Just Like Old Times

Noise

This chapter is rated M for sexual content.

It was morning and Arthur, in his summer gunslinger outfit, kissed his sleeping wife. He said goodbye to the wolves who were half asleep on the floor and exited the tent. He took Rose into Annesburg to meet up with Micah and Dutch. When he got there, Micah and Dutch were waiting for him by the mining houses.

"You ready?" Dutch asked.

"Yes," Arthur said.

The trio walked up the road towards the mines and saw men with guns standing just outside the mining office. "I bet Cornwall's in there..." Dutch said.

Sure enough, the door slammed open and Leviticus came storming out. "I bought into this mine because of mismanagement, Mr. Didsbury, and I intend to make it a success, no matter what the cost."

"It's the wages," a man said as he came out of the office. "Folk feel..."

Leviticus interrupted him. "Folk feel?! Business doesn't give two figs about feelings, sir. Not two figs. It's a nonsense that will put a plague on both our houses, sir..."

"Perhaps there is a plague on your house already, Mr. Cornwall," Dutch said.

Leviticus looked over and sighed. "Mr. Van der Linde. I take it that business with Brutus was taken care of?"

"Of course."

"And Lilly?"

"She is a little better, though updatin' you on her well being is not exactly why we're here."

"What do you want?"

"I'm not quite sure, just yet," Dutch said with a finger up.

"Your impudence will be your undoing, sir."

Dutch put both his hands up. "I'm undone already." He pointed to Arthur. "Even my best friend here, he thinks I'm crazy...and like," Dutch motioned to Mr. Didsbury, "this poor fellow you are talking to, my feelings are hurt."

"You robbed me and took my niece."

"No. You took my daughter." Dutch pointed to Arthur. "His wife. And you," Dutch pointed to Cornwall, "want to kill her and take her children. And you robbed him," Dutch motioned to Mr. Didsbury. "Funny world."

"You show a criminal's grasp of sophistry. I did no such thing."

Dutch pointed again. "You kill. I kill. You rob. I rob." Cornwall moved closer. "Only difference I can see is I choose," Dutch motioned to himself, "whom I kill and rob, and you destroy everything in your path."

"I've heard just about enough."

"I'll tell you what. You give me your ship, ten thousand dollars and safe passage out of here, I'll let you live."

Leviticus started laughing along with his guards. "I'll do no such thing."

"You sure?" There was a pause of silence. "Good. I prefer it this way." Dutch quickly pulled out his gun and shot Leviticus Cornwall in the chest.

"You've lost your mind!" Arthur yelled as they ducked behind cover, the guards shooting at all three of them.

"Noise, Arthur! Noise!"