Sticks and Stones
All characters belong to Mr. Verbinski, Mr. Logan and Mr. Byrkit.
I don't know where this is going and it may ramble on but... I like Priscilla. She has such potential and seems very perceptive when it comes to the heart of things. It may end up someplace different. I hope you'll join me on this strange ride.
Dirt lay quiet and dusty in the late-afternoon sun. Most of the sensible townfolk stayed indoors well away from the furnace-blast of heat outside.
Heat or no heat, a crowd had pushed it's way into the small hallway of Doc's tiny family-medicine practice. The crowd was waiting at the door to the office and listening intently as thumps, curses and general mayham sounded from within. Those closest to the door stepped back as the handle rattled. Doc and the Sheriff stepped out into the hallway with twin sighs of relief. The rabbit, Doc, glanced at the crowd before hipping down the stairs on his way to the Gas Can Saloon leaving the Sheriff standing before the shut door.
"Sheriff i-is dat Rattlesnake Jake in there? Really?"
All eyes turned to Sheriff Rango for answers and the lanky pot-bellied chameleon hesitated as he tried to put on a tough face. He wasn't really sure how to answer the question. The towns folk took advantage of that hesitation to bombard him with fearful cries for the safety of the town
"Meester Rango what about the children!"
"If that Devil's lying down we ought to make it sows he can't get up..."
"The Devil slips amongst the sheepfold spreading sin and fear!"
"Weep for the innocents and pray that Almighty God strike down the lies of Satan's servants!"
"Toss the heathen-spawn out!"
"Turn him into a pair of boots!"
"Rango", a bald paw tugged at his shirt, "Miss Beans wantsa talk to you downstairs." Rango frowned at the interuption but he was pleased to see that Priscilla was waiting there. The girl had taken to following Rango around town as a sort of, assistant. The often overwhelmed Sheriff welcomed her presence on the job. She was quite perceptive of local feelings towards lawmen and often gave Rango helpful tips on how to seem more threatening towards criminal-folks. Here, now, Priscilla looked up at the Sheriff her large yellow eyes telling him to take hold of the distraction and get out. If he went about buisness as normal then the rest of the folks would feel more at ease as well.
Putting his hands on his belt the chameleon cleared his throat loudly, "Now hold on everyone. You all will have to wait until later as I cannot address the arrangements made nor! the contractually settled Doctor-Patient-Sheriff confidentially agreement." He finished with a flourish, donned his hat and followed Doc Rabbit downstairs to the Gas Can Saloon. For a moment the crowd stood in the Sherrif's wake confused by his abrupt departure.
"Well? What're you all standing here for?" Priscilla's voice seemed loud in the quiet, "Go after him before he get's to the saloon!" The townsfolk thundered down the stairs trying to reach the Sheriff before he settled into the bar.
Without all those folks standing in the hall Priscilla could clearly hear a muffled thump and curse coming from the room. Curious she glanced down the stairs for a moment.
All clear. Good.
Peeping through the keyhole Priscilla could see that the room was dim and the shades were drawn down. A dark shape slide past and the girl almost squeaked in surprise but her curiousity overrode the instinct to flee. Instead, the girl pulled away from the keyhole and reached for the doorknob.
It opened with little noise and the girl slipped in before the occupant could notice.
(Please be kind, I haven't written fic since well... 2004. I'll go back and fix things someday. Maybe never.)