Trigun Repaying Debts 12
Vash had been saddened in the duration of the trek through the desert. His legs carried him in a trudging pass as he lugged his large bag over his shoulder. He gazed upon the hazy horizon thinking of what the possible hazardous events could happen in the future. "Why can't things go right for me? It's always people dieing or they nearly die.
Why me? Why can't I get a break?" he complained as tears streamed down his face uncontrollably. He stopped to settle his bag onto the rough rocky terrain and sat upon a rock to rest. His pleasant memories of the times spent with his friends in the Saloon forced him to cry louder, longing to see them once more. "Why can't I stay with the girls?! I actually belonged there!" he wailed with his hands to his face. Vash wished that he could borrow Iris' rosy handkerchief to wipe away his tears and hear her comforting voice. He missed Milly's freshly brewed tea and the enjoyment of teasing Meryl. The memory of Wolfwood's voice ran in his ears that said, "For the famous outlaw gunman you sure whine alot." "You're right, Wolfwood. I do whine alot..." he said, solemnly, and exhaled a heavy sigh.
He closed his eyes and heard a ghostly song that resounded with "Soooo....On the first evening, a pebble from somewhere out of nowhere drops upon the dreaming woooooorld...Soooo On the second celestial evening, the children of the pebble join hands and compose a waaaaltz.." His eyes opened to find Rem standing there with her back facing him as the rose petals and her raven hair flowed in the breeze freely. "Rem...I miss you most of all..." he said softly. "I appreciate that, Vash. But now's not the time for that..." she said gently and turned around to face him. "I can't help it...I hate being alone..." he replied. "I'll still be around...In fact I'm closer than you think." she said and smiled to him with closed eyes. "What do you mean, Rem?" he asked quizzically. She opened her eyes to reveal two aqua orbs as she chuckled and faded away among the rose petals in the wind. "REM!!! DON'T LEAVE ME!!!!" he yelled. The transformation of cruel reality changed the rosy atmosphere into the sandy desert that stretched before him as he fell to sandy ground unconscious.
He felt a hand gently shake him and heard an old woman's voice say, "Hey, son. Are you alright?" "Huh?" he uttered the word and slowly opened his eyes. His gaze met a pair of aqua eyes that belonged to an old woman with long flowing gray hair and a kind smile, dressed in a long sleeved yellow dress kneeling before him. "Are you hurt, son?" she asked with concern. "No, just exhausted..." he said in a dry voice. "Looks like you had a pretty nasty bump there on your head. Why don't you come inside and let me you give something to cool yourself?" she asked, politely. "I don't want to impose ma'am." he replied. "You're not imposing at all. I insist that you let me help you." she said and offered a wrinkled hand. He accepted the hand and allowed her to hoist him onto his feet and lean upon her as a crutch towards the rusty silver trailer attached to large brown truck "This is very kind of you, ma'am. What's your name?" he asked as they made their way to the screen door. "My name is Mrs. Celeste Bloodworth. What's yours?" she asked. "Vash the Stampede." he answered. Her last name is Bloodworth? Could she be a relative to Iris? Naw it couldn't be...he thought doubtfully. "You don't have to give me your real name if you don't want to, son. You seem too handsome to have the name of a brute." she said gently and opened the door of the trailer. Celeste guided him to a green sofa in the small living room and allowed him to seat himself upon the smooshy cushions. "So tell me, Mr. Vash. How come you're out all alone in the middle of the desert?" she asked while walking into the kitchen. "Just passing through." he replied casually. "Wherever it is, I hope you get there without tiring yourself out again." Celeste said while removing a large mug from a cupboard and filling it full of water from the kitchen sink's faucet. "Yeah, I hope so, too." he agreed and smiled to her from his seat. He paused to look at the black and white photographs in picture frames standing upon the coffee table before him. One photograph displayed a couple dressed in a tuxedo and bridal dress kissing at a church altar, the other displayed a little girl wearing overalls with her pigtails tied back in ribbons spraying a vegetable garden with a tall watering can. "Iris..." he said softly as he lifted the frame from the coffee table to have a closer look. Celeste approached Vash to see him stare at the photograph and said, "That's my granddaughter, Iris when she was just a little girl. Sometimes I wonder what she would look like as a young woman." "I bet she's beautiful and has your kind nature." Vash said and accepted the mug full of ice water. "I hope so, but I would like to see her again." she said and settled herself at a rocking chair across from Vash to knit a blue blanket. He looked to her and settled the photograph to the coffee table. So it is a relative! I can see the resemblance between them. he thought and guzzled down the ice water.
The front door of the trailer swung open and heavy footsteps pounded upon the floor. An old man dressed in a blue mechanic's shirt, worn jeans, and brown boots entered the living room covered in sweat. "Woooooooweeeeeeee!!!! What a day! That engine needed an overhaul!" he exclaimed. The old man paused to look at Vash with his brown eyes and asked, "Who's the kid, Celeste?" "This is Mr. Vash the Stampede. Mr. Vash this is my husband, Robert." she said, pleasantly. "You've got to be jerking my chain! This kid can't be the Humanoid Typhoon!" Robert said as he bursted into laughter and ruffled Vash's golden locks. Vash straightened his hair with a forged smile and remarked, :"Funny how people prefer fiction over fact." "So what brings you here, Mr. Vash?" Robert asked.. "Just passing through on business." he replied. "I found him out front and let him use the couch to recuperate." Celeste explained. "You're lucky my wife found you because the weather report said it will be ten degrees hotter than usual." Robert commented with a nod. "Yeah, I'm lucky that I met both of you but I must not be staying longer." Vash said and began to rise from the couch. Robert's hand clamped upon his shoulder and forced him to sit upon the cushion and said, "No, stay and have some whiskey with me!" "No no no no, I can't..." he said nervously. "Yes, you can. It puts hair on your chest!" he said cheerfully and slapped Vash upon the back. Vash looked to Celeste with a helpless expression on his face. "Just do it...He needs more male bonding..." she said quietly. He nodded to her and called out to Robert, "On second thought, I could use a good drink, old man!" "You're growing up already, kid! I'll meet you out front!" Robert said and opened the refrigerator.
Vash stepped outside of the trailer and thought So these are her grandparents...Funny how opposites attract. Robert exited from the door and tossed a bottle of whiskey to him and said, "Heads up!" "Thanks!" he said and caught the bottle one handed in mid air. The cap had been unscrewed from the bottle and Vash asked, "Are you doing anything special with your truck?" "Well just giving the clunker a good tune-up. It's been running like shit lately." Robert replied. "How long have you and your wife traveled the desert?" he asked. "Oh about a year. We've decided to discover the world for our retirement." Robert answered and began to chug the whiskey. He noticed that Vash took numerous swigs of the liquor and asked, "You don't drink much, do ya?" "I'm not a lush." he said in defense. "I'll show ya how a real man drinks! You and me in a chug match! We'll see who can handle it!" Robert demanded. Vash gave him an uneasy look yet nodded nevertheless. He removed several shot glasses from his left pant pocket and placed them at the picnic table near the door. The men sat the picnic table, settling the bottles on the table top. "Begin!" Robert shouted. Each man poured the liquor into the shot glass and drank it at identical times. Robert handled the contest professionally, appeared coherent and sat perfectly straight in his seat. His opponent could not sit properly, the eye lids drooped with beads of sweat trickling down his forehead. Vash swayed slightly within his seat, attempting to defeat this old man. They completely drained the liquor and Robert gave Vash a one-sided grin. "Are you still in the game, sonny?" he asked with a chuckle. Vash released a braying laugh and said, "I'm still here!" "Had enough yet?" he asked once more. "I'll tell you when I've had enough..." Vash replied in a slurring tone. He then began to bend over backwards and vomited upside down. Robert began to laugh heartily and said, "It was like that when I first began to drink. That takes me back!"
Celeste ran outside to see the men at the picnic table and shouted, "What happened?! I heard a weird noise!" "The kid couldn't handle his liquor so he released a technicolor yawn!" Robert said and bursted into laughter. "You are such a showoff, Bobby!" she scolded with a shake of her head. "Naw, I'm actually making him into a man." he said casually. Celeste helped Vash lean forward and said, "You okay, son?" He did not respond to her and his eyes remained closed. "He's out like a light...How many shots did you guys have?" she asked. "We had twenty two each. Thanks to me he can tolerate more." he answered. "Let's get him to the couch and have him rest until he wakes up." she said. The elderly couple had stood over him and each had an arm rest on the other's shoulder. They hauled him from the picnic table, escorted him inside and settled him upon the couch.
Vash continued to sleep upon the green couch and his eyes slowly opened. The vision had been a slight blur that had made his surroundings out of focus. The photographs were about three feet away from his face and noticed the photograph's image was different from the first time he noticed it. He saw the ghostly image of Rem smiling as she watered the garden. "Wha?" he muttered and rubbed his eyes to clear his vision. Instead of seeing Rem's image, he saw the same image of Iris' younger self. "What was that all about?" he said softly to himself. He began to rise from the couch, yawned loudly and stretched. "Where are the grandparents?" he asked, quizzically as the trailer seemed empty with silence. The sound of men arguing had flowed through the air vent in the wall. His hand brushed aside a yellow curtain to peek outside. He observed two men in fine suits and ties conversing with Robert. He knelt beside the air vent near the floor to eavesdrop on their conversation and heard, "Where's the money old man?" Robert's voice replied with, "I'm not paying you a dime. You took my farm and all the money I had. What more do you want?" "The boss is tired of waiting. You haven't fully paid your debt to him." "Are you deaf? I'm not paying one more cent. Damn you both and your boss." Robert said defiantly. "Don't forget who you're talking to, old man. The boss doesn't like disrespect." he said. Vash then heard a slight ruffling of clothing and peeked out the window once more to observe one of the men reaching into his coat and pulled out a gun. The other man placed a hand upon the gun and said, "Boss, don't want him dead yet. Keep your cool." His associate obeyed him by returning the gun to his pocket and went to their car several feet away. "You're lucky my associate can't kill you yet but be warned either pay up or else you and your family will be pumped full of lead. You have one week, old man and your life depends on it this time." the other man said and departed to the car. Robert watched them drive away, and kicked the sand in his anger.
Vash stepped outside of the trailer and approached Robert. The old man composed himself, gave him a forged smile and said, "Nice to see you up, finally." "Yeah, I'm feeling alot better. Thank you for letting me sleep here and by the way who were those pair of suits talking to you?" Vash asked curiously. "Just some salesman that were persistent." Robert answered casually. "I never knew salesman that went around demanding money and threatening to kill their families. They must really want to meet their quota." Vash remarked. "So you heard our conversation, huh?" Robert asked.
"Yes, sir. Didn't mean to eavesdrop. Just heard some arguing." Vash replied.
"It's best that you keep your nose out of this. I don't need to get other people dragged into my problems." Robert said firmly. "Why do they want money from you?" Vash asked. "It's a long story. You might want to sit down for it." Robert explained and gestured to the picnic table. Vash sat at the table and said, "Okay I'm listening."
"This story will not be pretty so I'll be blunt. I've made some rotten choices and necessary sacrifices. Before this bullshit happened, Celeste and I lived in a farm in October. It was peaceful and the harvests were plentiful until there was this syndicate that terrorized the citizens. My son's authority in the government office was not powerful enough and they took over the town. I could not stand by any longer and have them hurt the people I cared about so I decided to do something about it. I went to their saloon that they claimed and challenged them to a game of poker. If I won they would leave town and if I lost I would give them the deed to the farm and all our possessions. Lady Luck took a shit on me and I lost. They took everything and we skipped town. It was bad enough that my wife and son had been dragged into this but I couldn't let my grandkid who was so young and pure, be in it. So I sent her and son to my daughter's mansion in November. That was just the icing on the cake. I thought they were satisfied with what they had but I was wrong. They found out that we had treasures from the family vault and that's why they are still chasing us. Now you know the whole tale...Why in the hell am I blurting it out in the first place..." he said, solemnly and stared at the sky.
Vash started to bawl at the top of his lungs and wailed out, "That's the most saddest story I've ever heard!" Robert looked to him quizzically and said in a critical tone, "You claim to be Vash the Stampede and you're crying? This doesn't involve you at all so why are you turning on the water works in the first place?" "It's awful that innocent people had to suffer like that. It's just isn't fair!" Vash wailed once more. Robert leaned forward with his face a foot away from Vash's, exhaled a sigh, and said, "Son, life is full of suffering. Without it, you wouldn't appreciate the things you have. If life were fair to just you then it would show favoritism and that wouldn't be fair to others around you."
"I guess you're right about that part. For a mechanic and farmer, you are sure philosophical." Vash commented and sniffled. He chuckled and said, "The Bloodworths are known to be profound thinkers. Just one of many traits in the gene pool that runs strong." That explains how Iris is smart! he thought, being dumbfounded. "Something wrong, son?" Robert asked, being concerned. "Oh nothing..." he said casually. "You are a strange man." Robert muttered with a shake of his head. "Actually, I'm a normal person compared to most people I know." Vash objected. "You are what you associate yourself with." he said. "Hey!:" Vash said angrily. "Don't take it the wrong way. I like to have things be unusual sometimes. It adds excitement to my dull life." he said and grinned. "You have it so easy. I would like to trade lives with you." Vash said. :"The question we have to ask ourselves is: 'Can we handle it?'" Robert pointed out. "If I were you, I would let myself"-he placed a hand on his chest-"handle those persistent salesman and get your money back." Vash said confidently. "You're not strange. You're crazy!" Robert exclaimed. "Crazy enough to do the right thing. You need to be alive to meet your grandchild again right?" Vash asked. "Yes, but are you sure you want to do this?" Robert asked. "Yes, I am absolutely sure." he answered and nodded, "Do you know where they hang out?" "Rumor has it that they hang out 5 iles northwest of here." Robert replied. "Is the truck up and running?" he asked. "Yes, I fixed it and it should run smoothly." he replied.
"Good then let's get moving!" he exclaimed and hopped into the truck's cab anxiously.
"Hold on! What about my wife?!" Robert exclaimed. Celeste poked her head out the window and said sarcastically, "Yes, what about the wife?!" "Oh, hi honey. We didn't know you were listening!" Robert said nervously. "To every word. I say let the kid do it." she said firmly. "You're both crazy!" he yelled with his hands thrown into the air in an exasperated manner. Robert opened the driver side door, turned the key in the ignition and said, "Let's do it!"
The three of them traveled to the next town clearly labeled as Goldstream at the entrance of the town. The citizens were dressed in fine clothes and expensive jewelry as they paraded among the bright casinos. The sounds of shrill music and coins being deposited in a silver bin enveloped the atmosphere. Conversations of big winnings and loses were abundant. Few on-lookers turned their noses into the air at the site of the rusty trailer with its shabby yellow curtains as it passed by them. Vash glanced out the window and remarked, "Don't these people know that they are wasting their money?" :"Apparently not. They are stuck in their own little dream world." Robert answered. Vash continued to observe the casinos for any of those men he had seen earlier from his seat. He spotted one of the syndicate members enter the casino called the Platinum Palace with a white marble staircase lined with red carpet. "Stop the truck!" he shouted, excitedly. Robert's foot slammed on the brake and said, "What is it?" "We found what we're looking for." Vash replied. Robert parallel parked the trailer and truck in front of the Platinum Palace and asked, "Want me to accompany you or should I stay outside?" "You should stay out here if they try anything on Celeste." Vash said. "We have plenty of guns in the little bedroom and she knows how to use them." Robert said confidently. "You do have a point." he said and they ascended the stair case.
They made their way through the casino, observing the wide range of people talking, smiling, drunken with hope to "strike it big". What was troubling for Vash was the misery intermixed with determination;by people who spent all their money, begging for one more chance. There those who even lost the deeds to the houses in their games. He could not bear the thought of families affected by this yet disgusted that they foolishly deposited their finances into a whimsical cause.. As the two men passed the last set of slots towards the back, they took notice of the mobsters in a booth at the Golden Swan restaurant. Vash halted Mr. Bloodworth and said, "Stay here and cover me. Stay out of sight." He nodded and gave Vash a last word of advice, "The fat fellow with the cigar sitting in the middle is their boss. Watch yourself around him, he cheats and will stab you in the back. Don't trust him!" "Thanks for the warning. I'll take it from here." Vash said. He made his way into the restaurant, sat in a booth near the mob, and took a newspaper from the table's surface. The newspaper concealed his face in order to seem engrossed upon reading one of the articles in order to act as inconspicuous as possible. It was a good concealment which helped eavesdrop on their conversations to formulate a plan.
"Hey fellas, is my game ready yet?" asked the mob boss. "Almost boss, we're just waiting on our victim to show." replied his constituent. "Who is it? He better have more money this time. The last time you brought me someone he didn't have much money." the boss grunted. "Don't worry, boss. This guy has lots of money plus a nice house with two lovely daughters you could have your way with. Poor jerk won't know what hit him." the constituent said while laughing. "He better be wealthy. I'd hate to have to gut him to get my money's worth and I'll gut you for wasting my time. " the boss said in a threatening manner. The constituent then left nervously to check their "mark". "Alright boys, same plan as always, we let him think he's winning halfway through, then slowly win his and our money back. He'll then get desperate for money and we'll offer him a loan to stay in. Through his own greed we'll take the rest of his money and the money we lent him. At the end when he is broke and can't pay his loan back we'll take his house, all its possessions and his daughters as well. Make sure to rig the cards!" the boss boasted. He and his gang bursted out with laughter." I see how deep their greed is. I'll use that to blind and get the best of them. I'll do to them what they are going to do to these poor people. Vash thought. He observed the Mob head over to a poker table to await their victim's arrival. Vash decided to find the first constituent and attempt to take the victim's place in the game. If I pass myself off as the rich victim. I can beat the Mob at their own game and save the victim's family. Not to mention returning Robert's possessions! he thought.
Vash observed the first constituent approach a tall man with dark hair and friendly brown eyes who had his fingers and neck adorned in golden jewelry. That must be the mark. I have to find a way to separate these two. he thought. Vash approached them and tapped the constituent upon his right shoulder. The man turned to look at him and Vash said, "Hey, dirtbag. I had sex with your mother last night, man, what a cow!" "What did you say to me?!" he demanded angrily. "What about you being a dirtbag, or me flowering your father's wife?" he asked. He removed a pistol from his jacket and put it to Vash's face, "How dare you say that about my mother!" he shouted. "How dare your mother moan like a drunken cow in bed!" he said mockingly. "That's it! You're dead!" he shouted and began to pull the trigger. Vash, with jet like reflexes, dodging the bullet while swinging around behind the man, and twisted his head, causing him to fall to the floor unconscious. "He'll sleep like a baby tonight. " he remarked. He looked to Vash with widened eyes in shock and said, "What the hell just happened here?!" "I'm saving your ass that's what happened here." he said seriously. "Saving me from what?" he asked. "The man you're about to play isn't just some friendly card player. He's the head of the Mob and is going to cheat you out of everything you own. Not to mention put your family in danger." Vash explained. "Why do you care what happens to me or my family?" he asked once more. "I may not care for your wicked gambling habit but I'd hate to see innocent people suffer because of your habit or the Mob. Besides, I'm trying to save a friend who made the same mistake that you are about to make." he explained, again. "So what should I do then?" he asked. "Give me your coat, hat, and jewelry. I'm going to take your place." he replied. "First thing. Why should I trust you with my fine clothes and jewelry? Second, What makes you think you have a chance against the Mob?" he asked. "To answer your first question. If I don't take your place, they'll come looking for your family and hold them for ransom. For the second question, I'm Vash the Stampede. Enough said." Vash replied. "What you're the Humanoid Typhoon? You're that sixty billion double dollar man?! You can't be him!" the man protested. "Well you have two choices: Believe me and allow me to take your place or the Mob will take your family, get your possessions by force and have their way with your daughters. The choice is yours." Vash said, seriously. "Alright I'll play it your way. I'll be watching you. You'd better return my possessions when you're done." he agreed and gave him the required items. Vash adorned himself in the clothing and jewelry to have the man laugh heartily at his comical appearance. "You look stupid!" he said in the midst of laughing. "It doesn't matter what I look like as long as I can beat them." Vash said and began to approach the door to the game room.
Vash entered the game room and looked to the mobsters at the poker table. "Evening gents. I hear you are looking for a high roller." he said in a friendly manner. The Mob boss looked to him and asked, "Hey, where's Vinnie? He's supposed to escort you here."
"Some blond stranger insulted him and he's dealing with him right now." Vash replied.
"Sounds like Vinnie, alright. You don't want to get on his bad side." he said. "So are we going to play poker or chat like old ladies at bridge?" Vash asked. "Hey, look at the balls on this guy. I like you kid. Now let's play." the Mob boss said and gestured to the chair at the other side of the table. Vash accepted the seat and prepared himself for the game. "What's the game?" he asked. "Five card poker no wilds." he replied. One of the lackeys entered the room with deck of red cards, settled them to the table and presented Vash with fifty thousand double dollars worth of gambling chips. "What's with the chips? I haven't given you any money yet." Vash said quizzically, with a confused expression on his face. "You are quite wealthy aren't you?" the boss asked. "Extremely wealthy." Vash said, confidently yet a hint of nervousness could be indicated. "Don't worry about it till the end of the game." the boss said. "Fine with me." he said.
One of the lackeys dispensed five cards to each player at the table. "Antis are one hundred double dollars, first bets are one thousand minimum, and raises are five thousand double dollars minimum." the boss explained. "Antis up, boys!" Vinne the card dealer announced. Each deposited a white chip to the center of the table. "How many cards do you want?" Vinnie asked Vash. "Hold on a minute." Vash said and paused to look at his cards. They displayed four kings and three of spades. He widened his eyes with surprise upon the site and said to Vinnie, "Just one." He discarded the three of spades to the green table. Vinnie to his boss and asked the same question. "Three if you please." the boss said calmly and received the requested cards. "Place your bets!" Vinnie said. "I bet two thousand double dollars." Vash said. "I see your two thousand and raise you five thousand." the boss replied. Each player deposited the necessary chips to the center of the table. "I call. Four kings!" Vash said and had spread his cards on display upon the table.
"Oh darn. I only have three jacks! Wow, how lucky to get such a good hand on the first play." he said in mock disappointment. Oh yeah! Real lucky! Vash mentally remarked in the midst of gathering the chips he had won. Vinnie dispensed another set of cards to the players and prompted them to do their antis. Both gentleman tossed in their chips and examined their cards. Vash looked to his cards to observe four aces and four of diamonds. "How many cards for you?" Vinnie asked Vash. "Just one for me." he replied and deposited the four of diamonds to the table. Vinnie dealt him a card and asked his boss the same question. "Three for me." the boss answered. He received the cards after discarding the other cards from his deck. "Place your bets!" Vinnie said. "I bet three thousand double dollars." Vash announced. "I'll match your three thousand and raise you six thousand." the boss said. They tossed in their chips to the pile. "I call. What have you got?" Vash asked. "Four sixes and you?" the boss asked. "Four aces." Vash replied and spread his cards on the table. "Gee, how lucky! I won again!" Vash said in mock astonishment. "Hey boys! Looks we got a pro here tonight. We'd better be careful or he'll wipe us out!" the boss retorted.
Each player participated in eight hands, and Vash continued to win effortlessly as though fate decided to take pity on him. He knew that such luck was non-existent and continued to play in their little charade. No wonder so many are caught in their little spider's web. They may think they are winning big but instead they are drawn in and sucked dry from the inside out. he thought in the midst of the game. "You are doing so well. I hope your luck keeps up." the boss commented. Vinnie distributed the cards to the players and Vash instinctively took the boss' sentence as a hint that he would start to lose. Vash looked to his cards to see two of hearts, four of spades, seven of diamonds, queen of spades, king of hearts. I knew it...It is a hint that he is cheating...he thought. Vinne asked Vash, "How many cards?" "Three please." he replied and discarded all the cards except for the king and queen. He received his three cards to notice that they were as worthless as the ones he tossed. So the real game begins...he thought. Every set of cards that he received from Vinnie were worthless and the grand pile of chips Vash had built began to diminish. "Sonny, you were doing so well. Maybe your luck will turn around soon." the boss said in a mock sympathetic tone. It's time for me to make my own luck. He's right things will turn around. he thought with a grin. Vash received his next set of cards and he held them closely to his sleeve. He wiggled a couple hidden cards out of his sleeve and combined them into the deck. He snuck the cards he did not want into his sleeve. He turned what would have been two kings and a two into four kings and two. Vinnie asked the standard question of: "How many cards?" "Just one." he replied. Vinnie gave him a card and Vash discarded the two. Only one card? The game's fixed. He can't have a good hand. He must be trying to bluff me. Little does he know that I won't fold. the boss thought while giving him a critical look. Vinnie asked the standard question to the boss and his reply was: "Just one please." He received the card and discarded another from his hand. Vinnie prompted them again by saying, "Place your bets." "I bet ten thousand." Vash said. "Ten thousand, you say? I'll see your ten thousand and raise you another ten thousand." the boss said. "I'll see your ten thousand raise and add on another ten thousand." Vash said. This guy's a really bad bluff! Poor sap is going to lose his money twice as quick as the others. the boss thought with raised brows. "Alright, I'll add ten thousand more and I call. What do you have?" the boss asked. "Four kings!" Vash said cheerfully with a huge grin and slammed the cards upon the table. "Four kings? What do you mean four kings?" the boss asked, bewildered. Vash pointed to the cards and asked innocently, :"These are kings aren't they?" The boss beckoned Vinnie to him and whispered into his ear, "I thought you rigged the deck." "I did honestly. I've been giving him nothing but worthless hands. There's no way he can have four kings. I'm sure of it boss." he whispered in response. "It looks like our little friend here is cheating as well. I don't intend on losing. Go get the boys. It's time to get rough with this one." the boss said. Vinne departed from the game room to gather the gang together. "Where's he going?" Vash asked, curiously. "Oh he just had to grab another deck of cards. This is turning into quite a game." the boss replied. "Still haven't shown me your hand yet." Vash said. The boss dropped the cards to the table to display four jacks. "Yeah, I've won!" Vash said in mock rapture and reached over to gather the pile of chips. "Not so fast!" the boss said and rotated Vash's arms to reveal the cards hidden in his sleeve. "Looks like you lose." the boss said and pulled out his gun. The gang members entered the game room with their guns pointed at him. "All this for little ol' me? I'm not ready for a fan club yet." Vash remarked. One of the gang members shouted gruffly, "Shut up you! No one disrespects and cheats the boss! Do you know who you're dealing with?! You cheated the most ruthless mobster on the planet!" "I know very well who he is and I will disrespect him with every chance I get. He's nothing to me." Vash said confidently. "How dare you say such things in my prescence! I can slaughter you in a heartbeat! You better shut your mouth because you don't know what you've gotten yourself into!" the boss shouted angrily. "On the contrary, you don't know what you've gotten yourself into." Vash said, firmly and shedded his disguise to the floor. Red coat? Blond spiked hair? Fearless attitude? Black boots? Oh my God! It's Vash the Stampede! Vinnie thought in horror. "Boss! This is the wrong man!" Vinnie exclaimed. "The wrong man? He's a dead man!" the boss said. "But boss! This is V-V-Vash the Stampede! He'll slaughter us all! He defeated the whole Bad Lads gang and even Brilliant Dynamites Neon!" Vinnie protested. "So you're Vash the Stampede?" the boss asked. "That's right." Vash replied. "So what. Have you come here to take over my territory?!" the boss demanded. "No, I'm just here to get what belongs to a friend. You cheated him and now is time for payback." Vash answered. "Aw that's so touching. Makes me weep like a little girl. You are so noble." the boss said sarcastically. "Oh yes, you will be crying just like a little girl when I get done with you." Vash said mockingly and nodded. "Enough of this! BOYS!!!! KILL HIM!!!!!" the boss shouted. Vash turned to Vinnie and asked, "Are you really stupid enough to shoot me? You won't survive. None of you will. I'm faster than all of you combined. If you truly want to see your wives tonight I suggest you drop the guns and run like hell!" "Well what are you waiting for?! Kill him!!!" the boss shouted once more. "Gee I don't know boss. If this truly is Vash the Stampede, he'll kill us before we even pull the trigger." Vinnie said. "All those stories were thrown out of proportion! He's not as great as they say he is. NOW SHOOT HIM!!!" the boss shouted again. "Sorry boss. I'm not going to throw my life away and if any of you guys are smart, you'll come with me." Vinnie said, and ran out of the game room. The gang, with confusion, decided to drop their guns to their floor, leaving the room in their haste. The Mob boss and Vash were the only two people standing in the game room. "Looks like your friends have left you. Do you still think you have a chance against me?" Vash asked sharply. "I don't need those pathetic cowards. In other words I'll kill you myself." the boss replied, and aimed his gun straight at Vash to shoot. His opponent reached out for his arm, grabbed the gun and disassembled the top slide with the contents of his pistol falling to the floor. Vash swung behind the boss, shoved his pistol into his neck and said calmly, "Now this is what's going to happen. You're going to return all of Robert Bloodworth's possessions and his money. You will leave town and never bother him or anyone else again. If you don't, I'll rip you from limb to limb." "Alright! Alright! Alright! Don't shoot! All his money and possessions are at an abandoned warehouse on the west side of town. It's a big blue building!" the boss said, cooperating and being scared out of his wits. "Alright, I'm going to go get it. If I were you, I would leave town right now." Vash said firmly. He released the boss from his clutches and began to leave the game room. With Vash's back turned, the Mob boss withdrew a second gun hidden in his boot and shot at him. Vash, as fast as lightning, spun around to dodge the bullet and shot the boss' gun, causing it to explode in his hand and throw shrapnel into his face. The boss fell to the floor in great pain while Vash walked away with a smile from ear to ear. Those guys seem alot tougher in the movies. he thought and picked the borrowed clothes and jewelry from the floor as well as the chips from the table, leaving the room promptly.
Now for Phase Two. he thought. He approached a nearby booth surrounded by bars and requested to convert the chips into cash from the cashier. "Lady Luck must've really spoiled you this time!" the cashier commented. "More than you'll ever know!" Vash added and received the piles of money. "Enjoy your money while you still have it!" she called out him as he left.
Vash approached the owner of the clothing who stood by a colorful slot machine and said, "I believe these are yours." "Thank you for returning them and keeping your promise. Those guys ran out like a bat out of hell!" the man exclaimed and receiving the items. "They belong there! And gambling forms your own hell that you almost brought on yourself today. I hope these events taught you something." Vash said, seriously. "I'll never take unnecessary risks and put anything precious on the line again. I'm old yet I make stupid mistakes like a kid!" the man said and chuckled. You don't know the half of it...Vash thought. He left casino after saying their good byes and exchanging handshakes.
Robert waited patiently outside of the Platinum Palace for his friend to emerge from the exit. He observed the panic stricken mobsters that came running out of the casino, screaming, "EVERBODY RUN!!!!! VASH THE STAMPEDE IS AFTER US!!!!! WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!" "That's the first time I've ever seen the mob run in fear." he muttered to himself. Vash emerged from the casino and approached Robert.
"I know where all your possessions are. Let's go get it while there's still daylight." Vash said cheerfully. "But how did you defeat the Mob? They're ruthless!" Robert asked. "Aggressive negotiations." Vash replied. "What do you mean by aggressive negotiations?" he asked, again. "Negotiations with a gun and out-smarting them." he said. "So you truly are Vash the Stampede!" Robert said, being dumbfounded. "In the flesh. Now let's get going." he said with a grin and hopped into the truck's cab. Robert entered the driver's seat and had been told the directions from Vash. The three of them sped off to their destination.
"It was very noble of you to help us. We are extremely grateful." Celeste's voice could be heard from the window of the trailer in the cab. "Why do you have a terrible reputation and such a high bounty on your head?" Robert asked while driving. "Trouble seems to follow me around. I can't help but stick my nose into situations like this to help people sometimes it ends up backfiring." Vash answered. "I don't care what the reports say about you. You're a good man in my eyes." Robert said. "Thanks, old man." Vash said sincerely. Twenty minutes passed by and they arrived to the rusty warehouse.
They entered the warehouse that had been dimly lit from the suns shining upon the interior. Robert frowned to see rows of boxes that covered the floor and muttered, "Which one is ours?" "Hmmm..." Celeste said to herself and walked to the first row of boxes to observe them closer. She noticed each one to have a last name scrawled upon them in alphabetical order. Her finger pointed to the middle box that had the name Bloodworth written in black and said with joy, "Here it is!" "Alright!" Vash exclaimed.
He withdrew a knife from his trenchcoat and had cut the tape that sealed the cardboard box together. Once opened, he saw several small daggers, a jewelry box, several paintings encased in plastic bubble wrap, and a marble statuette of an angel taking pity upon a dieing man. "This it alright! I never thought I would see these again. It's too bad you couldn't retreive the money that they took from me." Robert said and grinned. "You mean this money?" Vash asked and withdrew several bills of cash bound by tape from his trenchcoat. "How did you get this?!" he asked with astonishment. "When the Mob ran out of the casino, they left all of their chips behind. So I cashed them at the lobby and now the Mob is broke. Even if they wanted to set up business again, they couldn't afford to." Vash explained and laughed heartily. "Well Vash you're a man of your word. You got us everything back you promised you would. You haven't even asked for anything in return." Robert said. "All I ask from you in return that you promise never to gamble again and maybe a box of donuts." Vash said, honestly. "Instead of going to the store, how about I make you a fresh batch? You deserve only the best after all you have done." Celeste offered. "There you go with your kindness again, Grandma! You're too nice!" Vash exclaimed. "The grandson I've never had..." Celeste said. She grinned to him and entered the trailer. "I almost forgot the reason why I married her in the first place." Robert remarked. "You're lucky that you have her for a wife. Iris comes from good stock." Vash remarked. "Who?" Robert asked suspiciously. "Uh..Doris! Doris! I mix up names alot!" he lied. "No, you said Iris. So you know my granddaughter?" Robert asked calmly. "Yes." he replied. "I wonder about the people she hangs out with.." Robert said with exasperation and shook his head in disapproval. "Don't worry. I didn't do anything you wouldn't agree with." he assured him. They entered the trailer and made their way to the tiny dining room.
Vash drummed his fingers on the dining table's surface as he waited for Celeste to finish her cooking. "Donuts are on!" she announced from the kitchen. She placed a warm plate of chocolate covered donuts before her guest and watched him devour them greedily.
"He has quite an appetite!" Celeste commented. "Yeah, a bottomless pit!" he agreed with widened eyes. Vash finished his meal and said happily, "Thank you so much! My tongue knows good food when it tastes it!" "You're welcome. I've also froze the water in your canteen so you will be prepared for your hot trek in the desert." Celeste said and gestured to the canteen laying on the coffee table. "Thank you again, Grandma! I wish I could stay here forever but I have to leave." Vash said sadly as he rose from his chair. "Same here, Vash." Robert said and grinned.
The Bloodworths watched their savior walk towards the suns as they setted in the horizon. He stopped to wave at the couple standing before the front door, smiling to himself. It satisfied him that he brought a family back together, giving them a unifying strength that he always wanted to have with his brother. His brother's hatred towards the people he cared about, had set each other apart. If only Knives could have watched the events that took place...maybe it would have influenced him to reconsider his attitude to the human race...I have to keep moving to see him again and make him stop once and for all he thought. He smiled once again, the events of the day did strengthen his determination to resolve the grudge match.