Wardrobe

Villager: Wanderer

After the sun dips below the horizon you make your way to the train. The same Reckless Rider who declared themself sheriff seems to debate for a moment before passing you a bandana.

“The name's Dodge, by the way, as in ‘Gettin' outta.' Y'all seem to have a healthy skepticism of the law, and we need some backup out on the plains. Are you up for it?”

You tie the bandana around your face, leaving only your eyes visible under your cowboy hat, and give Dodge a nod. You can't see if it's true, but you think they might have smiled. “When we first rolled into this town we didn't realize that the no good snake who had betrayed us was posted up as a sheriff of all things. We played outlaw for a day, waited to see what he would do when we took over the saloon, but the yellow-belly is the same as he's always been. We realized he thought we didn't recognize him!

“Anyway, we've got a tip on his location and we're ready to bring him to justice. So, let's ride out!”

You join the Riders on the train and head to the Outskirts. You're immediately impressed by the speed of the machine compared to wagons, horses, and especially your own two feet. It's been a trek to get to the farm, ranch, and especially the plains and cactus forest, but the train makes short work of it. When you step out again it's completely dark, and one of the Riders pulls out a lantern.

As you follow them out into the cactus forest, Dodge whispers more of the story to you, explaining that they found tracks and even the horse that Earp used to get out of town after he realized the Riders knew who he was, but they had been having trouble locating the man himself. You bring up that another Chicken Smoothian found his gold watch out in the sands during the storm, and Dodge spits in disgust. “He was running scared,” they say.

They continue to whisper as the group goes further out into the forest than you ever have on your own. You're slightly worried you might lose your way, but Dodge and the Riders seem confident as they move through the darkness.

Dodge tells you the Riders were worried they wouldn't get a break in the case, but after Major had confronted the new “sheriff” about the mischief in town, they came to an agreement and the Postmaster revealed information about someone occupying an abandoned homestead along the mail routes.

“If he thinks he can run away from his past, he's got another think coming,” Dodge says.

For a few moments you walk in silence, moving stealthily enough that all you can hear is crickets. You jump when you hear the mournful howl of a coyote in the night, but after you take a deep breath you work up your courage to ask Dodge, “What did Earp do?”

Dodge is quiet for a moment and you wonder if they're going to refuse to answer, but finally they say, “We'd been riding together for a while. All of us are estranged from our families, for one reason or another. Some of them are lookin' for us, accusin' us of crimes we didn't commit to get our names and faces on wanted posters in towns across the West. Not that we ain't never committed a crime by the letter of the law, but we don't hurt no one. It's hard livin' out here, and we take care of our own.

“One day, my partner Ace High showed up on one of ‘em with a reward that made your eyes turn into dollar signs. Earp wanted a gold watch and a new hat, so he turned ol' Ace in. From then on, we were out for him. You don't betray one of your band, because all we have out here is our word.”

You take the story in, but you don't have much time to process before Dodge motions for you to stop. “Just ahead, there,” they say, pointing to a decrepit building. At Dodge's instruction you and the Reckless Riders ring the building so there's no chance of escape.

Dodge pulls their bandana down for the first time you've ever seen, revealing a gnarly scar on their cheek, and approaches the front of the building. “Come out, you beef-headed windbag. We've got you surrounded,” they call out. “If you cooperate, ain't no one needs to get hurt.”

There's no immediate answer, and the wind whistles through the run-down walls. “Don't make me come in there,” Dodge threatens, and a chill runs up your spine at the hatred in their voice.

As if it was planned, all of the Reckless Riders begin to step closer, and you follow. Suddenly, you see movement in one of the windows, and everyone freezes.

“You're no better than me!” Earp accuses as he comes out of the building, his hat dusty and a wild look on his face.

“I would beg to differ,” Dodge replies, before walking right up to him. He reaches for Earp's face and you hold your breath as Dodge rips the mustache off his upper lip. “Some disguise,” they scoff, and throw it into the sand.

The fight seems to go out of Earp as the Reckless Riders begin to laugh uproariously, sounding like thunder across the plains.

“Play nice, and we won't lose you in the cactus forest,” Dodge says, and starts marching Earp back toward town.