The Hunt for Carlos Diego
A
BOOT HILL Western Adventure
The town of
Recently however, war between border lands has created
imaginary boundaries, and the town of
Merchants were able to recooperate and enjoy the stiff drinks for the past year, during their visit. However, a Mexican bandit known as Carlos Diego has formed a group of marauders who continue to plag the merchants. His raids are frequent, and the town as finally hired a sheriff.
Several miles from El Derado sits the closest government station housing a detached U.S. Calvary unit.
The station is rather small but extremely fortified with elite units. Many horses stand grazing in a nearby field.
Sentries pace the entranceway, and a tall 50' watchtower houses military occupants
Captain Tellfeild dismounts his horse and hands it off to one
of the troops. He looks around the fort again feeling proud to be stationed
here. Built years before by the Spanish, when they controlled this area, its
walls are made from brick and are nearly ten feet thick supporting old style
ramparts. Tent-like tarp coverings shade these and the same coverings are on the
top of each of the four towers on the corners, as well as above the watch tower.
The courtyard of the fort is paved with brick as well, although it is covered in
sand in most places. The courtyard is dominated by the barbecue grills and other
accessories that make up an outdoor mess. The blacksmith, barber, stables,
barracks, officer’s quarters, pony express office, rations and equipment store,
and the command center are all built up against the outer wall. Two cannons are
set up in a corner of the courtyard on ether side of the Fort’s newest member of
the happy family of heavy ordinance, a Gatling gun. He wonders at his luck for
having one of those in his command, but then again it is not that amazing. This
is the only fort in this region so they need all the firepower they can get. Not
that he expects to have to push back armies, his duties seem to be merely to
keep the mail moving through this area as well as handle situations that the
local sheriffs are unable to control themselves. This Carlos Diego seems to be
one of those situations. The latest letter from his superiors in the capital of
the
He makes his way over to the command center and enters after a brisk knock.
As you enter, you see Leutinant Holker talking with Maj. Williams. Holker stands straight to attention upon your entrance and hastens a stern salute.
Holker: " Salute Capt. Tellfield Sir! Good Day Sir!!!
Williams: "Ah..James, good to see you , please come in.."
James nods to the Lieutenant Holker, “At ease Lieutenant. Glad to see you as well major. Sorry for the dust, I was just out riding with a few of my men to check on the surrounding territory. So far things seem rather quiet. I trust you read our orders regarding this Carlos Diego?”
As the men talk, a woman with piercing red eyes walks in, playing with her hair. "Carlos Diego? I find him quite... charming. Even thought he has a distinct odor. Oh don't mind me, continue with your conversation."
Maj Williams begins to answer Capt. Tellfeild, "Yes,..I have looked over the...." The door suddenly opens again, and in walks a red-haired women, apparently lost.
Major Williams stands straight up from his chair, but Lt. Tolker immediately addresses the lady, "Ma'am! you are not allowed in here, Who are you and how did you get past the guards!?"
Major Williams seems to be slightly shy and says no word but looks at Capt. Tellfeild in puzzlement.
Tellfeild stands as well. He acknowledges the Major’s look with a slight nod and turn to the lady. “The Lieutenant is right miss. This is an officers only area so if you don’t have legitimate business here I shall have to ask you to leave.”
Lt. Holker sees to escorting the lady outside and closes the door behind him.
Major Williams turns and sits back down to his desk. He begins to rummish through his clutter of paperwork in search of his orders regarding Carlos Diego.
"I can't seem to locate that letter...at any rate Capt. Tellfeild, I don't approve of sending too many men on a wild goose chase. However, I do need to see to it..that something is done so that we can file a report and continue with our duties."
"We have had many complaints of inadequate U.S. Mail delivery in this area and securing First-Class mail integrity is my primary goal."
Tellfeild nods in thought as he sits back down. “That is right, we don’t have that many troops to spare as it is. Might I suggest that I travel with the next mail man that goes to town and see if I can have a chat with the sheriff about this. Perhaps he knows something, or maybe he can gather some men together to help us.”
Major Williams pauses and then starts to nod in agreement, "Yes..that is a splendid idea Captain. The major pulls out his pocket watch and replies,.."Good, it's still rather early, the postman doesn't leave on his delivery route until another hour, I believe El Derado is his third or fourth stop."
"I leave this Carlos situation up to you Captain, please come to me once you've cleared things up. I'll make sure you get full recognition for your efforts."
Tellfeild stands and solutes the Major, “Yes sir!” He nods goodbye and walks out of the office. He informs the mailman that he will be tagging along for a while and then spends the rest of the hour cleaning his uniform, weapons, and grooming his horse. No use looking like a flop when you have to represent the only fort in the region.
Tellfeild meets the mailman at the fort’s gates and they ride off towards the local towns to deliver the mail.
I look down at the town of
One of my men,..
"Hey Carlos, let's go round up some more whiskey and let's stay awhile, ahahhhah!"
I turn to Raul , "We will return soon Raul, we will soon." Drink up men and feed our horses, we have to cross the desert, but we will return, so the women will be bored for awhile...mooohahahahHHAAhaha!
My men roar with laughter.
Susen Riviara, ridding in a horse drawn buckboard, arives into town. She smiles at the driver, a ranch hand at Rancho Dous Estara, and exits the buckboard when it stops.
"I will not be to long, Steve. I just need to buy some fabrics for a new dress, and some food for papa's supper. Thank you for the ride."
Steve smiles, and says "Your welcome, Miss Susen. I have to buy some feed for the catle, and a few other things. Thak will take about two or three hours. Meet me in the town squair when your done." He then rides off to the general store, while Susen walks to the place cloth is sold.
Susen proceeds down the street and finds a cloth store. The
small wood structure is simple with a wooden board hanging by a chain. "Fanny's
Immediately, to the left of the entrance is a old hag. Severly poverty stricken, she holds a crooked cain and seems to be humming to herself.
To the right, propped up on a stand is a finished Scarecrow with a sign,..2 cents. The fabric on the scarecrow is a nice red plaid.
The entrance is a small door with window panes.
Susen smiles at the old crone, and gives her two cents. She then enters the tailor shop.
"Hello? Is anyone about?"
As Susen enters, a bell above the door alarms the proprietor that a visitor has entered.
High wooden counters stand in the middle of the floors and contain many colors and designer fabrics. A strange noise..starts to approach Susen. Click..Stomp, click..Stomp...click...Stomp.
Then you see a small obese old lady approaching, the noise made from her wooden leg. She bellows, "Hneayyy!!! Come on In!!! Shes goes to grab Susen by the arm, a gesture made to welcome her to Fanny's Tailor Shop.
"Hello." Susen replied. "May I see some blue cloth?"
"Why yes dear, I have plenty of blue, it's the red I'm short on, the dirty bandits from the desert keep stealing my red fabrics."
Fanny hands Susen a few samples of blue cotton as well as a heavy denim.
"If my hubby hadn't a choked on a chicken wing and died, he'd shoot em all, unlike our lazy sheriff."
"Well help yourself, and I will be at the register to ring you up when you are ready, take your time dear.."
Susen looks at the bolts of cloth. She then places the demin one on the counter (great for eveyday dresses, whair you have to do some chores around the ranch in), and a indigo coten bolt. "I would like about seven feet of both. And, do you have some blue silk? I would like to make a nice dress for dances and such."
Fanny starts to cut out the desired lengths requested by Susen, then replies, "Silk?! Why dear, that's mighty expensive in these parts. I haven't had silk here in quite some time, before you were born. Oh how I adore Silk," she mumbles. Fanny goes on, "you might try the Merchants Guild down the road, there's a few gypsies that might have picked up some along their travels."
"But these items dear will cost you 22 cents dear."
Olaf slowly drives his buckboard down the street, smiling at whoever happens to pass by. He quietly sings a tune in a language unfamiliar to anyone who is listenning. Olaf looks around as he drives, looking for a General Store, anyplace where he would be able to purchase sheep, any buildings in need of repair or handyman work, or anything else of interest. One of his German Shepherds awakes from it's lazy nap and hops onto the plank seat with him, putting it's head in his lap. "Ah, meine freund. Ve are un ein strange land,ja? Ve need to find sheepen soon. Ve vill nicht mack der money last forever, ja?"
Passing by the Tailor's shop, Olaf sees the old lady. "Hier ist ein frau vat hast less dan ve." Pulling the wagon to a stop, Olaf gets out and places a dollar in the lady's cup.
Susen smiles, and pays for her cloth. "Thank you." she replies to Fanny, then picks up the bolts of cloth (now cut to size), and makes her way to the Merchent's Shop. She stops by a wall, and looks at a wanted poster of Carlos. She studdies it for a second, then goes on her way.
The
As Olaf places money in the lady's cup, she can't help to hide her immediate smile though she says nothing. Just then a robust lady exits the tailor shop holding a basket of blue linens.
The stable has a sign that is too hard to read from the street. The bar is dark and quiet. The vacant biuldings each have signs saying, "for rent" with additional information also, too hard to read from the street.
" Guuten Tag, freuleine," Olaf says with a smile, removing his hat as the lady walks by
Olaf can't help but watch the lady as she walks by. "Ja," he says to his dogs, "Der Americans freuleines are ser...how sacht?.... full of bute. Aber, uf ve cans nicht found sheepen, ve vill nicht eaten soon, ich danke."
Looking around, Olaf turns around and heads toward the General Store. in front of the general store, Olaf sets the brake on his wagon and heads inside.
One of the German Shepherds hops up, ready to follow him. Seeing this, Olaf addresses the dog ," nein....shtay un der vagon...shtay." the dog whimpers a bit, but complies. The other dog, slightly larger that the first, opens one eye, yawns ans goes back to sleep as Olaf enters the store.
The General Store is a large three story, wooden structure and appears to be the oldest structure in the lot. The sign that has been repainted over and over says, "Annabelle's General Store and Post Office" and in smaller letters "El Derado, Post 798".
A bell indicates visitors arrival and hangs over the
entrance. The place is very kept with cactus plants on each window ledge.
Although clean and organized, the place is a bit cluttered with merchandise.
In the back is a counter and Post Office. Pigeon holes adorn the back wall with several pieces of mail protruding. A mailman is present sorting mail. The shopkeeper is no where to be seen and several old cattle ranchers are browsing goods.
After leaving the saloon, McCann looks West toward the setting sun. Squinting against it's intense brilliance he can see the heat from it's rays dancing their transparent dance to an unheard melody. Reaching into his vest pocket, he pulls out the last bit of a well chewed plug of tobacco. He sticks the rest in his mouth, chews and spits a terrible black wad of spit onto the dusty street. He turns towards his horse and whistles a tune he learned as a boy.
As McCann drives by, the larger German Shepherd awakes, observing him with narrowed eyes from the safety of the wagon. His ears flatten against the back of his head and he emits a low, unfriendly growl. The smaller German Shepherd wags her tail and barks before lying back down.
As the buckboard jilts by, McCann hears the growl of a large dog that he hasn't seen much of. As the dog growls, McCann sizes up the large man at the helm of the wagon. The tune he was whistling stops abruptly as the dog's ears flatten. He looks towards his fawn colored horse to make sure he can get there if the dog jumps, an unconcious manuever finds his left hand close to the Colt six-shooter on his hip. The moment passes, and McCann is left in staring contest with the unfriendly dog. He smiles, spits and starts his tune again.
Olaf walks out of the store up to the buckboard. Seeing the staring match, he yells, "Sitten zie, du dumbkopf!!!!!! "
McCann watches the funny sounding man holler at the dog, and walks by them into the General Store.
The dog whimpers and sits, still eying the man walking into the store. Olaf gets onto the buckboard and drives around looking for Jed.
A large two story wood biulding with two horse posts on the outside. Two barred windows adorn the front with a large iron door. A sign hangs in the window "Wanted: Carlos Diego Dead or Alive". The porch is dirty from the desert winds.
A simple farmer arrives in town and ties his mule to a hitching post outside of the Sheriff's office. He holds his back as he climbs the several steps leading to the porch.
The old man attempts to walk in but the door is locked.
"HeHHhhh!", he says sharply, as he peers a look into the office. He then proceeds to knock.
"Wher is that darg
The sheriff wakes with a soft snort, momentarily disoriented looking at the bars of the cell. When the old man bangs on the door again he realises where he is, "HOLD YOUR HORSES!" He sits up and stretches before leaving the cell of the otherwise empty jail. He then crosses the office to the front door, "This better be important, what do you want?" as he unbolts the door from the inside and opens it.
"Dag bernit! Sheriff, those dang mexican bandits came again yesterday!", yells the old Farmer.
"This time I got out me scatter gun and ran outside, they were stealing my horses, dag bernit!!", the old man continues.
"But sheriff, I got me one, I did!"
After many a days ride, Marshall Sundance enters the town of
The
The good
Sundance walks toward the entrance of the sherriffs Office, and peers inside, to inform the Sherriff he is in town...
Cane watches the stranger ride up to the hitching post as he continues to talk to the old man,"That's all well and good, Jed. Just what the hell do you want me to do about it now? Where is the body and why didn't you tell me yesterday?"
Sundance peers across the entence off the sherriff's Office and slowly looks inside. While walking towards the door he overhears the Farmer speaking of killing a "bandit", and he knows that he has come to the right place.
"Killed a Bandit did you, I am as curiuos as the Sherriff, where the body?"
Riding by the sherriff's office, Olaf leans over the side of the wagon. Addressing whoever is wearing a star, he says, "Ja...tag, Herr Sherriff. Please to excuse . Ich am Olaf Larson und Ich vish to shtart ein flock der sheep in der land uf American. Please to tell Olaf vere Ich might vind sheep und supples to get shtarted. Danke."
Jed turns to acknowlegde the
As he exits he sees the other farmer outside and says, "Hey ther young man, how much fer yer wagon there?" That's a pretty!"
Meine vagon? Meine vagon ist not ver shale. Uf du vant meine help, Ich vill be glad to help. Der gut buch says to help vun anozer,ja? I vill be glad to help vith vat du needen. Vile ve are making talk, do du know vere Ich cans buy sheep?
I ride into town on my old warhorse and see the sheriffs office, as I notice the men talking, I lower my hat and spur my horse into a stride. As I pass I head to the saloon across the street. I make sure not to look back as I hitch my horse.
The Marshall looks very suprised. "so you got one in the Barn Hu, lets just take a look". He exits the door following the farmer.
Having overheard only part of the conversation, Olaf looks from Sundance to the farmer ," Ein sheep un du barn? Vy ein sheep in du barn ? Sheep liebt der grassen, nicht der barn. Und vy vould du haben ..how du sacht...own lee ein sheep? Haben more? Ich vant to buy der sheep du hast, ja. Ich give du gut how mach. Vell?"
Olaf pulls some money out of a wallet in his vest pocket. It is a sizable wad of bills for a young farmer, especially an immigrant. "Ich needen der sheepen.Con du help Olaf?"
"HOLD ON!" Cane turns to Jed, "You just wait a minute," he flips out a chair with his foot and pushes the farmer into it, "Have a seat." He then looks at the stranger who just walked up and butted into none of his business,"Who the hell are you and what's your business here?" He pulls over another chair and points to it,"take a seat." Then he'll start walking Olaf back to the office door with a gentle hand on his chest," I understand what you're saying but as you well know that I not a church going man. Have a good day." And he closes the door leaving the man standing on the boardwalk.
Olaf looks around for a moment, not entirely sure what just happenned "Vas has die kirche to do vit sheepen? Ich vant to buy sheepen. Der Americans sherriff ist ser ...how du sacht...rude, ich danke."
After a moment of standing around outside the office door, Olaf shrugs and gets back in to his wagon, riding off into town.
Jed listens to the Sherriff by going back inside and taking his seat. He begins to scratch his ear profusely.
Tellfeild rides into town with the mailman and then waves bye to him. He ties up his horse at the sheriff’s office seeing that there all ready is more then one horse tied up there. He walks up to the door and knocks.
Marshall Sundance opens his coat up revealing his US Marshall Badge. "I am Marshall Logan Sundance",he states as he pulls a parchment from his coat.
He then says "If you can read, and from the sound of the way this town talks about you I doubt it, you will see that I am unfortunatley assigned to this town until I can complete a investigation".
He then states "the paperwork states I will have full cooperation, and support from all local and government agency's".
He then looks to the farmer "as I was saying, where is this bandit you have tied up"? "Because from the intellegence that has been gathered on Carlos, he will be looking for his friend soon enough".
Jed appears to be nervous with all the law abound but remains calm as he answers the marshall, "Aaaack, yeah! Hehe, I shot his horse out from under him!" he sreams with excitement. Right now I got my son Billy Bob, looking after him!" he then turns to the Sherriff.
"So Sherriff I think I should get a free meal in town"
The sheriff gets mighty upset with the marshals high handed and insulting manner. He takes the parchment and wakks around his desk and sets it in the spiton, then drops his trousers and pisses on it, After he hitches up his pants he turns," That's about all the corperation you'll be getting out of this office. Now get the hell out of my office. This is my jurisdiction and you pull that gun on anyone in my town and you are gonna spend some time in jail, just like anyone else. Now get OUT!"
The Marshall watches the Sherriff take the Parachment and Piss on it. At first a rather confused look comes to his face, then all of the stress sits in.
"Well Sherriff I see why the government sent me into town", the Marshall responds. "Judging by the size of that Beer Gut you just pulled out, I understand why you missed the pisser and pissed the floor, Furthermore I am guessing you cannot read".
"I have been sent here to do a job that obviously you couldnt" He states. "Furthermore, if your thinking about trying to put me into one of these cells, I beleive your belly has outgrown your brain. " I will conduct my investigation, and my superiors will be notified of the outcome, with or without you." "As far as you Old timer (to the farmer), I am staying at the local Hotel." "I suggest that you come see me before Carlos comes to see you.
He turns to walk outside.
Jed stares at the sherriff in shock then quickly looks toward the Marshall to see his reaction. Then he quickly looks at the door where a calvary trooper appears to be knocking. Jed stands up and opens the door for the calvary trooper and then tries to exit sneakily while the lawmen argue.
The Marshall looks toward the Captain "finally a man with some integrity". He begins to walk out " I would like to speak with you as soon as I get through interviewing the captured Prisoner". "I hope to see you soon", he says as he exits the door following Jed.
Tellfeild steps aside to let the two men past. He is a little surprised at the way one of them addresses him, but when he hears the man’s voice he recognizes the sound of one who has power and knows how to use it. ‘Probably military too’, he thinks. He walks into the Sheriff’s office and raises an eyebrow at the smell of the piss in the air. He is used to the smell after living for the past few years around horses and soldiers, but it surprises him a little to find it in the sheriff’s office. Shrugging this aside he reaches into the inside of his uniform jacket and pulls out a small metal flask, “Good day Cane. Haven’t been around here in a few weeks, how are you doing? Want some whiskey? I picked up a bottle from the King Cow ranch on my way over.”
Cane perks up a bit at the offer, " Get Jed back in here would you, I'll get a couple of glasses." He opens the lower desk drawer and pulls out a set of four shot glasses and a clean rag. He dusts off the glasses and throws the spitoon into the wash basin in the back room. " The only problem with making a name for yourself in a new town is that everyone assumes you'll be thier doormat. Have a seat. My names Cane, Will Cane, its a pleasure to meet someone with manners." He wipes off a corner of the desk and sets out two glasses. " Jed, why don't you go on over to Porter's and order you're self some lunch. I'll be along shortly." Cain sits back into his chair, " So, Captain, what brings you intothe big city?"
The Marshall Looks concerned at Jed , "Look , I dont know how to be anymore simpler or plainer than this, if you dont tell me where that captured person is, you are going to be in serious danger." " We need to get to that villan and bring him to the Jail as soon as possible, Carlos will be heading to town, and I bet money on him paying a visit to you, and your family."
"This drunk ole sherriff may not care, but I do, lwt him sit and there and drink whisky, while Carlos plans his attack on your family", he states.
"Or go show me where the villan is".
Riding by, Olaf notices Jed's mule still outside the sherriff's office. A little hesitant from his last experience here, Olaf collects himself, and gets out of the wagon, walking up to the steps.
"Guuten tag...please to ...how du sacht?....on pard.Herr Jed. Ich vant du ...how du sacht....give doe larren vor du ...plow. Ich needed ein plow, ja. Du habbe ein plow du vanten du schellen,ja?"
"Dag Bernit!! all to heck!! Everyone is yelling at me!" As Jed climbs onto his wagon the Marshall continues to interrogate Jed about the prisoner. "Okay, I will take you to him..." but then the calvary trooper beckons for Jed to once again see the sherriff. Jed screams, "what does he want, I told him everything?!" When the calvary trooper mentions free lunch at Porter's, he quickly changes his tone, "In that case, I be waitin for ya" and quickly walks past the Marshall on his way to Porter's Inn. A German visitor begins to talk with him on the walk, but Jed barely acknowledges with a "...eeeahh?"
" I see your family does not mean much to you", the Marshall says as he Climbs up on his horse. "I will be staying at the Inn, I suggest you come see me, soon, before Carlos comes to see you".
Olaf gets back in his wagon , quickly snapping the reigns. The larger dog looks up and yawns as Olaf begins to chase JEd, shouting ,"Vait, vait! Ich vanten du habbe du plow! Ich needed du plow! Ich habbe do larren! Luch! Luchen du!"
Olaf will try to manouver to be able to show JEd his money.
"Luch...Ich dunke ich vant du buyen du plow. Ich habbe do larren!"
Jed is in a full stride for lunch at Porter's Inn, but stops when Olaf produces a wad of cash.
"I ain't undertandin' you son , but I understand that ther." Now what is it you want, plow. My plow? Yes! It is fer sale, indeed! You mustve' seen my sign over at Annabelles. How much you got ther son?"
Becomming a bit more conservative, Olaf puts the money back into his vest pocket, "Ich haben...how du sacht...plan tea. Aber, virst, ich vant du see der plow. Ich haben hunger, zo ich vill eaten vit du und er, how du sacht? Rifraff.....no , das ist nicht richtig.....shay-reef.Ja....ich vanten du see du plow und uf ist ser gut, ich vill ...how du sacht? ...guf du do larren, mach fairy.
"How much?, I give it to you fer twenty-five dollars." Jed responds. I take you to see it, but I got me a free meal comin', that Lucille makes a fine corn bread. C'mon you gotta try the food, best in these parts, that's fer sure!"
Jed grabs the rail and begins climbing the steps to Porter's entrance.
The Marshall slowly guides his horse in the direction Off Porters Inn. In the back of his mind he is extremly concerned about Jeds family, because he can only imagine what the vile villans will do to them.
Tellfeild smiles as he pours the whiskey, “We can talk about that later. I have to agree with you about being the new guy in charge. When I was first posted at the fort I spent nearly a week just proving that I was not about to be walked all over by ether the Major or the grunts. Those where interesting days let me tell you.” He laughs softly at the memories and then after finishing pouring the drinks he re-stops the small bottle and sets it down next to the glasses. He picks up his glass and sips the amber liquid. “Tell me sheriff, do you play chess? Or have you ever learned the art of the saber?”
"Well captain, I like sitting around sipping whiskey as much as the next man." Cane stands and starts to unlock the rifle rack behind his desk,"but if this is going to be one of those long drawn out getting to know ya chats, this really isn't the time." He pulls out a Winchester and locks the rack back up," I got a prisoner to collect," he loads the rifle and sitts it on his desk. He looks at the Captain in thought for a momen, "Suppose you were a bush wacking murderer and one of your men didn't come home. Would you start looking in the jail?" He begins checking the loads in both of his pistols, " What would it take to make sure you started looking in the jail?"
WhoHoo, Captain is anybody home?" Cain waves his hand infront of the Captain's face." Walk with me," He locks up the rifle rack and putts a box of shells into his saddle bags. He goes over to the door and after the Captain joins him he locks the door and walks arross the square to the stable," Actually, Captain I do both with differing degrees of profeciency. The Army Caverly wasn't to keen on training thier officers to play chess, had to learn that in the streets." When he gets to the stable he hollers, "Jacob! where the hell are you man? I need you to saddle up my horse and put a bit and bridle on that pinto while you're at it. I'll be needing him for this afternoon as well." He flips the man his saddle bags," I'll be back in a couple of minutes." He walks back out into the street and across to the Porter, "Well Captain, its been nice talkin to ya," He holds out his hand," If you are still here this evening maybe we can have that friendly talk you wanted. Right now I gotta go and get a prisoner." He leaves the Captain and enters the Porter heading toward the dinning room.
Tellfeild is silent for a while as he thinks. He follows the Sheriff out to the stable. After Cain finishes talking to the stable master Tellfeild shakes his hand.
“I have been thinking about your question and it is a good one. If I were a bandit I and I lost a man I would first send a few of my worst men to the spot where he disappeared. The worst men because the local law would probably set up an ambush for them so I wouldn’t want to lose my best men. If there were no ambush it would be just as well because then I could have them retrieve my man with no trouble. If there where any witnesses to my man going down or if my men managed to get a hold of the person that brought him down, or that person’s family I would probably have my men make sure that they would never talk again. That is what I would probably do if I were a bandit.”
“Would you mind terribly if I come with you to get the prisoner?” He checks his pistol and saber to make sure that they both are ready for action.
"Let me find out what's going on first," he pulls out his pocket watch, "meet me back here, at the stable, in about thirty minutes? I'll have a better idea what's what then."
He nods and would over to prepare his horse for another long ride.
In the town square sits a large red barn with several fenced in yards. Horses can be seen grazing as well as several mules and ponies.
A large black hound is always basking in the sun outside of the stable entrance and always wags it's tail to visitors.
The stable master is a large man with a black beard, always feeding and grooming the mounts. Although an intimidating man, Jacob is a mild talking, gentle natured man. He frequents the church on Sundays.
Jacob greets the sheriff, "Good day Cane." and quietly prepares his horse. He does a splendid job and ties the horse just outside the entrance to indicate the ride is ready
Tellfeild brings his horse over to the stable to wait for the sheriff and admires the horses there. “You have some good stock here sir. Where did you get them?”
"Hello..oh..most of them are from folks staying at the inn, but some of em are abandoned...well, let's just say their owners are goners. Now that there, that's mine," Jacob says, pointing inside the stables to a pen. A white and brown spotted mare stares back at you chowing on some feed. "names Bucket, cause it keeps kickin the bucket when it's hungry."
"You need to drop off your horse?", he asks as he starts to clean off some dried mud from a horses hoof.
“No, just brushing him up before I go off with the sheriff this afternoon. Tell me, you ever had problems with surly types here? I mean people trying to take horses that don’t belong to them?”
Jacob stops to think, "well, there was this one time, long time ago..a drifter came into town, shot everybody up pretty bad and took one of my horses. Way before this mexican bandit thing came about, if that's whatcha after....no, these bastards go straight for the money when they come in here. They ain't messed with me, but then again, I don't make myself seen during their visits, oh you can hear them comin', the ground shakes from their horses."
“I know that sound well. I was wondering because if you had any that you wanted to get rid of to stop people from pestering you I could talk to the Major and see what he thinks. We are always on the lookout for new mounts at the fort and even if we don’t need them I am betting that there is a farmer or rancher that does.”
Jacob stands up to ponder for a moment, "That's a good idea, I reckon there not mine so to speak, though I have been taking care of em', but then there's the left over saddles and gear too, and some mighty fine guns. I know! We get the mayor to get an auction goin'. We can get ole Lester from the store to do the auctionin', he's good at yackin'" says Jacob politely.
Tellfeild smiles, “That would be a good thing. What do you say to the idea that after I am finished with a few things you and me go have a talk with the mayor about this?”
"Sounds great, most of the towns folk usually gather at Lucille's Restuarant over at Porter's for suppa. We small town folks, you know. The mayor usually tells us the goins on, if anything. Some days I eat over at De Putas. By the way, I'm Jacob," he says as he reaches his hand out..
Tellfeild laughs at himself for forgetting introductions. He shakes Jacob’s hand with a smile of his face; “I am James Tellfeild, Captain in the U. S. Cavalry. I am stationed up at the Fort.”
Cain leaves Porter's and watches the Marshall follow Jed down main street thinking, " That stupid tinhorn is bound and determined to draw attention to this, gonna get himself killed or worse me." He walks over to the stable and grabs up his horse and the reigns to the pinto, " Thanks Jacob! Captain lets go!" He rides out of town in the direction of the ridge top, the short cut to Jed's place.
James nods as Cane comes over, “It was good to meet you Jacob. Perhaps later we can chat more over a pot of coffe. All right Cane lets move.” He vaults into his saddle and rides off following Cane.
On the corner of Main and Porter Street lies a fairly large structure, the largest in El Derado. The biulding is a hotel and restuarant. There are elegant hitching posts as well as a rail fence that seems to offer no real purpose but for decoration. A grand stair leads up to the double door entrance where gold painted letters declare, 'Porter's Inn'.
Upon entering the foyer, an elaborate winding staircase leads to the rooms above while a restuarant lies to the right. Straight ahead can be seen a consierge desk with a small porter room. A man can be seen reading a newspaper behind the desk. To the left is an office door that reads, 'Mayor'.
The Marshall grabs the majority of his belonging and walks towards the entrance of the Inn. While approaching the desk, he carefully scans the room. The Marshall looks to the man behind the desk, "greetings, I will be in need of a room for a undetermined amount of time".
The Maeshall opens his coat revealing his badge "and the bill will be payed for by the United States Government".
The man stands up fairly quickly and appears happy to have a visitor of noble worth.
"Greetings to you sir. A room?..but of course."
He turns to look for a quill and then hands you a registry. Finally after gasping through his clutter, he provides you with a quill and ink.
"If you can sign your name here ..and here..and I will find you a key. I will need to record information from your credentials if I may be so kind as to request seeing them again sir?"
The Marshall quickly takes the quill and signs his Name, on the regiser he writes "Logan Sundance United States Marshall". He opens his coat again exposing his US Marshall badge for the clerk to see.
" Is there someone who can see to these few bags?, I have a life or death situation I need to discuss with the Mayor."
The Marshall then turn and begins to walk toward the door that says "Mayor".
He wraps on the door a few times, and waits patiently for a awnser.
The concierge records the badge number from the Marshalls credentials and fumbles for a room key. He rings a small bell, "I'm sorry Mr. Sundance, sir, the mayor is away hunting this afternoon. He is to return this evening for Lucilles supper. I can take a note if you like."
He rings the bell again, "here is your key sir, room 401, it is a corner room with splendid space."
He rings the bell once again. A small boy runs down the stairway and grabs the luggage. It is very heavy so he slowly starts to drag the baggage, toward the stairway.
The Marshall scribbles a few lines down to the Mayor stating that he is in town, and that he needs to speak with him ASAP. The Marshall see's the Small boy grab for the bags and pats him on the head "Son, let me take my own bags, I didnt mean to pack so much", he hand the boy 2 quarters "Thank you anyway". The Marshall then walks straight up to his room, and unlocks the door, leaving his belongings. The Marshall quickly takes his scattergun, and winchester Rifle, along with all his ammunition.
The Marshall then quickly makes his way down stairs, and back to his horse. The Marshall has only one thing on his mind, Carlos Diego, and Farmer Jed's family. The Marshall Turns his horse and heads to where Jed is having Lunch.
Cain enters the Porter and waves to the desk clerk," Jed ever show up in here?" He heads into the dinning room to find Jed. "Well old boy, how do you like the food?" He pulls out a chair and sits at the table,"What did you order for me?" After they have sat and relaxed for a minute Cain says, "Now, suppose you tell me as close as you can remember, without emsellishing, what happened. After this you can tell anybody what you want and I won't say a thing."
Having taken a while to find an acceptable parking space for his buckboard, Olaf is a bit late, and dinner is underway when he gets there. "Please du accuse " he says to the waitress, " Ich needen du zit vit herr Jed " He continues to banter with the waitress (or whoever seats people) without much luck. Finally, he jiust shrugs, walks in , and find the table where Jed and Sherriff Cain are sitting. He smiles and says "Tag, ich habbe mach hunger. Ist der fud ser gut ? Ja? " as he sits down.
Jed takes his dusty hat off and greets Lucilles as she prepares his order. "oh, they be one more joining me..a german fella."
As Jed gobbles down the food, the sherriff strides in and sits next to Jed, "I didn't git you anything sherriff, but I'm mighty obliged at your gift, says Jed. Lucille sees the sherriff, "Anything for you sherriff?"
Jed begins to tell his story, "See sherriff everytime we get some horses from Bob's Ranch, we keep em in the field behind my barn, and those dang bern bandits seems to always know when we a gettin some new stallions. Well, this time we waited for em and we got into it with them..and.." suddenly the German farmer appears and introduces himself as he sits. "Well ole chap sit down and try some of this cornbread, ..oh he's buying my plow sherriff."
And then walks in the Marshall with two fairly large rifles in his hand, a winchester and a scattergun. Lucille quickly says, "They'll be no guns in here!!"
Olaf looks over at the marshall as he enters "Oofta! Ich on lee vant du per case ein plow!"
The Marshall walks over to the resturant, and peers inside to see Jed and the Sherriff along with the Norwiegan chap. When told there will be no weapons in the resturant, the Marshall seems a bit startled, but quickly obliges the Ladys wishes. Looking around for a Gun Rack he Racks his weapons.
He then walks over to where the Sherriff and Jed are, and then states "Look Sherriff , I know that we maybe from different worlds, but pretty soon, you know whats going to be headed into town". " My suggestion is we let own sworn duty to protect the innocent come first, and our personal buisness come second". "The way I see it, it gonna take the both of us to hold that outlaw in jail."
He pulls up a chair "Now hows about we go get this villan and check on Jeds family?"
Olaf looks at the Marshall, a confused look on his face ,"Der outlav un der yail?Das ist nicht richtig. Vy ein outlav un der yail? Der outlav ist...how du sacht?....un der "out".....Ich danke ich schee ein outlav un der bach uf der eaten haus...outlav vor tu....how du sacht...le reeve du ven tu mach du drinkenuf du habben ein outlav un der yail, mach schtinken vor der poor...how du sacht?...riff raff....no, das ist nicht richtig....shay-reef.
Dr Samuel Brown entered the foyer, he was wearing a brown overcoat, carrying a black medical bag and had a revolver holstered at his side. He looked around, then walked up to the desk and asked, "Excuse me, but is the mayor in? I'm the replacement doctor he requested."
The porter stands up quickly and fumbles with his newspaper, "Dr. Brown? Yes, Welcome sir..."he begins to scream as he furiously rings the counter bell. A boy runs down the stairs and begins to tug at your luggage. The porter continues, "Please the young lad is to take your baggage, the mayor has told me you were coming. We have given you the best room in the house, and there is a hot meal waiting for you in the restuarant, may I take your coat doctor?", as he reaches his arm out.
Cane looks at Olaf for a moment, then he looks as the Marshall sits down, " I don't recall anyone inviting you for lunch." He looks over to the end of the room and says to Lucille, " I'll just have coffee, and put Jed's here on my tab would you?" He looks at Jed and says, " You seem to have a knack for making it diffucult to talk in private, you come join me when you and Olaf are done," He stands and nods to Olaf, " I'm suprised anyone can understand a word of what your saying son." He pushes his chair back under the table and says to the Marshall," Let's you and me give them a little privacy, or is that a concept they don't teach wherever it is you come from." He walks over to a distant table and sits down waiting for the Marhall to join him. When he sits down he quietly starts in," First off I don't like you, you push your way into a situation that's none of your damn business. You want to do your duty, fine , go and do your duty. You got no cause to be here, nobody here sent for you, and I don't give one hoot who sent you.Secondly, you are drawing all kinds of attention to something that needs doing quietly. You shoot your mouth off about a prisoner or Jed's family one more time and I'll put my fist into it. I ain't been here but a week and I don't know who can and can't be trusted, understand? Last, you insult me one more time and I'll do a hell of a lot more that put my fist in your mouth. Got it? Now leave me alone, get out of here." He sits back and drinks his coffee.
A young mother and her daughter walk into the restuarant, but quickly turn and exit as Sherriff Cane's voice steadily increases.
Lucille swiftly makes her way over to the Sherriff, "please sherriff, times are hard and I do need the business, " she says has she pours more coffee.
The Marshall looks deep into the Sherriff's eye's. "Alright Sherriff (in regards to the threats), another time, another place, we will have this conversation one day." "But understand one this, anything that happens in or around this town IS NOW MY BUISNESS".
The Marshall then stands and walks toward the door he shakes his head at Jed "Good luck Jed". He takes his weapons from the racks and heads for the desk to see when the Mayor will return.
Dr Brown nodded gratefully, took of his coat and handed it over "Thank you, I'm a bit hungry so I think I'll have that meal. Just be a bit careful with that trunk," he said while pointing, "there are some breakable objects in it."
He left the front desk and walked into the restaurant and sat down at an empty table.
Looking at JEd, Olaf says," Herr Yed, now ve schee der plow, ja? Uf ist ein plow ser gut, ich giebt du fumph und zwanzig do larren."
Overhearing the lawmen get into a heated discussion, Olaf shakes his head, "Der Riff-Raffen auf American nicht vorken ser gut, ich dunka. HErr Yed, habben sheepen? .....Sheepen? Ich vant du pur case sheepen, doo. Sheepen.....Baa,baa, ja? Habben sheepen? Vo canst Ich pur case sheepen?"
The concierge takes the doctors coat, hangs it delicately in the foyer closet and escorts the gentlemen into the restuarant. As the doctor seats himself, the concierge snaps his fingers and points at the doctor while he prepares his napkin over his lap. Lucille acknowledges and approaches the doctor with a kettel, "Tea or coffee for you Doctor?", she asks. The concierge returns to the foyer to check on the bell boy.
On the other side of the room, Jed slurps down the last of his ginger ale, and gets up rather hastily. Well, parder,..Olaf you said, right? Well Olaf, lets go see that plow, ...nah, ain't got no sheep. Got some cows and some pigs though." He yells rather obnoxiously across the room, "Ima headin' out sherriff, you coming along or I see you later I reckon?"
"Ja, Olaf ist ich.Ich vant du schee der p low, ja." Olaf gets up and follows Jed.
Dr Brown looked up from the table at Lucille and said, "I would like some tea, please."
Lucille kindly pours the doctor tea, "The mayor should be back before dinner, we are so glad to have a doctor in town. Oh, I have this terrible bunyon on my big toe, oh nevermind, it's not the time, your lunch will be right up."
Jed and Olaf leave the inn, as Jed looks to Olaf, "I feel like I'm forgetting somethin'...oh well, I gettin' old these days, can't remember a dang thing as he gets on his make-shift wagon, HHEeddiaUPpp!!", he yells as his mules start to trot, his wagon does a u-turn on Main St, and begins to trolley.
Seeing Jed begin to leave the Marshall walks out to his horse and mounts up. The Marshall Follows Jed at a safe distance, constantly scanning the area for others.
Olaf puts enough money to cover whatever food was unpaid for and a modest tip, and hurries after Jed
Dr Brown started drinking his tea, then asked, "Who are the people who just left?"
Lucille holds a napkin under the kettel as she pours so no tea gets on the tablecloth, "Well that was Sherriff Cane", as she looks out the window in the direction of Jacob's stable, Cane still visible walking briskly to the stable. "..and I don't know the other law man, never seen him here before, I believe he was a Marshall. Well I'm sure you know the dangers of El Derado by now..it seem's the mayor's work if finally showing. After all he did find you somehow. I don't mind seeing lawmen with guns, it's those bounty hunters I'm scared of...I mean you can't sleep at night without fearing a bullet catching you in the night. I'm scared to death, I sure hope they catch this Carlos character!", shes exhalts.
"Interesting," said Dr. Brown, "now, when will the food be served? It was a long trip and I'm quite hungry."
A stranger in a black suit and white shirt enters El Derado on horseback were the Tailor shop is located. He stops to gaze around. He then pulls out a crumpled cigarette which he lites by striking a match on the bottom of his boot. He looks dusty and his skin is somewhat tanned, so you can tell he has been in the desert for some time.
After lighting up, he looks around and spots the well in the town square. He then pulls dismounts, pulls out a cantine and heads for the well, not appearing to notice the inhabitants around him. At least that's the way it appears.
The water is a bit discolored, but tastes pretty good. The well is extremely low.
You notice an old lady sitting on the porch at the tailor shop, and a few kids are playing 'swords' around your horse. You realize you are pretty much in the townsquare of this very small town. A stable is nearby, as well as a bank.
Coming into town by the Church, riding slowly, looking at the people, checking their faces, looking for any face he remembers from wanted posters. McCord spots the General store and heads that way.
As you make your way through the hordes of peddlers that are unloading their wagons across from the church, your eyes are very busy looking at all the faces. No one resembles anyone you best recall from your last look at Most Wanted posters. As you near the General Store, you notice a sign that says, "Closed , Gone Fishin'".
Past the Merchant's Guild, the rest of El Derado is very quiet and somewhat deserted. Several biuldings stand unoccupied and give a sense of despair. Dust kicks up near the middle of town from a farmer's wagon.
A native american with a bowler hat, leather pants, and white shirt, rides into town on the back of a painted mare. He looks around looking for Susen Riviara. He spies her as she is leaving the Merchant's Guild. He clicks to his horse and rides over, sliding from the horses back he lands on his feet easily. She recognizes him as being one of the ranch hands from her fathers ranch, the one that usually tends to the more fiesty animals, "Miss Riviara, your father sent me to help you and to make sure you are safe. Would you like me to carry those items for you? I also have a few more items that Steve is supposed to buy, would you know where he currently is?"
Not noticing anyone worth his time and effort, McCord continues on down the street, spying the courthouse, he moves toward it to see if there are any wanted posters.
As you cross the street toward the courthouse you see a man with a sherriff star stride in front you apparently in a hurry. He doesn't seem to notice you or any of the other farmers who are walking about.
You continue to the courthouse and from the road you can't make out the posters, so you climb up on the porch to get a closer look. Similiar to ones you've seen from your hometown, Wanted: Dead or Alive "Carlos Diego" $5,000 U.S. Dollars.
Another one says, Wanted: Alive "Luke Westwood" $500 dollar reward.
And another little sign says, "Plow for Sale - dirt cheap, see Jed."
Susen smiles at Raven as he takes her things. "Why, thank you. Steve was going to buy some catal feed for the late autum. Also, we need to pick up some potatos and carrots, because the ranch hands and cowboys eat so much of them for supper."
She then looks around the area, and asks "So, why is it so bussy all the sudden?"
Henry looks around seeing the busyness of the street and says, "Not sure what is up, Miss. But whatever it is I am sure your father wouldn't want you gettin involved. He wanted me to pick up some extra nails and a spare hammer too, to fix the fence on the east range. But by the looks of it, the General store is closed at the moment. What time and where, were you supposed to meet back up with Steve?"
"I remember saying to Steve to meet me at the Town Squair at around 3 or so." Susen then looks at the time on the clock in the window. "Oh my...it is 2:40 now. Did you get the nails already?"
Henry looks down at his feet, "No mame, I just arrived. The general store looks to be closed, they have a 'Gone Fishing' sign up. We could try the merchants guild but I am sure it will be a heckava lot more expensive. Perhaps the blacksmiths, they usually make their own nails though usually for shoeing."
McCord will remember the details on both wanted posters. Even though the other is is "Wanted:Alive", $500.00 is nothing to sneeze at.
Noticing the young girl, McCord just sort of quietly whistles to himself and THINKS "Helloooo Nurse!!"
About then, he also starts to wonder(Again, to himself), what is she doing talking to that redskin?
"Alright, Ravin, lets go to the blacksmith." She acepts his arm, and thay walk together to the blacksmith's place.
Next door to the Sherriff office is a 'run-down' establishment. There is a sign that is broken, hanging slanted by one chain that reads, 'Ned's Blacksmith Shop'.
The door to the place is ajar. Upon entering, the simple observation is the place is destroyed, littered with debris and junk. Dirt from the desert storms has made it's way into the room, piling in the corners. A rat scurries from the light of visitors.
Across the rummage sits an old anvil, where sits a small vase of flowers. A small note, 'Rest in Peace Ned, love Sue' adorns the flowers.
Susen looks around the shop, and says "Um, Ravin, I don't think we should be hear right now...considering what a mess this place is."
Leading Susen back out, "I think you are right about that. If worse comes to worse I can do a temporary fix on that fence and head back into town later when the store is open. I think we should go and meet up with Steve unless you have anything else you need to do.
The four story wood biulding sits across the street from the Sheriff's office and a picture of beer mug adorns a sign with the words, "El Salooniditos" in big red letters and "de putas" in small black script.
A small bench is outside on the porch, as well as many horse hitching posts. Swinging doors adorn the entrance.
Inside the Saloon is tantered and dusty. There are several round tables and side booths. A long elaborate bar sits directly across the entrance. A beaten path leads to the stools.
Glowing lanterns flicker a dim light. A stairway ascends into darkness, as well as a door behind the bar.
ace a blond hair blue eyed cowboy sits alone at one of the card tables. He drinks every once in a while from a shot glass of some unknown drink. "how about a game of black jack" is all he ever says other than "bring another bottle over".
Rumor has it he he has sweat spot for one of the local ranchers daughters.
Gilles De ville stepped off the coach and sneered at the dust bitten town. his only hope was that this town had a livelier night life and a chance to have the thrill of playing cards, the game of life.
how about a game of cards gent all are welcome at my table
I hitch my horse, "Rebel" to the post and stride up to the entrance of this fine looking establishment known as "El Salooniditos de Putas". I'm puzzled and unsure of what the name means, but I undertand saloon..As I walk in, I check my six shooters on both hips to make sure they are loose and ready to draw although, I am not eager to use them. Inside i notice the fine looking bartender in red hair and two men, one playing cards at a table and one standing at the bar. The man at the bar is dressed kinda funny. I immediately go to the card table and sit down. "Got any room for a poker player?"
A saloon...good a place as any to get to know some of the townsfolk. Can always buy supplies after a good drink. Scanning the sparse inhabitants, I hike up my saddle bag over my shoulder and make my way to the bar. Upon arrival I reach into my vest and pull out a small leather bag that jingles when I set it on the smooth, worn surface of the bar. Taking out a shiny silver dollar, I look back and forth for the barkeep, mindful of the folks behind my back that I can see in the dusty mirror that runs the full length of the old bar.
"Get a shot of whiskey?" I call out to noone in particular.
You notice the bartender is drunk beyond any normal limit and can't seem to offer assistance. It appears that everyone for the moment can help themselves. :)
I reach over the bar and grab an unmarked bottle that looks like whiskey. Popping the cork, I take a sniff, think for a moment, then another sniff. Well, it smells like whiskey. I take a long pull, set the bottle on the counter, and wipe my mouth on my sleeve. No need to pay for a free drink. Staring at the people sitting at the card table, I walk towards the exit. I barely touch the brim of my hat in acknowledgement at the others.
Hey Pardna', how 'bout bringing over a bottle of that stuff before you leave, knowing my luck the sherriff be comin' over and I'd get nailed for sure. Your luck has gotta be better than mine. As I talk to the fellow, I keep an eye on the funny dressed man in the French coat, I grow suspicious of his dweomer.
Theres always room at my table for one more honest player. what your game five card draw or stud.
The redhaired bartender walks out of the storage room, her hair in disarray.
"Sorry gentlemen, got a little busy back there," she says swaying back and forth. "Ahem.. anyhow, any of you.." She stumbles and falls, grabbing and breaking a few bottles of sasparilla on the way down.
"Whew.. I need a break.." she says, dusting off her skirt.
...and looks back at the seemingly intoxicated bartender. Looking toward the man that spoke McCann says: "Looks like your luck just ran out...pardna." and walks out of the saloon.
I see that the bartender has returned and I shout over for a bottle of whiskey. I look to the man across from me and introduce myself, "Deal em up pardner, I got five big ones, says I'm the winner here.".."names Bart." I then pull out my five dollars in a wad and lay on the table fairly close to me. I keep looking for the bar keep as I light a used cigar.
my names ace glad to meet you". AS he pulls five out of his stack of bills and then deals the hand. i got 7 showing
Ace deals out the first hand and I smile when I see an Ace up for me. I peek at my card down and see the low card, but I maintain composure not to show my frustration. "We playin this one for a buck right? I just like to keep my cash in front of me." I'll raise you a quarter seeing you got nothing", I say in a friendly sarcastic way.
for a bucks fine with me. and ill seeyour two bits. want any cards.
"Hit me" Ace throws down another card with a black 5 of clubs. "The ace of spades and five club. hmmm. I'm staying, any last bets?"
I glance out the window just to keep an eye on this new town I'm in.
Nothing unusual is occuring, you see two farmers talking outside the Porter's Inn and you see a few boys playing swords.
after drawing 3 ace's i also got a 5 and a jack and went bust. how about a game of poker.
"Sounds good. Say, what's this town all about, you been here long?", I ask as I pull the pot money over to my side.
"What's the game, 5 card stud or draw? Any wilds? 7 card? Been awhile since I've played" I bluff. I place an ante of 50 cents in the middle of the table.
"What's with that french dude at the bar? He been mighty quiet, must be a trouble maker?"
"the games five card draw nothing wild". "ace flips four bits in the pot. them frenchy types are always trouble think'n there fancy clothes and talk make'm special". "As for whats going on in town" as he takes a drink from his glass "I hear they been havin trouble with bandits but, i could care less as long as it don't mess with me make'n some money".
As Ace deals the cards, I sip my whiskey and smoke my cigar. I pick up the cards to see my luck, pair Jacks with a ace of spades high. I think to myself, will a pair beat him? I say out loud, "Well this is a no draw hand, so..I raise you a quarter." as I flip a shiny coin onto the tabletop. I start to get comfortable in my chair as the whiskey starts to kick in. "I think I'm going to like it here, Ace the man, " I say in sleekness.
as ace looks at his cards a pair of three's over a pair of ace's. he throw in his money and say's "looks like my lucks turning i call "he throws down his cards and rakes in the loot.
"Wow, that's a great hand for five card stud," I say. "I'm hungry, hey Barkeep!"
"You got any food around here, or do I gotta get my own?"
I look back at Ace, "deal em, I'm going to see if there's any nibblets to chaw on" as I get up to search for peanuts or such.
After a number of days through the desert, Carlos arrives at his make-shift home...The sun has begun to set.
"Raul! See to it that our horses are fed, and get me Maria!"
As Carlos unsaddles his horse, he peers across the courtyard at a few strange men,
"Guerimo! Who are this gringos who stand before me?!"
Guerimo responds, "Wanted men from the north, they wish to join us."
Carlos pulls out his Winchester rifle and shoots them dead.
The men fall to the desert floor and the mexican bandits begin to roar with laughter.
My men continue to laugh. "Raul! gather the men around, it's time we do some shooting.
The men start to pull out their rifles as the sun beams down on a slight slope. A little spanish boy begins to pull chickens from a coop. The chickens begin running in circles as the bandits open fire.
"That's right men, practice for the heart."
As the mexican bandits shoot wildly into escaped jerky, Raul approaches Carlos in haste,
"Carlos! One of our men is missing, I believe it's Hector! A few men were out gathering horses as directed and Hector was one of them. However his women, Lucia, says she hasn't seen him. Recardo said that he thought Hector had rode ahead of the group, but it doenst appear to be true, senor!
"OOOOhhhh!!!!! I am so mad!!!" I pull out my knife and stab the wall, then twist the blade as I begin to sweat profusely. I quickly turn to Raul, "Find him!!! Now!!!"
Raul scurries to the fire pit that has begun to enlighten the darkened sky and begins to gather men.
The sun has finally set.
During the night, my men drink and dance around a pit fire. Inside a small pablo I sit at a wooden table and begin to pour myself Tequila. I down one after the other as Raul sits to join me.
"We cannot afford to make mistakes in this land! If Hector was captured, I do not trust that he would save his tongue!"
Raul replies in haste, "Senor, I would not worry, we will find Hector tomorrow, I can assure you."
"AAahhh Raul, you are my right hand man, and I trust you will take care of this situation." I answer.
As I pass out from intoxication, Raul carries out his task by gathering guns, rifles and ammunition. He randomly picks out several banditos. His plan is unknown to me, but I trust he will be successful.
The bandits are dressed in worn white fabrics, almost brown from the desert dust storms. They wear red sashes and most have ammo belts crisscrossed upon the chests. There large sombraros are different colors, red, black, tan and brown and are unique to that particular bandits background. Weapons are in unique places, some have throwing knives, some carry large sabres. Most all carry a pistol, some two. The Winchester rifle is the primary weapon, stolen from a U.S. Calvary shipment some months ago.
As I lie on the floor from drunken slumber, I dream of my glorious raids. In the face of death, I am quick, the faces of those towns people still etched in my memory. As the gambler laid bleeding on Main Street, the doctor would rush to his side,...ah the doctor. Had I not seen his fancy watch glitter in the sun, he would have still been alive. The gunsmoke would linger as the doctor would tumble in the dust. Blood quickly turning to mud. The women of El Derado, they would simply stare at me. I could never shoot a women, oh I adore the women. I dream again of my brother....money....tequila.
The General Store is a large three story, wooden structure and appears to be the oldest structure in the lot. The sign that has been repainted over and over says, "Annabelle's General Store and Post Office" and in smaller letters "El Derado, Post 798".
A bell indicates visitors arrival and hangs over the entrance. The place is very kept with cactus plants on each window ledge. Although clean and organized, the place is a bit cluttered with merchandise. Sale signs are abundant, perhaps a sign that times are not good due to limited buyers.
An aged man, appearring a bit frail in his 60s, works a broom , stopping occasionally to pick something up. He mutters to himself occasionally. Every now and then he will hum or whistle an old tune from the good old '30s.
After doing his rounds, dusting things off that don't need dusting, the man returns to his counter. A checker coard is set up. Those who care to pay enough attention would note that whoever is playing red is soundly winning.
After studying the board for a while, Lester picks up a red king, jumping 2 more black pieces before going back to his rounds of the store. "I've got you beat this time, you old coot" he mutters.
After another round of the store, he sits back down and moves a black checker.
"Sure is quiet today....must admitt, my mind hasn't quite been on the game" he quips, picking the broom up yet again.
Olaf stomps his feet on the mat outside the door before walking in. A bell tinkles overhead.
Olaf walks up as the man is sweeping.
"Guten tag, meine freund. Ich needed sheepen. Vo canst ich vind sheepen? Und ich needen ...how du sacht?....plow und tools. Olaf vant du bilt ein haus."
Lester scratches his head..."well, young man...I'm not sure what you said, but feel free to look around...if it's in here, it's for sale, and at a good price, too....best prices in town...." Lester mutters to himself ," 'course, they're usually the only prices it town"
LEster continues to clean up as the man looks around.
Stopping momentarilly at the checkerboard, he picks up a red checker, jumping two black checkers. "King me, you old duffer!" he says loudly. Realizing he has company, he clears his throat, pretends to tend to his sweeping. When Olaf looks away, Lester picks up a spare red checker, placing it on top of the one that is to be kinged. In a quieter tone, he says, "that' ll teach ya to brag...why don't you just give this one up?"
Olaf looks around, picking out a crosscut saw, a couple of hammers, several pounds of nails, some flour, and a box of 12 gauge shells and taking them up to the counter.
"Ich shteel needen ein plow und ein ..how du sacht?....hair nets....du know....ein hair nets...vor der horsen." Seeing the old man's look of confusion, Olaf mimes plowing.
Looking at the items, Lester mutters, "that's two dollars for the shells....2 bits for the nails....50 cents for the hammers....10 cents for the flour....dollar for the saw....comes to three dollars and eighty five cents.....
Far as a plow goes, I can get you one, but it takes a few weeks...have to order it. I did hear old Jeb has an old plow he wants to sell....maybe you could talk to him"
"Ah, Dunka Shen, Herr Annabelle." Olaf says as he counts out the money and places it on the counter. "Ich needen du vind Herr Cheb uf er ist shtill un town."
Taking his handful of items, Olaf leaves the store and walks out into the street.
As soon as the door closes, Lester moves a black checker, saying in a rather grumpy tone, "Game ain't over yet, so quit your yackin' and play"
Smiling broadly, Lester picks up a red king and jumps the remaining two black checkers." He he! I told you I'd get you one of these days!" LEster dances around the room with his broom for a bit.
Feeling a pain in his hip, LEster sits back down, a frown on his old face."Well....you gonna set the board up again, or what? I want double or nothin' "
Grinning, Lester begins to set the board up again ,"Always happy to give you a whuppin', you old duffer"
A sign on the porch of the general store reads in poor writing:
Jed's plow: For sale dirt cheap. See Jed.
After setting up the checker board, Lester spins it around, throwing a couple of the pieces out of place. As he is fixing them, he grumps, "I'm red this time".
Looking the board over, he moves one of the red checkers.
LEster then crosses his arms before standing up and resumming his sweeping.
McCann walks into the General Store just in time to hear the old shopkeep muttering something and then make a move at a checkerboard only he seems to be minding.
"You sell plugs of chewing tobacco, Sir?" he asks the keeper. Before allowing him a chance to answer, he adds: "And some good cutting rope. I'm looking to get me a job on a local spread. Can't work cattle unless I got myself a good rope. Better make it two plugs."
"Hmpppph!" Lester snorts, glaring at McCann, "Ain't nobody ever taught you any manners, whippersnapper?"
Lester throws the broom at him (so he can catch it, not to hit him with it) "Clean up that dad blamed mess, then git out and stomp off your feet. I declare...folks think just 'cause they work with cattle, they can't be no cleaner than cattle. Y' heard me, lad, git movin that broom!"
As the startled man does whatever he is going to do, Lester sits behind the counter, composes himself, then says ,"you don't have to take it out on that young fella just because you got yourself beat." Chuckling, he moves one of the black pieces.
Caught off guard by the man's rant, McCann catches the broom and fumbles with it a moment before gaining control. He looks dumbfounded for a moment, and regains his composure... "Don't mind me saying, sir...that's a helluva way to introduce yourself to people paying real silver." McCann leans the broom against a shelf and walks toward the counter. He leans close to Franklin and says in a low, coarse voice: "Now, are you going to get me that tobacco and rope, or do I need to beat you at checkers for it?"
Lester pauses a moment to think of this. Regaining his composure with the impertinent stranger, LEster smiles, "Well, son , now that's a right interestin' offer. Tell ya what...if you can beat me, I'll get you the tobacco and rope you requested, on the house. If I beat you, you sweep up your mess and come back and sweep up again tommorrow.... I could use the help...hip's been aillin' me"
McCann steps back from the counter smiling. "Deal. I'll set it up." McCann grabs a bucket and sits on it as he sets up the board. "Red or Black?"
"Don't matter," LEster says, "I'll even let you be red." Lester studies the board,"Y'know , I've won the last 300 or so games I've played"
under his breath, he mutters," 'course, I've lost that many in a row, too"
Momentarilly forgetting the mud on the floor, LEster settles in to try to outwit the smelly cowpoke.
LEster smiles, thinking this cowpoke should be easy prey to a man who has spent most of the past 7 years playing checkers with himself.
At first the game appears to be going his way, to which he quips, "That'll show ya to track mud on my floor, ya whippersnapper."
The cowboy has obviously played his share of checkers, however, as he fights his way back into the game.
"King me!" Lester shouts, double jumping.
his smile soon fades as the man makes a triple jump, ending the game.
"Well, young feller....looks like I owe you some tobbacco and some cutting rope, " Lester says as he gets up, locating the items. When he is just in hearing range, he mutters, "it's because I ain't used to you givin' me no competition, you old coot!"
Coming back, he sets the plug of tobacco and a coil of rope on the counter "15 yards enough, son?"
"You play pretty well, old man...but a deal is a deal. I reckon 15 yards is more than enough." McCann waits for Lester to get the rope ready, and bites off a bit of tobacco. When Lester finishes with the rope, McCann slings it over his shoulder, tips his hat and grabs the broom to sweep up the dirt and sand he tracked in.
Watching the cowboy swipe the mud off his floor, Lester says, "why that's right neighborly of you, young'un. Come back any time, and I'll give you a free piece of licorice"
Looking back down at the checkerboard, a thought comes to LEster's mind, "hey...we were right in the middle of a game, come to think of it....thought you'd get off easy, didn't ya, you old coot. Nothin' doin', nothin' doin'!"
Lester sets the checkerboard up as it was before McCann came into the store, looking the board over a moment before moving a black checker.
Lester looks at the checkerboard, grumbling, "I ain't about to git beat twice by the likes of you" he picks out a red checker and moves it.
Standing up, he walks outside on the boardwalk, looking around. Spying a hastilly scrawled sign, nailed to the front of his store, he becomes irritated, "That no account sodbuster! If I told him once, I told him a thousand times, I ain't in the advertisin' business, and if I were, it wouldn't be for free." Lester goes back into the store for a moment, coming back out with a crowbar. He gives a couple good tugs, removing the "plow for sale" sign. underneath it is a neatly painted sign that reads "Welcome....Wipe Your Feet" with four fresh nail holes in it.Mutterring to himself, Lester goes back into the store.
Lester picks up the broom, sweeping the already clean floor. When he is close to the checkerboard, he picks up a black checker and jumps a red checker. "You're just a glutton for punishment, old man, but I'm glad to take yer money"
"Y'know what, you old duffer?"LEster quips, without waiting for an answer, "Been a while since we've had some good trout."
Leaving his checker game as is, LEster goes into a back room and grabs a fishing pole and some tackle. He grabs a neatly painted sign from under the counter and heads out the door.Hanging the sign on a hook outside the store, he locks the door and heaeds down the street, whistling a tune he makes up as he walks.
A sign on the outside of the door now reads, "CLOSED....GONE FISHING"
On the other side of town, lies a very large warehouse that has several large double doors. The area is always crowded with merchants, gypsies, and peddlers, as well as simple townsfolk. The outside sign that is more of a billboard than sign says, "Merchants Mall". Wagons can be seen coming and going off into the desert. Inside the large open area is divided by tents, with loud noise of bartering and auctioning. A large framed picture of the guild master adorns the entrance. The man has a distinctive top hat, his name enscribed on lower panel A.J. Wilham.
Susen walks to the Merchent's Guide building, and smiles at the man who holds the door open for her as she enters the building. She is still carring the bolts of fabric as she walks to the penny dreadful rack, and starts scaning them.
You fine slightly tattered but workable blue silk. About 3' worth.
Susen picks up the tattered silk, and says "It is not a lot, but I can use it." She then picks up two penny dreadful books, and goes to the cashier to pay for them.
As you approach the merchant to pay for your goods, a middle-aged women in a purple dress and hat reaches out and begins to grab at your silk. "Oooohh Silk!! I just have to have this silk!", she dictates. You feel a slight tugg but you seem to still have a grasp of the silk though barely.
The lady is accompanied by an older lady with a cane. She is in all black and is apparently a widower.
"Excuse me, but this is my silk. I am Susen Riviara, for the Rancho Dous Estara. Now, if you do not mind, I would like to pay for my silk, and leave this establisment." She looks defiant at the lady in the purple dress. "Besides, what are you going to use it for anyways? Your already married, are you not?"
The lady in the Purple dress stands back and says, "Oh, I didn't know." In that case let me introduce myself, I'm Lucille Blacksborg. Your father does have elegant dances at his estates, will he ever invite me?
The widower replies, "The stoves on fire. Is that your horse?"
Lucille quickly interupts, "Don't mine my mother, she is a bit ...old, well nice talking to you, come to town more often and tell that dear father of yours.. Lucille Blacksborg sends a wish for good fortune."
Susen finaly gets to the cashier's counter, and promply pays for both the silk and the two books. She then looks over her stuff, seeing if it is all thair.
You pay for your items and everthing is in order. You continue to get looks from the Purple lady, as well as several farmers.
A man in a jester's hat approaches you, "Care to buy this magic headache medicine?..only 35 cents but for you 25." The liquid is in a bottle and the color red with the words Bayer written in black letters.
Susen looks at the man. "No thanks." she says as she walks on out.
Visitors at the Market will notice a fairly large Caravan raking in. Tent keepers are busy preparing space for new loot while others are packing for outbound delivery to other far away towns. Caravans are known to stay for a few days before departing again. There is much rejoicing as many carpet baggers welcome back friends and colleagues who were away for long periods of time.
However, there is additional gabbering, and a rumor is afoot that says Bounty Hunters are heading to El Derado in search of raking in rewards for the head of Carlos Diego. This rumor has started to panic the peddlers.
Mutterring to himself, LEster says, "So you won't give me a
re match, eh? Next time, we'll see how much bulletts cost for you, mister..."
Just then Dav interrupts the conversation Lester is having with himself.
"Didn't anyone ever teach you children should be seen and not heard, boy. Quit
interruptin' grown folks' conversations....oh, pay.....of course you'll get
paid. Three square meals a day, on me, and $1 at the end of the day....oh, where
you been staying? Don't stay at Porter's, it'll cost you an arm and a leg, and
from the looks of you, you can't afford to give up either of 'em. Boy, didn't
you're momma ever teach you to use a broom? You missed a spot, now go sweep that
corner there. When you're done, wash the windows....oh, by the way, there's a
cot in the back room...you can sleep there if you want to."
*Dav sweeps the corner and yawns*
After wathcing Dav finish up, Lester picks up the checkerboard. Setting it up, he is ready to start another game with himself, then thinks better of it. "C'mon over here ,son...lemme teach you how to play checkers. If you can beat me, you can have the rest of the day off."
*Dav sits in front of the checker boeard and gets ready to play*
Lester sits behind the chekcerboard, keeping a running
conversation with himself most of the time. If Dav says anything, he looks up,
mildly annoyed and continues talking to himself. "We got him this time. Oh, go
easy on him, you old duffer, you know he doesn't have a lick of sense.The only
time Lester says anything to Dav is to say "King me!" or "I'm takin' your man
for not jumpin!' " ((OOC: I will roll d100 1-50 I win, 51-100 you win....I
rolled a 14))
"He he....I told you I couldn't be beat today!" Lester
says to himself. Looking up at Dav, he says, "why don't you take the rest of the
day off...you look tuckerred out after that whuppin' "
Lester sets about
tidying the store up, chuckling. His hip doesn't seem to bnother him so much
now.
*Dav stands up*Bye Lester*Dav walks out of the store*
as ace walks in " i'm here to do a little shopping. what you got in rifles. "
Lester is dusting the shelf as Dav walks out. He looks back
toward the door as the bell rings, then does a double take...this man asking
about rifles looks a lot like Dav. Same funny duds. Lester notices with a bit of
annoyance that he didn't bother to wipe his feet. Lester throws the broom at the
man, hollering out "dad blast it, can'y any of you young uns read?!! The sign
says WIPE YOUR FEET!!!!!"
"sorry sir but i never was taught to read. We was always to busy bring in the crops and doing chores to learn much schooling"he says as he backs away from the old man.
I open the door to Annabelle's and walk in, "Good day Lester,
I say as I wipe my shoes on the mat. "Lester, How's the fishing? Yes, the
hunting is terrible for me. Listen, Lester, do you have a moment, I have
something real interesting that perhaps you may enjoy?"
I admire some of
the goods as I approach the counter.
Looking at Ace, he says, "well, no permanent harm done...just
step out, wiope off your feet and use that broom to clean up your mess....then
you can look at some of the rifles...got plenty."
Looking up at the
Mayor, Lester brightens, "the fishing? They were biting like crazy last few
days...not a nibble this morning.Something interesting, huh? Weell, I'll be...I
finally quit going to those town meetings, and you decide to have that town
checker championship after all. Y'know I'll bet you still can't beat me after
all these years."
ace goes back and wipes his feet and sweps the floor a little. he then heads for the counter an says" i would like to see a 12 gauge double and 16 shot winchester and 2 box's of ammo for each. also i'll need a sadle sheath for the rifle and a hacksaw please".
I take a moment to stare at Ace and ponder his intentions for
such devices. Then I try to make light of the situation, "Where's the War,
pardner?"
After chit chat with Ace, I turn back to Lester, "Oh, no, no
Lester, not a checker championship, we already know who would win, we've decided
to have an auction and we'd like you to be the auctioneer. See, there's been
quite a pile up of goods over at the stables and at the Merchants guild that are
unclaimed or unwanted. Before we just burn it, it would be a good idea to see
who might want to buy some of the goods. The money will go to fixin some of the
decayed biuldings around here."
"Whatdya say?"
Lester looks up at Ace, "Well now, that's better,
young'un......a 12 gauge and a Winchester? you plannin on goin' after ol Carlos
all by yourself?"
Chuckling to himself, he adds, " I don't have any of
the 16 shot types....got a 15 shot Winchester rifle, or a 12 shot Winchester
carbine...."
((OOC: I dunno much about rifle calibres, so I'm skipping
that info..fill it in if ya like, Devlyn))
"Hacksaws are over on the far
shelf.You looking to buy a hacksaw or just want to use one to make yourself a
scattergun? I got one down here you can use for that, for free.
"The
rifle is $55, or you can have the carbine for $45....has a little less range,
but it's a lot easier to fire on horseback. Bullets for either are $2 for a
hundred count box. Rifle boot'll cost you $5, or I have a few fancy duded up
ones if you want to spend more....
"Double barrel 12 gauge'll run you
$32....shells are 25 for $2"
Looking back at the Mayor, he says
"Dadnabbit, Stone, when you ever gonna give me that rematch...ever since you
cheated me out of the championship, you been tryin to get out of settin' up
another go round.
Oh, an auction...well, I s'pose I could be
persuaded....on one condition...you give me a rematch in public, so the whole
town can see I'm the real checker champion of Derado."
"Why Lester, you sure know how to do business, don't ya.
Well, I reckon we can do that, right after the auction. Well friend, plan on
this Saturday at high noon. I'll bring you the list of goods tomorrow. Well,
Good day Lester." I say.
As I leave, I glance back over my shoulder to
Ace, "keep those things pointed to the ground son, we gotta alot of youngins
playing here." I tip my hat and head out.
"I'll take the 30-30 carbine the shotgun and the sheath and two box ammo each and the use of your hacksaw blade". as he counts out his monet and lays it out on the counter. He then hacks the shotgun to around 16 inch barrel length. "thanks for the help and i'll be seeing you later old man" as he heads out the door with his stuff and back to the stables.
The sawing of the blade leaves a large pile of metal dust and dirt on the floor of Annabelles. A bust of wind catches the dust and sends it flying all over the store, as Ace open's the door and exits.
Lester is momentarilly distracted, plotting his checkers strategy for the big match. When the door closes, he sees all the shavings and dust all over his floor, making a mess. Grabbing a bag of flour, he rushes out the door, "Dad Nab It!....take that" he says as he hurls the bag of flour at Ace as he(Ace) walks away.
Lester looks as Ace walks away, flour billowing out several
feet behind him from the busted sack,"The ol' arm ain't what she used t'be" he
mutters to himself, "no matter, we'll get him next time.
Walking back
into the store, Lester sweeps up the mess, mutterring to himself. After he is
done, he goes to a shelf and pulls down a new sack of flour, placing it under
the counter within easy grasp.
Sitting down at the checkerboard, he
chuckles," you better start giving me more competition, you old duffer, I've got
a big game with that weasel Stone coming up!"
Studying the board he
moves a red checker, then gets up and dusts the immaculate shelves.
Lester walks around the store, straightenning out things that
are already straight and mutterring to himself, "that boy is about as messy as
they come. I tell you, you can't find good help for anything these days....slow
as molasses ,dumb as a brick, and messier'n a twister"
Sitting back down
at the checkerboard,Lester moves a black piece, " Where'd that boy go, anyhhow?
Isn't he supposed to be working? Oh, well, there'll be another like him to take
his place soon enough. FOr now, I got more important things to do, like figure
out what I'm going to do about that impertinent boy leavin' that mess on my
floor.....my hip's feelin better knowin' I'm finally goin' ta get that rematch
with Stoney anyhow."
Studying the board, Lester moves another red pice.
I enter the general store and walk in politely. I nod to the old man and then proceed to walk down one of the aisles. Being the loner type, I prefer to look for fine cigars rather than ask for assistance from the clerk.
Looking up from his checkers as the bell rings, Lester nods
at the man. Seeing the man doesn't seem to need assistance, he is about to turn
back to his checkers when he notices the man has tracked in some dirt
and...what's that? horse manuer, probably. Lester's ire builds and his face
turns red, " Dad Blast it, can't any of you illiterates read?! The sign says
WIPE YOUR FEET!!!!!" As he is saying this, he hurls a bag of flour at the man,
forgetting he had set the bag aside for Ace. ((OOC: rolled a 99, threw the
percentage dice up in the air and pelted them with birdshot..I can only assume
that's a bad mess))
"Now git the broom and clean up your mess!!!!!"
Elizabeth notices the sign outside the door and wipes her feet on the mat before walking in. As the bell tinkles overhead , she looks up for a moment before hearing the angry tirade of the shopkeeper and seeing the flour billow out nowhere near it's intended target. "Oh, my!" she lets out, invluntarilly.
I stand reading the back of a 'Guide to Better Living," when I see flour everywhere, I begin to cough and try to see what happened. I notice the old man yelling about something and appears to be looking in my direction. I glance back at the lady who just walked in, then back to the floor. After a long moment I shrug my shoulders and continue reading the author's prelude.
Lester fumes when he sees the man turn his attention back to the book. "DAD NAB IT, I SAID SWEEP!!!!!!!!!" he says, throwing a broom spear-style at the man, genuine malice beginning to boil within him at being ignored by the impertinent stranger.
The broom misses the customer but does connect with an elegant oil lamp that crashes to the floor as shards of glass fly about.
Now I know he's talking to me I think to myself. I put the
book back on the shelf and try to utilize one of it's passages about 'positive
thinking'.
"Excuse me sir, but I don't understand what you are doing, I
am simply browsing the goods here, did I do something wrong?"
I am
impressed at myself for keeping a steady tone of voice and not reaching for my
six-shooter as I used to in the past.
oh, great, a therapeutic gunslinger
Looking at the mess, Lester's anger continues to escalate.
"Dad gum it, boy, didn't your mamma ever teach you to wipe your feet before you
come in a building?!?!?! Look at that mess you dragged in... and now you broke
my lamp...you broke it, you bought it!....NOW CLEAN IT UP!!!!!!!" Lester
hastilly looks for something else to throw should the dense man not get the
hint....
Suddenly, he notices the lady. HIs tone changes almost
immediately to a grandfatherly tone, "May I help you , Miss?" he asks the lady,
now totally ignorring the man.
Elizabeth is not quite sure what to make of all this, but decides it better to get what she had come for and get out of the way before the old man becomes violent again. "yes....I was looking for something a dog might like to eat....oh, and a collar and leash" Whatever the price is, Elizabeth pays , gets the items, and leaves quietly.
Lester goes to the west wall of the store and pulls down the
leash and collar, then some beef jerky...."that's be 43 cents, Miss"
Lester receives the money and waves goodbye as the lady walks off.
Having forgotten about the man who is still standing there, Lester sits back
down at the checkerboard. "your move" he says before picking up a black piece
and jumping a red piece.
"Aw hell, if it's just some sweeping you want, it ain't worth getting uptight about old man." Then I grab the broom and begin to sweep the isle and walkway. Sweeping was my chore while I was in prison and the broom handle brings back dreaded memories. After I'm done I prop the broom against the corner, "Hey old man, come down here, you got any good Spanish cigars?"
"Well now, that's right nice of you to sweep that floor for me...some lunkheaded gunslick came in here and tracked all that mud in a minute ago...broke my lamp, too....if I were 10 years younger, I tell you , I 'd a jerked a knot in his tail.... the cigars are up here behind the counter....too many kids try to steal 'em to just leave them out. I have some Cuban cigars right here...cost you 5 cents a piece, or you can have a box of 20 for 85 cents." Lester's tone has become very friendly..."do you play checkers?"
I understand the old man's temper now, he's gone loco. "Um...I do play checkers, and yes, I'll take a box of those Cuban cigars you got." I lay down the exact change and then begin to light up. "Yes, a good taste indeed."
"A checker player, huh? I knew right away when I saw you that I liked you....you want to be red or black?" Lester asks, setting the board back up.
"Well, nice of you to ask, but I carry my own," ..I whip out a small coin sack and lay out white marble checker chips. I try not to grin.
Lesters eyes get really big as he sees the checkers. He picks up one of them, turnign it over in his hand and eyeing it up"ooooohhhhh....that's a right pretty checkers set...why, I'd like to be using one just like it when I beat old Stone in our tournament at the auction.....you thik about selling it? Tell you what....let's make it interesting....if I win, you give me the checker set...if you win,I'll give you 10 boxes of the best Cuban Ceegars I've got"
"Your on, old man." I say as I bite down on my cigar. I grab a seat and start placing the white marble checkers on the board.
Lester is as excited as a schoolboy as he places his black
checkers on the board
((OOC: noted and ok.....will roll d100 to
determine winner. 1-50 I win, 51-100 you win))
((41...I finally win
one))
"King me, whippersnapper!"Lester says, chuckling
"he
he...we got him on the ropes this time"Lester says as he double jumps.
"don't blow it now, you old duffer" Lester says to himself as bart takes
one of his checkers for not jumping and then double jumps him.
Moving
one of his kings, Lester triple jumps to remove the last three of Bart's
checkers.
"He, he....come back when you get the black checkers sos I can
win those from you , too." Lester says as he scoops up the marble checkers"Ol
Stone'll sure be jealous when he gets beat by these babies!"
I look down as the old man grabs the checkers towards him
like poker chips. I had had those checkers since my childhood and I can only be
amazed at how quickly they were gone from me. A deep depression sets in, "Time
for a drink," I say as I get up.
I head straight for the bar, De Putas.
"He he...ol' Stone won't know what hit him with these
beauties!" Lester quips.
Noticing the nice young man walk out in a huff,
Lester calls out "nice playin with you, young man...come back anyti...."
The door closes. Lester picks up a broom and sweeps the spotless floor ,
then feather dusts the immaculate shelves.
Hearing the shotgun blast outside, Lester steps out onto the porch" wonder what all the racket is."
Across from Porter's Inn sits a unique establishment, apparently a modest home transformed into a courthouse. Though only a single porch, four large elegant pillars hold the porch roof and provide a eccentric appeal to the place. “Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer nisl suscipit lobortis” is enscribed above the entrance.
The entrance of the place is odd for a courthouse, black and white checkered floor with red drapes. But beyond two large double doors rests a recognizable room of law. Several benches on both sides face a large podium and desk, with a jury bench against the far right wall. Doors line the sides excessing other areas of the domain. A United States Flag sits to the right of the judge's seat, while a state flag of Texas adorns the left. A seal of El Derado is in the middle. The seal shows a snake being strangled by a farmer while he holds a fig leaf in one hand.
Hummel looks through the small pile of papers with most of them being reports on Carlose's doing. Carlos steals red fabric, Carlos steals horeses, that dang Carlos! I wish i can just throw the book at him! Not only his ther no cases other than disputes i am just puting files on that dang Carlos. Years of law school for this? The judge makes a sigh to try to realese some anger over the reaports. I geast it cant be helped but i wish that sherif would just arrest that guy, and i hope the mayor would make this towns economy better oh well may be it might help to get some food at the resront. Hummel picks him self up, puts away the files and heads for the doors to go out.
As you are about to leave, the District Attorney for El Derado, Edward Reiner, stops you in the hallway. "Sorry to bother you Judge, but I got something important to tell you, real important. Remember that case we had with Ace Smith a few months ago? (OOC: Read Ace Smith profile) Yes, Ace Smith, the guy who keeps yelling 'Self defense', well the widow of the guy he murdered, um..excuse me..um was killed, has placed an appeal to your original decision. Apparently she has more evidence that Ace started the whole thing. Well to make a long story short, we need to have the sheriff serve Ace another summons to appear before you. My job is to make sure he is found guilty your honor, so you leave the work to me, just let me know if you want to look over the case again and I'll get you the file."
Yes do some resurch on that Ace fellow and Try to make that no good lasy Sherif Rember what his job is, As for me ill make preperations for a court hearing.
Hummel walks back to the offic to to get a few files on Ace to give to the aturny while doing so he thinks to hims self, "well some thing new after all."
Here files that i have And i hope you do some good work on this case.
Ed takes the files, looks at them and hands them back,
"Actually your honor, I have a duplicate of these, but I have new ones that you don't have, I will prepare them and give them to you by the end of the week. As far as the sherriff is concerned, you would probably be the better person to talk to him, you know I rarely 'socialize' in the town, as busy as I am. He does seem to keep to himself doesn't he. I'm sure you will see him for dinner at Porter's before too long."
After departing El Derado from Main Street, the winding dirt road leads several miles to a magnificent cattle ranch known as Rancho Dose Estara. Dose Estara sits between El Derado and Jed Ruban's Farm.
Rancho Dose Estara stretches amazingly over 1200 acres and is the home of some of the best cattle in the region. The Riviara Family are the owners and their popularity in the area is unmatched. The road through the ranch is called Trostles Road, and several smaller roads lead to various ranch buildings and barns. The Rancho Dose Estara Estate is truly exhalting, sitting high on a slope overlooking the majority of the white fenced cattle lots.
Workers and hired hands are constantly out and about in the area, and there is a strange irrigation invention that stops people on the road. A long pipe on large wagon wheels moves slowly over the fields. Cattle dwell near the puddles of water and stare at travellers on Trostle Road as they go by. Further along the road lies Ruban Farm.
Jed's wagon turns a curve onto Trostles Road and starts to head through Rancho Dose Estara on his way home. He stops his wagon at the irrigation system, "Hey Olaf, you need to see this!"
Olaf pulls his wagon along side of Jed and says, "Hebstera, vhetc, hodu sayche, hebstera vhetc?
Jed replies, "Yep. Strange ain't it? That man up there in that house, he's a strange one, I don't like em, I mean..we neighbors and all, but...well, I just don't like em!!, they rich folk!".
Jed and Olaf spend a few moments talking about the irrigation system.
The Marshall keeps a careful distance away, watching as Jed, and Olaf approach the farm. His eyes carefully scan the distance watching for any sign of people.
Over several ridges and past the elegant Rancho Dose Estara sits a very flat, almost desert-like farm, Jed H. Ruban's place. Though more land makes up Ruban's Farm, only a small part of it is profitable, and by the looks of the house, it would be easy to predict that times are harsh for the Ruban family.
The general crop for Mr. Ruban is wheat and corn, although corn is very scarce. The Ruban household is very small compared to a large, red barn that adorns it. Smoke is coming from a large pit and gives an acute smell to visitors. Horses can be seen grazing as well as mules, cows, and goats. There is scrap metal and wood littered throughout the area, most unusable.
Captain Tellfeild arrives first followed by Sherriff Cane to Jed's farm by way of a very rocky ridge northeast of the home. Captain Tellfeild's horsemanship is extraordinary and Sherriff Cane had several close calls on the steep ridge earlier in the day.
As the two approach the home, they see a shirtless man wearing 'over-alls' standing with a shotgun pointing into a ditch. Although the man is facing the two riders, he does not see the approaching lawmen.
Tellfeild approaches carefully keeping his right hand close to his pistol. “Hay there lad, what do you have in that ditch? Been hunting? I am Captain James Tellfeild of the U. S. Cavalry. This is Sheriff Cane from El Derado. Who are you?”
The farmer pulls his shotgun up straight at the surprise of visitors, then haphazardly loosens his grip on the weapon as he answers back, "Oh sherriff of Derado? Did you see Paw? He got you? Where's Paw at?"
As you near, "I'm Billy, Jed's son, lookie here what we got," pointing the shotgun in the ditch.
A young long brown haired cowboy rides up to Ruban farm. He
is riding a yellowish brown dun, outfitted with a bedroll, a brown leather
saddle and saddle bags. There is a Sharps Old .50 rifle in a brown saddle
holster. He is wearing a dusty, dark gray long cloat, with brown leather chaps
and worn denim pants. He has on a plain brown cotton shirt, with a brown leather
vest. On his right hip is a middle slung, brown leather holster, with a nickel
plated Colt .45, Model 1873, tighly strapped into place. On the other side can
be seen the hilt of a Bowie Knife, equally tightly strapped. On his baby smooth,
pink 17 year old face, he is wearing a warm open smile, that stretches from,
"this ear o'er har to that ear o'er thar."
"Howdy Yawl! How arr ya this
fine day? My name's Darby Hanks. I come-up from Tennessee to see the world and
seek my fortune." With the last he busts out laughing. "If'n you call cowpoking
a fortune! Atcheely, I'ms a lookin fer work! Know anyone could use a man who
works as hard as he is cheap?"
As Billy eyes the approaching lawmen, he is startled as
another visitor approaches from his flank, almost blindly.
"Wow, lotsa
folks today, why yall coming out here, yall comin' to see my prisoner?" he asks.
Hey there! Who's that ya got thar? And why ya got em all
trussed-up, like a calf at branding? Is he a dangerous desperato? I rid 'bout
thm! Some's will take yor mony 'n cut yer throat, soon as they kin look at yer!
Oh, Howdy! My name's Darby Hanks! I'm just up from Tennerssee! I'm
looking for farm work if'n ya could use a hand! I kin mend things, wagons and
fences and such. I'm pretty good around livestock, cattle and horses and such.
And I work real hard, fer next to nuthin', too! Kno' anyone lookin' fer someone
like that?
LucTellfeild smiles at Billy. “Your dad came into town and
talked with the Sheriff. He told me that he needed to pick up a prisoner and I
thought that I might tag along.”
He looks Darby up and down and seems to
nod to himself. “Glad to see new people coming into the area. I just hope that
you don’t expect everything to be like those dime store books you are talking
about. Believe me, it is not.”
ille steps away for awhile, then returns with a steaming
plate of food, she lays it down in front of the doctor. "Our special", she says.
"Enjoy, anything else for you?"
The plate contains 19 oz. steak, rare.
24 ozs. of Mashed Potatoes. 3.7 oz. of corn. A basket of Bread, and a fine red
wine labeled, "Por Amon 1868".
"Thank you," said Dr Brown, "this is perfect. I don't
need anything else at the moment." He then started eating, being careful not to
spill anything.
As you eat you look around at the restuarant, the few visitors to Porter's Inn. There are two old farmers talking across from you at a small table. There is a another man sitting at a window seat enjoying tea while reading a paper and there is a bus boy cleaning plates left over by the previous customers, for one..the sherriff. You noticed the sherriff failed to leave a tip.
Susen Riviara walks into the Inn, looking for Steve, the ranch hand who brought her into town.
You see Steve reading a paper and enjoying Tea, "Why there
you are," he says as he quickly finishes and prepares to get up.
He
finally is ready to take you home as he asks, "after you, dear.."
At
this moment a judge enters the room, you are startled to see him still in full
court robes.
Susen looks at the judge, and smiles at him. "May I be
of some help, Judge?"
Upon seeing the judge enter, Dr Brown carefully put down his knife and fork, then stood up and walked over to him. He said, "Greetings, your honor, I am Dr Samuel Brown. I'm the new doctor in this town."
Oh hello i belive you are the new docter but right now i
am a bit busy, we may talk latter. Turns to Susin and replys to her, "No thanks
i am fine right now i am here to talk to the sherif." He turns to Luci and asks,
"do you know wher the sherif is?"
Lucille ponders for a moment, "Last I saw, your honor, he was heading over to Jacob's, and at a mighty fast pace I might add. He was with a cavalry officer. ....Can I get you something to eat your honor?"
"I guess we should be heading back to the Ranch, right
Steve?" Susen asked as she yanked his hand.
"Oh, right Miss Susen." replied Steve, and thay
both left the building.
Good day Miss,
Are there rooms available here? It
looks like I will be here a while as the coach was robbed. I plan on staying
here until I recover my pocket watch that the bandit took from me.
You see a
rather dashing man about 27 from the east. He is wearing a Union Army label pin
and is dressed in the latest New York City fasion.
The concierge sees Talbot enter and immediately rings for the
bellboy. The boy arrives and begins to take your luggage. Since Talbot is in the
doorway of the restuarant, the concierge comes from behind his desk, "Sir,
please step this way and I will get you a room, " as he gestures his hand in the
direction of his desk closer to the grand staircase.
Many townsfolk are
arriving at the restuarant to eat. These are the 'early' folks anxious to get a
good seat with fellow friends and business partners. Many are strangers from the
Merchants clans.
At this moment visitors to the Inn will notice the
mayor arrive from his hunting exhibition. He is carry a large rifle with several
wool bags. He appears tired.
I see the crowd of folks at the Inn. I'm not ready to talk to anyone so I go straight to my office. I find my keys to let myself in. I try to at least not be rude, so I say "Greetings all" then I shut the door behind me.
The concierge helps Talbot check in, but then sees the mayor,
"Oh mayor, Mayor! You have many messages"
But he is too late the mayor
shuts the door.
"oh, sign here and here, please,.." he asks Talbot as he
reaches for room keys.
Thank you. What are your rates and does that include
meals?
Where might I find the Sheriff? Also, can you point me to the
general store?
Seeing the mayor arrive, Dr Brown excused himself and walked over to introduce himself, but the mayor had gone into his office by the time he arrived. Brown then walked up to the door, knocked and waited.
The concierge hands you the keys, "Yes the rates are $1.25 per night with meals included. The Sherriff has an office next door but I believe he is left town for the moment. The General store is around the corner, just take a right as you leave.." pointing to the right. "Is there anything else I can get for you? Dinner is serving now."
I begin to unload my hunting gear and as I place my rifle up on the mantle, I hear the knock at my door. I open the door as I wipe my brow with a towel. I see a man I do not recognize. "Yes, can I help you?"
Hello, I am Dr Samuel Brown, the replacement doctor that you sent for. I just arrived and wanted to introduce myself. Now, could you tell me where the doctor's office is so I can have my equipment sent there?"
Darby heads to the bar for a drink to knock back the dust and
to ask for information about the town.
"Howdy! Kin I git a beer?" He
places a coin on the bar, his hat beside it and his right foot up to the rail.
Waiting for the beer, he turns and slow pans the room, looking at this fancy
place, all the activity and people.
"I'm sorry sir, we do not have a bar here, this counter is for me,..see the cook places the food here and I bring it to the table." says Lucille in a friendly manner. She picks up Darby's money and hands it to him. "Right now we are preparing for dinner. I need to push some of these tables together for those who wish to join the mayor for dinner. Would you like to help me?"
Dinner sounds fine. Let me get cleaned up and I will be
down shortly.
I reach out my hand and shake the doctor's hand
ferociously, "The Doctor! Dr. Brown! Good to see you sir, I'm glad you made it
to El Derado safely! El Derado, town of prosperity! Please come in and I will
get your keys to your office. We will be having a town meeting in just a bit,
have you eaten?"
Darby gulps, "Shucks Mam, I must be a fool! This place is
awful fancy! I shoulda known nobody could belly-up to this little strip! Shore
I'll hep ya!" He quickly pockets the coin and moves to help pulling the tables
together.
"My name is Darby Hanks. I'm looking fer work. I kin do most
anything, that ain't too tricky. Fence mending, farming, hunting and such. Know
anyone 'round here needing a good hand? I work real cheep!" He smiles at
Lucille, as he looks her up and down. But he's too shy to look her straight in
the eye, ducking his eyes to ground every so often.
I enter Porter's and as usual, it's crowded, I try to find a seat at the table in the restuarant closest to the Mayor's chair.
As I enter Porter's I try to politely walk in between folks who are yappin'. At times I get a bit unpatient and give a good nudge. As folks move, I make my way into the restuarant and takes a seat.
No thanks Lucille i am a bit busy at the time so ill just head for Jed's farm and see what the sherif is up to this time.
Brown shook the mayor's hand and said, "I'm happy to be here. I've already eaten, so could you tell me a little about the town and the surrounding area. I understand that there's some sort of bandit terrorizing the area."
ace walks in and sets down next to bart and orders a steak and beans.
"Yes, it's a tragic truth, that danger lies in this town. But
that will soon be over, you have nothing to fear here, Dr. Brown. Let me take
this hunting coat off, and I'll walk you over to your establishment."
I
hang the coat and tidy's up a bit before shutting the door behind me. As I lock
the door I l