TRIGUN - EPISODE THREE: Peace Maker
An already drunk man goes into a bar and starts asking around for drinks. Doesn't matter what as long as its got alcohol in it. He gets kicked out. The insurance ladies are having lunch in Warren City. Meryl is damn sick and tired of following rumors, giant, mohawked, ace gun man in red. You never know when Vash the Stampede is going to show up and then
Kaboom.
Millie hails Not Vash as he he walks by, addressing him as Vash. Oh my. Not Vash raised his hand when Millie called out to him so he must be Vash the Stampede. The drunk from last night bumps into Vash and comedy
ensues. The drunk fakes a shoulder injury and then employs even
harsher means. Anything for a
taste.
So over a "toast" learn the man's name is
Frank Marlin, he's been like this for awhile but he used to be a world renowned gun smith and just the man Not Vash was looking for. The bartender tells him
after some convincing that Frank was the hero of the town who armed the populace so that they could drive away the marauders years ago. But its no good going to him as he'd just pawn your gun for booze money...and Frank throws his glass and takes Not Vash's.
The ladies are talking to the mayor about Vash the Stampede...and find out there is no Sheriff in these parts. The mayor wants a little excitement in these parts...and so does this group of bandits lead by
David Letterman. No law of any kind for 4000 iles and a rumor of Vash? Couldn't be better for their armored car heist.
Not Vash and Frank are loaded! The gun hits Vash right in the
face (he still catches it with his other hand) and they run into M&M doing night patrol. Meryl is convinced Vash is in town and ready to cause trouble. The fellows sway and sing away and tea totaling Meryl thinks that alcohol only masks deeper issues...which is pretty on point. Frank did give all those guns to the towns folk and was a kind and hardworking man, until one of those guns was used to kill an innocent family. His family. In a bank robbery (SAO 2!!) Not Vash learned this from the local tailor in a flashback. Not Vash is also apparently immune to alcohol as he tucks Frank in....Well,
almost immune.
Money and women, such things David Letterman the Stampede desires. Get the lead out ladies. Not Vash is weighing the options from a
secure location but Frank is a naysayer and doesn't want to get involved. What does Not Vash have to do with this situation? Nothing at all, except that it's not equal. These words move Frank and the
modern day samurai takes the field. First thing he does is to puncture the nearest tire with his boot knife. This makes David Letterman quite...
angry. Then he
disarms the nearest bandito. Early Not Vash, like early Batman apparently hasn't fully developed his
no-kill policy.
It's a standoff! Will Not Vash die alone? No, the bartender pulls out her Frank Marlin Special. Holy Shit, the whole town is
packing heat. Trust no one, not even
yourself.
Finger guns save the day once again as neither man was packing, though everyone else was loaded, is this planet actually Arizona?
Celebration time! The insurance ladies are glad that this town wasn't destroyed but there's no Vash, well, Millie thinks they found the real deal. Frank now sober holds Not Vash up once more and hands him his gun. While not fit for "everyday use" its been fully refurbished. He asks Not Vash what he is going to do with it and learns that he will create equality and peace throughout the world. Not Vash will bring the bourbon next time (I guess Kentucky still exists) but Frank is now off of the stuff forever...and realizes he never got the finger gunman's name....and
this is what he gets.
Kuroneko Appearances: Two (
At the mayor's office and
Boozing it up with Vash and Frank.)