Festus set his empty glass down on to the long wooden bar. A look of satisfaction sat on his brow. "That thar, is still the best beer here in Dodge City, Miss Kitty." he winked and pointed to the glass.

"Why thank you again, Festus." Kitty smiled and stepped over to the bar again while she resumed her place at the end. "So. Matt has left you in charge of the town. What are you gonna do?"

Festus rolled his head slightly from side to side while playing with the empty glass on the bar. "Wall, first off, I have to look around town ta see if everybody is behaving. Then, if thars any thing afoot, I have ta stop it." he looked up into the blue eyes that twinkled at him. "Don't you fret none, now Miss Kitty. Everything is going be jist fine...jist like Matthew said it would be!" he smiled and pat her hand with his. She smiled back, "How 'bout another beer to see you through the day?" she added the last part with a hint of jest in her voice. Festus fussed some more with the glass and looked up, "That would be mighty kind of ya. It's a hot day and all...Folks have to keep up with their cool drinks in the heat. Ol' Doc even said so!"

Kitty smiled and had Sam bring them both a beer. "Well, I'm sure "Ol' Doc" would agree to some extent. But I think he means water, not beer." Festus waved his hand as if she was making something up that the old physician might have said. She chuckled. Once the tall barkeep brought the beverages, Kitty hoisted her glass, "Here's to a quiet week, Festus!" Kitty hoisted her glass.

"Amen to that." Festus joined her before chugging back the amber liquid. Regardless of how hard she tried, Kitty could never slow Festus down once a toast was made. She merely shook her head in amazement as he finished his beer in one long swallow and placed the glass down while running his ragged sleeve across his weathered, whiskered face; he smiled. "Wall I best be getting along..." The hill man held some uncertainly in his voice.

Kitty winked. "You 'll be just fine. Matt chose you because he knows you can do the job."

Festus smiled. "Thank you, Miss Kitty!" And with that he straightened his back and held out his chest before turning to the doorway. As he approached the swing doors he looked back and tipped his hat then pushed through the doors with an air of authority. Kitty couldn't help but laugh and Sam followed.

Festus stepped out on to the boardwalk in front of the Long Branch. He drew in a deep breath of warm summer air and looked around. The street seemed as busy as ususal for the time of day. Folks out shopping and eating among other things. The part time deputy started down the street and continued looking out on the street and not where he was walking. Doc had just placed his foot on the boardwalk at the foot of his staircase and studied his watch and that is where the two men collided. Doc spilled backwards into one of Jonas' bushel baskets and Festus grabbed for the post.

"What in thunder are you doing!" Doc bellowed as he struggled to get out of the basket he was sitting in, while grasping his familiar black felt hat.

"I was doin' my job! Ferthermore, you walked into me, and now lookatcha! Ya look like someone who's been on a week drinkin' binge..." Festus scooped down and to help pull Doc to his feet.

"Drinkin' binge!" Doc huffed as he strengthened himself out. "You otta have your...no..." he stopped himself short of what sat on the tip of his tongue and swiped his moustache shaking his head, "it wouldn't work." he reached down to his medical bag before re-composing himself.

Festus was wary to Doc's ways, "What wouldn't work?" he scrunched up his left eye and looked hard at Doc.

Doc looked up a Festus. He's eyes sparkled with mischief and he smiled, "To have your brain examined." he continued.

"Huh?"

"They wouldn't find one!" Doc laughed.

Festus scowled at his old friend. "One of these day I'm gonna get you...you think yer so smart..." Festus' eyes drifted up from the doctor's and even Doc noticed that his attention was drawn to something else. He heard Festus swallow hard. "Festus?"

"Doc? I think we might be in fer a heap of trouble..." The hill man's eyes watched the Clemens brothers walk up the street. "I might have ta leave here myself!" Festus said as he looked around for somewhere to hid.

Doc then spotted the two men and by the time he turned, Festus was no where in sight. "Festus?" Doc looked back out on to the street and all he saw were the two men walking up the opposite side on the boardwalk. Doc ticked his head and rubbed the top of his ear. "Well, I wonder who they are?" Doc asked himself knowing deep down he didn't want to know having just witnessed Festus' disappearing act. "I wish Matt were here right now..." Experience and age taught Doc a lot about the town he called home.