Storyteller / Shared NPC
Posted January 9, 2021 / NPCs written by Flip
For most in the town of Kalispell it was a pleasant spring morning, not a cloud in the sky. Wagons, buckboards and horses with riders traversed the main street, some stopping here and there along the way. Folks going and coming from the local shops and businesses on either side of the hard packed street, stopping now and again to chat about last evenings dance.
Horses standing three legged at the hitch rails, tail swishing back and forth to shoo the ever present flies that tormented them. A nice day, quiet for the most part, not counting the trace chains rattling, and the clip clop of the animals. The murmur of conversations barely audible unless one was a party to them.
Town Marshal, Speed Guyer sat at his desk with a cup of coffee, reading the latest edition of the Union. Bernie Clayton was sleeping it off in the cell block. Deputy Marshall Pronto Pike was on his way back from the Lickskillet Café where he’d had a late breakfast with his betrothed, Emeline Blakesley, which he regularly did on days he wasn’t washing dishes but working for the town.
Loitering outside the Stardust Saloon were four men who seemed to be talking and looking about the town. Pronto shook his head and strode across the street to the Municipal Building where the Marshal’s Office was located. There was something about the men at the Stardust that stayed with him. That they were in dusters was not unusual as it was spring round up, and men were looking to catch on with outfits conducting their spring round ups, he thought he would mention them to Speed, just the same.
The four riders were not riding the grub line, looking for work, hardly. They were members of the Marley gang and on this mornings agenda was the bank and it’s contents.
Bill Marley was across the street loitering at the bank, or so it appeared, he was actually casing the place. Seeing who was doing what, where the safe was, and how the teller was handling the cash that crossed his window. At the saloon stood his brother Dade, plus Cole Simpson, Arty Nelson, and Kid Carlisle, waiting for Bill to enter the bank, which was the signal. Two would momentarily cross the street and two would walk up the boardwalk.
At that moment, as Allie Jeffers came out of the bank, Bill touched the brim his hat to her and entered.
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Posted January 9, 2021 / NPCs written by Flip
Before Marley could get inside, Emeline Blakesly stepped toward the door and Bill naturally stepped back to allow her inside, just as his gang closed the gap between him and them, not the way he had planned it, but the way it turned out. So much for planning, at least that part of the heist. He looked to Kid Carlisle who took up a post near the doorway, casually scanning the street. He made sure that the horses were at the hitch rail closest to the bank, ans, after a glance toward the window he would ease over to the horses and untie them, holding them for the others.
It seemed as if everything was going according to plan, the woman and another man at the window were the only people inside other than the bank employees and staff. He had been reading a piece of paper and as he turned he made like he was putting it in his inside pocket, but in actuality, he was pulling his gun as were his compatriots.
“This is a hold up!” He bellowed. “Do what yer told when yer told, nobody get’s hurt!”
Dade, with a wide smile ,stepped to the window, pushing the woman out of the way while holding out a bag and saying, “Fill ‘er up, sonny.” But the shove was just enough on Emeline to jar John Olson who bolted out the open door before Cole or Arty could react, being on the wrong side of Bill.
John rushed into the street hollering at the top of his lungs, “THEY’RE ROBBING THE BANK BOYS!”
Carlisle drew his pistol as the nearest mount stepped side ways in his way, and John was able to shout his warning again. The Kid pushed the animal out of the way and snapped two shots taking Olsen in the chest, killing him, but the damage was done, this was not any part of any plan they had ever thought of, for in moments, the citizens and their law would be flooding the street and on them like bees on honey!
Posted January 9, 2021 / Emeline Pike
It was a pleasant day out, and Emeline was enjoying the short stroll from the Lickskillet to the bank. After Barnabas had left and the breakfast rush had settled down, she had gathered the recent earnings and left Clara in charge as she headed to the bank to deposit the money.
More and more, she was trying to give the young woman more responsibilities, and she was not disappointed. Clara was smart, responsible, and a hard worker, and not only that, Emeline really liked the girl and enjoyed her company.
And now was a good time to make that deposit...it was between breakfast and lunch, so the cafe wasn't too busy, and Clara was more than capable of getting lunch started. Hopefully, the bank wouldn't be too busy, and Emeline could get in a bit of shopping before she headed back.
She smiled and nodded to the gentleman standing out front, not really thinking anything of his presence there, then stepped inside, pleased to see that Mr. Olsen was the only other customer and the moment.
"Good morning." He smile widened as she greeted the man then started an idle conversation, her focus only momentarily distracted as the door opened, but just as she started talking to Olsen again, the newcomer pulled a gun and started shouting...
Things happened so fast then...Olsen was shoved into her, setting her off balance so she had to grab the counter for support, and then there was shouting and shooting...
"No!" As soon as it registered that Olsen had been shot, Emeline screamed, a combination of fear and indignation. "You didn't have to do that!" While she was inclined to go check on the man, her good sense stayed that, telling her that there was nothing to be gained and she was best off just staying where she was, mindful of the derringer in her pocket, and mindful that there was no chance to use it at the moment, and even if there was, the chance of any effective use was nil.
No, for now she would stay out of the way and use the derringer only for personal protection should the need arise.
It also occurred to her that Barnabas was likely never going to let her go to the bank again!
Posted January 11, 2021 / Clara Redmond-Lutz
Another work day, not that it really seemed like all that much actual labor - at least not to Clara. She enjoyed working in the cafe, far more engaging than the many chores she had at home. She had always loved baking more so than cooking though she was certainly capable in the latter too. Why only last year she had won the Blue Ribbon for the pie baking contest at the summer festival, not that she bragged about it but that blue ribbon hung above her bed.
Her employer (and far more really, almost like the mother she no longer had), Emeline informed her she was going to make the short jaunt over to the town bank to deposit some of the profits. This was a fairly regular occurrence and the woman then left Clara in charge for the short time of her absence. Clara by now could handle it, she was capable of doing anything Emeline could do be it in the kitchen or serving customers or making change if needed.
Clara was scrubbing a pan when she heard a shot? No, another shot right after! Outside on the street too by the sound of it? Some drunken cowboy celebrating god only knew what? Wait, it was still morning though, drunk already? Ever the curious one, Clara slipped the pot back into the sink and headed thru the cafe toward the front door and windows. There was shouting going on too.
A customer had beat her to the door and had it open, he was gawking in the direction of the bank though Clara had yet to realize that specific fact.
Posted January 11, 2021 / Ralph Flandry
Ralph was outside of the Star Dust saloon with a broom in his hands, sweeping the boardwalk outside the front doors. Not one of his favorite things to do, unnecessary in his opinion but Matilda insisted. He had long ago given up on arguing with that woman over anything. Just then there was a shout, he looked in the direction of the voice.
“THEY’RE ROBBING THE BANK BOYS!”
What the hell? His sweeping stopped as he saw a man out in the middle of the street just as there were two rapid fire shots and the fella toppled to the dirt. He also caught sight of the man who fired the shots, some jasper he never saw before holding a smoking pistol.
"Sonofabitch!" Ralph dropped the broom instantly and raced back inside. He had a shotgun behind the bar and a revolver too.
The saloon had money in that bank and he would be damned if he would just let some yahoos steal it!
"Everybody can feather their nest, but it's not just anybody that can lay an egg!"
Posted January 11, 2021 / Arabella Mudd
The swinging doors of the saloon banged open and a blur of calico flew in with the speed of a bullet. Arabella skidded at the end of the bar, sliding as she tried to stop and then crawling on hands and knees, basket still in the crook of her arms and bonnet on her head as she hid behind the bar. She must have seen Ralph as she’d run in because her voice started yelping away from her refuge, loud but clearly rattled.
“They’re robbin’ the bank and they shot Mr. Olsen and Miss Em went in there and I left Bridget in the street and she was going in there and I don’t know if she’s all right and oh, please Jesus please let her be all right!” she managed to blurt out before she dissolved into tears and mixed the sobs and the sniffles with murmurs of “oh please, Jesus, please. Please, please, please…”
This wailing might have gone on forever, but the sight of Mr. Flandry, coming round the bar to get his shotgun roused her out of her funk, to the extent of her crawling over to him and grabbing hold of his leg with a sob of “Oh, please don’t go out there, Ralph! Oh please, please, please, I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you!”
She must have been in a state of pure terror to have called the imposing barman by his Christian name, she never dared do that, even in teasing.
Then something else took over her soul: guilt. Awful, searing guilt. It drowned the terror and she pulled herself fretfully and shakily to her feet and tried to push past the hirsute barman.
“I left her out there! I gotta go out and find her! I gotta go. I’ll never forgive myself if anything’s happened to her!” she cried, absently trying to adjust her bonnet ribbons with palsied fingers.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Posted January 11, 2021 / Adelaide Chappel
It was a pleasant day, warm with a light breeze, so Addy had the big sliding doors at the front of the barn open as she worked on mucking stalls. She was shoveling in time to the tune she was humming, her thoughts drifting between what she needed to accomplish today, what she wanted to do today, and Jay.
Not that Jay was any of her concern, right? Sure, they'd sneaked a kiss at the dance, and it had made her toes curl, and she had thought that it meant something more than just a kiss, but apparently not, since he had been making himself scarce since, and she wasn't even sure if he was still in town.
No matter, she had pretty much convinced herself that she didn't care, that the idea of having him in her future had been fun for the night, but certainly not at all practical. After all, she was near a mother now, what with Weedy to look after, even though once she bought the house there would be plenty of...
“THEY’RE ROBBING THE BANK BOYS!”
The shout from just up the street was quickly followed by gunshots, leaving no question that there was trouble. Without a second thought, Addy dropped her shovel and ran for the doors, grabbing her pistol as she went. After hastily strapping on the weapon, she dragged the door shut -- no outlaw was going to 'borrow' any of her horses -- and a quick glance toward the bank showed a body in the street.
Swearing under her breath, Addy grabbed her coach gun then sprinted down the alley behind the courthouse, heading to the school. There would be plenty of folks going to protect the bank and to go after the robbers, so she would get to the school and provide some protection, just in case things got wild and whoever was in the bank decided to try to take refuge in town.
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Posted January 12, 2021 / NPCs written by Flip
“Damn it!” Bill Marley roared at the sound of the shots. “Quick, get the money and let’s get out of here!”
“You heard the man, sonny, fill it up. An whatever’s in the safe.” Dade Marley repeated to Luke.
“There’s no time for that, just get what we can and lets get out of here before the town decends on us!” Cole Simpson advised.
“Kid’s out there on his own with the horses, they get him them nag’s’ll bolt sure!” Arty chimed in, looking out the window. Kid Carlisle was standing spread legged one hand holding their mounts, the other his Colt as he looked in every direction, knowing the town was alerted and he was the prime target.
This was not about to be an easy escape, with the towns folk alerted to the robbery, they would be shooting first and asking questions later. No one had seen any sign of law when the filtered into tow, but that didn’t mean there was no Sheriff or Marshal.
“Take the woman hostage?” They won’t shoot her!" Arty added.
“Leave her be, we’d need more than her! Get the god-damned money and let’s get!” Bill cried. And it was true, the woman wouldn’t make any difference if they didn’t get moving, they be cut down when they mounted up, so she would be useless.
“Speed it up sonny, we ain’t got all day!” Dade threatened, cocking his gun.
"The law is the law."
"Mining's not everyone's choice of hobbies, it just happens to be mine."
Posted January 12, 2021 / Henry Guyer
Speed leaned forward as if to say something to Pike when everything abruptly changed. The gunshots ripped through the mid-morning air. Over the sounds of the traffic, and then of horses and wagons being spirited away, as fast as they could. Two in rapid succession, so it was someone firing in earnest. Speed was up out of his chair with Pike already at the door, pulling it open.
The two lawmen were in the street at a dead run, heading up the street, guns drawn. Dodging traffic that was attempting to get away slowed their progress. People on the boardwalks were ducking into to businesses or running toward them. The shots could have come from the Stardust Saloon, or just about any place, including the bank. They could see the body then, and the man holding the horses with a pistol in his hand.
Their halting attempts to get up the street were frustrating, but understandable, as the citizens were trying to get out of the line of fire. The man that was down was not moving and that was a bad sign. Both men hoped that someone, anyone, would take up the challenge There had been no other shots fired, so whoever was in the bank had not been hurt, and on a Monday morning there could be any number of people doing business inside the bank.
Posted January 12, 2021 / Quentin Cantrell
Quentin Cantrell strolled down the plank sidewalk after enjoying a breakfast at the hotel. He touched his hat a few times to women he passed. Quentin had come into town because he wanted to have a word with the marshal about the missing cattle from the ranch. Random disappearing cattle was a part of everyday life on a ranch, but the numbers that were missing were steady and well above what could be explained by sickness, predators, and so on.
Quentin slowed down in front of the newspaper office. He bent and picked up a copy from the table in front and dropped a coin into the box set aside for payment. Quentin leaned against a post and began perusing the front page when he heard the clattering bang of a door nearby. He looked up and saw a man running out of the bank and into the street. He paused in the street and yelled "THEY'RE ROBBING THE BANK, BOYS!" followed by a pair of shots that dropped him in the middle of the street. Quentin crouched reflexively at the shots and looked over at the man who had fired. He stood moving in a circle trying to keep control of several horses while one hand held the pistol that had killed the man in the street.
Quentin swept his hand down and swept his jacket aside, his thumb pushing the loop from the hammer of his Smith and Wesson. He drew and raised the shiny revolver, aiming at the wild eyed man amidst the horses as he cocked the hammer. He paused a moment as the mass of horses kept sweeping around until the man was exposed again and Quentin fired. The round punched into the gunman on his side, a puff of dust erupting from the vest he was wearing and a patch of red appeared on his right side. The man let out a sound of pain and fired a wild round in Quentin's direction, making him crouch deeper and move to the next post to spoil the robber's aim. Quentin cocked the revolver again and fired, hitting the man in the center of his torso so he staggered back a few steps, the robber collapsed to his knees in the street, one hand still holding the reins of the horses and his pistol still in hand amidst the chaos of the street. His eyes rolled up and he toppled forward to lay in the dirt near the body of the man he had killed, his arm still bobbing with the reins tangled in his fingers.