Listen Up!

"Listen up, boys, your bosses are both dead.

Shamus botched a job and shot Lou instead.

He killed himself when he heard the news.

Guess who's going to take over for Lou?

Me, that's who."

It took some time, but they finally believed me.

To have told someone the news relieved me.

I sat in the Oh Aces saloon and nursed a drink,

taking time to brood and to think.

A hand on my shoulder made hope rise anew.

Back from the dead?

It could it be true?

But, no. It wasn't Lou.

I felt the gun pressed against my head.

"Tell me why you shouldn't be dead?"

I pushed away her gun.

"Do I know you?"

She took my drink from my hand.

And sloshed it down,

She too looked to have feelings

she wished to drown.

She slammed the empty glass against the wall

"You just gonna sit there or are you gonna drawl?

I know exactly who you are Skirt?"

The woman spat in the dirt.

The look in her eyes nothing but hurt.

"You don't expect me to believe

Shamus killed Lou.

It's something I know he'd never do!"

She pointed her gun and this time

Cocked it back.

Well courage was one thing this

Dame didn't lack.

I stood up the gun now at my chest

I pointed to the star on my vest.

"Lou was shot when she came to the aid

Of one Pearce Wade.

She died in my arms

You still looking to do me harm?"

"How do I know she wasn't shot by you?

Shamus too?

It sounds like something you would do?"

"Yeah it does," I looked around

I got a pair of glasses and sat back down.

I poured both her and I drink.

I drank mine wearing a frown.

Lou expected great things from me. 

But I don't think I can be the man

She expected me to be.

******

I came to town looking for Shamus

No one knew where he was, they could only guess.

Then the rumors flew

"Shamus is dead, he killed Lou."

Now the gang is run by someone new.

When I demanded who?

They said it was "The Skirt."

I knew it was a lie and I

Wanted him to hurt.

He looked at me, his eyes were dead.

Lou died in his arms he said.

He went after Shamus, who took his own life

After learning he killed his ex-wife.

If it was true, it was a mistake.

I just couldn't believe, I felt my hand shake.

He poured me a bourbon and motioned to the chair

All I could do is look at him and stare.

How was I to tell Brody

That they are both gone?

How could something go

This terribly wrong?

"Rosetta Roan! Put down that gun!"

She was approached by another woman.

"Brandy Vine is that you?"

"Yeah Roe, I came as soon as I knew."

She took the gun from Rosetta's hand

Like she had this all planned.

Uncocking the gun and putting it on the table

She grabbed hold of Rosetta who looked a little unstable.

"Hey Skirt you gotta room?

Roe here needs a place to sleep

she's running on fumes."

"And why should I help either of you?"

"Hmmm... thought you knew...

Roe's here is a Black Diamond

And I am too. Name's Brandy Vine

Rumor has it you were in love

With that sister of mine."