The coins continued to fall for what seemed like a record time. The crowd was spellbound. Okie watched in silent fury.
And the aliens were more confused than they had been when the machine wasn't paying off.
The one-armed bandit finally coughed out its last quarter. The three Bell Fruit wheels came to an abrupt halt, as though an inner spring had snapped. The machine broke down. Certain observers later reported that the poor thing actually looked exhausted.
The sheriff burst in the door with Nugget McDermott close behind.
"Sheriff, I want you to arrest these two tinhorns!" cried Okie.
"Tinhorns??" Sartan's face was creased with bewilderment.
"What's wrong, Okie?" asked the sheriff.
"Take a look for yourself! These two bugged my machine and then broke it down! Look at that money all over the floor!"
Toryl smiled. "We meant no harm, sir—"