The High Roller

[Duke]

Duke helped him to undress the sick gambler. Even he was shocked to see how very thin Doc was. Doc was a snazzy dresser and most likely realized how the right cut of clothes can make a man look bigger or larger.

"No wonder the man's sickly, as rail thin as he is," Duke commented.

[anskee5]

"NO!!" Doc yelled and weakly fought the men. "It's so cold! So cold!" With that Doc cough hard and, with a shudder, blacked out, his body limp and his breathing became labored and weak. He was very near death.

[Esperanza]

Esperanza frowned, glancing between the men then nodding. Did he really expect her to ride a horse? Well, it had to be done, so she nodded and ran downstairs.

Problem was, she didn't know which horse was his! Well, she figured she'd be back in just a few minutes, so she grabbed one and scrambled into the saddle, using the horn, fenders and cantle to finally climb up.

Turning the horse's head, she kicked it, although mercifully her soft shoes had little effect and the horse did no more than a lazy amble up the street. When she finally got to the mortuary she slid to the ground, landing hard, but she got up right away and ran inside, finding the things he had asked for.

Of course, the problem then was that she couldn't get back on the horse holding everything and she finally just ended up running back, towing the horse after her. Grateful that no one seemed to have noticed the missing horse, she tied it back to the hitching rail then ran upstairs.

"I am sorry it took so long. Here...": She handed the things to Shawn, then stepped back. "Is he all right?"

[Shawn Flanagan]

The undertaker was taken back at first when Holiday was yelling in pain, but he learned that the fever had burned up the sick man. It made doc go unconscious. Shawn was relived that he was unconscious. Shawn was relieved, but was afraid the sick man could go under a coma.

Esperanza came back just in time, that was good, “Good job,” he told her. “I will need you to guard the door. Be sure nobody enter, okay?” he asked her. “Duke, I will need one of your help to come in and go with clean water...”

“Duke, how good are you with blood?” he asked as he was removing his long sleeve shirt. His body was wicked white, thin but wiry in a way. He placed it on the chair that was near the wall. He took the coat that Esperanza brought in. He opened it up, took a lab coat that was inside. Ah, he was smart for keeping it clean for other matters. He put the lab coat on, rolled up the sleeves. He had gone over to his bag, opened it up, pulled out a few rolled tools in a cloth and placed them on the bed. He pulled three rolled up tools that was wrapped in towels. He placed the other rolled up tools back in the bag. He moved to the bed side table, removed the stuff by placing it on the floor. He placed the rolled up towel with the tools inside. He unrolled it slow. The tools did not fall.

Shawn was not exactly surgeon, but he knew the anatomy of the body, but for this case he had read about and learned when he was home in West Virginia. The dear Lord had prepared Shawn for this day. He had noticed that, yet, but later it will come upon him and build his faith to the Lord better. Just to make it easy for Holiday.

[Duke]

"Do what you need to do, Bones," he called him the nickname for a doctor or a surgeon. "Blood doesn't bother me at all. Just tell me what you need done and I'll do it."

This was a rare thing for Duke to allow someone to tel him what to do. Not that normally he wasn't open to suggestions. But suggestions were something he could choose to follow or not. This time, though, the life of one of his favorite people was on the line. Besides, Doc drew in money into his business. He was an invaluable asset. Without him people wouldn't come in to either gamble with him or simply observe his gambling. He was the best tourist attraction he'd ever had.

[Shawn Flanagan]

Duke called him 'bones'. It was a nickname he had been called by the locals. Some times they say it respectful or sarcastic. The kids are mean they react funny because the kids are just being kids. Shawn held his tongue because he never told people don't do it.

“I am going to need you pass me the tools. Let me give you a run down what is what,” Shawn turned to the tools. He pointed them. “Repeat what I tell you. It helps you to remember,” he told Duke. It was true.

Now, Shawn turned to Holiday, placed his hand on the man's forehead and chest, he closed his eyes, prayed to the Heavenly Father to give him guidance and the wisdom to cure Doc Holiday. He done this under breath, but he did say, “Amen,” out loud.

[Duke]

Duke repeated the name of each instrument after Shawn as the undertaker laid them out. "Alright, I'm ready," he told him. "I hope you know what you're doing, Bones, 'cause I have no idea what to do. All I want is my friend to be alright."

[Shawn Flanagan]

Shawn does not know Duke. Duke was out for one person. Himself. He was not all caring for Doc Holiday. All Duke wanted was his gambler to be back in good health, so he could make more money. To bad Shawn was not a bastard. He could charge a heavy fee.

“Duke, I do what I can. I can't promise things will be better. I can give you my word I will do my best,” he said. Was he under stress? Shawn understood after surgery a person loses a bit life essence, he was indeed nervous. They won't be healed hundred percent, but close to it. The man's life was in his hands. He had done surgery, removing stuff that was easy. This was surgery healing trying to repair the damage. It was frightening, he had tried to focus what he learned and remembered and used that. The rest was...trusting in his Heavenly Father. It was the ONLY thing to help him.

Shawn had the scalpel, he brings the scalpel down to the skin of Doc, and we go black out. Shawn does his best helping Doc Holiday.

Back in, Shawn was exhausted after he fixed Doc back up. Shawn looked at Duke. “I did what I can. The only thing we can do is wait and clean things up,” he said turning to the basin washing his hands. He prayed under his breath. “With these hands, Lord let a miracle,” he said very quiet.

[anskee5]

He didn't know how long he was out but Doc's eyes fluttered open. His last memory had been pain and darkness. Esperanza had been there somewhere but wasn't sure where. Now sunlight was streaming through the window. Reaching down he felt bandages on his side that ached. Around him several people were either sleeping in chairs or washing things out in a basin.

"Wha--what happened?" he questioned weakly. "Where am I?"

[Shawn Flanagan]

The undertaker was glad the man was coming around. “You should rest,” Shawn told the man. He turned to one of the help, Duke or whoever want to take the chore. Shawn explained what they should do. Shawn instructed they could find him at his house near the cemetery, if there was any complications.

“I come by later,” he told Duke, “Be sure he rests. Do not do big movements, stay in bed,” he said as he patted Duke on the shoulder. Smiled to Esp. he took his surgery stuff. “I go see if I can find the Doctor and tell him what I did. If he vanished on him. I try to contact my resources to get him antibiotics to fight any complication infections. Good day,” he said as he walked out. He was very tired, but he was going to follow through to get what Doc Holiday needed before he goes to sleep.

/end scene for Shawn

[Esperanza]

"I can see to him," Esperanza offered. She'd hung in the background until now. Blood and injuries didn't set too well with her. "It will be all right, Duke, I do not mind and you've lost enough business already."

She shrugged as she wrung out the rag and started to mop Doc's brow again. "There is no sense in moving him."

[anskee5]

"My sweet lady Hope," Doc smiled weakly up at her. The cool cloth felt good on his brow. "The last thing I remember was making sweet love to you, my angel. Please tell me, what happened? Why am I bandaged? And why was the undertaker here? Did I die?"

[Esperanza]

"You did not die, and I am not an angel." Smiling, Esperanza bent to gently kiss him on the forehead. "He is also a doctor and he saved your life. You are very ill, you can stay here as long as you need to." She wiped his face again, then rinsed the rag and started on his chest. "How long have you been sick?" It never occurred to her that he might have something contagious.

[anskee5]

Doc looked at her and sighed. It was the last thing he wanted to think about much less bring it up.

"I have been --- been sick for some time. But it's nothing to worry about, Darlin'. Except, I feel like I've been cut on," he touched the bandage on his side and winced at the pain. "What that mortician do to me?" he asked. "But I sure am glad you're here with me, my Angel."

[Duke]

"He took out something called an appendix, I think is what he said," Duke intervened as he watched Esperanza care for Doc. "Said you would have died if he hadn't taken it out. You started getting better shortly after. Good to have you back, Doc," he stood up and went over to the bed. "Stay as long as you need to, Doc. We'll take care of you. My sweet Essie will take care of you. As of right now she's retired until she's ready to go back to work. Anything you need at all just let me know."

He cared about Duke but he cared more for the money he could make off of both of them. Having said his fill he left the room and went downstairs to the saloon to update the very anxious crowd hungry for any news at all about the health and well-being of the famous Doc Holliday.