"No, thank you, I'm fine," you answer, smiling politely.  "I really should be getting back to the hotel."  You stand up and straighten your skirt.

Chris stands up as well.  "Hope to see you again, Anna."

"Oh, you will,"  you reply.

As you start to walk away, one of the men joins you.  "Let me walk with you," he says.  "I need to go to the hotel anyway."

As you start to walk away, one of the men joins you.  "Let me walk with you," he says.  "I need to go to the hotel anyway."

You smile, studying him.  He's of average build, with deep blue eyes and and shoulder-length light brown hair.  He introduces himself as Vin Tanner and asks what brought you to town.  You give him the same story you gave Chris.

"So you're a schoolteacher?" he says.  "That's a mighty honorable job, Miss Anna."

"Thank you, Vin," you say.  "You're a lawman, aren't you?"

"In a way, yeah," he answers.

"Well, protecting a town is just as important as educating young minds, you know."

"Oh, I don't know about that," Vin says.

You enter the hotel lobby and turn to Vin.  "Thank you for walking with me, Vin.  I hope to see you again before I leave."

Vin tips his hat and says, "It was my pleasure."

As you climb the stairs you overhear Vin asking the clerk if he's seen any strange women come through.  You pause on the stairs and hold your breath, your heart racing.

"No, I haven't seen any strange women," the clerk answers.

You let out your breath and continue up the stairs.  You enter your room and sit on the bed.  Have I gotten myself into something I can't get out of? you wonder.

After a few moments have passed, you decide to go take a look at the bank.  You go outside and walk over to the structure.  You believe you could pull off the heist tonight.  The sooner, the better, you think.

You walk nonchalantly past the bank, not wishing to draw attention to yourself.  You walk down the boardwalk, planning out the details of the robbery.

"How do you plan on robbing the bank?" you hear someone say behind you.

You spin around and see the man who had criticized your clothing earlier.  "Excuse me?"

He takes a few steps toward you and smiles.  "I believe you heard me the first time."

"I am a schoolteacher, Mr...."

"Ezra Standish.  I can spot a con from a mile away."  Whispering, he says, "I know who you are."

You open your mouth to deny it, but realize it's no use.  You've been caught.

"What I don't understand," he says, "is why a beautiful woman such as yourself would want to rob banks."

"It's the only way to get by for some of us," you retort.  "So are you going to take me to jail?"

He thinks for a moment before replying.  "Not if you do something for me."

"Do something for you?!  Listen, Mr. Standish, I don't owe you anything," you say, narrowing your eyes.

Ezra shrugs.  "All right.  Would you like me to lead the way to the jail?"

Maybe I should hear him out, you think.  It might be the only way for you to get out of this mess.


If you hear him out, CLICK HERE!

If you run, CLICK HERE!