Trevor sat on the edge of the bed with his hands covering his face.
"What will I do where can I go."
I put on my boxers and sat next to him "We will figure this out."
Then a knock on the door. A handsome young guy with caring hazel eyes -
"Hi, I'm Logan I've been asked to come help with the trial."
Trevor :" Oh, come in. Let us get dressed and we'll talk."
After we went to the grand room where the trial would be held.
Logan :"I know it's short notice that's why I was asked to help."
Trevor :"I don't care if I hang I deserve it I just want to save my job."
Logan :"There are two parts to your case. First, Unbecoming of a Gentleman Ranch-Hand. That concerns you not coming forward in a timely manner to straighten out any misunderstanding that could have helped Cody and Sean enjoy time lost. That is more of a civil offense, But they both registered it and want it resolved and you can be hanged for that.
Second is a more serious policy violation of "Exposeing the on-going or secret operations of the Ranch. Not just a hanging offense but may result in termination. For this you have to trust me and let me talk."
Trevor :"OK, I will leave it to you."
We leave Logan to study for the trial. Trevor and I go for a quick bite, I could only get him to take a bite or two. Then we are called to the courtroom. Trevor signs a stack of papers and is sworn in for the record.
Logan comes over with a bad look on face.
Trevor :"Is everything OK?"
Logan :"I don't want to worry you but we have Hickman as the main judge. They call him the hanging judge. He is very tough."
I say :" Even I heard of him."
Logan :"On top of that they brought in Alex to testify."
Trevors eyes well up :"I can't see that being good for us."
Logan :"We have to deal with it. Give me a chance before you go negative on me."
I give Trevor a hug. "Let's give Logan a chance."
The room starts to fill, then everyone stands for the three judges. Judge Hickman reads the charges and asked the lead investigator to give his report. I look at the back of the room and see Cody and Sean, Cody nods his head back at me. The investigator finishes his report and nothing sounded good for Trevor.
They bring Alex in the room. He takes the stand and smiles when he sees Sean. The procecutor asks Alex about the day he overheard Trevor at the bar. Alex recalls overhearing the conversation. "We all heard it"
Question : "You know who he was talking to?"
Alex: "Yes, I had met Cody once before."
Question :"Three weeks later did you set out to hang Cody knowing where they would be "
Alex:" No, I had seen Cody at a party with Sean. I wanted Sean."
Alex:". In high school we were in compition for wrestling championship and he lost just enough weight to challenge me for our weight position.”
Question :"How did it turn out?"
Alex :"He pinned me and after he when I was sitting on the bench he came behind me and garroted me with a jump rope. I passed out and woke up on the cold floor. I had a red mark around my neck the rest of the day and I was teased that Sean didn't just pin me but that he hanged me too."
Question :"You and two others were hanged for the offense of extrajudicial hanging of Sean were you not."
Question :"In all 4 people were hanged derived from the conversation you overheard by Trevor?"
Logan "Did Trevor know you were a ranch hand at the Hagerts Ranch?"
Logan :"What did the camp site Trevor was talking about have to do with the Ranch?"
Alex :"It bordered the ranch property."
Logan "Did Trevor know you knew who Cody or Sean were?"
Logan "You knew Trevor was friends with both of them?"
Alex "Yes, he talked about Cody often."
Logan :"You listen in hoping to hear something about where they would be?"
Alex :"Not really, that time I just happen to sit close enough to hear."
Logan :"You set your plan in motion from that conversation?"
Alex :"Yes, my revenge hanging. That we found him naked was just the perfect topping."
Logan :"You were offered to return to the Hagert ranch for your testimony?"
Alex "Yes, it would be nice to come back."
I looked back to see Sean's reaction, covering his face with both hands.
Logan:" No further questions.
The prosecutor started his closing.
"But for the careless broadcast by Trevor four men ended up being hanged with a noose, reserved for the most egregious offenses yet Trevor went all this time without a mark on his neck. Since then two similar offenses have been filled against him followed by stern warnings. We implore this court to sentence Trevor to hang in the noose for the maximum 35 seconds and terminate his employment with the ranch. The Ranch believes this would also satisfy the complaints from Cody and Sean.
The circumstances that precipitated all of this was that Alex overheard a private conversation. Trevor knew that Alex was a hand on the ranch and could not have forseen the malicious intentions by simply giving directions to a place not on ranch property. The Ranch also suggest that this should count as the third and final offense prescribed by Ranch law - it should not.
The statute of limitation on filing the offense was overdue and cannot be inserted on filed offenses expost facto.
Though a conversation outside the Ranch should be secured to avoid the community and authorities from questioning our operations and traditions this case does not lend itself to blatant broadcasting of Ranch operations when only fellow ranch hands overheard it.
On the count of Unbecoming a Gentleman Ranch Hand my client pleads guilty. “
The court adjourn so the judges could review the case. I had to hold Trevor steady as we stood for them to leave. I left them to talk to Cody and Sean. Cody hug me and said "We are glad you are there for Trevor, he needed someone like you. We also don't want him to lose his job."
Sean :"I didn't know the whole story so now I don't know how I would have judged this. That's why we got Logan to help out. But don't tell Trevor that."
I said :" I'm glad you are OK with me giving him comfort, I know how bad he feels.
After three hours we get word there is a verdict. We return to the grand room and take our seats. Cody and Sean move closer behind us. Trevor looked back at Sean, Sean gave him a nod and half smile.
We stood as the judges to enter. Judge Hickman seemed to have a scowl on his face.
On the count of Broadcasting Secret Ranch Operations. This serious offense is reserved for the malicious or gross disregard of keeping the ongoing of ranch operations and secrets from the puplic and authorities. In this case the defendant should have been more cautious and careful about his volume and in a venue outside the Ranch where outsiders might hear his conversation. But the matter and content has not been proven to have been in violation of Ranch law. And even if it was this court is not amused with rushing of procedure to get past the statute of limitation which started the clock on the day of the conversation not the hanging. Thus, this offense cannot be listed as the third offense and slotted ahead of the other two registered offenses as expost facto. The phone conversation would have had to be the first offense with appropriate subsequent warnings. As such this tribunal finds the issue moot. "
Logan leans to whisper "They can't fire you."
Tears roll down Trevor's face.
"On the count of Unbecoming of a Gentleman Ranch Hand, having pled guilty this court orders the defendant to hang from a noose at precisely 7:00 pm for a duration of 35 seconds with the new sentencing guild lines of 70/30.
We stood for the judges to leave then gave Trevor a big hug. Then he hugged Logan so hard I thought he broke some bones.
Logan :"I couldn't keep you from the noose."
Trevor interrupts "it's as it should be."
Cody :"Glad you are not losing your job."
Sean :" Trevor, I hope you don't hate me for wanting you to hang, I'm not going to enjoy it but after we will be all even up and perhaps friends again."
Trevor reaches out to shake hands.
Logan :"Well I don't like watching my clients hang so I won't be there. But I have to take Trevor to sign more papers. " They leave.
Sean sees Alex "I will be right back."
Cody:" Don't go over there."
As Sean walks towards Alex he said "striking me is a hanging offense."
Sean :"I'm not going to hit you."
I ask Cody :"who is that guy with him?"
Cody :"That's Carlos his boyfriend."
We move closer to hear them talk and be ready incase anything happens.
Carlos encouraged Alex to leave.
Alex :"Your neck healed nicely."
Again Carlos encourages Alex to leave.
Sean :"You still don't know do you?You hanged the wrong guy?"
Carlos tries to pull him away.
Alex :"I'm sure I did." As he pulled his arm from Carlos grip.
Sean :"When you sat on the bench that day do you remember who had the jump rope in their hand?"
Carlos :" Come on, let's go."
Alex :" I don't remember any details like that."
Sean looks at Carlos :"How much did you say you bet on Alex that day?"
Sean :" Alex, I didn't lose all that weight just to take your position in the championship, I had the flu for five days, I had to try out for the weight I was at. Carlos knew that and thought it was a safe bet that I was too weak to beat you. I remember him saying that you cost him $100 as he pulled on the rope around your neck."
Sean :"You were waking up when you saw me taking the rope from your neck. But as you were being strangled Carlos was saying 'you didn't try hard enough.' All this time I thought you knew it was him. I guess you couldn't hear him as he was strangling you."
Alex looked at Carlos for a response.
Alex's face turned red as he told Carlos :"You let me believe it was Sean, you can go back to Texas by yourself I will come and get my things later. You are not coming back here with me."
Alex :"Sean, any chance you would let me buy you a drink so we can talk?"
Cody :"Looks like there's a lot to talk about."
Sean :" After Trevor's hanging come by the saloon where it all started."
Cody hugged Sean :"Are you OK?"
Sean :"Yeah, that answers all my questions. All this time I thought it was about me pinning him down and choking him when we were kids."
Cody :"I wish we could string up Carlos."
I said:"Trevor should be back in his room, do you guys want to check up on him?"
Sean :"Yeah, I want him to know we are going to be OK once it's all over."
Trevor is surprised that we came to visit with three hours before his hanging.
Cody :"Hey, how are you doing? We wanted to make sure you don't go through this alone."
Trevor :"I'm OK, I'm a little nervous. Sean, can I ask a big favor?"
Sean :"Sure, what do you need?"
Trevor :" Can I have a hug?"
Sean open his arms :"Come here."
Sean gave him a hug that made me a little jealous.
Sean :" We are going to be OK after this."
Cody hugs Trevor :"See, now I don't feel like I want to strangle you anymore?"
We laugh and get comfortable.
Temperature outside is climbing.
Trevor ask Sean :" Is hanging in a noose painful? I hanged in the Russian Tie but I was drunk and don't remember much."
Sean :" it's intense. The first few seconds you go into panic mode then suddenly you feel like you are floating above the ground. By the time they get you down you wish it could last longer. You are going to sweat buckets."
Trevor;" I know, already 105F. They said I can stay here until 30 minutes before."
Then a knock on the door.
Trevor opens it to see Jason.
Jason :"Hi, I'm looking for Trevor."
Jason :"I'm sorry, I didn't know you had company I can come back later."
I tell Trevor;" Wait, Jason is going to be your hangman."
Trevor :"Oh wow, I was expecting someone older. More rugged and burly."
Jason :"Well I am new. You will officially my first."
Jason looks at me :"I remember that neck, you recovered well."
"Yes I have, doing well."
Jason :" I came by because it's so hot outside I thought it would be better if you try on the harness in the comfort of your room but I can come back."
Trevor :" No, they are all friends. Let's do it now."
Jason came in with a backpack and took out three harnesses. We sat on the bed to watch. Jason had Trevor take off his tee-shirt. Jason fitted the harness on his small muscled body.
Trevor :" This accually feels comfortable."
I said :"it's the noose that will feel a little tight."
Jason tries not to laugh along with us.
Jason :" You were sentenced to 70/30 which means that a weight will take up 30% of your weight. My guess that would be about 40 pounds. So you will hang with the effective weight of 100 pounds. "
Jason took out a tape measure and put it around Trevor's neck.
Jason :" 16 inches. I just use this to figure out the best noose placement. You have the perfect gap between your adamsapple and under your chin. "
Trevor's abs tighten as Jason examines his throat.
Jason :" Your neck muscles are strong for just 16 inches, 100 pounds won't be too much for you. I doubt you will pass out before 35 seconds.
Do you have any questions?"
Trevor :"Will I be able to have a drink with the guys afterwards?"
Jason :"Well you are lucky to be the first to use the harness. We are being very cautious, 70/30 will take over for the Russian tie."
Cody :"So all hangings will be in the noose?"
Jason :" That's what they are considering. We will need a few more hangman."
Sean :"I'm glad Trevor gets a little break."
Jason :" It's still a good hanging but I would bet you could enjoy a couple of drinks after."
Trevor :"I can't believe I am going to say this but if you want to join us after then I wouldn't mind."
Jason's famous huge smile flashed as he accepted the invite.
Jason :" Well, I have to get the set up ready. Trevor I will make your experience as easy as possible. I know what I am doing so don't worry."
Jason gathered his things and leaves.
Sean :"Am I the only one that thinks Jason's adamsapple is strangly misplaced in his neck?"
Cody :"Yes, I didn't want to stare '"
Sean :" And every time he laughed it would get lower in his neck, it got me hard?
I said :"He has an eight pack for abs.
Cody :"When did you see his abs?"
Me :" In the shower after my faux hanging. Watch when he reaches up to adjust the harness line above his head."
Cody :"He said they would need more hangmen, maybe I should put my name in for that."
I said :"He told me that you have to have been hanged in the noose to be a hangman."
Cody :"I didn't know that. I wonder if Sean would qualify?"
Sean :"Hmmmm, could be fun."
I said :" After today Trevor would qualify."
We sat and talked and laughed until they came to take Trevor to the 'box'.
We all followed and went into the barn. They had a trough filled with ice and beer. We all grabbed a beer and watched as it all played out. Trevor choose a friend he knew when he first was hanged on initiation. I don't know why he didn't ask me.
The music was playing and then they escorted Trevor out to the three step platform. Jason was standing next to it in his hangman outfit: hood that cut off under his eyes but went behind to barely cover his shoulders, vest that exposed his abs, shorts that still showed his strong thighs.
He helped Trevor up the steps then stood on the bale of hay in front of the platform. Trevor didn't show any sign of fear or anticipation. Jason attached the harness and then the noose over Trevor's head. That's when you could see Trevor's abs and the veins on the side of his neck betray his calmness. Jason made the final adjustments and stepped down as helpers pulled the bale of hay from in front of the platform. Trevor was the perfect partisapate. His body shiny from his sweat. He looked directly at me and gave me a wink. When he swallowed it made the noose bounce on his neck. I'm sure that made most guys pang in thief pants. Trevor looked straight ahead as the drum roll started to play. Then Jason pulled on the lever lifting Trevor up and completely off the platform then setting him free to swing. The noose tighten and tilted is his head to the side.his body slowly spinning as it swong back and forth. After 25 seconds his body seemed to go limp and Jason's helpers got into position to catch his wet and slippery body. The the bell sounded and they immediately brought his limp body down. Jason loosened the noose as they put his body on a gurney. They cut the rope leaving the noose around his neck and took him away.
Cody :"That was a good hanging."
Sean :"I didn't know Trevor had such a hot muscular body."
I said :"Do you think he passed out in the noose?"
Sean :"He looked like he was dealing with it ok."
I said :"just that when you pass out your a noose your body will twitch for hours after."
We all had another cold beer as we critically talked about the hanging. I felt Jason did a great job. Sean liked the new set up and thought they should do away with the Russian Tie.
Cody likes that they can adjust the weight depending on the charges against you. We finished our beer and went to the saloon across from the ranch. I started to get worried when we didn't hear from Trevor. Then Jason walked in. He stood by the door as many applauded him. Then he pointed and in came Trevor. The red line around his neck still fresh. He even had the noose in his hand. They both shook hands with those that came up to them. Soon Trevor and Jason came over to our table. Trevor gave Cody then Sean a hug.
Sean :"You hanged like a man."
Trevor :"I hope it's still on that we could be friends."
Sean :"Yes, let me buy you your first drink."
Trevor came to me with his arms wide open.
"Why didn't you want me with you in the box?"
Trevor :"I wanted you to enjoy the atmosphere and circus of it all."
He showed me his noose still damp from his sweat. Two marks showing where it started and finished tightening - near two inches.
I leaned in and kissed his neck.
Trevor."I can't wait to watch it."
Jason :" I hope all my hangings go this well.
Cody :"I know I would have had to hang in the noose to be a hangman but Sean would qualify and be a great hangman. What does he have to do?"
Jason :" Yes. I accually was hanged twice in the noose. But if he is chosen to be a hangman there will be a lot of training."
He tells Sean :"join me tomorrow when I brief the council and we will submit your name."
Sean :"OK, sounds interesting."
Jason :"then we can practice on each other's neck."
Sean :"Oh wow, now you are teasing me."
"Trevor, I think you passed out in the noose."
Jason :" He was out when we laid him in the gurney. He will continue to twitch for a few hours."
Trevor :" I thought it would be worse,my neck hurts but I know by tomorrow I know I will be fine."
I told Trevor :"I'm going to stay with you tonight to make sure you are OK."
Though the door came Alex.
Sean :"I wouldn't mind practicing on that neck."
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