RANGO // OӘͶAЯ - Another Outlaw Story [Engl.]

10. High Noon Disaster

It was five to twelve. Jake shook his rattle and was more than satisfied. Also Anvil watched proudly his work.
"How much do I owe you?"
"It's for free."
Jake nodded thankfully. "Thanks for your service."
"It was a pleasure for me."
The rattlesnake left the smithy and was thinking what he should do now. Of course, he didn't forget Mayor's invitation, but his drive for running away wasn't less loud, too.
His face wandered into another direction, if he heard a familiar voice around a corner.
Meggy stood there and discussed with Mr. Merrimack.
"I can't believe it!" Meggy said. "You are talking to me Mayor John is also informed about the less water in the bank and he has still no idea what he could do? Mr. Merrimack, if we don't do anything, we could lose our home!"
Mr. Merrimack rubbed his head nervously. "I know, I know, but please, calm down. After the ritual we will sit together with the mayor and we will talk about the current situation."
Meggy narrowed her eyes. "I should hope so too! I have a family, you know. We have no much time anymore. Time is running. And sometimes I have the supposition, that there is something strange going on here. How long does that drought continue?"
"Very long..."
"Yes, but we managed to survive somehow. There were times when we had water from the pipelines, but with every year, it runs low. Does it make you a wee little suspicious?"
"I have to agree everything went wrong since the bad accident many years ago. And do not take me for superstitious, but I have the feeling, that his curse weighs heavy over our city more than at the beginning. The Danby Clan and the Jenkins Brothers become also more and more nervous." The squirrel rubbed his fingertips more nervously together. "They have also little water, but they also don't want to leave the area."
"I know," Meggy agreed. "They inherited the clan areas from their fathers. It's still a shame what happened after the bad altercation."
The banker sighed deeply. "I'm still seeing her in front of my house. She had been a beautiful lizard woman. Also her children were beautiful. Now without her, her husband had troubles to take care for two daughters alone..."
"That was in the past," Meggy interrupted. "But what should we do now? Something isn't right. And I speak for all and for my family. We have to drill down on it."
"Even if you are right, where should be looking for? Meggy, dear, face it. All we can do is wait and hope that the water will come back with his full force."
With that Mr. Merrimack walked away. But Meggy wasn't ready yet.
"And I tell you, it will become worse if we don't take action!"
But Mr. Merrimack didn't listen to her anymore and disappeared with muttering words around a corner. For a moment, Meggy looked after him, but suddenly she realized a movement from the corner of her eye.
"You hearkened."
The rattlesnake wasn't ashamed. "There was no mistaking."
"Am I not right?" Meggy asked.
Jake avoided her glance. "It doesn't concern me."
"Maybe it will be the best for you. As less you know even better."
She massaged her forehead.
"Everything okay?" Jake asked with worried face.
"Yes, I'm fine, it's so much..."
Her glance wandered up at the clock.
"I have to go."
With irritated glance, he watched her how she crossed the main road.
He stopped. The city people were standing still and looked up at the big tower clock. Jake followed their glances and watched how the clock hands made their last move to 12.
A loud deep, chime rang out. The sound wandered between the houses, through all gaps. Some people interrupted their work and walked like in a trance to the middle of the street. In their hands they held all kinds of bins. Glasses, vases, cups, buckets...
Jake watched how they came together in the middle of the street. Some people on the right side, other people on the left side, in a neat row, face to face like soldiers.
The clock hands moved again.
One minute after noon.
Shortly after a sound came through an old loudspeaker and a singing man voice with country music sounded:

All day...I've faced the barren waste

Without the taste of water

The city people knelt up and down, circled around in a square dance, while the music and the voice continued:

Cool water