It started as a typical evening in the Longbranch. Doc dropped by to visit Kitty, and Festus came in soon after. They sat together and drank and talked as they had so many evenings before, until a fight erupted. That, too, was a fairly common occurrence at the Longbranch and had its usual genesis. A poker game, a sore loser, accusations of cheating, and suddenly fists were flying. Louie ran for Matt, Doc and Kitty got out of the way, and Festus waded into the thick of the brawl. Then someone-they never did know who-broke a bottle on the deputy's head and he crumpled to the floor. After Festus went down the men were shocked and backed off. Doc knelt next to his friend and beckoned to Sam. "Get me some water and cloths."
"Right away, Doc." Sam went behind the bar as Matt arrived.
"Who started this?" asked the marshal. He glanced briefly at Festus, then cast a stern look around the room. The men fidgeted, looking everywhere but at Matt. No one said anything.
Kitty nodded at the surly cowboy who lost the poker game. "It was him."
Matt crooked a finger at the man and he came reluctantly. "Gambled all your money away and started a fight again, Troy?"
Troy scowled. "They was cheating, marshal. Every time I come in here I get cheated."
"You won't have to worry about it again. I'm giving you exactly one minute to leave. Don't come back for a month."
The cowboy's eyes narrowed. "You running me out for a fistfight?"
Matt's eyes flicked over to Festus, who was still out cold, then back to Troy. "I am." He towered over the cowboy, who scowled but turned and slunk away without another word. The marshal sighed and went to Doc. "How is he?"
Doc looked up. "Oh, I think he's all right. Took a good knock on the head, though. I'd like to get him up to the office until he comes to." Matt motioned to a couple of men and they took Festus out. Doc watched them go, then nodded to the marshal. "Don't worry, Matt. Hard as his head is, he won't even know what happened tomorrow."