Armed with a borrowed castor pistol and carbine, "Wyatt" Gene Starwind gallops through the desert on one of his other big black stallions, eyes scanning the tracks beneath him. He rides up and stops at a well near a large ranch house. He dismounts, studying tracks as rancher Leilong rides up, strong, noble-looking, like something from a Megumi Hayashibara canvas. Gene nods as Leilong nods back. "This Leilong's ranch?"
"That is right. And I am Leilong."
"You seen anything of a man on horseback leading a black stallion?" Gene asked. Leilong suddenly falls silent, looking at the ground nervously. "Well you must have seen something, the trail runs right by the corral." There was no answer and Gene continues. "Oh, I see. So it must have been a Kei Pirate, right? Really got you people treed, do they not?"
"Look, mister. It is fine for you boomtowners to court trouble, you are just passing through. We cattlemen got to live here. The best I can do is point you up to the cut. That is their roost." Gene nods his thanks. Leilong looks down, ashamed. Gene stares at him a moment. There is something genuinely troubling about so strong a man living in fear. "Wyatt" Gene Starwind rides on, shaking his head...
A small camp near a clump of trees. Swanzo brews coffee while Mikey leans against a fallen oak log feeding an eager pack of mongrels from a block of jerky as Gene rides up. "Run for your lives, boys! It is that great two-gun bloodhound from Farfallas!" Swanzo shouted.
"Swanzo, is it not? Listen, you seen a black stallion with--"
"Look, I got a rule. I do not talk to the law. Bloodhounds neither." Swanzo interrupted.
"I am not a lawdog, I am just a private citizen getting my stallion back." Gene explained.
"Well in that case, I saw your stallion. Shimi was taking him up to the canyon to show him off. The boys are all up there right now, branding. And in a mood. Still want your property back, private citizen?"
Gene and Swanzo ride along side-by-side through the hills. "So what about you Kei Pirates anyway?" Gene asked.
"If I had to explain it you would not understand. Just say we are brothers to the flesh."
"Yes, but some of the things they say you pirates have done..."
"There are all kinds of stallions. Are there not? Same with Kei Pirates. What they do is their affair. I do not preach and I do not judge. I am no dog-catcher."
A wide plateau in the canyon dotted with tents, water and fee troughs, rope corrals, etc. Kei Pirates cut out boars while others crouch around fires, cooking, looking up with naked hostility as "Wyatt" Gene Starwind rides up. Swanzo points to the edge of camp where Gaki is carrying Gene's stallion. "You seem like a nice fellow. I should have known you better. Had you lived." Swanzo said as Gene rides on, making for Gaki. Harry McDougal steps up with Unak, the giant whole-breed. They walk alongside Gene's path. "Hey, law-dog. What the hell are you doing here?"
"How about I just drag you off that horse and eat your blood well done?" Unak said. Gene ignores them, riding up to within 30 feet of Gaki and dismounting. Gaki looks up, supremely confident and concerned. "Where did you get that stallion?"
"Beauty, is he not?" Gaki said.
"I asked where you got him."
"Where do you think? I stole him." Everybody laughs and more Kei Pirates gather, jeering as Gene steps closer. "Look, I do not want any trouble with you but that is my stallion and I am here to have him back. One way or another."
"Come and get him."
"Look kid, I know what it is like, I was a kid, too. Even stole a billion wong once. But you cannot --"
"Do not sweet-talk him, make a move." Harry said.
"Yes, go ahead, mister. Make a move." Unak said. Gaki steps back, poised. Harry and Unak do the same. 2 more Kei Pirates move up behind him. now it seems on the brink of explosion when Ron McDougal suddenly in on his mare, majestic and 8 times life size as he pulls back and skids to a stop in front of Gene, raising a giant roostertail of dust, making everyone but Gene recoil. "Give him his stallion, Gaki."
"Come on, Ronny! Do not let him--" Harry said.
"Shut up. Give him his stallion, Gaki." Ron interrupted. Gaki reluctantly hands over the leadline. Gene mounts and rides off with Ark Manaf. in tow, Ron McDougal riding alongside. "Feel bad about old Gilliam. Just cannot hold back when I am feeling woolly. Still, feel kind of bad. But now we are square. Anyway no use for holding a grudge. I deserved a rap in the head."
"Make you a deal. My friend Jim Hawking took over the Marshal's office in Sentinel III. Got it in his head he is going to make the place safe for the widowed and orphans. You and your boys stay out of his way, I will make sure he stays out of yours."
"Fair enough. You know I got to admit, you got a lot of spunk on you coming up here like this."
"They were all going to jump me back there. What ever happened to one against one?"
"It is not our way. We go all on one, one on all. Fight one of us, you fight us all. That is the Kei Pirate way."
"And how come you call yourselves Kei Pirates? Pirates rob treasure and ride the seas for the brand."
"Oh, we ride for a brand all right." Ron McDougal said as he gives Gene the one-finger salute. "This brand. How about you?"
"This brand." Gene said as he points his thumb at himself.
"We are going to get along just fine." Ron said.
A lazy afternoon in Sentinel III. Gene Starwind, James Hawking, Aisha Clan-Clan and Mayor Horis lounge in front of the hotel. "I cannot thank you enough. Since you took over there has not been a single problem. We are finally becoming a civilized town." Horis said.
"Nothing to it."
"Maybe I jumped the castor. Maybe those Kei Pirates are not near as bad as they are painted. You know I was thinking, there is a lot of business in the cow business."
"Wait a damn minute, you thinking of getting in bed with the Kei Pirates?" Jim asked.
"Business is business. Do not have to love them to work with them. Not if there is money in it." Gene said.
"You are the one, Gene. You sure are." Jim said.
Old Man McDougal leads 2 other Kei Pirates with a herd through the rocky canyon, slipping a flask and singing as the first castor shot rings out from the rocks above, becoming a fusillade. When the dust settles, all are dead except Old Man McDougal who lies pinned under his horse, semi-conscous. Figures emerge from the shadows. It was the rurales led by the young rurale from the Sentinel III canyon. He bends down to the dazed Old Man McDougal, speaking carefully. "The old one you kill. This was my father." the young rurale said as Old Man McDougal suddenly sits up. "What, and I am suppose to tremble? Kiss my ass, Heiphung." Hissing gleefully, he jams a derringer under the rurale's chin and fires, blowing off his hat as he falls. The others rurales fire, emptying their guns into Old Man McDougal as if he were some monstrous rattlesnake that might bite them...
Ron McDougal and the other Kei Pirates are by the fire, passing a bottle as Unak gallops up and dismounts, breathless. "Old Man McDougal is dead! Ambushed in Heiphong Canyon. Heiphung's got him." In tight on Ron McDougal as the news sinks in. He clenches his fist in rage, then bites a knuckle, getting his control back. "All right, first thing is first: It is my outfit now, I am running the show. Yase is number two man."
"Your outfit? I am next in line." Harry said.
"You do not got enough in your britches. Think you can prove otherwise, go ahead." Seeing with humiliation, Harry mounts up and rides off. "Anybody else?" Ron said. There was no takers as Ron McDougal turns back to business. "All right, Gaki, go after Harry and cool him off then go find the Kanes, tell them what happened and keep an eye on things. Yase and Jukai, too. The rest of you come with me. We are going to Heiphong." They mount in an army and take off north like the wind....
"Wyatt" Gene Starwind is up on his stallion, riding along the foot of a high hill. Coming to a ledge, he suddenly stops. Valeria is 120 yards up ahead, gorgeously impressive in a blue velvet riding habit, riding side-saddle towards the ledge on a pretty white mage. "Aw, hell..." Looking for an escape, Gene turns down a narrow trail on the side of the ledge. He follows it as it winds around the hill then abruptly drops back down and comes out on the other side of the ledge right in front of Valeria. "Well, hello." Valeria said as she waves. Gene groans. "We have never actually met. My name is---"
""Wyatt" Gene Starwind, I know." Valeria interrupted. "I was beginning to think we would never meet. This is fortuitous. That means luck."
"I know what it means." Gene said as his stallion suddenly groans nervously, throwing it's head, aroused by the presence of the mare. "What is it?" Valeria asked.
"Easy now... That mare is in season." Gene said as Valeria calms her horse down.
"Oh... Now she is starting. How do they know?"
"They know. It is the scent. We better split them up."
"I have a better idea, let us run it out of them!" Before Gene can stop her she is off at a full gallop. Gene pauses, debating with himself. "Yes, I am an oak all right." He takes off at a dead run. Catching up, the horses find their rhythm, breaking into a smooth gallop, flying over a jet black plain of volcanic ash into a rolling meadow carpeted with yellow desert poppies, so bright it almost hurts anyone's to look at them. Coming off a rise the desert floor shears off into a wide crevice. Valeria heads straight at it. "You are not that crazy, are you?" Gene asked her.
"Oh, yes I am!" Valeria answered from a crack of her crop, she streaks toward crevice. Gene grits his teeth and follows suit. The sound of their hoofbeats stops for a long instant as they take the jump together, sailing through the air side-by-side, Valeria giggles like a young lady as they light on the other side and gallop on....
They pull up at a huge desert stone formation, a canopy of white sandstone with vermillion streaks swirling through it looming over them like a giant crawfish. Gene dismounts, helping Valeria. He takes his duster from his saddle and lays it on a wide, table-shaped rock for them to sit on. "That was lovely!
"You know you almost got us both killed back there?"
"Fun though, was it not?"
"You would die for fun?"
"Would you? You are laughing! I was sure you never laughing."
"I laugh sometimes."
"Yes, but how often? Tell me, are you happy?"
"Am I happy? I do not know. Happy as the next man, I guess. I do not laugh all day long like an idiot, if that is what you mean."
"You are a little touchy about it."
"I am not touchy, I just, it is a silly question, that is all. Am I happy? Are you happy?"
"Of course, I am always happy. Unless I am bored. That black haired woman, is that your wife?"
"What about her?"
"Nothing... Tell me, what do you want out of life?"
"Where do you get these questions?"
"Just answer."
"I do not know, start a business for me and my friends, have a good life, you know."
"Does not suit you."
"How would you know?"
"Just does not, that is all."
"Well I ought to know my own mind and I am telling you what suits me is a family business. That suits me right down to the ground. In fact, that is my idea of heaven." Gene pauses for a moment and continues. "All right, what is your idea of heaven?"
"Adventure." Valeria said. Gene laughs, almost in spite of himself. Valeria beams. "See? You are laughing again. But that is what I want. Go places and move and never look back and just have fun. Forever. That is my idea of heaven. Need someone to share it with, though."
"You mean Clyde?" Gene asked as he sees Valeria shrug. "Then why are you with him?"
"Well he is handsome and polite. He is okay. For now. Do not say it, I know, I am rude. I cannot help it. I have tried to be good but it is too boring."
"The way you talk. I never heard a woman talk like that."
"Oh look, I have not got time to be proper, I want to live. If that is unladylike then I guess I am not a lady. At least I am honest."
"Well you are different, no arguing that. But you are a lady all right. I will take my oath on it." Gene looks at Valeria, enchanted, but suddenly his face clouds. "What is wrong?"
"I do not know, does not make any sense. I almost cannot look at you. Like it hurts."
"I know, me too. What should we do about it?" Valeria said. Gene takes her in his arms and kisses her passionately. She sinks in his arms as he kisses her again then falls to her knees, throwing his arms around her legs and pressing his face into the folds of Valeria Marcus' skirts. "Goodness.." Gene muttered as she runs a hand through his hair. He stands, lifting her with him until they are face-to-face and she can feel him pressing into her. "You know this is adultery. You can burn in hell for that." she said.
"Then let us make sure we get our wong's worth." Gene said.
Gene and Valeria loll on the rock, facing each other, and their clothes in disarray. "I must say this certainly has been an unexpected little windfall."
"Fortuitous even."
"And I did not even know your full name."
"Easy to fix. "Wyatt" Gene Hotshot Starwind."
"And I am Valeria Marcus. My friends call me Val."
"Val... No, I am going to call you Valie."
"I hate Valie."
"Well you will always be Valie to me."
"Always?"
"It is getting late. We better get back." Gene said as he looks away and stands, helping her up. They go to their horses. He lifts her up into her saddle and stands awhile, arranging the folds of her skirt. "So I assume we are regarding this as just a kind of interlude."
"Look, it is too much of a tangle. I already cast my lot. I cannot go back I cannot sneak, feel back enough as it is."
"You feel bad about this? About me?"
"I did not mean it that way."
"You know you do not have to sneak. You could stay with me. I know things, Gene. Sweeter things. I could make you so happy."
"I cannot, I am sorry. Forgive me." Gene mounts and rides off with a wave while Valeria watches him awhile....
A Sentinel III photographer's studio behind the Heiphong Corral. A skylight overhead illuminates the backdrop as Mata, the prosperous-looking owner prepares his camer. Valeria is in the dressing room on the left of the studio. "What mood would you like for this picture, Miss Valeria? Any particular occassion you are commemorating?"
"I want to remember exactly how I looked on this day so I want you to take a picture of me..."
Valeria steps out wearing a diaphonous veil shrouding her from head to toe. Though it partially obscures her form, Mata gasps as he can see that she is completely nude underneath. "...all of me." Mata fumbles with his camera, his composure gone. Valeria turns to a nearby mirror, studying herself--red tresses, rounded lips, maddening eyes, and bright eyes--a light angel as she smiles. "Because I am so wonderful."
Melfina lies in bed, lost in an opium dream. She snaps out of it and sits up as "Wyatt" Gene Starwind enters and gives her a kiss, glancing at the half-empty laudanum bottle on the nightstand. "Is that the bottle Hilda gave you? Better go easy on that crap."
"I know what I am doing. Where have you been?" Melfina said.
"Out riding. So... how are you doing?"
"I do not know. I am all right."
"Really? Are you sure?"
"Sure I am sure. What is this?" Melfina said as Gene sits down on the bed, suddenly intent, his alight. "Well, I was thinking, we have already made a pile of money. Maybe we should just pull up stakes and move on. And we could stay on the move, you know? Just keep going, see the world. Live on adventuring for the rest of our lives. How would that be?"
"Gene, what are talking about?"
"Just thinking out loud. Forget it, Melfina."
Dark circles under his eyes, looking dreadful, Fred Luo is at the corner table with James Hawking, Clyde, Aisha Clan-Clan, Harry McDougal, and the Kanes. Valeria lounges by the piano, luscious in a white gown, singing "The Red River Valley" in a torchy voice.
From this valley they say you will be going
I will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile
For they say you will be taking the sunshine
That is brighten the pathway awhile
Come and sit by my side
Till you leave me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
Just remember the Red River Valley
And the cowboy who loved you so true
I have waited a long time my darling
For those sweet words you never would say
Now at last all my fine hopes have vanished
Oh, you say you will be going away
Come and sit by myside
If you love me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
But remember the Red River Valley
And the girl who has loved you so true
"Wyatt" Gene Starwind enters, blanching at the sight of Valeria as Iris appears at his elbow. "New singer. Is she something?" Gene nods weakly to Iris. Valeria gives him a half-smile. Gene blushes as Aisha approaches. "Gene, Fred Luo will not quit. Harry McDougal and the Kane Brothers came in an hour ago, they switched over to poker. I tried to get him to go to bed but he just will not quit."
"I know, Aisha. And nobody can make him." Gene said as they go over to Fred Luo's table and sit down. Fred Luo beams drunkenly. "Gene! Just in time. Pull up a chair."
"Been hitting it awful hard, Fred."
"Nonsense, I have not yet begun to defile myself." Fred said as Gene touches his shoulder.
"But Fred---"
"I will not be pawed at, thank you very much."
"Sorry, sorry..." Gene said while Suzuka puts her arm around Fred. "That is right. Fred Luo can go all day and all night and then some. Fred is my man. Fred is my loving man. Have another one, loving man." Suzuka said as she kisses Fred Luo.
"I am in." Death Rob Kane said while Clyde nudges Gene.
"What do you think of the singer?"
"Nice voice."
"That is not what I mean." Clyde said and gives Gene a wink.
"Hey, loving man. You have been called." Harry said. Gene shifts uneasily in his seat. The hand is now down to Fred Luo and Harry McDougal and the pot is enormous. Fred Luo shows his hand. "Oops." Harry throws his cards down in furious rage, takes a sip of his wine, and puts his hand on Fred's hand before he took the winnings. "What is that now? That eighteen straight hands in a row, Fred Luo? Son of a bitch, nobody is that lucky." "Wyatt" Gene Starwind stiffens as the cheshire cat smile comes over Fred Luo. "Why, Harry McDougal, whatever do you mean?"
"Come on, take it easy, boys." Jim said and takes a sip of his drink.
"Maybe poker is just not your kind of game, Harry." Fred Luo said hysterically while Harry poured him another glass. "I know, let us have a counting contest."
"How about I just wring your god damn scrawny neck off for you!" Harry shouted as he stands up, approaching to Fred Luo and Jim grabs him. "That is enough, McDougal."
"Are you taking his part? Huh? I am the one who got cheated." Harry yelled while Fred Luo drunkenly takes the last of the Kei Pirates' bets. "You goddamn pimps! You are all in it together."
"Nobody is in anything, Harry, you are drunk. Go on home and sleep it off." James Hawking said while trying to move him away from Fred.
"Get your god damn hands off me!" Harry shouted as he furiously swinged his hand away from Jim, knocking his wine bottle down. "Do not ever put your hands on the McDougal brothers, see. Do not ever try to man-handle a Kei Pirate because we will rip your god damn pimp's heart out! You understand me, you pimp?!"
"Do not threaten me, you son of a bitch!" Violence seems imminent. Gene jumps in, separating them. Clyde notices as Valeria gasps, a look of alarm crossing her face. "All right, that is enough. Jim, do not! Take it easy! Easy, Jim, easy! Harry, will you just go home and forget about it, will you?" Gene said.
"I am not forgetting nothing. Harry McDougal said as he lurches to the bar while Clyde takes Valeria aside, whispering. "I saw that look on your face just now. What is between you and Gene?"
"Absolutely nothing." She said.
"Well that certainly was a bust. I want my wong back. Come, darling, let us seek our entertainment elsewhere." Fred said.
"It is alright now, Jim. Go outside and get some fresh air." Gene said to Jim. Fred Luo stands up, taking Suzuka's arm to leave. But he falls back down dizzily, suddenly breaking out in a sweat and coughing. "What is wrong, Fred?"
"Nothing. Not a thing. I am right as the mail." Fred said. Again he tries to stand. This time he falls over onto the floor and starts coughing up blood. Gene rushes to him. "Fred? Fred? Aisha, get a doctor! Jim, give me a hand here!"
The Starwind group lift the unconscous Fred Luo off the floor. Harry McDougal watches out and turns his direction to Iris. "What is wrong with him?"
"Lunger." Iris answered.
"Yes, Well, I hope you die. God damn pimp bastard!"
"That is right. And I am Leilong."
"You seen anything of a man on horseback leading a black stallion?" Gene asked. Leilong suddenly falls silent, looking at the ground nervously. "Well you must have seen something, the trail runs right by the corral." There was no answer and Gene continues. "Oh, I see. So it must have been a Kei Pirate, right? Really got you people treed, do they not?"
"Look, mister. It is fine for you boomtowners to court trouble, you are just passing through. We cattlemen got to live here. The best I can do is point you up to the cut. That is their roost." Gene nods his thanks. Leilong looks down, ashamed. Gene stares at him a moment. There is something genuinely troubling about so strong a man living in fear. "Wyatt" Gene Starwind rides on, shaking his head...
A small camp near a clump of trees. Swanzo brews coffee while Mikey leans against a fallen oak log feeding an eager pack of mongrels from a block of jerky as Gene rides up. "Run for your lives, boys! It is that great two-gun bloodhound from Farfallas!" Swanzo shouted.
"Swanzo, is it not? Listen, you seen a black stallion with--"
"Look, I got a rule. I do not talk to the law. Bloodhounds neither." Swanzo interrupted.
"I am not a lawdog, I am just a private citizen getting my stallion back." Gene explained.
"Well in that case, I saw your stallion. Shimi was taking him up to the canyon to show him off. The boys are all up there right now, branding. And in a mood. Still want your property back, private citizen?"
Gene and Swanzo ride along side-by-side through the hills. "So what about you Kei Pirates anyway?" Gene asked.
"If I had to explain it you would not understand. Just say we are brothers to the flesh."
"Yes, but some of the things they say you pirates have done..."
"There are all kinds of stallions. Are there not? Same with Kei Pirates. What they do is their affair. I do not preach and I do not judge. I am no dog-catcher."
A wide plateau in the canyon dotted with tents, water and fee troughs, rope corrals, etc. Kei Pirates cut out boars while others crouch around fires, cooking, looking up with naked hostility as "Wyatt" Gene Starwind rides up. Swanzo points to the edge of camp where Gaki is carrying Gene's stallion. "You seem like a nice fellow. I should have known you better. Had you lived." Swanzo said as Gene rides on, making for Gaki. Harry McDougal steps up with Unak, the giant whole-breed. They walk alongside Gene's path. "Hey, law-dog. What the hell are you doing here?"
"How about I just drag you off that horse and eat your blood well done?" Unak said. Gene ignores them, riding up to within 30 feet of Gaki and dismounting. Gaki looks up, supremely confident and concerned. "Where did you get that stallion?"
"Beauty, is he not?" Gaki said.
"I asked where you got him."
"Where do you think? I stole him." Everybody laughs and more Kei Pirates gather, jeering as Gene steps closer. "Look, I do not want any trouble with you but that is my stallion and I am here to have him back. One way or another."
"Come and get him."
"Look kid, I know what it is like, I was a kid, too. Even stole a billion wong once. But you cannot --"
"Do not sweet-talk him, make a move." Harry said.
"Yes, go ahead, mister. Make a move." Unak said. Gaki steps back, poised. Harry and Unak do the same. 2 more Kei Pirates move up behind him. now it seems on the brink of explosion when Ron McDougal suddenly in on his mare, majestic and 8 times life size as he pulls back and skids to a stop in front of Gene, raising a giant roostertail of dust, making everyone but Gene recoil. "Give him his stallion, Gaki."
"Come on, Ronny! Do not let him--" Harry said.
"Shut up. Give him his stallion, Gaki." Ron interrupted. Gaki reluctantly hands over the leadline. Gene mounts and rides off with Ark Manaf. in tow, Ron McDougal riding alongside. "Feel bad about old Gilliam. Just cannot hold back when I am feeling woolly. Still, feel kind of bad. But now we are square. Anyway no use for holding a grudge. I deserved a rap in the head."
"Make you a deal. My friend Jim Hawking took over the Marshal's office in Sentinel III. Got it in his head he is going to make the place safe for the widowed and orphans. You and your boys stay out of his way, I will make sure he stays out of yours."
"Fair enough. You know I got to admit, you got a lot of spunk on you coming up here like this."
"They were all going to jump me back there. What ever happened to one against one?"
"It is not our way. We go all on one, one on all. Fight one of us, you fight us all. That is the Kei Pirate way."
"And how come you call yourselves Kei Pirates? Pirates rob treasure and ride the seas for the brand."
"Oh, we ride for a brand all right." Ron McDougal said as he gives Gene the one-finger salute. "This brand. How about you?"
"This brand." Gene said as he points his thumb at himself.
"We are going to get along just fine." Ron said.
A lazy afternoon in Sentinel III. Gene Starwind, James Hawking, Aisha Clan-Clan and Mayor Horis lounge in front of the hotel. "I cannot thank you enough. Since you took over there has not been a single problem. We are finally becoming a civilized town." Horis said.
"Nothing to it."
"Maybe I jumped the castor. Maybe those Kei Pirates are not near as bad as they are painted. You know I was thinking, there is a lot of business in the cow business."
"Wait a damn minute, you thinking of getting in bed with the Kei Pirates?" Jim asked.
"Business is business. Do not have to love them to work with them. Not if there is money in it." Gene said.
"You are the one, Gene. You sure are." Jim said.
Old Man McDougal leads 2 other Kei Pirates with a herd through the rocky canyon, slipping a flask and singing as the first castor shot rings out from the rocks above, becoming a fusillade. When the dust settles, all are dead except Old Man McDougal who lies pinned under his horse, semi-conscous. Figures emerge from the shadows. It was the rurales led by the young rurale from the Sentinel III canyon. He bends down to the dazed Old Man McDougal, speaking carefully. "The old one you kill. This was my father." the young rurale said as Old Man McDougal suddenly sits up. "What, and I am suppose to tremble? Kiss my ass, Heiphung." Hissing gleefully, he jams a derringer under the rurale's chin and fires, blowing off his hat as he falls. The others rurales fire, emptying their guns into Old Man McDougal as if he were some monstrous rattlesnake that might bite them...
Ron McDougal and the other Kei Pirates are by the fire, passing a bottle as Unak gallops up and dismounts, breathless. "Old Man McDougal is dead! Ambushed in Heiphong Canyon. Heiphung's got him." In tight on Ron McDougal as the news sinks in. He clenches his fist in rage, then bites a knuckle, getting his control back. "All right, first thing is first: It is my outfit now, I am running the show. Yase is number two man."
"Your outfit? I am next in line." Harry said.
"You do not got enough in your britches. Think you can prove otherwise, go ahead." Seeing with humiliation, Harry mounts up and rides off. "Anybody else?" Ron said. There was no takers as Ron McDougal turns back to business. "All right, Gaki, go after Harry and cool him off then go find the Kanes, tell them what happened and keep an eye on things. Yase and Jukai, too. The rest of you come with me. We are going to Heiphong." They mount in an army and take off north like the wind....
"Wyatt" Gene Starwind is up on his stallion, riding along the foot of a high hill. Coming to a ledge, he suddenly stops. Valeria is 120 yards up ahead, gorgeously impressive in a blue velvet riding habit, riding side-saddle towards the ledge on a pretty white mage. "Aw, hell..." Looking for an escape, Gene turns down a narrow trail on the side of the ledge. He follows it as it winds around the hill then abruptly drops back down and comes out on the other side of the ledge right in front of Valeria. "Well, hello." Valeria said as she waves. Gene groans. "We have never actually met. My name is---"
""Wyatt" Gene Starwind, I know." Valeria interrupted. "I was beginning to think we would never meet. This is fortuitous. That means luck."
"I know what it means." Gene said as his stallion suddenly groans nervously, throwing it's head, aroused by the presence of the mare. "What is it?" Valeria asked.
"Easy now... That mare is in season." Gene said as Valeria calms her horse down.
"Oh... Now she is starting. How do they know?"
"They know. It is the scent. We better split them up."
"I have a better idea, let us run it out of them!" Before Gene can stop her she is off at a full gallop. Gene pauses, debating with himself. "Yes, I am an oak all right." He takes off at a dead run. Catching up, the horses find their rhythm, breaking into a smooth gallop, flying over a jet black plain of volcanic ash into a rolling meadow carpeted with yellow desert poppies, so bright it almost hurts anyone's to look at them. Coming off a rise the desert floor shears off into a wide crevice. Valeria heads straight at it. "You are not that crazy, are you?" Gene asked her.
"Oh, yes I am!" Valeria answered from a crack of her crop, she streaks toward crevice. Gene grits his teeth and follows suit. The sound of their hoofbeats stops for a long instant as they take the jump together, sailing through the air side-by-side, Valeria giggles like a young lady as they light on the other side and gallop on....
They pull up at a huge desert stone formation, a canopy of white sandstone with vermillion streaks swirling through it looming over them like a giant crawfish. Gene dismounts, helping Valeria. He takes his duster from his saddle and lays it on a wide, table-shaped rock for them to sit on. "That was lovely!
"You know you almost got us both killed back there?"
"Fun though, was it not?"
"You would die for fun?"
"Would you? You are laughing! I was sure you never laughing."
"I laugh sometimes."
"Yes, but how often? Tell me, are you happy?"
"Am I happy? I do not know. Happy as the next man, I guess. I do not laugh all day long like an idiot, if that is what you mean."
"You are a little touchy about it."
"I am not touchy, I just, it is a silly question, that is all. Am I happy? Are you happy?"
"Of course, I am always happy. Unless I am bored. That black haired woman, is that your wife?"
"What about her?"
"Nothing... Tell me, what do you want out of life?"
"Where do you get these questions?"
"Just answer."
"I do not know, start a business for me and my friends, have a good life, you know."
"Does not suit you."
"How would you know?"
"Just does not, that is all."
"Well I ought to know my own mind and I am telling you what suits me is a family business. That suits me right down to the ground. In fact, that is my idea of heaven." Gene pauses for a moment and continues. "All right, what is your idea of heaven?"
"Adventure." Valeria said. Gene laughs, almost in spite of himself. Valeria beams. "See? You are laughing again. But that is what I want. Go places and move and never look back and just have fun. Forever. That is my idea of heaven. Need someone to share it with, though."
"You mean Clyde?" Gene asked as he sees Valeria shrug. "Then why are you with him?"
"Well he is handsome and polite. He is okay. For now. Do not say it, I know, I am rude. I cannot help it. I have tried to be good but it is too boring."
"The way you talk. I never heard a woman talk like that."
"Oh look, I have not got time to be proper, I want to live. If that is unladylike then I guess I am not a lady. At least I am honest."
"Well you are different, no arguing that. But you are a lady all right. I will take my oath on it." Gene looks at Valeria, enchanted, but suddenly his face clouds. "What is wrong?"
"I do not know, does not make any sense. I almost cannot look at you. Like it hurts."
"I know, me too. What should we do about it?" Valeria said. Gene takes her in his arms and kisses her passionately. She sinks in his arms as he kisses her again then falls to her knees, throwing his arms around her legs and pressing his face into the folds of Valeria Marcus' skirts. "Goodness.." Gene muttered as she runs a hand through his hair. He stands, lifting her with him until they are face-to-face and she can feel him pressing into her. "You know this is adultery. You can burn in hell for that." she said.
"Then let us make sure we get our wong's worth." Gene said.
Gene and Valeria loll on the rock, facing each other, and their clothes in disarray. "I must say this certainly has been an unexpected little windfall."
"Fortuitous even."
"And I did not even know your full name."
"Easy to fix. "Wyatt" Gene Hotshot Starwind."
"And I am Valeria Marcus. My friends call me Val."
"Val... No, I am going to call you Valie."
"I hate Valie."
"Well you will always be Valie to me."
"Always?"
"It is getting late. We better get back." Gene said as he looks away and stands, helping her up. They go to their horses. He lifts her up into her saddle and stands awhile, arranging the folds of her skirt. "So I assume we are regarding this as just a kind of interlude."
"Look, it is too much of a tangle. I already cast my lot. I cannot go back I cannot sneak, feel back enough as it is."
"You feel bad about this? About me?"
"I did not mean it that way."
"You know you do not have to sneak. You could stay with me. I know things, Gene. Sweeter things. I could make you so happy."
"I cannot, I am sorry. Forgive me." Gene mounts and rides off with a wave while Valeria watches him awhile....
A Sentinel III photographer's studio behind the Heiphong Corral. A skylight overhead illuminates the backdrop as Mata, the prosperous-looking owner prepares his camer. Valeria is in the dressing room on the left of the studio. "What mood would you like for this picture, Miss Valeria? Any particular occassion you are commemorating?"
"I want to remember exactly how I looked on this day so I want you to take a picture of me..."
Valeria steps out wearing a diaphonous veil shrouding her from head to toe. Though it partially obscures her form, Mata gasps as he can see that she is completely nude underneath. "...all of me." Mata fumbles with his camera, his composure gone. Valeria turns to a nearby mirror, studying herself--red tresses, rounded lips, maddening eyes, and bright eyes--a light angel as she smiles. "Because I am so wonderful."
Melfina lies in bed, lost in an opium dream. She snaps out of it and sits up as "Wyatt" Gene Starwind enters and gives her a kiss, glancing at the half-empty laudanum bottle on the nightstand. "Is that the bottle Hilda gave you? Better go easy on that crap."
"I know what I am doing. Where have you been?" Melfina said.
"Out riding. So... how are you doing?"
"I do not know. I am all right."
"Really? Are you sure?"
"Sure I am sure. What is this?" Melfina said as Gene sits down on the bed, suddenly intent, his alight. "Well, I was thinking, we have already made a pile of money. Maybe we should just pull up stakes and move on. And we could stay on the move, you know? Just keep going, see the world. Live on adventuring for the rest of our lives. How would that be?"
"Gene, what are talking about?"
"Just thinking out loud. Forget it, Melfina."
Dark circles under his eyes, looking dreadful, Fred Luo is at the corner table with James Hawking, Clyde, Aisha Clan-Clan, Harry McDougal, and the Kanes. Valeria lounges by the piano, luscious in a white gown, singing "The Red River Valley" in a torchy voice.
From this valley they say you will be going
I will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile
For they say you will be taking the sunshine
That is brighten the pathway awhile
Come and sit by my side
Till you leave me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
Just remember the Red River Valley
And the cowboy who loved you so true
I have waited a long time my darling
For those sweet words you never would say
Now at last all my fine hopes have vanished
Oh, you say you will be going away
Come and sit by myside
If you love me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
But remember the Red River Valley
And the girl who has loved you so true
"Wyatt" Gene Starwind enters, blanching at the sight of Valeria as Iris appears at his elbow. "New singer. Is she something?" Gene nods weakly to Iris. Valeria gives him a half-smile. Gene blushes as Aisha approaches. "Gene, Fred Luo will not quit. Harry McDougal and the Kane Brothers came in an hour ago, they switched over to poker. I tried to get him to go to bed but he just will not quit."
"I know, Aisha. And nobody can make him." Gene said as they go over to Fred Luo's table and sit down. Fred Luo beams drunkenly. "Gene! Just in time. Pull up a chair."
"Been hitting it awful hard, Fred."
"Nonsense, I have not yet begun to defile myself." Fred said as Gene touches his shoulder.
"But Fred---"
"I will not be pawed at, thank you very much."
"Sorry, sorry..." Gene said while Suzuka puts her arm around Fred. "That is right. Fred Luo can go all day and all night and then some. Fred is my man. Fred is my loving man. Have another one, loving man." Suzuka said as she kisses Fred Luo.
"I am in." Death Rob Kane said while Clyde nudges Gene.
"What do you think of the singer?"
"Nice voice."
"That is not what I mean." Clyde said and gives Gene a wink.
"Hey, loving man. You have been called." Harry said. Gene shifts uneasily in his seat. The hand is now down to Fred Luo and Harry McDougal and the pot is enormous. Fred Luo shows his hand. "Oops." Harry throws his cards down in furious rage, takes a sip of his wine, and puts his hand on Fred's hand before he took the winnings. "What is that now? That eighteen straight hands in a row, Fred Luo? Son of a bitch, nobody is that lucky." "Wyatt" Gene Starwind stiffens as the cheshire cat smile comes over Fred Luo. "Why, Harry McDougal, whatever do you mean?"
"Come on, take it easy, boys." Jim said and takes a sip of his drink.
"Maybe poker is just not your kind of game, Harry." Fred Luo said hysterically while Harry poured him another glass. "I know, let us have a counting contest."
"How about I just wring your god damn scrawny neck off for you!" Harry shouted as he stands up, approaching to Fred Luo and Jim grabs him. "That is enough, McDougal."
"Are you taking his part? Huh? I am the one who got cheated." Harry yelled while Fred Luo drunkenly takes the last of the Kei Pirates' bets. "You goddamn pimps! You are all in it together."
"Nobody is in anything, Harry, you are drunk. Go on home and sleep it off." James Hawking said while trying to move him away from Fred.
"Get your god damn hands off me!" Harry shouted as he furiously swinged his hand away from Jim, knocking his wine bottle down. "Do not ever put your hands on the McDougal brothers, see. Do not ever try to man-handle a Kei Pirate because we will rip your god damn pimp's heart out! You understand me, you pimp?!"
"Do not threaten me, you son of a bitch!" Violence seems imminent. Gene jumps in, separating them. Clyde notices as Valeria gasps, a look of alarm crossing her face. "All right, that is enough. Jim, do not! Take it easy! Easy, Jim, easy! Harry, will you just go home and forget about it, will you?" Gene said.
"I am not forgetting nothing. Harry McDougal said as he lurches to the bar while Clyde takes Valeria aside, whispering. "I saw that look on your face just now. What is between you and Gene?"
"Absolutely nothing." She said.
"Well that certainly was a bust. I want my wong back. Come, darling, let us seek our entertainment elsewhere." Fred said.
"It is alright now, Jim. Go outside and get some fresh air." Gene said to Jim. Fred Luo stands up, taking Suzuka's arm to leave. But he falls back down dizzily, suddenly breaking out in a sweat and coughing. "What is wrong, Fred?"
"Nothing. Not a thing. I am right as the mail." Fred said. Again he tries to stand. This time he falls over onto the floor and starts coughing up blood. Gene rushes to him. "Fred? Fred? Aisha, get a doctor! Jim, give me a hand here!"
The Starwind group lift the unconscous Fred Luo off the floor. Harry McDougal watches out and turns his direction to Iris. "What is wrong with him?"
"Lunger." Iris answered.
"Yes, Well, I hope you die. God damn pimp bastard!"