VisitingBilly

VISITING BILLY - Chapter One

THE PARTY

Sipping on his beer, Link looks over at a stunning blonde girl. "Ya know, I haven't seen you look so good since our karate
lessons years ago, Jenny."
"It seems you would be the first to say such things, as expected, Link," she replied.
Embarassed, Link quickly looked around the room at the rest of his friends.
At the other end of the table was Jim. Jim had brought Jenny and shot a sharp glance to Link for his comment. Jim had a
really bad sunburn from spending too many hours on the river. Jim was adventurous. He sought excitement in life and never
backed down from a challenge. He was an outdoorsman and was getting bored of this little gathering.
Sitting across from him was Gene. Gene was a cop, which may have been the cause of a few gray hairs sprouting from his
brow. He was an honest man who enjoyed two things in life, his peaceful small town, and a beer in the evening.
Feeling relieved from the stare of Jenny, Link cleared his throat and began to speak.
"Would everyone please grab another beer and sit down here at the table? I know you all thought I invited you here just to
party, but I actually had much more in mind. Just had to get feeling well first, so you're not so quick to think I'm nuts. First, I'm
going to pass out a piece of paper. Jim, your new girlfriend can get in on this, too. No reason to leave her out. Now, on this
piece of paper I'd like you to write the name of an alias you might use. Now this alias should be more like a nickname or CB
handle. I'll explain later why it needs to be a little goofy. After you're through, without looking, I'll guess what you wrote," says
Link.
All of the guests looked puzzled towards each other. Gene looked serious, then showed a small smirk on his face when he
looked up from his paper. Jim thought this was a poor reason to call them all together, but also moved his pencil on the
paper.
Everyone looked at Jenny. Her paper was still blank. She looked to Jim, and upon receiving a smile, slowly wrote something
down. She looked towards Link to signal him that everyone was done.
"Okay, all done? Pass them over please." said Link.
The notes were assembled in a pile in front of Link. A couple of them were folded, one way too many times, and the last
simply placed upside down on the top of the pile.
Without touching the pile, Link spoke again. "Jim, you're always preaching the benefits outdoors life and you love your jet
ski more than you will any woman so I bet your alias is 'Jet Ski.' Gene, being a cop, yours is 'Blue Thunder.'
With silence in the room, a big look of surprise appears on everyone's face.
Gene asks, "How'd you know?"
"Hey!" yells out Jim, interrupting Gene, "What about Jenny?"
"Jim, I thought tonight was going to be just for us guys," answered Link. "I had no idea you were going to bring someone."
"So, what's the diff?" Jim curiously replied.
"Okay, I guess it won't hurt anything. It sure doesn't fit with what I had in mind though."
"So, what did you have in mind anyway, Link?" asks Gene.
Link ignores Gene and asks Jenny, "Okay, Jenny, what name did you pick?"
"What's the matter Link, you got everyone else's right but you can't guess mine?" Jenny asked.
"No, I can't, I don't know you that well and I didn't know Jim was bringing someone."
"It's 'Barbie Doll.'" says Jenny, "My Parents always said I looked just like Barbie."
On hearing 'Barbie Doll' Link's mouth fell open while some stammering came out. Then he just stared at her.
"Hey Link, she's not a ghost." said Jim.
Link finally finds his tongue and blurts out, "You're Barbie Doll," with a look of incredulous wonder on his face.
"All right, Link, what's this all about anyway?" asks Jim.
"Jenny, get on the computer and Google 'Billy the Kid' please," says Link.
"That's it," yells Jim. "I'm sick of hearing about Billy the Kid. You're taking it too far."
Link replies, "Just hear this out Jim. Maybe you'd better get another beer first, though. Okay, Jenny, do you have it up? Now
click on page 7, on the bottom right there. Good. Now go down about half-way, see 'Billy the Kid' in Chicago? Click on that
please. Now read it to us."
Jenny starts to read. "Was Billy the Kid and his gang in Chicago during May of 1881? Some people think so. Others say no,
Billy never went anywhere but West Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The mayor of Chicago during 1881, Carter Harrison, is
said to have actually shook Billy's hand thanking him for ridding the stock yards of the Cleaver Gang. Chicago's police
department was having a tough time with this gang. Some of Billy's members were: Dave Rudabaugh, Doc Scurlok, Fred
Waite, Jose Chavez y Chavez, Blue Thunder, Jet Ski, Fifth Wheel, and Barbie Doll."
"Wow," interrupts Gene, "How could those names be the same as we picked?"
"Yeah, Link, how could that be?" asks Jim.
"Okay, everyone grab another drink and prepare to be stunned." said Link.
"The reason the names are the same is because we're going to go back in time to see Billy the Kid," said Link.
"Link, you've had too much to drink." said Jenny.
"Yeah, Link, that's nuts," said Gene.
Jim was already out of his seat and walking down the hallway.
"Jim where're you goin'?" asks Link.
"I wana see your time machine."
"There isn't any time machine, Jim."
"Then how do we go back, if we even go back at all? I still don't believe it." states Jim.
"I can't tell you right now," answers Link, "But I did just prove to you that we do go back. Those are very unusual names.
They have to be ours."
"Then how 'bout after we get done helping Billy the Kid, we grab some machine guns and give Custer a hand," suggests
Gene sarcastically.
"Nope, Gene, this is all we do," says Link, "And we will stay within the 1880 time period."
"You're out of your mind," says Gene, "going back in time to the 1880s is scary. How do we even know Billy the Kid won't
shoot us? Or that we survive at all?"
"Well, Gene, I didn't say we wouldn't cheat a bit! Well still use revolvers but they make some now that are 8 shot. Besides that
we'll have bullet proof vests, swing out cylinders, and speed loaders!" replied Link.
"It's late. Think on it for a week. We'll meet again here next Saturday. Okay? Oh, and don't say anything to anyone because if
this works, a lot of people will be knocking on our doors. The crazy people that would like to go back and kill Pontious Pilot
or Judas would probably beat down our doors and threaten us and our families. I'll expound on this more next week," said
Link.
Everyone was still a little surprised about what had just happened. As they began to walk out the door, Link added.
"I'll also tell you more about Barbie Doll."

VISITING BILLY - Chapter Two

The following Saturday at the home of Link Walker.

"It's ok honey I'll get the door."

"Hi Gene, come on in. You're only about 2 hours early. What's up?"

"Link, last week when Jenny mentioned Barbie Doll I thought you were going to faint. You just stared at her like she was a ghost. What is it you know?"

"Always the cop, huh Gene" laughs Link. "You read my face."

"Anyone could have read that face if they were watching. Now quit stalling."

"OK Gene. A while back I was searching for something, don't remember what now, I came across an archive to a defunct Chicago newspaper. Here, I'll bring it up and
you can read it."

Gene begins reading from the website.
Did Billy the Kid and his gang really visit Chicago? Mayor Harrison seems to think so. No one knows for sure because nobody really knows what Bill the Kid looks
like. Whomever they were they did the city a big favor riding it of the 'Cleaver Gang'. It is said the Cleaver Gang was paid by the packing houses to keep their workers
in line and wages low. The 'Cleaver Gang' did this by using meat cleavers to intimidate workers. A person walking around missing a hand or fingers was a better
example than a dead man.

On Saturday of last week this gang of 30 or more hoodlums met their match. It just happened that this reporter was with some farmers and their wives that were selling
cattle at the Union Stockyards. About the time things were about to get out of hand between the farmers and the 'Cleaver Gang' heads started turning to the
promenade were eight figures were walking spread wide apart across the width of the road. All eight were dressed as westerners. They also, for Chicago, illegally
wore guns. Some carried rifles. No doubt they meant business. We just didn't know with whom. Thinking this bad looking group had been hired by the Cleaver Gang
the farmers started to leave quickly. Then in a loud voice one of the westerners asked of the farmers if they had been well paid for their beef. The farmers all stopped
and turned back. Months of injustice poured from their lips. Even the wives spoke up. The westerner then said "The days of your being cheated have ended." That's
when I noticed the pink hat. Was that a woman? Yes. A woman with a blond pony tail! And unlike the others she wore two guns. The westerners kept plenty of room
between them, while the ten Cleaver thugs were bunched up making an easy target.
The clerk that had paid the farmers yelled "You should mind your own business". He then whispered to a 'Cleaver' member while moving behind him. At this point the
farmers quickly distanced themselves. In less than a minute it was all over. The 'Clever' gang, not as savy with guns as the westerners, lay dead or dying, not one of
them getting off a shot. The excited farmers were shouting gleefully when the speaker of the eight westerners told the farmers to take all the clerks money, who had
somehow survived, and split it amongst themselves.
Suddenly bullets were striking the dirt all around. The shooting was coming from the office building. The eight gunfighters quickly turned and took cover. All except the
girl in the pink hat. Both guns breaking leather at the same time. Every time she fired a gang member fell. But then she went down, laying still in the dirt on her back. All
the gun firing seemed to stop. All eyes where on her. She then shakily arose without her hat and only one gun and started firing again. Everyone around including this
reporter started yelling. Then she was stuck again and fell. A loud voice yelled "cover us" and all the western gunman but two began shooting. Those two ran out and
dragged the girl to cover. Intense firing erupted as the westerners rushed the office building. Screaming and yelling could be heard from the inside. Then it was all
quiet. The westerners exited the rear of the building and disappeared carrying the girl.
This reporter was not able to find anyone who knew the condition of the girl or where the westerners went.
I will be requesting a meeting with the mayor.

"Wow, Link, we've got to make sure Barbie, I mean Jenny, doesn't go."

"We can't tell her, Gene."

"What ya mean we can't tell her? We can't let her get killed."

"We don't know if she dies. Hopefully she was wearing abullet proof vest. This is the way it happens. We can't change history. I wouldn't tell her anymore than I'd tell
Billy the Kid that on July 7, 1881 he will be killed by Pat Garrett."

"Boy, I just don't know. This is all getting to be too much. I thought it was just going to be a friendly trip back in time," muses Gene while shaking his head.

"Let's just go along with it and see what happens. We can always end things any time. Promise you won't say anything, especially to Jim. He wouldn't stand for this."

"OK. I won't. For now anyway."

I'll tell you something else. I've been researching Ruth Handler on the web. She invented the dolls, Barbie and Ken, they where named after her kids." While Gene
shakes his head yes Link continues. "I'm not sure but I think she named her daughter Barbie after hearing of our Barbie, I mean, Jenny, from her Polish uncle. I think he
was traveling through Chicago on his way to Denver about that time."

With an incredulous look of disbelief Gene says, "Wow this is just too much."

"It sure is! You better get another beer Gene."

"Good idea. I need one!"

By the time Jenny and Jim arrive Gene is getting a bit soused.

With a big smile on her face Jenny asks "Gene, looks like you've had an early start. What's the occasion?
Good thing Jim brought some extra beer with."

After everyone is seated Link asks, "Are we all going?"

"Sure, sounds like a great vacation," replies Jim. "Jenny and I are both going. Isn't that right Jen?"

"Yeah, I want to find out if Billy is the ladies man they say he was. Might be fun," she giggles.

"Gene, you haven't said much at all. Are you going?"

"Not sure yet. You know this might be more than a vacation. Someone could get killed."

"Sounds like the cop instinct is coming out again," smiles Jim.

"Come on Gene, stop being such a wet blanket. It'll be fun," chimes in Jenny.

"Well, I'll go along for now and decide later."

"That'll work. I'd like to delegate some chores now. Gene, being a cop you'll be in charge of bullet proof vests. We'll need eight. We can't let anything happen to Billy
and his gang. They have to be available to meet their destiny. Oh and help Jenny and Jim with their guns. A calibre that was used back then would be good that way
more ammunition will be available. And Jenny, would you take charge of the supplies. All wrappers must be pulled from cans and packaging."

Before Link could finish Jenny yells, "Wait a minute, I'm not doing the cooking!"

With a look of exasperation Link replies "That's ok Jenny, I'd just like you to buy the supplies. We'll take turns cooking. Ok?"

"Ok, Link. I was afraid because I'm the woman you guys were going to expect me to do all the cooking."

"Now, where was I? Oh yeah, before I was interrupted I was going to ask Jim, because he's the outdoorsman to help Jenny with the supplies. Ok Jim? Also the zipper
hasn't been invented yet but jeans have been. They have button flys. We'll get horses, saddles and ammo in New Mexico. Oh, and most importantly toilet paper was
invented in 1879 so my biggest scare is solved!" Now everyone laughs while going 'whew'. Link continues, "We leave in four weeks. In the meantime we have to
practice shooting. We'll practice every Saturday and Sunday. We'll shoot 500 rounds each day apiece. By the time we're done aiming won't be necessary. We'll be
able to just point and shoot. Just like Annie Oakley. That reminds me the front sight needs to be filed off and the rear sight removed. You won't need the sights and
they'll slow your draw. For aimed shooting we'll have rifles." Link pauses to catch his breath.

"Now you're starting to scare me Link," says Jim.

"Come on Jim, now you're the wet blanket," laughs Jenny. "What can happen anyway"?

"Jenny, you could be killed," replies Gene somberly.

"Nah, you worry too much," replies Jenny, the smile gone from her face. The serious look on Gene's face was scaring her a bit.

After giving Gene a stern look Link starts again. "Something else we have to work on is speeding up our reflexes. Have any of you ever played that hand slapping
game when you were kids? Where one person puts their hands under another persons hand and slaps that person's hand until they miss? My son here will help me
demonstrate and he'll also be the control so we can tell if we're getting faster. He won't practice at all while the rest of us will. Any questions?"

With a big grin Jim asks, "Sure, where's the time machine?"

Hesitantly Link replies, "There isn't one. You'll just have to trust me on how we go back. I've already shown you that we do."

"I'm really curious but I will trust you," the big grin still on Jim's face.

"Ok, we'll all meet out here Saturday at 10:00 AM. Bring lots of cans to shoot at and anything else that might be fun to shoot up. And remember, 500 rounds apiece."

Visiting Billy - Chapter Three

Preparation

It's a Saturday morning during February with the sun shining and everyone has shown up for shooting practice. Link, already wearing his six shooter and cowboy hat
looks ready for bear.

Jim straps his gun on and looks to Jenny. "Hey Jenny, where's you hat?"

"I haven't gotten one yet," she smiles back.

Link was watching as Jenny in her tight jeans straps on her gun belt, "Hey Jenny only one?"

"Only one what Link," as she makes a square knot on her tie down strap.

"Only one gun Jenny," Link is smiling like a peacock.

"Why on Earth would I want more than one," Jenny wants to know.

"Oh, I don't know. Just thought you might be good for more than one," Link is still smiling big time.

Link looks over at Gene, "Hey, Gene, you being the cop you should be in charge of shooting practice. Do you know, does everyone have 500 rounds?"

"Yes, Link, I've been looking into it and everyone has at least 500 rounds. Looks like a good day to get some sore wrists! OK, everyone listen up. Today were just
going to practice shooting but not at targets. Just shoot at anything you see, a leaf, a rock, any little thing as you walk along. Shoot like crazy, you have to burn up 500
rounds. We're going to do this at least once a week on Saturdays. On Sundays we'll practice fast draws while shooting at a silhouette. Also, I hope everyone has been
practicing the hand slap game at home. Later to day we'll see who ends up with sorest, red hands."

Later that day Jim walks over to Gene, "Look at Jenny; she thought she'd try her left hand and she's as good with it as her right."

"Yeah Jim, doesn't surprise me at all she's ambidextrous. But is she hitting anything?"

"Well, about 50/50 so far, but she's getting better all the time. Jim you know those vests were real expensive."

"Yeah I know. You put them on your card didn't you?"
"Sure did. I don't have that kind of money."

"Don't worry Jim I'm spending a lot more than you."

"Oh yeah, what are you buying?" Gene wanted to know.

Jim just smiled and turned away.

Chapter 4 - Fort Sumner

The high plains of New Mexico were chilly this morning. The adventurers had packed up their gear and were at the ranch to rent horses. After saddling and loading the
pack horses Link kissed and hugged Barb goodbye. Having no desire to go Barb was going to wait at the Super 8 for their return. She watched as the four riders
rode down the dusty ranch road.

It was about 10am on that crisp March morning. The eight horses hooves making quite a bit of noise clomping on the hard packed earth. They were on the outskirts of
Fort Sumner riding alongside an old highway a couple of miles out of town when Jenny yells and jumps off her horse handing the reins to Jim she runs off into the New
Mexico sand.

Jim yells, "Hey Jenny what are you doing? Where're you going?"

Jenny ignores him. She's running for all she's worth trying to catch a dust devil. She get's so close but can't seem to catch it. Out of breath she finally gives up. Huffing
and puffing she returns to the group.

"That thing must be alive. I couldn't catch it. I'd get so close then it would make a sharp turn and go off a different way. What was that Link?"

"Do you think you should really be chasing something when you don't know what it is?" laughed Link.

"But what was that Link?" asks Jenny again.

"That was a dust devil. Aptly named don't you think." Replies Link.

"What's a dust devil?" asks Jenny.

"Generally they only happen in the southwest on perfectly still days like today. It's kinda like a mini tornado but without a cloud in the sky. And compared to a tornado
they're super tiny, as little as a few feet high. They just kinda go where they want." As Link pauses to catch his breath. Jenny jumps in.

"But are they alive? It must have been alive. It wouldn't let me catch it."

"No they aren't alive. At least I don't think so, but they are mysterious. They just seem to pop up anywhere and go where they want. Yes, dust devil is a good name for
them." Link shakes his head up and down as if he agrees with himself. "You know Jenny, I've always had that same urge as you, to try to jump into one. That's what you
were trying to do wasn't it?" states Link.

"Yeah, I was. I don't know why." Replies Jenny. "But it wouldn't let me."

After riding a few more miles the group decides to return the horses to the ranch and go back to the motel. When Barb asked Link why they were back he answered
they must have been on the wrong road.

It is decided after showering everyone would meet downstairs before going to the bar down the street.

While Gene gets a couple of pitchers filled, Link, Barb, Jim and Jenny head to a table at the back of the room.

Upon arriving with the beer Gene states loudly, "Link you've got some explaining to do. As far as vacations go this has been a lot of fun but that's not why we're here.
How about it, how are we going back. You never did tell us, we simply trusted you. Now it's starting to seem pretty silly."

Link just sits quietly staring at his beer.

"Come'on Link tell us how we're supposed to go back," speaks up Jenny.

Link stares at his friends one at a time with a blank look.

"You know, he's never even told me," mentions Barb.

Link coming out of his reverie replies, "Ok, I'll tell you. But it's difficult." With everyone staring at him he pauses. "You've all heard people say God told me to do it. Or I
heard a voice in my head."

Before Link could say any more Jim jumps up saying; "I've heard enough. I just wasted my vacation."

As Jim turns away Gene asks, "Where you going Jim?"

"To the bar to get something stronger."

Without any prodding Link continues, "It happened after I came across those websites I showed you. All of a sudden I just knew that we would be going back. I didn't
know how but I knew we would. I figured we needed to be here, Fort Sumner, the place where Billy was killed by Pat Garrett. I simply trusted my feelings."

"That's it. No more?" complains Gene. That's all you know?

"Yep. That's all I know. But I do believe" replies Link.

Jenny getting mad tells Link, "We trusted you. You've wasted our vacations and our money."

Jim returns with a glass of whisky and says, "I could here you all the way to the bar. Not that it matters. I must admit though it has been one of my better vacations. So,
what do we do now?"

"What do we do? We head home in the morning. That's what we do," spouts off Jenny. "What's in the glass Jim?"

"Whisky," Jim responds. "I used to think I should get used to drinking it if that's all they have in the old west. Guess it doesn't matter now but I just thought I'd see if I
could drink the stuff. So what do we do now Link?"

With a worried look Link replies, "Let's stay one more day. I'd like to talk to someone about the roads headed to Lincoln. I don't think we were on the right road today."

"Link, what's that got to do with anything?" asks Jim. "You don't have a time machine. Did you think we would ride down a rode and just go back into time? We were
silly to listen to this whole thing."

"Just give me 'til two tomorrow. I'll know by then," promises Link.

Seven o'clock the next morning an excited Link is running down the motel hallway pounding on doors yelling "Come on come on lets go. I'll be in the brunch room."

As the others arrived at the motel's brunch room Link was finishing off a blueberry muffin.

Do to Link's full mouth Gene was first to speak. "Link what are you so excited about it's nowhere near 2 yet and you haven't even left the motel yet?"

"Yeah Link what's going on?" Jim wanted to know.

While grabbing a diet coke Link held up one finger. "Had to wash that down first. Last night I spent 2 hours on the laptop researching this town. This is Sunnyside not
Fort Sumner. I mean it used to be Sunnyside. In 1905 is became Fort Sumner. Let me explain, first I went to Wikipedia, they had nothing special to say about Fort
Sumner other than the military built it in 1863 to protect and guard an Indian reservation nearby. Anyway in 1905 the town of Fort Sumner moved 7 miles to the
Northwest. Next to Sunnyside. Later they combined. So we're in the wrong place. Today we'll start from the original Fort Sumner spot, where Billy is buried and head
towards Lincoln along the old trail.

The other four started talking at once asking why there and what good would it do.

Interrupting everyone Link mentions, "I've already called the rancher and asked him to trailer the horses to the cemetery were the Kid is buried. We'll start from there."

The four rode silently, four abreast. Link had a good feeling while he was riding. The air was crisp and clean. It felt like a good day to be alive. He looked over at
Jenny. She smiled. Riding alongside of her was Gene who reigned up quickly while looking to his right. Following his gaze Link saw it too. An ominous looking funnel
cloud. But not a normal funnel cloud because there was no cloud on top for it to come out of. And it was the wrong color. By now everyone had stopped and was
staring at it.

"Link what is that", asked Jenny.

"You know I'm not sure but I think it's an oversized dust devil."

"How can a dust devil be that big?" Gene wanted to know. "It looks like a tornado funnel that was separated from it's cloud."

"Well whatever it is it's headed this way." Yelled Jim. "Let's see if we can out run it."

After galloping about a mile the four stopped.

"That funnel is following us," yelled Jim.

"You're right Jim. Everyone off. Jim hold the reigns while the rest of us put bandannas over the horses eyes", ordered Gene.

"Ok everyone gather together and pull the horses in tight," yelled Link. "Looks like Jenny is going to get her wish and be on the inside of a dust devil."

The funnel just about on them everyone stood in a tight circle facing each other holding tightly to their reins. Some of the horses were trying to rear up. "Here it comes,"
someone yelled. It was within a couple of feet when it stopped, suddenly disappearing. No one was even dusty. The four looked around confusedly.

"What just happened?" asked Jenny.

"I don't know," replied Link. "I guess you didn't get to experience the inside of a dust devil after all."

Gene speaks up, "I've had enough excitement for one day, lets head back."

"This time I'll agree with you Gene," responded Link. "I guess whole thing was a stupid idea. I apologize everyone."

Everyone rode quietly in the direction from which they had come.

"Link we're almost to the cemetery why don't you give that rancher a call and have him come pick us up," suggested Gene.

"I already tried Gene but don't have a signal here, maybe after we get over that little rise."

Jim happened to be leading when he topped the rise and turned back to the rest. He noted Link was busy with his cell phone. "Did we make a wrong turn
somewhere? What town is this?"

"We didn't make any turns" replied Gene, "it's been a straight ride."

"Then we should have made a turn somewhere," fussed Jim.

"Take a closer look Jim. This is a really strange old town. Look there," Gene pointed," "even a couple of horses tied to that hitching rail."

About that time Link caught up to them mumbling something about no cell phone signal. "What is this town?"

Without a word Jenny took off at a gallop for the town.

Jim yelled, "Where you going Jen?" It was to no avail, Jenny just kept on.

Smiling broadly Link yelled, "We'd better catch her. I think this is the old Fort Sumner!"