“For a while there, I really thought they’d hang us, bro,” Jasper said, sipping his beer and scanning the people in the bar.
“Patrick said it’s impossible.”
“It was also impossible for them to hit us. But look.” Jasper pointed to the bruise on his forehead.
“The story was made up to compensate us for that hit. Wade and Bart have been pulled from the park for inspection. The company was surprised they attacked us.”
“Good thing they did. It was starting to get boring. But this… Man, it was awesome.”
“You were scared too, though. I’ve never heard you stay quiet that long.”
Jasper pretended not to hear him.
The two sat at their favorite table at the back of the bar. Violet was leaning on her usual spot at the wooden counter in front of Phil, who was wiping another glass and holding it up to the light to ensure he hadn’t missed a spot. The other tables were mostly occupied by locals with black gloves. Some glanced at Daniel and Jasper, whispering among themselves. Hardly any guests were around.
“Look, that jerk’s here. Without his wife,” Jasper said, nodding toward the tall man they’d met on the train.
“She’s not his wife, Jas. I told you we talked. She’s his subordinate. A secretary or something. They’re here on business.”
“I know that kind of business. I’ve gone on work trips with colleagues too. And it’s never just about the job.”
The bar door opened. Violet smiled at the newcomer but froze when she saw who it was.
Jake stood at the entrance. His face was still dirty with sand, and he wore his cowboy hat, but his sheriff’s badge was gone. His shoulder was bandaged, one arm hanging limp by his side. He wore his black gloves.
“Violet?”
“What are you doing here, Jake? You know you’re not allowed in.”
“Violet… I’m not here as sheriff. I’m here for you.”
Violet turned away. Phil had stopped cleaning glasses and watched them with a gleam of delight in his eyes. Jake stepped closer to her.
“Looks like we’re in for another melodrama,” Daniel said, taking a sip and nodding at Jasper. He watched with interest too. The bar had gone almost silent.
“Get out, dog!” someone shouted from the bar. The crowd was clearly starting to dislike him.
“Yeah, out!” another yelled. A glass flew from somewhere, shattering near Jake.
“Stop breaking things!”
Violet screamed at the men with black gloves, and they all stopped. Jake still looked at her tenderly. She went to him, took his hand, and led him toward Daniel and Jasper. She pulled out a chair and pointed to it without a word. Jake sat slowly, skillfully mimicking pain in his shoulder. Violet pulled another chair and sat with them.
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“If they forgive you, Jake, I’ll forgive you too.”
Jake lowered his head.
“No, Jake. Look them in the eyes.”
“It’s not necessary…”
“It is, Daniel. Jake’s a good man until he meets someone like Reed. With Reed, he’s uncontrollable and rotten. Now that Reed’s gone, he’ll apologize.”
“We knew Reed had it out for us. We never had anything against Jake.”
“He nearly got you hanged. And he let that bastard Reed go. A real sheriff would’ve shot him before he mounted his horse,” Violet scolded him like a mother.
“Actually, Reed…” Daniel still tried to defend him.
“She’s right, boys,” Jake said, still looking down. “I’m guilty of being swayed. But Reed paid well. Now, without him…”
“Is Reed the only one with money in this town, Jake?” Violet was still furious. There was a charm in her face as her emotions shifted.
“No, Violet. I suppose not. But the sheriff job…”
“I want you to take your badge back,” Violet continued commanding him. “Put it back on, then return the boys’ badges.”
“Yes, Violet.”
“And do it by tomorrow. Look at the people here. They trust them.”
“But they don’t trust me anymore,” Jake said, glancing nervously to either side.
“They will again if you do the right thing. They like Daniel and Jasper. Through them, they’ll trust you too. Right?” She placed a hand under his chin, melting him. He tried to smile at her.
Jake said nothing. He kept raising and lowering his gaze.
“Now, get out of my bar.” Violet pulled her hand back and pointed to the exit.
“But, Violet, I came here for you.”
“For me? You lost your chance long ago, Jake. Now leave—you’re driving away my customers.”
Jake stood, put on his hat, nodded to Daniel and Jasper, and walked out slowly, looking back at Violet the whole way.
“Well, look at that. He was so cocky at the start. Now he’s a little puppy,” Jasper clicked his tongue.
“Love weakens everyone’s knees, Jas. Only your love, Aria, doesn’t fall at your feet.”
“But she knocked her dad off his.” Jasper grinned. “She likes me, bro. Though when I remember she’s just a robot, it kinda kills my vibe.”
“You talked differently at the beginning.”
Jasper glanced at him.
“Maybe this place is changing me.”
“You’re not scared you’ll hurt her, are you? She’s still…”
“Yeah, a robot, but in this world, she expects something from me. And in two or three days, we’re gone. How do I give her what she wants?”
“They’re programmed to forget. And when the park officially opens, they’ll probably reset everyone.”
“What if they don’t?”
“You know what Patrick told me? He said to live the story.”
“That’s what Jan said too. And Barnes. Must be their rehearsed line.”
“But don’t you get it, Jas? Stop thinking about the future or the real world we’ll return to. Just live this place. We’re writing our story here. And who knows…”
Jasper fell silent. So did Daniel. One watched the people in the bar, the other gazed out the window. Violet was chatting with a guest, tossing him her mysterious, playful looks as he fell harder for her. She knew how to do it. Soon, the man left, visibly upset. She’d brushed him off too. She smiled. She was the biggest figure in town—above the sheriff, above Reed. That was clear to Daniel. After all, whoever controls men’s pleasure controls the town. Maybe it’s always been that way. And a man’s greatest pleasure is lying next to a beautiful woman—even if she’s got iron insides.
“Speaking of stories, bro,” Jasper finished his beer noisily, set the empty glass on the table, and stood. “Your blonde lady’s heading this way.”
Daniel turned and saw her. Ava. She’d changed her dress and now wore black, fitting the era’s style again. The upper part near the neckline was sheer, hinting at her chest. It tapered at the waist and flared around her hips, falling gracefully around her legs. Her blonde hair swayed with each step, the curled ends brushing her shoulder.
Her light eyes locked onto him.