Roger's Diction and Otto's Slang

Right from page 1, with the subject being the police, Otto says, “Hitchhiker’s best friend, ain’t they?” Roger responds, “Oh, definitely.  Never around when you need them.  Always there when you don’t.” Right from the start I take a chance by not quoting which character says what.  By doing so, I am setting up the pattern for all future dialogue.  I am asking you to follow the premise that Otto is the guy who talks in slang and Roger is the guy who doesn’t.  The second time Otto speaks he says, “Stop worryin’ about them cops, will you?” and the pattern is reinforced, if not confirmed. I’ve established a way to distinguish the two. Not that Otto is less educated, because he’s probably got the higher IQ. Even with his down-home, folksy dialogue, he is often more reflective and philosophical. Roger is more ‘proper’ in his speech, but lags behind in the realm of maturity. So it’s an interesting dynamic which slowly flip-flops over the course of the story, when Roger outstrips Otto in the maturity department. But can you still figure out who is who as the story proceeds? Two spots I worry about is Day 7, when the guys are stuck in the boonies of Colorado and have an exchange concerning drivers who clearly see them but don’t stop. There wasn’t enough slang to throw in there for Otto, I guess. Another spot I worry about is the long banter following the scare at Wendover after they escape the cowboys.  That, because it’s simply long. Still, I resist putting in a lot of “Otto said” and “Roger said” as we go along so not to insult the reader. Make the reader work a little bit. The characters should be clear enough so they don’t need to be constantly identified.