Undead at Sundown by R.J McCabe Page B

been too well of late. A man has to try and keep his house in order, take care of his woman,’ John said trying to put on his best concerned husband face.
          ‘Is that so, and here was me thinkin' you just missed that filthy whorehouse, rumour has it you can’t keep your little ding-a-ling out of that place,’ Joel spat bits of apple as he spoke.
          ‘Well, theres always plenty of rumours, shouldn’t listen to all of em,’ replied John.
          ‘I suppose not,’ said Joel eyeing John curiously. ‘You gotta a few marks on you their John boy. Someone given you an ass whoopin'?’
          John looked a little sheepish. ‘I got into it with the new sheriff, took me by surprise, lucky he did too, otherwise.…’
         ‘Otherwise you’d have kicked his ass right?’ Joel interrupted.
          ‘Damn straight.’ John said clenching his jaw.
          ‘A new sheriff huh? Did they catch who did the last one? That was some bad fuckin' business,’ said Joel, briefly looking into the distance before returning his gaze to John.
          ‘Not that I know of. Some say it was those Hamilton boys but that could just be more rumours. Say I was wonderin' if you had any work goin' here? I don't mind labourin' if need be.’
         ‘Well,’ said Joel, chewing the last of the apple. ‘I cant have a big tough lookin' son of a gun like you wasted on labour. No, I think I got just the job for you Big John,’ the unpleasant grin was still present on Joel’s face.
          ‘Sure anythin' you got Joel.’ 
         ‘We’ve grown a little short of whiskey here in the camp due to the heavy drinkers my father chooses to employ. I need me a couple of boys to ride on into town and pick up a few crates of liquor. I'll be damned if I'm gonna sit out in this crap hole without a drink to take the edge off.’
    John’s face changed to one of concern . ‘JoeI, I don't know that I should go back there just yet, given the trouble with the new sheriff and all.’
         ‘Okay then Big John.’ Joel looked around the camp now as he spoke. ‘If you don't want the work I'm offerin' you, then maybe you should get the fuck out of here. Maybe you should go talk to the Apaches see if you can get some work makin' head dresses or some shit, or maybe you can help that old chief bastard bury his boy.’
         ‘No, no I'll take the work. I'll just have keep my head down when I get there. You havin' trouble with those Apaches again?’ John asked.
          ‘Oh I think its fair to say that the trouble is good and done with now. I had to let those dirty, dog eatin' bastard’s know who they were trying to fuck with. Showed em good too.’
         ‘Oh yeah? What you done Joel?’
          ‘I put a blade right into the chiefs son. He sure didn't look like no great warrior sittin' there dyin' and gurglin' and shit.’ Joel let out a cruel laugh.
          ‘You know you gotta be careful Joel. Those Apaches can fight but theres a whole other world of weird shit that they are into that you don't want to fuck with. Some spooky shit.’ John Duggan now found himself growing concerned about his own safety at the camp.
          ‘Fuck them! Fuck their spells and fuck their spooky shit. Im the boogey man and they damn well found that out. Nope, I don't think we will get any more trouble from them. You know John, sometimes you just gotta put your boot down and show folks how things are. You know what I mean ? A bit like that sheriff did with you.’ Joel laughed again.
    Big John looked sheepish . ‘Okay, if you say so. You want me to go over to Sundown now?’
         ‘Nah, you can go in a little while, theres a game of cards bout to start if you wanna join in you can.’ Joel’s voice sounded almost friendly.
          ‘Sure, I ain’t got much money on me though but I'll have a game.’ John replied.
    Joel held up the curtain of the tent . ‘I will lend you a few dollars but be