Lizzy Loomis is the Readers’ Choice in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. The winning entry is decided by the popular vote and rewarded with a special feature here today. (In case of a tie, the writer who submitted an entry first is the winner per our rules.) Without further ado, here’s the winning story:
The Hotel
by Lizzy Loomis
Wash tied his Appaloosas horse to the hitching post outside the Dodge City Saloon. Squaring his broad shoulders, he pushed through the batwing doors making a beeline for the polished mahogany bar. Cigar smoke, music, and drunken tales of debauchery swirled around the room uninterrupted by his entrance.
He rested his tan forearm on the smooth surface and winking at a voluptuous saloon girl. She blushed, giggling at his attention.
The bartender continued to clean a whiskey tumbler, cleared his throat.
“What can I get for you, stranger?”
“A whiskey and point out, Mac Travis.”
Wash ignored the bartender and scanned the patrons, drunk suckers ripe for the picking.
The bartender returned with liquid spirits and a note.
Taking a pull from his glass, he opened the paper. Scrawled in the beautiful script were two words, room six. Raising his eyebrows toward the young filly, he slammed a coin on the counter and marched up the stairs.
A bed with a threadbare quilt, a well-worn dressing table, and a naked dress mannequin decorated the small room. Wash approached the drawers easing them open, exposing delicate white lace.
“Stop, right there.”
Dropping the lace, he turned toward the door. The barrel of a colt and the ruffled red dress of the giggling showgirl blocked the exit. She tossed shackles at his feet.
“Dead or alive. Either way, I make $500.”
Wash weighed his options and lunged for the gun. A bullet rocketed out of the chamber, securing her reward.
I am awash with envy. Congratulations, Lizzie…
Thank you