(Untitled)

[docscurlock]

Things are changing in the Bar, and Doc doesn't like it one bit. Last night, he was given a card by Tower, and it was somewhat positive - which was odd, but welcome

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[not_his_pa]

Last night, William slept for a long time and woke up feeling like maybe he should go home for a time.

The longer he stays here, the more he realizes he can't do as much as he likes and the image of that tired soldier hasn't left his thoughts.

He arrives at the counter just as Doc's horse trough of coffee appears and he blinks, "Is that all coffee?"

[docscurlock]

"I believe so."

He drinks from the ladle to test it - and sure enough, it is.

"I was just bein' figurative, and then...this popped right up."

[not_his_pa]

"Another thing that ain't workin' right, but least it tastes right. I got some last night that don't know what it was but ain't how coffee should be,"

William ducks behind the Bar to grab a mug, he's not taking a chance on things being messed up that way and dips it into the coffee.

[docscurlock]

It's a wise choice on William's move to grab the mug - who knows what Bar would've come up with had he asked.

"It didn't sparkle, did it?"

[not_his_pa]

"No, just tasted wrong, too many things in it and sort of almost oozed like someone had made it with mud,"

He makes a face at the memory of the taste and takes a careful drink of the coffee from the trough.

[docscurlock]

"Hmm. I'm almost afraid to ask her for lunch t'take with me t'go."

[not_his_pa]

"It might be safer to ask the rats for somethin'. I'm thinkin' of headin' back to Arizona for a time. I don't want to risk gettin' trapped here,"

And he doesn't know what he can do here either and hates that.

[docscurlock]

"Are there any signs that the Door might start bindin' folks?"

[not_his_pa]

"No, but orders are goin' wrong, seems like that'd be next or soon."

[docscurlock]

"I hope it ain't," he says. "The last thing I'd like is t'be held someplace 'gainst my will again."

Bar has been good lately about not getting him Bound, but if the universe was having hiccups...

"...though it might be safer not t'leave, if the Door is goin' strange. Who knows where you might end up?"

[not_his_pa]

"Hell, hadn't thought about that. Has that happened before?"

[docscurlock]

"I'm not sure. It ain't happened to me, but I wouldn't be surprised if things got switches got crossed."

[not_his_pa]

"Yeah, it probably wouldn't take much,"

He takes a long drink of coffee, no option seems to work perfectly.

[docscurlock]

"I think we'll get through it."

He has to hope, because otherwise the other answers are all too disastrous to consider.

Doc doesn't want to think long on doom and gloom.

"I've been out t'check the horses. Have you noticed anything that needs particular attention?"

[not_his_pa]

"No, I've been out with them yesterday and day before just bein' with them and calmin' 'em when I can. They're all nervous but ain't as spooked as when the quake hit. I rode in right after. Nothin' looks to be fallin' down but I was lookin' at them first,"

There's so much going on, he expects he's missed something.

[docscurlock]

He nods.

"I appreciate that. They do seem t'be agitated - rightfully so."

Part of him wonders if they should be planning an evacuation. If he'd have to make a run for his world, he could try to find a barn or a stable - but not knowing if he'd make it back in time would be tricky.