A Change in Plan

Lou rode on to the County Seat

Leo Write she had to meet

She had CG's letter close at hand

Not knowing exactly what was planned

It took her some time to track him down

A few leads led her to wearing a frown

Finally she managed to score

A solid lead about his paramour.

She went to the hotel

Bribed the man at the desk

She went to the room

And smirked,

before doing

what she did next.

The key went into the lock

The door swung open wide

The lovers scrambled

No place to hide.

The woman dumped Leo onto the floor

Lou stepped in and shut the door

The woman pulled the covers up to her chin

Lou threw Leo his pants so they could begin.

"Lulu you've got some real nerve

Coming in here like this."

"When CG sends you a letter

that I'm on my way

You should have known better

and made yourself available today."

He snatched the letter from her hand

Sitting on the edge of the bed he scanned

And nodded to something he understands.

"Come back tomorrow

I'll have what you need."

"Tomorrow? I was hoping to be back sooner."

"Tomorrow. I'll meet you at the Old Crooner."

Lou knew she was in no position to argue.

"Fine, but make sure you're on time."

She found herself a place to stay.

She wondered if Bruce had runaway.

No, that was a worry for another day.

She couldn't wait to get this over

She walked into the saloon

Write refused to meet her

until half past noon.

She walked to the bar

And ordered a shot

The bartender slid her a note

She sighed in frustration

When she read what Write wrote.

She sloshed it back

Put down the glass

Some lowlife made her an offer

She said she'd have to pass

She stood and went out of the door

That led to the back lot

No sooner did she step through

Did she heard the shot

It missed her by a mile

But got her attention

Write glared at her

"There was something

I forgot to mention."

"Your friend the Judge

He's been following you.

Well... had you followed

Dear sweet Lou.

Now that you let the Scot go

He wants you to know

He couldn't be more pleased."

Lou struck out with her foot and

Brought Write to his knees.

Three men came up behind her.

Someone hit her hard.

"What part of she's not to be touched,

did you not understand, Bernard?"

The two men argued.

"Don't worry yourself. She won't be scarred."

Lou could feel her cheek start to swell.

"Now she'll be more compliant."

Lou wiped the blood from her lip,

looked right at Bernard and said,

"Go to hell."

Write had finally got himself upright.

"Guess you won't be needing these."

He put the letter in his pocket.

"Those belong to CG!"

Another hit to the back of her legs

Brought to her to her knees.

The last man bound her hands up tight.

Lou smirked, "Mark my words, you'll pay for this Write."

"Oh, you're cute when you talk tough.

I got paid for you already well enough."

Lou took a quick head count, and her heart began to sink. 

"Three men to one woman a bit over kill don't you think?"

"I ran into some luck as these men were just passing through. 

When they heard the bounty the Judge was willing to pay, 

what can I say, they just jumped at the opportunity, Lou."

"Shame they'll never get to where there

suppose to be all because of little 'ol me."

Bernard stepped forward.

"This one sure has got a mouth. Time to shut her up."

He placed the rag over her lips and nose

These men were no amateurs, she was dealing with pros

All too soon, Lou succumbed to the fumes.

The three men took her out of town,

meeting up with two others.

"Throw her in with that other clown.

We move at nightfall so we have cover."

The last person Bruce expected to see

As he sat bound to his seat

Was a bruised and battered Lou,

out cold, tossed at his feet. 

__________

"Lou?" Bruce nudged her with his foot.

She didn't budge, so Bruce stayed put.

He thought and he thought about how

to get both himself and Lou out.

He stared down at the ropes that bound them tight

and remembered being tied up to Lou at night.

"She always cut me loose," he mused.

"I wonder if she still has the knife she used?"

He craned his neck but couldn't see

if Lou had her knife or where it could be.

He heaved a sigh and waited until Lou

started moving around, then nudged her with his shoe.

"Cut that out!" Lou snapped at him.

"Sorry." He flashed her a grin.

"You still got that knife on you?"

Lou smiled faintly. "I think I do."

Ha! Some luck at last. "Good, hand it here."

The door swung open and Lou looked up in fear.

The Judge walked in, followed by Bernard and crew.

The six men stalked up to the unfortunate two.