The First Time Abner Hart Killed a Man

Abner Hart sat at the bar of the Silver Sun Saloon staring aimlessly. “What’ll it be Hoss?” asked the bartender. “Whisky. Straight.” said Hart “And don’t call me Hoss.” The bartender poured the whisky and slid the glass down the bar to Hart. He dumped it down his throat like it was candy then spun on his stool and looked around the saloon. As usual it was full to the brim with hustlers, hussies, grifters, gamblers and all their stink.

In the darkest corner of the saloon Hart spotted just the man he was looking for, Solomon Spade. Hart stood slowly and walked even slower over to Spade’s table. Spade was too occupied with his poker game to even notice Hart. “Hu’llo Spade.” growled Hart. “Well if it isn’t little Abbie Hart.” replied Spade, “I thought I told you never to set foot in here again or I’d kill you son. So tell me, what are you doin’ here?” Hart looked Spade square in the eye and through gritted teeth said, “I’m here to kill you Spade.”

Spade and the men at his table roared with laughter. “Now tell me boy. Just exactly how do you think you’re going to do that?” Hart drew two gleaming guns and killed the four men playing poker with Spade in an instant. Hart rounded on Spade aiming the guns directly at his heart and said. "Shouldn't be too hard."

Abner woke suddenly in the hot, dark and dusty shack and ran toward the door. He tossed the door open sweat dripping from his brow and yelled, “Solomon Spade I’mma kill you dead!”