Three Steps
The blond man sat at a small table in the back of the bar looking pale and scared. He was downing shots like he had nothing to loose. His friend eyed him with some concern. "So, Billy, you gonna tell me what happened or do I have to guess?" The man asked his friend.
"Well, Mac, I almost just got killed is all." The man named Billy answered his friend. He threw back another shot and continued his story. "Was at that new bar down the road."
"You mean that place named "The Jug"? His friend questioned.
"Yeah, that one. Anyway I was minding my own business when a real pretty girl walked in. She looked like she was about 18. Long dark hair and dark eyes, kind of skinny though. Well she sees me and gives me this big ol' smile then goes and sits at the bar. Well I figure if she smiled at me, I might have a chance. So I went over to the bar and asked her if she wanted a drink. She said no and I thought that was the end of it till the band started up. And would you believe it, that little girl asked me to dance with her? Well I was more'n willin' to oblige. So we get on the dance floor and start dancing, and she's real good. We're having ourselves a good ol' time. She's smiling and laughing and I'm swinging her around. Then it all goes to hell."
"What'd a mean? What happened?"
"Well this big dude walks in. I mean a big, scary, dude and he's got a big gun in his hands too. I'm tellin' ya this dude was at least a foot taller'n me. He taps me on the shoulder real hard like and says to me that I was dancing with his girl. I told him that I didn't mean no harm and that I did even kiss her. Told him I didn't want no trouble with him. I said, "Just let me be on my way" Cause I noticed I was about three steps from the back door. He said that I already had trouble and that he was gonna shot me in the head and end me. Then everyone in that place just cleared away. Well after that I could tell that little girl of his was getting worried 'cause she was tuggin' on his arm, trying to get him to clam the fuck down. I guess he didn't wanna clam down, cause he turned around and started to scream at her. I tell ya, that was the break I was looking for. I shot straight out that back door and high tallied it outa there as fast as I could. I ran till I got here. That's when you came in."
"Gees Billy I didn't think you was a coward." Mac commented after he heard the story.
"I'm not, but if you'd seen that guy, you'd a done the same thing. I'm tellin' ya, this wasn't a dude to mess with."
Meanwhile in a bar down the street River was sitting on Jayne's lap. They were sharing a drink and a laugh. "Did you see that little hudan's face?" Jayne asked as he took a sip of beer.
"Yes he was very distraught. My Jayne is very good at intimidating people."
"Damb straight! I tell ya girly, you got some wicked ideas in that head of yoruns."
"It was a fun game. But we shouldn't do it too often in the same place. People might start to suspect."