The Last Frontier, Part Ii

...Gutshot snarled at Sid’s strange reaction. “I don’t care if a century’s gone by. You murdered my brother, and I made a vow, to take vengeance for Paul before I die.” Sid just shrugged back at the bandit’s cruel words, said,”You know it ain’t the old days anymore. People just don’t go ’round killing at will, using their guns to settle up old scores. “There’s no frontier for you to hide out in, no wild towns for you to spend your loot, no men to talk of your reputation, hell, folks these days don’t even wear real boots!” Gutshot just grimed,”Then I’ll do you a favor, since both of us have done outlived our time, tou’ll die just like all your old puncher friends, and finally vengeance will be all mine.” Sid sighed again,”If you think I’ll just pull, then you’re mad, it just isn’t done these days. That’s why Mort at the bar has a shot-gun, and is all ready to blow you away.” Gutshot spun to see the bartender, expecting to find the short barman armed, but instead the bartender had his hands up, and he was trembling with great alarm. He turned back just in time to see Sid’s gun flash, the bullet caught him square in the forehead, Sid had not even gotten up from his chair to render the crusty, old bandit dead. He just shook his head, reloaded his gun, said,”Well I guess some things don’t ever change. You better get the police over here, they’ll probably want someone to explain.” The bartended nodded, sent his glass-washer to go fetch the law from the nearby town, Sid just ordered himself a new whiskey and took a long time to drink it on down. He looked at Gutshot, and said to himself, “I guess he couldn’t live without a frontier, no places left for him to sulk about, no spot left that would let him spread his fear.” Sid shrugged his shoulders, and kicked up his heels, feeling the alcohol work on his mind, but he had to admit it had been a thrill to relive a bit of his younger times.