An Arrogant Inquiry

    The tough cowboys sat around the table in the now-quiet saloon. Each of them with five cards in their hand. The embers of Quickdraw Kevin's eyes were searing right through Rough Randy's hand; he knew among the wimpy rider's cards was the Queen. Sneaky Steve sat wily observing the two, his unnerving smirk remained plastered on his face, likely counting the cards at the table.

    Kevin had shut Minstrel Joe up from his playing moments ago; he had a game to win. The three cowboys were all in, and the tower of chips on the table would crown the winner as king of this town. The losers would be driven out unless they swore fealty to the winner.

    Suspense hung among the saloon. Clearly, victory was Quickdraw Kevin's, the worst option for the townsfolk. Rough Randy's hands were shaking. Eventually Kevin grew impatient.

    "I ain't got all day Randy!" he shouted.

    Randy's sweat-drenched face revealed itself as he lowered his hand. Weeping sounded throughout the room as the barmaids and waitresses foresaw their fate under the future tyrant's rule of the town. Sneaky Steve darted his eyes back and forth between the two, clearly conjuring something in his head. The rustling of debris could be heard from outside.

    Finally, Rough Randy responded to Quickdraw Kevin's inquiry. "Go Fish."

    A moment of shocked silence was immediately shattered from the eruption of cheers. Sneaky Steve began cackling and Minstrel Joe began playing his heart out. Itch gave out drinks on the house, and when Quickdraw Kevin recovered from his stupor, he exclaimed "Liar!" and swiped at the chips on the table.

    Randy and Steve were quicker this time, though, and soon had him pinned on the stage floor.

    Dancers came out and began dancing in celebration around the defeated wretch, and the men in the bar pounded their fists to the beat of the song, singing to their joy at Quickdraw Kevin's defeat. After the loser had writhed enough, the other two flung him out through the doors into the street.

    Randy stepped up with a royal scepter in hand and inquired of the fallen cowboy "Do you swear fealty to me?"

    "You haven't won yet!" Kevin shouted.

    Then Sneaky Steve stepped next to Rough Randy, then turned to face him, and with a flourish of his hand, bowed before the new king of the town. Quickdraw Kevin spit at Randy's feet, then made for his horse, and galloped away amidst a barrage of old bottles. The townspeople cheered for their new king, hoisting him up on a chair and bringing him back to the stage to be celebrated. As his first decree he declared that Quickdraw Kevin should be exiled from this town until the end of time.