I Hate the Harmonica
Vin Tanner sat outside the jail, watching the boardwalk and surrounding area for any signs of trouble. JD and Chris had headed out on an errand for Mary, and Vin was watching the town for any signs of trouble.
The whole town was still very quiet, and Vin found it too quiet for his liking. He then remembered something in a pocket that would help fill the silence.
He reached into his pocket and took out his harmonica. He began to play an up-beat tune he had composed himself.
Not long after, a man dressed in just his underclothes appeared and frowned at him.
Vin continued playing.
"Cut that out, Junior. Miss Daisy and I can't concentrate on what we're doing with that racket goin' on," complained Buck.
Vin continued playing, as if he hadn't heard Buck.
"Junior, stop playing," shouted Buck loudly.
Vin looked at him, but carried on the tune.
Buck walked swiftly over to Vin and hissed into his ear. "If you value your life, you'll cut out that din now."
A second figure approached - it was Ezra Standish.
"Mr Tanner - how much longer were you intending to persist in that inharmonious cacophony?"
Vin had stopped playing upon hearing Buck's threat, and now frowned at Ezra.
"This town's too quiet," complained Vin.
"It was until you started playing that bad excuse for a tune," moaned Buck.
"I composed it myself," said Vin; he was clearly hurt that no one seemed to like his new tune.
"It shows, Junior," said Buck unkindly.
"GODDAMN IT," shouted Vin angrily. Then he took his gun out of his belt and pointed it at Buck.
"You wouldn't dare," said Buck.
"I've had quite enough of your insults, Wilmington."
"Gentlemen, this is not the way to settle your dispute," said Ezra.
Vin pointed his gun towards Buck's feet and pulled the trigger. Buck started prancing about on the spot, trying to dodge the bullets as Vin continued firing.
"Not bad footwork, Buck," said Vin still shooting.
Then something surprising happened - Vin missed the ground and got Buck's foot. Buck rolled onto the ground crying out in pain.
"Go an' get Nathan quick," said Vin, in horror.
Vin inspected Buck's foot and pressed a handkerchief against the blood.
"Hurts too much," said Buck weakly before passing out from the pain.
"I'm sorry Buck, you know I was aiming to miss every time," said Vin inwardly cursing himself for doing such an awful thing - Chris would kill him.
+ + + + + + +
Later that day, Nathan had got the bullet out of Buck's foot and had given Buck something for the pain.
Chris and JD got back from their errand and went to the clinic trying to find everyone.
Nathan told Chris what had happened and Larabee directed a glare at Vin.
Vin tried to explain, but Larabee wasn't listening - the blond was furious at Vin for his stunt and not prepared to forgive him easily. "You shot one of my men, Tanner - maybe I should shoot you," suggested Chris angrily.
"It was an accident Cowboy," said Vin.
"Did you just call me Cowboy?" asked Chris, his face red with anger - he was so angry that even Vin calling him 'cowboy' wasn't going to go ignored.
"He sure did, Chris," said Buck, eager to get some revenge on Tanner.
"Mr Tanner wasn't *accidentally* shooting at Mr Wilmington's feet either," said Ezra.
"I was aiming around them though," objected Vin.
"Because he insulted your harmonica tune?" asked Chris.
"It was a good tune," explained Vin.
"Vin, you'd best get outta my sight - I don't take this sort of thing lightly," said Chris, looking Vin in the eyes to show he meant it.
Vin immediately left the clinic. Larabee was known for killing men and Vin didn't want to be one of them.
As Vin left, Chris and Buck started to laugh - the look on their younger friend's face had looked so terrified.
"He won't be playing his harmonica any time soon," said Chris.
The End