"Well, yes Sheriff, I guess that's so. Just as long as they reach their cut-off by the due date.... But tell me again, Sheriff, why are we in this situation now? I mean, a few years back, you announced the end of your official peace-keeping support and security in Dodge, as so few citizens were left. And yet here you are, keeping it going for another two years."

"Well, yes, we thot it would all be over by now. But there's still so much potential revenue out there — naw, scratch that out, I mean there's still so many concerned citizens here, that we felt we'd better keep right on goin'. After all, we take our responsibilities very seriously. Hell, that's my department's motto y'know - you must have seen the signs everywhere — 'Dodge - our responsibilities'."

"Yes, Sheriff, I've always though that was very apt. But what about the private security firms — they've always said they were keen to protect the homesteaders who stayed on, and now they have to wait, and survive, two more years if they want to do that".

The Sheriff raised his eyebrows at the mention of the private security firms, leaned in very close, and said, conspiratorially: "Earp!" And then, somewhat embarrassed, "Oh 'scuse me! I guess it ain't just my rifle that's repeatin'!"

"But, y'know, Ron, they really depend on us for supplies and ammunition. And without us here, they just know that the Sarbanes-Oxley gang will ride right in just like they weren't there, and pick their prospects off one by one."

"Yes, Sheriff, I heard about the supplies and ammo thing. But it seems to me you are just sitting on your arsenal, when you could be opening it up to everyone right now. But you've chosen not to do that. And what about these magazines — I hear a lot of those you have sold are crippled down to only take one bullet where they could perfectly easily hold four, if only you would release the lock on these?"

"Hell, Ron, you don't want to believe everything you read in magazines - but yes it's true. Some people bought cheaper rifles, that was one of the ways we made 'em cheaper. Gotta shell out, if you want the shells in, huh?" (chuckles) "Just my little joke....  Of course, there are no more rifles, so we can't sell 'em the dearer ones now, even if we had 'em and wanted to sell 'em, and they wanted to buy them. But we gotta keep the faith with the people who paid extra for the dearer rifles, y'know. It's important to us, keepin' the faith. Well, keepin' the faithful, anyway."

"So, no opening up and releasing the lock, then, Sheriff? I know there's a group of concerned townsfolk been pressing you to do just that."

"Well, not right now, for sure. I mean, we've talked to them a whole bunch. But doing what they want? It has to be lock, stock, and barrel. So we've looked at the lock, we've taken stock — and figured we pretty much have 'em over a barrel."

"I see... Well, finally, Sheriff, what happens over the next two years, before you and your deputies finally light out for Tombstone?"

(Sheriff chuckles). "Funny you should mention tombstone(s). See over yonder?" (Gestures towards Boot Hill). "I figure everyone will git out of town one way or another. And with all these graybeards around, and none of 'em gittin' any younger..."

(Ron shudders) "You don't mean..."

"Yes, Ron that's exactly what I mean. Most of they HP 3000s just run and run and run, and it's only when you stop and restart them that they finally peg out. Still, it shore is an honorable way to go — and folks will say of those ole processors — "They died with their boots on'".

"Well, I guess that about wraps it up. Thank you Sheriff, for being so candid".

"Thank you Ron, fer givin' me the chance to put the record straight."