FANFIC
LARAMIE
STARRING JESS HARPER
DEAD ON ARRIVAL
Written by Tony G
CHAPTER 1
It was a blistering hot morning when Jess Harper arrived in Lovell, Wyoming. All he could think about was getting a drink to wash out the trail dust he had been chewing for the last 2 days. It sure was going to feel good, a drink, maybe something to eat and a hot bath. But first he had to find Billings and get the money for the 6 horses he had trailed all the way from Laramie. Boy Slim sure got it lucky. He stayed at the ranch to meet with the stageline supervisor while Jess got the job of driving horses in the middle of summer to Lovell, Wyoming. Slim said that it was a pity Jess wasn't the one with the brains, then he could have stayed behind to meet the stageline supervisor instead. "Well Mr Sherman, I may not have brains" thought Jess, "but I'm gonna be the one in the saloon with a drink and a pretty girl." But first - business !
Jess walked over to the Lovell Palace Hotel after tying his horse outside the saloon. 10.30am was the agreed time and sure enough Billings was there waiting. It didn't take long to settle their business and as soon as Jess had his $300 he headed over to the Lucky Lady saloon.
"Whisky"
The Bartender handed him a glass and a bottle and Jess poured a drink and drank it straight down
"You sure got a thirst there mister" said the Bartender.
"Yeah, been a long trip. Say do you know where I could get a cheap steak?"
"Sure, just across the street at Alice's Place. She's a mighty good cook, pretty too".
"Thanks, I'll give it a try" said Jess.
Just about then he noticed the poker game going on in the corner. It was starting to get rowdy and looked like it might break up at any time. Jess did not want to be around if a fight was about to break out so he figured it was time to leave. Slim always said he couldn't keep out of trouble so this time he was going to prove Slim wrong !! So he finished his second drink, paid the Bartender and left.
Alice's was a nice place. It was clean and fresh and it was cheap. Everything a man could ask for especially if her cooking was good too. Jess ordered steak and potatoes with coffee to start it all off. He agreed with the Bartender that Alice was pretty and maybe after eating who knows.
But he was hungry and all he wanted right now was food. He was getting a little agitated by the wait and was really pleased to see a giant steak arriving.
"At last" he thought. "Thanks Mam, you don't know how ready I am for this".
Alice smiled. "Hope you enjoy it then Cowboy".
"No argument there Mam" replied Jess, "I intend to".
Just as Jess was about to tuck into his food a shot rang out, then another, and a man came running out of the saloon, leapt onto a horse and raced like the wind towards the edge of town, the way that Jess had come in that morning. He was followed by maybe four other men who fired at the running cowboy. But they missed.
"Get the Sheriff" yelled one of the men.
Jess decided to not get involved. He had a long ride ahead of him back to Laramie and he was determined to finish this meal.
After the meal he thought maybe one more drink - but decided it would be smarter to start the journey home. Make some ground before nightfall and get back as soon as possible to Daisy's cooking. Men were still rushing around and the Sheriff was busy trying to pull a posse together. Jess stopped an old man passing by.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"Someone shot Gil Clancy dead and the Sheriff wants to catch him. Why, you gonna join the posse mister?"
"No, I got other plans" said Jess climbing onto his horse. "So long"
The old man nodded "So long son"
Jess turned his horse and set off home. He reckoned he had about 5 hours of travelling time before nightfall and he intended to make the most of it.
The 5 hours passed pretty quickly and he was soon building a fire and heating water for coffee. He shot a rabbit for grub and after eating decided to turn in early.
The fire was just starting to die when Jess was woken by a sound. He wasn't sure what it was or why it bothered him, maybe it was just an animal which wouldn't come near the fire anyway. But the fire was dying so maybe it would be a good idea to build it up. Still the sound bothered him.
" That wasn't an animal" he thought "so what was it"
He slowly and quietly drew his gun but before he could clear leather a voice whispered
"Leave it where it is mister or you die".
Jess let go of his gun and it slipped back into its holster.
"Hands up !"
Jess raised his hands.
"You picked the wrong man if your looking for someone to rob. I got nothing".
"That's okay, I want food and something to drink, oh and maybe your gun. In fact I'll take the gun now. Nice and easy mister, it would be a shame to ruin our new found friendship by you dying"
Jess took his gun out of it's holster and turned to hand it to the man who took it and tucked it into his belt. He motioned for Jess to sit down, then he proceeded to build up the now almost dead fire. Jess recognised the man and said
"You on the run"?
"Don't get smart. You know who I am. I saw you this morning in Lovell and you saw me too so don't get smart".
The man stood up.
"What's your name?"
"Harper, Jess Harper"
"Well Mr Harper Jess Harper you just sit quiet like and you might just get through this night".
So far Jess wasn't doing too well at proving to Slim he could stay out of trouble!!