Setting Old West

[intriguess]

Another year had passed in the small town of Fortune, the rambshackle town was now quite the trading post.

I was called Maxine now, my last name known by no one. It had been a tramatic year, I had been tracked down by one of my father's bounty hunters, who later died.

Sam and Ginnie's boy John Fortune was turning one today and I was frantically working on finishing a new set of clothes for him. My little Celeste was gurgling by my side, at five months she was a robust child.

I frowned as it brought me to think of her father, who had died before even knowing I was pregnant. Such was the life of a man wearing a badge.

OOC anyone is free to join up if you have any questions about the background of town feel free to e-mail me.

 

[rocketrider]

Johanna

Sheriff Baxter looked me square in the eyes. His look was hard and cold. Hate poured out of his eyes covering every inch of my body. His silent stare seemed to last for hours, but it only lasted a few seconds.

"Where the hell did you get this?" he demanded shaking the hand bill inches from my face with the clinched fist of his left hand.

"I've had this particular hand bill for about three months now," was my answer.

"Am I supposed to be impressed? Am I supposed jump at the chance to help you? Just who the hell do you think you are?"

"Sheriff, all I want is for you to do your job."

"Oh, is that right?"

"Yeah, that's right."

"Now you listen to me." he said throwing the hand bill at my feet. "To me, you're nothin' but a bounty hunter, a low life piece of human garbage...nothin' but scum."

I felt my anger boiling from deep inside. If this man didn't wear a badge...

"What I do for a living is none of your business, Sheriff."

"You're in my town, damn it. That is my business. You're standing in front of me. That's my business too."

All of my life I've dealt with men like him. Five of them are buried, and I have five notches to prove it. Unfortunately, he has the power of the law on his side. As much as I would have loved to see his forty five year old rinkled face in the dirt, I dared not touch him. I couldn't afford the fight. Besides...I needed his help.

"Sheriff Baxter, that hand bill says 'Wanted Dead or Alive'...with a five thousand dollar reward."

"That hand bill is over two years old."

"Makes no difference, Sheriff. The woman on the front was never brought to justice. She's still a fugitive from justice. She's a killer...a cold blooded killer. She killed two men during a bank robbery attempt."

He stood before me, arms folded, eyes on fire and breathing like the devil himself. I bent over and picked up the hand bill. He stood motionless as he watched me fold the paper and put it my shirt pocket.

"Now you tell me, how can you be so sure? Were you there?"

"No Sheriff, I wasn't there. The town was Sancho, New Mexico. One of the men she shot and killed...was my husband, Ethan Everett, U. S. Marshall.

"And you want revenge."

This pig of a man, with his belly hangin over his belt, and unshaved for about three days, was wearing my patience thin. How any man could smell like beer, sweat and piss, all at the same time, was beyond me. Why somebody didn't shoot the son of a bitch, to put him out of his misery, was beyond me. I felt I was coming to the point where I no longer cared he was a Sheriff.

"That's right Sheriff. I want revenge. This wanted woman..." I tapped the forefinger of my right hand against the outside of my left shirt pocket containing the hand bill. "...is out of your jurisdiction and she's wanted for murder. I don't give a shit how long ago it was, you know where she was last headed."

Again, his harsh glare caught me.

"Fortune," he said in protest.

 

[BadForm]

Sherrif Luke Matthews

'Course people died quicker in them days, which made me, at fifty four, one a the oldes' folks in town. But I kept myself trim. In my job, you had to. 'Course, I'd seen the porkchops who took the job in some other cities, but they would be dead afore they even knew a gun was on them. Me, I knew better. And with what was going to happen, that was a good thing.

It was a fine morning in the town of Fortune, as I wandered 'long the main street. Peaceful like. Real quiet. That's how I liked it, an' that's how it was. As I walked on by the Taylor's place, I saw young Maxine out on her deck workin' on a set a new clothes, her young un by her side. She was a fine lady. Kinda new to the town, but that was fine. She made no fuss and helped with the old folks. I paused to greet her.

"Mornin' Ma'am!" I said, smiling and doffing my hat. "Fine mornin' again. That be a set for your young un, or you makin' for the Fortune's party this afternoon?"

 

[rocketrider]

Johanna

It never seems to fail. Whenever I pay the least amount of attention, I get the most amount trouble. Out of the corner of my eye I saw two young men run from the main street to the corral behind the livery stable. Why I didn’t think more about it, I don’t know. I do remember walking up to Harlin, the town Blacksmith, to pick up my horse. I was paying close attention to what the Blacksmith had to say. Those two men were put out of my mind. They hid in waiting the entire time I talked to the Blacksmith.

“When did you first notice a problem?” I asked.

“About two hours after you left...Sampson, is that his name?”

“That’s right.”

“About two hours after you left Sampson, I noticed he didn’t like putting his full weight on his left front leg. I looked at his hoof and discovered his shoe was coming loose.”

“That’s funny. I rode him all day yesterday and there was no problem.”

“I hear what you’re telling me, Miss Johanna, but sometimes horses are like people. A minor wound can go completely unnoticed until they’ve had time to rest a spell and soreness sets in.”

“How long will it take to fix? I need to leave this morning.”

“Well, here…let’s go have a look.”

He continued talking to me about Sampson as we walked to the stall.

“It shouldn’t take longer than about ten minutes,” he continued. “It’s an easy fix.”

“Can’t it wait? I’m headed north.”

“If you don’t fix it now, I ‘d say he’ll throw that shoe in about a day’s ride. How far north you goin’?

“Fortune.”

“Fortune. Hell, that’s two towns and ten days ride from here,” we walked up to Sampson’s stall.

Sampson immediately came up to us and stuck head between me and the Blacksmith.

“Good boy, good boy. Hey...fella...ready to get out of here?”

I could tell Sampson was glad to see me.

“He’s one hell of a fine animal,” Sampson’s bridal was quickly inserted into his mouth.

“He’s pure Arabian stock.”

“Wanna sell him? I’ll give a good price.”

We walked forwards to the stable entrance. Harlin was leading Sampson.

“Me, sell Sampson? Oh no. My daddy bought him for me as a birthday present.”

“I understand,” he answered with a large smile. “But if you come back through Big Rivers and change your mind…”

“How much will it cost to fix the shoe? How long did you say?”

“Seventy five cents will do it, and it’ll take about ten minutes.”

“Can you start now? I’m really in a hurry to leave.”

“You know somebody in Fortune that’s sick?”

“No, nobody’s sick. It’s just that Sheriff Baxter doesn’t care for me being town.”

“Why’s that? Usually it takes quite a lot to ruffle his feathers,” the Blacksmith said tapping in horseshoe nails to secure the loose shoe.

“He thinks that because I’m looking for somebody in particular in Fortune, that I’m a Bounty Hunter.” I said deliberately hiding the truth about the hand bill reward.

“Yeah, I know what you mean. Baxter’s oldest boy, Smitty, was killed by a Bounty Hunter about two years ago. It was a case of mistaken identity...or so they say.”

“It’s best I leave as soon as possible.”

“OK, that’s it. Shoe is fixed,” he said tying Sampson to the tie rail. “One word of warning though...about Fortune.”

“What about it?”

“If Sheriff Matthews thinks you might be any kind of trouble, he’ll give you trouble first.”

“What’s his problem.”

“It’s not just his problem. The whole town has a problem.”

“Okay then, what’s the town’s problem?”

“About a year ago, the town lost its Sheriff in a gun fight.”

“Sheriffs get killed all the time. What’s the big deal about this one?”

“From what I’ve been told...and I’ve the heard this story many times over. It seems that the gun fight that killed the Sheriff, was with some boys from around Sancho, New Mexico.”

“Home town boys carrin’ a grudge?”

“You might say that. Wait, wait a minute. I remember hearin’ a name. I think...Taylor. That’s it. Yeah! I believe that was the Sheriff’s name. I’m almost certain of that...” his voice got slower and softer, showing disappointment for not remembering. “I can’t seem to remember if Taylor was the first or last name. No. I'm sure Taylor was the last name.”

“Let’s just call him Taylor for now.”

“Yeah, Ok. Sheriff Taylor spent most of his childhood in New Mexico. Eventually, he fell in with the wrong bunch. He got involved in the Lincoln County War in '79 as an associate of, shall we say...with Mr. William H. Bonney himself. While he was on the run from the law, Taylor met the woman he was soon to marry.”

Hearing that statement perked me up. "Who was she?”

“There’s a good deal of confusion about her. Apparently, she has used many different names.”

“What name is she using now?”

“There’s more.” The Harlin continued avoiding my question. “Before they finally made their escape from New Mexico, Taylor, his wife, and a few others Taylor rode with, got trapped a few miles outside of Sancho by a U. S. Marshall, Nathan Everett, and his posse. The gun fight that resulted, left Marshall Everett and about half of his men dead. Taylor, and his wife, got away. They simply vanished from New Mexico totally.”

So far, Harlin's story matched everything I knew. There was only one descrepancy. Marshall Everett was killed inside, not outside, the town of Sancho. While Nathan's posse faced the remaining gang members outside of town, Nathan came into town searching for Taylor. Harlin was correct; Taylor was the last name.

“So, if Taylor shot a U. S. Marshall, rode with Billy Bonney, and was a known outlaw, how the hell did he get elected Sheriff of Fortune.”

“People loved him, that’s why. Don’t forget, many people from around here thought of William Bonney, and those that rode with him, as heroes.”

“It’s rumored that Taylor’s wife, just before she and Taylor were married, knew Marshall Nathan Everett, personally. Taylor and her planned to use her friendship with the Marshall to set up an ambush. In fact, many believe that Taylor was not Everett's killer. It was Taylor’s wife that shot and killed the Marshall. Supposedly, she shot the Marshall in the back.”

[Edited by rocketrider on 05-10-2001 at 09:40 PM]

 

[intriguess]

Maxine

I hadn't heard from my father in ages, the local sherriff knew as much as I felt he needed to know and nothing more. I smiled as he passed by and answered his question.

"It's for our Fortune boy, Little Johnie. Celeste here has more than enough clothes." I stood up gathering her in my arms. I glanced at my finger, I wore no wedding band for I had never been married. No one really talked much about Dan's death or my mysterious dissapearance afterwards and reappearing with a child. I kept my appearance simple and neat.

I wandered out towards him carrying Celeste and smiled, "So what's new in town?" I tried to appear cheerful, even as I pondered my future, that is if my slimy father didn't hire more thugs to drag me back to him. I didn't even want to think of what lies he told to get people to bring me back. I glanced down at my child, unable to bring myself to think of what my father would do to her if he found us.

Ginnie had once said I'd be safe if I were married, but it didn't seem to be in the cards for me.

 

[BadForm]

Sherrif Luke Matthews

I smiled as she approached me. "Nothin' fer you to worry yersel' over none," I said. "Coupla bad boys ridin' the ridge, bin givin' travellers a bit o' hassle. 'Course, the deputy's on that with one of Cuthbert's boys. Reckon we'll have them in the cell afore nightfall."

I'd also heard a rumor 'bout injun trouble from Laughing Horse's band. It was strange them ridin' this far out, but our town kept things kinda friendly like with the local Nez Perce, an' the one time we had problems with rogues, Chief Netonêševehe had been willing to ride in and help. He kept out of white man's affairs, which was understandable, as he didn't want to risk the US cavalry coming down to deal with him, but injuns he helped us with. I saw little point in worrying young Maxine therefore.

"Well, the whole town's turnin' up for the Fortune kid," I said, changing the subject. "Should be a good affair. My girl Nell's bakin' a cake again, an' you know how she loves that fancy icin' stuff."

I smiled at the thought of the last cake. Of course, she never did tell me what her secret ingredients were - but that was women's magic, an' I knew better than to press the point.

 

[Mistress]

Roxanne Chase

Roxanne leaned against the counter of the bar; a small sigh escaped her lips as she glanced around the room. The same old dirty men sitting in the same old dirty chairs every single day. She had only been in Fortune for a couple of weeks, and she wasn’t use to the slow paced country town. Though, the slowness did offer her some time to herself, only it was driving her crazy. The saloon was smoke filled and only a few men were sitting at the tables this time of the day. Again she sighed and looked over in the mirror behind the bar. She smoothed back her long dark hair and blinked at her reflection. A pale skinned, brown-eyed young woman stared back at her, and she almost smiled realizing just how white her skin was.

“Poor fools.” She mutters and turns her attention back to the Saloon. She bit her full pouty lips and groaned silently. She could see one of the regular scums that hung out here staring at her. She knew what he wanted, and she didn’t feel like it, she hated what she did for a living. A waitress in some small town Saloon, part time call girl, trying to get enough money to venture farther away from the West.

She was lucky the manager of the Saloon hired her, if he only knew what she was; she’d be booted out on the street. Not every body takes kindly to a woman whose birth parents were black passing herself off as a white woman. Did it really matter anyways? She was a whore, it wasn’t like she owned anything, or had a better job. Five towns she had been run out of, in all of them she had been a whore, and in all of them once they found out her secret she was kicked out.

Sighing she turned and bent over the counter grabbing a shot glass, then filled it to the rim. “Bottoms up Roxy!” She breathed and downed the stinging liquid.

 

[rocketrider]

Johanna - the gun fighter

“Was their relationship...the three of them, I mean...some kind of a love triangle?” I asked Harlin, leading him on. I already knew the answer.

“Well, this is were the story really gets farfetched. Rumor has it that, Taylor knew the hiding place of about $200,000 worth of gold bullion. This gold was part of a bank robbery that Taylor and Marshall Everett, before he became a Marshall, pulled off together with other members of their gang, or Regulators as they were called. To this day, no one has found any bullion. All other gang members are now dead or hiding out in Mexico.”

There are a few things Harlin missed. At the time, Nathan Everett was my husband. He had secretly planned to run for Governor of New Mexico with the political contributions donated by his father, Collin Everett. That rich old son of a bitch had enough money to buy Nathan’s way to the Governor’s Mansion. The $200,000 worth of gold bullion belonged to Collin, who still does not know Nathan had a hand in the robbery.

Regardless, those plans were ruined if word got out Nathan rode together with an outlaw. Tracking down and killing Dan Taylor was the first reason Nathan became a U. S. Marshall. The second reason was to retrieve the entire amount of gold bullion. Whether or not any one riding with Nathan knew about the bullion, still remains a mystery. If there was anyone else, I’m certain they were marked for death...except for me, of coarse. I was faster. The third reason was obvious. It was to prevent Collin from finding out about Nathan’s part in the train robbery.

The sweet Mrs. Dan Taylor, if they were really married, changed everything. She shot my husband, her half brother, in the back. That murdering bitch is about to meet her match.

I looked Harlin in the eyes and said, “That must mean Taylor’s wife knows about the gold bullion.”

“Yes ma'am.”

Our conversation was interrupted.

“Well, well now. What do we have hear?” came a voice from behind me.

I quickly turned. It was the same two I had seen earlier run behind the corral. I saw they both were strapped and ready to fight. I cursed myself for letting down my guard. They should have taken me the instant I was caught by surprise. Instead, they fumbled their advantage buy trying to show of their male superiority .

“Yeah, I see...but I’m not sure what I see,” the second one answered laughing through his words.

“I hear a woman’s voice, and I see a couple of bumps under the shirt that might be tits.” The first one added.

“Are you sure they’re tits, Dexter? I’ll bet if you take off the shirt, her tits’ll look a couple of fried eggs hanging on a nail.”

They both laughed out loud. My temper began to boil.

“Look...uh...Gentlemen. I don’t know what I’ve done to piss you off, but I don’t even know you.”

“Gentlemen?” Dexter asked. “Did you hear that, Turley? She called us gentlemen.”

“I heard, I heard.”

Both of them laughed out loud and couldn’t stop.

“Look at her,” Dexter said, anxious to humiliate me again. “She ought to know what a gentleman is. Shit, she looks like one herself.”

I felt my patience rapidly reaching its limit.

“…Denims, boots, open vest, shirt with buttons up the front…What do you think, Turley?”

Turley said nothing, he just smiled.

“Hey sugar plumb,” Dexter decided to get nastier. “What you got, a dick or a pussy?”

“We don’t need you to be startin’ shit now.”

“Shut up Harlin.” Turley said.

“Well, ma’am or sir,” Dexter wouldn’t let go. “Whatever the hell you are...whether you got, a dick or a pussy don’t matter...‘cause, you’re so damned ugly, I don’t think you could give it away.”

I knew where we were headed. Well...so be it.

“Dexter...is it Dexter?” I asked. He nodded his head slightly saying yes. “You’re such a kiss ass Momma’s boy, you strike me as the type, that no matter what I got, you’ll love it anyway."

There was dead silence. It seemed like an eternity before another sound was made. That sound came from Sampson, snorting and flaring his nostrils.

Turley turned his head towards Dexter and pointed to Sampson. “There’s the only man she’ll ever have.”

“If you can’t win at one point, start another. Right, boy?” I asked Turley. All he did was look back at me with a stupid blank expression. I had to say one last word before dropping these lollipops.

“You’re right about that, Turley. Not only does my horse look better, smell better, and is better hung, he’s got a lot more hair on his balls than either one of you two.”

I caught a glimpse of Dexter’s right hand starting on its way to his holster. Within a split second, my left hand reacted. Turley, moving last, was the slowest of one in the Stable. Before the tip of Dexter’s gun barrel could clear his holster, my pistol’s hammer was freed, and on its way forward.

Before Dexter’s body could react from my impacting bullet, I swung my left hand toward Turley. He was just then raising his gun from its holster. Dexter’s body felt my 44 slug knock him backwards. My second shot roared. Turley screamed out in pain as his body was knocked back. I heard Sampson’s hooves dig into the dirt as he pulled away from the gunfire.

Dexter fell back against the Stable door. His finger spasm squeezed his trigger, causing the third gun shot of the fight. I heard Dexter’s bullet drill its way through the air inches from my head. It hit Harlin sending his body into a spin. The stable door supported and helped prevent Dexter from an immediate fall. He had enough strength to attempt raising his gun against me a second time.

Being a veteran of previous gun fights, I’ve learned to look for attempted second shots. Dexter’s speed, after receiving his first wound, was almost gone. Before he could raise his pistol high enough to shoot, my third round blasted. It entered his heart dead center, about three inches above his first wound.

I heard Dexter’s last breath leave his body at the impact of my bullet. For a second time, Dexter slammed his back against the Stable Door. This time, his body slumped forward and fell to the ground.

Dexter and Turley were dead and Harlin lay silent next to my feet. My heart was pounding from anxiety and the smell of gun powder was strong. Beads of seat formed on my face. I could feel another bout of shakes coming on. It was painful for me to draw a breath. I stood silent and motionless; my left hand still held my 44 pointing where Dexter once stood. Knowing the fight was done, Sampson moved towards me. I reached for his reins with my right hand.

With my gun back in its holster, I heard footsteps running up to me. Within a short few minutes, I was surrounded with town’s people. My hands were shaking badly and my head began to throb. I couldn’t understand their jumbled speech, but I did understand someone in the crowd say,

“Get Sheriff Baxter.”

I had no time for more questions or to see if Harlin was still alive. I didn’t want the gun fight I felt certain would be inevitable. I had to resist passing out at all costs.



[Edited by rocketrider on 05-10-2001 at 03:13 PM]

 

[rocketrider]

Johanna

OOC: I have really enjoyed being a part Old West Setting. Unfortunately, I must leave my character alone. intriguess has consented to take over weaving Johanna into into the story. I know she will do an excellant job. Thanks all.

rocketrider

 

[intriguess]

Maxine

I smelled trouble, as someone came to fetch the sherriff, I was torn between an innate curiousity and protecting my child. I strolled along watching as he hustled towards the saloon. I felt a tug at my heart strings, since Dan had died I hadn't had the courage to go in their. I glanced in the window watching events unfold, swaying on my feet feeling Celeste sleeping peacefully against my shoulder as I moved rocking her.

It was a woman, more likely a scraggly girl, but I saw a familiar bravado in her eyes. I blinked back tears not wanting to recall the days when I had been running. Voices were raised and I listened in, though I didn't need to as a crowd had formed around the doors, with one person retelling everything that was going on.

 

[BadForm]

OOC: What happened?

Sorry, I must be missing something. What has happened in Fortune (where Maxine is) - so far, all action has been where Johanna is (another town/city). Only person mentioned in the bar in Fortune is Roxy, the currently understandably depressed hooker (nice character btw, Mistress). Am I missing something?

 

[Inkubus]

Nathan

My side arm was empty , but that didnt make a diifrence. I never could shoot straight with the damn thing. I had mostly used it to keep vultures and coyotes away... I was tired, Tired of the brackish water I could nurse out mud holes, tired of eating cactus and tired of running from my past. I had a few coins left to my name. A couple single eagles and a double eagle. should be enough to get some clothes some food, a place to stay and some ammunition for my only friend left. I tugged on the strap across my chest that held the only possesion that I cared about. In a Leather case special made for a object that was more art than weapon. She was a Henry repeater...she had been speacial modified and designed for snipers of the 122nd and she was the only thing I was still good at. I looked up as I entered the sprawling "metropolis" before me...I hoped it would at least have a bath house and a decent place to eat. A sign said Fortune Nathan wondered if his luck was changing.

 

[Mistress]

Roxy Chase

She smiled softly to the man as he looked her over, then she turned and downed another shot. Sighing she closed her eyes,"Mmm, a few more of those and I'll be set for the night!"

"A few more of those and I'll ring your damn neck woman!" The bar tender appeared at her side, his angry glare burning a hole through her. He grabbed the shot glass from her and handed her a tray of beer. "Take this to the table and do your job!"

Roxy made a face at him and turned carrying the tray over to one of the back tables. She ignored the grabbing hands and set it down handing out the drinks, “Drink up boys, Roxy will bring ya some more later!" Winking she spins around on her heel ready to walk away when one of the men grabs her roughly by the arm.

"Not so fast Darlin'! Why down ya sit down and have a drink with us!" He grinned at his buddies. Roxy glanced back at the Bartender, and smiles sweet then plopped her bottom down in the man's lap. Taking his beer and turning it up, she chugs the bitter fluid.

 

[BadForm]

Sheriff Luke Matthews

The boy led me down to the tavern. I had no idea what might be happenin' but figured I best be ready. I carried my guns at hip, easy to reach for the practiced shooter. Even in this town I had some practice. Anyhow, when I hit the tavern door I realized the boy had overreacted. Nothin' much was happenin' here. Just some roughneck getting a little wild with a hooker. Hell, girl gonna make her money sellin' her body, she gonna get some bad attitude. All the same, there was limits. An' in this town, that meant me.

I headed over to the bar and glanced at the landlord. "Nice an' quiet today, Aaron," I said.

"Yup, sure is." The barkeep was glancing at the table where the hooker was riding a lap. "The usual, Sheriff?"

I nodded. "Jus' water when I'm on duty."

I took the glass and watched the group out of the corner of my eye. I might not respect what this girl did for a job, but like I said, there's still limits.

 

[intriguess]

maxine

it was just a simple brawl over the new girl, I let out sigh of relief and stepped back. I felt a dark shadow hovering over me even as I headed to the party, my steps comforting to the small one that still rested on my shoulder.

 

[rocketrider]

Re: OOC: What happened?

Sorry, I must be missing something. What has happened in Fortune (where Maxine is) - so far, all action has been where Johanna is (another town/city). Only person mentioned in the bar in Fortune is Roxy, the currently understandably depressed hooker (nice character btw, Mistress). Am I missing something?

I apologize for keeping you in the dark, BadForm. I need to leave this thread because of personal reasons.

Johanna, the character I introduced, was in the town of Big Rivers New Mexico in search of Maxine, the step sister of Johanna's late husband, U. S. Marshall Nathan Everett. Johanna's real motivation for tracking down Maxine was not for revenge as much as it was for the $200,000 in gold bullion. So, the story continues as Johanna is now on her way to Fortune, and no one in Fortune is aware of the impending turmoil ahead. It was believed that Maxine was the only one to know the location of the gold bullion.

Don't forget, too, that everything Johanna heard or believed, was based on hearsay. All can be discredited.

rocketrider

Amy

 

[Inkubus]

Nathan

I walk through the streets and figure this small town will do..they seem big enough to have the supplies I need and perhpas I can haggle myself a decent horse. I step up to the Saloon and sigh..."Its been to long since I had some real Whiskey...someting to cut the dust" Nathan strolled in and stepped up to the bar.