A series of short stories centered on the daily work of lawmen—random fun with the boys and Lily.
While watching the series, I noticed when Peter Brown does a fight scene, he appears to put everything into it, and it is mentioned that Dan has a reputation for being good with his fists. Both actors do a great job with the fight scenes.
In most westerns where there is a lead and a sidekick, eventually, the two will accidentally draw on each other while walking in a dark alley, etc., so why not go down this road?
THE PUNCH
The scorching midday sun paralleled the escalating tempers of Laramie's locals and visitors when the dog days of summer descended upon the town with relentless intensity. Seeking respite from the oppressive conditions, folks retreated indoors, taking refuge within the shelter of their homes and businesses. As the heatwave persisted, long-held grievances smoldered, boredom spread, and it wasn't long before the two marshals of Laramie bore witness to the repercussions of this unrelenting weather.
The Bird Cage Saloon bustled with activity, every table occupied, and standing room a precious commodity. Patrons anxiously waited on the boardwalk, eager to secure a coveted spot indoors and relish a much-craved cold beer.
A single accidental shove was all it took for fists to start flying. Before long, a full-scale brawl erupted, with onlookers blocking the doorway and cheering on the brawlers in their enthusiasm.
Tables and chairs became splinters, whiskey glasses and bottles shattered in the mayhem. Lily and her girls sought refuge on the stairs leading to the upper rooms, where they watched the chaos unfold from a safe vantage point.
Marshal Dan Troop and Deputy Johnny McKay forcefully made their way through the crowd on the boardwalk, then plunged headlong into the midst of the brawl.
Standing back to back, Dan and Johnny systematically extracted combatants from the melee by forcefully throwing them out through the saloon's double doors, where many ended up sprawled face down on the dusty street.
The duo kept proximity to each other, a tactical approach honed through experience that had proven effective in previous skirmishes of this magnitude. Tonight was no exception, and aside from losing their hats in the fray, neither man had found themselves on the receiving end of a punch so far.
The tumultuous fight was large. Eventually, Johnny and Dan were separated. It didn't take long before a punch found its mark on Johnny's stomach, while Lily noticed that Dan had acquired a bloody lip.
Yet, the two lawmen fought relentlessly, steadily removing more men from the fray until the saloon began to empty. Dan found himself entangled with two opponents, his formidable fists dispatching one man with a wicked right hook to the jaw while he doubled over the other with a punishing blow to the stomach.
Amid the chaos of subduing the last brawlers, Dan momentarily lost sight of Johnny. A staggering blow to Johnny's chin left the young lawman dazed, and he stumbled backward.
Meanwhile, Dan found himself shoved forward, his balance teetering as he nearly tripped over the unconscious body of a man sprawled on the floor. Despite the searing pain that shot through his ribcage when he slammed into the unforgiving mahogany bar, Dan pushed through it, using the bar to regain his footing.
Ignoring the discomfort, he pushed off the bar and swiftly spun around, ready to rejoin the ongoing fight.
Johnny McKay fought to stay upright, shaking his head to clear the cobwebs clouding his vision. Through the haze, he discerned the approach of a large man advancing toward him.
Planting his feet firmly, Johnny drew back his right arm, forming a tight fist. He threw the punch with the full force of his weight behind it, determined to defend himself. The excruciating pain that shot up his right hand as the blow connected with his would-be assailant's jaw confirmed that he had likely broken his knuckles.
Lily watched in horror as Dan Troop's head snapped back, the big man swaying before collapsing to the floor.
Johnny cradled his broken right hand, the pain forcing him to his knees.
Bystanders gawked in stunned silence while the last few men still engaged in the fight halted, looking on in disbelief. Laughter erupted from some of the drunks once they realized what had transpired.
A couple of hours later...
Sitting at the lone undamaged table within the now-deserted Bird Cage Saloon, Dan Troop pressed an ice pack against his heavily bruised and painful chin.
Johnny McKay, wearing a contrite expression, his right hand now encased in a pristine white cast, avoided meeting Dan's gaze.
Seated between the two lawmen, Lily Merrill struggled to contain her laughter, an amused grin playing across her face.
The End