Annie was just an average women. She was strict when it came to running a business by herself. A business that was important in the west. She ran a Saloon. Annie always wanted to follow her father's footsteps. When he retired, Annie would have the Saloon to herself. She was only 18 at the time. Folks would come from all around to look for fun. There was alcohol and ladies. The performers weren't too good. Annie didn't mind that. She only cared about keeping the way things were. Annie was only in charge of drinks, cleaning and supervising. Bar fights was the only thing she hated most. Whenever it happened, she wouldn't hesitate to kick out or ban anyone. Those were very common before she owned it. When Annie was in charge, it was a joy and a downside to the customers.
Years passed and she couldn't ask for anything else. Little did she know things would soon change. Annie felt lonely and sour. She didn't pay too much attention to her feelings. She was busy with her true job. One morning before the Saloon opened, the saloon gals were having a chat. "Have y'all seen Matt!" said Mabel who was one of the Saloon gals. She was a little elderly, had white hair and wore a purple, black and teal dress with a matching hat. "He's too young for ya! And he has a daughter too, ya know!" corrected Annabelle, another saloon gal. She had light orange hair, a red, pink and black dress (not similar to Annie's only to Mabel's) with a hat that almost matches. "So what?!" said Mabel. "I'm allowed to dream ain't I?" Annabelle laughed. "Dream on!" she said. "I'd date someone my age. Like Robert from the post office." Annie was at the bar smoking a cigarette. Men, huh? She thought. "Annie, don't ya have a lover?" asked Annabelle. Annie coughed while almost swallowing her cigarette in shock. "Why do I need a man?!" she said in a tone. "I'm a independent woman! So what if I'm single!" The saloon gals didn't know what to say. It was awkward silence. "Shouldn't Luann be here by now?" said Mabel. Annie snapped out of the silence. "She's almost late again!" Annie looked at the clock. It was 5 minutes to 9. Annie facepalmed. She put out her cigarette. "Get ready girls, it's showtime!" Annabelle and Mabel went to their dressing rooms. Annie put up the "We're open" sign. Then Luann bust through the saloon doors. "Sorry I'm late!" she said a panic, straightening her hat. Luann had brown hair, a green, black and fuchsia dress (similar to the others) that also matched her hat. "Just get ready!" Annie scolded. Luann rushed to her dressing room.
It wasn't long until folks gathered around. The first saloon was Lou. He was almost the same age as Mabel, he wore a yellow-green shirt, yellow bandana around his neck, brown pants, vest, boots and a dark brown hat. The old coot is back again. Annie thought. Lou was a usual customer. Annie known him well. He would drink until he started to cause trouble. Lou would bring his friends too. When they were together, Annie would kick them out for the day. They we're the type to cause bar-fights. Just to over do it with the beer. Lou only came for drinks, gambling and pretty girls. He wasn't fond of the performance from Annie's girls. "Just a beer please!" said Lou. "Did ya remember to bring money this time?" Annie asked, expecting a no. "Sure did!" Lou replied, holding up $5. Annie poured one shot for him. Lou sat at the bar. "Did ya hear?" he said. Annie took out a cloth to clean a dirty glass. "Hear about what?" she asked. The saloon was also a place of gossip. Annie was the one to hear it all. She found all of it boring and not juicy enough. Lou hesitated to answer. He looked around. It was only him and Annie. "Spit it out, ya old coot!" Annie demanded. "There's a wild cattle rustler on the loose!" Lou whispered. Annie wasn't to shocked. "So?" Lou looked at her oddly. "So?! He can steal about 5000 in one night!" Annie was somehow moved. "How long has he been doin' this?" she asked in a whisper. "Eversince spring I think." Lou replied, whispering back. How come I've never heard of this? Annie thought. "No one could catch him. Not even Rico!" Annie dropped the glass she was cleaning. She didn't know much about Rico. She only knew he was the most feared and successful bounty hunter in the west. How could this cattle rustler escape him? "What's the name of this outlaw?" Annie asked in whisper. Lou hesitated again. He leaned in close to her, "Alameda Slim. He's causin' farms to go outta business!" Lou took a sip of his beer. He said nothing else. Annie was numb. That was the only gossip that made her almost shake. "Don't ya worry Miss Annie, I'll catch that rustler before Rico can get his hands on him!" Lou made guns with his hands. Pretending he was shooting at someone like a professional bounty hunter. He was a child. Annie was almost fed up. "Act you're age!" she yelled.
As the day progressed, the more and less customers came. The folks found the saloon boring with the bland saloon gals and their bad singing. At least the drinks were good. There was lots of gambling too. Annie liked it this way. It was peaceful. Music from the piano played as the girls danced and singed. Annie severed drinks and watched over the Saloon. Most of the visitors were asleep. "What a sleep fest!" a cowboy called out. "What a shame. My girls may be rusty, but they got more talent than any of y'all would have in your smallest finger." Annie said with all her sass. She couldn't stand it when someone would insult her workers. The show may not be as good as it was before. The saloon is still popular when it comes to drinks. Annie thought. A humble couple came into the saloon. A cowboy was treating his sweetheart to a few drinks. "We would like water please." said the cowboy. Annie poured two glasses for them. She saw how they flirted with each other. Lovebirds. Annie thought annoyed. What makes having a man in you're life good? He'll be there to care for ya, then he'll walk out of your life with another lady.
The day ended so slow. It was 5:00 pm. The saloon closes at 5:00 pm on Saturdays. It's stays closed on Sundays. Annie put up the "We're closed" sign up. Then she payed her employees their weekly pay. They left saying goodbye. Annie stayed behind to clean up. They flooring needed sweeping, the tables and glasses needed to be washed. It took her about an hour to get it all done. She went home. When she stepped out of her establishment, she saw Rico at the Sheriff's office. He just brought in another outlaw. If there's a cattle rustler on the loose, why don't ya stop wastin' time going after other outlaws? Annie thought. On her way home, she noticed a wanted poster of the cattle rustler she heard about from Lou. "$750?" Annie said to herself. "Rico's got some competition if the outlaw is worth that much." Then she continued to hurry home.
Monday.
It was Monday. The saloon was open again. Annie liked working. She didn't like being alone at her house whenever the saloon was closed for other reasons besides Sundays. On Mondays to Thursdays the saloon was open from 9:00 am until 8:30 pm. On Fridays it was open from 8:00 am until 10:00 pm. Mondays and Fridays we're the busiest of days. Everyone looked forward to getting drunk on such days of the week. Sometimes Annie would have to deal with cowboys who over did it. Especially Lou.
So far the day was as usual. Almost usual. Annie was severing drinks when something cought her attention. An gentleman in blue fancy clothes walked into the saloon. His hair was red with facial hair, he was wearing white gloves, blue pants to match his coat and hat. His hat had a teal band around it, matching his tie. His shoes looked almost new as his clothes. He had on glasses and carried a cane and a blue bag. By the looks of it, he seemed wealthy. Annie had never seen him before. Who was this handsome stranger?
The gentleman approached over to Annie. "Howdy Missy!" he greeted. "Are you the one to run this here fine establishment?" Annie was somehow flattered. "Yes," she anwsered. "How may I help ya?" The gentleman give her an admiring look. "Oh just a small wine please." he said giving her a interested look. Annie poured him a glass of wine. "That's $38." she said. The gentleman payed her $50. Annie had to be dreaming. "Keep the change." he said. The wine here is expensive! I cain't remember the last time someone payed for wine. And with $50 too! He must be richer than I thought! The gentleman looked at the performing girls. "Why don't a pretty lady like yourself go on up there and dance?" said the gentleman. Annie could feel her face turn pink. No one ever called her pretty before. Not even a man! "I..." that was all she said. The gentleman gazed into her eyes. "Ya got pretty eyes, ya know." Annie's heart was a flutter. She liked this small talk. Then it just made her cringe. She could feel the mixed emotions.
"You ain't from around here are ya?" Annie asked, changing the subject. The gentleman seemed frightened for a moment. He almost broke a sweat! "The name's Yancy," he said changing the subject. "Yancy O'Del." That was his name. It was Annie's turn. "I'm Annie," she introduced herself. "I've been running this place since I was 18." Yancy was impressed, "I've never met any women as hard workin' as you!" Annie smiled a little. "A gal's gotta make a livin'." she said proudly. "What do ya do for a livin'?" Yancy almost lost his cool for a moment again. "Well...ya see...I. I'm just a simple land baron." Annie was intrigued, "What kind? As in how do you do it?" Now Yancy was sweating. "I just buy land from bankrupt ranches." he replied uneasy. "Really? Shoot! You must be the richest land baron in the west with all the cattle going downhill." said Annie. "I've heard that a cattle rustler has been up to no good for a while. I'd say thanks to him, ya must be ownin' all the land!" Yancy gave her a smug smile. He couldn't help it. Yancy looked at the time from his pocket watch. "I gotta go," he said. "When I come back, promise you'll stay pretty for me alright?" Yancy walked out of the saloon. Annie was in a daze. He's comin' back? When? I hope he does! Annie thought. And he said to stay pretty... All night Annie couldn't get her mind off of Yancy. The way he talked to her, made her feel like a new woman. She wanted to see him again. She would have to wait until the next time he visited her. She would be ready to see him.
When it was time to close up, Annie went home in a good mood. It wasn't just her usual "Had a good day at work" mood. Or a "Nothing important happened". It was like she had power. Annie arrived home. She had a nice warm bath. Then it hit her. Am I in love with someone I just met?! She thought. No! Cain't be! Annie got dressed into her PJs. She got into bed. I guess...I was a little lonely. Those were her last thoughts until she fell asleep.
Howdy y'all. Here's a new romance story with Annie and Slim. Sorry the chapter is a bit too short. I wanted to leave off here. Those characters were in the movie too. I just gave them names. Annie isn't a character of mine. She's in the movie too. We only see her for a short time. She may have a tiny role, but that doesn't make her a non important character. She's very pretty! I hope I see her in the remake. If the remake comes out. I hope the remake will have more love than the original film. Remade or not, I still love HOTR. Future chapters will be based off of dreams I had when I was little. They were ones that involved Annie. This was all inspired off of the ship pictures of Annie and Slim I found on DeviantArtby Epikelly. They get credit too! I couldn't provide a link for some odd reason. Sorry. I made some too:
http/fav.me/ddiw9p5
http/fav.me/ddiazjj
I'm not sure if the links will work. It's old art anyway. I must mention my first story I've written almost a year ago called The Willies Story is almost a year old! It will be on the 29th of this month. Enjoy and Happy New Year!
Here it is if you want to read it:
https/s/13192713/13/The-Willies-story
(It's old and has a few flaws.)