It was a hot sunny day in Dodge as Matt strolled up the street and stopped just outside the Long Branch Saloon. He scratched the slight stubble on his chin as his eyes scanned the street as he usually did. With a degree of satisfaction that things appeared quiet and relatively normal, he turned and pushed through the swing doors of the saloon and stepped down into the slightly cooler room.
The marshal's height allowed him to see over the other partons that stood along the wooden bar quenching their thirst. His eyes spotted Kitty and Doc huddled in some conversation. Matt worked his way through the mid-day crowd and stood next to his older friend. "Doc. Kitty." he acknowledged with a smile while also looking around the room for unsavoury types.
"Oh, hi Matt. Sure is a warm one today." Doc looked up from taking a sip from the frothy beer he held in his hand.
"Hello Matt. What can I get you to drink?" Kitty smiled at the marshal and flashed her blue eyes. "I'll have what Doc is having."
"Good choice." Doc muttered as he looked up from his glass. "Sure cuts the dust."
Matt nestled down and leaned on the bar next to Doc while pushing his hat slightly back on his head. "Don't say that too loudly, or you'll have Festus in here looking for a free drink..." Matt winked. "And I'm not buying this time!"
Doc chuckled and nudged Matt's elbow. "You're in trouble now..." Doc's eyes caught the look on Kitty's face as she had over heard the comment. "You two are absolutely incorrigible!" she said with a sly smile just under her lips. "Poor Festus." And with that both Matt and Doc shushed her in unison before all three of them broke into a cackle.
Doc then shifted and looked up to Matt. "Weren't you suppose ta be going to Hayes today?"
Matt sipped his beer and set the glass down to answer the doctor's question. "Yup. Still am, but I'm going to wait until later in the day when it starts to cool down."
Doc nodded. "Sensible thing to do. I sure don't envy your trip, that's fer sure." he sip from his beer again.
Kitty leaned forward and held her own drink. "How long will you be gone this time, Matt?" her voice was slightly flirtatious.
Matt smiled and shrugged, "It all depends on how long the trial runs. I figure a few days to a week."
Doc looked up from his drink with a slight hint of panic on his face. "Who are you gonna leave in charge of the town?"
Matt finished his beer and set the glass stein down onto the bar. He noted the looks that both Kitty and Doc were giving him. "The best man I have..."
Doc's eyes narrowed. "Have you hired a new man?"
"No, Doc, I haven't."
"That's what I figured. I suspect that you'll come home to nothing but ruins..." Doc set his beer glass down. "Hadn't you better alert the locals that Festus will be in charge?" Kitty cringed at the question Doc just asked.
"Now Doc. Festus can handle things for a few days. He's quite capable." Matt tried to makes his point to which Doc ran his hand over his moustache while nodding, "Oh he's capable alright...capable of destroying this whole city!"
Matt frowned at Doc then began to second guess his decision. "Now, Doc. He can do it. We're not expecting any cattle herds through for another month. Festus will be just fine."
Doc rolled his eyes. "Perhaps it's a good thing that you are getting away for a few days...you obviously need the rest. You're starting to see things in strange ways!" Doc continued to joke.
"Well, Doc, I have no other choice. Unless you want to be in charge of Dodge's law." Matt looked to his old friend who gave him a double look in return. "Yup...you need to get away for certain. Me in charge of law here...good heavens...I might as well let Festus take up my doctoring practice!" Doc pushed off from the bar and started to leave the saloon. He shook his head all the way to the doors before he laughed out loud, "Marshal Doc! Ha!" The swing doors closed behind him. Matt and Kitty chucked and continued with their drink.