JULY 18, 1889 (Monday)

Heyes, Curry, and Lom stepped out of the hotel and waited for their driver. While not looking forward to the day, Kid was more comfortable, dressed in his maroon Henley, leather vest, blue bandanna, and jeans. Heyes, who was always more comfortable in a suit than his partner, also dressed casually in his white shirt, black jeans and black vests. Both men wore their signature hats and their tied down holsters. The Governor had advised them to "dress the part," for the parade, they they assumed that simply meant dress as they normally did.

The carriage arrived and the three men climbed in to be taken to the location where the parade was to begin. All three were told they would be provided horses for the parade.

The parade was to begin near Pershing Avenue and Taft Avenue, and travel down Pershing Avenue, past the Capital Building where it would end near Carey Avenue, a distance of several miles. The gathering site appeared chaotic as organizers worked diligently to find some semblance to the order people would be placed in the parade. Heyes and Curry were to ride side by side about a third of the way back from the start of the parade. Lom would ride directly behind them. In front of them would be two marching bands and several floats with local and state politicians. The remainder of the parade would include business advertisers, youth club organizations, and more bands. The parade itself ran the length of half a mile.

A sorrel, a chestnut, and a gray mare were were brought to them, but because of the bustle and chaos of the pre-parade planning, all three horses were skiddish and the three had their work cut out for them keeping the horses as calm as possible. Kid was the most successful as he had a gentle way with horses and they always seems to understand his intentions. But even he finally suggested they move out of line until the parade was under way, so they led the horses across the street to a large school yard.

As is often the case, the parade was over half an hour late starting, but when it did, they moved back into position and mounted their steeds.

"Remember to smile and wave a lot," Heyes reminded his partner who rode to his right.

"You remember to keep your horse calm, Heyes," Kid reminded him "You doing alright, Lom?" Kid called and turned to assure himself that all three where managing nicely.

"Let's see your fast draw!" someone shouted from the crowd, but Kid ignored the request and simply smiled and waved to the crowd.

Occasionally a firecracker would be set of, and each time, all three stopped waving and focused on controlling their horses.

"How long we going to be doing this?" Kid asked, growing weary of the event rather quickly.

"At this rate I'd say several hours."

"God, Heyes, this is going to be the longest week of our lives, ain't it?"

"No doubt about that."

"We're going to be riding in this parade right through lunch, too," Kid grumbled.

"But after this there's the Bar-B-Q and then we're done for the day," Heyes said encouraging.

"Didn't the Governor get word to you?" Lom shouted to them.

"Word about what?"

"Another little Meet and Greet at seven with the Daughters of the American Revolution."

"Do we gotta dress up?"

"No, we can go dressed like this, but we have to attend, or rather you two have to attend."

"You are coming, ain't you, Lom?" Kid called back to him.

"This time, but I won't be doing that every night."

"Heyes."

"Yea?"

"Let's stay at the other hotel tonight."

"Already, Kid?"

"Yep."

The parade concluded around two thirty in the afternoon. Kid, Heyes, and Lom remained with the horses until someone on the parade committee remember they had to pick them up. All the time they waited, their carriage driver waited patiently across the street.

"You have an hour before I am to deposit you at the Bar-B-Q site," the driver explained. "Is there any particular place you would like to spend that time?"

"Is there a saloon nearby?" Kid asked. "I think I could do with a cold beer."

The driver gave a flick of the reins and the carriage started down the street.

"Who's running this dinner?" Kid asked.

Heyes thought a minute. "I really don't remember. Is it the American Legion?" he asked Lom.

"I don't remember. I'm losing track of who is doing what and when. Maybe one of us should carry a schedule around with us."

The carriage pulled up to the Rusty Nail Saloon and they all climbed out. "Would you care to join us?" Kid asked the driver.

"I'd love to, but I'm on duty so I can't."

"Sometime when you're off duty, then," Kid replied and quickly followed the other two into the saloon.

The three men ambled up to the bar and ordered beers.

"Hey, you're them two outlaws," the bartender said with a smile. "I seen you in the parade this morning."

"Former outlaws," Heyes corrected and took a hefty swig of his beer.

"Heyes and Curry," the bartender said, then raised his voice to the crowed, "Hey gents, this here's Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry."

"Come on over here and have a seat, fellas and we'll buy you a drink."

Heyes looked at Lom who shook his head. "I'll just stay here. This is your time in the sun."

Heyes gave Lom a half-hearted smile, before heading to the table. Kid followed, as did the bartender with two more beers.

"So who is who?" one of the men asked.

"I'm Heyes, he's Curry."

"Give us a show of your fast gun?""

Kid shook his head. "Sorry fellas but there's a liability problem if someone was to get hurt."

"Which most likely would be Kid," Heyes teased.

"Must be enjoying all this hoopla over the two of you, uh?"

"Not really," they both replied.

"Gonna be glad when it's over then, uh?"

"You gonna join one of those Wild West traveling shows?"

Heyes laughed. "No, sir. We're wanting to just start blending into the crowd when this is over. You know, regular citizens."

"Yea, like that's gonna happen."

"What do you mean?" Kid asked, sipping at his beer.

"You two were famous before the reporters and photographers started writing about you and posting pictures of you in the newspapers. There probably won't be a place in all the west that you won't be recognized. I don't know what it was like before for you Kid, but every two bit yahoo with a gun is gonna want to try to out draw you. Safest place you two could be is with one of them traveling shows."

Kid looked at Heyes with great concern but said nothing. Heyes gave him a reassuring shake of his head.

"Oh, it won't be like that," Heyes said. "People will forget about two aging former outlaws pretty quick I would imagine."

"I wouldn't count on it."

Heyes knew Kid was growing concerned, even worried about the future. "Come on, Kid, we've got to get going," Heyes said as he stood up from his chair. "Nice meeting you fellas and thanks for the beer," he said with a smile and grabbed Kid's arm. Let's go, partner."

Back in the carriage and on their way to the Bar-B-Q, Kid was lost in stressful thought.

"Kid, don't worry about what they said. Lom's a fine example of a former outlaw being able to blend in to a community. It might take us a little time, but we'll do it."

"It might take you a little time, Heyes, but you heard them. I'm gonna have more stupid walk-offs wanting to fast draw with me than I ever had before. At least as outlaws, people had a respectable amount of fear of us. But that won't be the case anymore."

"Kid, it's like everything else we've ever set our minds to doing. It might take a little time, but we'll find a way."

"Maybe, but in the mean time, I could get killed, or worse!"

Heyes looked perplexed. "What's worse than getting killed?" he asked.

"You know what I mean, Heyes," Kid replied indignantly.

The carriage pulled up to the Bar-B-Q event and Lom spied the Governor near the pavilion.

"Guess he wants us over there," Lom said, pointing in the direction of the Governor.

"Once the meal is served and everyone is seated, one of you should stand and thank the members of the American Legion for sponsoring this event," the Governor explained.

Both understood that it went without saying that Heyes would assume the role of spokesman and he nodded his understanding to the governor.

"At seven-thirty the driver will take you to the Daughters of the American Revolution cocktail party. Stay at least an hour and be cordial and friendly. Then you are free for the rest of the evening. Be sure to thank them for their hospitality as well. Oh, and there is another scheduled press conference in your hotel in the morning at ten."

"Got it, Governor," Heyes said. "Now I suspect it would be best if Kid and I did a little mingling." Heyes motioned to Kid to follow, successfully freeing them both from the scrutiny of the Governor.

They dutifully completed their responsibilities of the evening and around ten, the driver was dropping them all off at the Regency. They climbed out wearily.

"Thank you for all your help today," Kid said to the driver. "By the way, what's your name?"

"Tim Hormen."

"Well Tim, I should have asked that sooner. It's nice to meet you. You can call me Jed, he's Heyes, and the other fella is Lom... And we do want to buy you that drink sometime."

Tim smiled. It was nice to be appreciated.

The three walked wearily into the hotel.

"Still want to go to the other hotel tonight, Kid?" Heyes asked.

"Uh-uh, but I'm too tired to make the effort, Heyes."

Anyone up for a beer in the hotel bar?" Lom asked and both smiled.

"Never too tired for a beer, Lom."