NOTE: First; If you have not finished the main storyline of the game, do NOT read this yet. It is a "sequel" to the game's story. Second; In the end of the game, you hear the newspaper sellers say "War Breaks Out in Europe; will be over by Christmas" and "will be over in a few months." WW1 started August of 1914. This indicates that the ending of the game (when you begin to play Jack as an adult) is around mid-August. It is believed that Jack is aged 19. However, he could also be 20, as his birth month could be between January and July. I say he is aged 20 at the end of the game's story. Also, I put Jack in the "Legend of the West" outfit. That looked awesome on him. I really hated his original outfit. So, in my story (and others that I will write in the future), Jack wears only the "Legend of the West" outfit! Finally, in the RDR world, the Wild West lasted a lot longer than what it did for real.
August of 1915
The Wild West is Alive… Barely…
It was a quiet morning as Jack Marston saddled up his solid black horse, named Samson, and prepared for another run at a high-priced bounty he had been looking for. Samson stood patiently, as if he knew what was happening. Jack took the rein and started to lead the horse towards the house. As he walked, he heard a whinny that was not from his own horse. At first, he thought it was one of the numerous wild horses that were often close to his ranch. Sometimes, these horses were on Jack's property.
Jack looked and realized that a horse with a rider was slowly approaching him. Jack drew his six-shooter. The rider stopped. The rider was not very tall, maybe only five feet, with long flowing dark brown hair and brown eyes. The rider wore black jeans, a black hat, a dark purple shirt, and black gloves. The horse was a dapple-gray with black mane and tail. Its saddle and bridle were black leather with silver trim. The saddle had silver stirrups and a silver saddle horn. A large breed blue heeler Australian Cattle Dog was with the horse and rider. He had heard of that new breed and that people were bringing them into America now. It was a beautiful dog.
"Please don't shoot," the rider asked. The voice was a woman.
Jack lowered the gun, but held onto it. "Are you lost?," he asked the woman.
"No, I ain't lost," the woman said. "At least, I hope I ain't lost. Is this Beecher's Hope?"
"That's right," Jack replied.
"Are you Jack Marston?," the woman asked.
"Yeah," Jack replied.
"My name is Irene," the woman said. "Irene Ricketts. My father was Landon Ricketts."
Jack knew the name Landon Ricketts. He had even been known to brag on himself when he won a duel by saying "Landon Ricketts, eat your heart out."
"My father died in May of 1914," Irene said. "He had something that he wanted to give your father earlier, but we heard about what happened. I am sorry for your loss."
Jack didn't reply.
"A week before he died, my father asked that I give this to you the next time that I was in this area," Irene went on. "I go to Blackwater about every two years. I don't like it there, so I never stay very long."
Jack relaxed.
"Is it OK if I dismount now?," Irene asked.
"Yeah," Jack said as he holstered his gun. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry," Irene said. "I understand." Irene dismounted her horse and took something out of the saddlebag. She walked to Jack and handed it to him. "It was my father's favorite," she said.
The item was wrapped in a cloth. Jack unwrapped it slowly. He then held in his hands a beautiful shiny silver Schofield Revolver with ivory grips. The grips had the letter "JM" engraved.
"Daddy had that engraved," Irene said. Her own gun was also a Schofield Revolver, the one her father had carried for years. It looked like she polished it often. She carried a sawed-off shotgun on her back. She went on, "A friend of Daddy's did it as a favor. Then, we heard what happened. Daddy was very angry. He told me many times that a good man died that day. He told me to be sure that I gave you that." She walked back to her horse and mounted up. Because she was so small, she had her own unique way of mounting up into the saddle. She hopped, caught her left foot into the stirrup, pulled herself up, and swung her leg over. He liked it. She was an independent woman. She took up the reins. "I won't take up any more of your time," she told Jack. "Again, I am very sorry for your loss."
Irene pulled the rein and the horse started to turn.
"Miss Ricketts, wait, please," Jack called, still holding the gun.
Irene looked at Jack. "Please call me Irene," she said.
"Irene, would you like to come in and rest for awhile?," Jack asked. "You've obviously had a long ride. We'll get the horse some water and let her rest also."
In the kitchen, Irene sat at the table as Jack gave her a glass of water and then sat down with his own.
"Pa met Landon in Mexico when he went looking for somebody else," Jack told Irene. "He said that Landon was a great man, protecting the people of a poor and small town."
"I know," Irene said. "Daddy never quit talking about John either. He said it was an honor to ride with him. Your father helped my dad rescue a young schoolteacher. Poor woman had been beaten, starved, and locked up by the Mexican army. She survived it, thanks to both men. We heard that she died later during a revolutionary battle."
"She did," Jack said. "That was after Landon came back home."
"I hadn't seen my father in almost eleven years when he came back home," Irene said. "I was so happy to have him back. He taught me to shoot, ride, and be what I wanted to be and not be what others wanted me to be."
"Not many women are bounty-hunters these days," Jack said.
"I know," Irene agreed. "I'm not looking for fame, but I'd rather be famous for something positive. Daddy was famous for the wrong reasons. But, he did try to put that behind him and live an honest life."
"So did my pa," Jack said. "Then, Edgar Ross showed up and ruined all our lives."
"I know about that," Irene said. "Daddy told me what happened in Mexico. John was looking for the men he used to ride with so he could save you and your mother. He said that's all he cared about. He talked about both of you almost constantly."
"That was my father, all right," Jack replied. "Once we were all back home, things were great for a short while. Then, Ross and his men showed up. My father sent me to get my mother someplace safe and told us he would catch up. Then, we heard the gunfire. When we came back, Pa was dead."
"I'm very sorry," Irene said. "Government agents are a bunch of crooks and liars, if you ask me. They'd steal food from a child. Daddy was worried that they would look for him once they may have heard he was back here. He was afraid the same thing would happen to us. And it did, to some extent. My father did not die in his sleep, like the newspapers all said. A man named Grant Harrison shot him. Daddy died in my arms, literally."
Jack nodded. "I am sorry," he said.
"Looks like we have a lot in common," Irene said. "Mainly our distrust of the government."
Jack understood that. He didn't trust the government or law enforcement officials either. He blamed them for the cold-blooded and torturous death of his father. Jack and Abigail had found John in a pool of his own blood with a dozen bullet holes in him. Jack and Abigail were positive that John had suffered until he actually died.
Abigail told Jack numerous times that John had sacrificed his own life to save his beloved family. John had realized that these officials would never leave him alone and that the lives of his wife and son would be in extreme danger as long as he lived. Deep inside, Jack knew this was true and that John's last thoughts had to been of his family. Yet, that still did not bring him a lot of solace. He remained angry. He often ended up in fist-fights, usually when he was drunk. Other than that, his record was clean. Despite the fact that he obeyed the law, even those he felt were bad laws; he still hated the people that enforced these laws. He felt that he would truly honor his father's memory if he didn't do the things John had done. John had told Jack many times not to follow his steps.
Jack had indeed helped catch some criminals. But, he did it for the safety of the innocent civilians and not for the officials. He did not like to see innocent people suffer or be wronged.
"Daddy spoke of your father also," Irene said. "I wish I could have met him."
"He would have liked you, I think," Jack said. "How long will you be in Blackwater?"
"A week," Irene replied.
"What takes you there if you hate it so much?," Jack asked.
"My uncle and cousin," Irene said. "My mother's brother. My mother was my father's first wife. She died when I was born. He later remarried. I was forced to live with my uncle and his family then. My step-mother hated me so much. When she died, I went to live with him again. When he went to Mexico, I ended up in Blackwater. I hated it there. I still do, but the family expects me to go see them. I think it's because I look so much like my mother and they really miss her. They want me to stay there and become a high-class lady of leisure. But, I like who I am and I don't want to change that."
"Then don't change that," Jack said. "If you're happy, that's all that matters."
"That's what daddy always said," Irene smiled. "I think there's meaning in what I do. I bring criminals to justice and keep people safe from them."
"I do that, too," Jack said. "My father was the one who wanted the farm. I have no interest in farming at all. I hope that doesn't betray his memory."
"Have you lived up to anything he has asked of you?," Irene asked.
"Yes, I have," Jack replied. "He begged me not to take the same path he had. He told me he wanted me to live a better life. That's what I've done since he died. I've brought in dangerous people, helped people in trouble, and I have never killed anyone except in self-defense."
"Then, it looks like you have honored his memory," Irene said. "I think he would be proud of you."
"What about you?," Jack asked.
"I think daddy would be proud, too," Irene said. "You and I have a lot in common, actually."
"Looks like it," Jack said. "And I thought I was alone."
"No-one is ever alone," Irene said. "I'll bet anything there are others like you and me."
"Where do you live when you're not traveling?," Jack asked.
"I bought the small cabin in Silent Stead," Irene said. "The previous owners live in Rathskeller Fork now."
"I have ridden past that cabin," Jack said.
"That's my home now," Irene replied. "It's small, but it's not like I need a lot of space. I'm one person with one dog and one horse." She sighed and glanced out the window. "I need to get into Blackwater before sundown. My uncle and cousin will be wondering what's keeping me. I appreciate the hospitality. Thank you."
Jack stood up as Irene did. "Thank you for bringing me the gun," he said. "It's very appreciated."
Irene nodded. "I made my father a promise," she said. "I didn't want to let him down."
"You couldn't have possibly let him down, I bet," Jack replied.
Jack walked Irene outside. She mounted her horse and called for her dog. Sydney hurried over and waited.
"It was good to meet you, Mister Marston," Irene said.
"Jack, please," Jack said. "And I hope to see you again."
"So do I," Irene said. "Have a good evening, Jack." Irene gave her horse a gentle kick. "Come on, Daylight," she said to the horse. She rode out at a fast walk, followed by Sydney.
Jack watched her from his porch until he could no longer see her.
In Blackwater, Irene rode into town. Reluctantly, she rode to her relatives' home. It was a large two-story blue-painted house. A new motorcar was parked by it.
Irene let a servant take the horse as she walked into the house. She found her cousin sitting on a chair and sipping iced tea. As usual, Lisa was dressed up "ladylike" and her hair was fastened up in a bun and she wore a fancy woman's hat. Again, Lisa looked at Irene with disappointment when she saw that Irene was still the "bounty-hunter" and still dressed in men's style clothes. Even culottes would be better to Lisa than the jeans Irene wore. Culottes are pants that look like a skirt when the woman stands. They are made like pants so the woman can ride a horse without revealing her "area" to the world.
"Hello, Irene," Lisa said politely as she stood up.
The two women hugged reluctantly.
"Good to see you, Lisa," Irene said.
"I doubt that's true," Lisa said. "I know that you hate coming to Blackwater."
"But I do love my family," Irene said. "We might strongly disagree with one another, but we're still family. And I know you all hate my career choice."
"Bounty hunting is not a career," Lisa said. "And bounty hunting is dying. We have new law enforcement forces to track down criminals. And the Wild West is about dead, too."
"I love the West," Irene said. "I love it just like it is and I don't want it to die out."
"I do," Lisa said. "I worry that something bad will happen to you."
"Bad things happen all over," Irene said. "The end of the West will not make things be perfect."
"Why are you late?," Lisa asked.
"I had an errand to run," Irene said. "I was keeping a promise to my father."
"Landon is dead, Irene," Lisa said.
"It's a promise that I made two weeks before he did pass on," Irene explained. "I am not implying that I talk to the dead. I believe any promise should be kept, even if the other person does not live long enough to see it happen."
"I guess," Lisa said.
"Is something wrong, Lisa?," Irene asked. "It seems that you're not quite yourself."
"I'll explain later," Lisa said. "Now, will you please change for dinner? I know this is what you like, but I want you to look like a lady at the restaurant."
Irene sighed. "Fine," she said. "But I will not tie my hair in a damn bun. I hate those."
"Let my hair-dresser do something, then," Lisa said. "She can make you look great with your hair loose like you like."
"OK," Irene said. She walked towards the staircase.
6