The Trouble with Drifters
Chapter 2: What's In a Name?
The stranger left Murrays satisfied that he made the right choice. Toney's may have cost less but trust was worth the extra cost. He noticed that the local saloon named, Kings, wasn't open when he passed it on the way to the livery stable. Hopefully it would be by now; he needed to sleep on a real bed instead of the unforgiving ground. Maybe he could even get cleaned up as well then pay a visit to the general store later. His supplies were running low and needed to restock before heading back out, whenever that would be. In the distance church bells started ringing indicating it was going on 10:00 according to the cowboys pocket watch. He looked at the picture of a women and young boy smiling briefly. Maybe one day he'd be worthy of attending church again he thought.
"...maybe next Sunday Sammy, you know Pete has rounds to make." Jacob Carter said to his daughter looking disappointed that her beau didn't show up. "I know dad, you'd think Deputy Mitchell could do them instead." Samantha stated waiting as her father locked up the general store of which they lived over. "Your right but then Cameron couldn't make sure Valla made it to church, you know how she likes to sleep in on Sunday s." He replied perking up as the sound of heavy footfalls and ringing of spurs got his attention. Samantha looked behind her as the cowboy from earlier approached them looking dirtier up close.
The cowboy had a pair of Colt pistols not unlike they sold along with a Bowie knife. The clothing he wore gave the appearance of living a hard life with little to live for. He was probably a hired gun or outlaw that was looking for a good time with a 'shady lady' (A/N1) or a bottle of whiskey to drown in. The saddle bags over his shoulders had a monogram on of an upside down 'V' with a circle on top. The cowboy smelled bad as if there was a bath in search on him. This was the kind of man Havendidn't need, they already had enough 'trouble' to deal with. She'd tell Pete about him at lunch and have him run out of town.
Jacob looked at the cowboy as he approached. He had the look of a haunted man running from his past. The eyes gave him away as they looked empty conveying a lost feeling. The cowboy looked to be in his 30s but had the appearance of being older due living a hard life. Whoever this man was anyone with sense would give him a wide berth. Jacob could tell this because truth be known had it not been for his children and wife, wife deceased two years now, this would've been him.
The cowboy in question stopped before them bringing them out of their thoughts. "Pardon me Mr. Carter, Miss Carter. When do you open up today?" he asked with a tip of his hat catching Samantha off guard at his politeness. Jacob didn't miss the cowboys quick glance at his daughter. Samantha had her mother's beauty and wit; however her intelligence had to be a gift from God. He couldn't afford to send her to college even if they'd accept her. "We've never met so how do you know our names sir?" Samantha asked adding 'sir' just to be nice because her father was present. "Well ma'am I'm might be making an assumption but generally if you're living above the business you probably own it. If I'm wrong I apologize." He replied in even voice not a harsh one like she expected. Samantha had feeling the cowboy didn't miss much which meant there was a chance he did see her. "You're not wrong mister; we open up at 1:00. If you'll excuse us we need to be heading to church, good day sir." Jacob said tipping his black bowler hat that matched the suit.
Samantha looked at the cowboy sniffing the air. "The saloon is opening soon and they have showers and barber there, you might consider it if you plan to attend church. That's if you believe in God." She said turning to follow her father. "Samantha..! You apologize right now!" Jacob ordered mad at her for judging the cowboy without knowing him. The man just waved him off giving no sign of being offended, almost as if he was used to being treated that way. "Thanks' for the idea ma'am; I'll get right on that." He replied walking past them with spurs jingling down the wooden sidewalks. "Samantha, your mother wouldn't approve!" Jacob admonished his daughter. "Well she's not here is she dad. Let's go or we'll be late." Samantha answered ending the conversation.
-"Some cowboys have too much tumbleweed in their blood to settle down." Ken Alstad-
The cowboy walked up to Kings Saloon looking through the windows. There was a cowboy in a fades cavalry hat putting down chairs at a slow pace. Towards the back he could see a stage where can-can dancers performed at. To the side was an elaborate stairway leading to the upstairs area. There was also a poster advertising 'Miss Sera, Angel voice" indicating she was the main attraction of the saloon. Satisfied that he found the right place the cowboy entered the through the batwing doors letting them swing shut behind him. Upon entering he took in the smell smiling at the scent, good saloons always smelt of whiskey and women he thought. "Welcome to Kings Saloon, stranger, where it's Good to be king." A man greeted him from behind the bar on his left. The bartender was shorter than him by a foot or two and looked a bit overweight for his size. His face had an oval shape with thick black hair. He wore a fancy vest with a white shirt and black bow tie indicating expensive tastes. That was another good sign of a great saloon, a well paid bartender or owner.
The cowboy ambled over to the bar stools carefully placing his saddle bags on one of them. "Thank you kindly sir, you the owner or bartender?" he asked looking in the mirror making sure no one walked up behind him. The man stopped cleaning the glass setting it down on the counter. "Harry Maybourne is my name and I own the place." He replied with pride while quickly sizing up the man in front of him. Harry immediately got the impression this stranger didn't suffer fools. He didn't like wild cards just walking around, they tended to come back to haunt you. "Nice place you have here, got any Budweiser? I had one few months back." (A/N2)The cowboy asked keeping an eye on his surroundings. "It's your lucky day stranger. I just got a fresh shipment in a few days ago. That'll be one dollar." Harry said placing a cold beer on a napkin. The cowboy placed a silver dollar on the counter sliding it across much to Harrys amazement. "I didn't catch your name mister." Said the owner of the bar trying to be friendly. "I didn't throw it Maybourne." Replied the cowboy not interested in talking as he finished the beer.
Charles Kowalski, the helper, kept putting down chairs keeping an eye on the stranger. Boy how he wished he could afford a Budweiser licking his lips at the thought. Harry only paid him enough to get by only allowing drinking off hours. Not many people in town paid him much attention anyway considering he was the town drunk. Back in the day he actually felt important. The US Calvary gave him purpose in life but now he was just someone to ignore.
Harry shrugged his shoulders figuring there was no need to push, there were other ways to get the cowboys name. "Now I hear you have showers and a barber, is that true?" asked the cowboy motioning for another beer laying down another silver dollar. "We have three actually and the barber is a woman. I figure a man should enjoy getting a haircut and shave." Harry replied proudly hinting there was more to the enjoying part. "How much for the shower and grooming?" he asked empting another beer feeling better. "That would be $5.00 stranger, more if you want a better view." Harry answered adding the last part. Women tended to loosen even stubborn men's tongues. "I'll just take the shower and grooming for now Maybourne." ...answered the cowboy eyeing the smaller man. He reached into his vest pulling out seven dollars from his wallet. "Hey Kowalski, show this man to the barber area then go get Thelma." Harry ordered going back to cleaning the glasses watching the cowboy walk away. Harry thought about his encounter with the nameless cowboy knowing just how to get his name. Thelma got many a man to talk. He should know all about the cowboy in an hour but just in case there's always plan B.
Harry promised a drink of his choice once he got back. The catch was he had to come back with a name and which stable the cowboy was using, simple enough. Kowalski already knew which stable to go to first. People who had money didn't use Toney's, they used Murray. Teal'C freely gave him the name as they were friends; hell...Murray was one of the few that treated him fairly so he did so in return. Kowalski headed back quickly as possible knowing Mr. Maybourne wouldn't like what he found out. Who was he to care as long as Harry held up his end of the deal?
"What do you mean he didn't talk? Men get an eye full you and want more!" Maybourne said looking at Thelma in her low cut dress and big bust. The skirt she had on showed an expanse of leg men loved along with her long fiery red hair. "The cowboy said 'Nice view but I just want to feel human again' then just watched me work." Thelma replied with a huff. "I mean who can resist these!" she asked motioning to her chest. Maybourne sat back thinking for a moment then asked her another question. "Did the stranger ask any questions then?" He asked wondering what type of women did interest the stranger. "He did ask when Inara's show started and if she's approachable?" Thelma answered annoyed that the cowboy ignored her advances. "He was quite handsome once cleaned up." Thelma added as an afterthought. Kowalski walked into the bar at moment noticing Miss Thelma Parker tipping his hat. She huffed at the drunk then walked off after being dismissed by Maybourne.
"What did you find out Charles, it better be good because Thelma didn't find out a damn thing." Maybourne said looking at his drunken lackey. "His name is Mr. Wayne and his horse and mule is at Murrays." Charles replied waiting for Maybourne to reply. "Mr. Wayne as in the bounty hunter..." he asked taken back wondering what would bring him to Haven? "I'll have my Budweiser now boss." Charles said licking his lips for the coveted drink. "Savor it for it'll be the only one you get. Finish that and go fetch me Miss Sera, I have a job for her. Don't tell no one who he is understand Charles!" Maybourne ordered getting a yes sir in response. "Doesn't Miss Sera need to know his name?" Charles asked getting the okay to pass on Mr. Wayne's name. Harry needed to know why Mr. Wayne drifted into his town. This could be good for him or really bad, bounty hunters were unpredictable folk. He decided to keep this information to himself for now; there was no need to let Sheriff Shanahan know. Hell, it might be interesting to see how Pete handles a man like Mr. Wayne, see if he has grit or not.
A/N1: A Shady Lady is one of the terms use for prostitutes back then.
A/N2: Budweiser Lager Beer was founded in 1860 by Eberhard Anheuser. The company was renamed Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association in 1879 in recognizing the contribution of Adolphus Busch.
A/N3: I forgot to add what state Haven is located in. Texas because my mom's from Texas.
LoneWolfO'Neill