The Contest
Sept 2, 2018 20:33:48 GMT -8
Post by Beverly Blake on Sept 2, 2018 20:33:48 GMT -8
No money, prestige, or reimbursement of any type for time wasted, writing or reading, this work of borrowed and bent Gunsmoke characters is to be had by anyone.
The Contest
"Too early for you?" Doc inquired as he watched as Kitty gazed at the shining brass of her new bait reel.
Now that she had a good steady income, she began indulging some modern luxuries. She still was better at casting with a stick and string like she grew up doing on the banks of the Mississippi, but she would stick with her new rod and reel.
After all, it was always a contest when fishing with Doc. She needed an edge.
"No, not too early." She answered stifling a yawn. "Matt said he might get back early this evening. I am going to catch the biggest catfish in here, then cook it up for him tonight."
"Well, I hate to break it to you, young lady, but I'm going to catch the whopper and make a stew." Doc said with a wink.
Catch the whopper he did. Several catfish hung gleaming from the buggy as they pulled up to the Longbranch.
"You won this time, but I'll bet you my new reel I make a better stew." Kitty grinned.
Doc, who took serious pride and pleasure in his recipe, and secretly coveted her gear, seized the opportunity immediately. " I'll meet you back here in a couple of hours." He declared as he wrapped a couple of fish in a towel and handed them to the challenger. "Do your best!"
Pots of aromatic concoctions set steaming on the table in front of Matt, Thad, and Festus. Thad tasted small spoonfuls of each. He politely dismissed himself from the judging panel to get a drink by declaring he disliked fish in general and should not be entitled to vote. Eagerly, Festus scooped and gobbled a large bowl from each contestant.
" Wooooweeeee! That was larupin'!" He shouted as he scraped back his chair and headed to the bar.
"I might hafta taste them agin to make a proper judgement."
Matt looked up at Doc, then to Kitty. He nervously picked up the ladle trying to decide if he recognized the cookware of either chef. He tried to ignore the faces of the bystanders awaiting his judgement. He did not want to pick the wrong one.
"Well, go on." Prodded Doc.
"You in a hurry to lose?" Sneered Kitty.
Matt tasted the soup closest to him. It was delicious. He took another bite trying delay the inevitable decision. Sam winked as he slid a bowl of the stew from the other pot in front of him. Matt smiled. Now he knew which his lady had prepared. He took a large swallow.
"Mmmmm, that's goo______."
Matt's face started turning red. He choked a bit then tried to swallow. He choked again. His mouth had suddenly caught fire. He couldn't speak. He frantically waved to Sam to bring him a beer.
"What's wrong, Matt." Kitty asked as she patted his back. "You don't like Cajun seasonings?"
"I must have gotten a pepper in my throat " he sputtered, trying suppress the feeling that steam was about to blow out his ears. "It tastes ... good though."
"Sure. Sure." Kitty said as Sam finally arrived with the beer. She knew the game was over.
"Let me taste that!" Doc said and took a piece of fish from Matt's bowl. " That's pretty spicy! Like the gal who made it. "
Kitty laughed as she handed the reel to Doc. "Beers on the house too!"
" I'll take another." Matt chuckled as he raised his empty mug.
The End