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"Mighty fine hat ya' got there mistah'" a heard a lady call to me. I turned my head, tipping it towards her. "Thank ya' ma'am." I nodded, my voice soundin' cold. I hardly showed emotion 'less it was needed. Figured the lady was jus' bein' nice talkin' to me, but right now I didn't care for much talk. I had alotta' thinkin' to do. This'll be an interestin' ride...I just hope ol'Lambert didn't forget his saddle. "'Lunatic' Lambert..." I muttered again, pullin' the straw outta my mouth. I chuckled the lightest of chuckles, I smirked the lightest of smirks. When I did show emotion...it was very little, or it was just enough. "Another one bites th'dust...I 'spose." I placed the straw back in my mouth. It was a whisper that lasted in my mind, the last man I drew against...he'd said th'same thing, an' he was right. I made sure he bit th'dust. I never did start sayin' "Not even the messiah 'imself could save ya' now" for no reason, y'know? The sounds of a barfight broke out towards the entrance of the bar, as two drunken cowboys tore into each other like wildcats thirsty for blood, tumblin' through the swingin' doors an' back outside again. It's funny how quick chaos happens around these kinda' towns nowadays. Ya' got ol' boys gettin' shot up with arrows...riddled with bullets. Fightin' over a spilt whiskey or punchin' each other's teeth down their throats because some girl winked at one of'm and they couldn't figure out who she winked at. Troubled times...troubled people. It was gettin' outta hand. Awhile back I started helpin' out with the law for awhile, takin' out the garbage and livin' up to the nickname 'Dominator'. Then some slick fellah's from northwest came on down lookin' for a draw with me. When I took out one of their boys they decided I was good enough and asked me to help'm out. I figured, 'Why not? Might as well make s'more money.' No one really knows what it's like to be me...no one realizes the hardships I put myself through. "What'll be ya' poison, son?" I heard the barkeeper ask, interrupting me from my thoughts. I looked up, surveying the choice of alcohol on the shelves before makin' a motion for the whiskey. The bartender nodded, going over and taking it off the shelf. I made a motion with my hand to gain his attention. "Add a little ice too...an' make it a regular glass, no shot glass. Thanks." I said, practically emotionless. The bartender stared for a moment before nodding, getting to work on my drink. My eyes surveyed the many cowboys and possible outlaws throughout the room, talkin' and carryin' on like old friends reunited. I gave a slight smirk at this, rememberin' friends an' family back at home as I went out chasin' my dreams of bein' a big, bad cowboy in the wild, wild west. They always think I've got it easy, out on th'road like this...I just choose not to tell'm all the times I've spent sleepin' outdoors, no shelter to find in the cold desert nights. That's the breaks though...the life of a guy like me ain't all that easy. I might as well be playin' Russian Roulette with the Devil while the Grim Reaper calls blackjack on me and lady luck goes and sleeps with another man, 'cause everytime I step up to the draw...there's the chance that someone's gonna get the quicker draw. I saw the glass slide in front of me and looked up, tippin' my hat to the bartender in appreciation. "Thank ya' sir." I said, pulling out the money for the drink. The bartender took it and walked off, noddin' his head. I took a sip of my whiskey, my eyes, surveying the area for the man I was huntin' for. It wasn't long before I saw him; white hat with a black vest, blue shirt and brown jeans...so that was the 'Lunatic'. Taking a swig of my whiskey, I watched him with curious eyes, watching as he laughed it up with one of the women sittin' 'round his table. Boy thinks like he's the big man in town...guess I'd have to cut'm down to size soon enough. Standin' from my spot and takin' another swig...I knew what I had to do. It was time to let this boy know I meant business, an' that I'd never intend on backin' down. |