The Exchange.

The silence of the swamp is disturbed by lone man sitting in a docked raggedy rowboat whistling the tune of Wayfaring Stranger. His dark brown shirt is stained looking like is hasn’t been washed in some time, his pants are torn in several places but are being held by suspenders. A gun shot echoes though the swamp interrupting the man whistling, several more gun shots are heard nearby. A man runs onto the dock, his white-collar shirt has sweat seeping out of it, his brown blonde hair looks wet with the amount of sweat.

“Abe, Thomas, hurry up!” he shouts out.

Two men are running towards the docks, Thomas the big broader man is carrying a unconscious man over his shoulders.

“We are here Mr. Calloway!” Abe yells out

“Cleet!” Mr. Calloway shouts to the man sitting in the rowboat.

Cleet looks up at him “Get the oars in place.” he commands.

Abe is the first one off the dock and into the boat, followed by Thomas then finally Mr. Calloway.

“Row god dam it row!” Mr. Calloway shouts out in a panic as he can hear gun shots and whistles be blown getting closer.

Cleet starts rowing as fast as he can getting some distance between them and the dock. Thomas puts the unconscious man down in the middle of the boat, he quickly checks him lifting his suit around looking for any bullet wounds but none are found. Thomas turns to look at Mr. Calloway who is sitting at the end of the boat “What happened to Jack?” Thomas asks.

Everyone on the boat goes silent the only thing making a sound is the oars rowing, Mr. Calloway looks up at Thomas

“I’m sorry son, Jack fell.” Mr. Calloway says.

“You promised us that this would be an easy snatch and go job, that there would be no more than three guards patrolling, but this fella here had a god dam army of hired men!” Thomas yells.

“This fella here Thomas is the reason we all did this job, the reason we are all going to be rich, the reason young Abe here will no longer have to beg on the streets to put food on his table. Mr. Davidson here is a corrupt killer but he also our ticket to salvation, to the new life we all want. All we have to do now is sit back, let Cleet row and then hand him over to a man I know who will pay us the top dollar.”

“If your man doesn’t pay us what we owed Mr. Calloway I will make sure I get my pay out of you.” Thomas threats as he takes a seat holding onto his rifle next to Mr. Calloway.

Sitting on the edge of the rowboat Abe watches the tree line, he spots a snake slithering on top of the water's surface, he quickly gets further into the boat.

“Afraid of the water?” Thomas asks,

Abe goes silent not wanting to answer the question. “No sir just don't like the creatures living in it.” Abe says.

“Snakes? you haven't even seen the worst of it, gators as big as this boat live in these parts, wouldn’t be surprised if one would be following us.” Thomas says trying to spook Abe

“Enough! no need to put that lie in the boys mind I need him strong and alert watching the trees making sure we are not followed by any lawman that want to play hero.” Mr. Calloway says.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if there are lawman already waiting for us.” Thomas says

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying this whole plan of yours wasn’t so planned out, we all barely made it out alive, Jack didn’t, Abe nearly got his head blown off if I didn’t pull him back.” Thomas says.

“You think this was all my plan, you think I wanted Jack to die?” Mr. Calloway asks

“I not accusing anyone Mr. Calloway but they seemed mighty prepared for something.”

“Cleet!” Mr. Calloway snaps,

Cleet looks at him

“Wake that man up.” he orders.

Cleet gives a slight kick to Mr. Davidson’s back, his eyes open up and he sits himself up.

“How wonderful of you to join us.” Mr. Calloway greets.

Mr. Davidson looks at the men who kidnapped them observing their faces.

“Benjamin Calloway, I heard rumor you were in town, let me guess, you plan to ransom me, pay off your band of degenerates and then skip town?” Mr. Davidson asks.

“Along those lines.” Benjamin replies.

“You clearly never kidnapped a wealthy person before, have you?” Mr. Davidson asks

“Several actually but do tell, enlighten us all, how this will fail?”

“You see Mr. Calloway first I know who you are, second I have seen the faces of your men and even if you do take me to shore it will only be a matter of days until I send my people out to hunt you all.”

“Is that so? Well, I could just kill you right now take everything in your pockets.” Benjamin threatens,

Mr. Davidson laughs to himself “I’m surprised you haven't already. You can’t kill me Mr. Calloway, you need me alive for the money and I don’t think your men would be happy with you if they didn’t get their slice of pie.” Mr. Davidson says.

Banjamin goes quite no witty remark to counter Mr. Davidson's sentence instead he looks to the men besides him. Mr. Davidson looks to Thomas

“Out of curiosity gunslinger, how much has Mr. Calloway paid you?” Mr. Davidson asks

Thomas looks away breaking eye contact looking out to the swamp.

“He hasn’t paid you. How much is promised then?” Mr. Davidson asks

“Our dealings are not apart of your affair.” Banjamin interrupts

“I’d beg to differ since it's me who is being ransomed, I want to make sure your men know my worth.”

“Twenty percent of the cut.” Thomas says.

“And this is based off a mutual trust between you and Mr. Calloway even though you sir do not know how much I am being ransomed for.” Mr. Davidson asks.

Thomas goes quite just staring out to the distance

“Look at me sir its impolite to ignore a man while he is talking!” Mr. Davidson demands. Thomas looks at him

“I took you for intellect at first glance but it seems you have been played a fool, you haven't been paid for a job, you are promised money but do not know the amount you will receive, you are either stupid or desperate for the dollar, so which would it be?” Mr. Davidson asks.

“That is quite enough out of you.” Mr. Calloway interrupts

“Have you ever been outside of the city?” Thomas asks.

“A few times, mostly to see how my investments are operating.” Mr. Davidson replies

“Then you know what it's like, the roads are cleared, lawmen are patrolling the wilds and gangs no longer want to live near society. A few years ago, this area was booming with work for hired guns, tracking down outlaws for a fair price, now there is little to none left.” Thomas says

“Why not move? I hear the Red Jack Gang are up north or better yet why not get a new profession, buildings are being built every day in this city they could always use a strong hand like yours.”

“I don’t have the privilege anymore to pick up my belongs and move nor will I do a fair day's work for an unfair pay.” Thomas says.

Mr. Davidson goes quite for a moment. “I would like to hire your services.” Mr. Davidson says

“Excuse me?” Benjamin replies.

“Cleet, is it?” Mr. Davidson asks

Cleet looks up at him “Yes.” he says

“Cleet sir will you be so kind to take the ring off my finger on my right hand.”

“Cleet do not listen to this man.” Mr. Calloway demands.

Cleet stops rowing and places the oars on either side inside the boat.

“I assure you Cleet my friend that I mean you no harm just going to show your friends here my ring.” Mr. Davidson reassures.

Cleet looks back at Mr. Calloway then to the ring, he proceeds to remove the ring from his finger.

“Thank you Cleet, would you kindly show Mr. Thomas here what that ring looks like.” Mr. Davidson asks.

Cleet raises his hand up to show off the golden ring to the people aboard.

“As I mentioned before Mr. Thomas, I would like to hire your services. In Cleet’s hand is a solid gold ring worth about one hundred to two hundred dollars give or take, it's yours if you accept my proposition.” Mr. Davidson purposes.

Thomas leans in to take a closer look at the golden ring.

“Mr. Thomas is not available for work right now since he has signed a contract to work for me.” Mr. Calloway interrupts.

“As far as I can tell that contact is invalid until Mr. Thomas gets some sort of fee which you have not provided however I here am willing to part with this ring for his services.” Mr. Davidson argues.

Thomas sits back down “What's the work?” he asks

“Bounty hunting, alive or dead preferably dead, Mr. Calloway here is a wanted criminal in several states up north. He has robbed folk, killed folk, all in the name for the mighty dollar.” Mr. Davidson says

“Not all of that is true. Listen to me Thomas, I robbed rich folk like Mr. Davidson here men who pick on the lower class, a man who haven't done a hard day's work in his life yet is okay with men working themselves to death” Mr. Calloway says

“What about the people you get killed? The people caught in the crossfire, I hear tale of a young pregnant woman shot dead by a stray bullet.” Mr. Davidson reminds.

“Just like Jack, you promised him riches enough to stop working and retire but all he ended up getting was lead.” Thomas says as he tightens his grip on his rife.

“Fellas we shouldn’t do this here.” Abe intervenes

“You weren't there, I didn’t shoot her.” Benjamin says looking down at his hands

“No? But your outlaw buddies did, it was your plan, your gang, her death is on your hands.” Mr. Davidson provokes.

“I’ll take that ring Cleet.” Thomas says

“Cleet would you kindly pass the gold ring over to Mr. Thomas.” Mr. Davidson asks,

Cleet flicks the golden ring over to Thomas who catches the ring, Benjamin quickly stands up, pulls out his revolver and fires one round into Thomas’s head, his body falls backwards into the swamp with the ring still in his hand. Abe yells out shocked, Cleet minds his own business and gets the oars back in place, Benjamin sits back down.

“Row.” he commands.

Without question Cleet continues to row. Not a word is said for what feels like forever, Mr. Calloway is staring straight at Mr. Davidson not breaking eye contact, Mr. Davidson looks over to Abe who has moved back to the edge of the boat.

“First time seeing a man die?” Mr. Davidson asks

“Quiet” Mr. Calloway commands.

Abe turns his head away from the swamp and nods in his direction.

“it's never easy, one minute they are there and the next all that man's hopes, dreams all that made him unique is gone within seconds. My first was a man in his forties, I was young then maybe sixteen seventeen around your age, he was riding with me and my father when we got ambushed by outlaws. He didn’t have time to react, he was just done as soon as he heard the gunshot.” Mr. Davidson reminiscences.

“Enough with the sob stories, your so-called investments kill men every day, Abe’s father was a coal miner company you own. He got black lung and died on the streets, young Abe here had to do what was necessary to survive.” Mr. Calloway says,

“Is that true son?” Mr. Davidson asks.

Abe just nods.

“Your industries have killed more men than several outlaw gangs combine and once they are all gone you will still be killing men.” Mr. Calloway argues.

Mr. Davidson looks back to Mr. Calloway

“Everyone has a choice Mr. Calloway, those men chose to work in the harsh conditions, I never forced any of them to stay, they could have picked up and left for other work.” Mr. Davidson says

“Picked up and left, you don’t know what it's like to have only five cents to your name sir, we didn’t have the privilege to just pick up and leave. The coal mining work gave us cabin for pa’s work if he had gone and done anything else we would be on the streets no better than beggars. Now look at me, my mother and sister live in an abandoned home working as cleaners trying to save while starving.” Abe rants.

Mr. Davidson pauses for a moment

“I'm sorry for your loss son I really am, life has been unfair to you but you don’t have to live this outlaw's life style.” Mr. Davidson says.

Abe focuses his attention to Mr. Davidson.

“Don't listen to him.” Mr. Calloway demands

“Or what? Will you kill me too?” Abe questions.

He turns his attention back to Mr. Davidson

“Speak old man.” Abe says.

“let me ask you which is the greater, this one job that will get your family fed for maybe a month or two supposing Mr. Calloway doesn’t run off with the money or work for me at my estate I could always use more cleaners or gardeners and you seem to know your way around a weapon I might need more guards. Since I am now short staffed” Mr. Davidson offers.

“If I accept Mr. Calloway here will kill me and what's stopping you from turning me into the lawmen once I agree.” Abe asks.

“I won't kill you Abe, I'll prove it.” Benjamin unholsters his weapons and places them at his feet.

“As for me, I'm more than happy to sign a private contract stating that I will not turn you into the law for the crimes committed today as long as you work for me.” Mr. Davidson says.

Abe contemplates about his choices. “Alright.” he says to the group.

“I'm only doing this for my family Mr. Calloway, you can have my cut.” Abe says.

“You can keep your cut son you have earned it; I do not blame you, heck if I were in your position I would most likely do the same.” Mr. Calloway says.

“It's in an agreement then, now normally It would be courtesy to shake one's hand after a deal.” Mr. Davidson reaches out with his hands tied together.

Abe stands up and shifts towards him “Thank you sir, I'll work hard for you.” Abe says shaking his tied hands

“I have no doubt you will.” Mr. Davidson says.

As Abe turns back to go back into his chair Mr. Davidson kicks the back of Abe’s legs making him loose balance falling out of the boat and into the swamp.

“Help!” he calls out struggling to stay afloat.

Cleet stops rowing for a moment.

“Keep rowing Cleet.” Mr. Calloway calmly commands.

Cleet continues to row, Mr. Calloway looks straight ahead not once glancing back to look at Abe ignoring his cries for help.

“You just lost yourself a hard worker.” Mr. Calloway says

“You really think I was offering that criminal a job?” Mr. Davidson asks.

Abe is no longer calling out for help his body is underwater sinking to the depths below.

Cleet is continuing to row observing his surroundings, Mr. Davidson is sitting infront of him while Mr. Calloway has returned his pistols to his holsters.

“Suppose that makes your cut fifty fifty.” Mr. Davidson points out.

“Suppose it does.” Mr. Calloway replies.

“Who's to say you won't kill our friend Cleet here and take the money to yourself.” Mr. Davidson asks.

“Oh no I won't do that, don’t want to row the boat.” Mr. Calloway laughs.

Cleet looks over to Mr. Calloway but doesn’t say a word.

“You have been awfully quite back their Cleet my friend, what's your story? why would a big strong man like yourself take up arms against me?” Mr. Davidson asks

“Cleet, you don’t have to answer him.” Mr. Calloway suggests.

Cleet looks over to Mr. Davidson

“But he called me friend.”

“He is not your friend, he is a bad man Cleet, a very, very bad man.” Mr. Calloway accuses

Mr. Davidson looks back to Cleet.

“Cleet, do you have a family? a mother, father or a sister?” Mr. Davidson asks,

Cleet nods “Yes.”

“Well, Mr. Calloway he hurt a family a while back, accidently shot a lady who was going to have a baby.” Mr. Davidson says.

Mr. Calloway stares down Mr. Davidson “That enough.”

“Her husband became really sad and nothing could have made him happy anymore.” Mr. Davidson says.

“What happened to him?” Cleet asks

“He couldn't handle the sadness, he purchased a gun took his own life.”

“I said that’s enough!” Mr. Calloway yells out in a fury, he stands up from his seat and grabs Mr. Davidson by the collar.

“Just how many families have you killed? how many fathers won't see their sons grow up to be men, how many wives have you turned to widows, how many? fifty? One hundred?” Mr. Calloway yells.

“I have never killed any families, unlike you.” Mr. Davidson replies,

Mr. Calloway forces Mr. Davidson's his head into the water and holds him down.

“Tell your lies now! Tell them, who is going to believe you down there?”

“Stop” Cleet says stopping the boat.

Mr. Davidson struggles to keep his head above water.

“You are nothing but filth and filth needs to be removed!” Mr. Calloway yells.

“Stop!” Cleet pleads

Cleet uses an oar to smack it against the back of Mr. Calloway making him let go of Mr. Davidson. Mr. Calloway turns to look at Cleet, his hand is hovering about his pistol.

“Are you going to betray me boy?” Mr. Calloway asks.

“No sir” Cleet whimpers,

Mr. Davidson is on the floor of the boat spitting out water.

“He is a bad man Cleet do not listen to him.” Mr. Calloway says as he points to Mr. Davidson.

Mr. Davidson quickly stands up and throws himself on top of Mr. Calloway catching him by surprise. Hands tied together Mr. Davidson starts to hit Mr Calloway in the face, Mr. Calloway blocks some of the blows but some punches follow through. Mr Calloway manages to grab one of his revolvers out of his holster, he raises the weapon towards Mr. Davidson but its quickly punched out of his hand making it land at Cleet's feet. Cleet leans down and picks up the revolver.

“Shoot him Cleet!” Mr. Calloway commands.

Cleet watches as the two men struggle.

“Cleet, you don’t have to do this, think of the people Mr. Calloway hurt. Jack and how he killed Thomas he didn't even save Abe.” Mr. Davidson says as he gets punched in the face by Mr. Calloway.

Mr. Davidson is blocking as many blows as he can but after several punches to the head he is given up lacking the energy to hold his arms up. Cleet fires the revolver, Mr. Calloway stops what he is doing he feels the bullet wound in his side, blood is leaking out of his shirt.

“You shot me.” he says surprised.

Mr. Calloway gets off Mr. Davidson and sits down, Mr. Calloway looks up at Cleet and quickly draws his second pistol, Cleet fires another round killing Mr. Calloway with a bullet to the head.

“Thank you.” Mr. Davidson says struggling to sit up.

Mr. Davidson collects the revolver out of Mr. Calloway's hand and then pushes him overboard into the swamp.

“Are you okay?” Cleet asks

“I’ll be just fine thanks to you.”

Cleet smiles, he then picks up the oars and continues to row. After ten minutes of rowing they finally reach the destination the group had originally planned, an old dock next to a wooden shack. Nearby are five horses hitched to post. Cleet rows next to the dock and then stops, he helps Mr. Davidson out of the row boat.

“Thank you Cleet.”

Cleet takes off the rope which is tied around Mr. Davidsons hands.

“Cleet, can you do me a favor and untie those horses there and let them loose, leave one for me.”

“Yes sir.” Cleet says

As he makes his way to the horses. Mr. Davidson takes a seat on a nearby log, Cleet unties the horses and yells at them making them all scatter in different directions. Mr. Davidson places his hand on Mr. Calloway’s revolver, he draws it out of the holster, takes aim then fires hitting Cleet in the chest sending him to the dirt. The horse that is hitched gets spooked and starts jumping up and down trying to get away.

Mr. Davidson walks over to Cleet, he is struggling to breath, his hand over his wound Cleet manages to make out some words “Help.”

“Thank you Cleet.” Mr. Davidson says.

He puts one more round in him to end his suffering. Mr. Davidson slowly walks over to the horse and calms him down, he uses all his strength to saddle himself on top of the horse. Reins in hand he gives the horse a small whip and the two trot into the forest back to civilization.