Work Text:
Pictured left to right: Pat Brad, Roy Rogers, and Dale Evans
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He spun around dizzily, his waving gun making both customers and clerks in the small bank lobby duck lower.
"Who's crying? Stop that crying right now, or hand to G-d, I'll shoot you!"
Dale saw Beth Ann's shoulders trembling to no avail, as she tried to smother her sobs. The angry, masked bank robber had his back to them and Dale chanced scooting closer to Beth Ann's side, grabbing her hand and giving it a squeeze.
But poor Beth Ann was nearly hysterical and her crying continued, much to the bank robber's vocal displeasure.
"You think I won't shoot you? Stop it, or else! I need some quiet so I can think of a way out of here!"
He whirled back around, eyes flashing, gun in hand, and Dale got ready to throw Beth Ann out of the way, when a man's calm voice cut through the mounting tension.
"Now just calm down, Jimmy Spenkit."
"How - how do you know my name?"
The bank robber was barely more than a boy, despite his intimidating size, as his whimpered question showed. The man who slowly stood up slowly in answer was well known, and the boy kept his gun trained warily on him.
Roy Rogers, you angel, be careful! Dale breathed internally.
"I know you Jimmy. And I've known you to do a few crazy things before, but this isn't you. It's not too late to talk things out," Roy answered, keeping his tone level and his hands raised.
Jimmy wavered, almost lowering his gun, and for a moment Dale was sure the stand off would end peacefully.
But then a clerk started scrambling behind the counter, jumping up and making for the door.
Everything happened so quickly.
Jimmy spun around and let off a shot from his gun. The clerk went down with a yell. A collective outcry went up from the hostages, and Jimmy -- Jimmy locked down tighter than Fort Knox.
"Nobody move," he ordered, his calm commanding tone at odds with his previous hysteria, and everyone frozen partly in surprise, partly in fear. The poor clerk lay groaning on the floor, clutching his bullet wound.
But Jimmy didn't spare him a glance. Roy's face didn't change expression as Jimmy ordered, "Okay Rogers, you're coming with me. The way I see it, nobody wants you to die, so nobody is going to chase me. Take off your guns and drop them on the floor, nice and slow."
"Jimmy, we can still work this out," Roy tried one more time, as he dropped his pearl handled revolvers on carefully on the floor and stepped forwards, but the newly minted outlaw just pushed Roy towards the door.
"What if I don't want that?" He sneered, and then they were standing in front of a crowd of armed townsmen, including the sheriff and a couple of his deputies.
Jimmy threw his arm around Roy's shoulders from behind, pulling him close. The barrel of Jimmy's cocked gun was pushing right up into Roy's jaw.
"Every one stand back, or Rogers gets it!" Jimmy yelled and the Sheriff threw up his hand.
"Hold your fire, men," he called out.
A desperate silence stretched across the normally busy Main Street, as everyone watched Jimmy walk the few steps to the horses, shielding himself behind Roy the whole way.
Jimmy pushed Roy towards a black horse that was prancing nervously by the hitching post.
"You take my horse, Rogers. I'm going to take yours. From what I've heard, Trigger is the fastest horse for miles."
This solid plan dissolved the minute Jimmy's rear end landed on Trigger's ornate leather saddle.
Trigger took off like a bucking bronco! He seemed to take particular joy in sending his rear legs to the sky, as Jimmy screamed and cursed and tried to hold on.
He lasted all of about 5 seconds before landing hard on his face in the cloud of dust kicked up by Trigger's dancing hooves.
When he rolled over, he was looking up the barrel of the sheriff's shotgun, and Roy Rogers was glaring down at him from behind the sheriff's shoulder.
His robber mask has slipped off his face in all the chaos.
"Well, Jimmy, no one ever accused you of being overly bright, but that was just one bad choice after the other," the sheriff drawled as he pulled the dazed wannabe bank robber up and clapped handcuffs on him
"I wouldn't rub it in anymore, Sheriff, he'll have more than enough time to think things over where he's going," Roy replied, shaking his head. The Sheriff just chuckled dryly, as he shuffled his new prisoner down the street towards the jail.
"I'm just glad it looks like the bank clerk is going to be okay," Dale said, coming up beside Roy, offering him his guns. Everyone was slowly emerging from the bank, some obviously more shaken up than others. Roy took his revolvers back with a grateful smile.
"Me too, Dale."
"And that Jimmy Spenkit! I knew he was struggling since his ma passed away, but I didn't know he would go off the deep end like that. Me and the ladies association from church were always inviting him to come to the church services and potlucks! But he preferred to play cards at the saloon instead... When he took you out that front door, I was praying so hard."
"Me too, Dale, me too. I guess the Good Lord knew just how to handle Jimmy. And Trigger did too!"
"Good old Trigger! He'll be getting carrots every time you stop by the Eureka Cafe, I'll tell Pat to order extra," Dale exclaimed, rubbing Trigger's neck.
Trigger shook his head, whinnying as if to say, "I'll take a treat now!"
Dale and Roy laughed.
Just then, Pat came hop-skipping down the sidewalk.
"Dale! Roy! I just heard there was a bank hold up and Jimmy Spenkit tried to take Roy as a hostage!"
He pulled up beside them, huffing and puffing, "If I had been there, that Jimmy wouldn't have stood a chance. Me and Nellybelle would have shown him who's boss!"
Dale eyes Pat skeptically, "Suuure. Nellybelle would have back fired a few times and scared him. That would have worked out."
"Well, of course. Nellybelle only lets ME drive her."
Roy chimed in, "That is, if her engine actually starts at all."
"Aw Roy, you know how sensitive Nellybelle is, please don't say such things!" Pat whines, and Roy and Dale laugh again.
"Time for some coffee -- and some carrots!" Roy declares, and Trigger neighs in hearty agreement.
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Happy Trails to you...