Podunk Town Rescue

“Quick! Get Doctor Drisle!”

“Doctor! Doctor!”

The shouting in the streets was cacophonous. The dust kicked up caused it to be impossible to even see across the street. A boy of 17 ran up to the crowd, nearly pulling the doctor behind him.

“Diggory. Diggory, can you hear me? We’re losing him. Bedford, take your handkerchief and press it against his chest to stop the bleeding. Elroy, you grab him under his shoulders and I’ll get his feet. We need to get him to my operating table,” said the doctor.

Billings was dropped on the operating table like a sack of potatoes. The doctor went to the supply cabinet and pulled down a glass bottle of spirits from the top shelf.

“It’s a little early to be drinking, isn’t it Doc?”

“Shut up, it’s not for me.”

The doctor propped up Billings and tipped the bottle to his lips. In his dreary state, he took several heavy draughts before his senses caught up to him, causing him to cough and sputter.

“Hold him down, this is going to hurt.”

The doctor splashed the spirits on the bullet hole in his chest. Billings jerked and writhed like a man possessed.

There was a knock at the open door.

“Not now.” Said the doctor without looking up.

There was the unmistakable sound of a revolver being cocked. Doctor Drisle froze.

“Well that’s a fine hello, sweetheart. After these five long years. No, ‘welcome back, Billy?’”

Doctor Drisle looked up finally to see the man in the doorway. He stood tall in a sweat stained black suit in this cruel summer heat. Hanging from his vest pocket was a gold chain. In both hands he held a scuffed and worn gun. Though his clothes looked worse for wear, his mustache was perfectly trimmed. He was the most handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on.

Doctor Drisle said through gritted teeth, “Now is not a good time.”

“I don’t have much time. I’m just passing through.”

“Billings doesn’t have much time! But I guess you don’t care much for life, do ya Billy?”

“Not unless they got gold.”

Billings moaned and contorted his face.

“Well, guess what. I don’t care much for your life, no matter how much gold you got.” said Doctor Drisle. She pulled back her white lab coat to reveal a gun at her hip.

“We used to be such a pair, Delly. I just thought I’d stop in and see if you’d changed your mind after being stuck in this podunk town.”