" Where do you hail from?" said Bulldog , attempting a grin. Billy smiled back, still vamping the chords to Hey Good Lookin , although the big cop's fingers were bearing down on his shoulder muscle like a vise-grip." Dayton Ohio."Bulldog really didn't like the way Billy looked him in the eyes. Most folks didn't have the nerve to stare back like that. He felt the thin muscle in Billy's shoulder between his thick fingers and squeezed tighter." You're a long way from home, stranger. They got laws against vagrancy in Dayton? Because we put you in jail for it here."

Billy felt the anger rising up and making him breathless, he felt the smile on his face stiffen, felt himself grit his teeth. Why did bullies all want to wear uniforms? Did it give their cruelty a veneer of respectability."You're loitering in a public place, boy," smiled Bulldog. "What you mean? This boy's a paid entertainer," said a tall thin man who was leaning against a pick-up, the rain spattering his gray Stetson. He strode forward, and Billy noticed the ostrich boots, the "Let's Rodeo" Silver belt buckle. The man pulled a money clip out of his pocket and peeled off a twenty, which he tossed into the guitar case. "See, Bryson, this kid's part of my new live entertainment on the patio program here at the Cafe.Why don't you let go his shoulder so he can get some feeling back in his strumming hand?" The man was 3 inches taller than the big Deputy, and 50 pounds lighter, but when he gripped the cop's arm, his hand came away easily from Billy's shoulder."Now, son. You know I Ride an old Paint ?" Billy smiled at the stranger and began to play. The Deputy sneered, then turned on his heel stalking through the rain to his cruiser." I should have fatted all the region kites with this slave's offal" the Deputy whispered, and then slammed the door.

Tina applauded from the open doorway as Billy finished his song. "you've got a real pretty voice, Billy the Kid," she said. The tall man laughed. "Gunslinger, huh?" he said and slapped Billy on the arm."Guns?" Bill smiled, holding up the guitar. "No guns, but I'm formidable with an axe." The tall man walked up and wrapped a long arm around Tina's waist."Everything alright tonight? We making any money?" She laughed and slapped him with her towel."Aw, money. That all you're interested in, Wilson Brady?" Brady chuckled and winked at Billy. "Well, son," he said," you been paid- quit sandbaggin' and give us another tune."