The Hootenanny

The next morning Bugs awoke to the sound of an annoying rooster.

"I say I say good morning everyone! Get up out of bed ya bunch of sleepy heads! I say it's a beautiful day! I say beautiful day! So get up I say get up!"

Bugs stretched and got out of bed. He got dressed and walked downstairs. Lola was cleaning the counter and arranging the whiskey bottles. He noticed that she looked tired.

"Good morning," he called

She looked up suddenly but saw it was Bugs. She smiled then said, "good morning Bugs."

"You alright?" he asked

"Just a little tired," she answered. She picked up a crate and was about to carry it outside. But then Bugs stepped in front of her.

"Let me help you," he said

"Thanks," she said. She let go of the crate and Bugs gained footing to hold the heavy crate. He followed her as she led him towards the back of the inn and out to the stables. Behind the stables there was a barn that he had noticed before. She opened the doors for him.

"Can I ask you something?" said Bugs

"Sure," answered Lola

"Yesterday, when I was attacked by those thugs, someone came to my rescue…" he paused as Lola indicated where the crate was to be dropped.

"He was dis big guy on a black horse. Dis guy must really love black caused he was covered in it. I mean he even had a black mask on in dis heat," continued Bugs

"You must have seen the Dark Rider," said Lola

"Dark Rider? Who's dat?"

A small noise came from within the barn. Then bits of hay fell from the rafters above.

"What was dat?" asked Bugs

"Rats," said Lola

As if on que, a huge one scurried past them.

"Was dat a rat or a cat?" asked Bugs wide-eyed

"I couldn't tell," said Lola wide-eyed as well, "lets get out of here."

"Lets,"

They rushed out of the barn. They walked over to the horses; who were trotting in their stables.

"Anyways, the Dark Rider is pretty much our own Robin Hood," explained Lola, "Sam calls him a criminal, but we call him our hero. He's the only one of the rebels who hasn't been caught. He is our only hope."

"You're only hope? Well excuse me!"

"What? What do you mean?"

"This town needs more than just one person. You people need more to bring Sam down,"

"What are you saying? Are you meaning to help us?"

"Of course I wanna help! I just can't let a power hungry maniac abuse of you people!" said Bugs in a determined tone. Lola looked at him with a glow in her eyes.

"Oh Bugs! That is very sweet of you!" she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. But then grew bright red as she realized what she had just done. She smiled nervously.

"I…uh..got to go to work now, bye," she said as she dashed into the house

Bugs was wide-eyed after receiving his kiss. He wasn't expecting that at all. He looked over at Copper and Joy, who were staring back at him. Copper looked at him dead in the eye with what looked like a smile.

"You think so?" asked Bugs

Copper nodded

"You think she likes me?"

He nodded again

"I think so too,"

Bugs wandered off into town. He was wondering what he could do to help the town. He thought he should form a petition, to be all 'legal and stuff'. So he decided to search for willing citizens to join the fight. He walked up to a man he saw on the streets. He was bald, had a brown jacket, brown pants, and a red vest.

"Eh, hey doc," called Bugs

"Are you weferring to me?" asked the man

"Would you be interested in signing a petition?"

"A petition? For what?"

"To get Mayor Sam out of office,"

"Eh heh heh, you're kidding wight?"

"No, I'm serious. Don't you see that Sam is stealing from the people of this town?"

"No, I…can't have anything to do with this! If Sam knew…"

"Huh?"

"You don't know me! And my name is not Elmer Fudd!" he said running away from Bugs

Bugs cocked an eyebrow. He then continued his search for signers but no one dared to sign. After facing nothing but failure, he decided to return to the inn. It was already turning dark when he arrived. But there was commotion in the inn. Bugs went inside and saw a bunch of rugged cowboys eating, drinking, and playing cards. There was music being played on the automatic piano. Pa was serving at the bar. Lola was waiting on the tables. They were working overtime running around, tending to the demanding guys. Lola had the hardest time; the guys were picking on her. She then had enough of them she was about to explode. However, instead of having a fit she decided to rush out of there to get fresh air. Bugs followed her outside to the stables. That was when she noticed him there.

"Hi Bugs," she said

"Hi. Are you ok?" he said

"A little stressed but I'll be fine," she answered

"What's going on in dere?"

"It's Wednesday. Sam's militia always comes to throw a hootenanny at the inn today. When I mean, hootenanny, I mean they come over here and freeload off of us,"

"Oh. I see you're very busy around here,"

"Very busy doesn't even describe it!"

They were interrupted by the sound of a galloping horse. They looked at each other curiously, then they went to the front of the inn to see who it was. They only saw the dust of the horse as it turned a corner.

"That's strange," said Lola, "anyone that owns a horse in this town is right here. I wonder who that could have been?"

"Do you want to investigate?" asked Bugs

She turned to look at the inn. All of the men inside were getting drunk.

"Maybe for a little while. I really should be helping Pa, but those guys are getting on my nerves!"

They both followed the horse. They were careful to make sure they weren't seen. They followed him to Sam's office, where other cowboys were gathered. Bugs and Lola hid in the alley between two houses and watched behind barrels.

"This must be where they drop off the tax money," whispered Lola

"So, dese guys are da collectors?" whispered Bugs

"Yeah, look there's Smith and Canasta," she said pointing them out, "the nastiest ones!"

The cowboys were unloading sacks from their horses. They did contain the taxes they took…I mean collected from the townspeople. Just then a gunshot was heard, and one of the cowboys fell off his horse. They panicked, and hurried to their horses. There were more shots, and more of the cowboys fell. Canasta and Smith had taken cover behind a wagon. They were struggling with their weapons. Then the owner of the fired bullets, Dark Rider himself, appeared and knocked them both unconscious with two punches. Dark Rider then took as much of the sacks as he could carry and put them on his black horse. He then rode away.

"He just stole dat money!" said Bugs

"That money was stolen to begin with. Come on lets follow him," she said coming out of the hiding place, with Bugs behind her. Dark Rider rode down Main Street. He slashed holes into the saddlebags carrying the money. All of the gold and cash came fluttering out of the bags. Some of the people heard the trotting of the horse and came out to see. When they saw the money on the floor, they all rushed to collect some for themselves. They cheered and thanked their mysterious benefactor.

"You see?" said Lola, "he is only helping us."

"I guess force is da only way to stand up to Sam," said Bugs

"It's getting late, I have to help Pa at the inn,"

"Sure, lets go,"

They walked back to the inn, only after picking up a little spare change for themselves. Pa was glad to see them, because he really needed their help. They helped him look after the inn until Sam's militia finally left. They cleaned up and went upstairs.

"Thanks for your help," said Pa

"It was my pleasure," said Bugs

"Good night," said Lola

"Goodnight," they said simultaneously

Bugs was dead tired after working so hard. He just fell onto his bed and went straight sleep. But he had an idea, inspired by Dark Rider.

He had to use force