Beekeeper v. Bellhop

The Beekeeper, quick to understand the nature of the pyre and the bodies by the fence, begins to drag all the bodies she can to the area beside pyre. She's a sturdy woman, yet an aged woman, allowing only the relocation of the small-to-medium sized bodies: the Beadle, the Bank Teller, the Bassist, and the Basketmaker. The rest she arranges tidily by the field of batter.

Finding the box of matches in the pocket of the Bassoonist, she places them on the table, atop the List of the Dead.

The Bellhop walks brightly from the road, chipper and pimply. He greets the Beekeeper with a large smile, and asks about the smell. She explains. Understanding, the Bellhop offers his help. Together, they relocate the rest of the bodies by the pyre.

Did you travel far? asks the Beekeeper.

The Bellhop tells her that the hotel overlooks the dueling ground, though the field is obfuscated by the tall poplars by the road.

It's on the mountain, he says, beyond the mill and mine.

She turns to the west, looking up at the mountain past the poplars, beyond the mill and mine, but sees nothing. Nothing hotel-like.

They move the Beeder, the Bartender, the Barber and the Banker. They line them by the pyre. They know they should make a fire - each know this - but given effort to move the bodies and the lack of firewood apart from timber from the fence far off they decide to stop. They stand observing the bodies and the ash and the bones. Then, only exchanging light conversation, they return to the oak.

They select their pistols and take the field, standing ten paces apart.

They raise their guns. Their guns go off.