| Written: January 20-ish, 2005 As the sun began to melt into the distant horizon, I could eerily tell that something unfortunate was about to take place. The dust slowly picked up with the unearthly wind blowing through the old dirt town I so happened to find myself in. The tumbleweeds soon came as masses and covered the tracks, old and new, so the few persons left here would struggle past. I, as usual, was unnoticed by all. Rarely was I seen, as I was only viewed as an old, rugged cowboy hat, stationed on an old fence post to keep watch of all the trouble happening around myself. No one had seen it all as I had, but I was soon to witness something far worse than anything ever before. Jerico was one of the worst fellows this place had ever seen. No longer could any one stand to see him gun down a few of their good friends over a drunken bar fight or over a lousy game of poker. Jerico had to be taken out. I, on the other hand, was quite fond of sitting on this splintered post fence, situated in the center of the town of San Juanitaville. Had I been brought to the world as a human, I am sure I would keep myself out of trouble, but stay here in this fine ol� city. The crowd here seemed rather festive, well, that is before the radical fiend with the name of Jerico decided to infest San Juanitaville with his horrible ways of homicide and drunkenness. The last time I had personally seen the creature everyone loved to despise, he was being kicked out of the local saloon yet again as he was discovered cheating in a �friendly game� of poker. Nevertheless, a few of his fellow game players ended the night with several wounds in their bodies that they surely did not want. The local sheriff with the name of Diego ran this fine establishment of a town with rules, and he had only heard of this fellow Jerico breaking �em. Diego walked out of his station onto the dirt path, and slowly began to walk towards a local inn. Who knew what was going to happen�we never would find out until this moment! Finally, Diego, with his hand settled upon his gun, knocked on the door of the inn. As the door flew open, he stepped inside. I saw nothing else. My hearing had not yet deceived me though, as I clearly heard the sheriff demand to see Jerico at once. Then, the loud banging of his boots upon the stairs caused one to think he was ready to get him. Then, there was silence. The next thing I saw, I could not believe. I had not heard a single yell or curse, but out walked Jerico, his hands behind his back, and Sheriff Diego escorting him to his new home in a jail cell. People gazed out their windows to see if it was so. Then, without notice, Diego was pushed back, as Jerico escaped from his handler, and quickly pulled out a large pistol. �Diego!� Jerico yelled, as he shuffled back towards the saloon doors, waiting for everyone�s attention. �Get up!� Slowly, but surely, Diego got to his feet as he wiped the dirt off his already off-colored pants. Faster than a rattlesnake, he drew his gun, cocked it, and pointed it towards Jerico. �I suggest you dispose of your weapon now sonny, or I�ll be the end of you.� Diego said, showing no sign of nervousness. There they stood, guns pointed at each other, awaiting the last fatal move of this long-destined battle. As Diego slowly stepped towards the armed Jerico, he showed no cowardice and announced again, �I said, put the gun down.� Neither one of them backed away. As the sound of a coyote howled in the distance at the setting of the sun, Jerico was caught off guard and looked out, taking his last fatal move, as Diego pulled the trigger and placed a bullet in Jerico�s chest, as he quickly, yet gracefully, hit the ground with a thud. �You�got me.� Jerico uttered with his last breath, as he soon was overcome with death. The people around quickly cheered for their sheriff, and I wish of all things to tell him how grateful I was for him saving the town. As he quickly saddled his horse and climbed on, he suggestively screamed into the city air �High Ho Silver!�, as the horse swiftly ran towards my home atop this post. Diego quickly grabbed me and shoved me onto his head, as we rode off in celebration of his long-waited victory over Jerico. |
| Jerico in San Juanitaville |
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