"Kicking Dragon Butt" (Chapter 3)

Chapter 3

        We followed Whisker’s plan and made arrangements with my pal Dan aka The Big Galoot.  The Big Galoot wasn’t too happy as to the partner on this job we wanted him to work with was prone to running from physical contact.  Assured that once he got to know Slick Nick his cowardice would be more than compensated for by his being the best card cheat and con man I have ever seen.  Enamored by thoughts of riches with zero risk to him he became enthusiastic about taking Nick along.

        Guided by one of Suzanne’s hunches we headed towards Dupuyer where she guaranteed us he would be when we got there.  We slid into Perrine’s Bar and Restaurant.  The Kid ambled up to the bar and ordered 3 bottles of whiskey and the house specialty for each of us for dinner.  By the time our stew arrived the four of us had finished a good portion of the first bottle.  Apparently The Big Galoot was able to talk Slick Nick into his part in the plan.  They don’t call him slick for nothing as he switched an empty gun into his holster without Dragon knowing it.  The wrong toys can be deadly in the wrong hands ya see.  He then started a conversation with Dragon Snail with the quip, “ I am sure glad I am not the fella The Big Galoot slugged last night, I mean, you could hear it 6 blocks away“.  Predictably Drag took the bait.  Just as he was finished the first part of telling how he once kicked TBG’s butt.  When he began pronouncing Dan’s name the door banged open and speak of the devil, TBG himself walked up to the bar ignoring everyone else.  You could almost see the change in the weather as an apprehensive hush fell over the room.  Dragon, not grasping too well at this point looked confused and then he downright turned a whiter white than any shade of pale.  His head did a wheelie as it made a one eighty turn toward the door.  I gotta give it to him though he did have the nerve to take 3 large belts of whiskey before making for the exit.  Dan pretended to not see Dragon and I am sure TDM was bolstered by the fact that he had made a clean get away.  I gotta tell ya we were having more fun than any of us could recall.  Anticipating Dragon’s next move we rode straight into Great Falls where we got rooms above Andy’s Tavern on 4th S.E.  We stayed up drinking and playing cards in the room I shared with Kid Curry.  The Kid turned in about eleven while we continued playing Poker.   When I finally began to become sleepy I looked at the bed to determine where I could best squeeze in.  Problem was that the drunk giant had left no room at all and I had to content myself in silent contemplation while the rest of our team kept me company in sympathy to my plight.  I don’t recall how long we were like this when I happened to look at Whiskers and then at the bread and leftover steak.  I looked at him again and I swear it was like we could communicate by mind with each other.  Without saying a word we both got up and started making a sandwich.  I tell you Suzanne was mesmerized.  With  a bit of ketchup we stuck it onto the Kid’s size seventeen.  It stuck well enough and when the Kid awoke he stretched once, glanced at his foot, took another longer look, and stood up while vigorously working at shaking the sandwich off his foot.  Stamping twice he grunted loudly and went out the door.  And we 3 thought we had laughed ourselves out during our all night vigil!!     

© Sam Hyde
     09-04-11

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