Jack absently scratched his horse tied to the hitch. The sheriff had just given him his pay of 60 dollars for capturing yet another bounty. The night was chilled, yet no wind blew the dust around his feet. Laughs from the Armadillo bar broke him from his trance, and with yearning eyes Jack watching through the window as a negro scored the pot. The whores strutted around, flirting with the men drinking.
With a final pat Jack left his mount and entered the bar, quickly making his way to the nearest stool.
"Tender!" his voice was gruff now, hardened by the long year of bounty hunting.
The bartender made his way over to his and poured him a shot of whiskey," How goes it Marston?"
"Bagged Ted Flinn, he didn't want to come alive sadly, that five dollar bonus would have been nice." Jack through his head back and swallowed the burning beverage. He motioned for another.
"Ah that's not worth it." another glass hit his hand and Jack drank it right down," Thirsty tonight?"
Jack chuckled softly," Keep em coming until I fall over.." he hesitated," I'm just.. reliving memories I'd rather keep back.."
"I understand.." the bartender slid another drink to him.
"Hey Jacky.." a sultry voice startled Jack and he turned his head.
"Who are you?" he didn't recognize the whore, he'd been with a few, but this one was blonde, a type of hair he never liked in women.
"Well thanks for forgetting me.." the girl smiled, "..wanna have fun?"
Jack sighed. She was pretty.. maybe.. no.. not tonight. He gave the kindest smile he could muster and emptied his glass again," I don't know who you are miss, clear off."
The woman indignantly turned and headed to a young man who had just stepped foot into the saloon.
"'Her name's May." the bartender grunted, reaching for a new bottle of whiskey under the counter.
"Well I don't know her." Jack's head was light, the whiskey was taking affect then,
His father was good at holding his liqueur, least that's what his mother had told him. He himself was easy to get drunk, but had relatively painless hangovers.
Another cheer erupted from the poker table.
Nearly twenty minutes later
"Alright Jack, no more." Jack felt a restraining hand keep him from the whiskey bottle.
"Auuwwll come own tainder…" Jack's words were hardly legible.
He felt himself be lead a couple steps before being let go. His legs wobbled but held him, and he uncertainly walked to the door. His bleary eyes told him there were some people in the saloon porch. He hoped he didn't run into them..
Drunkly Jack tottered out and managed to get down the stairs without falling on his face. His white stallion flicked his ears to his rider, nickering softly at his return.
"Ima cumin Nag." he mumbled, nearly falling on the mount.
Jack turned his head as he untied the horse, two men stood smirking behind him. One was wielding a blade. Adrenaline cleared Jack's thoughts as the man lunged, the other demanding all his money.
Jack ducked as the knife sliced the air above his head. Hot liquid soaked his back and in alarm Jack glanced behind him. His white mount struggled frantically to escape the hitch, a large gash sliced into it's shoulder.
The knifed man slashed at Jack again, Jack rolled to the side and drew his father's revolver.
"Drop the knife." his voice was calm, eyes looking into the other man's.
The man's eyes flickered behind him and Jack turned quickly, face to face with the other man.
"Hi there." Jack head butted him and swung around to fire a shot into the armed man's leg.
His horse shifted nervously at the shot, kicking one of the men in the head doing so. Jack swung aboard his steed and looked at the men on the ground.
"Yippy ki yay mother fuckers."
Jack spat on the ground and spurred his horse into a gallop away from the town of Armadillo.
