The Stretch
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Extreme =&gt; Extreme Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Xanthaine on 09-12-2010, 20:59:26</h2>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xanthaine</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 20:59:26</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				John cracked his remaining Knuckles, glaring around the room and trying to decide if the Piano or the Pianist was out of tune. He waved for another drink as he finished what was left of his current one. Sighing, he continued to survey the room, picking at his teeth with his horrible serrated knife. He gained a few odd looks, probably people checking him against one of the many Wanted poster's they may have seen. He smiled, wondering which one they would have seen, robbery, murder, assault or kidnapping? The list went on. He inclined his head to the barmaid as she placed his drink down and watched with some amusement as she scurried off. It was tough to have an infamous face...
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LeoStar</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 21:21:10</strong>
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				Mike stares at the pile of coins and notes on the table, the cards laid out and the other players and then smiles. "Seems I win again guys. But to show I’m a nice guy how about I get us all a around of drinks?” He puts his arm around the pile and draws it towards him then looks over looks over to the bar. Seeing the barmaid scurrying away from a man, Mike looks the guy over trying to place his face but to no avail. The man looks his way and Mike quickly calls out to the barmaid for more drinks, trying his best to avoid the glare of the man with a knife.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xanthaine</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 21:24:49</strong>
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				John notices the hastily averted gaze, heaving himself up he takes his drink and saunters over to the men playing cards. He slams his knife by a free place.<br><br>"Mind if I join? Ain't played cards since Newtownville..." He growls, daring any of them to say no, his dark eyes and crisscrossing scars possibly seeming to dance in the Saloon lights.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lightshock16</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 21:26:25</strong>
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				In the Corner of the Bar meanwhile, a a younger-looking Man is leaning against the wall, standing beside a small Corner table, seeming pretty distant from everyone else in the Bar. His arm's were folded and he had a calm, calculating look on his face as he glanced around the room, getting a look at all of the people here. He adjusted his White Cowboy hat slightly, pushing it up a little, before his attention turned to one of the People people playing Cards, and what seemed to obviously be the winner...and then to the other Man who challenged them. He didn't really have the patience nor the time for playing Card's. He rolled his eyes, and glanced down at the Array of Knife's around his Belt...wondering how long it would be before he'd end up needing them again.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LeoStar</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 21:37:41</strong>
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				Glancing at the knife, then up at the man, Mike looks a little startled. After hearing he wants to join in mike instantly becomes calmer and friendly. Grabbing the cards from the table he piles them up and starts to shuffle them.<br><br>“Sure thing mister the more the merrier, were doing five card stud. I’m sure you know the rules” Mike stops shuffling the deck and deal out two cards to each of the now five players around the table.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xanthaine</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 21:42:20</strong>
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				John looks at his cards, two of diamonds and six of clubs, he sighs softly and throws them face down on the table. "Fold." He growls, pulling his knife from the table and twirling it in his fingers.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LeoStar</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 22:14:58</strong>
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				“Hard luck hard luck” Mike continues playing with the other locals at the table and wins the pot again. After a few games you notice that you have only have a bit more money than you started with, while the locals seem to have lost everything. Mike mean while keeps smiling, winning and offering to buy the drinks whenever someone starts looking angry at him.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xanthaine</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 22:21:25</strong>
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				John stands, the knife flashing dangerously, his own grin not entirely reassuring either. "Well won... I recon it's that wonderful time to grab a drink and a woman... either order... Tell yah what, gentlemen... I'll buy this round of drinks." He smiles slightly, waving for service. The barmaid, however, does not ask for money and just brings them out. "Was a pleasure playing." He said, taking his well worn seat in the corner, sticking his knife into the wooden beam at his back.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Chrystal</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 22:49:39</strong>
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				The big black stallion was far too tall for the petite redhead who sat astride it, her hair tied back in a ponytail. The brand on the horses flank read "SOD". The red haired woman dismounted outside the saloon, hitched the stallion to a rail and pushed through the double swing doors, spurs chinking on the boards.&nbsp; She quickly moved to one side of the door, force of habit, keeping her from being silhouetted, and allowing her to see into the dimly lit room more easily.<br><br>Moving to the bar, she glared at the bar tender. "Whiskey". She demanded, her voice soft and melodic. <br><br>The barman looked at her nervously. "Sorry, Miss O'Donovan, but until you pay off your tab, I'm not allowed to serve..." His voice tailed off as he blinked at the small leather bag she pulled out of the pocket of her coat. The bag chinked with the familiar sound of coins as she dropped it on the bar.<br><br>"Whiskey!" She said again.<br><br>The tender smiled in relief, and tipped the bag out, counting the coins. "That should cover it". He pushed the small remaining pile back to O'Donovan, took down a shot glass and a bottle and poured.<br><br>She pushed two coins back. "Leave the bottle".<br><br>Sara sighed softly as she downed her first glass of whiskey in three days. It was a dry ride out into the badlands where she'd hidden her stash before coming to town the first time. That bag, and the other in her other pocket, represented the last of it. She would be officially out of funds in two days. She considered joining the poker game but she couldn't cheat well enough to sit in with that crowd. They would take her for every penny she had and then some!<br><br>She refilled the glass and turned to survey the room.<br><br>There was a new kid in town, just at the other end of the bar. He looked up at her. "O'Donovan? Sara O'Donovan?"<br><br>"Maybe, who wants to know?"<br><br>"Joseph Ward. You don't remember me... But you shot my Da, and you ... left my Ma so skeered..."<br><br>The kid turned towards her, hand hovering by the but of his gun. A general scraping of stools and scurrying of feet indicated the clearing of their lines of fire. Sara flicked her sheepskin coat back from where her Colt Army pistol hung at her hip, the leather holster polished smooth and the ivory grip's ornamental carvings slowly wearing away. "You sure you wanna do this, kid?"<br><br>Ward wore a new Colt Peacemaker at his hip and he had clearly been practising. "You're coming with me, dead or alive." He said.<br><br>"I doubt that!" Sara spat into a nearby spittoon. The gesture was deliberately insulting. Her eyes never left Ward's face.<br><br>The kid 's hand went for the revolver. Sara's was in her hand and roared loud in the small bar before Ward's had even cleared the leather. The bullet buried itself in his right shoulder. "So... fast!" he gasped, the peacemaker slipping from his numb hand.<br><br>Sara chuckled. "Kid, I'm <em>SLOW!</em>" She holstered the Army Colt and kicked the kid's gun away. "But you are the slowest! Somebody wanna get the doc?" She turned away as concerned citizens gathered the unfortunate kid up and took his weapon away. "Shit... Another nice evenin' in Sotton!"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xanthaine</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 22:59:51</strong>
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				John saw the shooting, and other than a slight eyebrow twitch didn't register any shock... he'd seen more people shot than he'd had hot dinners. He half smiled and a approached the bar.<br><br>"Fine shootin' ma'am... personally I'd have gone for the kneecap, but each to their own. It would be my honour to buy such a skilled shooter a drink... less'n you have something better to do? Or you don't like me? I can piss off if you prefer..." He grins slightly, taking a deep slug of his own drink and twirling the knife before settling it in it's sheath on his leg in one smooth motion.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Chrystal</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 23:15:02</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Sara chuckled. "Between you an' me, Mister, that was a fuckin' lousy shot. I wus aimin' fer his heart!" She said softly. She shrugged and indicated her bottle. "A'ready bought an' paid fer, but if'n yu want ta join me yer welcome, and when that one dies, yu can get thuh next one in..." She grinned. She pulled makings from her pocket and rolled a slim cigarette. "Got a light, Mister? I'm fresh out."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LeoStar</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 23:17:09</strong>
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				“Well that’s gone and spoiled the mood. I think I’m done playing with you fine gentlemen” Mike slides his chair under the table and picks up winning from the table. Smiling to himself at a good days work, he grabs his long brown leather trench coat of the back of the chair.<br><br>“Doesn’t look like you boys could play much more anyway” placing his hat back on his head he steps towards the saloon doors. As he puts his hand on the door to leave mike stops, turns and goes up to the boy lying on the floor. Mike bends down and put some notes in the kid’s pocket. <br><br>“Pay the doctor and then get drunk. I don’t advise trying that trick a second time”<br>He stands up and looks around at the people now staring at him. He shrugs of the confused expressions and heads out of the saloon into the bright mid day sun.<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lightshock16</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 23:32:25</strong>
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				Mark couldnt help but watch the Gunfire scene unfold in front of him...LITERALLY in front of him. He had been right in the Woman's line of Fire, and may of been Shot himself had the Bullet not hit it's correct Target. Mark however hadnt moved at all...since he had somehow figured that, whoever the woman was, She was the better Gunslinger in that encounter...though Mark hadnt heard what the scuffle had been about, and was interested in knowing just what had made their hands move to their Sides...but he wasnt exactly about to ask anyone.<br><br>Figuring He may as well quench his thirst before leaving the place, Mark pushed himself off of the wall, and walked up to the Barman, who was still recovering from the shock of the shootout. "...Yo, Mate, you gonna serve me or not?" He said coldly to the BArtender, the difference in Accent clearly noticeable to anyone able to hear, as Mark's British Root's flared. <br><br>The Bartender gulped, not wanting to displease this man either, for fear of him being the next one in need of a Doctor. "Y-yes sir! w-what do you w-"<br><br>&nbsp;"Water, and it better be fresh..." His hand stroked one of the Two larger Knives he carried with him, making the Bartender even more nervous. <br><br>"Y-yes sir! C-coming right up!" The Bartender Rushed off, returning later with Mark's water. He took the glass, and tossed a couple of coins onto the counter, before turning away, glancing around the saloon again.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xanthaine</strong> on <strong>09-12-2010, 23:49:31</strong>
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				John taps his nose conspiratorially. "I'll make like I didn't hear that, ma'am." He laughs, striking a match on his stubble and lighting her cigarette, finishing his drink. "It's nice to find a person on the same page as me... I don't ask questions... if some poor fucker calls me out, <em>I'm</em> gonna take the first shot thank'ee very much." He laughs a cold laugh and looks back at Sara. "You look like yo have a tale to tell, an' no mistake... though... somethin' tells me you ain't the type to tell it, hmm?" he laughs again and pours another drink, raising it. "To your continuin' good health, ma'am." He chuckles and takes a swig.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 00:38:42</strong>
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				Clara slipped into the saloon through the back, she'd been in town long enough to know the barkeep by name. A decent sort of chap, didn't cause or want trouble and was nice enough to boot. Just the sort of chump she'd normally take advantage of were this some town she just wandered into. Trouble was she'd shown up half dead on her horse and had been nursed back to health over the past few weeks, not exactly the perfect place to start a new scam, least of all not till she knew she could get out quick if things turned sour. <br><br>She coolly eyed the card game, watching the violent looking men at the table. Not the sort she'd prefer to gamble with, far too likely someone would end up shot in a game like that. As if someone had been listening to her thoughts, no sooner had she thought about a shooting, then a gunfight erupted at the bar. Once the trouble cleared she noticed another man playing with knives and giving Andy, the bartender, rather menacing looks. She sidestepped the boy and one of the gamblers who seemed to be giving the wounded kid some money and slid up next to the knife wielder at the bar.<br><br>She glanced over at his drink and smiled, "Drinking the hard stuff today I see?" She offered, hardly paying the man any more attention as she casually waved for the bartender. <br><br>"Afternoon Miss Clara, what can I get for you?" the barkeep asked.<br><br>"The usual, Andy. Vodka and Tonic." Clara answered, her eyes l<br><br>"Of course," he replied with a smile, wiping the bartop where she stood with a rather unclean looking rag before depositing her glass and rapidly filling it. <br><br>She took the glass, turning so her back was resting against the bar and watched the action, looking for promising marks, some other chance to make a bit of cash off some poor schmuck, or her ticket out of this town, her horse having expired a day after it carried her into town.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Chrystal</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 01:01:07</strong>
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				Sara chuckled softly as the guy with the knives ordered water in such a threatening manner, and the rather sexy chica comment on it. "Heard of a man once ordered milk in a saloon. Someone called him a baby for it. That someone ended up dead real fast!" She shook her head. "Doesn't pay tuh criticise another man's poison".<br><br>She smiled, then, at the knife-weilding gambler. "Mister, I'll drink with yu, I'll fight beside yu, or agin yu, but Less'n I know yer name, I dun't tell jack shit bout who I am nor what I dun."<br><br>She grins to soften her words. She likes this gambler with his easy manner and gravely voice. Not enough to change her opinion of men in general, but enough to share his company for a while.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lightshock16</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 01:15:50</strong>
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				Mark gave a Side-glance at the LAss who had stepped up to the bar close to him, examining her for a couple of seconds, before shrugging, gulping down some of the water, before speaking to her. "...Not much of a Drinker really...I feel it can, cloud my Judgement...and where I come from, We advise against that...I still drink, but only on occassion..." He said calmly to the woman, before taking another quick gulp of water. <br><br>His gaze then shifted to the other woman behind him, who had started the Gunfight earlier. He couldnt help but grin at the little sentiment she gave about Mocking a man from the Drink he orders, though he didnt say anything, as he leaned against the counter, staring out of the Saloon doors calmly.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xanthaine</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 08:35:34</strong>
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				John frowns slightly. "What's in a name? A rose by any other name an' so on... I'm John... Garrett." He looks up to see her reaction... his name being an infamous one, as he takes another drink. "An' I'm sure a flower like you 'as a name to match in beauty, eh?" He laughs slightly, taking another huge slug, smiling at the other woman.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LeoStar</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 16:57:23</strong>
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				Mike stares out into the main street of the god forsaken town they called Sutton. The bright sunlight blinding him for a moment as his vision adjusts to the light of this barren wasteland. Patting down his coat pocket mike looks for his tobacco packet. Finding it in his right pocket he pulls it out to see it’s empty. “Guess I know what my new found wealth is going towards” Looking left to right outside the saloon mike spots the general store down the road. Discarding the empty packet he makes his way to the shop.<br><br>Standing out side of it he reads the sign hanging loosely on the side of the little run down shop. [Sutton General Goods, we have what you need]. Mike walks in and stares around the shop, noticing its bleak collection of goods on sale. In the corner of his eye he spots a board with wanted posters dotted on it. Walking over he sees the picture of the man in the bar. [John Garrett, WANTED dead or alive for Murder and robbery] He chuckles to himself then sighs with relief. “Thank god I let him win a few games and keep his money” Mike says to himself quietly while still staring at the picture. <br><br>He walks over to the counter where the man has been staring at him since he came in. “two packs of tobacco please”. Mr Roland looks at him from behind the counter with confusion <br><br>“Didn’t you come in yesterday for two packs? How did you use all of it up so quickly?”<br><br>“Making friends and fortune is an expensive business, now can I have the tobacco.” Mr Roland shrugs and pulls two packs out from the shelf behind him and places it on the desk. Mike hand over the money and picks up the pack, placing a pack into his left coat pocket and holding onto the other in his right hand. He turns around and goes back over to the wanted board and rips down the poster for John. Walking back out of the shop he sits down on the decking outside and shreds a section of the poster and starts to make a cigarette. <br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Chrystal</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 20:16:57</strong>
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				<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=91455.msg3996850#msg3996850">Quote from: Xanthaine on 10-12-2010, 08:35:34</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">John frowns slightly. "What's in a name? A rose by any other name an' so on... I'm John... Garrett." He looks up to see her reaction... his name being an infamous one, as he takes another drink. "An' I'm sure a flower like you 'as a name to match in beauty, eh?" He laughs slightly, taking another huge slug, smiling at the other woman.<br></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br>Sara's eyebrows go up slightly. "<strong><em>The</em></strong> John Garrett? Wow! You're somet'in' of a legend!" She chuckles, remembering the price on Garrett's head was somewhere around $5,000. Her own was nearer $2,000. She giggled softly. "Me. Oh I'm nobody. Sara O'Dovovan, fram Oierlarnd, te be shooer!" She blushes in a self deprecating manner. O' course there's folks seem te think oi&nbsp; dun stuff as oi shouldn't a done... tooken stuff as din't belong te me, an' the loik. But it's all hogwash." She grinned and winked.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xanthaine</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 20:26:29</strong>
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				"'Ogwash? Ye know I meet a lotta folks on my travels... an' ain't none of 'em done what they done got accused of... me? I never give a straight answer... ya gotta hit the ground runnin' with me... an' runnin' fast. But I'm sure the last thing you wanna do is sit there talkin' about me... Ya wanna join me at my table? 'S the one with all the knife gouges." He laughs and gestures his table, making a move towards it.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Chrystal</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 22:37:40</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Sara shrugs. "If'n yu'll invite th' other lady ta join us too..." She smiled sweetly at Clara "Say miss, care ta join us in a drink? John's buyin'." She picked up her bottle and glass and headed for the table John was indicating. <br><br>She set the glass down on the table and refilled it, then placed the bottle alongside it. She sat, making sure her back was away from the door. It was interesting how many of the tables in this saloon had chairs set around one side only. Sara considered her options as she slowly drank her way down the bottle. She could join a poker game and most likely loose. She could get an honest job here in town, but the only honest job open to women that she was qualified for was whore and there was no way in hell she would do that. She could rob someone in Sutton, but in a small town full of crooks like this one, if she was found out she would very quickly become a real estate owner... up on boot hill!<br><br>Her only other option was to leave town, go back to work, "earn" some more money the only way she really knew how, and then return.<br><br>She let out a deep sigh and downed another glass of the rot-gut. "Damn, but this stuff sucks. You could strip paint with it!" She sighed again. "An' it cost more than a bottle o' Jamesons!"<br><br>She brushed a loose strand of hair out of her eyes as she looked curiously at Clara. "What's a pretty girl like you doin' in a sleazy fucked up place like this anyhoo, miss?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xanthaine</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 22:45:33</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				John smiles and nods, his smile stretching his many scars. He sat back and said very little, listening to the women talking and playing with a small rusted key with the initials WB wrought into the head. He holds the key like a vital thing, both gingerly and with no chance of it being snatched. Though he'd never tell anyone that key led to a chest with two shares of the Great Southern Railway Heist of '24, his own and that belonging to the original owner of the key. He smiled slightly 'like he needs that money' he thinks, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 23:19:22</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Clara in her examining the bar had surrepticiously listened in to the conversation between Sara and John. She'd heard the names and knew that John at least was wanted. For a brief moment she considered pulling out her revolver and shooting him while his back was turned. Given his reputation he undoubtedly would do the same with no hesitation. Before greed could cause her to act, her brain kicked in. Sutton was the back end of nowhere, half the town was wanted for something somewhere and nobody would take kindly to shooting someone in the back in a place like that. <br><br>Taking her half empty glass Clara crossed the floor in tow of the other two. As she sat she offered her hand to the both of them, introducing herself properly. <br><br>"Thank your for inviting me to the table, and for offering a drink, I'll take you up on that I'm sure." She smiled charmingly at the two of them her blue eyes sparkling. <br><br>"Well, I've been in town a few weeks. Ran across some trouble and I ended up with a bullet in my side. The man who shot me ended up with worse by the way. Anyway, we were in the middle of nowhere so I hopped on my horse and after I don't know how long ended up here. I spent the last two weeks getting back on my feet. Lost my horse though. Poor thing dropped dead the day after we made it here." She took a sip of her drink, and glanced from one to the other. She knew the man was dangerous, the woman probably so as well, so she knew to tread carefully no need to get herself shot again after having just narrowly avoided death. <br><br>"So, what brings the both of you to Sutton? And for the love of God don't say 'a horse', that got worn out the first fifteen times I heard it," Clara remarked.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xanthaine</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 23:25:02</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"Well... it sure as hell weren't the damn prices... everything's shit high round here." He laughed "I come here 'cause it's the only damn place a man with a bounty can go for some fuckin' R an' R... though... I reckon Hell itself'd be a fuckin' friendlier place..." He frowns and stows the key carefully away. "Also, I was followin' up a lead... tell truth I'm on my way back out soon, got places to go, things to do." His face falls and hardens, as if doing so is taking all of his willpower.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Chrystal</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 23:39:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sara chuckles at Clara's explanation. "Ouch, sounds like yu drifted here by accident, honey." She shrugs. "I'm here fer th' same reasons as John. Not a lot o' places a gal can go when there's a price on her head!"<br><br>She notices John playing with the key, but curiosity is a quick way to earn a "lead thank you" in Sutton. She keeps hers to herself. Perhaps she might find a way to learn the secret of that key, it's obviously important to him from the way he's clutching it. Right now, though, Sara has other fish to fry. She's rather more interested in the woman at the table than the man. <br><br>"Yeah, gonna be headin' out mahself purdy soon. Either that or start robbin th' honest folks o' Sutton... God knows they deserve it, prices they charge, but it kinda leaves yu with noplace else ta go..." <br><br>"What's yer name anyhoo, sweetheart?" She asks, turning her eyes on the pretty blonde. She has the impression that there is more to this woman than meets the eye, but can't quite put her finger on just what that might be.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xanthaine</strong> on <strong>10-12-2010, 23:42:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				John realises he's not the centre of attention, and smiles, preferring to be ignored. He stands and tries to slip over to the bar and ask their drinks to be put on his... ahem... special tab. If successful there he will try to slip out of the door.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LeoStar</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 00:21:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sitting on the sun bleached wood mike takes a long drag out of the cigarette while looking up and down the street. “Nothing but killers and poor, how am I suppose to earn a living here” he sighs to himself. He sits for a while in the sun, watching the people of Sutton go about there meagre lives while finishing his smoke. After finishing it he rolls another and puts it behind his ear. “Might as well get back to what I do best” Mike stands up, checks and positions his sleeves to make sure the hidden cards are in place then starts walking to the saloon again.<br><br>Passing the local bank or at least what passes as a bank, he bumps into a man walking out of the building looking at a piece of paper.<br><br>“Hay watch where you’re going you little shit” The man shouts at mike as he looks up from a piece of paper. He pushes past mike and heads in the direction of the saloon. Looking over his shoulder mike looks to see what was on the piece of paper. The front of the paper seems to have an official seal and a number on it, $4000. “Someone just got paid for a bounty, looks like I can get some work done today” Mike thinks to himself while following the man down the street to the saloon. <br><br>Watching the man go into the saloon, mike waits just long enough for him to get to the bar before following him in and walking up behind him. “Hay I’m sorry for the bumping into you, how about I get you a drink to say I’m sorry?”<br><br>The man turns to look at mike in the eye “hmm why not, I’m in a good mood anyway so I’ll let you off this time”<br><br>“Great, great, two whiskey on the rocks with the bottle to the table please barman. How about we go sit down”<br><br>The man looks confused at the pace all this is going at, one second he was at the bar the second he was at a table with a stranger sharing a drink. After half the bottle was gone mike finally got the man to accept to a few games of cards. Smiling to himself again he could do nothing but think about what he was going to spend the money on<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lightshock16</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 01:00:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Just like John, Mark was pretty glad that the attention wasnt on him and his water anymore. HE downed the last droplet's of water from his glass, before putting it down on the counter, and then looked aroun dat Clara and Sara as they talked. Not really being the talkative type, he just stayed quiet for now, crossing his Arm's and moving his Cowboy hat to cover his eyes slightly. <em>'...got kinda friendly round here all of a sudden...wierd'</em> HE thought to himself, raising an eyebrow under the hat.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 04:32:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Clara's eyes observe the key for a moment, usually when someone toyed with something like that it was important to them for some reason. A token to remember someone by, lucky charm, or something else secret. Not knowing what category this might fall under, Clara simply filed away note of the key for potential use in the future. <br><br>"You've a price on your head? I know John there did, seen his face sketched on a couple of posters." Clara thought about it a moment, "Oh, right, my names Clara by the way, Clara Emmett." As she chatted with Sara she noticed John get up and slip over to the bar. She was somewhat frightened by the man, and vaguely curious about him too. Still, if he was in town for a bit longer, she'd have time to find out more about him she was sure. <br><br>"They don't have a whole lot of choice in their prices," Clara remarked while John spoke to Andy at the bar. While she talked, Clara flipped her blonde hair as she glanced around the bar. "They can go weeks before a wagon rolls into town, and they can't always be sure what'll come with it. They really aren't so bad, fixed me up, so I can't really complain, can I?"<br><br>Clara leaned in a bit closer to Sara, and lowered her voice to barely above a whisper, "So, about your being wanted... John is a bit too famous, but I haven't seen any posters of you hung up in every little backwater town around here. I may be able to help you out with that. I can write up a nice pretty piece of paper for you, signed by the governor of the territory himself, or at least looking that way, pardoning you for your past crimes. All we'd need is an official seal to make it right and the Mayor or maybe the Sheriff would have one of those. Mmm... but that wouldn't be charity work. I'm looking to get out of here, and I need a horse and some more Dinero. Maybe we can work out a trade?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Chrystal</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 20:37:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Nice ta meetcha Clara."<br><br>Sara rolled her eyes. "Honey, you sure ain't looked in the right places. Most town marshals've got my face on their wall... Mind you, I do tend tu wear a mask..." She grinned. "Not many Oirish gals wi' flame-red hair holdin' up banks an' stages though!"<br><br>Her ears perked up at the mention of a fake free pardon. "Now that sounds int'restin! Would it hold water out side the ter'tory, though? Ah mean, if Ah went back tu Texas, or M'sourii, would Ah be able tu use it tu get outa jail free?" She knew there was something crooked about this woman.<br><br>She shrugged then, as Clara mentioned the price. "Honey, reason Ah'm leavin' town is cos Ah'm plumb outta cash! Ah've barely got enough fer a grubstake ta get me outta th' Stretch. In fact, if I pay fer mah hotel room t'night, Ah won't have!"<br><br>She grinned. "Mebbe you could help me out thar? Mebbe put me up fer th' night?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xanthaine</strong> on <strong>11-12-2010, 21:40:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				John stood outside the saloon and rolled a cigarette, flicking a match across his stubble to light it. He leaned against the wall and let out a sharp whistle, smiling honestly as Gunner, his massive pet Boxer, bounded towards him and jumped up. "Hello, big man." Laughed John as his dog barked deafeningly. "C'mon then, Gunner... almost forgot about yeh, boy." He chuckled and headed in, the dog in tow. He picks up another bottle of whiskey and sits heavily back in his seat, grinning. "I miss anythin'? Had ta get Gunner here... poor bastard pines when I ain't there." Gunner barks happily and curls up at Johns feet.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>12-12-2010, 10:06:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Clara eyed Sara for a moment, studying her. She wasn't one much for giving out charity, but the redhead could be her ticket out of town, or at least lead her to one. "All right. You can stay with me the night. I've got myself a room at the brothel, second floor. I've been doing some work to pay for it." Her cheeks blushed a little as she realized how that sounded, and she rushed on, "Not that I'm whorin'; I've been teaching the girls their letters. Sutton'll have the best educated whores in the west soon enough."<br><br>"And as for the papers, well, the law in Texas doesn't much care about what the governor of the this territory has to say. Seperate states, seperate systems. If you want one for Texas or Missouri though, I could do those too. Still would need the right seals and them being well, where they are it's a lot harder to grab than one for here."<br><br>"Think about it though, if you happen to run across a little extra I mean. Paper like that could be the difference between riding off free and swinging from a tree." Clara told her new friend, grinning to herself over her unintended rhyme.<br><br>When she saw John returning Clara sat back in her chair and dropped the topic of the papers. "Just a bit of girl talk is all, and helping Miss O'Dovovan with her lodgings. Nice dog by the way." She pauses to sip at her drink again, "So Mr. Garrett, you said you were planning on leaving town soon?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xanthaine</strong> on <strong>12-12-2010, 12:38:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				John nods slightly, absently scratching Gunner behind the ear. "I got things ta do, yah know?" His eyes grow hard "Important shit... shit that can change my life." He smiles mysteriously "But that ain't important... the important thing is that this place is a hellhole an' I'm startin' to think I've worn out my welcome."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Le Immortelle</strong> on <strong>12-12-2010, 13:16:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Emma had been riding for a while now. It had been a rather painstaking task to attack the carriage which was carrying gold with someone like Big Shot Randy. The man was unpredictable to say the least and the carriage was carrying two more guards than they had expected. The ambush was a pretty messy one with Emma nearly getting shot in the whole gunfire. However the guards no matter how trained knew little of the terrain and that was exactly what which she and Randy had employed to their advantage. Hiding carefully and striking when they least expected them to.<br><br>Pretty soon the men were dead except for the driver who was shot in the arm and was howling in pain. Emma and Randy walked in on him from both sides. The driver looked at them with disgust in his eyes. "They'll get you..you bloody..criminals..you'll pay for this!" He mouthed out. Randy grinned through his beard as his large form stood over the man and just raised his foot, stomping it on his face. "The only thing we're gonna be paying for..is some booze and some good women maybe." He said and shot the man in the face. Emma chuckled at that as the shot ran in the air and turned the man's head into a pulp. She craned her neck a little bit. "Tsk tsk..too much mouth can always land one in trouble. Anyways..let's get our gold shall we?" She said as she began to move towards the carriage.<br><br>As she moved, Randy's laughter boomed in the air. Emma frowned, she knew what was coming now and had kind of half-expected it. "<em>Our</em> gold you say?" Randy asked as he walked forward, his rifle held in the front. Randy was notorious for killing his partners..that was precisely the reason why almost nobody dared to team up with him. But this was a job which called for an extra hand and when nobody had balls to try it out..Emma had decided to approach Randy. A rather messy mistake to make..but desperate times called for desperate measures. Emma had begun to run short of money..and could definitely use a score like this right now. "Ya know..you're one tough bitch..The Catcher they say..and it's been lotsa fun doin' this with ya girlie..but this is where it ends..now you can go after having a final fuck..or go right now. What's it gonna be?" He asked with a smirk as he told through his hands movements to Emma to drop her gun which Emma reluctantly did.<br><br>"What if I want to do neither? What's the third choice?" Emma asked playing it cool. Randy shook his head. "There ain't no third choice bitch..you ain't got any weapons..and I can blow your brains out if I want to right now..i'm just offering you one final chance of some good fun..and believe me..if you refuse, I can claim it myself!" He added in a playful tone. Emma sighed. "Alright..you win." Randy's face lit up at that. "Now get on to your knees like a good girlie." He said and stood in front of her with his legs spread a little..bulge in his pants apparent. Emma looked at it and shook her head, her hands spreading over his thighs a little. "Okay..here we go..." She said. Randy felt her touch and smiled, closing his eyes and looking upwards. Just when he did that, Emma's hand moved inside her jacket and pulled out machete. "Suck on this bitch!" She snarled and just pushed it mercilessly between his legs..drawing out lines of blood all over the smooth, glistening bed in the sunlight.<br><br>"Urrk..goo...d..who..re.." Randy muttered out before Emma pulled out the weapon and then jumped up, kicking him in the chest before picking her gun up. But she didn't stop there as she pushed the machete straight in his eye..opening up yet another shower of blood before pulling it out and watched him squirm in pain for few more minutes. Randy was screaming loudly now. "Nobody to hear you Randy..nobody but me. The <em>real</em> owner of all that gold that's lying just few feet away from us." Emma said with a smirk before finally empying the bullets in his chest. Bang. The noise echoed. There was blood all over her by now..but she could care less. "Piece of shit!" She muttered to herself and walked towards the carriage, grabbing a small bag and emptying the gold in it before whistling in the air. Her horse came out running and she jumped on it..moving towards her favorite saloon. Finally she reached the place and tied the horse before walking in, kicking the door open and noticing the whole scene inside. She smirked at that. "Looks like the party's already begun." She muttered to herself before grabbing a stool and ordered the bartender. "Whiskey!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Chrystal</strong> on <strong>12-12-2010, 21:55:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sara smiled. "Why thank yu kindly miss Clara, that's right neighbourly of yu!" She nodded to John as he came back in, paying scant attention to the dog. Dogs really weren't her thing. She turned her attention back to Ckara. "So yur a teacher huh? That's a mighty fine thing tu be. Ya'll can teach numbers too, 's well as letters?" She smiled. She was not illiterate nor innumerate, but numbers puzzled her. She could do basic adding, enough to know when she was getting fleeced by a storekeeper, but the higher parts of Maths escaped her.<br><br>Just then the saloon door burst open and one of Sara's few friends burst in. "Emma, Honey! You look like a cat that got a canary!" She called out. "Come join us!" Sara had a sneaking suspicion that Emma had been doing just what Sara refused to do - robbing the locals. She glanced at the door. "Di'n't you ride out this mornin' with Bull-Shit Randy?" She asked more softly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LeoStar</strong> on <strong>13-12-2010, 01:27:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				By now the second bottle of whiskey was empty on the table. Mike and the man now known as George were still at it playing cards. The game had not been kind to George, most of his money and his gun was now on mikes side of the table. <br><br>“Ok …I’m I’m gona raise you, umm how about the gun?” mike with a slur from behind his cards. He knew the man had nothing worth betting now but the all important paper.<br><br>“man I.. I don’t have anything worth my gun left on me! All I got now..is..is my pay note and the guns not worth that!” George looks worried as he patted around and revealed the paper to mike.<br><br>“let’s say, I put all your stuff on the table? And like umm $400? If ya win you get all your stuff back and $400” Mike tried to hide his smile behind his cards.<br><br>Stopping for a second the man looks carefully at his cards. George knew he could win. With the Queen of diamonds in his hand, and the king of clubs, George looks down at the table. Queen of hearts, Queen of spades, king of Spades, six of clubs, ten of spades and the four of diamonds look back at him from the table. "Gives me three queens and two kings" George thinks to himself. Finishing what was left in his cup he shouts rather too loudly “OK! You’re on!” George places the paper onto the table and Mike puts the man’s gun and money along with $400 on the table and the man.<br><br>“I call ya you unlucky sod!” George reveals his hand of a king and queen. “read it boy three queens and two kings!” George begins to smile as mike looks down at his hand. <br><br>“Tough luck man”, mike puts down his hand on the table to show George. “Jack of spades and ace of spades!?” George shouts loudly in a rage this time. “NO FUCKERS THAT LUCKY!” George stands up rapidly and reaches for his gun on the table. “You cheating fuck!”<br><br>Mike stands up quickly as the gun is pointed in his face. “Hay man lets be calm here” mike looks down the barrel of the gun. Seeing it wave around randomly as the man tries to aim it, mike keeps calm while thinking, "Thank god he’s drunk".<br><br>“I’m guna fucking kill you! You..you cheating shit!” George fires the gun and a bullet whizzes past mikes head and out the wall of the saloon.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>13-12-2010, 04:47:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Throw in a bunch of ill tempered naturally violent folks, keep them armed, and then start serving them alcohol and you were sure to end up with one hell of a problem. This saloon seemed to prove that several times a day, and when the two drinkers playing cards were proving it. Clara was surprised Andy who ran this dive hadn't been killed several times over by now, of course, most folks didn't want to shoot the barman... who'd get them their liquor? She spotted the one drunk stand, point his gun at the other gentleman and fire, missing from point blank. Drinking and aiming were often mutually exclusive. That of course also meant that you never knew where the next shot was going to go...<br><br>Rather than continue her conversation with John or Sara, Clara took the better part of valor and slipped from her seat to the floor, sheltering herself just beneath the table, swearing silently under her breath. With someone being shot this frequently, how in the hell was anyone going to get any business done?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Chrystal</strong> on <strong>13-12-2010, 10:25:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sara very quickly joins Clara under the table. This is not a good time to be exposed. The space under the piece of furniture is fairly limited, and she managed to get her revolver in her hand only with a struggle. "Shee-it! Never play poker in here, honey!" she cbuckles as it becomes clear what the shooting is about. Some how, in the hurry to get under cover and get herself armed, she has ended up half lying on her side, with Clara sort of crouched over her.<br><br>She grins up at the pretty blonde. "Warll, ain't this cozy?" she drawls, with a cheeky grin and a wink. Her left hand, the empty one, reaches up to touch the other woman softly on the cheek, then withdraws quickly. "Yu know, Ah reckon it's about time we got thu hell outa here! What say?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xanthaine</strong> on <strong>13-12-2010, 10:56:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				John barely moves, looking for all the world as though nothing had just happened, drawing his own revolvers and twirling them artfully in his hands. He looks under the table at the women and winks. "I should probably take my leave... this bar only goes downhill from here." He laughs slightly and whistles Gunner, heading for the door. He stands outside, lighting another cigarette and looking generically moody, playing with his key again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Le Immortelle</strong> on <strong>13-12-2010, 13:00:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Emma's face breaks into a rare seen smile as she spots Sara and moves on the seat next to her. "Yeah..and now he's fucking dead. Fucker tried to mess with me..but as a result now he's just lyin' there in a pool of his own blood. I suppose some of it landed on me as well whilst I was taking care of me..disgusting to say the least!" She says as she was given her drink which she downed immediately. "More!" She snarls out at the man. "So, what you been upto?" She asks Sara and looks at the crowd around. Just when she was about to say something else, a shot is fired in the saloon. "The place ain't ever quiet now, is it? A lady can't even enjoy a drink." Emma groaned as she jumped towards the nearest table and tripped it up. hiding behind it and pulling out her own gun.<br><br>She eyes the other two women near her and chuckles. "Gettin' some fun even with all that, is that it Sara?" She asks playfully whilst looking around alertly of what just might be unfolding now.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LeoStar</strong> on <strong>14-12-2010, 00:04:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mike flinches to the side as the bullet flies past his head, keeping his eyes dead set on the man. “Hay man… I don’t want to lose my head over this! Take it take it all just don’t shoot” mike shouts out as he starts to raise his hands.<br><br>“That’s just what I’m guna do and you don’t make a dam move!” George puts his hand on the table and grabs the belt holster for his gun. As he clutches it Mike grabs a throwing knife in each hand, hurling one knife though he mans hand and the other though his shooting arm. George drops the gun in pain, trying to grasp his shoulder with his other hand he falls to the floor with more pain from his hand trying to get free from the knife pinning it to the table.<br><br>“You lost fair and square man” Mike looks down on the man with not a hint of remorse, and worse no look of being drunk. “Now you can try that trick again or you can leave now, it’s your choice.” Fuelled by pain, alcohol and anger the man ignores the threat and reaches for the discarded gun. “Stupid shit” Mike calls out as he thrusts a knife though Georges neck. The corpse falls to the floor with mike looking over it. “You made me do it!” Mike sheathes his blade and pulls the knives out of the man’s shoulder and hand. <br><br>Looking over to the barman mike calls out, “I’m real sorry about this. I can pay for the repairs and cleaning. I mean I got the cash for it now” mike says with a small but wicked smile on his face. He then sits back down and counts up his new found cash.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>14-12-2010, 02:36:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Clara glanced down at Sara and cocked an eyebrow. "Sure. Cozy. Also getting a bit bloody for my tastes. I really don't feel like being shot again so soon."<br><br>She looked over at the other woman who interjected and smirked briefly, peeking up at the two men having the confrontation before looking back at the Emma woman. She reached a hand across the open space between the tables. "Name's Clara, pleased to meet you Emma."<br><br>Seeing the knife wielder take down the gunman, Clara started to crawl up from the table, offering Sara her hand once she'd gotten to her feet. She smoothed out her clothes, brushing off some dirt from the floor and glanced around the bar. "Time to get while the getting is good so they say. If I'm going to be killed it better be while trying to make a dollar, not while having a drink."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xanthaine</strong> on <strong>14-12-2010, 11:06:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				John stands outside, staring into the middle distance with a faraway look in his eyes, absently scratching Gunner behind the ear. Out of nowhere a voice greets him.<br><br>"Evenin' Eight-Fingers. Still plannin' on pissin' off?"<br><br>"Aye... try an' stop me." Replies John, frowning.<br><br>"You won't find it... what you're really looking for... just thought you'd want to know." And with that the stranger stalks away, leaving John with his key and his dog. John pulls out his knife and begins whittling angrily, his remaining teeth bared and his scars stretched with a frown.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Chrystal</strong> on <strong>14-12-2010, 23:00:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sara&nbsp; giggles at Emma's comment. Her position on the floor gives her a fantastic view down Clara's cleavage, and her friend has obviously spotted that. As the knife weilder takes down the sore looser, she holsters her own weapon. She had noticed how fast Emma had hers in her hand, and sighs. "One day, girl, you're gonna have ta teach me ta draw like that!" It's an old joke between them. She would never part with her daddy's old Colt, and she would never be fast until she did. <br><br>Sara takes Clara's hand as the blonde helps her to her feet. "Much obliged, Miss Clara, and yeah, I'd say we oughta git. Emma, honey..." She leans close to the woman, and murmurs to her, "If y'all're gonna rob thu locals, y'all should at least make it a bit less obvious it's you doin' it!"<br><br>She moves on before Emma can reply, refusing to let go of Clara's hand as they head out of the saloon.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xanthaine</strong> on <strong>14-12-2010, 23:06:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				John stands outside the Saloon, throwing his cigarette end into the street and flicking the key in the air. He pulls out his revolvers and begins to take pot shots at the bottles he'd set up on the other side of the street that morning, dropping all twelve in twelve shots. His revolvers had been specifically tuned to be loud... scare the crap out of anyone who dared cross him... so the shots would be heard all around the town, especially in the Saloon.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LeoStar</strong> on <strong>14-12-2010, 23:49:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“O what the hell now!?” mike shouts out as furiously packs his pockets with the money. Grabbing the pay slip and sliding into his waistcoat pocket he stands and grabs the corpse of the now deceased George. Looking at the dead mans face he shouts out “this is your entire dam fault, Why did you have to get violent!?” mike quickly moves over to saloon door, using the corpse as a shield and stops just in front of them. Trying his best to sound older and drunk mike shouts out the saloon “I’m coming for ya!” then he throws the man with all this might forward into the door and out the saloon, ducking behind the wall as he does.<br><br>After not hearing another gun shot from outside, mike looks though the now blocked doorway. Seeing John emptying his revolvers mike sighs with relief and walks outside. “You scared the crap out of me! Shooting off like that just after a man goes for me. I thought you were his friends” Pointing at the corpse on the decking. Remembering who he is talking too, mike stops shouting and pointing. “Anyway I’m real sorry about throwing this guy at you. I’ll…I’ll just move him now.” Mike picks up the corpse and moves it rounder the corner, dropping it down next to an empty barrel. Waling back he removes the cigarette from behind his ear and lights it. Leaning on the banister to the saloon he looks back at John. “By the way I’m Mike Gamble”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xanthaine</strong> on <strong>14-12-2010, 23:55:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				John says nothing until he raises an eyebrow. "Gamble? You must be jokin'..." He chuckles. "Ah, no harm done, boy. People have tried worse than throwin' a dead man at me... there was the moment just out of Burnsville... helluva ride." He laughs at the memory, pulling his key out and playing with it again. Case ya didn't catch it, My name's John Garrett... yes, <em>that</em> John Garrett. Eight-fingers himself yadda yadda yadda... I'm sure ya've seen the posters... I ain't the kinda man who can hide really. It's a pleasure ta meet ya, Mike." John holds out his left hand, with the two fingers missing, with a half grin.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LeoStar</strong> on <strong>15-12-2010, 00:12:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“Joke all you want about the name, I’ve heard it all before. But I like it I think it suits me quite well.” mike smiles as he take a drag out of the cigarette. “O ye I’ve seen your poster around, quite hard to miss a face as infamous as yours”. Looking down at the three digit hand Mike Cautiously takes it. “Quite a grip for a man missing half a hand”<br><br>“You scared me half to death out here. You can never be too careful just after you kill someone over a misunderstanding. So Jack what are you doing in this hell hole of a town? I mean apart from attempting to woo the woman in the bar?” <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xanthaine</strong> on <strong>15-12-2010, 00:15:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				John laughs heartily. "Woo? Sure... call it that. I'm here 'cause this is the penultimate stop on my railroad... soon... Imma leave an' never return. Don't that just sound romantic?" He smiles, stowing the key securely and drawing his knife before he speaks again. "But that's neither here nor there. What brings you to this hellhole of a town?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LeoStar</strong> on <strong>15-12-2010, 00:26:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“Same thing most men come here for, Women, booze, money and the possibility of revenge. Thanks to my friend round the corner I have more than enough money to get the women and booze.” Mike stops smiling briefly as he looks down at the gun on his hip. Lifting his head again he takes another drag of his smoke “the last one is probably going to have to wait until I get myself further north.”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xanthaine</strong> on <strong>15-12-2010, 00:41:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				John goes somewhat gruff at this. "North? Hmm... just the way I was goin'... if ya want a man who's quick with his wits an' quicker with his trigger fingers I'd be happy ta join ya... company's always good in this Devil's Highway they call The Stretch..." He half smiles and takes a cigarette out of his tobacco tin (Ben Buck's Baccy) and lighting up, using his stubble to blaze the match. "Just thought I'd stick that out there."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LeoStar</strong> on <strong>15-12-2010, 01:18:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“that a fine offer, I’m not much of a killing man myself…well when I don’t have to… and it would be nice to have company on the trip. I’ll be happy to ride with you. Now I have some money to collect, I’ll see you inside to celebrate our deal.” Mike breaks the handshake and turns towards the bank. Pulling out the slip of paper he smiles and heads of to get his money.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>15-12-2010, 02:40:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With Sara making a beeline for the door, and clutching her hand, Clara really had no option but to follow. Not that she wanted to stay in the bar anyway, she wan't opposed to a little violence now and then, but she was a confidence woman, not a murderer... well, not much of one anyway. She shook the image of the man she had gunned down out of her head and followed slightly behind Sara, noticing John and the knife wielding man talking outside the saloon.<br><br>"So... where are we going Sara?" Clara asked, "There's not a lot of options ofther than the saloon for killing time. I suppose we could get your things and bring them over to my room at the brothel. They have a small bar there, nice than the one Andy runs, and less violent too. Probably because the sheriff spends half his time there drinking, and the bouncers don't much care for armed folk causing trouble."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Le Immortelle</strong> on <strong>15-12-2010, 19:06:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Emma grinned at Clara. "Pleased to meet you hon. You're a friend of Sara's..so that makes you my friend as well. But what an...interesting place to meet eh?" She snickered. The men in the bar were busy raising hell as she eyed Sara now and laughed at the comment about guns. "Maybe someday I will dear." She winked.<br><br>The remark about locals caused her to chuckle. "Locals eh? I don't care about anybody..as long as i've somethin' to loot and people to put bullets in!" As she said so, she noticed Sara and Clara move hurriedly towards the door. Emma brushed her bloodied sleeve over her forehead and frowned a little. "Leaving just when the fun is getting started." But then something grabbed her attention more. A certain sound outside. Unmistakably a series of gunshots. Very loud. "Well lets see what's happenin' shall we?"<br><br>But by now the man is already dead. "What a funny way to go.." Emma mutters to herself and moves towards the door. Outside she finds her friend and Clara standing planning on what to do afterwards. Emma coughed a little bit. "You girls mind me joining in and just make it a girls only outing?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Chrystal</strong> on <strong>15-12-2010, 22:16:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sara is about to reply to Clara's question when Emma comes out of the saloon. "Why not. We should form a gang, call ourselves the three Ahs!" She replies, then answers Clara. "Yeah, pro'lly a good idea. Then mebee we could sit an' plan what we're gonna do..." <br><br>A low whistle brings the big stallion from the hitching post - the reins draped loosely over it instead of tied on. She picks them up. "Raven, meet Clara. Clara is a friend. Understand?" The horse snorted and nodded. "Clara, pat Raven's nose, so he gets your sent. Then he wont kick you or bite you unless you try to get on him!"<br><br>Raven is, to all intents and purposes, unbroken. Sara had taken him from the wild herself, broken him herself using the Indian techniques she learned from her first lover, a squaw called Eats Three Fishes. But he is very, very bright. He knows four classes of people besides his owner - Enemies will be attacked without hesitation. Strangers will be ignored unless they came too close. Friends will be tolerated unless they try to mount him, and close friends are given the same privilege as Sara.<br><br>As they walk to the Hotel, Sara asked "You ever robbed a bank, Clara, honey?" The question is almost rhetorical as she promptly answers it herself. "Nah, you dun't look th' type. I'm bettin' you're some sorta card sharp, aintcha?" She turned to Emma. "We better keep our eyes open 'round this'un, sweetie!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Xanthaine</strong> on <strong>15-12-2010, 22:46:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				John continues staring into the distance, his eyes fogging over with memories. As his mind meanders he is approached by a scruffy looking man with fire in his eyes.<br><br>"Eight-fingers! As ah live and breathe! How have you been?" says the man in an unfriendly tone.<br><br>"Fuck... hey there Walter... how... how are you?" Says John, flustered.<br><br>"Alive... no thanks to you..." Growls Walter.<br><br>"Look, bud... I'll buy ya a drink an' let's let bygones stay that way, huh? No hard feelin's?" John smiles hopefully, not wantuing to actually blow the man away... both his revolvers being empty.<br><br>"By-fuckin'-gones? You shot me an' left me fer dead, boy! Ah can't forget it an' Ah sure as <em>fuck</em> can't forgive it!" Screams Walter, his voice carrying across the town.<br><br>"Calm down, Walt... yer damn well gonna wake the town! Now back the fuck down! There's nothin' I ca..."<br><br><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size">"Give me mah fuckin' key, boy!"</span></strong> Yelps Walter like a wounded dog, causing Gunner to howl like a demented wolf.<br><br>"Shurrup, man! I have a headache! Jus' fuckin' lea..."<br><br><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size">"Ah'll fuckin' Duel ya for the damn thing! You an' me... right fuckin' here!"</span></strong> screams Walter like a banshee.<br><br><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;" class="bbc_size">"I'll do whatever the FUCK you want so long as you fuckin' SHUT UP!"</span></strong> Shouts John in return, Gunner adding a deafening Bark to the mix.<br><br>"Follow me, <em>boy</em>... one of us is goin' down... an' it sure as fuck won't be me." Snarls Walter, leading John to the centre of the main street. It takes only minutes for pretty much the whole town to gather to watch.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>15-12-2010, 23:41:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Clara nodded, patting the horse on the nose and feeling quite the fool as she did so. She'd ridden plenty, one didn't come from the elite of society and not learn how to ride! Yet here she was, patting some strange horse on the snout while feeling like she was getting into something deep.<br><br>"No, I'm no bank robber. People just give me their money, and things." Clara replied with a smirk, "And yes I'm pretty good with the cards, even when I don't cheat." <br><br>She looked over at the latest confrontation brewing, "Seems like people just like to shoot when we're around, doesn't it?" As she watched the two men arguing she noticed the large number of people gathering and glanced at the other two women. <br><br>"Seems to me," she said, leaning in close, her voice a harsh whisper, "Now would be a good time to check out that bank, eh? More than half the town is here. That is if either of you can crack a safe... quietly."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Chrystal</strong> on <strong>16-12-2010, 21:02:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sara giggles. "Em, you wanna get yer horse? If we rob the National Bank, Sutton branch, we're gonna have ta leave town pretty damned fast." She shrugs... "Didja save Randy's horse by any chance? He dun't need it and Clara does..."<br><br>She leads her stallion to the bank, loose-hitching him to the post outside. Turning to watch the gun fight developing in the street, she quickly pulls out her own revolver, and from her saddlebag takes a small powder horn and a bag of shot. The 1860 colt army is more accurate that the modern peacemaker, but doesn't take the modern brass cartridges either. Sara carefully reloads the chamber she fired earlier, and the empty one she would normally keep under the hammer to ensure she didn't blow her own foot off by accident.<br><br>That done, she slips quietly into the bank.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LeoStar</strong> on <strong>16-12-2010, 22:03:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Getting into the bank mike looks around the dingy place, two guards at the door a few people in line and the cashier. Mike joins the back of the line, for a change happy to be in a bank for legitimate reasons. The line moves quite quickly seems most of the people here are just depositing weekly intakes and the like. “Simplest $4000 I’m ever gona make” he chuckles to himself. Getting to the front of the line mike confront the cashier. Handing over the pay slip he smiles at the banker. <br><br>“Ah yes Mr George Floon’s pay slip, I was told to expect a large withdrawal. Though you’re not the man I was expecting” the banker looks at mike with a suspicion in his eyes.<br><br>“Ye well he lost the money in cards and I’m here to collect my money, its not my fault the guy was low on luck” mike keeps a steady smile under the watchful eye of the banker. <br><br>“Well its no skin of my nose, you have the official slip and I have the money. As long as I can swap them it doesn’t affect me. Though I do want to know your name in case he comes looking for his pay.” The man stops staring at mike and studies the sip carefully. <br><br>“My name is Mr Gamble, ye I know its stupid and yes I know I play cards” Mike shrugs as the banker holds back a laugh. “So I can have my money?”<br><br>The banker goes into the side room with the slip. Coming back out soon after holding a case and part of the pay slip. “Here you go … MR Gamble… the $4000 dollars and your recipe. I hope you spend it wisely”<br><br>“Why thank you so very much” mike opens the case and takes out a few hundred, hiding it in his waistcoat and placing $100 on the desk. “Have a nice day and hopefully safe day sir.” Mike picks up the suitcase and turns to the door just as a woman comes in, “I’m sure she was at the bar with John…o this cant be good” he says to himself as he sees the girl, mike holds his face up and keeps a smile on as he walks to the door.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>17-12-2010, 03:24:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Clara follows along behind her new friend, catching her just as the other woman walks into the bank. "Wait!" She says just loudly enough for Sara to hear, her hand coming to rest on the other woman's elbow, trying to steer her to the corner. "I have an idea. I think we can do this so we don't need to flee right away. Let me speak to the teller, I bet I can get him to open up that safe and then we can do our thing. You and Emma hang back and wait in case things go sour."<br><br>"Trust me on this one, I don't want to see my face on a bunch of posters just yet. I prefer a bit of anonymity in my line of work."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Le Immortelle</strong> on <strong>17-12-2010, 14:28:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"That's one damn fine gang we'll be making!" Emma smirked as she relished the prospect of forming a gang with these two ladies. She could definitely count on Sara and if Sara liked this Clara girl she's got to be something. Raven came out upon being whistled at almost immediately. She chuckled at the question which Sara had asked Clara. The girl didn't seem the kind indeed. Her eyes were moving over her body. "Oh i'll be sure keepin' my eye on this one!" She said with a laugh.<br><br>Yet another quarrel some usual shit brewing. "Maybe we just attract danger eh?" She said casually while Clara talked about the bank. Emma nodded. "Just perfect." She said and quickly got her on horse free. "Don't have anybody else..don't ya mention Randy around me anymore. I shot the man dead and destroyed anything relating to him! But yeah..Clara can ride with me or you in that case." She said as they moved quietly towards the bank now. Away from all the commotion.<br><br>Clara's suggestion was strange and caused Emma to frown a bit. "Honey..you wouldn't want to try robbing a damn bank out of all things alone.." She paused but realised Clara was the least known amongst them. "You know what..yeah, go ahead..you're the only one without her face on posters so yeah you could probably get in there quite easy."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Chrystal</strong> on <strong>17-12-2010, 20:54:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sara shrugs as she watches Clara head towards the tills and steps asside to allow a man with a case to exit. . "She's ridin wi' you then, sweetie, or you're ridin' wi' me an' she's riding your horse, cos Raven ain't gonna let her on his back... I trust her about as far as I trust any card-sharp con-woman! Turn yer back on 'er an' she'll steal ev'ry thin' we got, 'cludin' our knickers!"<br><br>She Carefully dug her bandanna and mask out of her pants pocket, just in case she needed them.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>18-12-2010, 18:07:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Clara walked up to the teller and smiled brightly, she'd seen the man about town, in the saloon, and twice in the past two weeks at the brothel, apparently, he went there every Thursday. She looked back over her shoulder at the other two women who stood near the entrance and winked before looking back at the teller. <br><br>"Fred isn't it? How's your wife?" Clara asked sweetly, smile still on her face.<br><br>"She's doing well, Miss. I know I've seen you around town, staying with the girls aren't you?" He asked.<br><br>"I am. The preacher and Doc's wife seemed to have a problem with me staying at his house while I recovered from that bandit attack." She shook her head sending a wave of blonde hair flipping over her shoulder, "I can't imagine why."<br><br>Fred smiled, his eyes obviously trailing down to Clara's neckline and then lower as she stood in front of him, before he coughed, turned a little red and spoke again. "Uh.. what can I do for you Miss?"<br><br>"Clara, please. I had been trying my luck at cards and won this." She reached into her top and pulled out a long gold necklace, decorated with a few diamonds and a ruby pendant that hung low from the chain. Fred's eyes widened at the sight of it. "I hear you have quite the safe here, and I need a place to keep it till I'm ready to leave town."<br><br>Fred nodded and looked back at the other two ladies before eyeing Clara again. "My escorts. The man I won it from didn't seem too happy about parting with it," she told him without prompting.<br><br>"Follow me," Fred told her, pulling open the door that led to the back of the bank. Clara turned and waved the two along behind her, subtly waving with her hands to put away their guns. Fred escorted them into a smaller room in the back, complete with a desk, several wooden chairs and rather a large, squat, black safe marked with the name Diebold. "Miss Clara, I can assure you, your jewels will be safe here. This is the latest in bank technology, triple locked, and thicker than a drunkard's skull. It's impossible to blow this thing open without taking down half the town and destroying whatever is in the safe. Need it in a place like this too."<br><br>"Looks pretty safe to me." Clara agreed, "Let's get this in there so I can pay my friends here. They want to get back to drinking I'm sure."<br><br>"Sure thing Miss Clara." Fred crouched down and started opening the trio of locks while the women watched. After a few minutes, and with a satisfying 'click' Fred pulled the handle and the safe swung open. "The necklace Miss?"<br><br>Clara smiled and held it out, her other hand pulling out a knife, "This thing? It's just some clever gold plate and colored glass Fred. Thanks for opening the safe though. We'd like to keep this quiet though Fred, so don't make a sound or we'll have to kill you. Ladies?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LeoStar</strong> on <strong>18-12-2010, 19:28:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Walking outside into the street mike sees the other ladies from the bar enter. Smirking to himself he carries on outside to hears the shouting coming from the saloon. Looking down the road he sees his new companion John and another man in a gun fight. “Dam this place is violent” he murmurs as sits down on a bench next to the bank. Mike lays the brown case on his lap and opens it up to have a proper look at his winning. “Having all this money in the open is a bad idea” he takes out more of the money from the case and hides it around his body, in pockets, his hat and other more concealed locations. <br><br>Sitting back on the bench he pulls out the wanted poster for John. Smiling to himself he rips a few more strips from it and rolls more cigarettes then lights one up. Taking a puff he turns his head to look into the window of the bank. Seeing one girl next to the door and the banker’s desk empty, mike could easily guess the events inside. “Least it’s a quieter than down there” he thinks to himself as he continues to smoke and waits for the women to come out of the bank. “Maybe I should join the ladies, there defiantly leaving town soon, and there prettier to look at than john.” Laying back in the bench mike lowers his hat, waiting and watching the bank door.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Chrystal</strong> on <strong>18-12-2010, 20:40:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As she followed Clara and Emma into the bank, Sara turned the closed sign to "closed" and locked the door.<br><br>The nerve of the woman! Sara tried very hard not to giggle as the Clara did her convincing shpeal. As the teller turned to open the safe, she slid the old Army Colt from it's holster.<br><br>The satisfying click of the safe opening was followed by an even more satisfying one of the Colt being cocked directly behind Fred's left ear. Sara smiled. "Nicely done." She pulled a thin strip of rawhide from her belt - first rule of being a bank robber: always carry some raw-hide strips in your belt - and, seeing that the others had the teller covered, used it to hog-tie him. She pulled his kercheif from his pocket and stuffed it in his mouth as a crude gag.<br><br>"Right... let's stop being broke!"<br><br>She peered into the safe. "Sheee-it! This ain't a bank - I seen more cash in a poor house!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Le Immortelle</strong> on <strong>19-12-2010, 20:23:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Emma watched Clara get in the bank in this cool manner whilst Sara was talking about her. "Yeah I guess so..but hey..you gotta adjust a little bit if you're expecting to get some team work done around here. It's fine..she'll ride with me..and believe me..if she thinks about doing somethin' funny she'll be dead before she has even finished the thought! You can always ask Randy what happens to those who fuck things up with me." Emma grinned at that.<br><br>Soon, they were in the bank as Clara went on with her smooth talking act. That was certainly very impressive. The man in there was taken aback by the charm and the beauty and Emma couldn't help but laugh a little bit when his eyes were running all over Clara. Just when he opened the safe, Emma too pulled out her own gun with Sara..but she kept an eyes behind for any trouble which might come their way. Hearing Sara's exclaimation caused her to turn and look in the safe herself.<br><br>"Shit. So much for riches eh?" Emma said with annoyance and kicked the teller in stomach casually. "All this adventure..now it's become fucking useless!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>20-12-2010, 00:19:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Clara let out a string of rather unladylike curses, then blushed furiously when even the teller gave her a look. "Now what do we do? I didn't aim to get my face on a wanted poster for pocket change!"<br><br>"And what about mister Fred here? If we shoot him, the sheriff'll come running, leave him and we'll be running with empty pockets." Clara said, considering options. She leaned down and yanked the rag from Fred's mouth. "You got anything else stashed away in here?"<br><br>"Please ladies, I won't say a word, I swear! Don't kill me!" Fred begged, looking from one to the other. <br><br>Clara stared down at him, toying with her knife and wearing as hardened an expression as she could muster, "Not what I asked." <br><br>"Just the paynote and the gentleman who was in here before you cashed, and the hundred dollars he left, in my pocket. He got the last four thousand." Fred told them, a pleading look in his eye.<br><br>Clara stuffed the rage back in Fred's mouth and then rummaged through the man's pockets. Sure enough, there was a hundred and the cashed paynote. She looked over at the other two, thinking this whole bank robbing business had been the worst idea she'd ever thought up. "So what about him then?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Chrystal</strong> on <strong>20-12-2010, 09:57:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sara sighed. "Kill the bastard. Or not... I'm not wanted for murder in this territory yet. Kinda like ta keep it that way." The hammer on her colt went back down slowly onto the percussion cap and she took her finger off the trigger, then flipped the gun into the air, caught it by the barrel and brought the grip down hard on the teller's head. He collapsed onto the floor, maybe dead, maybe unconscious, she didn't really care.<br><br>"Well fuck it... Lets head out the back way." She scooped up what little cash there was in the safe, filling her pockets, and led the way to the back door, unlocked it, masked her face and peeked out. "All clear this way". She sipped out through the door and whistled.<br><br>Raven came trotting around the bank obediently and she leapt smartly onto his back. "With any luck no-one will know we was even there!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>22-12-2010, 22:27:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Clare looked down at the unconscious teller, weapon in hand, trying to decide what to do. After her initial hesitation she shook her head and put&nbsp; her weapon away. "I'm no cold blooded killer," she muttered to herself before walking out after Sara. <br><br>She watched the other lady hop up onto her horse and stood nearby, "So... what's the plan? Stay in town? Leave? And if we leave, where do we go? We don't have any provisions and got nowhere to go. I don't even have a horse."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LeoStar</strong> on <strong>22-12-2010, 22:46:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hearing the horse going around the back, mike stubs out the end of his cigarette and stand up with case in hand. Following one of the horses around he sees the back door to the bank open with one of the girls standing just outside with a mask on. Walking over to the girl mike holds his free hand up in the air.<br><br>“Hello there cutie, was your little show worth the payout?” mike smiles at the girl as he makes his presence known<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Chrystal</strong> on <strong>23-12-2010, 20:28:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sara's colt is still in her hand, and it levels unwaveringly at the man with the case. Her thumb pulls back the hammer and holds it, as her finger pulls the trigger beyond the release point. A little relaxing of her thumb and the man is dead. She recognises him, of course. He's the dude that walked out of the bank as she was walking in. The one with the case... the case that no doubt contained the payroll. <br><br>"Bastard!" She snarls. "Hand it over".<br><br>And then the man's greeting penetrates her anger. "And if you call me 'cutie' one more time, you'll get to sing soprano again!" Her gun barrel dips as she takes fast steps past Raven, the big .44 calibre hole now pointing directly into his crotch.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LeoStar</strong> on <strong>23-12-2010, 20:52:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“Hay now lets not be to hasty with the bullet shall we. I don’t want to be dead and I don’t think you want to have another murder charge added to your head” mike lowers his had hands and tries in vain to move out of direct fire of her colt. “I’m here to ask for you and your friends help.” He opens the case slowly to show $3000 in notes to the girl. “And I think you could do with my help as well. Since I don’t think there’s going to be much more in the bank. Now let’s be a bit more civil and introduce ourselves. I’m mike Gamble and you would be?”
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Chrystal</strong> on <strong>24-12-2010, 13:23:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sara just smirks.<br><br>"You're forgettin' somethin'... Ya just robbed th' bank. I'd be doin' mah civic duty by returning this money. Ah'm sure the mine company'd pay a nice reward... 'Ssuming anyone noticed you wus dead afore we got outta here."<br><br>The man had clearly forgotten the one law of the West - the law of The Gun - He (or in this case, She) who gets the drop, holds all the cards. "Y'all got somethin' Ah want, true. But right now, th'only thing stoppin' me from jes' killin yuh an' taking it is that the shot might be heard! As for a murder charge, Ah've got at least three on me that Ah know of.&nbsp; One more ain't gonna make 'em hang me any higher!"<br><br>She reached out a hand to take the case....
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Le Immortelle</strong> on <strong>27-12-2010, 20:07:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Murder was something with which Emma didn't really have any problems with, already committing the act several times. "Well, could care less if he lives or not..but you know what, fuck this. Guess it's his lucky day!" Emma smirked as she pulled away her gun and walked out with the girls, whistling for her own horse and jumping up on him, letting Clara ride with her. They were riding out now and finally able to spot the man who had the money. Sara was already at it, whilst Emma was providing the backup for her just in case the man had a partner or anyone coming in to save him randomly. She looked around carefully. "You better do what she says if you hope to live man. She may not want to murder anyone right now, but I don't give shit what charge comes against my name in what place. I like to do anything that can get the job done."<br><br>Emma finished speaking as she stared at Sara's hands go to grab the case whilst keeping her own gun pointed in direction of the man.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LeoStar</strong> on <strong>27-12-2010, 21:15:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Mike his head to see the woman on the horse, he closes the case and places it on the floor, between hi and Sara. “You may not give a dam about my life but I think you will still like my offer. Now I don’t need to steal money like some people. I was lucky enough to be given a lot of it. Now I’m willing to give you quite a bit more if you’re willing to do a simple job for me. But it’s your choice I won’t stop you if you just want to take the money and run.<br><br>Mike calmly and slowly backs further away from the girl and the case on the floor. Making sure not to block her escape.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Chrystal</strong> on <strong>27-12-2010, 22:30:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sara picks up the case and hands it to Emma who is already mounted. "Yeah? What job? If it involves sex or work, forget it."<br><br>Nonetheless the man has piqued her interest. He came back here for a reason, and that reason was to hand over the case full of money. The man was a fool. She would hear what he had to say, then kill him.<br><br>Her revolver still cocked and aimed, now at the man's heart, she ordered him, "Start talkin' Mister!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LeoStar</strong> on <strong>27-12-2010, 23:14:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				“No, no it’s got nothing to do with sex but it does require a bit of work on your part. The thing is I’m heading north quite soon and I’ve already acquired one very pleasant man who is willing to take the journey with me”. Mike takes out the poster from his coat and unrolls it showing the face of John to the girls. “I think you met him in the bar for a drink. Anyway I’m not the most trusting of people and I don’t like the idea of going down the devils highway alone with him. I’m here to offer you a trip north with us, if your going that way. If not I’ll be on my way.”<br><br>Mike try and stay calm while talking to the women, but the gun still waving in his face after they have the money worries him and he starts discreetly looking around at the cover available.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Chrystal</strong> on <strong>27-12-2010, 23:48:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sara chuckles and pulls her mask off. "Yeah, I met 'm. Y'all're trav'lin' wi' one o' the blood-thirstiest bad guys this side o' the Pecos! An Ah reckon he's a friend o' mine." The revolver stays in her hand, stays aimed, but the hammer is lowered back to the percussion cap. Her finger still holds the trigger in, though, so the weapon will cock and fire all with a pull of her thumb on the hammer or a sweep of her other palm across it.<br><br>"So what's in it fer us? More cash? You say you've got it, we want it. What are you willing to pay for our... heh, illustrious company?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>LeoStar</strong> on <strong>28-12-2010, 01:01:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Well I don’t expect you to follow my every command and act like paid body guards. I want you there just as insurance, you know in case anyone gets the bright idea of gunning me down...”*mike chuckles as the words leave his lips* “you know apart from you. This is beside the point; the pay of which that case is part of will be a total of $12000, with you already having a deposit of $3000. the rest will be paid once I’m safely in the north.” 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: The Stretch</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Apple of Eris</strong> on <strong>29-12-2010, 00:36:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Clara watched the exchange silently, her hand near the gun she wore. She wasn't sure about this job, or about riding with even more violent killers, especially as a hired gun which she certainly wasn't; but it promised a way out of town and that was something.<br><br>"I'll tell you what," Clara spoke up from a position just behind and to the side of Sara, "I'll join you if Sara here agrees," she for one also didn't like the idea of being the only woman alone with two murderous men, that hand't turned out well in the past. "But, only if you also provide me with a horse, which I get to keep soon as the job is done, and that comes in addition to the pay, not out of it." <br><br>She glanced from the man to Sara to see how this would turn out.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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