Both men walked out into the street cold and tired. It was at least ninety degrees out, if not more, in the time forgotten desert town. The guns at the sides of the two men gleamed as the sun reflected off the chrome and ivory handles hanging out of their holsters. Both guns at each man's side was loaded and ready to go, as they have been so many times before.

The spurs on the boots of each man clicked and rattled as they walked to the middle of the sandy street. A cold wind blew on the face of each man, and the dust rose around them, blocking the view of the crowd of men, women, and children that had gathered to see the two gunslingers end the legendary partnership that had started six years ago.

As the two men walked into their positions, the crowd grew still, oblivious to the heat that pounded their faces in the mid-afternoon sun. Tears ran down the cheeks of the women who had loved and longed for the warmth and comfort of the two gunslingers.

The men folded their arms in anticipation, anxious to see the two unbeatable gunslingers collide in competition that would end the life of the other.

Children hid behind their mothers, frightened by the excitement. The two gunslingers were good to the children, they taught them how to shoot, and ride like the wind on their small horses.

The gunslingers walked towards each other, hidden by the cloud of dust, walking with perfect smoothness, and infinite sorrow. Each had a blank face, as if death were upon both men.

The road upon which the two men stood was never-ending, extending into the horizon on both sides, dividing the small town in half. On the north side of the west end, stood the house shared by the two gunslingers. Both lived happily there for five years, governing the small town with fists of iron, and the touch of a feather, distributing fair order, and cruel justice. No one dared oppose either one of them.

As the two men stood in silence for what seemed to be an eternity, the wind died, and the hands of the town clock clicked closer and closer to the end of one mans life.

With two minutes until the fight, the taller of the two men broke the silence. He spoke soft enough so that no one else heard, but loud enough as not to seem worried.

"Hey Doc, can I tell you something?"

As the words left his mouth, the entire town grew closer, trying to intercept the secret conversation.

"You can tell me anything, John"

"Well, you see, uh...well, I don't want to fight no more."

Doc stood with his stone face, pondering his reply.

The clock clicked closer to the end.

"Yeah, what're we fightin' for?"

John nodded in acceptance. Silence consumed the world.

The clock struck three in a clang that shook every person, and rattled every beating heart in town.

The two gunslingers drew their guns slowly, but with perfect ease, aimed at each other, and dropped them into the hard dust of the barren street.

Silence. The loudest, softest, most perfect, earthshattering silence engulfed the world. The two gunslingers shook each others hand, and turned their backs on each other. They walked to their horses and mounted.

The crowd stood silent, and watched as each man galloped away from the unholy town.

An angry, middle-aged man turned to his wife, and yelled in a raspy voice, "That's the last one of these gunfights you're ever gonna drag me to." He stormed back to the bar, as everyone in the town hissed and booed as their two beloved gunslingers rode off into eternity.

Without the guidance of the two gunslingers, chaos overwhelmed the town. People left, fearing for their lives, knowing that no one could protect them. Within three days the town had become a mere ghost in the memory of time.

The symbolism of the two gunslingers heroic defiance was lost. They tried to end the hate, the killing, and the bloodlust, but in the end, the people wanted a show more than it wanted a savior to deliver them to justice.