Pulp Alley Out West - in 54mm <move 2 added>

[Doug ex-em4]

I dragged my 54’s out of their box recently for the first time since the 1980s and isn’t it obvious? Some matt spray required, paint to touch up etc but I just wanted to play the game so I’ve left the stuff in the crude, battered state it was. This is nostalgia rather than aesthetics. The buildings are mainly homemade and reflect what was available commercially in 54mm in the eighties (ie nothing) but I love ‘em. The game’s afoot. Sheriff Bonner is not a man to cross. Now read on….

County Sheriff Frank Bonner has finally managed to apprehend Ezekiel Thackeray, chief enforcer for the Circle B ranch and wanted for attempted murder in the business of the ambushed sheep-herders.


Sheriff Frank Bonner, ever watchful, outside his rather ramshackle office.


Problem is, Thackeray has to be escorted down Bad Blood’s main (and only) street. This impossibly green thoroughfare passes between the Dark Lady saloon, haunt of the rest of the Circle B boys, and the New Blood saloon wherein resides Oliver Standish, renowned gunsel recently hired by the Sheep Herders Protection Committee. Trouble can be expected from either or both establishments. Where in tarnation are Deputy Luke Simms and Deputy J.D. Price? And then there’s the problem of avoiding the vicious back legs of Bad Blood’s notorious synchronised horses.

This being Bad Blood, there’s bound to be more problems before Sheriff Bonner gets Zeke safely locked away, ready to be taken in the jail wagon to face justice in the County Court at the town of Bean.




Sheriff Bonner or the Circle B or maybe The Sheep Herders Protection Commitee? Who will prevail?

Time will tell......

Doug

[Doug ex-em4]

MOVE 1: Sheriff Bonner instinctively noted the details of what was happening in the street. A Mexican he did not know was sitting on the sidewalk outside the Dark Lady. A look-out for the Circle B Boys? Or a new recruit for the Muerte gang? Are they in town? That would be an added complication.

The old Indian squatting outside the New Blood was a permanent fixture. He’d never been known to cause trouble, even when dead drunk. No reason to suppose he’d start any now.



Doug

[Mad Lord Snapcase]

Lovely bit of nostalgia, Doug.

Great opening to the story, looking forward to the walk down Main Street.   

[Digits]

I love the synchronised standing horses!  Your buildings look great.

Do you intend to add to them now that you’ve dug them all out again?
 
And I wouldn’t bother with the Matt spray, I would just buy some sepia tinted glasses to play in! Lol

[Doug ex-em4]

I love the synchronised standing horses!  Your buildings look great.

Do you intend to add to them now that you’ve dug them all out again?
 
And I wouldn’t bother with the Matt spray, I would just buy some sepia tinted glasses to play in! Lol

Thanks, Digits - I think I’m too old now to add to anything...!

Now:

MOVE 2: When Tim Johnson, Pete Cashwell and Senor Francisco erupt from the Dark Lady saloon, obviously fired-up and eager, the Sheriff isn’t too concerned. They appear to be observing his “no firearms in town” ordinance so he feels confident he can handle three ranch hands no matter how feisty they are. Unless, of course, Senor Francisco has some connection to the Muerte gang.



A sense of danger made Bonner quickly glance to his right. A dark figure had appeared on the sidewalk outside the New Blood. Largely hidden in shadow, all that could be seen was a hand – a hand holding a levelled six-gun. Despite the features being hidden, Bonner had no doubt of the newcomer’s identity. Oliver Standish was taking a hand in matters. Shee-it…..!



Bonner weighed up the problems and options; were either the Circle B boys or Standish a threat? Maybe neither; maybe both.

His calculations were interrupted by a commotion further down the street. Oh great….! A steer was rampaging directly towards him. Another goddam escapee from the stockyards. And just when things seemed so simple……



if the recounting of the game turn by turn is too slow for you (and with such excitement in prospect, I can appreciate it may be) the whole game is available to read on my blog
https://velodoug.wordpress.com/


Doug

[Mad Lord Snapcase]

There are many problems facing Sheriff Bonner, but it's that Oliver Standish that worries me, that man has the air of a stone-cold killer!   

[Harry Faversham]

Sheriff Bonner figure should be able to handle a rampaging steer...
he started life as a farmer!

[Vagabond]

The buildings look great, you should consider doing more of them. I always thought 54mm was the scale for a western gunfight. I fondly remember the version Halifax Wargames used to do, years and years ago.

[Ramirez Noname]

Hi Doug,

Somehow managed to miss you post.

The game looks great and the scale works well - I remember being really impressed my Mike Blakes 54mm games down in Devizes (and elsewhere).

And you can never have enough buildings ..

RMZ