In My Stomach: Part II

Previously on “In My Stomach”…

“We’ll show him what we do to newcomers. Hook him to the wall.” The gang members obeyed. Then Poe pointed his gun at Burrito.

And now the continuation to “In My Stomach”.

Burrito thought he was dead. He didn’t really know what to expect from this man whom everyone in town seemed to be afraid of.

His entire life flashed before his eyes (and it sure seemed like a commercial for “Burrito Barn”), as Poe cocked the gun. Burrito closed his eyes, and when he heard the gunshot, he thought he was dead. He was perplexed when he opened his eyes to realize that he wasn’t dead, but that the gun had flown from Poe’s hand.

“Poe!” came an acerbic voice from outside. “I know you’re in there! Come out with your hands up!” Corny Joke rushed up to the window. Then he ducked his head.

“It’s not plausible!” said Corny. “It’s the sheriff!” Upon hearing this, the Pod Brothers hid underneath some tables, Brocc jumped behind the bar and hid under it, and Rotten Car hid behind Poe. Poe looked around at his cowering gang.

“Come on, gang!” Poe said. “There’s seven of us, and one of him!”

“Tell that to him.” said Cob as he hid under the same table that the Pod Brothers were underneath.

“Besides,” started Brocc, “he shot the gun out of your hand from across the street. I’d best stay away from him.” Poe looked at the sheriff. Burrito didn’t have a very good view of the sheriff.

“What do you want, Sheriff?” said Poe, frozen in the spot where he’s been standing for a while.

“I don’t want to repeat myself!” said the Sheriff. “Come out here, now! Or I’m coming in!” Poe stood there for a few seconds considering this. Then he slowly walked toward the door. He walked out the door.

“Did you want something?” Poe said with a squeaky voice.

“I thought I told you and your gang to stay out of town.” The Sheriff’s voice was stern. Burrito still couldn’t see the Sheriff, but he could see Poe’s expressions well enough to understand that he was in big trouble.

“Now, Sheriff, I wasn’t going to hurt nobody,” said Poe with a shaky voice.

“You were about to shoot the newcomer, weren’t you?”

“Well, it was just a joke, you know me. I wouldn’t hurt a newcomer Sheriff.”

“Get out of town now! I’d take you in, but you’re not wanted in these parts…yet.”

“Okay, Sheriff, you won’t have to worry about me and my men ever again.” Poe looked inside and motioned for his men to run out of here. His men ran out of the Saloon and they jumped onto their horses and took off in the direction they came from.

Burrito watched them go by. Steak helped him down from the lantern Burrito’s shirt was hanging on.

“That sure was scary, huh mate?”

Burrito hurried to the door and saw the sheriff standing there like a frozen statue. The sheriff had cheese and pepperoni all over his body. The badge hung from one of the few sausages on him. The deputy rushed over to the saloon and saw Burrito watching Sheriff Pizza walk back to his office.

“Burrito! Are you all right?” Deputy Noodle asked.

“Yah, I’m fine,” said Burrito as he watched Sheriff Pizza walk into his office. “Is he always cold?”

“What?” The deputy didn’t understand the question.

“The sheriff. Call it first impressions, but he seemed a little cold.”

“Oh. Well, he wasn’t always that way.” Noodle walked in and up to the bar. “Steak, I’ll have a Root Beer.”

“Right up mate.” Said Steak as he went right to work. Noodle turned to Burrito.

“All of us came here and didn’t understand what to expect from this life. All our lives we lived in cardboard boxes, or we were homemade, or we came from cows or pigs or some kind of animal. There was something new here that we hadn’t known before.” Steak gave Noodle the Root Beer. “It took us all a little while before we understood what happens in our lives. I won’t tell you what it is. You’ll have to figure it out for yourself. If you have any questions, you’ll have to ask the oldest and wisest of us all.” Noodle took a sip. “We all call him Mr. Gum. He’s been stuck here most of this place’s life. He’s the one we all go to for advice or if we have any questions.

“Now as for the cold sheriff, he came here just like the rest of us. He lived in a cardboard box most of his life. Apparently, his cheese is artificial, so he complains about that sometimes. But the reason that he acts cold is Ellie.”

“Who’s Ellie?” Burrito asked.

“His girl. She was Canadian but she was a nice girl, and he loved her. And I believed that she loved him too.”

“What happened?” Burrito asked.

“She was chosen.” The deputy got up and put a quarter on the counter. “Thanks, Steak.” Then he walked out. Burrito sat there wondering. He turned to Steak.

“What did he mean by ‘chosen’?” Burrito asked.

“Guess you’ll find out, won’t you?”

Meanwhile outside of town…

“Why did you let the sheriff run us out of town like that, Poe?” Brocc chastised Poe, as they all (besides Poe) were roasting marshmallows over the campfire. “It was very sophomoric.”

“You didn’t exactly help Brocc.” Corny Joke butted in.

“At least I didn’t hide under a table, like some people.”

“At least we were covered.” Said the Pod Brothers.

“Boys, let’s calm down,” said Poe, as he loaded his gun. “I’ve got myself an idea that could rid us all of that crummy town and that stupid sheriff.” He said as he chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” asked Rotten Car.

“Oh, I was just thinking how funny it is that parents think we vegetables are healthy for their kids. If only they knew just how much damage…” he said as he cocked his gun. “…we can do.”

To Be Continued…