Chapter 1: Another Round Of Poker



"I do believe gentlemen, that this makes fourteen hands." a small smile crept onto the gambler's face.

Despite the glares for blood he was receiving around the poker table, not a soul moved. He ran a finger over the top of his bourbon glass, pretending not to take interest in the looks he received. At his side, a dark haired woman wearing a dress of red lace, filled his glass once more. In the background a piano was player, though ever so quietly. All eyes were on the man as he reached his hand across the table, scooping the pot toward him.

"Not so fast." one of the men slurred, he was obviously drunk. "You've been cheatin' us outta our hard earned money for good over five hours." the man leaned onto the table as he stood, "I think ya's crooked."

John Holliday leaned back in his chair, "What ever do you mean, sir?" his smile widened, knowingly angering the drunken man before him. "A fair game is what I'm all about."

One of the other card players laid a hand on the angered man's shoulder, "Don't do anything stupid, Tom. He'll likely run ya through."

The drunken man swayed slightly, "What's he gonna do against us? He's just as drunk as we are, maybe more."

With all the grace and finesse of a southern gentleman, Holliday pulled back his vest, revealing the ivory handle of his colt .38. This however, did nothing to calm the angered drunk down.

"Besides," Tom continued, "He's nothin' but a sickly lunger. I'd be surprised if he knew just how to use that there gun."

His companion however, was a bit brighter. "Tom, you're talkin' nonsense. That there's Doc Holliday and he'll drill ya full of so many holes you won't know what hit ya."

Holliday just nodded, the smile never leaving his lips. He raised the bourbon glass and let the warm liquid slip down his throat.

Setting the glass down again, he sighed. "I may have passed my limit for the day gentlemen, but I have not yet begun to defile myself."

John began to stand, the woman at his side doing the same. She started picking the money up from the poker table, stuffing it into a carpet bag which had been stored under the table.

"Let's go, darlin'. It seems that our company is no longer appreciated nor wanted." Holliday drawled.

As the two companions made their way to the bar's door, Tom released his friend's grasp on his shoulder and drew his own gun. In a blur of movement, Holliday had spun around, drawing his own weapons, but heard a gunshot before he had time to aim his colt .38. He stopped, the gambler's mind waiting for the impact of a bullet he was sure would come.



Tom crashed to the ground, a gaping hole adorning his back. Doc looked to the back door of the bar, his mind becoming slightly clearer. From the threshold stood a tall man, his coat was long and he wore a dark hat. In his hands was a shotgun and, glinting off the light inside the bar, a badge could be plainly seen.

"How the hell are you?" the man asked, lowering the gun to his side.

Doc smiled, "Wyatt, I am rolling."

The lawman of Dodge City, Kansas walked further into the bar, stepping over the dead man's body.

"It's been a while, Doc."

"Indeed." the gambler replied, "Not since Dallas I believe."

Wyatt Earp looked behind him, feeling guilty for killing the man, but knowin that there had been nothing else he could have done to prevent it.

"Was there any truth in his claim?" he asked, but when the man turned back around, he made his face completely serious.

Doc's expression was a bit taken aback and he placed his left hand over his chest. "Wyatt, I am appalled. How dare you suggest such a thing to me."

"Alright Doc. Alright." the lawman laughed, "I know you're not the cheatin' type, you're just too damn lucky."

"Indeed sir. The luckiest man this side of the Mississippi." his sardonic sense of humor could always win through, even when he was mad drunk.

"Hey Doc." the woman said from his side, "We should be leaving town, no one will take to kindly to this."

"I do believe you're right darlin'." but Holliday looked to his friend once more, "We are headin' for Dodge City, if that's fine by the law."

Wyatt shrugged, "I was just on my way home as well. I'll ride with you, if ya give me enough time to inform the local sheriff as to what happened to ol' Tom here."

Doc nodded and, as Wyatt passed, the lawman inclined his head toward the woman.

"Kate."

The woman in return smiled, stepping out of his way.

When Wyatt has left, Holliday looked at the dead man on the floor. Lighting a cigarette, he took a drag of it the shook his head.

"Poor soul." and with that, he left the bar.