Doc Holliday Must Die

John Wesley Hardin scanned the saloon. He looked over at the table with Ben Thompson and Doc. Nodding at Thompson he walked over.

“How do Ben?” “Just fine John Wesley. Have a seat. Let me get you a drink” said Thompson. He signaled to one of the soiled doves that did double duty at the Bullshead. They served drinks. Gave head to all comers. Even to a bull if would come to that.

“This is John Holliday. He is going to open a dental practice in the back of the building.” Doc nodded at John Wesley. It was strange. They were both very thin. Doc had the pallor and the frailness of a consumptive. Hardin had the slim deadly countenance of a rattler. Predators who recognized each other. And stepped lightly.

“A dentist. I have heard tell of you. It has been said that you have had a few pistol and cartridge affairs down Newton way.” “Word travels fast. It wasn’t of my doing. It was unfortunate but it had to be.” “It has happened to me as well so you can preach it brother.”

John Wesley slugged down his whiskey and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He sipped his beer and looked around the room.

“Have you met the Marshall? I heard tell of him too” said Hardin. “Yes I met him when I came into town. Seemed a right friendly fella” Doc said. “He was polite enough.” “I thought so too” replied Hardin.

Ben Thompson snorted. “I don’t know about that John Wesley. I heard tell he was gunning for you. He wants to be known as the gun slick in town. You know he will want to catch you short when you ain’t prepared. That’s how he works.”

Doc squinted at Thompson. That didn’t sound right. Maybe this was not the place to be if the lead was going to fly so indiscriminately.  He had enough problems of his own account without buying into someone else’s mistakes.

Another dandy walked down the stairs from the second floor along with two of the girls. He had slicked down hair and a full goatee. With his hand on one girls tit and the other on the other’s ass. Two guns tied down ready for business. He looked just like what the preacher described the devil to be.

“That’s my partner Phil Coe. Let’s put your proposition to him John.”

Suddenly the doors were pushed open and Will Bill walked in. He looked at Phil Coe. Coe looked back. You could feel the hate flowing between them from across the room.

Doc touched his hold out piece in the pocket of his vest. Hardin took the toggle off his left handed pistol on the side they could not see.

Ben Thompson sighed. “Shit” he murmured. This is not what I wanted to see tonight.”