Drifting Into Town, Open :-)

Rising up on a hilly area just outside Buffalo Creek Bay, Robbert had camped a few miles away the night before after hitching a ride from a couple riding the stage. He was more than capable of paying them for the trip to pass by, he had very little belonging other than what he wore so there was no extra luggage. Robert to this day was still drifting from town to town, working physical jobs along the way to pay for things, it kept him under the radar. For the most part, where he liked to stay. That wasn't to say that he never ended up in a war of words that ended in shouting, a physical confrontation, or even one were bullets would be exchanged. In this day in age it was hard to not end up in one of those and almost a common occurrence for some.

Raising up that bright morning he threw on his duster jacket, threw dirt over the campfire that was still smouldering and picked up what little he had with him. Unbeknownst to him his cousin had stumbled into town a day or two earlier after a bad turn of events seemed to come about in his favor. Robert on the other hand was not coming off any bad events, or even a mishap of fortune. This was simply another stop on his life long journey for peace within himself and in his life.

Taking the final look at the town a bit off in the distance, he wiped his brow and started the journey on foot toward BCB. He entered like anyone else usually does, walking under the sign and right onto the road through town, building lining each side of the street with some houses/ranches off in the distance. Being out this hot morning in the sun, he needed the shade and headed right for a covered boardwalk as he bits hit with the hard thud while he made his stride, before taking a seat to take a rest for a moment. "Maybe it was a bad idea to pass on that hat." The thought crossed his mind when he said it silently to himself, every cowboy needed a hat, if for nothing else than to block the son from there head...

TBC: Anyone

"But I have money. I can pay."

"Don't care! We don't serve no Mexicans!" the gravelly voice of the bartender yelled at him.

"I have money. All I want is a drink. I won't cause no problems."

"You hear me, greaser! I said no!"

Luis's face turned a dark shade of red as he tried to negotiate with this crude heathen of a man. Bigotry he had experienced before but it had been a long time. He was half Mexican-half white but that meant nothing to those outside of the town he was raised in. His mother had been a well-known ranch owner and his father the caretaker, her lover. Still he had been accepted. Outside of that town only the Mexican side was seen.

Reaching into his pocket he placed several coins on the bar in front of him. More than was needed for one drink. There was enough for a nights worth of drinking.

"I have money. All I want is one drink. Please sir," Luis restrained himself, speaking politely to the man with a controlled, calm tone.

The bartender looked at the money and, with a smirk, swiped his arm across the bar sending a shower of coins rolling across the floor.
[align=center]"I don't care how much money you have, I don't serve no greasers," the bartender spoke through his teeth, a look of hatred smeared across his face. "Now get out before I shoot you." From behind the bar a sawed off shotgun swung up in the bartender's hands and pointed at Luis's chest.

Luis narrowed his eyes as he backed up, his hand on his pistol ready to defend himself. He'd seen this before, seen men cut down simply because they were not white. To explain that he was half white would be an act in futility. To dare to bend down to retrieve his coins would be suicide. There was no mercy in the bartender's eyes and there would be indictment for his death.

Hearing the commotion in the bar forced him to raise his head up after running a hand over it. He had played this part once before, the good samaritan. What he didn't realize is this wouldn't be the last either. Just a few days later he'd be running into Ida Mea and offering up help to her. What was going on inside got his attention and he rose to his feet, watching what happened over the swinging doors in and as the coins hit the floor and the gun came out it was time to act.

If it hadn't been for a flashback to time spent in the orient, maybe he wouldn't have. When Robert spent time over seas he was treated the same way by most the people. Lets just say news spread about how there people were used to build railroad when a white man is in your part of the world it's you turn to treat them like dogs.

"I'LL take that drink."

It would be like a modern day superhero showing up almost. They were so busy with there argument and what not they never heard the creek of the swinging doors open and being held. When Robert spoke up and would get there attention, then that certain look would come. You'd only see the shadow of his front because the sun directly behind him blocked out any features at first. Finally when the doors swung shut a coin hit the bar counter before he was slid a drink. What would come next PROBABLY would put him on there bad side. He took one sip and sighed with relief.

"Now that, that's good..."

Yep, one sip from the mug was it before he turned and handed it off to the young man being given a hard time as he walked back towards the swinging doors.

"Don't drink it too fast."

He watched as some man came into the bar and ordered him a drink seeming not to notice nor to care that Luis was about to loose his life. He watched in shock as the bartender lowered the shotgun and poured the man a drink and then ordered another one handing it to him.

"Don't drink it too fast."

One moment he was standing there looking down the barrel of a sawed-off shotgun and the next he was holding a drink bought by some guy he didn't know. As the man walked out his eyes met the bartender's. Rolling the stub of a cigar in his mouth, the gruff bartender leaned forward slightly, his eyes seeming to look crimson to Luis.

"Well?" the bartender growled. "You gonna drink it or make love to it?"

Blinking, barely believing what just happened, Luis gulped down the drink before replacing the glass on the bar. As quickly as he could he gathered what coins he could quickly find that had been scattered on the floor and, placing a coin on the bar he nodded to the bartender and ran out the swinging doors after the man who had bought him the drink

"Senor!" he called after him as he ran. "Senor! Wait Senor! I want to pay you for my drink," he called out as he caught up to the man.

Stepping off the boardwalk as the young man came out of the saloon, what he didn't realize was Robert almost shit himself. Come on, he had a gun pointed almost right at him. Even if it was on the kid, the spray alone would have put a few holes in him. Yeah, probably wasn't the smartest thing to do in that situation. Walk in on someone with a gun pointed at them, then proceed to step your way into the situation with the chance of getting your head blown off yourself...damn it Robert, what were you thinking?

That was what he was asking himself when he walked out after handing the mug off. That was too close and he really needed to stop doing it, sadly for some reason it was in his nature to help people out whether it was his duty or not. When he heard the boy coming out of the saloon he didn't even turn around to look at him...I hope he isn't bringing trouble with him?

"One time deal kid."

It was the comment he made when he stepped off the boardwalk without looking back. Sad thing was, it probably wouldn't be and the worst part was knowing that this situation probably had only begun at this point.

"Si' Senor," Luis answered but kept following the man. "Gracias for your help." he continued following him. He didn't know anyone and this fellow had placed himself into a dangerous situation to help someone he didn't even know. "I have money, Senor," he called after him as he dogged the man's heels. "I can pay to stay in the nicest hotel but they won't let Mexicans in. If you would come with me I could get a us a really nice room. Please, Senor. I am very tired and I need a place to stay. Please stop, Senor. I will pay for a meal. Anything at all you want to eat. Anywhere you want to eat."

He wasn't lying. He had money and, what no one knew, much more coming soon to the bank.

"Senor," Luis was loosing steam as he slowed down and plopped down on a bench. "Oh, I an't go on," he could barely breathe.

Robert slowed up, a place to stay and a meal did sound rather nice, but he could have paid for it on his own. Robert had the money and there no doubt about that...he just didn't broadcast it in the middle of town like Luis just had. Even if he hadn't mentioned the money coming in there was probably plenty of folk around here who wouldn't mind ripping him off for what he had on him at the present. He'd seen it a hundred times and probably would a hundred more.

Slowly he stopped and when Luis sat on the bench Robert turned to look back at him before making his way over fast and yanking him to his feet by an arm. Dragging him across the road, he wasn't trying to be mean but for god sakes...was this kid trying to get himself killed?

"What are you, stupid?"

Making it across the street, Robert lightly shoved him in between two buildings and pointed right at him while holding him still with a hand...he was almost treating Luis like a child at this point it seemed, something Luis himself probably wouldn't take too kindly too. Had Robert thought about it, if it was happening to him he probably wouldn't be either and slowly let go of his shoulder.

"You wanna yell that a little louder, cause I sure as heck don't wanna get a hole blown in me."

"You are right, Senor," he looked at him speaking now in a quiet voice a sighed looking down. "Sometimes I don't know when to stop talking.

"I --- I just wanted to show my my gratitude for helping me there in the saloon. I thought I was going to die. But instead," he smiled up at him, "you saved me and for that I want to repay you. All I ask is that we check in together into the finest hotel they have here in town. I will pay for everything. I don't know about you but I could use a bath and a good meal. Maybe a couple of drinks and, well, perhaps a visit to see some ladies," he giggled.

"Please, Senor," he slumped slightly. "I am really tired and I need a good nights rest in clean sheets. That's all I ask. Let me pay for everything for one night. After that we can go our separate ways. No obligations ever. What do you say? Huh? One night in a soft bed, a stomach full of food? Sounds good, no?"

His eyes narrowed, especially when he heard the women part...you know he didn't look that old, especially old enough to be a kid wandering around a brothel. Then again looks could be deceiving, this one time in New York...*clear throat* well that is a story for another time.

"Yeah and I almost got my head blown off for helping you out too. Just call me a good Samaritan...besides, how old are you anyway, ten, twelve. And take off that stupid fake beard..."

He went to yank off what he thought was fake and nothing happened. Okay so maybe he was older than he appeared, when he giggled is what threw him off. He giggled like a little boy who had just seen his first naked lady.

"So, that's...not fake...."

Now he felt bad as he hesitated with those last words, fool me once shame on you....well there wouldn't be a second time unless he was looking to actually rob him at some point in time.

("...how old are you anyway, ten, twelve. And take off that stupid fake beard...")

"OW!!!" Luis protested loudly when Robert pulled on his short beard. "I'm --- I'm twenty-five," he stammered and swallowed hard at the lie before looking down in shame. "I'm eighteen," he finally admitted. "But I'm old enough to know what I want. I've been working drives for nearly a year and a half. I've earned my own money. Well, most of it, anyways," he sighed, clearly the thought was painful. "Please, Senor, let me pay you back in kind. You did save my life and I am obligated to repay you. Even if it's for one night. Maybe two, if you want to stay longer. I want to stay for a week. Do as much as I can while I can."

He looked at Robert. "Would be nice, no? Senor?"

Luis was hoping the man would agree to his offer. He was tired of sleeping in the open and hunting for his next meal hoping to catch something, anything to fill his belly. His last meal had been two days ago and the only thing he had in it at the moment was the whiskey Robert had bought for him and it did nothing for him except make a warm feeling throughout his mid-section. As he stood there looking at Robert waiting for an answer his stomach also protested by growling loudly.

Luis's look changed from hoping to pleading. "Senor?"