A Hometown Tale Of Wild Bill Hicock


by Brendan S



Bill walked down a hill, then through the rest of the valley-way.

Past some rocks, and then toward the town, edging his fingers against his piece.

* * * * * * *

"He's a cop."

"How is he a cop..?"

"They deputized him."

"Deputy."

"No, a cop."

"What do you mean..?"

"He's been elected."

"Elected..?"

"Yea ...."

" -- Got so good with a gun." He took a sip from his whiskey-cup. "He started to kill only bad men."

"Hahaha."

"So."

"So they deputized him."

"He looks funny."

"I swear, no cigar does that to your lips."

"They stick out."

"Like a crow."

"Yea ......"

The doors swung open, and Bill walked in.

"To the darkness of the sea of day, I find nothing ..."

And then stumbled a little bit.

"But a shitty bar out west."

And then sat down.

"One whiskey. I'll pay double."

It took five minutes to get to him, leaving lots of time for him to overhear the two men in the back who were talking about him.

"Excuse me, Gentleman."

"I haven't gotten my whiskey yet, so do you mind entertaining me with whatever you're talking about..? More directly..?"

"Huh."

"Look. It's Wild Bill."

"Stand back!"

The one guy got up, and held his revolver in the air.

"I won't shoot. He looks tall."

"He aint that scary..!"

"So, you know how to use that thing..?"

"Takes a trigger, don't it..?"

"Sure, just a trigger."

"WHY DON't you try and see how good with it you are."

The man looked away, then turned back, and as his skein of his finger grazed the trigger, Bill watched the subtle movements of his criminal thumbprint against the back of the gun, and then pinpointedly shot it off.

"Ah..! MY damn hand..!"

* * * * * * *

"Bill, come here. Have some wine with us..!"

"Can't drink. Too much to think about."

"Why do you talk in such dark poetic tones..?"

"I was a poet once."

"Oh, really Bill."

The woman in fine white Victorian clothing walked over, and stroked Bills shoulders.

"So, who did you shoot tonight, Bill..?"

Bill said, "I'll take that drink of water."

"No one. Some idiot."

"But you shot someone."

"So what..?"

"So, I'll tell you .."

"Women don't shoot people."

"Why don't you find a nice wife, and get a real living."

Suddenly, Agnes watlked into the room.

Bill was bedazzled, and looked at her.

"I just shot a guy in the hand for pulling his trigger against me."

"Oh."

Agnes overheard what he said.

(Wow he must be so brave).

* * * * * * *

He walked away from the table, and Agnes sat right where he was sitting, and started talking about him.

Bill didn't return for a while.

He stood in the mirror, and held open the small tin.

The snuff-case had enough left to keep him going without the need for whiskey for a while, and he took two whiffs.

He put it into his back-pocket, and then wiped his nose with water.

"I gotta say."

"This mansion has some fine decor, and great mirrors."

"Great mirrors..?"

"Who talks about mirrors..?"

"I mean, really."

"Hi. I don't believe we've met. Agnes, right..?"

"Yes."


- BLS