THE JACKASS ROPERS 20

the wild haired wild horse annie had spent the night in her car across the hiway from the road to the rock creek ranch. when she heard a car leaving the dirt road and turning toward wickenburg she sat up in the seat so she could peer through the windsheild. she caught sight of her self in the rear view mirror as she did. she was more diseveled than usual. the sun was creeping up in the eastern sky so he took a healthy swig of water from a water bottle and splashed some on her face. she opened the trunk of her car and took out a new camera and a can of black spray paint. she was going to teach this jack ass roper a thing or two.like most people who are fixated on a some foolish cause she could see no other solution. with another swallow of water she started trudging up the road toward the ranch house and corrals. dan sat at the kitchen table takeing stock of the ranch situation. he had a mason jar before him stuffed with money, he had a wire strung out side crowded with ear trimmings accounting for this years calf crop. his aunt lizzy was spending her wanning years in comfort in the only place she wanted to be and he had a care giver, a house keeper and cook who he had to admit he was becomming attracted to. at his feet lay his three dogs. they were rarely allowed in the house but this morning he was feeling exceptionally generous. he had even fed them some bacon scraps from the table. he was writting in a note book when the three dogs jumped to their feet and rushed to the door growling . their hackles up. " oh great another varmit and ellen s not here to deal with it." was dans thought as he got up and walked to the door and opened it. the dogs rushed out barking and raiseing a scandel. dan reached above the door for the rifle that ellen now kept there. just as he stepped out side he heard a familiar scream . as he stepped around the corner of the house he came in sight of the big boulder that the lion had been treed on, only this time it was a brunett wild haired wild horse annie. the dogs were circling the boulder baying. on the side of the rock she had started to paint some obcene statement before being accosted by the pack of ranch hounds. dan leaned the rifle against the wall and then leaned on it and crossed his arms and watched the show. he took note the protester had a new pair of designer pants on. the woman was watching the dogs, her head on a swivel as the dogs circled the boulder. dan noticed the can of spray paint laying on the ground at the base of the rock. " just what did you think you were going to do lady?"he called. for the first time the wild horse annie saw him"call these dogs off mr.!" " aw they need the excersise, i think ill leave them be.i asked you just what you thought you were doing in my yard?"dan asked a second time. "call these dogs off let me down now!" she screetched. " you dont make demands on me sister. i may leave you right there while i go get the law. i think my boys will keep you there while ime gone. if you try to get down what ole jack did to you will be mild to what the boys will do. now, what are you doing here?" dan leaned a bit forward when he spoke. " you dirty necked turd kicken jackass killer, LET ME DOWN!" again she screamed. dan shook his head as he turned to go " ill be inside when your ready to talk." he went back in the house and shut the door but left it cracked just a bit. annie was looking around for a way down past the dogs but couldnt find one. every where she looked was a dog with a mouth full of sharp teeth.she settled down to wait out the dogs. surely they would get tired of this game and leave. instead the dogs took up station around the boulder and lay with their heads between their paws watching the intruder. it was going to be a hot day.