Curtis, a weary traveler in search of employment, had recently arrived in the rustic town of Silver Creek. Having wandered from place to place in hopes of finding a means to sustain himself, he found himself in the renowned Silver Wagon Saloon.
Garret, the rugged proprietor of the saloon, had been struggling with the challenge of maintaining cleanliness and order amidst the bustling atmosphere of his establishment. When Curtis asked about an employment opportunity, Garrett extended an invitation, "Yeah, you can have a job here cleaning the tables and mopping the floor."
On his first day on the job, Garrett showed him how he wanted the tables cleaned and the floor mopped. During the training, Garrett told him, "If anyone comes in saying that Big John's a comin', run for your life! Don't worry about anything on the tables or any belongings you have here. Just run for your life!"
This ominous warning concerned Curtis, but he needed the job, so he continued working at the saloon. Days turned into weeks, and weeks became months as Curtis diligently labored, his hands tirelessly scrubbing tables and his back bending to mop the worn wooden floors. He grew accustomed to the clatter of glassware and the boisterous laughter that echoed through the saloon, finding solace in the rhythm of his responsibilities. He began to form friendships with the patrons of the saloon and started to become involved in the community. He would visit people in their homes and would invite them to his house. He was now a part of that community.
As Curtis continued to work at the Silver Wagon Saloon, the ghostly whispers of Big John's impending arrival lingered at the edge of his consciousness, an ever-present reminder of the potential cataclysm that awaited them all.
One day Curtis was busy cleaning tables when someone rushed in, yelling that Big John was coming! The ensuing panic created a stampede as everyone rushed to escape through the saloon doors. Having been trampled by the screaming crowd, Curtis finally stood up and started heading for the doorway, when the doors flew open. A large behemoth of a man ducked down in order to fit through the doorway. Curtis had no way of escaping the huge man. As he stood trembling, the giant demanded a drink. Curtis struggled to hold the glass still because of his fear. He poured the drink and handed it to the man. In one gulp the man downed the drink and then put down the glass with such force that he broke the table.
"I'm sorry about the table! I didn't mean to break it. I'll pay for it. Please give me another drink!"
Again, Curtis poured the drink, handing it to him as he trembled in fear. Again, the mammoth of a man downed the drink and broke another table.
"I'm so sorry! I keep breaking tables! I'll pay for that one too!"
Curtis realized that perhaps this man was misunderstood. He wasn't talking like someone who wanted to do harm, yet everyone is afraid of him because of his strength. So, Curtis said to the man, "You aren't mean like everyone says you are. You just don't know your own strength."
Curtis' response impressed the huge man, who responded, "Wow! No one has understood me until now. That's so kind of you to say! I wish I had time to stay and talk to you, but I have to run because Big John's a comin!"