25 The Robbery

The announcement was made across town placing another 40,000 point bounty on The Wild Bunch. Jeff sat at a table in a saloon with his team eating pancakes. The team was mostly depressed trying to figure out what their next plan of action was. Logan stood depressed in front of a mirror on the wall.

Vanessa placed her chin on his shoulder, "What's wrong"?

He merely bit his lips before walking back to the table. Vanessa sat down next to Logan with her hands clasped and watched as he didn't even order any food. She tried offering him, but he declined.

Dani spoke up asking Logan if he was fine. He actually responded that he was okay, but remained gazing at the table. Andres was also depressed of which Jaivva informed them that he was also fine.

Hakim twirled his pancakes around asking if they could see him working for Elon Musk. Dani thought it was a cool idea whereas Jaivva thought he may be better off going to NASA. The two debated on which college may be better for him.

Teddy came bursting in swinging his arms in stiff rotations and kicking midair yelling kung fu noises. Everybody leaned back with the exception of Andres and Logan. Carter and Steven calmly walked in afterward.

Teddy faced The Wild Bunch smiling at their depression, "What got into you guys today"?

Jeff asked if they came to take them in.

Teddy took off his hat to momentarily wipe his bald head, "Nah".

Vanessa rose her finger, "How old are you guys"?

Teddy threw his hands, looked around the room, "How old you think I am"?

Vanessa looked around blushing, "I don't know. Maybe 30 or 40".

Just as Steven burst out with an obnoxious laugh, so did everybody else.

Vanessa smiled, "Logan always calls you the old man and you do look older. I thought you were like Carter's uncle and these are his friends that you help play and beat this game. And, I think that is pretty cool that you help them out. I really like that".

Steven quickly stated, "Well actually he's my uncle".

Teddy smiled while flipping his revolver, "You two need to shut up".

Steven yelled in an overly aggressive tone, "Hey! You might want to check and make sure that thing works before you go flipping it around at people"!

Carter only leaned forward and continued dying with laughter as he pulled out one of his two revolvers and said, "Here, you may want to take one of mine to shoot me with"!

Vanessa whispered, "Sorry".

Teddy dropped his smile, "I hate all of you guys".

"So how old are you," asked Jaivva.

Teddy pounced his eyes around the room again, "I literally go to your school".

"No you don't," said Vanessa, confused by his remark.

"I see you all the time," said Teddy as Vanessa continued to deny him.

"Stop skipping school," said Carter with Steven instigating, "Stay in school and get good grades so you can have a decent job and a decent retirement".

Steven added, "Yeah, keep it up and you are going to become an old burnt-out loser like me".

Teddy pointed at Steven, "Well he's 20 and still in high school".

Steven placed his hand on his heart with a dramatic shake as though he was shot.

Vanessa pouted and said, "That's alright. You will pass this year".

"Hopefully," shouted Steven, "But I'm failing Spanish".

A sudden confusion hit the room.

"You're Cuban. How the hell?" asked Carter.

"I don't know," said Steven, "But I am failing. I hate that teacher".

Carter's hands went up to emphasize his words, "All you have to do is go to class and do her stupid assignments".

"Yeah. But her assignments are stupid".

Pattie walked in with The Paragon Sisters and demanded that The Wild Bunch comes in under arrest.

"I'm 17 by the way," said Teddy as he was leaned against the bar.

Patties yelled, "And his birthday is December 13th"!

Steven asked, "Was he born on a Friday? That could explain his old man features and premature baldness".

"Shut up," yelled Pattie, "Like why did you guys even come here"?

Teddy threw his hands up, "To take a break".

Pattie and her girls held up The Wild Bunch and order their hands to be placed on their heads. Teddy was sipping on his drink and watched as each member of The Wild Bunch placed their hand on their head to be arrested.

Jeff slowly moved his hands up to do the same when a sudden freeze came to his shoulders. He tried to lift his arms up higher, but couldn't due to a pressure of guilt that followed.

He jumped underneath the table and grabbed his rifle. His team dropped as The sisters had simultaneously fired their guns but hit nobody.

The Wild Bunch each picked up tables and used them as shields.

Pattie smirked, "Why are you guys resisting, but not even fighting"?

Jeff answered, "We don't have to".

In the midst of silence, Andres said, "You got no bullets".

Pattie began firing her revolver at Andres, but only loud banging was heard. The Sisters began firing their guns to which they found they were all filled with blanks.

The Sheriff walked through the door and stood once again with his chest out and his belly further. Pattie smirked and began explaining herself to make the arrest of The Wild Bunch. But the sheriff only ordered for The Paragon Sisters to be arrested.

Pattie was confused as to why she and her girls were being arrested.

Teddy knocked his boots and answered, "For a robbery of a bank and laundering along with bribery".

"Larceny," said both Carter and Steven.

Cops came in placing The Paragon Sisters in handcuffs as Pattie was demanding a court trial. Once, taken outside, Pattie saw the stolen money in her wagon and knew she was framed.

Teddy had set The Wild Bunch at ease and cleared their name once again with the sheriff. In fact, he explained to the sheriff that The Paragon Sisters were simply trying to use them to take the fall. The sheriff thanked Teddy for his hard work and asked for their support in protecting the town.

Teddy smiled as he walked out with the sheriff, "I would love to sir".

The Wild Bunch was left to wonder what just happened?