Meet Mr. Mayor

Bugs went outside into the blazing sun. He went for a ride around town. He took his horse and wagon and rode further into town. He rode down the main street. He was looking for a place to set up shop. There were no inviting spots as he rode down the street. There were only a few people around, but they just looked at Bugs. They didn't even look like they were interested in buying anything. There was one guy sitting on a stool with his hat over his face, asleep, in front of a building marked "JAIL".

"New around here?" asked a voice

Bugs turned around to see who it was. It was that guy he saw, a duck. He had a large brimmed hat, a brown vest, and a pair of dark brown pants. When he lifted his hat and stood up, Bugs noticed he was wearing a Sheriff's badge.

"Yeah, I just got here today," answered Bugs. "Is it dat obvious dat I'm new around here?" thought Bugs to himself.

"Who are ya, stranger?" asked the Duck

"I'm Bugs Bunny,"

"Really? And what do ya got there in dat wagon?"

"My merchandise. I'm a salesman,"

"You wouldn't be planning to sell here, were you?"

"Um, yeah. Dat's what I do,"

"You're not going to do that without a permit,"

"A permit?"

"Yeah. You need a permit in order to sell here,"

"Really? And what do I do in order to get one?"

"Go to the town-hall and pay a fee,"

"You mean I have to pay you so I can sell?"

"That's the way it works, I don't make the rules. I just enforce them,"

"Fine,"

Bugs rolled his eyes as he turned his horse around and rode to Town Hall, which he figured to be that white building he saw earlier. He tied up his horse and walked inside. Inside he saw a female duck sitting at her desk, there was a nametag on her desk that read "Melissa".

"Excuse me, miss Melissa. Where can I get a permit?" asked Bugs

"What kind?" she responded

"Eh, a vendor's permit I guess,"

"Ok, sign these papers," she said handing him some papers. He glanced at the papers, but the fine print seemed like a blur. He focused his vision and read the contract.

"So, I have to pay taxes for the merchandise I sell, for my wagon, my means of transport and for the land where I set up my wagon?"

"Yes sir,"

"Which is a grand total of?"

"$10,000,"

"WHAT! Dat's ridiculous!"

"I'm sorry sir, but that's how much it costs,"

"Who's idea was dis anyway?"

"Who else except Mayor Sam,"

"And where is dis Mayor Sam?"

"Upstairs in his office,"

"Thanks,"

Bugs turned around suddenly and went swiftly upstairs.

"Sir don't do it!" warned Melissa, but she was too late.

Bugs opened up the door leading to the mayor's office.

"Mayor Sam!" he called

A huge black chair was behind a large wooden desk. It was facing the window.

"Who's there?" came a robust voice

"Why in da heck are you taxin' da life out of dis town?"

Then Bugs heard a step. Then from behind the desk came a tiny man with a long red beard. He had on a black hat, a green vest, and black pants.

"Who are you to be comin' up in my office like that?"

"I'm Bugs Bunny, and I don't like the way you run things around here!"

"You must be new around here," said Sam.

"I'm getting tired of hearing dat," thought Bugs to himself

"You see, I run the show. These people put me into office, so if they don't like it, too bad. Cause I'm large and in charge!" said Sam with his nose in the air

"You? Large? Don't make me laugh! Ha ha! Oops! Too late!"

"Watch it you flea bitten galoot!"

"Listen shorty, you're an elected official. The people can take you out easily,"

"No they can't and they won't," snapped Sam

"Oh, yes dey can!"

"Oh, no they can't!"

"Oh, yes dey can!"

"Oh, no they can't!"

"Oh, no dey can't!"

"Oh yes they can! And that's final,"

"If you say so doc, they can,"

Yosemite smiled but later realized what he said. He gritted his teeth in anger.

"I've had enough! Canasta! Smith!" he yelled

The two thugs from the inn zoomed into the office.

"Escort this varmit out of my office!" commanded Sam

"With pleasure!" they answered in unison

"Consider this a warning rabbit!" said Sam as his two henchmen carried Bugs away. Bugs struggled to get free as they carried him downstairs. They dragged him to the door and kicked him out into the dirt road.

"And stay out!" they yelled as they walked back in.

Bugs got up and dusted of his clothes. He gave them a death glance.

"Of course you realize dis means war!"

He went to his horse, who cracked a smile. "Who are you laughing at?" said Bugs. The horse bayed as his master untied him from the post. He rode back to the inn. He was so distracted that he hardly noticed a roadrunner speed past him, followed by a hungry coyote.

When he was almost at the inn, a bullet passed right through the wagon, missing him. The horse panicked, but Bugs calmed him down. Bugs jumped from the wagon and saw who shot that bullet. It was Canasta and Smith.

"We came to deliver your warning,"

"Wasn't kicking me out the warning?" said Bugs unimpressed

"Uhh, yeah it was," said Smith but Canasta slapped him over the head.

"No! This is!" said Canasta as he shot his gun at Bugs' feet. Bugs jumped out of the way. He shot some more at his feet and Bugs kept jumping out of the way that he looked like he was doing some moves from Riverdance. Bugs pulled out his own gun and shot Canastas's gun right out of his hand. But Smith took out his own gun and shot Bugs' gun out of his hand.

"So, we got a fighter here!" said Canasta

"Let's show him what we do to fighters!" said Smith

"Lets do this the old fashioned way," said Canasta

They charged at him full force. Bugs was ready, he dodged Smith and gave Canasta a right cross. Smith came back and threw a punch but Bugs punched him back. Canasta then head-butted Bugs then followed up with a jab. Bugs fell back but got back up to high kick him. But then both thugs came and ran Bugs down. Canasta held Bugs down while Smith held his gun at Bugs' head.

"Now we're gonna teach you a lesson!" said Smith

"You guys have bad standards!" said Bugs bravely

Then out of nowhere a whip came and pulled the gun right out of his hand. They all turned to see who it was. It was a man on a black horse. He was covered completely in black. He had a large hat, pants, jacket, boots, and even a mask that covered his face. He gave another lash of his whip, which made Smith and Canasta yelp in pain. They jumped around massaging their behinds. Then the rider lashed his whip again, which made them run away. As soon as they were gone, the rider rode away and was gone as mysteriously as he appeared.

"Um, thanks?" said Bugs as he lost sight of him.

Bugs rode back to the inn. As he got off his horse, Lola came out of the inn. She gasped when she saw him all bruised up.

"What happened?" asked Lola as she came towards him

"I met your mayor," said Bugs, "and his goons did dis to me."

"Oh no! Are you alright?"

"I'll be fine. Don't worry,"

"You sure?"

"I'm ok," he said reassuringly, "well, changing the subject. Do you have a place where my horse can sleep?"

"Sure, we have a stable around back. Come with me,"

He followed her with his horse and wagon to the back of the inn. There was a small stable where a white horse was trotting. Lola opened the gate and let Bugs' horse, Copper, inside.

"You could tie the wagon to the post over there," suggested Lola

"Thanks," said Bugs as he did so. He walked back to Lola, who was feeding the white horse. "Is this horse yours?" he asked

"Yeah, her name is Joy,"

"She seems well trained,"

"Thanks,"

"Look," said Bugs pointing to Copper. Copper had approached Joy and nuzzled her. She nuzzled him back. "I think Copper is in love."

Lola giggled, "I believe so. They're so cute."

"Yeah. It would be a shame."

"What would?"

"If I leave, he's going to be heartbroken."

Copper and Joy whimpered when they heard him.

"Oh, I wouldn't want Joy to be heartbroken," said Lola

"Me neither," replied Bugs

"What do you propose we do?"

"I think I should stay around for a while," he said looking into her eyes

"That would be great," she smiled

They looked into each other's eyes for a moment. Then a low distant sound was heard. Lola twitched a little when she heard it and looked toward the sunset. She then turned to Bugs.

"Umm, I got to go finish my chores," she said hesitantly

"Eh, OK," said Bugs

She nodded and left towards the inn. Bugs sighed and turned towards the horses. They were still nuzzling each other.

"You two be good," said Bugs

Copper looked at him and winked.

"You bad horse," whispered Bugs as he went into the inn.

As Bugs went back in, he noticed Pa heading tiredly upstairs. He was yawning and seemed to be holding his shoulder in pain. He approached him and helped him upstairs.

"Are you alright Pa? Need help?" asked Bugs

"I'm not that old," answered Pa, "just tired."

"Long day, huh?"

"Yeah, just finished the last chore," he said, "I had to stash some crates on the storage room."

"You're all done? But Lola said she still had more chores to finish,"

"That girl always finds a way to keep herself busy,"

Bugs shrugged his shoulders and let the conversation drop. Pa bid him goodnight and went to his room. Bugs went to his own room to get ready for bed. It was already dark as he changed out of his clothes. All the while he kept wondering who that guy was. That guy who saved him.

"Maybe I should ask Lola about that guy," wondered Bugs out loud as he blew out the candle and closed his eyes, "I wonder what she could be doing at this time of night…"

His eyes shot open as he heard a loud noise. He remained motionless so he could distinguish what it was. Then he heard the sound of footsteps of someone going up the stairs. The steps continued towards the end of the hall, towards Lola's room. A door opened but then he heard another door open.

"Lola, where have you been?" asked Pa in a hushed tone

"I had to buy horse feed for Joy and Copper," she whispered

"Alright, but don't do that again. It's dangerous for you to go out there at night. You should know better,"

"Ok, I'm sorry. It won't happen again. Goodnight Pa,"

"Goodnight Lola,"

Bugs cocked an eyebrow as he heard the two doors close. Just what was a girl like Lola doing out there?