The Odd Boy

I think I've been listening to too many Old Time Radio
shows. Anyhow, this story is set in Dodge City,
Kansas, in 1873. This is not a time-travel story, and
Angel and his friends are in Europe or Asia.

"Gunsmoke" is a possession of CBS, and its actors
William Conrad, Howard McNear, Parley Baer, and Georgia
Ellis. The opening came directly from the radio show.
The universe of BtVS is the possession of Joss Whedon,
Mutant Enemy, and Kuzui Films. I have no intent to
infringe on their rights.

Gunsmoke
The Odd Boy

Part One

"Around Dodge City and in the territory on west,
there's just one way to handle the killers and the
spoilers, and that's with a U.S. Marshall and the smell
of Gunsmoke.

"Gunsmoke [not] starring William Conrad -- the story of
the violence that moved west with young America
.....and the story of a man who moved with it."

"I'm that man. Matt Dillon, United States Marshall. The
first man they look for and the last they want to
meet. It's a chancy job, and it makes a man
watchful.........and a little lonely."

---

I was at the jail cleaning my shotgun when I heard
someone at the door.

"Come in. Hello, Doc."

"Hello, Matt. I haven't seen you much this week.
Have you been hiding in here?"

"Well, Doc--"

"I know, I know. Two trailmen got into a fight over a
foolish girl last week, and now both of them are dead."

"Foolish is right, Doc. She liked the attention. She
was happy they were fighting over her. She was even a
little happy when one pulled out a Bowie knife."

"And after the whole mess was cleaned up, she walked
away in disgust. Foolish girl. Matt, I think what
bothers you is that no one thanked you afterwards."

"A man likes to feel appreciated."

"Well, Matt, people came out here to get away from
Law. When they find they need law, you can't expect
them to feel thankful."

"I guess you're right." I put my shotgun back in its
rack and put the kit away. "Let's head over to the
Long Branch. Miss Kitty serves a mean steak."

"And a fine whiskey."

We got up to go, but we were interrupted by a shout
from outside. "Mister Dillon! Mister Dillon!" the
door squeaked open, and Chester came in. "Mister
Dillon!"

"Calm down, Chester. What's all the yammering about?"

"Mister Dillon, Marl Stafford just rode into town, and
he has a dead body with him. You'd better go see."