Clowns

The Solitary Gunman

MOJO CITY, Sept 30, 2001 -- [Eric Jennings, 16, of 2318 Birch St., came into the shop today all out of breath and wide-eyed as hell. Asked him what it was about, he gasped out, "The Solitary Gunman." We figured it was time for an interview. Our Contributing Editor, Cody Barstow did the interview.]

Solitary Gunman? There was a killing?

No. Just this dude showing up in Slightlybent Park. He rode into town out of the West, man. He was on this really cool horse and he was armed to the teeth. Pistol at his side. Holding a rifle at half-ready as he's sitting on that horse.

Description …

About 27, maybe 30. Rugged. Good-looking guy, I guess. Slender. Levis. Plaid shirt. Cowboy hat. Worn a lot. Marlboro guy, you know. This big freaking horse …

Cops show up?

Yeah, but they didn't want any trouble. So they're just busy talking to the guy, trying to figure out what the hell he's doing … not just being there in the park … but why he's there.

So, why was he there, Eric?

He didn't say. I'm not sure he really knew. I mean he's saying, like, "I came aware with this horrible snapping … thing going on inside my body. Like I'd been stretched forever then suddenly let go. I looked around and I was on the beach. Must have been riding in the water for some time. Couldn't see my tracks … where I'd come from."

He was really saying it like that?

You know I'm looking to get into the movies in L.A., Cody. You know I've got to get the delivery and memory thing down right. You know ….

Yeah, I know. Go on.

Well, then he asks if anything happened in town yesterday around 6:30. We ask why, and he just asks again. Man, you've got to see this dude. It's like he carries his own lighting with him. He looks at you, and part of his face and body and horse is in shadow and it's really dramatic and …

There's no sun out there today, Eric. Overcast and drizzling.

I know. That's what's so hip about him. Anyway, I remember how Fell went and disappeared in the council meeting right about then and tell him, and the lighting thing kicks in, or goes out, and his whole face grows dark. "Fell Tyler?" he asks. I nod. He pulls this wallet out of his saddlebag and finds a picture in it and shows me. It's Fell. I tell him so. His horse whinnies and skitters for a couple steps. The Solitary Gunman's face kind of falls apart.

"I thought the picture just came with the wallet," he says. "It's Fell?" he whispers. Then he looks up at me and asks, "Who's Fell?"

What next, Eric?

Right about then's when the three clowns showed up, Cody.

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