And here's everyone's favorite mission, A Quiet Time. Drinks were on Lenny and the rest of us! Enjoy drinking and reading!
30 minutes later, back in Horseshoe Overlook, Arthur was sitting in his tent, reading a book. But he still can't stop thinking about Mary after her last meeting with her earlier. Whenever he realizes he's moping, he quickly turned his attention to his book to hide his frown, but not enough for him to make him feel a bit better. Had Mary still served the Law in Nevada, he'd no doubt have to fight her for survival.
"Hey, how have you been, Arthur?" A feminine voice spoke to him.
Arthur gazed into his eyes to see Mary, his Mary, Mary-Beth, the Mary he and the gang found when she's being held by angry townsfolk for pickpocketing a long time ago, and the gang took her in afterward.
"Fine, Mary-Beth," Arthur immediately answered, putting his book down. Mary-Beth sits next to him.
"You've seen that Mary Gillis?" Mary-Beth asked him concerned.
Of course, you'd know, Arthur thought. "Sure, I saw her..." he replied.
Mary-Beth sighs and puts a hand on his shoulder, "Get over her, Arthur," she told him.
Arthur sadly nodded, "Oh, it's all a long time ago," he said.
"Oh, I hope so," Mary-Beth said. "At least you're not confused with me and that Mary Gillis just because we happened to have the same first name."
"Well, I ain't dumb, Mary-Beth," Arthur claims. "I ain't surprised of Bill gets confused with you and Mary."
Mary-Beth chuckled, "No doubt," she agreed as she stood up. "Anyway, dinner is ready, Pearson has a habit of removing all of the flavors but it's better than nothing."
"You go on ahead, Mary-Beth," Arthur told her. "I'll catch up."
"Sure," Mary-Beth replied as she walks away to Pearson's wagon to get her plate.
Maybe she's right, Arthur thought, I have to get over Mary, no, not Mary-Beth, I mean Mary Linton
Arthur stood up and sees Dutch and Molly O'Shea sitting together in Dutch's tent, and reading a book. Molly left her rich Irish Family for love and adventure, that's how she met Dutch and the gang. Molly fell madly in love with Dutch soon after that, Dutch always liked the ladies, so then he felt the same way. Arthur decided to check up on them, hoping to take his mind off of Mary Gillis.
"Arthur," Dutch called to him as Arthur walk towards them.
"Dutch, Miss O'Shea," Arthur called to them.
"Well," Dutch spoke as he stood up. "it feels like we are finally getting back on our feet."
"You find a buyer for them bonds we stole?" Arthur asked him, he was referring to the bonds they stole a while back from Cornwall's train.
"Not yet," Dutch answered. "But Hosea's working on it."
Arthur nodded. He knew what Dutch and Hosea were capable of. Once they cash the bonds, they'll finally have enough money to buy land and finally settle down. But where can they go? Pinkertons had blocked their way to the west, no doubt the story of the robbery from President Alfred and the massacre in Blackwater may already reached New Austin. That's another problem, they can't pass through Blackwater and New Austin with, lawmen, bounty hunters, Pinkerton Agents, and also some Special Task Force they'd never heard about. But still, the west is still their only way out.
"When we heading west?" Arthur asked him.
"Soon, I don't know," Dutch answered as he took a seat on a chair in front of his tent.
"It feels like things have changed," Arthur told him. "The whole world has changed. That they don't want folk like us no more. We screwed the President of America really good and he's hunting for us."
"We are smarter than him," Dutch told him. "Only feeblest of a man like that President Alfred himself would give jobs to the government."
Arthur laughed at that, "I hope so," he replied.
"Trust Dutch, Mr. Morgan," Molly told him, she was working on her nails. "You have to."
Just then, Lenny comes back to camp, he looks like he was panicking.
"They got Micah!" Lenny called, getting the trio's attention to the young outlaw. "Dutch, Arthur."
"What's going on?" Dutch demanded as Lenny dismounts his horse and runs up to them.
"They got Micah," Lenny warned them frantically. "He, he's been arrested for murder! He was in Strawberry and..."
"It's okay, son. Breathe," Dutch told him calmly.
Lenny stopped and take a moment to breathe first, and then he continued, "They nearly lynched me," he said. "They, they got Micah in the sheriff's in Strawberry, and there's talk of hanging him."
Arthur smirk at that, "Here's hoping," Arthur said hopefully.
Dutch looked at Arthur in shock, "Arthur!" he scold him.
"What?" Arthur protested. "That fool brought this on himself. You know my feelings about him, Dutch."
"You think I can't see past his bluster to the heart inside?" Dutch told him. "He is a fine man."
Arthur shook his head. He and the rest of the gang never liked Micah, not ever since the day he joined them. It was mostly his fault for his idea of robbing President Alfred's ship filled with federal money in Blackwater, and for some reason, Dutch loved the idea and went along with it. But he can't also blame Dutch for what happened neither, but for Micah, he'd rather leave him to rot in jail.
"No, I ain't saving that fool," Arthur dejected, he was about to check on Lenny but Dutch stopped him.
"I can't go," Dutch told him. "My face is already all over in West Elizabeth, they see me, they shot me dead immediately cuz of that stupid "shoot to kill" order that was put on us. I am asking. He would do it for you."
"I don't think he would, but," Arthur stopped himself. He knew it was not right to argue with Dutch. "fine, alright."
"Arthur," Dutch told him. "Do it for me and I will put in a good word to him."
Arthur turned his attention to Lenny, "You okay, Lenny?"
"Yeah, course I'm okay," Lenny answered dryly, he was sitting in a chair.
"You don't seem okay," Arthur told him.
"You take that kid into town," Dutch ordered him. "Valentine, not Strawberry, get him drunk, and Arthur, no crazy business."
"I've given that up," Arthur said.
"And you get Micah out of that jail," Dutch told him as he head back inside his tent.
Arthur nodded. A drink is just what he and Lenny need. After what's going with Lenny and Micah, and Arthur's relationship issues with Mary Linton, a drink is all they need for the night to ease their troubles.
"Come on, son," Arthur told Lenny and he stood up. "I'll get to it, Dutch. Just... can't drop everything."
Arthur guide Lenny to their horses. Arthur mounts up Marcella while Lenny mounts up his Light Palomino Mustang, he named her, Maggie. Arthur led Lenny out of camp and the road to Valentine.
"I rode as fast as I could," Lenny told him. "Didn't stop for nothing."
"You like you've been through it," Arthur said.
"I'm beat," Lenny moaned. "We finally got off that mountain, then this... Micah's got a crazy side, Arthur."
"What were you boahs doing?" Arthur asked him. "You're supposed to be scouting ahead for us."
Ever since they arrived at Horseshoe Overlook, Susan sent Lenny and Micah out for scouting. Looking for some leads with big cash, or some other hideouts they could fine just in case the gang has been found.
"I kept asking him what we was doing," Lenny replied. "but he was "you worry too much kid," or "just some business to attend to, kid," you know how he is."
Arthur sighs, he knew how reckless and hotheaded Micah is. "Yes I do," Arthur answered.
"He was half-soaked before we even got there," Lenny continued. "Then we ran into some fellers, one of them Micah knew, drank some more, and this is supposed to be a dry town we're in too."
"And he shoots one of 'em," Arthur added. "I know how that goes."
"Couldn't even tell ya quite how," Lenny said. "It happened like a strike of a match. The law was on us fast too. They was ready to string me up there and then but I got away, just about."
"You're alright now," Arthur told him. "We'll take care of it."
"So you're gonna go get him?" Lenny asked him, "I'll come with you."
"No, you leave it to me," Arthur said. "For now, let's drink something, forget about Micah."
"It was drink that started all of this," Lenny reminded him.
"We'll just have a couple," Arthur said. "settle you down, then head back, okay?"
"Okay," Lenny answered.
They made it to Valentine. Just as they passed through the town, Arthur suddenly remembered the last time he was in the Smithfield Saloon with the other boys, starting a bar fight and that fight with Tommy. No doubt the townsfolk still remember that fight.
"Now," Arthur told him hesitantly. "I should warn you, me and a couple of the other boys got in a bit of a fight last time we was here."
"What kind of fight?" Lenny asked him.
"Nothing big," Arthur protested. "we kept it clean. We're all good."
"If you say so, Arthur," Lenny said uncertainly.
They arrived at the Smithfield Saloon, they hitched Marcella and Maggie in front of the saloon. Nice music giving a positive feeling can be heard from the inside of the saloon. They went inside and see the place is filled with patrons, working girls, and other people, the saloon was in good condition since the last time Arthur was here. They walk over to the counter, buying their drinks.
"Just one or two, right Arthur?" Lenny told him.
"Course, just a drink," Arthur agreed, not wanting to ruin this time with Lenny. "no big drama."
He turned to the bartender, "Can we get a couple of beers, please?" he called to the bartender.
The bartender immediately felt nervous when he sees Arthur and recognized him since the fight that took place here.
"You... I don't want no trouble," the bartender told Arthur nervously.
"And you'll get none from me," Arthur told him calmly. "I was just defending myself."
"Tommy, he's hurt," The bartender said as he gave them two glasses of beer.
"Ah, he'll be fine," Arthur shrugged, giving him 50 cents. "Here, have one for yourself."
The bartender calms down when it's clear to him that Arthur comes in peacefully this time, "Thank you," he said thankfully, accepting the coins.
They took one sip of their drinks, "Micah seemed to know a lot of people," Lenny told him. "that was the problem."
"How you mean?" Arthur asked him as he took another sip of his beer.
"I mean," Lenny said, "I done seen a lot of crazy, crazy stuff, but Micah..."
"I done seen a lot of crazy, crazy stuff," the patron next to Arthur wearing a green hat, brown jacket with a brown vest and white shirt, rancher pants, and black shoes repeated Lenny's words.
"Will you shut up?" Arthur asked him annoyed.
"Will you shut up?" the patron repeated.
"Be quiet, buddy," Arthur told him.
"Be quiet, buddy," the patron repeated again. He then laughed, "they're dullards," he laughed. "My Lord... you men is dull..."
"Leave this fool alone," Lenny told the patron sounded slightly annoyed.
"Leave this fool alone," the patron repeated again in a mocking tone and laughed. "People been leaving me for the last ten years. I'm bored with being left alone."
Arthur was getting irritated with this man. Just as he and Lenny were drinking in peace, this man is bothering both of them. He sure wanted to show him the reason why people left him alone, but he remembered what happened the last time he was here, so he decided it's not worth making a scene.
"Listen, buddy," Arthur turned to the patron. "you're a charming fellow... one of the best. But me and the kid here, we're trying to talk business, so, could you possibly leave us alone? No offense intended."
The patron looked at them for a moment and said, "Ain't no pleasing some folk," the patron said. "was, just... trying to be friendly." So then, he walks away.
Now that nobody bothers them anymore, Arthur and Lenny continued with their drink. They both cheers and enjoys their drinks, but despite agreeing they should drink just a few, they spent a few hours during the night, drinking more and more. They drink beers and whiskeys, beers and whiskeys every 10-20 minutes like a pattern. Hours had passed, and it was already late in the evening, but Arthur and Lenny were still drinking beers and whiskeys and at this point, they've become drunk and their vision is getting... nauseous.
Arthur was seen clapping his hands, cheering for the man playing his piano. "That's great partner," Arthur cheered, he turned to his left but Lenny was nowhere around. "Lenny? Lenny, where are you?"
So Arthur started walking around the saloon, his vision was almost nauseous in a way, but he spent a few minutes walking around the saloon asking the patrons if they had seen Lenny.
"I can't find my friend," he said randomly, he can barely stand on his feet. "do you know where he went?"
"Sorry, can't help you, friend," the patron shrugged.
Arthur decided to check upstairs, "Lenny, where are you?" he called out.
He walked to the second floor and head to the other side and finally sees Lenny, holding his glass on his head.
"What are you doing, kid?" he asked the young colored man as he approached him.
"Hello, Arthur," Lenny said randomly, "You know what, I don't know."
But the glass fell from his head and it hit the bottom of the wooden floor. Instead, they laughed at that. They continued drinking their beers, they both talked and laughed for the next 10 minutes.
"Well, why ain't you never married?" Lenny randomly asked him.
That question made Arthur stop and remember his last meeting with Mary and the history he had with her.
"No one will have me..." Arthur answered sadly.
They continued enjoying their time too much in the next hour.
"That's the thing you see, 'cause it," but he stopped when he notices that Lenny is gone again. "Lenny? Lenny!" He frantically looked around for Lenny.
"Get away from me!" A patron shouted below.
"Slippery little shit, ain't he?" his partner added.
Arthur looked down to see two patrons fighting with Lenny. He quickly made his way to the stairs, he can barely walk and his vision is getting worse. He barely walks down the stairs and sees the commotion, Lenny was standing on the counter with the two guys attempting to hurt him.
"Leave the kid alone, you goddamn animals!" Arthur growled at the two patrons.
"Who do you think you're talking to?!" The patron demanded.
"Nobody..." Arthur answered randomly, since he is so drunk right now, he has no idea what he was saying. "I'm talking to nobody."
The patrons stopped and glared venomously at the drunken gunslinger, "What did you say?" one of them demanded him.
"What?" Arthur asked him.
"I said what did you say?!" the patron growled at him.
But instead, Arthur shoves him, "Get lost, buddy," he told the patron.
"Shut up, mister!" the patron's partner told him.
"Yeah, shut your mouth, mister," the patron added.
Just as they were about to fight, moments later, Arthur, Lenny, and the rest of the patrons including the bartender were dancing with their arms over each other's shoulders, and kicking their feet left and right.
Two hours later, Arthur was taking a pissed in the back of the saloon. He was on the verge of passing out, he went back inside only to find everyone that looked like LENNY! Now that everyone looked like LENNY and the real LENNY was nowhere to be seen, Arthur has to find him yet again.
He barely walks over to one of the patrons, he stood up to Lenny wearing a blue dress, "Ha! Found ya, Lenny!" but when he opened his eyes, instead it's a real woman.
"Do I look like a Lenny to you?" The woman told him off.
Arthur walked over to another patron standing by the counter, "I've been looking all over for you, Lenny!" But just as he closed his opens due to the fact he was so intoxicated and he could've passed out by now, he opened them and only see a random man wearing a white shirt.
"How many have you had, pal?" The man asked him.
Arthur checked upstairs and sees another woman wearing a grey dress, "Lenny, my boah!" But he opened his eyes and sees an actual woman instead.
"You mean Jenny?" the woman asked him. "She left with a john an hour ago."
Arthur find a room at the back left corner of the saloon, he opened the door and see what he couldn't believe he was seeing. He saw Two Lenny's, one laying on the bed, and the other Lenny with breasts sitting on top of him, they were having sexual intercourse, when they see Arthur coming in the room, they both screamed as the Lenny with the breasts covered her chest, Arthur screamed and immediately head out of the room and closed the door.
Definitely not Lenny! Arthur thought.
Arthur barely head downstairs but he tripped in a few steps and landed on the bottom of the wooden floor. He barely stood up and everyone around look exactly like LENNY! But where is the real Lenny?
He felt hands on his shoulders and he was being turned around to see the real Lenny Summers.
"Arthur, Arthur, what are you doing?" Lenny asked him, he was also drunk as Arthur right now.
But then, Arthur slapped in the face. Lenny smiles and returns the slap. The patrons around them cheer as they continued to slap each other for the next 5 minutes.
"You... you're a... you're a good friend to me, Arthur," Lenny told him, they were at the counter again, holding chugs of beers.
"Shut up," Arthur barely replied. "Cheers!"
But someone knocks his drink out of his hands, Arthur turned to see the same patron from earlier.
"Cheers..." the patron repeated.
"Not you again," Arthur groaned, he grabbed the patron's shoulders.
A moment later, Arthur was seen dumping the man's head into the water bin where the pigs drank their water. He continued to drown him until the man gained enough strength, he resists and punched Arthur in the gut. He walked away, barely as Arthur and Lenny laughed together, even playing together like a pair of children.
They were in front of the saloon, Lenny puked and so does Arthur. The annoying patron came back with the deputy and a few lawmen.
"Th-there they are," the patron pointed at the drunken duo. "there they are! Those are the men!"
One of them caught Lenny and pinned him to the ground, Arthur quickly run for it. He runs to the alleyway between the saloon and the doctor's place.
"Come here you drunken fool!" The lawmen shouted at him.
"Never!" Arthur yelled, "You'll never take me alive!"
Just as he reached the far end of the saloon, another lawman showed up.
"You..." the lawmen pointed at Arthur. "stop right now you drunken fool. I said stop!"
Arthur quickly turned to his right and jumped over a fence. "I'm an American!" he yelled at the top of his lungs just as he successfully escaped.
It was early in the morning, Arthur was seen passing out near Flatneck station. After minutes passed, Arthur woke up and found himself in the middle of nowhere, except near the train station. He doesn't remember what happened that night but he realized what's happening now.
"Oh, you moron, Morgan," Arthur moaned as he slowly and barely stand up on his feet. "You moron... not again." As he stood up, he puke his guts out.
Arthur looked down at where he vomited and he couldn't believe how many drinks he and Lenny had. He had no idea what happened, nor he has an idea of how many he and Lenny were drinking last night. Much to his surprise, he sees the familiar Thoroughbred waiting for him. Marcella must've followed him while he was drunk with no memory of what happened.
Arthur barely walks over to his dark chestnut Thoroughbred and hardly mounts up.
"I'm sorry for taking so long, girl," he apologized to his horse and Marcella appreciated the apology. "Now... get me home..."
The racehorse complies and rides him back to Horseshoe Overlook, wondering what happened to Lenny.