Story for Their Town: A Town of Circus Freaks

Chapter 4: Night at the Hall

That very night as the owls made their evening calls and the crickets rubbed their legs for warmth there was a slight mummer in the walls of the town hall as all the members of the town gathered hoping to make a plan. You see we were actually outnumbered and out donkeyed, maybe even out weaponed if I were, to be honest. Michelle had many people behind him, and as we tend to think a person who dresses in gold and makes the others do the same must have a lot of money to buy a lot of guns and bullets. We did not have that many guns let alone that many bullets. We could have thrown our empty guns at them but I think that could have be worse.

Everyone was there that evening even the children. Well, all the babysitters were there so we couldn’t leave the kids home alone. Nick was in the corner, leaning against the wall with his cowboy hat low and his big, hairy arms crossed. No words came from him for he was merely listening. Or maybe words did come from him, but as I had said I could never understand him. We had no mayor and did not know of a plan so it was slightly chaotic until Mary took the stand. She had a judge-like hammer that she banged a few times to quiet us down. She had to do this a couple times since we were all wrapped up in our own words to listen to hers so it took a bit to get our attention, but it was gotten by Mary.

“I propose…”

“I thought we were going to tell people later!” said McGary who had bad timing for jokes and even worst jokes to make. But I am easily amused and even high-footed him with my hand. His feet smelt quite sweet, like honey but without being stinky. Anyway, Mary rolled her eyes since they were never an item and either wanted it to be so but McGary saw a comic or rather “comic” moment and went for it.

“I propose that we have a sheriff who is a good shot and responsible. I think we should also create a police force of sorts so that an event like this never happens again.”

“This is the first time… don’t you think ya overreacting!” cried a voice I knew not since it sounded like someone with the flu and people’s voices always change when their minds are under the weather. I remember seeing some of the people nodding to this statement and I remember thinking that I also agreed. Nothing like this had happened before so it shall likely not happen again. Mary was overreacting with the ‘police force’ idea but she had a point about a sheriff or at least a temporary one. Mary must have heard the muffled sounds of the crowd for she once again used her hammer to grab the floating attention of the people.

“Alright, alright, that was only my first plan, I had a feeling you guys and gals may disagree but let us come back to it again once this current issue is gone? I think one day a police force could be good and maybe that day is not today or tomorrow but still… just think about it?”

Some people nodded while others watched them nob.

“Annnd I do have another plan for now,” continued Mary, “We shall have one sheriff and the rest of us shall be part of the backup for the sheriff in case something unpleasant goes down.”

“Swhllee serif?” asked a soothing voice from the corner of the room. It was Nick still leaning against the corner and he stood up when we all turned to face him with our eyes. We were at a wonder. Mostly because we couldn’t understand what he said. Mary could, Mary was not his wife but his sister-in-law. They only pretended to get along. Nick combs his beard with his toes hands while he waited for an answer. We turned back to Mary who had a shy-looking smile across her donkey face and said:

“Honestly? I was thinking you could be the sheriff?”

Aww, now we got what he had just said.

We turned back to look at Nick who cleared his throat. He stood still for a moment, choosing his words carefully.

“No.”

That might have been the first time we got him loud and clearly. Many of us blinked with wide jaws while others turned to Mary thinking that there was more and hoping for a translation of sorts. Mary pulled a face, I don’t know how to describe it but if you imagine it than that what it looked like … I guess, anyway her face was unpleasant, even for me and I fancy her.

Mary raised her cute, big eyebrow and said: “No?”

People gasped. Mumbling took over the crowd. Mary shhhed us without breaking eye connect with Nick. A mess may be afoot… well, at least a conversation with some… make it a lot, of manipulation.