Who Killed English?

Glossary :
Pulizer = A type of shotgun with a short barrel.
Bookazie = Heavy caliber handgun with incredible stopping power at short range.
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The Doc strode into the middle of the bar room. He looked around slowly then pushed the brim of his hat up off his forehead with the barrel of his Pulizer. The Doc’s eyes narrowed as he adjusted to the dim light. These Washington Square bars were all as dark as hell but he knew he was in the right place. He was dressed from head to toe in black. The Bangkok dust clung to his hat and cloak. The two Bookazies hanging from his belt were fully loaded and cocked for action, as was the Pulizer. Oblivious to his murderous intent, Bim, the busty bartendee sang out her standard greeting, “Sawadee khaa, welcum insi’e hansum man. You ly dink sum-sing?” The Doc looked to the heavens then spat on the floor. He knew nothing could bring his pal English back but somebody was going to pay.

“I’m here for the man who killed English” he announced in a low growl. Then, half turning sideways, he said, “Does that give you a problem, Utah?”

The remark was addressed to The Utah Kid who was leaning against the naughty boys end of the bar. Sensing trouble, The Kid had already let go of his beer to free his gun hand but he was still holding Noi the whore, gently by the ear with his left hand. She was on her knees in front of him performing one of the bar’s house specialities.

“No problem for me, Doc,” The Utah Kid replied. “Hell, I didn’t know English was dead.”

“Yeah, well he is and now the man who killed him is gonna get his.”

In the corner, Dino remained seated at the card table staring at the hand he’d just been dealt. A pair of jacks, a pair of eights and the five of diamonds. He cursed quietly under his breath before raising his eyes to meet the Doc’s icy stare.

“Sweet Jesus on a cracker Doc, English was dying long before I got to him. The Indians had been torturing him for years and the Chinese were coming and they was gonna kill him for sure. He had no chance. All I did was to put him outta his pain.”

Dino knew the game was up. He glanced again at the cards in his hand. He wasn’t particularly superstitious but he was holding a ‘dead mans hand’ and the Doc had him cold.

“Well Dino, now it’s your turn.” The Doc’s voice was calm and menacing. “English was my friend and you killed him. Now you’re gonna pay.”

With that, the bar room door swung open and a big fat man with a fat, square head lumbered in.

“Now just hold on a minute, Doc,” said the big guy, “So long as I’m sheriff in this town there ain’t gonna be no shootin’. I dun care what he done.”

Without speaking, The Utah Kid lifted his piece and blew a hole through the sheriff’s fat, square head. His ample body crashed to floor. He was dead before he hit the ground.

“Don’t you just hate interruptions, Doc? English was my friend too.” Said Utah coldly. “Pray continue.”

“Yeah well, as I was saying, I’m here for you Dino.”

The Doc leveled his Pulizer at Dino. Dino got to his feet slowly, shot his cuffs and looked his Nemesis right in the eye……….

Union Hill

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