Chapter-2: The Bird and The Cat
In total, each shooter could make five gold pieces, by landing anywhere on the black target; and each shooter could make twenty gold pieces for each higo annihilated. Another requirement in play revolved around time. Both shooters agreed to be responsible for loading their rifle at the moment of firing. Picking up a rifle started the time, while the second shot fired ended the time. As time keepers, Patricio, Juan and the non-active shooter would each mark start and stop times.
“How about we flip a coin to see who shoots first, Mr. Banker?”
Diego reached into his inner coat pocket and produced a thick silver dollar made in the United States of America. Don Amado inspected the coin, handed it to Patricio and said,
“A fine coin, Diego, and since you offered the coin, it’s only fair that I claim a side first. I pick the side of the eagle and you can have the other side. It looks like a lion.”
“The bird versus the cat,” said Diego, “I have no complaints. Whenever you’re ready, we can begin.”
Two tables waited, along with ammunition, with the shooter’s rifles at the front of the range. Both men inspected the rifles and made sure no rounds were loaded. Only Diego had to unload Don Amado’s Spencer repeaters. And, once weapons were checked, each shooter prepared their table and themselves to shoot.
Diego stared at his rifles and reached forward, and held his hand over his ammunition. He sniffed at the air and shook his head and placed two rounds on the table, one next to each rifle.
Don Amado grinned and looked down range as he rolled up his sleeves: “I’ve always wondered about the business of war. How was it with you, Diego, in the forties?”
Diego swallowed hard and jerked his head over to Amado, and hesitated before giving his response.
“It … is a horrible experience, señor. And, I’m blessed to be alive.”
“To be alive: if I recall, didn’t you insist on volunteering? Do I detect some regret?”
Diego slowed his anger by checking his rifles. Like riding a bike, he felt comforted by the heaviness of his weapon. Breathe in with a smooth heart, he thought, and then said: “None, señor, I fought for my country—just like the soldiers from the north did.”
Amado tsked into the air.
“It sounds like a miserable business venture—best controlled at a distance. Do you think you could ever do it again, the racket of war; and serve your country, if needed?” Don Amado placed his box of rounds between his rifles and side glanced at Diego.
Diego calmly inspected the range and stared at the dirt swirls around the location of the target. Careful with his words, Diego replied,
“What man neglects his duty? All are responsible and all are accountable in any war, señor.”
Don Amado stayed quiet and maintained his eye sight down range. An eternity passed within three breaths, and he laughed.
“What neglect is more important? A rich man’s individual life is his prime duty, dear banker. How else can any wealthy man grow old and enjoy the pleasures of life for many years to come?”
Finished with his preparations, Diego stood ready to engage all targets. He turned and faced Amado
“You forget señor, rich or poor, a neglectful man is without a soul, living within the death of his chosen weakness. I prefer to live an honest and responsible life. To answer your question, it’s not a matter of choice; it’s a matter of accounting for ones responsibilities in life, in war and in death.”
With a firm posture, Amado adjusted his wide stance into a narrow position. He lifted his chin up and his chest puffed forward as his eyes gleamed with distaste.
Don Amado thrust his arm up, waved at Patricio and ordered: “Enough talk, flip the coin and let the shooting begin.”
Patricio flipped the coin between the two shooters and watched as it fell. It landed with a thump, and Patricio bent over and called.
“The coin has landed with lion facing up. Gentlemen, your verifications please.”
“Verified,” said Juan and Diego in unison.
“Por Dios, it’s verified, let’s get on with it,” said Don Amado.
Diego moved his table over to the firing line with the help of Juan; and he positioned himself to shoot. All others readied their time piece and waited for him to begin.
Several quiet breaths and Diego moved with ease. Smooth in loading his first rifle within seven seconds, he moved on to load his second rifle. By the end of the seventeenth second mark, Diego aimed and fired. A loud Kra-koom echoed around the bank; and one pretentious higo exploded in the head portion of the target.
The horses, some forty meters away, continued to eat their grain. Not once being startled by the typical gun fire in their surroundings.
Diego picked up and placed down a rifle within one second, and another loud Kra-Cha-koooom pierced the ears of the shooting party. An explosion of red-juicy-flesh scattered, this time from the heart level of the target. The second prideful higo lay dead on the range, seeds and meaty flesh mixing in the dirt.
Thank you for reading. Next Monday I will post the fourth part of Chapter-2: The Bird and The Cat.
Total Consciousness 