A Town Called No Hope (A Steampunk Western)

by Izzy Hunter

  Crewmen - and women, Mona noted - were darting around, getting everything ready to depart. She past them on her way to the balcony at the far end of the ship. Every few seconds, the doors to the turrets at this end were opened and people scurried back and forth. Mona wasn’t sure what exactly occurred inside the turrets but since it was where the bases of the rotor poles were, she gathered it was something to do with that.

  Someone was standing in the balcony, peering at the dusty, brown scenery around them as Mona approached. She wasn’t surprised to find it was Sam. He had his back to her and she was tempted to throw him overboard to prevent him coming on this journey. She had a nasty feeling the man was trouble. What kind of trouble, she wasn’t sure. Instead, she cleared her throat. Sam must have been daydreaming. He jerked around at the sound. Had that been a terrified look fleeting across his face? Whatever it was, it had gone, to be replaced by a grin which was becoming all too familiar.

  ‘Sheriff Mona,’ he said, leaning against the balcony fencing, arms folded. ‘You made it.’

  ‘It appears so,’ she answered, walking towards him. He moved a little so she could take in the view. ‘Been on the ship a while?’

  ‘Bertha saw me hanging around earlier so invited me on board. She’s one beautiful lady,’ he said, with a sigh.

  ‘She has her admirers,’ agreed Mona. ‘But don’t think she’s a dumb blond. Bertha Northam is one clever woman.’

  Sam laughed. ‘Oh, no. I was talking about the ship.’

  Mona mentally kicked herself and vowed not to look at him in case, keeping her eyes locked onto the vista in front of her.

  ‘That’s not to say the woman’s not attractive. Hell, I bet she’s never short of admirers,’ Sam continued, conversationally. ‘Pretty much like yourself.’ There was a pause. ‘I’m sensing you’re someone who doesn’t take kindly to compliments. My apologies, ma’am,’ Sam said, solemnly. ‘I will be sure not to make that mistake again.’

  Mona finally turned to face him to correct him, to say that she welcomed compliments but that he was being a bit obvious about it when she catch the playful look on his face. She exhaled sharply. ‘You’re teasing me.’

  ‘I can’t help myself,’ he grinned, his blue eyes sparkling in the sunlight. ‘I’m sorry. But, hell, I did sound genuine for a moment, there, didn’t I?’

  ‘You know, Sam,’ she said finally. ‘I can’t work you out, yet. Believe me, I will. But for the moment, I really don’t know what your game is.’

  ‘Oh, I’m known to be a bit of a card player,’ he began then saw the serious look on her face. ‘Sorry,’ he said, head bowed. Then he looked up again, smiling. ‘Hey, you called me Sam. Decided to be my friend at last?’

  She was saved by responding by Woods who was taking his time up the balcony steps towards them. By the look of his pale complexion, Mona guessed the former teacher wasn’t a fan of airships.

  ‘You all right, Mr Woods?’ she called out.

  Woods crossed the wooden flooring and stopped before them. Now he was closer, the sweat was visible. He took out a damp-looking cloth and wiped his brow, before shoving the cloth back into his coat pocket. ‘Yes, I’m fine, ma’am,’ he said faintly. ‘I’m not one for travelling, that’s all.’

  ‘Hey, I know you,’ Sam said, frowning at the other man. ‘You’re the fella who was giving the Sheriff here a mouthful last night, in the saloon bar.’

  Woods nodded, looking ashamed. ‘Yes, that was me. And I apologise to yourself, too, sir. I have let the devil possess me with alcohol far to often.’

  Sam tutted loudly. ‘Devil be damned,’ he said. Mona almost laughed out loud at the shocked look on Woods face. ‘Ol’ Lucifer’s got nothing to do with drink. You just have to pace yourself,’ Sam continued, putting a friendly arm around Woods. ‘I think I should give you some drinking tips while we’re on board this vessel,’ he added, winking at Mona.

  Beyond the two men, a crew member, standing in the middle of the deck, was looking at them and beckoning them over.

  ‘I think we’re wanted, gentlemen,’ Mona said, leading the way back down the steps.

  ‘The ship is about to depart,’ the youth said once the trio had reached him. ‘No passenger is to be on deck until we’re airborne, yes?’

  The three of them descended the steps to the lower level. Woods was all for returning to his room but Sam grabbed his arm again and asked Mona where the bar was.

  ‘Who says there’s a bar, here?’ Mona asked. ‘Bit presumptuous of you. Not everyone is a liquor lover, you know.’

  Sam’s smile was broad. ‘Liquor lover? Ha, I’ll have to remember that. Anyway, the beautiful Bertha told me. Said my first drink is free, too.’

  ‘Really?’ Mona’s hands were on her hips now, giving Sam a dubious look.

  ‘Actually, we’re all to receive a free drink,’ Woods confirmed. ‘Though I assure you, Sheriff - I mean, Miss Mona - I will not take the good captain up on her offer. Myself and drink are going to become strangers. It’s had a hold on me for too long.’

  ‘Well,’ Sam said. ‘That was a beautiful speech which needed to be said, but this man here is dying of thirst. Let’s go.’

  If someone had boarded the ship blindfolded and only had now taken it off, they would have thought they were standing in a regular saloon bar on the ground. The set up of the room was similar to all saloon bars, including the one in No Hope, down to someone tinkling the ivories of a piano in the corner. The only difference here was the tolerable vibrations of the vessel as it ascended carefully into the sky.

  Mona, Woods and Sam sat at a table by one of the large glass windows, watching as birds past by them on their way up to the clouds. There was less turbulence on a ship with rotor blades than there would be a on a balloon-shaped airship which is why the passengers were free to roam the lower levels of the ship while it departed the ground.

  All the furniture in the saloon had been nailed down, including the piano. This was more to stop anyone from stealing the items than to prevent any sliding if there was a problem on take-off. It did mean that if you wanted to adjust your chair, bring it further towards the table, you couldn’t, which was what Sam was finding out that moment.

  ‘Goddamn chair,’ he said, gripping the sides and gritting his teeth as he tried to pull his seat forwards. Mona looked down at her drink, grinning. Woods was giving Sam a frown.

  ‘They’re nailed down, it seems,’ Woods told the man.

  ‘I know that,’ Sam retorted, his face red with exertion. ‘But I won’t let any goddamn nail defeat me.’

  ‘You’d better not be trying to break parts of this ship,’ said a female voice approaching them. Northam was advancing towards the table, the leather goggles sat atop her head, pulling her blond hair away from her face.

  Sam looked up and let go of the sides of the seat. ‘I just wanted to sit nearer the table,’ he complained. ‘I have to extend my arm right out to reach my drink.’

  ‘Oh you poor, poor thing,’ said Northam, affecting a twee Southern-Belle accent which Mona thought actually suited her. ‘Let me reach it for you.’ The captain stood right next to Sam, reaching over to show off her tight, trouser-clad behind which Mona caught Sam having a mesmerised look at, before standing up straight again and handing over the barely-touched glass. ‘Satisfied, sir?’ Northam asked, still using the accent.

  Sam smirked. ‘If you do that again, I’ll be mighty satisfied,’ he said, his voice low and husky.

  Northam just laughed and went to speak to the bartender behind the counter.

  Woods quietly sipped his fresh lemon juice and looked at Mona. ‘I must thank you for this opportunity, Miss Mona.’

  ‘What’s this now?’ Sam asked, eyebrows raised, after finally tearing his gaze away from Northam.

  ‘Miss Mona here has given me the chance at starting my life over again,’ beamed Woods.

  ‘Oh I wouldn’t go as far as that,’ said Mona, picking up her glass and taking a healthy swig.

  �
�Don’t be modest, now, Miss Mona,’ Woods said. ‘She has offered to help me find someone to train me for a veteriny career.’

  ‘Huh, you insult her in the saloon and she helps you find a new job?’ Sam paused and shook his head. ‘Hell, and there I thought you would respond to my charms most favourably,’ he said, looking directly at her.

  ‘Well, you thought wrong,’ said Mona, holding his gaze.

  Woods looked at the both of them and then blurted out, ‘So how is Henry doing, Miss Mona? That shot could have been fatal.’

  Yes, in more ways than one, thought Mona. ‘He’s well enough, Mr Woods, thank you for your concern.’

  ‘Ah, Henry’s the fella I saw you smooching with before you boarded the ship,’ said Sam.

  ‘That’s correct,’ Mona said, eyes narrowing.

  ‘But he doesn’t speak. Dumb, I suppose,’ Sam continued. It was the wrong thing to say. Mona had her gun pressed between his legs in an instant. To his credit, Sam didn’t panic or move. He just stared at her. ‘Obviously my mistake,’ he said.

  ‘Oh lord,’ sighed Woods, as if used to the Sheriff’s quick temper.

  ‘No, Samuel, he is not dumb. Far from it. There’s not a cleverer man for a hundred miles,’ she said coolly.

  ‘I cordially apologise for any offence I’ve caused, then,’ Sam said, looking the most serious and genuine he had done since Mona had first met him.

  She looked at him for a moment and then put away her gun.

  ‘So where do you plan to start looking for Matthew Reedus?’ Woods asked, changing the subject. ‘Did Jimmy give you any information regarding where he could have headed?’

  ‘A couple of places. Seems Matthew’s got relations in New Moray. His uncle owns some business in town, though if the uncle’s anything like the father, Matthew’s best off as far away from him as possible.’

  Woods grimaced. ‘Yes, I’ve had a couple of run-ins with the father before. When I first started at the school, had silly ideas about the parents giving two hoots about their children’s education. Oh, don’t get me wrong. The majority of them do. It’s just Reedus. I think he couldn’t care less what happened to his son.’

  ‘Yes, I got that feeling, too,’ nodded Mona, grimly.

  ‘Where’s the mother, then?’ Sam asked, knowing next to nothing about the whole affair. ‘If she’s anything like my mother, she’d be ruling the roost and telling the menfolk what for,’ he said, grinning fondly at unseen memories.

  ‘Dead,’ said Woods, with a sigh. ‘Of pneumonia when Matthew was just a little boy.’

  ‘Was Mr Reedus the way he was when she was alive?’ Mona asked the man.

  ‘A little. Not as bad, though. She was a lovely woman. Doted on Matthew, him being their only child. She’d lost four babies previously, you see.’

  ‘And Reedus, did he dote on Matthew too, when his wife was still alive?’ asked Mona.

  Woods paused in thought. ‘You know, I’m sure I remember seeing him play with the kid when he was just a babe in arms. Laughing and having fun. Not anymore.’

  ‘Sounds like his wife’s death really knocked this Reedus guy for six, then,’ remarked Sam.

  ‘You ever been married?’ Woods asked him.

  Sam stretched his arms, shaking his head. ‘Marriage is not for me. Too many pretty ladies to fool around with,’ he grinned.

  Woods smiled. ‘Samuel, you are some man,’ he noted with a shake of the head

  ‘So the ladies say,’ Sam winked. ‘Well, apart from Miss Mona here.’

  ‘Oh enough with the Miss,’ Mona said sharply. ‘Both of you. It makes me sound like an old lady.’

  ‘Sorry.. Mona,’ Woods said.

  Sam ran a finger around the rim of his glass playfully. ‘I’ll stop calling you Miss, if you start calling me Sam.’

  ‘Fine, Sam.’

  ‘Great!’ Sam exclaimed, making the other two burst into laughter with his enthusiasm.

  Once the airship was making steady progress in the sky, the deck was open to the passengers again. Sam had drunk a little too much, and was currently back in his room sleeping it off. Woods and Mona decided to take in the view the now airborne ship could afford them but a sudden downpour put paid to that plan.

  ‘Now what can we do?’ asked Woods, as they stood at the bottom of the steps leading up to the deck.

  ‘You’ve never been on The Red Jenny, have you?’ asked Mona. Woods shook his head. ‘Well, I think we should head to the library.’

  Woods eyes widened with surprise. ‘Library? In here?’

  Mona smiled. ‘Yes. Not a massive one. It’s a small room, but it houses a fair few books,’ she said, remembering the time Northam had first shown her the store room-come-library. ‘You might find a book about animals you could read to pass the time until tonight.’

  ‘Tonight? What happens tonight?’

  ‘The crew always hold a dance on the first night of a journey. It can get a bit rowdy but it’s harmless fun. If it’s not your thing, I’m sure Northam will let you have the run of the library, if you wanted.’

  ‘I like to dance,’ said Woods.

  The saloon was kitted out in multi-coloured decorations, bits of coloured ribbons hung from the ceiling and bunting decorated the walls above the windows. A smart-looking man and woman danced to a quick ditty played by the pianist. Woods stood at the door, looking mesmerized by it all. ‘Come on in,’ Mona grinned, linking her arm with his and leading him across to the refreshments table.

  ‘All this just for us passengers?’ Woods asked, picking up a small block of cheese and taking a bite.

  Mona nodded, adjusting her purple, velvet corset. Underneath her skirts, her legs felt more naked without her usual trousers on. ‘Just for us passengers. It is a bit of a journey. It’s something to relieve the boredom for us and the crew.’

  Woods spun round, looking at everything with almost a child-like wonder. ‘I don’t see our friend around anywhere.’

  ‘Who? Northam? She’ll be along later. She likes to arrive fashionably late… and make sure there’s enough crew members still working.’

  ‘No, I meant Sam. I don’t see him around.’

  Mona scanned the room. ‘No doubt he's still sleeping off all the liquor he drank earlier.’

  ‘Been there. Done that,’ Woods muttered.

  ‘The difference with you, Mr Woods, is that you have seen the light, so to speak. Our friend, Sam - well, he’s happy to continue living the life the way he is. Drifting from one town to the next, using whores, drinking himself silly.’

  ‘Why are you so hard on him?’ Woods asked.

  ‘I’m not.’

  ‘You are. There are many people in No Hope whom I could claim behave worse than Sam, yet you seem to have a problem with him.’

  ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mr Woods,’ Mona said, busying herself with pouring two glasses of wine from the silver decanter.

  ‘I know I may be speaking out of turn here, Mona,’ Woods said, ‘but I think Sam reminds you of Henry.’

  Mona spun round and stared at Woods. ‘What? I’m sorry but Sam is nothing compared to Henry.’

  Woods held up a hand. ‘Please let me finish. What I mean to say is, I think he reminds you of what Henry used to be like before he lost his tongue. Now, I’m not one for understanding women or anything but I sense some sort of attraction between you and Sam. Your conversations are very flirtatious. It reminds you of when Henry could speak, perhaps? The conversations you had with him?'

  Mona continued staring at him, her pulse beginning to beat faster. ‘You’re right, Mr Woods,’ she said finally, taking a sip of her drink. ‘You don’t understand women.’

  And just like a genie being summoned, Sam entered the saloon. He caught sight of Mona and Woods, making a bee-line for them. He took in Mona’s new clothes with a grin.

  ‘My, my, don’t you scrub up well,’ he said, tactlessly glancing at her cleavage. She regretted wearing such a tight-fitting corset, she was almost spill
ing out of the damn thing.

  ‘I wish I could say the same thing,’ Mona said icily, looking at the clothes he still wore, now dishevelled with lying on his bed for hours.

  Sam looked down at his shirt-tails half hanging out and quickly tucked them in. ‘Yeah. I woke up not ten minutes ago and remembered Bertha mentioned something about a dance. Would you care to? Dance, I mean?’ he asked, offering Mona his hand.

  ‘I’m drinking. Why don’t you ask Mr Woods, here?’

  Sam shrugged and turned to the other man, bowing. ‘Mr Woods, would you do me the honour of this dance?’

  Woods looked aghast for a moment, then turned to pick up his glass from the table. When he turned round again, he began to smile. ‘You’re teasing me, aren’t you?’