“Hey!” the big man shouted. “I said get back here! What about that check you’re runnin’ off with?”

Joseph stopped. He faced the man. “What about it?”

“That’s a lotta dough,” said the giant. “You must think you’re pretty slick, makin’ a getaway with all that money.”

Joseph removed the slip of paper. “Why, this is nothing but paper. It’s made out to someone named George. We might as well tear it up.”

“If it’s worthless,” said Coot, “then why’re you so quick to run off with it?”

“Hand that check over,” said the giant.

“Why should I give it to you?” said Joseph.

“Because I’ll smash your head in with a brick if you don’t.”

“Sounds reasonable to me,” said Joseph. “But do you truly think a bank will cash this to either of you?” He laughed. “You look like you fell off a hay wagon.”

Coot and the giant exchanged a look.

“They might,” said Coot.

Joseph laughed even harder. “Well, good luck, lads.” He placed the check in the big man’s hand, touched the brim of his hat, and began to walk away.

“Wait!” said the giant. “You sayin’ the bank might cash it to you?”

Joseph shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know. I am a stranger in this town. They don’t know me. Maybe.”

The giant held the check to the light. Coot and Joseph waited for him to say something, but he remained silent. Coot could almost see his pickled brain working overtime.

“Okay, you go cash it,” the giant said. “And I want half.”

“Half?” Coot shouted. “You get a third!”

Joseph stroked his chin. “Now hold on. That’s a pretty big chance I’d be taking, just so you both can collect.” He shook his head. “Sorry, gentlemen, no deal.” He turned to walk away again.

“Wait!” the man said, reaching beneath his coveralls. He removed a money belt and unfurled a few bills from a large roll of cash. “Fifty bucks, and another fifty when you get back.”

Joseph removed his hat and fanned himself with it. “Fifty dollars? I’m sorry, fifty bucks isn’t worth spending the night with the sheriff.”

“Seventy-five,” said the giant.

“Two hundred and fifty dollars,” said Joseph.

The giant shook his head. “Eighty bucks, take it or leave it.”

“Leave it,” said Joseph. “Have a nice day.”

“Wait!” said Coot, jogging after Joseph. “I’ll pay it. I’ll pay the two fifty if you split the check with me.” Coot removed a wad of one-dollar bills from his shirt pocket and started to count them aloud to Joseph with his back facing the big man.