Fort Collins 00.2 Threatening Customer

CRASH.

In those few moments from when that sound rent the air - the whole saloon sat still in a quiet. Chris turned to look over his shoulder - much like his partner at the bar had done to pay witness to the commotion.

“Now see here woman, I have money to pay ye”, the man looked like he had been sleeping in a pig trough - his clothes dirty with things other than dust and he didn’t look any better than the clothes he was wearing. His eyes were sunken into his head, bloodshot and pupils fine to a point and the man kept twitching - his eyes looking over the patrons more than once before he looked back to the object of his desire. A young woman - blonde hair and blue eyes - she looked pretty - a mighty fine flower in this dead-end desert. A floral headband in her golden locks.
“The Madame has forbidden you and I am do not need to serve on you - now stop bothering me!”
“But Amelia - “the man begged, his arm whipped and a heavy hand clamped tight around her arm stopping her from turning and leaving him.

Why wasn’t anyone doing anything?
Chris watched on in muted shock as the man tried to force a kiss on her - he startled and tensed.

SLAP.
“I said NO!”
“Now see here!” the man growled out, his teeth clenched together and his lips pulled back in a snarl as he tried to subdue the struggling lass.

“She said ‘No’, now leave her be seeing as she does not wish to share your company,”
The sour man turned round towards the bar.
“Who said that?” he growled, his eyes prowling the bodies stood in front of the bar before his eyes landed on Chris. “Was it you Dandy Man?”

He felt his heart beat wildly in his chest and thunder in his ears. He said that?
He tried to quell the inner panic as he locked eyes with the Sour Man.
“I did”, was his stoic reply.
“Ha, and what are you to tell me what to do with a harlot? It’s none of your business”
“No one, but I’m making it my business”

“Now see here, Boy, I’m guessing yer new so I’ll tell ya real nice like, don’t butt into my business”
Christopher turned round then, his back to the bar.
“And I’m going to tell you again, the Lady said ‘No’, and where I come from when a Lady says ‘No’, you walk away and go somewhere you are wanted”, Christopher slowly replied, his voice was low but it carried in the quiet.

The Sour Man’s hand twisted, his right and Chris followed the movement to a holster hanging on his belt at his waist. A threat.
His eyes travelled back up to the Sour Man’s, he had a smug smirk tugging at lips. Chris’ stomach bottomed out and suddenly his palms felt clammy and his collar was much too tight - his calm mask cracked then only for a moment - there in his eyes as a momentary fear clouded them but he couldn’t let him continue with that woman even if she were a working girl.

“Threatening an unarmed man - with a bar full of witnesses? I’m sure the Sheriff would like to know why you didn’t turn in your gun before coming into town with the Anniversary going on, Mister”.

There.
Apprehension flooded onto the man’s face as he looked around the room at patrons still sitting at their tables or stood around the bar. A flash of movement by the doors caught both Chris and the Sour Man’s attention - a Spanish lad stood at the Saloon doors before hastily backing out and rushed off shouting for the Sheriff.

The Sour Man growled but visibly folded in on himself.
“Mark my words Dandy, I’ll see to you yet”
With that he was off, his long strides hurrying him out of the Saloon.

Chris’ shoulders sagged under the weight of relief as he blew out a sigh - the deafening quiet was replaced by the muttering before they went about their business of gambling and drinking.

Blue eyes connected with brown across the room.
Chris felt a smile on his lips - the first for a long time.