A Funny thing happened on the way home from Buffalo...

Den of The Beastly Bear

Hi Folks,
 As many of you know I took a vacation out to Buffalo, Wyoming the week of the 4th. of July. My main reason was the 6th. Annual Longmire Festival, which transforms sleepy little Buffalo into the mythical Durrant, WY. in fictional Absaroka County. The setting of Craig Johnson's Longmire novels.

 Now Buffalo is a 21 hour 42 min. drive from the Den. So I broke the journey up by stopping a little past the midway point, in Sioux Falls, SD. I stayed at a chain Motel, famous for "leaving the light on for you" and having the added benefit of an outdoor pool. I booked a room for the return leg of my journey as well.

The trip out was uneventful, Buffalo a delight. So it was with a heavy heart that I set about returning home on Sunday morning. This, being the shorter leg of my journey, I sidetracked to both Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument. I got to Sioux Falls around 6 pm. 

I was dressed, as pictured on the right. What you can not see, is I have a small lapel pin on my shirt pocket...a souvenir from Longmire days. It is a mock-up of a Sheriff's badge from the show, no bigger than a nickel and made of pewter.  

 As I went in to register for my room, I passed another guest heading to the pool. I gave him a nod as we passed and I headed in. The Night manager, an American Indian woman of middling years checked me in. A stout 5'6" tall with close cropped jet black hair; she wore sturdy heels with a floral print skirt and a blue blazer. As she was handing me my key, she leaned in to read my pin, saying "Wow, that's cool...where did you get that?" I explained, and she said she too was a fan of the show.

After securing my room key and feeling a tad peckish, I set out for tacos for dinner. They have a very decent little chain out west called Taco Johns; I ordered up a couple small "street" tacos and an order of Potato Oles (tater tot crowns with seasoning salt). Upon my return, I parked near the stairs as my room was on the second level. Removed my suitcase from the car and went to change into my suit and enjoy a little pool time. As I got to the base of the stairs, I encountered the same guest from when I first arrived. 

 He was lounging against the wall at the base of the stairs, partially blocking the base. Dressed in swim trunks and barefoot. As I walked up, I noticed the distant, unfocused stare of the chronically high/drunk. I excused myself politely, as he moved aside he seemed to stare intently at me as I passed him by...I paid it no mind. Mid-thirties, short dark hair, slight of build and a uni-brow...he didn't seem like much of a threat.

 I changed quickly. Grabbing my phone, key-card, and a cigar I headed for the pool area. A quick stop at the car for a Rainier beer from the cooler and I was ready. I found a seat at a table in the far corner of the pool enclosure, set down my stuff in my hat, turned brim up to catch any luck to be had...and jumped into the pool.

After soaking off the road, and enjoying the cool waters after a day marked by triple digit heat, I returned to my table to partake of my cigar and have a cold beer. I lit the cigar and had no more than popped the top on my beer when I heard loud, angry voices coming from the upstairs balcony of the motel.

"I told you to get the Hell off the property!!! This is the third time, and I'm not telling you again. I won't have you harassing my guests...get OUT!"

I could see down the front of the hotel, and there was my friend from the stairway with the night manager hot on his heels. He had a backpack slung over his left shoulder and some clothes and shoes in his right hand.

"You're in for quite a shock you fat bitch, I just bought this place...and you're FIRED!" He retorted to her barrage.

"I know the owner, and he didn't sell this place...keep moving, I want you gone..."
"I TOLD you, I JUST bought it...call your manager He'll tell you."

"I AM the night manager..."

"Then you should know. Oh, you are soooo fucking fired!!!"

This circular argument lasted all down the front of the building, down the stairs, and past the pool...when suddenly his attention focused on me.

"Ask him," He said pointing in my direction. "He can check for you; he's a Federal Marshal. Just ask him..." He Opined.

"I'm not asking him anything; I told you to get! He's a guest here, and you will not harass him either. I already called the cops so get off the property!" She deadpanned, not giving an inch.

"Have him look it up! He's got his phone...let him check with the Marshals, they'll know. They can prove it to you!!!"

 Now folks, all I can figure is that this poor tweaked out idiot had been watching way too much "Justified." Saw the hat and the mini badge, which does bear a resemblance to the one carried by the Marshal service, put two and two together in his chemically altered mind and got eight.  

 As she was escorting him from the property, the owner of the restaurant next door came out to see what all the commotion was about. Our altered friend then tried to enlist his help against her. Complaining bitterly about his treatment and the lack of help from the Federal Marshal. Once he was off the property, the manager retreated to the office to await the police.

 She didn't have long to wait before an SUV with two of Sioux Falls finest arrived. She met them at the door, and while I was too far away to hear the conversation, her animated body language and wild gesticulating in the direction of our friend led me to believe she was still pretty wound up. And then the gloves came out...

 Our friend, still tightly in the grip of whatever he was on...failed to see the danger signs. So when they walked over to him his first words were "Thank God you're here..." he then went on to tell them how mistreated he had been and how that Marshal would not help him either "But I pay YOUR salary, you've GOT to help me!"

Yikes!

 Well, it wasn't long before he was wearing a set of steel bracelets and being led on tiptoes across the parking lot with an officer on each arm...in complete shock. It turns out; he was not even a guest at the motel!

All I could think was, the only way this could have been better?
Was if I'd gotten to see a live Tasing! Just like on "COPS"! Lol

Hell, I got a show with my room!

I know it's been a while folks, thanks for hanging in there!
Be Well, 
The Beastly Bear