Ya know Margo, I have heard men talk about how in combat, or fights and such things that time can somehow slow down. How some fellas can see more, and maybe even do more, in the space of a few seconds. I now believe that must be true.
When the shooting started I felt like that. The whole thing was over in a moment, but I feel like I saw every detail, every little thing that happened. I know I should have just yelled and ducked behind the bar until it was over, but I could not stop myself from watching.
The tall cowboy was the first to reach for his pistol. And he was fast. At least it seemed like he was. But his pistol had not even cleared his holster before Snake's gun fired. The cowboy's head shot back has he fell to the floor. His friend reached for the Colt on his hip but Snake took no notice. He suddenly knelt and twirled to face behind him. At the same time I saw Shots stand up from his table with his fancy Pearl and Gold pistol raging. The shorter cowboy was dropped next to his friend. I turned my head to follow Snake's gaze and saw there were suddenly other men in the crowd with guns in their hands. The room became full of smoke as several pistols all seemed to fire at once. Screams of pain mixed with shouts of fear and explosions of gunpowder. A bottle behind my head exploded and whiskey and glass seemed to fill the air. I saw a man grab his belly in pain and start to fall as another shot took him in the leg. The floor in front of Snake threw up wood chips as the bullets landed nearby. Another would be assassin screamed as Snake's bullet took off the top of his head. Shots turned his attention to the new threat as well. His pistol cracked and the fifth man fell backwards over the craps table. The last assailant standing unloaded a shotgun in Snake's direction, but luckily his aim was too high and he peppered the wall behind him. Two more shots rang out from Snake's guns, and the man with the shotgun lay on the floor.
Suddenly the silence seemed to feel as heavy in the room as the drifting smoke. Snake stood frozen gazing back and forth across the room, almost daring anyone else to make a play. Finally satisfied, he slowly lowered his pistols.
"God Damn!!" Shots shouted coming from behind his table. "Whoo!!! Did you see that? Did you God Damn see that?? Now that was some crazy shit!!" Lily came out from under a table she was hiding behind and jumped into his arms.
Snake turned and looked at me. "Sorry about the mess Ruby." he said as he reloaded his guns. I stood in shock for a moment. I think I was trying to take it all in. My dress was covered in glass and whiskey. "Ruby? Ruby? You alright gal?" My attention came back as I looked his eyes.
"Damn Snake," I stammered like a school girl." I don't.... I ..... -Watch Out!!" I yelled as I saw a rifle suddenly pop across the the upstairs balcony aimed at Snake's back. He twirled and reached for his pistol as a gun blared from the end of the bar. The man upstairs dropped the rifle and fell over the balcony, crashing through a table as he hit the floor dead. Snake whipped his aim towards the end of the bar, ready for a new threat.
And there, well, there was a sight that just about surprised the living hell of me, sis. There stood Fingers, with the first dead cowboy's gun smoking in his hand. He looked as shocked at himself as I imagine we all did. He stared at the gun like he was not quite sure what had happened. Then he looked up at Snake.
Snake tipped his hat at Fingers and said "Much abliged friend." Fingers slid the cowboy's gun under his belt and replied "Gotta make sure you get all of them son. Else, what's the point?" He turned and reached for his glass.
Damn Margo, not sure I can take many more nights like that.
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