The gang sat quietly around the beat up old table, thinking over the information they had all just taken in. Bentley had his hand on his chin, trying to piece together the figurative puzzle. Murray and Sly shared similar expressions as the two seemed to be more stumped than anything. The remaining member of the gang seemed less confused, and just more irritated as he patted at the right side of the front of his vest. Finding what he was looking for, he pulled out a small tin and popped it open with a satisfying click. Tennessee pulled out a small off-white paper tube and placed it mindfully between his lips before looking about for something else. Sly noticed the odd behavior and watched him as he scooped up a small box from next to where the oil lamp was originally, pocketing it. "What are you doing over there?" He asked, curiosity holding tight to his attention. "Hmm?" The other just looked over with blank eyes, not sure of what the other meant. "What's that in your mouth?" Tennessee looked down, pulling the tube from his mouth and holding it out to the other. "Just a puff ah light. Nothing too fancy. If y'all don't like it, I'll mosey up top." Sly raised an eyebrow as the other sauntered past and over to an oddly boarded section of wall. With a small yet sharp smack, the panel popped loose and Tennessee moved it away, revealing a small fragile looking ladder. "This is all a tad over my head. Call me when y'all get whatever it is figure out that ya need to." With that, the gunslinger was up the ladder and out of sight leaving the gang alone.
Tennessee pushed the latch at the top of the ladder open, and pulled himself up. He didn't bother to close it, as he wouldn't be staying up there too long. The sun was shining brightly and the heat of the sand was starting to cause the world below the tower to seem to melt and shift. Pulling his hat lower to shade his eyes, the raccoon sat with a loud fwump, tossing his legs out over the edge of the rooftop, thankful that his boots were the right size, lest he loose one on some poor soul's head below. He pulled the small box out from his pocket, pushing one side open to reveal half a dozen matches. Tennessee huffed, making a note to get more next time he had the chance, and pulled one out before striking it up. The flame glowed brightly for a mere second before it dulled enough to consider safe. Holding it to the tube, the gunslinger let the end singe until the smoke began to rise. Shaking the match out, he set it next to him, a small pile he had forgotten about a time back already started. He breathed in deeply, inhaling the bitter smoke before blowing it back out, creating designs with small puffs. He sat staring out into the old run down little town. It's battered walls and roofs, the sand and rocks that littered across porches. People had started to begin their daily tasks, going about their lives without paying any mind to the raccoon. Nobody ever did. Not when he was up on top of the tower anyway. Perhaps they couldn't see him. Or perhaps they just never looked up. Faces down and in the dirt all the time.
"Smoking is terrible for your health you know." Tennessee's thoughts were cut off as he jumped, fumbling with the burning cigarette. He sent a glare back at the intruder but continued to puff anyway. "So are women and guns. What's your point?" He sneered, annoyed at the startle he was given. "No need to snip at me. I'm just coming up to visit." Sly sat down beside him, settling down a little more gracefully. He followed suit in tossing his legs over the edge, crossing them thoughtfully. The two sat silent for a while, watching the townsfolk as they moved about. "So...Did the others figure something out?" Tennessee questioned, uncertain of what to say that could break the suffocating quiet. "Not yet. Though I think right now Bentley is working on a way to get your gun back. I mean, what's a Cooper without his cane?" He chuckled, not really thinking about what he was saying. When he noticed the others silence, Sly turned his head. Tennessee held a solemn frown, hands lightly holding the ledge on either side of his legs. He remained silent for a bit before lifting the cigarette to his mouth again, the ash falling from the end and just missing him as it fell. "A Cooper without his cane is like a traveler without a plan. Not quite doomed, but not gonna get noplace neither. Stuck I guess is how you could explain it." He reeled back to lay on the burning rooftop. Sly's smile dispersed quickly as he took in gloomy feeling that seemed to lay thick in the air. "Never thought of it like that. But I suppose you are right." Tennessee looked over, only able to see the others back. "Don't worry though. We'll get it back." Sly's voice was stoic and firm, pushing away the negative thoughts that hung like the humid air over them.
"Sly! Tennessee! Both of you get down here!" Bentley called up the ladder space. "We've got some work to do if we want a chance at getting Tennessee's cane back!" The two looked to each other before Tennessee pinched the end of his cigarette, effectively subduing the embers. "Shall we then?" Sly offered, standing and holding out his hand to the other. "I suppose we shall!" Tennessee sat up before taking hold of Sly and hoisting himself to his feet. The pair made their way over to the ladder, Sly stopping short and gesturing 'you first'. Tennessee tipped his hat before playfully sliding down the sides of the ladder, jumping away from it as he neared the bottom. Sly followed behind, but a little more like someone normal, using the actual steps to get down. "So here's what we've got." Bentley rolled out a large piece of paper which seemed to be a haphazardly drawn map. "The goal here is to get Tennessee's gun back. Now if we plan this right, we can give Toothpick a real rough time too. Which I'm sure, both of you are perfectly okay with." He rolled his eyes as a pair of mischievous smirks responded. "Now from what I'm gathering, Toothpick has been playing this town for a while now. Since before he showed up even. Now going off of what you heard Sly while you were in that jail, Toothpick has a secret vault where he's been storing his stolen gold and goods. It's also where he happens to be keeping Tennessee's gun." He trailed off, adjusting his glasses. "So what are we waiting for? Where's this vault at? Were am I going?" The gunslinger jumped about, clearly ready to go. "That's just it. We don't know the location of the vault. Some digging however has told me that Toothpick had closed down an old gold mine a time ago, early when he started to mess with the town. He claimed it to be 'unsafe' but I doubt that." Bentley pointed to a few areas on the map, marking them with a red marker. "These are the most likely spots that the mine would be. Now normally I'd just say to go wild, but since you two broke out of his jail, that armadillo is more paranoid than ever. We're gonna have to be sneaky with this. I'll tail him in disguise and with luck, he'll lead me to the mine. If things go correctly, Tennessee and Murray will meet up with me at the location. Murray and I will handle the way in for Tennessee to get in and get his gun." Everyone seemed to have the idea down, however Sly seemed a bit stumped. "Wouldn't it be safer if I went with?" Bentley shook his head and handed Sly a radio. "It's going to be tough enough to keep Tennessee quiet and out of trouble, so two of you would cause this mission to be a bust. Besides, I need you to stay and assist with navigation." With a nod, Sly pulled the map closer, checking over everything.
"Right, so to get this thing going, I'll need you Murray to go out and keep an eye on Toothpick. Make sure he's still going about his rounds today. Tell me when you see him and I'll start tailing. Alright you guys! Let's make this happen!"
Writers Comments:
Sorry for a short chapter guys. I knew what I wanted to write, but just couldn't get it to flow like I had hoped. Either way, I know a lot of people enjoy when I update more often, so I figured, why not get what I can out?
Our favorite thieves are setting up a plot to get back at Toothpick, as well as get back Tennessee's gun! What could possibly go wrong? Also, it seems that our gunslinger raccoon has a bit of a bad habit! Wonder what will come of that?
Also! Anyone who can find the 'error' I made in terms of the cut scene in the last chapter will get a shout-out or something! It's not too easy to find, but if you think you did, send me a PM so as to not spoil the fun for others!