Law and Order: Redding (Law optional)
Redding wasn't much to look at, but as a mining town - gold, mostly - it was a pretty important dot on the map, with trade caravans coming through from as far as Vault City and the NCR capital. While there were no written-down laws as such, it was generally recognised that a little Order was needed to ensure it stayed important.
That was where Sheriff Marion came in. Powerfully built and charismatic, the large dark-skinned man was well-suited to keeping the town in line. Ascorti, in his capacity as mayor as well as owner of the local casino ensured that the sheriff was well funded enough to protect his interests from undesirable elements. If an off-work miner had too much to drink and started getting a little rowdy, well, there were some nice comfortable jail cells to cool off in till morning.
For the majority of his tenure all went as well as it could, until recently. Not too long ago he'd gone out to meet a caravan. It was late coming so he took a little nap, only to wake up with a damn Gecko trying to make lunch out of his kneecap. Doc Johnson, a better medical professional than you'd expect to find out here, had done what he could, but had advised resting for it to heal right.
The timing couldn't have been worse. Just when both mines were closed and all those miners had nothing to do but drink and gamble. Just when Ascorti was getting on his case about the widow Rooney owing rent. Just when Louise over at the Malamute Saloon reported someone cutting up one of her working girls. Just when he'd gotten word of a rumour that Frog Morton's gang had been spotted back in town, holed up over the Wanamingo Mine on the West Side of town. And to say nothing of what was inside the mines...
And now, as he sits in his office contemplating his troubles and odd group of folk walked through his door. Outsiders for certain. They didn't look like miners or traders. A young lady with long dark unruly hair entered first, followed by men of varying age and build. The balding pudgy one had to be the thinker because he didn't have much else going for him. The oldest of the lot had a definite hardness achieved by a lifetime of not getting killed. The Tribal wasn't hard to miss: he had a bone through his nose and everything. They even had a ghoul with them! That was probably going to give them trouble if they wanted to stay at the Malamute - Louise, nice old lady that she is, warm and welcoming, wasn't all that accommodating to abnormals like him.
Together they looked experienced and well-armed. They could be another topping on his plated of problems, or the answer he'd been hoping for. Either way, it was mighty courteous of them to present themselves so quickly. Saves him a lot of time.
"Howdy there," he greeted the newcomers with his most welcoming expression. "My name's Earl Marion. I'm the Sheriff in these here parts. Sounds downright picturesque, don't it? Well, that's my job."
The woman spoke up. "What do you do here in town as sheriff?" Marion presumed her to be the leader of the group, or at least the figurehead. Not bad to look at, puts people of their guard. Clever.
"Keep the peace, mostly. At least that's what I'd be doing if I didn't have this leg all busted up," he admitted. Best to get that detail clear with them, see which way their intentions lie. They might think while the cat's away, the mice can play. Well, he'll set them straight about that before they know what's what.
"What happened to your leg?" she asked.
The sheriff leaned back in his chair, wincing at the memory. "I was going out to meet a caravan and it was late, so I took a nap. Next thing I knew, a damn gecko was trying to make a lunch outta my kneecap. Damn thing almost had it, too. Another good bite and I'd be sitting down permanent-like."
"So your leg's still in bad shape, huh?"
"Well, I wasn't much of a dancer before this happened, and I reckon I won't be afterwards, neither. I can gimp around, but Doc Johnson said I better not if'n I want it to heal right. Sure could use some help, though," he suggested.
"Doc Johnson?"
"Good ole Painless Doc Johnson's our town doc. You have a toothache or a broken bone, he'll set you to right. He also sells medicine. All kinds of medicine, if you get my drift. For whatever ails ya."
"Thank you for the information," she said. "I'm Sativa, these are my friends. You need some help, Sheriff?"
Marion regarded her carefully. It sounded like an honest offer, and what choice did he have? "Yeah, I sure could use some help with a couple of things. Just part-time like. It pays real good and you'd be doing a good thing for the town of Redding, too." If he couldn't appeal to their sense of justice, maybe he could reach their need to make a few quick bucks. (Thank you, Mayor Ascorti for your generous contributions.)
"I'll give you a list of a few things I need taken care of. In the mean time I'd suggest taking a look around this fine town of hours, be on the lookout for signs of trouble-making. Oh, one more thing. I almost forgot. Here's a badge. You may need it." He opened the desk drawer and dug out a scuffed star-shaped sheriff's badge. "Don't tarnish it with actions that abuse its authority."
After examining the point metallic symbol of authority Sativa pinned it to her jacket "I won't let you down, Sheriff."
"I hope you don't, Deputy Sativa."
Earl watched them leave to carry out their duties, hoping he'd make the right choice as they talked amongst themselves.
"Does that make us Deputys too?"
"You can be uh, sub-Deputy, Lenny... HEY, YOU! NOT SO FAST! Okay, a little bit faster, that's good..."
That was where Sheriff Marion came in. Powerfully built and charismatic, the large dark-skinned man was well-suited to keeping the town in line. Ascorti, in his capacity as mayor as well as owner of the local casino ensured that the sheriff was well funded enough to protect his interests from undesirable elements. If an off-work miner had too much to drink and started getting a little rowdy, well, there were some nice comfortable jail cells to cool off in till morning.
For the majority of his tenure all went as well as it could, until recently. Not too long ago he'd gone out to meet a caravan. It was late coming so he took a little nap, only to wake up with a damn Gecko trying to make lunch out of his kneecap. Doc Johnson, a better medical professional than you'd expect to find out here, had done what he could, but had advised resting for it to heal right.
The timing couldn't have been worse. Just when both mines were closed and all those miners had nothing to do but drink and gamble. Just when Ascorti was getting on his case about the widow Rooney owing rent. Just when Louise over at the Malamute Saloon reported someone cutting up one of her working girls. Just when he'd gotten word of a rumour that Frog Morton's gang had been spotted back in town, holed up over the Wanamingo Mine on the West Side of town. And to say nothing of what was inside the mines...
And now, as he sits in his office contemplating his troubles and odd group of folk walked through his door. Outsiders for certain. They didn't look like miners or traders. A young lady with long dark unruly hair entered first, followed by men of varying age and build. The balding pudgy one had to be the thinker because he didn't have much else going for him. The oldest of the lot had a definite hardness achieved by a lifetime of not getting killed. The Tribal wasn't hard to miss: he had a bone through his nose and everything. They even had a ghoul with them! That was probably going to give them trouble if they wanted to stay at the Malamute - Louise, nice old lady that she is, warm and welcoming, wasn't all that accommodating to abnormals like him.
Together they looked experienced and well-armed. They could be another topping on his plated of problems, or the answer he'd been hoping for. Either way, it was mighty courteous of them to present themselves so quickly. Saves him a lot of time.
"Howdy there," he greeted the newcomers with his most welcoming expression. "My name's Earl Marion. I'm the Sheriff in these here parts. Sounds downright picturesque, don't it? Well, that's my job."
The woman spoke up. "What do you do here in town as sheriff?" Marion presumed her to be the leader of the group, or at least the figurehead. Not bad to look at, puts people of their guard. Clever.
"Keep the peace, mostly. At least that's what I'd be doing if I didn't have this leg all busted up," he admitted. Best to get that detail clear with them, see which way their intentions lie. They might think while the cat's away, the mice can play. Well, he'll set them straight about that before they know what's what.
"What happened to your leg?" she asked.
The sheriff leaned back in his chair, wincing at the memory. "I was going out to meet a caravan and it was late, so I took a nap. Next thing I knew, a damn gecko was trying to make a lunch outta my kneecap. Damn thing almost had it, too. Another good bite and I'd be sitting down permanent-like."
"So your leg's still in bad shape, huh?"
"Well, I wasn't much of a dancer before this happened, and I reckon I won't be afterwards, neither. I can gimp around, but Doc Johnson said I better not if'n I want it to heal right. Sure could use some help, though," he suggested.
"Doc Johnson?"
"Good ole Painless Doc Johnson's our town doc. You have a toothache or a broken bone, he'll set you to right. He also sells medicine. All kinds of medicine, if you get my drift. For whatever ails ya."
"Thank you for the information," she said. "I'm Sativa, these are my friends. You need some help, Sheriff?"
Marion regarded her carefully. It sounded like an honest offer, and what choice did he have? "Yeah, I sure could use some help with a couple of things. Just part-time like. It pays real good and you'd be doing a good thing for the town of Redding, too." If he couldn't appeal to their sense of justice, maybe he could reach their need to make a few quick bucks. (Thank you, Mayor Ascorti for your generous contributions.)
"I'll give you a list of a few things I need taken care of. In the mean time I'd suggest taking a look around this fine town of hours, be on the lookout for signs of trouble-making. Oh, one more thing. I almost forgot. Here's a badge. You may need it." He opened the desk drawer and dug out a scuffed star-shaped sheriff's badge. "Don't tarnish it with actions that abuse its authority."
After examining the point metallic symbol of authority Sativa pinned it to her jacket "I won't let you down, Sheriff."
"I hope you don't, Deputy Sativa."
Earl watched them leave to carry out their duties, hoping he'd make the right choice as they talked amongst themselves.
"Does that make us Deputys too?"
"You can be uh, sub-Deputy, Lenny... HEY, YOU! NOT SO FAST! Okay, a little bit faster, that's good..."