobs. He has a dwindling amount of cash to use for gas. Otherwise his life is surfing and living on the mooch.

Suddenly his life takes a turn when he meets older woman Angie at a gallery opening. Angie appears to be wealthy with a condo apartment and a luxury car. Billy envisions a future where he can live the carefree life of a boy-toy. All he needs is enough money to impress Angie with a few dinners and dates. The Dawn Patrol pitch in to assist, while at the same time making side bets as to how long the deception will last.

This was a light fun listen with narrator Harris as excellent as always. Although not listed in GR's Boone Daniels series, this short story would count as The Dawn Patrol #2.1 and a recent follow-up, 2024's Downward Facing Doug would be The Dawn Patrol #2.2.

Trivia and Links
Don Winslow has written several short stories for Audible Originals with Ed Harris as the narrator. In addition to this current story, these have been Deep Hole (May 26, 2022), Dietrich (March 28, 2024), Oregon (May 23, 2024) and Downward Facing Doug (July 11, 2024). Several of the stories deal with surfing culture.

Audible Originals are exclusive audio productions for Audible. The exclusivity may be time-limited. An author may agree to a (e.g.) six-month audio exclusive before they are free to publish the story in eBook or paper formats. To date none of the Don Winslow / Ed Harris short stories have appeared in print, but possibly there will be a future anthology collection. Because there is as yet no print equivalent, the stories have a zero page count and will not add to your Goodreads page count for the year if you read (listen to) them. Based on their 1+ hour narration times, they would likely be approximately 30+ pages in printed form.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Free Billy is a short story about a man named Billy who rather than working chooses to surf and get everything in life for free. This is a very quick, entertaining short story so unlike Don Winslow’s gritty cartel crime novels. Best part, it was included in the Audible library for free.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 🌟
Ed Harris is a win
Winslow original sorry is a win!
The story is a little on the crazy side and I totally figured it out but it was a fun little story that made me laugh and shake my head, often!

I can’t say that I loved it but it’s crafted really well and … ED HARRIS is a great storyteller.

I wonder how many types of stories Winslow has hanging around his head that don’t get told!!!

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Billy Berlanger — preternaturally miserly and lazy — surfs all day and hasn’t paid for meals or rent in seven years. Nicknamed Free Billy, he cadges breakfast, lunch and dinner at a different motel or hotel in Pacific Beach in San Diego, spacing out his visits to one visit per spot per month so as not to be recognized. Billy sleeps in his van, showers at the beach; dumpster-dives for toothpaste, toothbrushes and the like at the back of the CVS; steals soft drinks and toilet paper from fast-food restaurants, and, generally, mooches off his friends.

But, as Billy notes, “Living free is a lot of work.” So return to his job as a software engineer? Not on your life! Billy sets his sights on securing a sugar mama to keep him in the style to which he knows he can rapidly become accustomed. Don Winslow, usually known for dark crime novels, spins a whimsical tale worthy of O. Henry. Oscar-nominated actor Ed Harris’ narration is the icing on a pretty fine cake.

Apparently, the characters in this short story first appeared in The Dawn Patrol, but I haven’t read anything else by Don Winslow, and I loved this short story. I think you will, too.

[Tania · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love these free audible originals, as would Free Billy - he enjoys all things where he can avoid paying. A fun, original story extremely well narrated by Ed Harris.

[WHL (Bill) · Rating 4 out of 5]

thoroughly entertaining and hilarious!

[Therese · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story about a surfer dude who’s life philosophy is living free, and not spending money on anything. He’s got a system all figured out for free meals, showers, lodging, etc. but it gets to the point where he feels it’s time to find a sugar mamma and settle down. He meets a woman at a local art exhibit who seems to perfectly fit the bill…or does she? We’ll, maybe she does. 😉 A funny, entertaining and ultimately heart warming story.

[Andrew Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story by a renowned crime fiction writer I feel I’ve sorely neglected. In fact I’ve only previously read one short story he’s penned, this having been included in a collection put together, I think, by Lawrence block. This, too, is a short story featuring a surfer known by all the morning surfing crowd as Free Billy. He’s earned this moniker because Billy refuses to pay for anything: he’s a freeloader, a man who has perfected the art. It’s an amusing and somewhat touching tale that kept me entertained for the hour it took to listen to this splendidly narrated audio version – I take my hat off to Ed Harris for his performance.

I plan to listen to a few more of these shorts – each written by Winslow and narrated by Harris – before embarking on a proper exploration of the author’s work.

[Char · Rating 4 out of 5]

Featuring some of the characters from Dawn Patrol, this was a fun novelette length tale. Ed Harris is a wonderful narrator and the story is cute enough. It's a big change from Winslow's dark crime fiction and I enjoyed it.

[Buggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Free on Audible and narrated brilliantly by Ed Harris this is a very short story about a surfer who lives in his van and takes advantage of the various freebies available at hotel buffets, beachside showers and art gallery openings. His surfer pals have dubbed him Free Billy for his lifestyle. Billy is also on the search for a unicorn...a woman within the suitable age range who will take care of of him, a sugar mama. Billy finds his match. Cute, easy and fun little listen.

[Gareth Is Haunted · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute and funny short story.

[Fraser Simons · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was free and read by Ed Harris, and I did read The Cartel by Winslow prior, but didn’t expect a short story romance about a surfer who bums off everyone he knows falling for someone he isn’t sure will react well to him living like a beatnik. It was fine, I guess? Ed Harris is great, the story is forgettable. It is what it is. Had I read the synopsis beforehand I probably wouldn’t have bothered.

[Mike Finn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rainy, damp Sunday afternoon was vastly improved by spending an hour listening to Ed Harris narrate Don Winslow's short story about Billy, a thirty-seven-year-old San Diego surf dog who is passionately committed to living his life for free, paying for nothing except gas for the classic Westphalia van he lives in.

Living for free takes a lot of effort, planning and discipline and an absolute belief in his right to mooch. Billy's efforts are regarded with a mixture of affection and disbelief by the Dawn Patrol group of surfers he hangs out with. But even Billy knows that he can't live like this forever. So he's searching for his personal 'Unicorn' - a Sugar Momma who will keep him in luxury.

Billy's Unicorn hunt and its consequences are told with a degree of affectionate whimsey that reminded me of O'Henry's stories.

'Free Billy' is available for free to Audible members in the UK and the US so, if you're a member and you want a feel-good hour that's easy on the ears, get yourself a copy of this story.

[Tom Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good intro to the Rat Patrol Crew.

As usual, Winslow creates believable interesting characters but the plot may have been a little predictable. I still enjoyed following its development. Four Stars. Fun ****

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Much lighter than this author’s usual work. Kind of funny. It’s set in the world of this author’s Dawn Patrol series so it was great to see Boone & the gang, but this can be read as a stand-alone.

[Samaire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable little story - so San Diego. Except when narrator Ed Harris pronounces Poe-way instead of Poway, LOL.

[Enrico Tassinari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funniest little thing I've read in last couple of years. A gem, more precious coming from an acclaimed (and my most favourite) crime writer.

[Christina Rothfusz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot really explain why I enjoyed this story so much. It's a short listen, narrated excellently by Ed Harris.

Billy is the quintessential free spirit. Likes to surf and live free - really free - from meals, sleeping in he's van and collecting coupons dropped by others. At a art gallery showing, excellent for the free snacks and wine, he meets he's unicorn. A rich sugar mommy who can keep him in style. But what secrets does the lady hide?

So short that I listened to the full story on my drive home and I utterly loved it.

[Ursula Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short story of a surfer who takes advantage of freebies. He wants to meet a sugar mama who will take care of him. Instead, fate has other plans. It was supposed to be funny and quirky, but was just ok for me. The twist at the end was cute. Veteran character actor Ed Harris did a great job on narration.

[Hobart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader as a part of a Quick Takes Catch-up post, emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness.
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This is a silly, fun, and sweet story in the world of The Dawn Patrol (one of my top 5 All-Time books), all our favorites get a quick appearance and we're introduced to a couple of new characters.

Despite being in the same world as the crime novels that introduced Winslow to me, there's no crime to be found here.

Which is fine—it's not needed in this short story. It's just a fun story about one of Boone's friends. I laughed audibly more than once, and just enjoyed the story as a whole—I just wish it was longer so I could spend more time in this world. The story didn't require it.

Ed Harris gives exactly what you'd expect from him in an audiobook narration—near perfection. I thought his stuff was great.

[Ross Cumming · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find as I get older I tend to listen to less music & listen more to podcasts & ‘talk shows’ while doing chores etc around the house. I therefore took the plunge & signed up to Amazon Audible, as I saw there were quite a few original pieces by authors that I enjoy on there, that I couldn’t read in the conventional manner.
This is the first story that I’ve listened too and it’s a novella by Don Winslow concerning the character known as Free Billy, who is a member of the surf group The Dawn Patrol, who have featured in the Boone Daniel’s novels. Boone and several other of the members also feature in this tale which relates the story of Billy of when he eventually finds love. It’s an entertaining tale and is brilliantly read by Ed Harris although I must admit that I did spot the twist that comes towards the end of the story but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment.
I enjoyed the listening experience and found that it held my full concentration, which was something I was concerned about and this may also be the start of my enjoyment of ‘reading’ through a different format. It does feel a bit like cheating though to add it to my ‘read’ list though !!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Free Billy,’ a short story by Don Winslow, follows Billy, an eccentric character who has discovered a way to live life without spending money. He indulges in hotel buffets, takes advantage of self-serve fast food drink stations, uses beachside showers, and sleeps in his van. Billy’s desire to change his life leads him to seek a sugar mama. He meets a wealthy woman at an art gallery opening, falls in love, and must navigate the challenge of pretending to be a successful businessman.

What sets this short story apart from others I’ve read by Don Winslow is Billy’s humorous and quirky personality. His antics brought me a lot of laughter throughout the story. Unlike the crime-oriented narratives Winslow is known for, this story focuses on themes of dishonesty and manipulation. Billy’s unconventional lifestyle and philosophy make me empathize with him and hope for a positive outcome. The presence of the Dawn Patrol and Boone Daniels adds depth to the story. Winslow also wrote two books, ‘The Dawn Patrol’ and ‘The Gentleman’s Hour,’ featuring a surfer protagonist named Boone Daniels.

Ed Harris’s excellent narration, coupled with the well-produced nature of this Audible Original, enhances the overall reading experience.

I have photos and additional information that I'm unable to include here. It can all be found on my blog, in the link below.
A Book And A Dog

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audible Review

Overall 3 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 3 out of 5 stars

Billy would enjoy this freebie!
If I ever find myself down on my luck, I'll hopefully at least still have my Audible subscription so I can come back to Free Billy for some tips and pointers on living on the cheap!
I enjoyed how things came full circle for him.

Ed Harris is such a terrific actor, it was fun listening to him narrate a book.

[Jennie Veazey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun short story.

[Jon Seals · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one, cute ending.