Bat Hardin 03 - Rolltown by Mack Reynolds

Author:Mack Reynolds [Reynolds, Mack]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
Publisher: Ace Books
Published: 1976-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Eleven

There was another moment of shocked silence and then a muttering, then a jabbering, only part of it in indignation.

Dean Armanruder rapped them to silence.

He looked at Jeff Smith, still standing, a defiant smirk on his face. The senior executive committee member said evenly, "Mr. Smith, you have either said too much or too little. Please elucidate."

Jeff Smith rapped, "For the first part of this story we have only the word of Hardin and Zogbaum, from whom we haven't as yet heard, but I assume he'll back his fellow barroom brawler. They say they went into town and the Mexicans started a fight. That's what they say. Evidently, the Linares chief of police sees it otherwise."

"You're damn right I back Bat Hardin," Ferd Zogbaum called.

Dean Armanruder rapped with his gavel. "That will be all at this time, Mr. Zogbaum. We follow Robert's Rules of Order here. Continue, Mr. Smith."

Jeff Smith went on. "The second part of the story has nothing to back it whatsoever and on its face is a pretty fanciful tale. Mexico is a civilized country. Armed vigilantes don't attack peaceful tourists. What Hardin's purpose is, I wouldn't know. For some reason he evidently doesn't want to see New Woodstock continue to our destination, South America. He wants to turn back. Possibly he's afraid of the long trip ahead and would rather remain in the States where life is admittedly easier, especially for the town's peace officer."

The assembly buzzed again and Armanruder rapped for silence.

He looked at Bat Hardin and said, "Do you have anything to say to this, Mr. Hardin?"

"No," Bat said.

Armanruder looked back at Jeff Smith. "And what is your proposal, Mr. Smith?"

"I propose, first, that we go on, as planned. And secondly that we depose this alarmist and elect a new police officer."

Armanruder said, "It is not the most desirable among the town's volunteer positions, Mr. Smith. Whom would you suggest as an alternative to Mr. Hardin?"

"Anyone. His now deputy, Al Castro, could certainly do better."

Al Castro called, "No thanks. Bat's the man, so far as I'm concerned. I'm happy to stay on as his deputy but I wouldn't take his job as long as he wants it."

Armanruder rapped with his gavel. "Please ask for recognition by the chair before stating your opinions, Mr. Castro."

But Al added, his voice loud and clear, "I've never heard Bat Hardin tell a lie as long as I've known him."

Armanruder gave another double rap. "Go on, Mr. Smith."

Smith said, "If no one else will volunteer for the job, I make the following motion. That Hardin be dismissed and that I be made town police officer."

There was silence for a moment.

Finally, Jim Blake said, "For the sake of bringing it to the vote, I'll second that motion. And I'll also vote for Bat Hardin being retained."

Armanruder said, "Motion has been moved and seconded. Bat Hardin to be replaced by Jeff Smith as police officer of New Woodstock. Miss Paskov, you are tied into the computer for voting?"

"Yes, sir."

Dean Armanruder looked at the assembly.

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