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Stanley could not prevent hi ed out as if they would explode out of their sockets Slowly the seconds ticked by as S death to the end Then he was aping open with an engorged purple tongue After fifteen seconds of eerie silence ticked by, S spasain causing the crowd to gasp and quicklyat the appalling spectacle in utter shock His trance was interrupted by so nearby Roy looked around for Stanley and saw his friend bent over at the waist, vo in enormous heaves a few feet away

"Stanley, are you okay?"

Stanley straightened hireen "That was horrendous I can't believe I suggested we co" Stanley i and coughing Stanley looked into Roy's eyes "Didn't that bother you at all?"

Without any emotion, Roy replied "It ful and nasty, but I couldn't stop watching Corabbed Stanley by the shoulder and guided him in the direction of the saloon

"I think I er"

This statement caused Roy to halt their procession abruptly

"Whiskey?" Roy asked in disbelief

"Maybe, but we'll start with a root beer first"

The typically cheerful saloon was so doors The place was crowded and subdued custoone except their entlemen quietly played cards Some of the men at the bar created an open space so Stanley and Roy could order Before they could tell the barkeeper what they wanted, he slung two giant s of root beer to the counter

"On the house, boys"

"Uh, gee, thanks," said Stanley as he shoved his coins back into a pocket

"Maude, get your girls downstairs and get someone on that piano immediately It's quieter than a funeral parlor in here," Sheriff Dawson ordered as he stood his portly body in the entrance to the saloon Resting both hands on his guns, several bullet holes covering the wall behind Sheriff Dawson silhouetted thehis head toward the wall "Bet you that's where Smitty shot and killed those four men

Behind Stanley and Roy, another familiar voice interrupted their conversation