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Post by Hiram Cooper on Aug 27, 2009 1:01:34 GMT -6
Hiram nodded. Shaw had the answer for a moment and then quickly backed away from it. There was no point in blurting it out in a place like this anyway. Hiram had enough troubles without adding that. Though, as he understood it, how dark it was rested on exactly what you thought about merpeople and if they were more people than fish, or the other way 'round.
He finished his whiskey. Not too many credits left. He should be heading out to get himself a job so he could afford to put food in his mouth. "You know anybody else looking for workers? I'm going to try with the Johnsons first, but if they don't feel much inclined to fixing their barn, then I'll need to find something else."
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Post by J. Shaw on Aug 27, 2009 15:16:22 GMT -6
Shaw paused, thinking it strange he was even thinking about it, considering how out of it the man had seemed at first. But he seemed like the daze was finally wearing off and he was a little more in a right mind. He'd seen the fence at the Johnson's. The handy work there was pretty decent.
"Well," he began. "Me and my men are a bit stretched thin between taking care of the ranch duties and defending it. It'd be handy to have someone who could patrol full time and ward off the fikin dragons that wander near from the desert. I was thinkin' about searching out a hunter, but truly, even a man who knows the right end of a gun would be useful about now. You okay with a weapon or two? Won't use it on one of my men instead?"
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Post by Hiram Cooper on Aug 27, 2009 21:36:44 GMT -6
The job offer was a little unexpected, but not unwelcome. Hiram had enjoyed talking to the man beside him. The rancher seemed down to earth, and his love of the land was obvious. As for the work, Hiram had worked patrol once or twice. He was familiar with most weapons, maybe a little too familiar with his knife, and he wouldn't have any problems dropping a dragon. To be truthful, Hiram was a little curious to open one up and take a look at it's heart.
"I know my way around knives and guns. And I can promise you I won't kill any man who works for you, not unless he tries to kill me first." The madness was all burnt away, and work would keep his mind busy... for a while. He would just have to make sure to leave before it struck again.
He offered a hand, "The name's Hiram Cooper."
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Post by J. Shaw on Aug 27, 2009 23:59:30 GMT -6
"Good good," Shaw nodded. It would be nice to have someone on a more long standing patrol than his men could afford. It was hard always looking over your shoulder when trying to get work done, worried about another dragon lumbering in to try to pick off more cattle. And every so often, a scavenging Goblin as well. Nasty, sneaky creatures they were.
He stuck out his own hand and shook Hiram's. "James Shaw. Nice to meet ya." He downed the rest of his drink and left some credits on the bar for the bartender. "Should I assume you've got all your stuff on your back then?"
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Post by Hiram Cooper on Aug 28, 2009 2:39:35 GMT -6
"Likewise." James Shaw. Hiram knew that name. Largest cattle baron for miles around. Funny, he hadn't thought a man like Shaw would drink in an ordinary bar. But, that's what Hiram got for assuming every rancher was like the Johnsons and Parkers.
"Always do." He finished the melted water and left the glass for the bartender. He picked up the guitar and slung it over his back first, strap fitting snug across his chest. The backpack went on next, hanging off one shoulder. It was a familiar method of carrying, and one that had served him well. Anything too large or too heavy to carry wasn't worth having. He made an after-you gesture.
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Post by J. Shaw on Aug 28, 2009 22:50:41 GMT -6
Shaw was relieved to see he had his things with him and wouldn't have to go off to some other place first. He picked up his hat, tucking it back onto his head, and then took the lead, heading towards the door, sending a last wave at the bartender as they left. Right away he sighed as they entered back into the stark contrast of cleanliness and bright lights. Shaw noted that his dirty footprints on the floor from earlier had already been cleaned up. He scoffed a little.
When they finally exited the large spaceport and back into the sun, Shaw paused for a moment, realizing a transport issue. "I rode my bike here," he motioned to where his hover bike sat parked. "I assume you walked..." He stroked his chin in thought for a moment, and then pulled out his eInkr padd. "Maybe I should call one of the boys to pick us up in something bigger. I can always pick the bike up later."
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Post by Hiram Cooper on Aug 28, 2009 23:34:47 GMT -6
Hiram squinted as they walked back into the sunlight. After a moment, his eyes adjusted and he could look out over the spaceport. He couldn't remember which way he'd come in from. Maybe the right? That did lead straight out into the desert. But almost all of it did.
He nodded when Shaw mentioned the transport. Hiram liked walking. It gave you plenty of time to see things and even more time to think. Plus, bikes needed gas, and horses didn't much like him. Normally, Hiram would just offer to walk out on his own, but he had a feeling he'd end up wandering out into the desert again. That wasn't such a good idea. "Sounds good."
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Post by J. Shaw on Aug 29, 2009 13:32:47 GMT -6
"Alright," Shaw nodded as he sent off a message to the ranch. Hopefully one of the men would catch it right away. "We're not far out, but just far enough in the outskirts that you wouldn't wanna be out without at least a horse on ya, in case something came at you from the desert."
Shaw had walked the distance once or twice, but it certainly wasn't something he'd recommend. Then again, Hiram had apparently been wandering the desert for days, so maybe he didn't mind. Or he just wasn't that smart. At any rate, the guys would be out to pick them up soon and get them back to the ranch far faster than it would be to walk.
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