Gunsmoke 35: Doc's Predicament

(draft novel bu Kim Reid)

17 April 2010

Matt stepped down from the telegraph office and stopped on the boardwalk to read the message. Matt made a face while folding the slip of paper before he tucked it into his shirt pocket. The marshal's eyes scanned the street looking for his deputy, Festus Haggen.

Matt stepped down from the boardwalk and wove his way through the busy traffic on Front Street. In the back of his mind was the contents of the telegram, which might upset a few people in Dodge once they heard about the news. Matt wasn't thrilled in the least with it.

The marshal stepped up to the front of the Long Branch Saloon and peered over the swing-doors in search of Festus Haggen. Instead he spotted the town doctor and Kitty Russell having a conversation over a drink. They both stood leaning on the long bar at the far end - their usual perch.

Matt drew a breath and pushed through the doors. His physical appearance and seriousness on his face caused a a few heads to turn and watch him approach the saloon owner and the doctor.

Kitty nudged Doc on the elbow, "Boy, Matt sure looks like he has something important to say," he said as Kitty watched the marshal approach. Doc also turned to look at Matt, "Boy does he ever!" Doc quipped. Little did the doctor know that what was held in the telegraph would likely upset him as well.

"You look like you have something serious going on," Kitty smiled. "Either that, you really got up on the wrong side of the bed," Kitty nudged Doc again. Doc hid his smile with a swallow of beer.

Matt said nothing at first as his eyes scanned the room.

"Say, something really is bothering you. What is it?" Doc asked as he sat his beer mug down in front of him.

Matt looked over to the doctor, "Have you seen Festus today?"

Kitty and Doc both nodded, "He was supposed to be doing some work for Charlie Wells," Doc said. "Why?"

Matt bit at his bottom lip and leaned down on to the bar next to Doc, "Do you remember that fellow, Sal Coolidge?"

Doc thought for a moment and then his eyebrows slowly knit together, "You mean that scoundrel that killed his wife in a drunken rage, several years ago?" Matt nodded.

"What about him?" Doc asked in a low tone of voice. His eyes remained fixed on the marshal.

"Seems he's come to his senses, according to the authorities and doctors alike, and he is planning on coming back to the area to continue with the farm," Matt handed Doc the telegram.

Doc took the piece of paper and sat ir in front of him while he fished his spectacles from his verst pocket. Doc quickly hooked the arms over his ears and picked up the telegram. Doc's lips moved as he read the message to himself. Slowly he handed the message to Kitty and removed his glasses, "He didn't take kindly to Festus," Doc said to Matt.

"He didn't take kindly to you either," Matt said looking the doctor straight in the eyes.

Doc waved his hand as not to worry, "He was blind drunk when I was at their place to look at Sarah. He was the same way during the trial," Doc stated.

"He wasn't that way when he first tangled with Festus," Matt added.

Doc ran his hand across his moustache, "I remember," Doc frowned. I also remember how Sal slipped his moorings," Doc stated while looking from Matt to Kitty and back again.

"I'm sure he does too. He's had five years to remember and try to get himself together," Matt said as he stood up. "If you see Sal, just stay clear of him until I've had a chance to talk to him," Matt warned. Doc nodded.

"You don't think that he is going to try anything with Festus, do you, Matt?" Kitty asked.

Matt shrugged, "I don't know. I just remember how it was. Hopefully what's in this telegram is right," Matt reached over and took the note from Kitty.

"If we see Festus before you do, we'll make sure he talks to you," Kitty said.

"Thanks," Matt smiled.

"How about a drink?" Kitty offered.

Matt thought for a moment, "Sure," he said leaning back down to the bar and adjusting his hat. Matt looked over to Doc, "You said Festus was going to help Charlie Wells. With what?"

Doc rolled his eyes, "Matt, I tried to warn Charlie about Festus' help. Then Festus got wind of that and darn near chewed my head off!"

"Why did Festus do a thing like that?" Matt further inquired.

"Because I told Charlie what he was getting himself into, that's why," Doc scoffed.

"Doc, I'm not following you," Matt frowned.

"Oh. Then I guess you haven't talked to Hank at the stable, Jonas at the store and Ma Smalley lately," Doc swiftly finished his beer and Kitty quickly motioned for Sam to bring another.

"No, I can't say that I've talked to either of them. Why?" Matt shifted his weight and waited for Doc's answer. Doc picked up his new drink and sipped from it.

Kitty made a face and looked at Matt, "It seems that Festus has started himself a small business on the side," Kitty said.

Matt slowly stood, "What kind of small business?" he looked at his two friends who were now exchanging looks.

Doc swallowed, "He calls it a "handy man" business," Doc then snorted out laughing making Kitty chuckle.

"I see," Matt said unamused. "I assume this means that he's doing odd jobs for folks," Matt questioned further.

Doc tried to compose himself, "Yup," he said while slurping his beer. Matt frowned. "And why do you find this funny?" Matt finally asked.

"Have you ever seen the way Festus works on these odd jobs?" Doc asked.

"Haphazardly, I suspect," Matt stated.

"More like 'hazardly", I'd say," Doc stated. "And that's why I gave him the dickens," the physician said. "He has Jonas hopping mad as he's waiting payment on things that Festus has ordered for Charlie, as well as Ma's boarding house and so far neither of them have seen a lick of work done by Festus," Doc said. "It's shameful!"

Matt sighed, "Well, you and Festus clear the air. Ill have a take with him when I see him," Matt said and quickly finished his beer. "You later," he readjusted his hat. Before he left the saloon. Matt stood on the boardwalk and scanned the street to see if he could spot his deputy, but Festus Haggen was no where in sight. Matt could tell by Doc's tone that there was likely more to their conversation that didn't meet the eye. He could tell by the way Doc was mocking Festus that there falling out or argument was much more. Matt looked back into the saloon over his shoulder and watched the doctor for a brief moment. Something else was wrong.