(video + action). | a rancher with a score to settle

[fatespoken]

[ The screen snaps on to show a man on a white Arabian, and judging from the clean press of his clothes, whoever this man is has got some clams. Or dollars, as you might call 'em.

He pulls a cigarillo from his pocket and lets it perch between his lips as he talks. ]

I'm gonna make this quick.

Us Felixses— we've been raisin' prize-winning horses for generations. If you got a damn good horse, high chance it's one of ours. But let me tell you something, we don't take well to thieves. Family stories say that my granddaddy tarred, skinned and quartered the last sonvabitches who thought they could make off with our goods. I'm aimin' to make him proud.

In other words, I'm looking for someone to kill a man.

And if you're reading this right now, thief, I assure you that you'll be lucky if end up as gallows-fruit.

Comments

[signatures]

You're looking to make him proud by not doing the work yourself?

[fatespoken]

Well, none of us really did the work ourselves. That's what hired help is for.

[signatures]

So, really, you've nothing of your own name.

[fatespoken]

Hell, I do. But I'm a busy man-- I have a horse farm to run. I got profits to make. I got men to hire, men to fire.

You think I got the time to go play chase?

[signatures]

If you care about personal retribution.

Other than that, best spend your time protecting against thieves.

[withloadedguns]

Is that so?

[fatespoken]

You heard me.

[withloadedguns]

Yeah.

And I might just be interested. But I have to tell you before you hire me--

I don't work cheap.

audio

[fatespoken]

I don't settle for cheap, but that also means you gotta have the right credentials.

Tell me, you ever kill a man before?

audio

[withloadedguns]

[...you have to ask that question?]

... ... ... The wanted posters said "alive or dead." It was their choice.

[Means yes. And more than one.]

audio

[fatespoken]

As far as I see it, you're a man of the law.

[ He grins. ]

All right. Name your price.

audio

[withloadedguns]

Five hundred dollars?

[It sounds like there's a question mark there, but the tone is less a suggestion of cost and more at a...friendly reminder of a debt owed.]

audio

[fatespoken]

You drive a hard bargain, mister. [ Hm. ] So, who'd you kill, before?

audio

[withloadedguns]

[You mean, like, today? Okay...]

A man by the name of Roger Webster came into town. He was wanted for murder and horsetheft.

He's...not in town anymore.

[better_at_this]

All his friends'll know who to look to if he dies.

[fatespoken]

[ WHAT IS THAT PEACH FUZZ BEARD. ]

I ain't scared, if that's what you're implying.

Call it a challenge.

[better_at_this]

[That is the scruffy face of a manly man who is manly, obviously.]

Just don't see why you're payin, if it's personal.

[fatespoken]

[ Why does Amory feel like laughing, this isn't funny? ]

Because I'm a Felix, and we don't get blood on our hands. That's dirty work.

[better_at_this]

Yeah? Don't muck out them fancy stables then either, do you.

[fatespoken]

Same as I told that chump up there, I don't got the time. Besides, without me, folks wouldn't have jobs.

[better_at_this]

What do you do, other'n worry if your hands're clean enough?

[fatespoken]

Managing. That's a job, even if you ain't familiar with it.

[better_at_this]

If you say so.

[candothis]

This is not so subtle.

[fatespoken]

Was never meant to be, kid.

[candothis]

Why do you make yourself a target? There are ways to ask questions without doing that.

[fatespoken]

If they're aimin' to kill me, just let 'em try. I may not be doing the hunting myself, but that don't mean I ain't handy with a gun.

[candothis]

Still, to draw such attention to yourself... [That's the kind of thing that'll get a man killed, no matter how good he is with a gun. This seems a matter worthy of concern.

But let's change the subject entirely, because that's a fine Arabian there.]

That is a good horse.

[fatespoken]

I say, don't be concerned with business that ain't yours.

[ Aren't you adorable, kid. ]

'course he is. [ And ever the able businessman. ] You interested in purchasin' one?

[candothis]

[He backs off. Meddling in the business of others is also a very good way to get killed.]

Even if, in a world where I am rich, I could afford one, sir, I think I would need a block to get into the saddle. I will stay with ponies.