SHERIFF ROGERS: I'll try. POLLYANNA and her husband, BIG DAN, arrived in Windfall about two and a half years ago and bought a ranch about a mile out of town. BIG DAN's been pretty successful runnin' steers. Not so with the missus. She's got a rovin' eye. I think no man can hold her interest for long. She's flirted with any number. Well, now she's got her eye set on CHARLES, who with his wife, GRACE, owns the general store across the street. They came about a year ago. Do a nice business.
PALADIN: What's BIG DAN doing about his wife?
SHERIFF ROGERS: Funny. He intimidates everybody...exceptin me of course...and exceptin his wife, too. She runs all over him. He can't control her. Personally, I wouldn't put up with a woman like that, pretty as she is.
PALADIN: Intimidates how? With a gun?
SHERIFF ROGERS: He's alright with a gun. Nothing special. Mostly with his size and his fists. A really big fella. Saw him beat the shit out of one cowboy who stood up to him.
PALADIN: What about CHARLES and GRACE?
SHERIFF ROGERS: Hard to say what their relationship is. Mostly, they act like brother and sister more than husband and wife. But, she gets real huffy when POLLYANNA's around her man. What do you aim to do about it all?
PALADIN: I don't know. I took POLLYANNA's money. I told her I'd help CHARLES learn to defend himself, but I think he doesn't need my help. I don't give money back, so I need to do something. What? I don't know. I'm gonna stick around for at least a day before heading back to San Francisco.
SHERIFF ROGERS: Hey, maybe you can help me. I have to take a prisoner to Reno for a murder trial. Be gone for a couple a days beginnin' tomorrow...real early. Wanna be my deputy while I'm gone? I'd pay you $50. The mayor promised me the money if I could get somebody to do it. What d'ya say?
PALADIN: What would you expect for $50?
SHERIFF ROGERS: You know...keep the peace...till I get back. This is a pretty quiet town. Except sometimes you gotta break up a fight at the saloon. Pretty easy 'cause the two are usually drunk. I've asked just about everybody. Nobody wants the responsibility.
PALADIN: I want to talk to POLLYANNA first. But, I can let you know in a couple of hours.
SHERIFF ROGERS: OK! You stayin' at the hotel?
PALADIN: Yes! Come by for dinner. I'll treat and we can talk more about this crazy situation I've become involved in.
SHERIFF ROGERS: Well, thank you very much. I'll see you later.
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no blog post next Sunday, July 6, because of my cataract surgery