Re: Episode 5-2: Mean Streets
It wasn't the first time that Morgan had been confronted with an angry crowd, the lone voice of the law amongst a growing rabble. But this was likely, in his estimation, the worst. Dodge was a powderkeg of lingering hostilities, wounds that had opened up long before the War that stubbornly refused to heal. Morgan immediately understood that one wrong word, one misinterpreted action could inspire violence. Above all, Morgan wanted to avoid bloodshed.
When the man had fired his weapon, Morgan's immediate instinct was to shoot, momentarily presuming he was being attacked. He had his gun trained on the man in an instant, but was thankful that the presence of the crowd made him hesitate when he saw the impulsive fool holster the pistol. The Marshal made no such concession, keeping his own firearm in his hand.
Glancing up, he noticed Korpi flutter into the shadows behind the newcomer as he spoke. "Well, I'm not completely alone," he thought gratefully.
Morgan did his utmost to remain expressionless, despite the flash of anger he felt over the man's racist remark. Even before the man had finished talking, the Marshal felt his spirit sink. Stubbornness filled every word the man had said. The kind of stubbornness that could lead to a tragic outcome. Morgan felt certain that anything he said would likely fall on deaf ears.
But he was the law. And the law didn't always get to choose its battles.
"I'm certain you believe this man was only acting in self defense, " Morgan said, his voice calm, "But from what I just witnessed, it didn't appear so. When I approached, I saw him strike this other fellow when he was already on the ground and helpless, and from the sound of it, he broke some of his bones."
"Of course, I may not know all of the facts. I'm more than willing to listen to anything that anyone here saw that might help us figure out what the truth is. If this man is truly innocent, he needn't fear telling his story to a Judge."
When the drunk approached, Morgan nodded silently at his report, hoping that the man's inebriation hadn't prevented him from setting the arm properly.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:36, Thu 07 Mar 2013.