Morpheus Tales #16 Supplement

www.morpheustales.com The Tax Collector By Tommy B. Smith Once each year, the Tax Collector rode through town on his gleaming metallic stallion, and this was no abnormality, but a second visit, such as in the special case of Mack Brumbleby, was.

Because the situation was a tax matter, local law (which consisted of Sheriff Tacker and one deputy whose name no one could remember, widely referred to as “Deputy No-Name”) stepped aside.

Unaware of his plight, Mack sat in the local saloon soaking up cheap whiskey and watching the ebony figure of Ella Tempesta circle the saloon tree.

The tree’s base issued from beneath the saloon where it received water from a crude irrigation pipe. The narrow trunk wound through the wooden floor and small, round stage upward to the ceiling and beyond. The high branches spread jaggedly out above the saloon’s roof, and were visible to anyone standing outside. In the town’s early days, the saloon had actually been constructed around this tree.

Around this tree she now danced, Ella Tempesta, curvaceous and inhumanly sensual in her movements and her burning eyes which lanced blistering-hot desire through every human gathered.

Mack Brumbleby forgot about both his whiskey and his friend Miguel Castillo, who sat a seat over.

In one corner, the anonymous pianist kept a curious, rhythmic melody reminiscent of sprinkling cold rain that sliced through the smoky air, and Ella Tempesta’s body turned with it - or did the music instead follow her?

Mack and Miguel could only watch her, entranced, speechless. When someone approached to nudge Mack and whisper into his ear, Miguel never noticed.

Mack’s head slowly turned. The color drained from his white-bearded face. He swallowed hard. Even the incomparable Ella Tempesta could not distract him from the news he had just received.

“Miguel,” he whispered. Miguel didn’t respond.

Mack pushed his friend’s shoulder. “Miguel!” he repeated, more insistently, but Miguel’s attention was locked elsewhere. For the sake of precious time, Mack gave up his efforts and quickly 44