Cowboys And Angels

Chapter 13

As John rode back into Blackwater, he decided to stop by MacDougal's hotel it had been a few days since he had sent his letter, maybe Bonnie wrote back? He could only hope after the shitty day he had, but upon walking into the hotel and checking MacDougal's mailbox there was nothing inside. He sighed with disappointment but he walked up to MacDougal's room, he would much rather deal with MacDougal's shenanigans rather than the lawmen.

"Marston, sir, it's good to see you, old bean, good to see you." MacDougal greeted pleasantly.

"And you too, Professor." John replied smoothly.

"Forgive me. I am in a state of remarkable agitation. Partly due to standard narcotic impulses, but also due to the fact that I have finally solved the riddle that has tormented my mind these past 8 years." He stated.

"What's that?" John questioned.

"The nature of the savage soul! What makes some societies great, like ours, and others... Not worse - I would never use a pejorative such as worse - but, but, but, but lesser!" MacDougal blabbered quickly.

"Meaning?" John asked, raising a brow as MacDougal spoke, this guy definitely had a screw loose.

"Meaning: What makes these beings less human than us! Closer to beast on the continuum between animal and god. You know. I argued with Fortisque at Yale about this. It caused a minor scandal, but I shall be proven right, sir. I shall. Mark my words! I shall show them all what civilization is about. The red skins and the nobs at Yale! Come, sir! I have a way to sate both our desires. I will bring you Van der Linde; and me, the evidence of savages reverting to type. Come, sir- Oh! I almost forgot in my cocaine-filled rant, this came for you, is it from your wife? Her name is Bonnie? I didn't know you were having another child." MacDougal barraged, handing John the unfolded paper, obviously too excitable to really read what the letter entailed.

"What are you doing reading another man's mail?" John growled, snatching the paper.

"Well in my defense, my good man, it was addressed to me." MacDougal said as Marston rode. "I didn't know your wife was pregnant. Congratulations sir!" MacDougal cheered.

"She... Ain't my wife." John admitted, seeing the realization wash over MacDougal's face.

"O-Oh! Oh... Um... W-Well still it's a new life, and one you created nonetheless! I still must say congratulations." MacDougal stated.

"Thank you... I'll write to her later, where did you want me to go?" John asked, setting the letter back on MacDougal's desk before walking with the hyped up nerd out of the hotel towards the street.

"Follow me. I asked Nastas to bring the horses around front. Q-Q-Q-Quick, man, quick. My heart's beating like a drum!" MacDougal stuttered.

"Try to calm down, Professor." John muttered.

"Calm down? I-I've never been so excited in all my life!" MacDougal said in a hysterical fashion as Nastas brought the horses, John mounted Harlow without a second thought.

"Hello, Professor, Mr Marston." Nastas greeted calmly.

"This is it! Years of research!" MacDougal yowled.

"What were you talkin' about back there? Where we goin'?" John asked seriously.

"Nastas has set up a meeting. A pow-wow, I think they call it. A meeting of minds! Of souls! Indians and whites, academics and criminals, coming together to find a common understanding!" MacDougal chattered.