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Return of the Gunslinger


There has been some speculation that something happened to the Gunslinger. I myself thought he's probably laying dead, facedown in some alley at the hand of some ruthless Japanese gangster. As a matter of fact, I hadn't seen him all winter.

As the weather began to warm up, I spotted him, striding slowly down the arcade. He appeared to have ditched the cowboy hat. More than likely to shed that provocactive killer-like appearance.

Maybe he ditched the hat, but I noticed he added another weapon to his arsenal. In addition to his plastic gun, he now has a baton strapped to his waist. I surmise that the baton is more quiet than a gun, and for all intents and purposes, legal to carry here in Japan. He exudes nothing but terror as he makes his daily rounds of the streets of Sasebo.

I calmed myself and pushed the thought of the gunslinger out of my mind and went on my own way, hoping never to run into him again. Least not find myself face to face with him alone in one of the alleyways here in the city.

As the days passed,grantf@gol.com my short-lived peace of mind was erased by the return of The Gunslinger. He was again sporting a cowboy hat.



Don't let that mild mannered coffee drinking pose fool you. He seems to be a hardened killer. I really don't know what to make of him. He has a certain calmness about him, one that might throw an unsuspecting foe off-guard.

I wrestled with my fears and fled the scene before he caught sight of me. I hoped he didn't sense that I was on to his game. I think I know his coldblooded innermost thoughts.

Days went by and I noticed that his presence hadn't been spotted anywhere. I entertained the pleasurable thought that maybe, just maybe, The Gunslinger met his match and someone may have gunned him down and rid the city of Sasebo of this maniacal terror.

My premature joy turned to out-and-out panic when I spotted him in the small park opposite Starbucks. There he was, standing amidst the multi-colored tulips, frozen in a posture that would petrify the late Bruce Lee. Who knows what thoughts were racing through his mind as he stood there, daring anyone to advance his position.





This was about as much as I could take. My blood ran cold as I sped away from that menacing sight. I decided I would make my way into the crowd so as not to provoke him. I fear he's as lightning fast with his hands, as he is with his gun.

As I blended within the crowd, my nerves began to calm. The air felt a little cooler and the sun almost slightly brighter. I turned around and my calmness quickly turned again to terror. I noticed he now donned another lethal weapon. One to compliment his gun and nightstick - -


- - - a BABY RATTLE!

- - - and what's this other terrifying weapon he's got strapped around his neck?


This guy is a real piece of work!!



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