Scene IV: Everything Will Burn!

[Stormbringer]

"Do you always pick a lock before you knock?" says a woman in a dress, sitting in a chair, pointing a pocket pistol at CK, irritation in her voice.

[Sly Boots]

"Pardon us, ma'am," Doc will say, raising his hat and forcing his most ingratiating smile. "We're looking for the keys to the Palace gates, so we and all the other residents of this fine town can escape before we all succumb to conflagration and gunfire.

"I don't suppose you're in possession of such a thing?"

[Wrathbone]

"Do you always pick a lock before you knock?" says a woman in a dress, sitting in a chair, pointing a pocket pistol at CK, irritation in her voice.

“I did knock. With my boot. Beggin’ your pardon, ma’am.”

[Stormbringer]

"Well now, sirs...", says the woman, "...I don't believe Sheriff Boone said anythin' to me 'bout no gate keys. The Redrum boys keep a-hold o' those, last I heard. My Boonie told me he was headin' off to Horsehead Ranch yesterday to bring in some wanted criminals. But...well...he ain't returned, so I fear the worst has happened. There ain't no key here, I assure you, gentlemen, but seein' as this here town's gone up in flames, I will gladly accompany you to help you find it, so we can get the hell outta here..."

[Animalmother]

"Sweet mercy, the danglers on that pig are unnecessary!"

[Wrathbone]

"Well now, sirs...", says the woman, "...I don't believe Sheriff Boone said anythin' to me 'bout no gate keys. The Redrum boys keep a-hold o' those, last I heard. My Boonie told me he was headin' off to Horsehead Ranch yesterday to bring in some wanted criminals. But...well...he ain't returned, so I fear the worst has happened. There ain't no key here, I assure you, gentlemen, but seein' as this here town's gone up in flames, I will gladly accompany you to help you find it, so we can get the hell outta here..."

I take my hat off and hold it to my chest, covering Boone’s sheriff badge that I’m wearing.

“I’m afraid we’re the bearers of bad news. We were off collectin’ bounties on the infamous Loudmouth gang at the ranch, but those clown boys had got there first. Sorry to say that your husband got caught in the middle. My condolences. We put an end to both those gangs, so they ain’t ever gonna do that to anybody else.”

[Sly Boots]

Doc's ingratiating smile becomes a rictus grin.

[Stormbringer]

"Thank you for tellin' me, good sirs. I'm sure my Boonie...though...he weren't my husband...fought most valiantly, in the name of the justice his badge represented."

She sniffs a little, then dries her eyes with an embroidered handkerchief.

"Now let's get goin', boys! Where to?"

[Sly Boots]

"Thank you for tellin' me, good sirs. I'm sure my Boonie...though...he weren't my husband...fought most valiantly, in the name of the justice his badge represented."

She sniffs a little, then dries her eyes with an embroidered handkerchief.

"Now let's get goin', boys! Where to?"

"Well, we ain't rightly sure... this was my best guess as to where we might find those keys. Any idea where those Redrum boys were holed up?"

[Stormbringer]

"The Redrum Boys? They run the whole town, mister...don't really have a single hide-out in Palace. They own it all. My Boonie...well...he was in their pocket, y'see? Well...until now, that is. And now I think even the Redrums have lost control o' things. The ones that ain't dead are runnin' scared. As for me...I just wanna get out of here alive. Maybe start a new life in Fort Gullet? Name's Meatrice, by the way. Meatrice Pitts."

[Sly Boots]

I'm open to ideas if anyone has a suggestion... though in terms of geography I think we currently have the blacksmith to the west, civilian houses to the east and the mayor's house to the north of our position.

[Animalmother]

I assume the mayor knows who we are after we robbed him? But he probably has the key.

[Mantis]

"Even if he doesn't, his large premises may make a suitable location to hold our ground and other like-minded individuals may share that sentiment. It may be that the keys come to us!"

[Sly Boots]

Doc's down with this plan.

[Stormbringer]

How about Cadaver Kid? You on board with a re-visit to the mayor's house?