Tombstone

The steed felt strong and powerful under my thighs as we rode into Tombstone. The sun was blistering hot against my cheeks, I tried not to dwell too much on it. I needed a whiskey or maybe two, get my mind off of this blasted day. It was already turning into quite a mess and the sun had been up only a few hours. I removed my Stetson and wiped the sweat off of my brow. I cursed this day before it had even started, I didn’t need this shit, least of all today. I was already late for work and that wouldn’t sit with Clayton, he’d dock it off my pay for certain. I put pressure down on old Beauty and we rode as fast as we could through town. As we approached the livery, I dismounted and found Beauty a place to rest until she was needed again. I picked up the pace, knowing full well that I was already late and going to get a talking to. I didn’t care at this point, the errand I had to run couldn’t wait. Clayton could berate me all he wanted, at least I was coming in to work. As I found my way to the mine, I braced myself for the insults, but they never came. Clayton was nowhere in sight, probably gone back home since he had nothing better to do when the men were working. He didn’t work in the mines with the men, just oversaw that things ran smoothly. I made my way to the entrance and sighed, damn I hate this job. But it paid for what it needed to, so I was grateful. I just wished things were different. They couldn’t be for now.

After a long and hard work day, I made my way to the saloon, where Henry, the owner, already had a whiskey ready for me on the table. I thanked him, paid and took a nice slow gulp of the warm drink. I felt instantly better, knowing it would take a lot more to forget the troubles of the day. Henry looked me over and snorted.

“You look like you could use a few more.”

I nodded,

“Keep ’em coming.”

He chuckled and went back to get another bottle. The saloon was busier than usual, probably because some new men had started working at the mine. I looked around slowly from behind my heavy eyes and noticed that the room was filled with more brothel women too. They pranced around the room in cleavage revealing dresses, their bodies swaying to catch the men’s attention. What caught mine was the woman standing off to the side, with a sad look across her pretty face. She seemed to snap out of it when she saw me staring at her. Damn, the last thing I needed was for her to come over, but that’s exactly what she did. She came up close, rubbed my arm and smiled through those sad eyes.

“What can I do for you fine gentleman?”

I stood up and started walking towards the door. She followed me close and stepped in front of me, blocking the way out.

“I saw you looking at me. What is you pleasure sir?”

She rubbed my arm slowly, seductively. On any other man, this probably would have created quite a stirring in their loins. She saw that it had no effect on me. She moved her hand down lower and when she got too close for comfort, I tried to push her hand away. She somehow got free from my grip and fell back muttering loudly,

“but- you- what is going-?”

I picked her up and threw her over my shoulder. The people in the saloon were all turned towards us, waiting to see what I would do. I walked towards the stairs and climbed up, the brothel woman dangling over me as we went up. When we reached a room with an open door, I placed her gently on the bed and closed the door behind us.