Sally Master - Cort

8/14/2019 Sally Master - Cort

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Title: Sally

Author:

Rating: PGCharacter: Cort The Quick and the Dead

Disclaimer: The following story has been written with no intention of claiming ownershipor solicitation, nor does the author claim the movie character(s) as his/her own. The

movie character(s) have been borrowed solely out of a love of the particular movie and isnot intended for any other purpose but amusement and entertainment.

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Cort, someones here to see you. Before the sentence was completed, his hand had a

firm grip on the nearby Schofield.

No, Sally reassured him. Not that kind of someone. He released his hold on the gun

and raised his head off the pillow. He didnt care to have his all too infrequent sleep

interrupted. Its a woman.

A woman? Corts eyes focused on a tall, slender form standing in the doorway.

Yeah, a proper one, too. Whats she doing here?

How should I know? He pulled his long legs under the blanket and raised himself to a

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half sitting position. What do you want?

The woman stepped forward hesitantly. The lamp on the oak chest revealed that she haddark hair and was wearing a blue dress.

Im sorry to bother you. My name is Loreen Branford. She paused. She would neverhave been in this place had it not been so urgent. My mother sent me to ask you where

John Herod is. Sallys curiosity was piqued. She turned to Cort; but his head was back

on the pillow.

Good night, Miss Branford, he mumbled.

Loreen stood there for a minute.

Sally shrugged. Sorry, sweetie.

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Loreen returned to the hotel room to find her mother sitting in the dark.

What did he say?

Nothing. He ignored the question and went back to sleep.

Sleep? Is it that late already? There was a pause. Where did you find him?

Upstairs in the saloon.

Loreen! You went into a saloon?

You wanted me to find him.

But not to put yourself in danger!

I know, Loreen said gently. I want to get this over with, too, Momma. Cecelia

Branford nodded. Ill try tomorrow. Dont worry, Ill find out where that man is. Nowlets get some sleep.

Her mother sighed. All right, dear.

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Cort, why didnt you want to talk to her? Pretty girl, too. He didnt budge. Sally

slapped his bare shoulder.

What? His deep voice boomed loud enough to send a mouse scurrying across the floor.

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You heard me. Whos John Herod?

Someone I used to know. Cort moved onto his stomach hoping shed stop talking and

he could sleep.

Nasty someone I gather.

You gathered correctly.

Do you know where he is?

Yes.

Then why didnt you tell her?

Cort rolled over, thoroughly annoyed.

I dont know who she is or why she wants to know about Herod. If shes a friend of his,I sure dont want to be telling her hes dead.

Whats that skinny little thing gonna do to you?

That skinny little thing might have some large gun-toting friends. Now be quiet so I

can get some sleep.

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Mr. Wells?

Cort recognized the voice and kept walking. He heard small shoes scraping the sidewalk

boards behind him.

Mr. Wells, Im going to follow you no matter where you go. He stopped. You must

realize that by now. He turned to face her.

What makes you think I know John Herod?

My mother said you do. She knows you.

His heart stood still; nothing about this situation could be good.

If she knows me so well, she knows annoying me isnt a good idea.

Loreen admitted that he looked formidable in his long black duster and two-gun holster.

His eyes were icy, but not cruel like Herods.

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She needs to know where he is. Shes afraid of him.

That statement certainly was believable. Everyone soon learned to fear John Herod.

Still, Cort knew the most maniacal of people had admirers. He looked Loreen over. Who

was her mother? In the five years he had ridden with him he reckoned Herod had gonethrough more than his share of whores and floozies. Any number of them knew Cort.

He turned on his heel and marched off. No, he wasnt getting involved.

Why wont you talk to me? Loreen demanded. He pushed through the saloon doors. A

few morning shots of whiskey and a good game of poker was what he needed.

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Is he still handsome?

Loreen looked at her mother. There was a longing in her voice. Not for Cort, but for any

man. Cecelia Branford had been a beautiful woman. Men had literally stopped on thestreet and watched her walk by. Even now, at 38, she had long, thick, golden hair and a

figure any woman would envy.

He frightens me.

Hes not someone Id want to have as an enemy, Cecelia agreed.

Hes no better than Herod?

There is no comparison. Cort was always kind to women.

Hes not being very kind to us.

You cant blame him. Cecelia sighed. Hes being careful.

Ill try again this afternoon. Loreen imagined she could be just as determined as Cort.

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Sally was on her way to the saloon; she saw Loreen standing in front of the hotel. Shefelt bad for her. Cort was a tough nut to crack once his mind was made up. Loreen

turned and walked over to Sally.

Do you know where Cort is?

Nope. Sweetie, why dont you just forget it and go home? Hes pretty stubborn.

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So arent I.

I see, she replied dryly.

Sally was about her height with red hair and tired gray eyes. Loreen didnt imagine the

life of a whore was pleasant.

Im not interested in him, if thats what youre worried about.

Sally laughed. You know that first night I was a tad jealous. Although, I dont know

why. He doesnt belong to me. There was a sad annoyance in her voice.

You care for him, dont you?

Yes, I do. And I think he cares for me. Dunderhead doesnt know it.

How can you not know what you feel?

Youd be surprised how your past can dictate how you think. Look, I dont know whothis John Herod is, but Cort was affected by him. Hes the most spooked, unhappy,

untrusting man I know. Your coming here hit a nerve. She sighed. Well, if youre

gonna corral him, better do it soon. Hes getting ready to bolt.

What?

I know the signs. He stays in Tombstone until something brings back the past. He paysme; then he rides out. Oh, hell be back. But I imagine youll be gone by then. Sally

still felt threatened by this pretty filly.

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Cort left the saloon feeling restless and unable to concentrate. His heart was gallopingso loud, he could hardly think. It was time to go. He had paid Sally that morning. Even

though their relationship wasnt about sex, he felt bad taking up time she could be

whoring and earning money. For some reason, he gave her extra money this time.

From her room, Sally saw Cort heading for the stables. How long would he be gone this

time? She felt lonelier than ever.

Cort saddled his horse. He always felt guilty leaving Sally. But her life would return to

normal. She was probably glad to see him go. Strangely, that thought hurt him. He

shook his head, trying to rid it of all the nonsense lurking inside.

Mr. Wells. Corts chin dropped to his chest. You have to tell me where John Herod

is.

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No, Miss Branford, I do not. Now if youll excuse me.

Arent you even curious why I want to know?

No.

Im his daughter.

Cort looked at her tear-stained face and then turned away.

You have my sympathy.

Dont you understand? Weve been in hiding for 17 yearsall my life.

Cort sighed.

Ill tell you this much. You dont have to be afraid of him any longer. He turned tomount his horse.

Is he dead?

You can stop hiding.

But is he dead?

Cort felt the stable walls closing in on him and he had to get out. He put one foot in thestirrup.

Wait!

Cort whirled around, his gun drawn. A woman moved next to Loreen. Cort frowned.

Im Cecelia Branford.

I just finished telling your daughter----.

I heard what you told Loreen. Her voice was strained and raspy and her face was

hidden under a black veil.

Maam, I wouldnt lie to either of you. You can move about freely.

Cecelia was wringing her pale hands.

Do you know who I am?

Cort shook his head. Herod had any number of women. Im afraid I dont recall any of

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them.

My mother is not a prostitute!

Loreen, honey, Cort doesnt remember. I was married to that monster.

Cort recalled that when he first joined the gang, Herod had a small ranch that they used as

a hideout. There was talk of Herods stunning wife. Cort even caught a glimpse of her

blonde head as she got into a buggy one day.

A few weeks later, the word was out that she got caught cheating on him. Neither Mrs.

Herod nor her lover was ever seen again.

I only know of one wife and shes dead.

Oh, he killed Ben---and made me watch. Her voice trembled. Cort knew she was

telling the truth. He had forgotten it was Ben Turner who disappeared until shementioned the name. I wasnt as lucky.

Cort shuddered. Now he understood the veil. Herods sadistic revenge would have been

better served if his gorgeous wife was repulsive to all males. A few of Herods men had

been known to slash a whore if she displeased them. It didnt take much imagination to

figure out what had happened.

Maam, John Herod is dead. Hes been that way for five years.

Do you know that for a fact?

Yes. I shot him.

Cecelia Branfords small hands fell to her side.

Where is he buried? I want to spit on him the way he spat on me that day.

I dont recall much of him left to bury.

What do you mean?

Cort looked away nervously. They may have had hard lives, but they were still ladies.

The details arent pretty.

Do you think living with him was?

The town folk brought chairs to the street and watched the buzzards.

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Rip him to shreds?

Yes maam. He could see Loreen wince.

Good. I only wish he had been alive to feel it.

I dont know if anyone buried his bones; but if they did, it would be somewhere in

Redemption. Cort turned to his horse; it was definitely time to go.

Its enough to know hes dead, Loreen said softly. We can finally settle down.

Thank you, Cecelia whispered.

Good day, ladies. He rode out of the stable with a lighter heart. Giving Sally that

extra money made him feel the same way. As Cort rode by the saloon, he glanced up at

her window; she was standing there watching him. He reined in his horse and stared

back. He had always come and gone as he pleased. Sallys room was a place to staywhen he was in Tombstone. He tied his horse up and entered the saloon. As he climbed

the stairs, his brain raced. No attachments, no involvement, no relationships. That hadbeen his life.

Sally flung open the door; her face was expectant.

Cort? He stood in the doorway unable to enter or walk away. Did you forget

something?

I dont know.

She took his arm and led him inside. Whats wrong?

Sally, are you, uh, do you want to stay here?

You mean in Tombstone? Not forever.

That bothered him. I could come back one day and youd be gone. A feeling he

couldnt describe came over him. He suddenly knew he couldnt stand it if she werentin his life. But I leave you, dont I?

Cort, I know you dont look at me like other men do. Like Im some dumb floozie.She breathed deeply. She had to speak her mind now or she never would. Im happy

when you come and unhappy when you go. But I reckon youll keep coming back. And

I wouldnt leave town without telling you.

He shook his head sadly. It never occurred to him that Sally cared.

Im sorry.

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I didnt tell you this to hurt you. She looked away. Im only saying something

because you do come back.

Every time that animal comes into my life.

Herod?

Cort nodded. He took off his duster and sat on the edge of the bed. She sat next to him.

Cort, why do you leave town?

He shrugged. Something happens that reminds me. Or someone I know rides in town.I feel like Ill suffocate if I dont leave. I know it must sound foolish.

Where do you go?

Anywhere---until I can stop thinking about the wrong Ive done.

This time Sallys heart was pounding.

Why do you come back? Cort had no idea what to say to her. Honey, dont you

understand why? You and me have no one but each other. You keep returning to me andI keep waiting for you.

Was it really that simple? That peaceful feeling came over him, like a weight had beenremoved from his heart.

What do you think of that explanation? she teased.

It beats anything I can come up with. He shrugged. Maybe youre right.

What do you suggest we do now?

I dont know, he replied smiling. Youre the one with all the ideas.

I say we go to Palmers. Ill buy you a steak dinner. Im in the mood for a nice slab of

beef. Then you can take me for a buggy ride. Well get a good nights sleep and decide

what to do tomorrow.

You came up with all that just now? he asked incredulously.

Sally nodded and put her arm through his. Maybe some day shed tell him how long she

had been rehearsing those words.

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Sally Master - Cort