Chapter 23: The Showdown

It was a balmy, warm Saturday morning. A gentle zephyr blew from the west, bringing with it the promise of continued good weather as it flitted and playfully shook the dark green leaves of the big leaf maple trees that ringed the Tootville Junior High School. The life-giving rays from the sun shone down pleasantly and peacefully on the ancient brick building in the very same manner that it had on thousands of bygone Saturdays since the tiny town of Tootville had sprung into existence some one hundred years before. The excitement generated by the destruction of the Tootville High School building and the visit of Sheriff Zon had died down considerably. The events that had transpired over the past few days would in time come to be considered of supreme importance and possibly even world-changing when viewed from the perspective of finite, Tootville minds, but on this cheerful morning the radiant rhythm of life continued as it always had and always would, not only in the terrestrial town of Tootville, but throughout the vast expanse of the unending cosmos. The full moon would wane and then wax full again. The high school would be rebuilt and Janitor Jim would eventually recover completely from his horrible wounds. Linda would follow Stretch to San Jose, thereby increasing her knowledge of geography. Tommy, Fishface and Watson would return often to Tootville, but only to visit, and Santa would continue to be spotted at Lipsneer’s Toy Store, shopping for the latest hot deal. All said and done, it was a wonderful Saturday morning to be alive.
“I think you should be my girlfriend,” Timmy said to Sarah, as they sat next to one another on the steps in front of the junior high school. He had passed her a note in class on Friday, asking her if she would meet him at nine in the morning and she had returned the note marked with an excited YES! At lunchtime Timmy had also challenged Tank to a showdown at nine-thirty.
“I really want to be your girlfriend,” replied Sarah. “But what about Tank?” From the look on her face it was obvious that she was quite concerned.
“It’s okay,” Timmy said confidently. “I’ll take care of everything.” He clasped Sarah’s hand tenderly in his. It was the first time of many that he would hold her hand and it seemed to Timmy, even though they were just becoming acquainted, that they had been best friends forever. Sarah sighed and the tension that she had felt for so long evaporated away from her, leaving her relaxed and calm as she sat on the steps. It was wonderful to have someone to trust.
At precisely nine-thirty Tank rounded the corner of the building, backed up by his gang. He was angry, as always, but when he saw Sarah seated next to Tommy on the steps his face turned a bright, splotchy red. “This time you’ve really had it, butt-brain!” he yelled.
Tommy stood and confidently patted the blaster in the holster at his waist. “This time you’ve had it, Tank,” he responded.
Tank stared at the blaster, then he burst out laughing. “A Ronald Ray Gun? You gotta be kidding.” Then his anger returned. “Come on, butt-brain. Let’s get this over with.”
Timmy turned to Sarah. “Don’t leave. I’ll be back just as soon as I take care of this slimeball.” Tank, still backed up by his gang, followed Timmy, and the group vanished around the corner of the building. Sarah listened intently but for several seconds total silence reigned in the schoolyard. Suddenly she heard the sound of an explosion. One of the gang members sailed through the air like a well kicked soccer ball and landed in the top of a maple tree thirty feet in front of the school building. The rest of the gang members raced around the corner and down the street, sprinting for their lives. There was the sound of another loud explosion. This time Tank streaked around the corner past his former girlfriend. The seat of his pants was smoking.
“Mama! Mama! Mama!” he screamed as he also disappeared down the street. Timmy walked victoriously into view and with a huge smile on his face strutted up to Sarah. As he reached her, he blew some imaginary smoke from the barrel of his blaster and holstered the weapon. He linked arms with her and as they walked together toward Main Street, Timmy smiled. “I knew it would end like this.”