(Employment Officer v. Engine Driver) v. Engineer

Rhetoric is the scourge of woodland creatures. He barks all night, keeping the Engine Driver in a weary state of panic, unsure of who or what might be near. His sense of danger is heightened by lights from within Stetson's cabin to the north, the scurry of black figures blocking the light.

The barking stops at daybreak. The Engine Driver raises his tired eyes to the sky. It's clear, as pure as a lens.

The Employment Officer and her father the Grave Digger emerge from the cabin. They walk past the bean field - beans now sprouting - to the oak. They pass the Engine Driver. They walk to the most western cairn by the creek. There, under the most western rock, they discover the pouch of gold Krugerrands earlier hidden by the Detective.

Excitement hits father and daughter, enough to cause the daughter to buckle under wheezing bout of exhaustion. The pouch is concealed before the Engine Driver arrives, asking about the commotion.

Nothing, says the Grave Digger.

Nothing, seconds his daughter.

What about the duel?

The duel, the Grave Digger says, isn't possible.

The Engine Driver asks why.

The Grave Digger explains that only four bullets are left for the two guns. It's fine if you duel, but what's keeping you safe from the people what the dog barks at each night?

What does the dog eat?

They turn to the dog, lying nearby. He is thin.

You can shoot her, he says, pointing to his daughter, but you'll only have two bullets. Then what'll you fight the next day with?

The Engine Driver brushes each of his thick mustaches with petulant strokes. No, no, no, he says. He explains that this goes against the Unspoken Rules of the duel. One must fight the challenger.

We're already late, he says. What if another challenger comes?

Just then, then Engineer arrives. He waves from the oak.

Now?

The Grave Digger frowns. You'll wait. I need to find bullets.

And we? What should we do? What should we eat?

Wait. Just wait. We'll provide everything.

He shoves past the Engine Driver and to the cabin. Later, he starts his truck left idle by the road and drives to town.