Friday, July 25, 2008

The Streets of Laredo

He stood at the end of the street waiting for the clock to strike noon. He flexed his fingers and prepared to draw his gun. This was not the first fight he had been in, for in fact he had developed a reputation as a fast shot. He squinted against the sun and eyed the aging gunslinger at the other end of the street. The old gunslinger looked like he had lived for a hundred years, he was sure the old man's reflexes were slow and he felt bad that he was going to kill him. As the clock struck noon both gunfighters reached for their guns and as the smoke cleared the aging gunslinger turned and walked back towards his hotel, he would have no solace tonight.

12 comments:

Goddess Diana said...

Love your writing. So much expressed in so few words. Love how the story turned out. Tee hee!!!

Wishing you,
Peace & Love, Just Because,
Goddess Diana

Liza's Eyeview said...

I agree with the above commenter "so much expressed in so few words". Great scribbling for the prompt "solace".

Granny Smith said...

High Noon! This is really about NO solace, but a fascinating read.

Library Girl said...

I can feel the weight on his shoulders as he turned away...

JP/deb said...

Excellent vignette. I wondered where solace was going to fit in and you nailed it :) Peace, JP/deb

danni said...

i can just see a dusty old guy in a drover coat, jaded and cynical after too many of these scenes - great post, very picturesque in few words --- no solace indeed!!!

fearfullymade said...

I thought maybe the younger man was looking for solace in the speed of his gun. But not so, not solace in a gun fight!!

GreenishLady said...

Amazing - the complete story you get into a single paragraph!

Rambler said...

I would love to know what solace would mean to him you know..very interesting

Patois said...

Brilliantly written, as always. I love how you took the prompt.

tumblewords said...

Great use of the prompt! Love the image-full words...

Autrice DelDrago said...

Creative; I enjoyed the twist.