Just Like Old Times

A Small Piece

"You weren't wrong, Hosea! This place is perfect!" Dutch shouted as Hosea and the rest drove into camp.

"I hope so," Hosea replied as he climbed down from the wagon.

Lilly jumped down and took a gander around. "Huh, this is pretty nice."

"Gentlemen, we have survived," Dutch said.

"For now," Hosea spurted out glumly as he headed over to the table Dutch was at.

"Now it is time to prosper!"

"Arthur and I were about to prosper in Blackwater. We were on to somethin' big, then Micah got you all excited about that ferry and here we are!"

As Lilly strolled over to the table, she removed her jacket and looked around for Micah. Where was that degenerate pig tit sucklin' piece of shite ball bag? As she scanned the area, Lilly saw her tent. Wait, was it bigger than before? And why was it so far away from the rest of the camp?

Dutch sighed in slight annoyance at Hosea. "We have all made mistakes over the years, Hosea." Dutch stood up. "Every last one of us. But I kept us together, kept us alive, kept the nooses of our neck," Dutch said a gradual rise of irritation in his voice. He turned and walked away but Hosea followed, as did Arthur and Lilly.

Hosea put on a hand on Dutch's shoulder. "I guess I'm just worried. I ain't got that long, Dutch. I want folks safe before I go."

Dutch stopped walking and stayed in front of Hosea. "Me too."

"And now we are stuck. East of the Grizzlies and out of money, and a long way from our dream of virgin land in the West."

"I know, my brother, but we are safe! We make a bit of money here, then we move again, head out around them, be west of Uncle Sam, in a few months buy some land!"

"I hope so," Hosea said while not sounding entirely convinced.

Dutch scoffed and walked backwards with his arms outstretched. "Would you just look around you." Dutch turned and walked. "This world has its consolations."

Lilly took a few steps forward. As she crossed her arms over her stomach, she smiled. It really was beautiful here.

"Gentlemen. I'm going to head into the local town and, you know...see if I can strike up some business," Lilly heard Herr Strauss say.

"By business, do ya mean takin' advantage of the poor and desolate?" Lilly asked angrily. She really didn't like the man. He was a loan shark. Lilly hated loan sharks.

"Lillian..." Dutch sighed. "Of course, Herr Strauss." After a few moments, Dutch sighed again. "Lilly, I know how you feel about that sort of thing, and I agree. I prefer bank robbery to usury, seems more dignified somehow."

"So why the hell do we keep him with us?"

"Well, he does bring in money."

"Speakin' of lowlifes, where is Micah? I have a few words tah exchange with that bastard."

"I sent him out scoutin' with Lenny. Heh. He's the one who spied on you two, hmm?"