Loud rhythmic creeks could be heard on the wooden floor as a burly man carrying a large bag overhead entered Boulder Banking services. Horrified expressions could be seen coming from the upper class patrons, as if some large feral animal suddenly had barged into the foyer.
Bill sighed as he tipped his hat in an apologetic manner towards the crowd.
“Evening Folks”
After making sure that none of the customers had fainted, he proceeded towards the counter, the large man walking after him.
“This man here helped me kill The Tarps yesterday” Bill exclaimed. Suppressed gasps could be heard coming from the distanced crowd.
A small man greeted Bill, his round glasses sitting on top of an equally round head. His narrow pointed nose, and shaky demeanor gave him the impression of a rodent. Rolling his handlebar mustache he quickly eyed the pair of blood soaked men, tongue licking around his small mouth
“ Mm yes I see, 100 Dollars for O’Connel, and 50 for each of his men”
A large thud could be heard as the burly man threw down the bag, causing a few people to flinch.
“100 dollars for each head” The burly man said, putting a leg on the bag as he scanned the room. It was hard to tell if he was in a particularly bad mood or if he was always mad.
Bill sighed. Things never went smoothly when it came to money, especially with a banker. “ Relax Joe, you’ll get the money, but don’t cause a scene alright?”
“The quicker this little rat gives me what's mine, I’ll be outta his hair” Joe snorted. He had dealt with enough bankers to know that they would always try to rip you off. Greed seemed to be the essential trait of their occupation.
"I-I believe the agreed amount the state determined was 100 per leader and 50 per -"
"If I hadn't killed those men, where do you think they first would have gone?" Joe snapped back at the banker “ "Im sure they would take more than 50 dollars per head” he said, eying the vault behind the counter
“ He is right,” Bill sighed again. “Lenny, just give what the man asks alright?”
There was a pause as Lenny stared at both men, whatever calculations his darting eyes made were hidden by his stale face.
“ Very well,” he said after a minute. “ Let me confirm the bounties first”
Lenny shook slightly after uttering those words. This was the part he detested the most about his job besides interacting with uncivilized gunmen. Before the government had ordered every bank to reimburse all bounties, he had been a normal banker, giving out loans to people, or helping with larger purchases. Now his previously pristine and simple occupation had been undignified as he had to see the headless corpses of dead men at least once a month. An undeserving fate indeed.
Joe chuckled as he opened the bag.
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Lenny stared into the dead eyes of William O’Connell, It was him alright.
The short and plumb man withdrew a thick stack of cash from his side pocket.
“600 dollars” he said in a sad tone, as if he had lost a dear family member.
Joe grabbed the money and gave bill 300. He scratched his head
“Bankers”
“Now If that is all gentlemen, I have costumers to attain to” Lenny said in dissatisfaction.
“Thankyou Lenny, well be out of your hair” Bill said, tipping his hat towards the people as he slightly bowed his lead leg
“ Folks”
The two men exited the bank and were greeted by the orange horizon marking the sunset. Things would get very dark soon. Both men instinctively walked towards the town square, not saying a word. Sounds of a piano playing could be heard alongside hollering from a lit up establishment. There was just enough light left for Joe to read
The Red Rose
The two men entered the lively establishment and were immediately greeted by the strong smell of liquor and tobacco. People were dancing, playing cards and gambling. Catching a few stares, both the men went straight for the counter.
The sound of a lively tune rang in the background, coming from a pianist who occupied the center of the bar. It gave the bar an upbeat atmosphere. Lanterns lit up the establishment, providing a cozy feeling to the wooden planque interior. Several large tables were organised in rows, the bar was packed.
“Howdy Rex” Bill said, nodding to the bartender.
“If it isn’t our beloved sheriff” Rex smiled, his eyes soft.
Joe and Bill each sat down on a stool, facing the older man.
“ I'm sorry about John, Bill” Rex sighed, drying glass with a rugg
Bill looked down for a second, inhaling deeply.
“ So am I”
The entire bar had quieted down, most trying to listen in on their conversation. By now everyone in Flint knew what had happened to John
Rex clutched his teeth “ Next round is free you good for nothings”
He then looked towards a brown haired, middle aged woman
“Jenny, handle the costumers will ya?”
Jenny rolled up her sleeves as she withdrew several bottles from behind the counter
“You heard him u slackers, Come to me for the free drinks”
As soon as she finished her sentence, the bar erupted in cheers – the mood returning to normal.
With the attention away from Bill, Rex grabbed a finer looking bottle from beneath the counter.
“My finest bourbon, from our dear confederate friends down in tenesse “ Rex said winking as he poured 3 small glasses
When done, he raised his glass
“For John, Father and Husband. Protector of flint for 2 decades, and a good friend..”
“For John” Bill said raising his glass
Joe eyed both the men, silently he raised his glass.
3 gulps later and the glasses were clear again.
“Damn good liquor” Bill exclaimed with a gasp
“Indeed” Rex added “ I’ve got an entire barrel down stairs I've just opened, poured over the contents into several bottles”
“Smart man”
Rex smiled as he poured Bill another glass. Just as he was about to pour for Joe he looked him in the eyes.
“Haven’t seen ya around stranger. Word in town is that you helped Bill here, with the scum”
Bill slightly tensed up, looking at Joe through his peripheral vision.
“ Hah!” Joe laughed heartily, dissipating any worries Bill might have had. “ Helped isn’t the right word. Your sheriff would have been looking worse than the blood on my boots if I hadn’t smoked 3 of their goons”
“ Is that so?” Rex said, skeptic of the burly man, as he poured his glass. To be frank he looked more like a muscle head and not a trained gunman.
“It's the truth Rex” Bill said, lethargic as he looked at Joe “ Thankyou for saving us Joe, If not for you I might have lost more than just John..”
Then facing Joe he raised his glas. Joe stopped laughing as he matched Bill's stare for a few seconds. Then he followed suit, raising his glass. A clang rang out.
“Just repaying my debt for causing a mess yesterday” he said holding his head down.
Billed gave a toothy smile “ You’re a good man Joe”
Joe mumbled somthing about lawmen and being naive.
“Hope you can keep up sheriff” Joe said as both of the men downed their glasses.
“Aah” Joe exhaled, already eying another bottle
“ Want a glass?” Rex asked smirking
“ A bottle” Joe smiled, shoving 5 dollars on the counter
Both Bill and Rex chuckled as they realised the night would become far longer than anticipated