I stand looking over the Saloon. It's quite boring as many drunkards keep hitting on the girls that don't want them. Ah well, it's what they signed up for. They gotta deal with the shit.

"Mr. Louis?"

I look up and see the courier. I remember him.

"Hey Saul."

"I got a telegram for Dove. He 'round?"

"Nah, he got bought out. Why?"

"Well, this telegram came for him. Next time you see him, give him this." Saul hands me the telegram before heading off.

I feel Clara and two of the girls see the telegram in my hand as I look at it. I feel the blood drain from my face as I read the Telegram. It's simple but it sends shivers down my spine.

"Soon.

Calvin James Thompson"

"What's it say??" Clara asks, trying to look over my shoulder.

"We're fucked."

"It's hot as hell, aint it, Mr. Thompson?"

"It is, Ezekiel. Go ahead and stop at Lou's saloon."

"Yessir."

I smile to myself. After two years, I can finally bring back my August. Sure, it was quite a long two years but I figure that was enough time for August to finally shape up and behave. He sent me many a-telegram cursing me and also begging to come back but it was a lesson he had to learn! That the world can't protect him like I can.

As Ezekiel pulls the stagecoach in front of Lou's Saloon, I hear him jump from the front of it and open the door for me. I step out and straighten my hat a bit. It's hot but it's a beautiful day.

"Ezekiel, go ahead and water the horses. I'll be back within fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes, you understand me?"

"Yessir, Mr. Thompson. Fifteen minutes."

I look around and see my men coming up and when they're all there, we head inside. I notice as soon as I step inside, the piano stops and any talking that done has quieted. 

"Good day, y'all," I say as I take my hat off and nod to the people. "Don't you mind me. Go ahead and go back to y'all's merriment."

After a few moments of silence, the talking resumes and the piano starts up again. I place my hat back on my head and head toward Lou. Lou gives quite a terrible smile.

"Hello Lou. Lookin'...gangly an' sallow as eva," I say to him. "Well, I'm hereto pick up August. WHere is he? He should be runnin' in my arms right now."

I hear Lou chuckle and wring his hands. "Well, I mean...You left him here and I thought you didn't---"

"I'm sorry?"

"Huh?"

"You said you thought? I don't know if you remember but August was only a loan. I aint sell him to you."

"...You...you didn't?"

"Well, let's gone 'head an' look over this here loan contract," i say, snapping my fingers. One of my men hands me the loan contract i signed with Lou for August. 

As we read it over, i see the color drain from Lou's face. Never knew that man could get that pale.

"I-I thought that you...that you sold him to me so...i sold him too..." Lou stammers, his eyes looking like a puppy that done got kicked.

"Ooh...You know, Lou: As God as my witness, i thought I could trust you with a simple task. But you know what? I'm quite kind and generous. Imma let ya off wit' a slap on the wrist."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Within that moment, I pull out my gun and shoot Lou dead in the forehead. I hear screams and the piano halt to silence. I turn to everyone in attendance.

"Now did anybody see the man who accosted the Saloon Owner?"

Silence.

I take out my handkerchief and wipe my gun. "I swear to you, on the Lord's Almighty name, I will find the man who murdered the Saloon Owner. Until then, we'll have a new owner take over this Saloon!"

I turn to two of my men. "Pick him up. He's makin' a mess. I'ont want him stainin' the wood."

They nod as they grab Lou's limp and dead body and carry him out back.

"Now, Samuel, you better be more trustworthy than Lou was. You know what'll happen if I find out you ain't," I say as I tuck my gun and handkerchief away.

"I know, sir. I will do as you ask," Samuel responds, heading behind the bar.

"Good boy! You gon' do fine. Now! Start that piano up! We need some joy in this place!" I say.

The piano player begins to play happy tunes but I notice the Saloon patrons are still silent. I look them all over and within a moment, they're talking to one another again.

I head out to my stagecoach, in which Ezekiel has been waiting for me. He opens the door and I step inside. I hear Ezekiel jump on the front and off we ride.

So August's contract was bought? I'm gonna have to find out who bought it out and make sure he knows what happens when they take anything I lay claim on.