Чужак в чужой стране

           Youshouldn’thavetoldusnottocome?butyouweretooupsetforustoarguewithyou.Sorelaxandwatchwhatthey’resayingaboutus.Thesheriffhasjustannouncedthathe’sgoingtorunalluswhoresoutoftown."Shesmiled."I’veneverbeenrunoutoftownbefore.Itshouldbeinteresting.Doesawhoregetriddenonarail?OrwillIhavetowalk?"

           "Idon’tthinkthere’sprotocolinthematter.Youallcame?"

           "Yes,butdon’tfret.JedMcClintockissleepinginthehouse.LarryandImadeastandingarrangementwiththeMcClintockboysforoneofthemtodoso,morethanayearago–justincase.Theyknowhowthefurnaceworksandwheretheswitchesareandthings;it’sallright."

           "Hmm!I’mbeginningtothinkI’mjustaboarderthere."

           "Wereyoueveranythingelse,Boss?Youexpectustorunitwithoutbotheringyou.Wedo.Butit’sashameyoudidn’trelaxandletusalltraveltogether.Wegotheremorethantwohoursago–youmusthavehadsometrouble."

           "Idid,Aterribletrip.Anne,onceIgethomeIdon’tintendevertosetfootofftheplaceagaininmylife?andI’mgoingtoyankoutthetelephoneandtakeasledgehammertothebabblebox."

           "Yes,Boss."

           "ThistimeImeanit."Heglancedatthegiantbabbleboxinfrontofhim."Dothosecommercialsgoonforever?Where’smygoddaughter?Don’ttellmeyoulefthertothemerciesofMcClintock’sidiotsons!"

           "Oh,ofcoursenot.She’shere.Sheevenhasherownnursemaid,thankGod."

           "Iwanttoseeher."