Posted by Israeli guy on October 03, 2001 at 13:30:32:
"Where did my child go, my little good child ?
black pawn captures a white pawn.
My father won't return, never will he come.
white pawn captures a black pawn.
Tears in all the rooms, and silence in the gardens,
The king is playing with the queen.
My child will never rise, forever he will sleep,
Black pawn captures a white pawn.
My father in the dark, will never see light again,
white pawn captures a black pawn.
Tears in all the rooms, and silence in the gardens,
The king is playing with the queen.
The child that's in my lap, now he's on a cloud
black pawn captures a white pawn.
My father's heart was warm, now his heart is cold
white pawn captures a black pawn.
Tears in all the rooms, and silence in the gardens,
The king is playing with the queen.
Where did my child go, my little good child ?
black and white pawns are dead.
My father won't return, never will he come,
and there's no white and black pawns.
Tears in all the rooms, and silence in the gardens,
On an empty board, only a king and a queen stand."
"Chess", Hanoch Levin.
(mmmmmfff hanging, shooting)
Our town experienced a very bad year. I can remember worse time being one of the first people in our town to go west, and establish it. Just a few young families going out there into places no one could tell us anything about. These times were the hardest. Problems with neighboring tribes, hardships with planting anything that actually grew, the stinking heat we weren't used to. Not many of us made it. Still we went on with our lives, and by the time our grandchildren grew up you could look around a see a decent little town. Farms, houses, a school, a Church, and even a little bank. They said the railway was coming next year. Everything looked fairly pleasant.
But now everything seemed to be a problem. There was something we couldn't solve all that time, but kept paying the price which was bearable. In the last year it has become a big question mark over our living here. The problem was the outlaws. These damn white folks who think that if they can shoot a gun it makes them too good to work at the farm. Crime was something we could handle back then. It was just some guy or a few guys, usually barely people you can call "men". They were young and quick. Stole some cattle, robbed some people, spend their money on whores and liqueur, but then, a few weeks or a few years later, they would do a mistake, and we gathered at the town square, or at one of the other town's square, and watch them pay the hard way. No money could be retrieved of course, but the lucky town that punished the outlaws made a little festival of it, inviting people from all around, and actually benefitted from the whole thing.
Until this cursed year all the outlaws hanged were men, except for one girl that was part of a gang of three. They used her to apply her sexual charms in order to confuse people while they robbed them. That was silly, of course, because you can't wear a mask while you do it, so it took less than a month for everyone for miles around to know how she looks. They thought they could outrun the rumor by traveling fast, but soon enough they were held in the adjacent town. My friend, Tom raylee was the sheriff there, and he was the lucky one to gat that gang. Whenever we remember that story here we are all pissed that that gang didn't decide to raid our town. These lucky bastards we call our neighbors got the privilege to hang a woman, a very rare occasion, attracting many people from all around. They were even more lucky to have a gang that ran fast across the land, getting lots of publicity.
The hanging festivals of the three took two days in a row, people coming there the day before the hanging to get a good place. They sold puppets of a girl on a string, and got a band from the city. They even sold tickets. I went there myself and watched how Tom proudly hanged the three. The girl was quite beautiful as expected, and very sexy too. Long blonde hair, blue eyes, thin waist, and medium pointy breasts. She matched the description spread around here the in the days before they caught the gang. They made her dress in a shining long blue dress, on the edge of the slutty things whores wear. The three were a bit drunk when they hanged, and everybody were troubled a bit by the big smile she had. All three mounted the gallows, the two men first, and then the girl, hands ties, and didn't make a big deal about Tom reading the papers, and putting the nooses around their necks. The girl was very excited because she knew everyone came to see her. With a big smile she screamed a thank you for everyone that came to see her die, and then they all dropped, necks broken, not much of a show. People stayed there for a while watching them twitch a bit, then go limp and dangle lifelessly. Then most of them started to go home, while a few stayed, mostly women, watching the dangling bodies, and listening to the music.
When I think of it now, people never took outlaws as a big problem until recently. They accepted the fact that some people will go their own bad way, and make some trouble. Sure it wasn't fun getting robbed or sometimes killed, but everybody knew things are generally under control, and that soon enough there will be a hanging. A good hanging is always good entertainment, a need in itself in a boring existence like ours. All they could care about was that the hanging will be in their own town. Given that, it was even profitable. In my job as the town sheriff, I conducted ten hangings with gangs ranging from one to five men hanged. I often wondered how it would be like to hang a woman, but figured I never will. It happened only once in many years nation wide.
The Q gang was much different. It made our lives hell. Nobody knows why they called themselves "the Q", but every time they killed someone they scratched his forehead with the letter "Q", and every time they robbed some cattle, they shot the barn with dozens of bullets forming a big "Q" letter. Our little bank suffered two raids this year, all our money taken, twice. All we got to remember it was the banker and his wife hanging in front of the bank after the second raid. Apparently the banker made the mistake of being brave. His wife, a forty-something year old woman, hanged in front of the bank's entrance with the letter "Q" on a sign hanging from her stretched neck. The odd thing was, that the banker, hanging next to her had a sign with the letter "K". We knew it was just some kind of a sick joke, but we didn't get it. All I could do at the spot was to use the kit they gave me after the first robbery, checking for fingerprints, and to check the material they used to write the letters on the signs they put on the hanged couple. It was red, couldn't figure out exactly what it was, wasn't paint that's for sure.
It was almost half a year since they hanged the banker and his wife, and I was getting depressed. People were hurt badly from what that gang did, it even made some of them broke. We couldn't stand it happening once more, and that Q gang was illusive. Nobody really knew who these guys were, when they will strike next, and what's the deal with that Q. Some said the leader is a woman, a fact that's hard to hide with a mask. Some said it was a group of gangs, because some Q attacks happened simultaneously. Did they split ? was it the extra gun they could afford, throwing it around to confuse us ? copycats ? The more I thought about it my head would start to ache.
I got a confirmation to the suspicion there is a woman involved when my wife explained what the red stuff was. It was lipstick. Most women around didn't use it. Many simply couldn't afford it, and the only place you could get it was 10 miles up north, in a little store run by Mrs. Holly. I started to make a plan when I wired the state police headquarters, and got the places and times the gang did their work. I noticed that it was periodical. They went around in a circle, kind of like birds do, or in their case vultures. They would come to the same area every six months or less. It was not accurate, but its all I had.
A month before their estimated arrival to the area, I went up north to Mrs. Holly's store. I told her that I'd just like to stay around for a while. She didn't ask many questions. I think she was grateful to have a man around. People were much more nervous now, and the idea of herself ending like that Banker's wife, hanging with a Q sign for all to see, was something best avoided. She probably was curious, but told herself that when a good things happen, you just don't ask. She was very kind, and told me I could stay as long as I wanted. She gave me something to eat everyday, and I slept alone in her store. All I asked was for her to give me a little sign when she recognized the women who got into her store, and If she didn't recognize someone, just do nothing, I'll know she is not a regular customer. Most of her customers were women that came to her store many times, I told her to distinguish everyone she saw for the third time or less. No problem, she said.
After a week nothing much happened. The only woman suspicious was a European tourist on her way. I traced her for a while and let her go. At the second week, came a woman in cowgirl clothes. She didn't have a gun, but she wore pants, and had a white blouse. She came alone, riding a horse. "Hello there, Mrs. Holly if I remember correctly", she said when she entered. "Right on, miss ...", "Jane", the cowgirl said. I was making myself very interested in the paper, while I grew ever more suspicious. "Who's that guy ?", Jane asked Mrs. Holly. "Oh no one, just a guard, can't be too careful these days with these awful outlaws running around .... " I waved Jane and smiled while letting Holly finish here speech "... I hear they even hanged a few people, Even women ! These guys are like animals, they have no heart." Jane smiled and said : "Oh, I wouldn't worry, Mrs. Holly, I don't think they would harm a charming woman like you, and anyway they can't run away forever. I hope they find them and hang them all soon." "Oh me too, " said Holly, and couldn't hide the twinkle in her eye, "life would be normal, and much less frightening." "They say one of them is a woman," I started saying, "boy, how I'd like to see her hanging." Jane gave me a look full of despise, and said : "You would, wouldn't you."
I let them go ahead with their business. Jane got herself some lipstick, among other things, and when she held it she gave me a cold stare, looking at my body as if she were taking measurements, smiled a big smile, and went away. I tracked her as she went out of the city, and joined two men on horses. I could see that several miles out of town, in the middle of nowhere, they changed clothes to black, and put masks on their faces. Before the masks went on their face I could see Jane kissing one of the men. It was definitely a lover's kiss.
It was getting dark. The three went into a little town, robbed a store, and rode away. They went out of the town together, but then they split. There was no co-ordination there, it was probably a part of their routine. It meant that I can put my hands only on one of them, which was bad. But it also meant I wouldn't be outnumbered, and that they couldn't put anyone on guard while the others slept, protected. The only thing was, I had to choose who to follow. I wanted the most important element of the gang. I needed Q. It couldn't be Jane, she is J. Or is she ? And then I realized it. The Banker got the letter K, and his wife the letter Q, but their names didn't start with these letters. Q is not a name. The Q's and K's reminded me of cards. Of course ! Q stands for queen, and K stands for king. I knew I should trace the queen.
Jane went to sleep in the desert. I gave her a couple of hours to make sure she was sleeping, and then I came quietly, removed her weapons, took a rope, and with a quick move turned her over and tied her hands behind her. When she finally understood what was happening, it was already late. tied, and with a gun pointed at her head, she had no where to go. "Get up !" I ordered her. "Get up and go to your horse." "Well, if it isn't that little piss of a guard." Even captured she was acting high and mighty. "Sheriff Jerry for you, missy." I said, "Now cut the crap, and get to your horse." "Are you going to hang me ?" She asked, while I helped her get on her horse. "No way," I said, "You are getting full justice treatment here. Jailed, sentenced, and hanged." "Glad to see you know the outcome already," Jane said smiling, "wouldn't it be better just to get it over with ? Or maybe you need me for that little barbaric festival of yours ?" "That's none of my business," I said, "I'm a sheriff. What I do is get you in jail, and submit the evidence, which in your case are quite conclusive." "And then you hang me, don't forget that." She said. "Looks like too much trouble. Here," she said looking at a big willow, "how about this one as a hanging tree. I'll even let you have your way with me." she said bouncing her breasts. "No way girl, you are going strait to jail, no fun, no games. Don't worry, you will swing soon enough." Jane sighed. "Suit yourself, you missed a great fuck." I didn't answer.
For the trial we got a district judge, but we insisted it took place in our little town. Usually we don't fuss about this stuff, and just hang the outlaws, but this was something bigger than usual. We held the session in our school. Jane got herself a fancy lawyer. All I needed was the evidence I already had plus evidence coming from other places. We had fingerprints, my testimony, and people that were attacked that could tell her by her body, enough evidence linking Jane to five murders, twenty two robberies, and more. No matter what lawyer she got, she couldn't possibly get away. The Judge read the very long paper with all the charges. Jane stood up and proud while he did, saying "Not guilty" after every "How do you plea" of the Judge. The improvised court was full, and people said "booo" after every not guilty plea. There could be no mistake about what people here wanted the outcome to be. Everything was downhill from there. It only took a very long time to present all the evidence. people got a little bored. Her lawyer tried to prove that it wasn't her with little success, and I looked at her several times while the Jury was out. She noticed me and gave a cold look filled with contempt. I didn't get it. Here she was about to be condemned to death, and dead in a few days, but she didn't seem to be afraid. It was as if she knew a way out or didn't care. I thought maybe she felt she was better. Anyway, I felt trouble coming, and I didn't like it. The Jury didn't take long and they found her guilty of murder and robbery. The Judge passed a death sentence, and fixed the date for the day after tomorrow, in the morning. I knew I must start to prepare the gallows.
Everyone were very excited. In a very short while we were going to hang a real outlaw queen. The gallows were prepared the same day of the trial, and people were looking forward to it. People from all places started to fill our town, but I told the people to keep it low on the carnival expenses.
I came for her the day after the trial. She was sitting in her small cell. She didn't seem to be nervous at all. She was wearing a white blouse, jeans, and a small smile. "Hello Jane, we meet again" I said. "I'm here to help with your hanging." I came closer, but she gave me a sharp look, and said : "Get your filthy hands off me. I'm not interested in these hangman games. I will not resist the hanging, but until then I will have nothing to do with you. Now get out !" She was all fire. Kind of sexy that way. I couldn't resist smiling at her and checking her handsome form. She was a real looker. Long shiny black hair, green eyes, good strong body, thin waist, but firm and big round breasts. She wore them with pride. She was amused by my looks, and said : "You had your chance with this body, you decided to have that carnival instead of a simple hanging on the willow. All you can do now is dream about it". I looked at her eyes and said : "come on, Jane, you really don't think I'm stupid enough to fall for that kind of a cheap trick. I could tell you are younger and stronger than me. All you needed was the chance. You didn't get it and now you are going to hang."
"Well, it looks like the thing can think after all," she said. "What you still don't understand is that you are just a little pawn, you are no match for me ..." "Yes," i interrupted her, "and you are the queen, it looks like you got it wrong missy. In this chess game I already have the queen, and the king is in check. You are indeed the queen here. You are faster and stronger than him. I'm glad I decided to capture you" She was more than smug. "First of all, smart people don't interrupt others while they speak. Secondly, you stupid hill-billy, you don't capture a chess piece until you remove it. Do I look dead do you ? It looks like you will have to improve on your chess skills." "No," I answered, "You are anything but dead, but you soon will be, in fact, sooner than you think." She was puzzled for a moment, not understanding what I mean, but I went on. "You seem like a little disgusting smug outlaw to me, all high and mighty, not fit for simple folks like us. The thing you did with the banker and his wife was totally sick." Her eyes brightened. "Ah yes," she said, "the two little pawns, they were in the royal families way, if you get my drift. I just thought I'll give them a little promotion at death, I'm sure they appreciated it." I was about to hit her head. That couple were my friends, but I controlled myself.
"Like I said, you are a real low-life, missy, but I'll give you credit for asking me to hang you on the spot. It looks like you thought that even if you don't make it, you still leave me with no trace of the king, thus defending him. It was actually quite a noble thing to do." Jane started to realize she underestimated me, she let me continue. "One of the big mistakes you made was to underestimate your opponents. That's something even a beginner wouldn't do. Some people are smarter than you think. Well, that's all irrelevant now, please turn around, and put your hands behind your back." Her eyes got wider for a moment, then she said with a voice half scornful, half worried : "Hey, hey, mister, calm down here, aren't we getting a little too eager ? The execution is set for tomorrow, remember ? or are you getting a bit senile here ?" "Not a bit, " I say, "you see, I knew you counted on your friends to save you on the exact time made public for everyone to come, getting extra gun-power for the job so they can overpower the security. Therefor I convinced the judge to have your hanging in an unofficial date, which is, em, right now." I couldn't help having a very big smile right now. "You bastard ! she screamed getting at me. She started to get her fists poking at me trying to get to my face. Two of my deputies came when they heard the noises of us fighting, and they helped me overpower her. "Come on Jane, you don't have to get so mad. You knew when you started to practice your profession that outlaws end their lives young with extra holes filled with bullets, or at the end of a rope. Just take what's coming for you." The men held her arms tight, each held one arm. She wasn't smug now, she had the look of a hurt animal. She said : "Well you are not going to get all the money from that hanging celebration you all planned." "I think you are right. But you can't get too greedy when you are handling snakes. Look at it as sacrificing a piece in order to get the queen. But since you are so concerned with our well being, you should be happy we got some money from the people who came to see your trial. Now lets move it. One queen is getting off the board."
I moved behind her and tied her hands behind her. She was getting over the shock of realizing she is really going to die in a few minutes, and she decided to go out with some dignity. I told the men to ease their hold on her. "OK girl, lets go." I said. she started walking with her head held high, but with a face that showed what she felt. Her body looked very sexy sailing forward to the noose. It was like in slow motion now as I enjoyed every minute. We let her climb the gallows herself with me following her. The only people out there to see the hanging were the judge, and a few others who knew about the real time of the hanging. Other people accidently there looked puzzled. They didn't understand what was going on at first, but then they started to call the others, and everyone was getting closer asking all kinds of questions. I noticed that Jane looked around too see if her lover is coming. I think she didn't want him to come to this death trap, and that she considered herself dead already. There was nothing on the horizon, but I didn't want to wait for it. I went on with the hanging. I read Jane the execution papers, put the noose over her head. Only when I tightened the noose around her neck she lost her composure, and yelled : "Fuck you Jerry, fuck you all, see you in hell." I pulled the lever. I decided to give her a short drop. She fell and just hung limp at first, then she started dancing. In one minute she started to kick hard. I had a very good time watching the way she kicked, her body jumping on the rope, breasts jumping up and down. Hell, I had the best view ! Next to me kicking her ass off was a fine looking woman at the end of her rope. The scene was interrupted by her two friends. They found out fairly quickly about the change of the execution time, but they didn't have their backup with them. I could see them now, still a bit far but advancing fast. "OK guys, show is over, its going to be a battle field here soon. Move along nice and easy", I said, but only a few listened. people can be so stupid sometimes. Soon came the two with their horses shooting all over. People started to scream and get away, but the guards I put at each end of the town, securing both ways leading to the gallows, became useful. Only one end was able to respond, but they did it well. If the hanging was held the next day, the guards would be handled and neutralized in time, but now they were very active, and very useful. It didn't took them long to fill both men with bullets. None of the guards and people were hurt by the bullets of the outlaws, thankfully.
Last act. I had to leave Jane while she gave her last twitches. I went over to the two outlaws, now on the ground. I checked for signs of life. I recognized the "king" by the fact that he was the tall one. On that night when he kissed Jane I saw he was the taller of the two. The other guy was dead, and the "king" was full of holes, giving his last twitches, bleeding, in a few moments he would die. I gave Jane now dangling limp at the gallows a look. I looked at the dead body of her lover. "Yes, quite dead," I said, "Checkmate."