Cowboy

*Pulls the cot apart, literally dismantalling it, but theres not much to it. Paces the cell a few moments pondering looking around, spots some coated wires that run along the wall to the left of the cell. Bites my lip debating, goes back to the cot and works until I get a piece of metal off of it. Wraps one end of the metal in fabric and works my hand cuffed hands through the bars. Examins the wires for a moment then begins to chop at them with the piece of metal from the cot until there severed. The wires throw sparks and I wiggle and hurry to get my hands away. Rounds up a sheet from the cot and anything else that will burn. Chops at the wires until I get more sparks, more and more that land on the sheet below until finally theres a flame. Reaches through the bars and pushes the burning sheet as far away from the cell as possible letting it spread to some furniture. Backs up to the back of the cell and watches it all burn. The fire alarm rings in the old building, wailing loudly.*

*Face reddens at the deputy as she speaks. Watches her walk away for a split second then hollers at her again, in furry this time.* IM GETTING OUTTA HERE MARYANNE!!! Your gonna come back to an empty cell! Im a DUKE! There aint a cell in this country that can hold me! And these damn handcuffs aint gonna make a lick of difference!!! *Snarls and yells in frustration, goes to work tearing the cell apart to find something to use to get myself out of here.*

MaryAnne! *Hollers to her as she heads for the steps.* C'mon let me out of here, Blaze is mine, not just anyone can jump on and ride him or even handle him. Brian and Alex arent going to stop until we settle this, YOU know that!

*Pales to a sheet white eyes widening.* No... MaryAnne you have got to find that horse! Thats Red's Colt! That horse... hes.. hes like my best friend! *Swallows my dry throat and paces forgetting my coffee and biscuit.* Brian... Alex... THEY DID THIS! To get at me!

Great, Im starvin. *Comes to the front bars and waits eager to get my cup of coffee and the biscuit. Watches the deputy glancing over her carefully and raising an eyebrow.* Whats wrong MaryAnne? Something dont seem right.

*Paces my cell in an aggitated manner, taking it in laps. My wrists are almost bloody raw from the hand cuffs and my head throbs. Not to mention Im hungry, bored out of my mind, in desperate need of a smoke and Im in a bad enough mood to dismantle someone with my bare hands.*

*Wakes after a couple hour nap and rubs the bump on my head grimacing at it. Gets up and paces around the cell as the first rays of sunshine peek in through the small ground level window. Sigh heavily making rounds of the cell, pushes the cuffs up alittle to rub my wrists, there getting raw. Peeks out the window and listens for the munching of my horse but I cant hear him over the sounds of cars on the main st. Grumbles and continues my laps around the cage.*

I had a pack of cigs in my pocket but MaryAnne must have taken them with the rest of my stuff, I'll live without anything for now BL, thanks. *Sighs heavily, oblivious that my most prized possion, the heir to my old horse who passed away has just been stolen. Sits down on the cot and leans against the wall working the cuffs alittle to get them comfortable.*

*Smiles alittle at BL.* Thats alright no worries, thanks for thinking of me though. ********** *The equine that is being spoke of trots around the empty winter pasture, occasionally pausing to lower his head and sniff the ground pawing at it. He snorts and tosses his head at every passing sound. Hes of Thoroughbred breed and half loco to those that dont know him. Sired by the mighty "Big Red", standing in about 17 hands and baring his fathers fiery red coat and four striking white socks with a thick bold white blaze down his face. He blows a hot steamy breath into the night, nearvous in the unfamiliar pasture.

*Shakes my head slowly leaning on the front bars.* Nah BL, I reckon Ive got you in enough trouble over the years. Unless ya got a batch of fresh chocolate chips laying around er.... *Raises brow.* How about a cig and a lighter? I could really use a smoke.

Im sorry MaryAnne, I didnt mean that ya left it completely ungaurded... I guess I ment do you think you'll beable to keep your cousin and his looney blonde side kick out of here. *Paces.* You know how hurt Brian was by me taking his title, this wont end until hes chewed up and spat out a right good piece of me.

*Watches the deputy quietly for a few long moments.* Im not going anywhere, I may be a big man but Im flexable and Ive worn cuffs a few times. *Smirks.* Besides, now that Im in here I'll let you deal with Brian and Alex wanting my hide. You do protect your prisoners dont ya MaryAnne? *Leans against the bars at the front of the cell.*

*Eases myself to the floor its been awhile since Ive tried this or had to do this. Wiggles my handcuffed arms under my rear and then under my knees, now to just get past my feet. Squirms, bends, stretches and grimaces as the steal cuffs dig into my wrists. But finally after some serious working at it my hands are now cuffed in front of me, alittle more comfortable and valuable. Paces my cell, circling it like a nervous horse locked securely in a stall, pondering deeply.*

*Scoots to the edge of the bunk and plants my cowboy boots on the floor, my spurs ring off the concrete. Glances around feeling utterly naked without my hat on but I assume it was lost in the transport here. Rattles the handcuffs behind my back uncomfortably, presses my lips. Sighs heavily and touches the bump on my head to my shoulder, theres no blood its just a whopper of a goose egg. Works my wrists in the cuffs testing them but they are good and tight.*

*Gathers my thoughts collecting them into a more steady fuction or perhaps as much as I seem to function normally. Eases onto my back and stretches my legs over the side of the cot and pushes myself to sit up and scoot back against the wall. Looks around knowing exactly where I am now, looks at MaryAnne creasing my brow.* Wheres my horse?

*Curls myself onto my side the best I can with my hands cuffed behind my back. Squints my eyes against the pain in my head for a few moments then cracks them open narrow against the bright lighting. Blinks a few times still feeling very very groggy, not even sure whats going on yet.*

*The movement starts to bring me around and just to make things more difficult carrying me down the stairs I start to move. Mumbles and babbles some incoherent words.*

*Groans in my unconscious state, being heftted around like a heavy log.My head throbs.*

*Wanting to stay near to me as he has done since birth the horse takes the offered suger and is far more willing to go with MaryAnne then I was. The tall colt follows the patrol car slowly back to town.* (Alrighty. I'll be here with a bottle of asprin tomarrow.)

*Grunts as my back hits the ground with the tackle, I dont even get a moment to struggle. I raise my eyes and see the gun butt coming a split second too late. Slackens as the lights go out my head sinking to the side, eyes closed gently against a scarred face. The only time Im ever so still, the only time Im not so full of fight to no end. A quiet, slackened state, so unusual for me. My horse stands watching with ears perked in an alarmed manner, he nickers not understanding.*

I told you, I dont want to hurt you, but your not taken me in. *Backs up a step when MaryAnne moves foreward. Watches her intently not doubting that if I go for my gun she will go for hers. Whistles low to my horse.* Blaaaze... c'mon boy. *The horse is still alittle shakey and skittish and hesitates to come to me. I divert my eyes from MaryAnne to look too my frieghtened friend.*

@#$^%&!! *Curses loudly as I know Im going down, I let go of my horse and saddle altogether to keep from getting hung up. Puts my hands out as I hit the ground I roll over and get up and face the deputy.* I dont want to fight you! And I dont want to hurt you! But by Gawd I will if I have to! *Backs away getting into the lighting of the Boars Nest's parking lot, eases my hand behind me glaring at the deputy, rests my hand on the butt of my gun threateningly.*

Im not afraid of Alex! I never have been! Let him come after me! Ive fought for years to have this title and Im not giving it up easy! *Pries at MaryAnnes fingers, dropping my reins and working to get her to let go with both of my hands.* I wont LET you arrest me! You take me in and I'll either be dead or unconscious! IM NOT GOING!

Let go! I dont want to hurt you! *Snaps at MaryAnne, grabs hold of my saddle horn to keep from being pulled right out of my saddle by the deputys hold on my arm. Turns my arm trying to break her hold and twist away. Presses my heal against my horses side to push him away from her hold.* I wont end up dead! No ones well enough to get me!