The History of Busted Gulch

Part 24

While 3Gun was reveling in his new found persona, Raven had entered into a world of his own where he was the sheriff of Busted Gulch, Crooked Smile, the real world bartender, was his father and Lean was his sister. Lean had showed up with a dog that was obviously Raven's and a lunch that anyone would have refused. Her dad scolded her when she got into a bit of an exchange with her brother who asked what she was doing there. Lean said she was looking to buy the station because she wanted to buy a horse.

Meanwhile, another member of the Gulch had drifted into her own fantasy life. Kae was an apparently happy, married investigator for the Office of Criminal Investigation. Her husband was sheriff of Crusted Canyon County, the area they were both assigned. It seemed law and order played a large part in everyone's dreams.

stannbear, in his imagined position as editor of the Weekly Gold Pillars newspaper, produced his first edition of the paper for Halloween with a lead story about the rescue of Kae and the arrest of Ruby, the cat lady. Oddly enough, an ad for 3Gun in his alternate reality also appeared. Little Ronald was pressed into service getting the papers delivered, and warned about throwing them from his hobby horse onto people's lawns.

Billy was a surprise as he believed he was in a situation of domestic bliss. Married to Ruechari with two little girls. He was content, relaxed and all his past life forgotten in the arms of his wife and children.

None of them realized they were under Ruby's powerful hex as they lived their new lives in complete contentment, unaware each other was also living a completely different dream life.

Rue had opened an ice cream store that was like a magnet for the town's kids. The place was jammed and Billy was working the counter with her. While they were scooping out sales, Rue suddenly saw a familiar face and ran out to the front of the counter, stopped and faced Lean, who also wanted a cone. Nobody else could see her and Rue was given some funny looks by the customers but she learned that Lean had returned to warn her that unless she got herself together and 'cleared her mind' Ruby would escape and leave everyone at the mercy of false dreams. The town would fall into ruin.

Rue knew she was right and looking longingly at the dream she had created, began to try and clear it all from her mind.

CrazyGoose, meanwhile was running all over town all excited. She went to Lean's diner and spoke to his son, little Ron, looking for his mother, Lean. lean came out from the back where she was working and they hugged one another, both eager for the four o-clock appointment at the saloon. CG wanted to make sure she and stannbear would be there then she ran off to see some others.

First thing she did was crash into Kae, the town doctor and they both went down in a heap. Kae had to caution her to slow down and take it easy. Not a chance. Off she went again to the saloon where Raven was sitting calmly having a drink. He smiled when he saw her rush in and waved a hand around to see if she approved of what he had done. Decorations were all ready and carefully hidden and CG gave him a big hug then rushed out again. This time to the bakery.

Four o-clock was approaching fast.

3Gun was charged with picking CrazyGoose up at 3:00pm and he could not be late. He wouldn't dare be late. She had done so much work for this party and it meant so much to her he put on his best clothes, splashed a little lilac water on his hair and left to pick her up.

Thank goodness he was not late.