The player for Andrew Wagner (now a Deputy Marshal) couldn’t join us as he was a one-night guest, but one of our regulars joined us and created a character.

Jess Warner

In a freak twist of fate, a stray bullet from Levi Oden’s gun killed Jess’s mother. Though just 16, he swore revenge and set out after the outlaw.
Hand 4
Eye 3
Guts 4
Heart 2
Traits: Quick as Lightning, Innocent as the Day is Long
Past: Farm Boy(3)
Present: Tough for Hire(1)
Devil (2): Loner. That sumabitch killed his momma and it’s up to him to make amends.

Jess rode into town almost exactly 24 hours after Doc, the Reverand, and Andy Wagner. He could tell it was a rough town, but that didn’t deter him.

He entered the Star Saloon and asked for a cup of coffee and some breakfast.
“Son,” said the Barkeep, “I got whisky and cheaper whisky.”

They struck up a conversation and Jess asked about Levi. The bartender, thinking he was some kin because of the kid’s innocence. Told him what he knew. Jess asked if there was any work he could do and the barkeep told him there was a pile of scrap lumber, bucket of nails, and a hammer out back. He’d give two bits per chair and four per table the Kid cared to make.

Still hungry, Jess “The Kid” headed to the Dixie Pig, a diner. While there now Deputy Marshal Andy made his acquaintance and gave him some paternal advice.
“Son,” said Andy, “sometimes a fellow straps a gun to his belt and it makes him feel real big. It’s a lie. Likely as not the fellow you aim to shoot is feeling just as big and probably a better shot. All’s I’m saying is be careful. Make a plan.”

Back in the German House (a high roller saloon/brothel) The Reverend struck up a conversation with El Padre of Los Caballeros. Finally they left and the Reverand trailed them. Los Caballeros went from business to business, spending money and spreading good will. Finally they came to the Dixie Pig.

El Padre chatted with The Kid, then had a private word with Dutch, the Dixie Pig proprietor. The Kid overheard Dutch tell El Padre where Oden was. Ending the whispered conversation, El Padre told Dutch that the kid’s meal was on him.

The Kid got his bile up and shouted as he stormed out the door, “I’m not a kid…and he’s mine!”

Meanwhile the Doc poked around the Undertakers place and talked him up a bit. He determined that Pete Holden didn’t die from any wound he or the Reverend gave him. As they talked he saw Levi Oden walking down a back street toward the Marshal’s house and stole out and followed him.

Meanwhile, one street over, the Kid led a comical parade, loading his gun and looking wildly about for Levi Oden. Los Caballeros followed a few paces behind and The Reverend had all but joined their ranks.

Time stood still as The Kid and Levi Oden came face to face. Marshal Andy stepped out from the Marshal’s HQ as the two parties looked each other over.

“Levi Oden, why don’t you come into the office with me for a spell.” Said the Deputy Marshal as he drew his gun and cocked it.

Not still entirely sure what was going on, Levi walked toward Marshal Andy. Levi’s path and the Kid’s intersected and for a moment it looked like the everything was going to calm down.

Just as he stepped past Levi, the Kid turned and clubbed him with his pistol. Levi staggered to his knees and the Marshal fired, winging The Kid.

Doc dove for Levi, aiming to drag him inside a building, but failed and found himself exposed in the center of a lead maelstrom.

The Reverend leaned in to El Padre and said, “The lawman aims to stop you. I’ll take him and you can get Oden.”

The Kid swung his pistol like an Apache War club. And Levi fell prone. The Doc scrambled for cover but not before Pollock winged him. Before the Marshal could shoot the kid again, The Reverend hit him square with a shot. El Padre and Poncho both fired at the defensless Levi Oden and killed him.

As the dust settled and the wounded moaned for succor, The Reverand turned to El Padre and said, “If you’ll have me, I’d like to ride with your outfit.”

“I knew you were one of us when I first met you,” replied El Padre. He reached into his coat and shook out a blue sash with an intricately embroidered cross and placed it over the reverand’s head and shoulder.

And they rode off into the sunset.