Deadwood Mountain
Chapter 2: Getting To Know You
I met Doc in the bar that night. He was playing Poker when I got there, so I decided to watch and see if I could pick up on some of the nuances. He noticed of course and explained some of the basic principles of the game. He won all the hands, but that wasn't unexpected.
Doc went easy on the whiskey and when most everyone went off for the night, we commandeered the piano. I had promised him a song of my own in return for a nocturne. Little did I know where that would lead. I sat next to him on the bench as he stared at the keys for a moment.
"Which should I play?" He asked me.
"Whichever one you like the best." I answered. I really had no idea about Chopin other than he composed nocturnes. He nodded and started to play. We were comfortable with each other until Ike Clanton decided to join us. I knew Ike by name from stories I'd heard about the Cowboys. That night however, he decided to try his luck with drunken pick up lines. I was appalled first by his odor. Then he opened his mouth.
"Well aren't you a pretty little thing." Ike started. Doc was still playing but had slowed to half pace. "What say you and I go get a room together. We can have some fun. You look like you need some fun. Hanging around this lunger all day keeps you out of the action, doesn't it?" Doc had stopped playing and I could feel the anger building. Ike reached for my arm and I brushed him off.
"I'm sorry, were you speaking to me, because I don't see any whores in here?" I responded. Ike tried to reach for me again.
"Let's you and me go find a place to be alone." He really wasn't getting what I was saying.
"I'm sorry, but I don't associate with pigs, let alone sleep with them, but thank you for asking." I smiled at him.
"Why you bitch! You just called me a pig…"
"You smell like one too." I added on, which only enraged him. Ike hauled back to hit me and I kicked my leg out, nailing him in the crotch. He started yelping like a whipped dog as he fell to the floor. I kicked him again for good measure.
"That's for insulting my companion, as well as myself." I said, standing up, ready to kick him a third time if necessary. Wyatt hauled him up and tossed him out. Doc looked stunned for a moment as Wyatt rejoined us.
"I think I've rendered him speechless." I said quietly to him.
"If I ever anger you enough to cause bodily harm, promise you wont do that to me?" Doc finally spoke. Wyatt was nodding in agreement. I watched both men for a moment.
"If you ever anger me, we'll have words and if you hurt me, I'll kill you, but I wont kick you in the balls." Both men sighed in relief and I beat a hasty retreat to my room. Curly Bill waited at the bottom of the stairs leading up to where my room was located.
"I hear you brought Ike to his knees." He commented. I looked him straight in the eyes.
"I'm not a whore, and I don't like to be treated as such. You don't like that, then that's your problem, not mine." I stated. When I said I dressed like a man, I meant it. I was wearing a vest over a loose white shirt and leather riding pants and high boots. I also wore two revolvers. One under my arm and the other at my hip so I can cross draw both or draw a single one, as needed. My hand rested on the one at my hip. Curly Bill returned my stare.
"I got no problem. Ike had it coming." He stepped away from the stairs and sauntered past me. I waited until he was out of sight before I sighed in relief and made my way up to my room.