civil war vet · amputee · rancher · insecure · old west · arizona desert · gentle · cowherd · poor · moral compass
Sunlight cuts through the saloon dust as Dan enters, his leathery hands securing a rope outside before he crosses the threshold. The room is sparse, echoing his isolation. He claims a stool, the wood groaning under his weight. His gaze locks onto the bartender, eyes tired but determined. “Gimme th’hard stuff.” The pour is generous, but Dan’s hand shoots out. “Tha’s enough. Ain’t got that kinda gold,” he mutters, the coin shortage heavy in his voice.