Noah and Cody were exhausted, but they had finally made it to Fort Laramie...barely. Just after they left Rock Creek on their run to pick up a special military dispatch, they hit a real bad storm. For nearly a day, it rained and hailed almost non-stop. The wind whipped so hard that the skin on their faces was raw and chapped. And just when the storm ended and the two riders thought they were over the worst of it, their luck had changed once more. Less than a day's ride from their destination and they found themselves the target of a group of Sioux on the warpath. Fortunately, they managed to escape with their scalps intact. Still, it seemed that nothing about this trip was going their way, so when they learned that their pickup was late, it came as no real shock.
"Why am I not surprised about this," Noah grumbled, rolling his eyes in exasperation.
"Sergeant Baines, do you happen to know when the dispatch will be in?" Cody asked. After all he and Noah had been through, he wanted nothing more than to get this assignment over and done with as soon as possible.
The man in the blue uniform shook his head, uncertain. "I can't say, son. Seems a real bad storm came through the other day. Probably delayed the message comin' in from Denver."
"Yeah, we were caught up in some bad weather ourselves," Cody replied. "But what do we do now? We gotta get that pouch and get it send it on its way to Fort Kearney."
"I'm sorry I can't be of more help to you," Sgt. Baines said regretfully, "but I'm sure it'll be here within the next few days."
"Great. This is just great," Noah muttered to himself.
"We appreciate all your help, Seargent," Cody tipped his hat at the gentlemen. "I guess we'll find ourselves some place to get a hot meal and warm bed for the night and check back in the mornin'."
"Well, maybe you two will find somethin' here in town to amuse yourselves 'til then," the sergeant replied.
Cody and Noah simply nodded as they turned to leave.
Outside the weather was still a little chilly, but at least it wasn't raining anymore. The wind had died down since the storm passed, and even though they would have to wait for their pickup to arrive, they were thankful to have made it in one piece.
The two weary riders walked through the streets of Fort Laramie. Although the army base dominated the area, the town that had grown up around it supported most of the same kinds of businesses that any ordinary town would have. There was a general mercantile, several smaller specialty shops, a bank, a livery stable, a blacksmith's forge, a hotel with restaurant, and of course, a saloon.
Noticing that Cody seemed to be drawn into the din and laughter emanating from the Lucky Charm Saloon, Noah grabbed his friend by the arm, leading him away from the scantily clad women poised in front to lure in the potential customers.
"C'mon, Cody," Noah sighed. "Let's put the horses up for the night and find us a place to sleep."
"Aw, Noah," he whined. "I was just lookin', that's all. Ain't nothin' wrong with lookin' at a purty girl."
"Maybe not," Noah conceded. "But that depends on the type of girl you're lookin' at. And these girls have a price attached to 'em if you do more than look, like I'm thinkin' you're thinkin' of doin'."
Cody looked at him and shook his head. "You're startin' to sound as bad as Rachel."
The two weary riders walked through the streets of Fort Laramie. Although the army base dominated the area, the town that had grown up around it supported most of the same kinds of businesses that any ordinary town would have. There was a general mercantile, several smaller specialty shops, a bank, a livery stable, a blacksmith's forge, a hotel with restaurant, and of course, a saloon.
Noticing that Cody seemed to be drawn into the din and laughter emanating from the Lucky Charm Saloon, Noah grabbed his friend by the arm, leading him away from the scantily clad women poised in front to lure in the potential customers.
"C'mon, Cody," Noah sighed. "Let's put the horses up for the night and find us a place to sleep."
"Aw, Noah," he whined. "I was just lookin', that's all. Ain't nothin' wrong with lookin' at a purty girl."
"Maybe not," Noah conceded. "But that depends on the type of girl you're lookin' at. And these girls have a price attached to 'em if you do more than look, like I'm thinkin' you're thinkin' of doin'."
Cody looked at him and shook his head. "You're startin' to sound as bad as Rachel."
"Evenin' fellas," one of the saloon girls called out to them as they passed by, being sure to use her most flirty, feminine voice. She was wearing a dress of black and deep purple. The bodice was fitted very tightly around her waist, emphasizing her ample bosom, which threatened to spill out with the littlest movement. Her hair was done up all in curls, held in place by dozens of pins, and there were matching purple feathers sprouting out here and there.
"You two cowboys look like you could use a little 'recreation'," she added, pulling up her already revealing skirt to show the bottom of her white bloomers underneath.
Noah chose to ignore their offer, but Cody was finding it hard to fight off the temptation to at least go in and talk to one of the women up close. Noah had to tighten his grip on his friend as he forced him away from the 'recreation' and towards the stables.
Cody was finding this all a little too irritating. "You just don't know how to have any fun at all," he told Noah.
"Maybe not, but at least I know how to not throw my money away," he responded.
It was late evening by the time Noah and Cody got their horses settled and secured a room for the night at the hotel. It was completely dark outside, and by the rumble in their stomachs, it was long past suppertime.
"Let's head over to the saloon and get some food," Cody suggested while they were up in their room.
Noah knew that Cody had an ulterior motive and sent him a knowing look.
"What?" Cody shrugged innocently.
"You know what."
"You're the one so concerned about not throwin' your money away. I figured you'd want to get somethin' to eat at the saloon rather than spend a lot more to eat at the hotel restaurant," Cody attempted to justify. He flashed that crooked, impish smile of his, but he should have known it would get him nowhere.
Crossing his arms across his chest, Noah answered, "Cody, I didn't ride through hell these past few days just to sit at a bar and eat a cheese sandwich! Now, I want some real food!"
"Alright. If you're gonna be that way about it. We'll eat downstairs," Cody acquiesced. Then he switched gears again. "But then can we at least stop by and get a drink? After all, it has been a rough couple of days."
Noah couldn't help but shake his head. Sometimes Cody was worse than a child. "Cody, you just don't know when to give up, do ya?" He sighed audibly while Cody looked on with hope gleaming in his turquoise eyes. "Fine. We'll stop by the saloon after I fill my belly with a nice, juicy steak."
"Yes!" Cody let his victory slip out.
"But we're not stayin' there all night," Noah began. "And you're not havin' more than one drink. That's all I need is to have you drunk on my hands."
"Don't worry, Noah," he said with a smile, and he slung his arm across Noah's shoulder. "You won't be sorry."
The two of them headed for the door, but Noah had this feeling of impending doom despite Cody's good cheer and words of reassurance. "Somehow, I'm sorry already," Noah mumbled to himself.
Noah finally got his good meal at the restaurant, and Cody didn't seem to complain when the waiter brought him a plate of steaming roast beef smothered in gravy, mashed potatoes, and more greens than any normal person would want. Needless to say, they had eaten their fill, and their bellies thanked them by quieting down.
Walking out of the hotel, Noah stretched contentedly. "Now that's more like it!" he said.
"Nothin' like a good meal to settle the stomach and bring the life back into you," Cody agreed.
As they crossed the street to the saloon, Cody's glance immediately shifted to the women who were standing outside. One was the same saloon girl who had spoken to them earlier. His eyes lit up instantly.
"Well," she began with a coy grin, "looks like y'all decided to join us after all."
"Evenin', ma'am. Ladies," Cody said, tipping his hat as he ascended the few steps that lead to the swinging doors of the saloon.
"Oh, Lord. Here we go," Noah muttered inaudibly.
"My name's Vera," she told them.
"William F. Cody. And this is my friend Noah."
Noah nodded out of politeness. "Pleasure to meet you." After all, she was quite nice to look at.
"You two stayin' in town long?" Vera asked, closing the distance between herself and Cody even more.
Cody was about to answer, but Noah jumped in. "We work for the Pony Express. So we're just passin' through, ma'am."
Vera looked slightly disappointed. "Oh. Ain't that a shame now. But at least let me show you a good time while you're here. I won't take no for an answer!" She batted her eyelashes and flashed a toothy grin, one that few men had been able to resist.
With that, she looped her arm around Cody's and led him into the saloon. Noah reluctantly followed them into the loud and smoke-filled room.
Vera spent most of her time fawning all over Cody while Noah looked on with irritation. Cody had several empty glasses of whiskey sitting on the bar in front of him already. Two more than he told Noah he would have. But Noah found he could do nothing but shake his head and watch his friend have the time of his life, knowing that he would wake up the next morning with a headache, a broken heart, and empty pockets, and hopefully have learned his lesson.
Noah turned back to the bartender. "Another sarsaparilla, barkeep," he said.
The bartender came over with another bottle and said, "That'll be two bits."
He fished in his pockets and finally pulled out a coin. Noah handed the man a quarter and began diving into his drink. Suddenly laughter erupted from behind, disturbing the quiet sanctity of thoughts going on inside his head and bringing him back into reality and the dozens of drunken, boisterous men around him.
Noah turned and saw that Cody had moved to one of the poker tables. He must have been telling one heck of a story from the way he had the people around him rolling on the floor in hilarity. The feathers on Vera's head were bobbing up and down, flying back and forth as she chuckled right along with them. Noah shook his head again and went back to his sarsaparilla.
Not five minutes later, Cody eased down in the barstool next to Noah, his breath stinking of whiskey.
"Noah," he said, "I need to borrow two dollars from you so I can finish off this hand."
Noah was infuriated. "Cody, you still owe me half of that dollar I laid out for the room at the hotel tonight! Not to mention what I paid for that roast beef dinner you happily stuffed down! What do you mean holdin' out on me like that when you had money all along?"
"I was just savin' it for somethin' special," Cody tried to appease him. "You know I'm good for it! I'll pay you just as soon as we get back to Rock Creek. We'll be gettin' paid in a few days week."
Cody's remark was met with silence. Inside, Noah was seething. Cody was always pulling stuff like this. Borrowing money...skipping out on chores. It never seemed to end, and Noah was sick and tired of it.
"Aw, c'mon, Noah," Cody began to whine again. "I only need two dollars. I'm bound to win this hand, and then I'll have the money to pay back everythin' I've borrowed. It'll only be a minute or two. What do you say, huh?"
Finally Noah snapped. "I say you ought to know better than to start gamblin' away money you don't even got!"
"Alright, you're right," Cody gave in and admitted, seeing he was getting nowhere. "But I won't let it happen again. If you just lend me the two dollars, I'll call it quits."
Noah looked at his friend, long and hard. There was desperation in his eyes and a pleading that made Noah want to slap more than a little sense into him. But eventually, Noah rose from his seat, pulled two dollars out of his pocket and threw it down on the bar, and walked away.
Stunned, Cody looked on as Noah stormed out of the saloon without looking back once.
The sun came up the next morning, just as it always did, rousing Noah from a deep and much-needed night's sleep. He had gone to bed without even waiting for Cody to come back from his night out on the town, and frankly, he had been too tired and annoyed
with him to care about what might be happening to his friend at the time. But now, upon seeing that Cody still had not returned to the room, Noah was beginning to get worried.
He quickly dressed and left the hotel to start looking for Cody. On his way to the saloon, he ran into Vera, who was coming from the direction of the marshal's office.
"Noah, right?" She asked as she crossed the street to meet up with him. He stopped to acknowledge her. "You're lookin' for Mr. Cody, aren't ya?"
"Yeah," he replied. "I figured I'd find him passed out in the middle of the saloon."
"You won't find him in there," Vera told him. "Come on. I'll take you to him."
"Would you mind tellin' me what's goin' on?" Noah asked the woman. She didn't answer, but he followed her anyway.
He found himself walking up the steps into the jailhouse. "Cody, what kind of mess have you gotten yourself into this time?" He said aloud.
Once inside, Noah saw Cody in the middle of a conversation with the town marshal some other well-dressed gentleman. Cody had a black eye, a swollen lip, and a grin on his face that belied the bruises and scrapes. "...the reward for capturing Black Jack McGrath is one hundred dollars," the marshal said.
Noah looked mystified. "What's goin' on here, Cody? What's this talk about a reward?"
"You're friend here caught one of the biggest cheats in the territory," the marshal explained.
"Cody? How could you have managed that?" Noah wondered, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"Well, I was playin' poker last night, when I heard Vera yellin' at this fella who wouldn't leave her alone," Cody stated. "I came over and tried to take care of the situation, and we ended up goin' at it for a while. Two of his men jumped me from behind, which is how I got this purty-lookin' shiner and fat lip. But to make a long story short, the marshal eventually came in and broke things up--"
"But only after Mr. Cody here caused a considerable amount of damage to the saloon," the marshal interrupted.
"Anyway," Cody proceeded, "the marshal hauled us all off to jail, and that's when he found out that it was Black Jack McGrath. He's been wanted all over the territory for cheatin', stealin', and beatin' up on saloon girls."
"I don't know what I would've done if it hadn't been for Cody," Vera told Noah. "I might've ended up like one of those girls."
"So you get a reward for accidentally catchin' a cheat?" Noah couldn't believe what he was hearing. Of all things...Cody ending up the hero just for getting drunk and causing a ruckus in a saloon.
Cody merely shrugged and threw his hands in the air innocently. "What can I say? I was in the right place at the right time."
"Uh huh," Noah folded his arms across his chest and nodded with disgust. "So what's this matter about the damage you caused?"
"That's right," another man cut in. "I'm Mr. Bancroft, the owner of the saloon. According to my records here, it will cost $15 for all the chairs you broke, $9.25 for all the broken bottles, and $75 for a new mirror to go behind the bar."
Noah whistled at the dollar amounts being rattled off. Then the wheels of his brain began turning as he did a little arithmetic in his head. "And how much was that reward for, Cody?"
"A hundred dollars."
"And the stuff you broke all adds up to..." Noah paused for a moment to figure out if his total was correct.
"Ninety-nine dollars and twenty five cents," Noah and the saloon owner said simultaneously.
Suddenly, Noah found the whole situation highly humorous. "I guess you best hand that reward right to Mr. Bancroft, marshal."
Cody looked on in defeat as the pile of money skipped his waiting hands and went directly to Mr. Bancroft, who proceeded to count the money.
"Well, I guess that'll teach me to spend all night in a saloon," Cody sighed. He tipped his hat in farewell to Vera, and began heading for the door with Noah.
"Just wait, Mr. Cody," Bancroft said, stopping the two riders before t hey left. "I believe I owe you some change." He smiled and pulled out some coins from his pocket. He handed it to Cody before he walked out of the marshal's office.
Cody sighed once more in exasperation as he and Noah headed out into the streets as well.
"Look at that, Cody," Noah smirked. "You came away from all this with a black eye, a busted lip, and seventy-five cents." His words were dripping with sarcasm, and Cody found he was not in the mood for it at all. Not after the night he'd had.
"Laugh all you like, Noah," Cody huffed. "Besides, it could have been worse," he added, trying to look on the bright side of things.
"And how's that?"
"Seventy-five cents is better than nothin'," Cody said.
"Well, I s'pose you're right," Noah had to agree. "You know what they say: Six bits none the richer."
"I guess so."
But then Cody thought. That money wasn't really his after all. He owed Noah fifty cents for the hotel room, plus another fifty cents for dinner last night. Even with what he had left of the reward, he didn't have enough to pay back what he owed. He was two bits short.
"Here, Noah," Cody began as he reached into his pocket. "You take the money, and I'll owe you a quarter when we get back."
Noah looked down at the offer of seventy-five cents. "A quarter? What about the two dollars I gave you last night? Didn't you at least win that hand like you said you would?" Noah asked, though he knew the answer already.
"Oh, yeah," Cody suddenly remembered. "You have to understand it was a long night. And parts of it get kinda fuzzy."
"Somehow I bet the only fuzzy part is the one where you borrowed my money."
"Well, it's all I got now. Take it, and I'll scrape the rest together later."
Noah thew his head back and laughed. "Cody, Cody, Cody. Keep your money."
"That's awful nice of you, Noah," Cody confessed. "I'll make it up to you somehow."
Noah eyed him suspiciously. Knowing Cody, he'd never lay eyes on that money again. "Uh huh. Well, I ain't holdin' my breath."
"At least let me buy you a drink when we get back to Rock Creek."
"Cody, I ain't lettin' you within fifty yards of a saloon ever again!" Noah told him. "Not even for a sarsaparilla." He shook his head again in disbelief. "You never learn."
"Maybe not," Cody said with a sheepish shrug, "but at least life's never boring. Maybe all this'll make for an interestin' story one day."
"'Specially the way you tell things," he began. Everyone knew Cody's talent for exaggeration. Noah sighed again. "C'mon. I say we call it a night."
"Alright," the blond rider agreed. But there's always tomorrow, he silently schemed.
With that, Cody slung his arm around his friend and smiled that crooked smile of his as they walked toward the hotel.
Maybe now he could finally get some rest, Noah thought with a grin. He glanced over at Cody, who suddenly looked as if he hadn't a care in the world, as if he'd forgotten about all the trouble he'd caused. Maybe not, he corrected himself.
The End
