“Now, what would be the fun in that?” replied the Sheriff.
Ken got quiet, and he hoped he hadn’t overstepped his bounds. He had a good thing going with the Sheriff, at least compared to his two jail mates. There was a long pause, with Ken ready to apologize or say something about just kidding around.
Finally, the Sheriff spoke like they were having a casual conversation between two friends out walking around town.
“I’m looking forward to the jump as well, and Richard’s fight…if we can find a challenger, that is.”
All I know is I’d rather jump a pool of man-eating sharks before having to fight him to the death. He hits hard,” the councilman said, rubbing his chin.
“I’ll bet!” replied the Sheriff, with both of them laughing for the first time since they met.
“Why did you do that, sir? I mean, put me in the cell with him and only one plate of food?”
“Your mouth earned it is why. Now let’s see if your hands and riding skills will earn you the 11th-hour stay and possibly a new job.”
“Fair enough, Sheriff, I can surely live with that.”
Reaching the shop, they found Judge Lowry talking with the electric man.
“Hello, Sheriff,” he called out from across the room.
“Judge,” he replied, with neither man moving or reaching out a hand.
“It looks like we have ourselves a little competition going on here,” continued Judge Lowry, “and my guy is known far and wide for getting things done.”
“How fast did you say that thing will go?” asked the Sheriff. Even though they both knew, they had never discussed it.
“I didn’t say, but I believe she will go a full five miles per hour.”
“Six…she’ll go six when I’m done.” said the old man confidently.
The Sheriff turned without another word and pulled Ken aside.
“I want ten…no, make it twelve miles per hour on ours!”
“Sir, that’s nearly impossible due to the...”
“Nearly impossible?”
“With the parts I have, yes, sir.”
Sheriff Johnson motioned his old friend, the shop owner, to come over.
“Yes, sir?”
“This thing needs to go twelve miles per hour, and Ken here needs more parts to do it. Get him what he needs. You’ve got exactly 24 hours to do so.”
The Sheriff got a call on his radio, or maybe he didn’t, but he left the two men to talk parts. He motioned to Ken to meet him outside when he was through.
A full fifteen minutes later, Ken emerged from the shop with a relieved smile on his face. “He said he’s got a guy!”
“Okay, we’ll see. The rest of the chair, your building, looks good but I’ll look at it closer later on. Let’s go have a talk with your girl,” said the Sheriff.
“If she’s still in town, she should be at my house.”
They walked slowly up the cement sidewalk towards a one-story ranch-style brick house with loud barking coming from inside.
“It’s okay. It’s just my dog, Daizy. She’s a baby with a big bark.”
The front door flung open, with the large dog bounding down the front stairs, nearly knocking Ken over and growling low towards the Sheriff.
“He’s okay, girl. Go on back inside.”
A young-looking woman in her early thirties stepped cautiously out of the house. Stopping short of the two men, she asked, “Are you back home now, Ken?”
“Well, not exactly. It’s complicated is all,” replied Ken.
“Ma’am, do you mind if we talk inside for a few minutes?” asked the Sheriff.
“Sure, Sheriff. Let me just put our dog up.”
They walked inside the house, lit by natural light today and with dozens of half-burned candles scattered across the main room.
“How are you holding up, Honey?” asked Ken, giving her a hug.
“Like everyone else, I guess. I’ve been able to trade a few things at the market. I hope you’re not mad.”
“No, just do what you have to so you can eat. Are you safe? I mean at night?”
“So far,” she replied. “I think most people around here are good and help each other out. The few not so good are just too scared to cause any trouble. No offense, Sheriff.”
“None taken, ma’am. That’s kind of the point I’ve been trying to make. I’m glad to hear it’s been working. About that, your boyfriend here is working on earning his way back home. I won’t go into all the details now, but it’s important that I surround myself with people I can trust, no matter what. The key is, they need to earn it. Ken here is on a path to potentially earn that trust. Does that make sense?”
“Kind of, sir, but I don’t understand why he can’t just come home and maybe work with you during the day.”
“It’s okay, Honey,” Ken said. “I’ll try to get back to you as soon as I can. I’m going to be jumping soon.”
“Jumping what?” she asked skeptically.
“The courthouse.”
“You’re kidding, right? That building is two stories high!”
“I know… It will be fine,” Ken replied.
“It’s kind of a sporting event we’re putting on for the citizens,” added the Sheriff. “I’m also looking for a gladiator, if you know of anyone. We have one already, but no opponent has stepped up.”
“Yeah, okay, I’ll ask around. What about the prize for the winner? Is it big?” she asked.
“Life changing, ma’am… We’ve got to get back,” he added. “It was good to meet you.”
Ken was given a few minutes of privacy to talk with her.
“Thank you,” said Ken as they walked back to the jailhouse.
