“When is this here show to transpire?” asked Peewee.
“Tomorrow night,” says the bartender. “Eight o’clock sharp. She’s goin’ to be a dinger, gents. I’ve seen some of it, but from now on, she’s private. I tell yuh, they had a hell of a time gettin’ Tequila up there. Took him up this mornin’. Built a platform plumb across one end of the hall, and they’ve been carpenterin’ and paintin’ up there for three days. If it ain’t worth seein’, I never seen anythin’. Every danged seat in the house is sold.”
“We ain’t got none,” says Peewee.
“Well, yuh won’t git none. They’re all gone. Alkali and Oasis shore bought ’em in quantities.”
Wasn’t that a nice thing to do—sell ’em all out thataway? I shore intended to speak to Hank Potts about it, but he never showed up; so me and Peewee got a gallon of hard liquor and went back to the ranch, brewin’ up a hate against San Pablo. We left word with the bartender to tell Hank Potts what we thought of him and his show.
“Two of the best actors in the country—and they left us out,” mourns Peewee. “Tha’s great. And me, who made Bill Shakespeare turn over in his grave twice in one evenin’ in Dry Lake.”
I’m kinda hazy about things after that. A gallon of Hank’s liquor would make a jackrabbit waylay a lobo wolf. Time don’t mean anythin’ to yuh, and I thought it was the night before, when I realize that Hank Potts is among us, and with him is a beautiful lady. I remember tryin’ to shake hands with her and got Hank’s nose in my hand.
“I’m layin’ my cards on the table,” says Hank. “You fellers said yuh knew how to act, didn’t yuh? In two hours we’re due to lift the curtain, and we’re shy two actors. Zibe Hightower and Zeke Hardy got into a fight, and Olaf Swenson tried to help Zeke, until Susie bent a two-by-four over Olaf’s head. Zeke is plumb out of order, too. For the honor and glory of San Pablo, I ask you to help us out. Hozie, you’ll be Uncle Tom, and Peewee will be Jason.”
“Please, gentlemen,” says the lady. “I am Miss Wimple.”
“I’ll bezzer wife don’ know yo’re out here with thish woman,” says Peewee.