The village of Karp Kadish was a quiet little hamlet, locked away in the Swiss Alps isolated away from anything or anyone. The routine in the town was the same day in day out; the town’s people went to work every day just as the sun emerged over the mountains spreading light and warmth into the valley. The people worked until the sun retreated back behind the mountains in the west before going home making an effort to avoid the enforcers hired by the mayor to establish justice.







The train rolled into town every morning at precisely 11 o’clock carrying coal and silver dug from the mines going towards the capital before turning around and repeating the journey. Occasionally the train dropped off the rich entrepreneur looking to make money to only to leave years later empty handed. The train rolled in that morning right on time taking a moment to fuel up before making the journey towards the mines to get the next haul.


Three passengers stepped off the train, one in particular was there trying to do what so many before him had tried and failed. The man stood on the platform breathing in the fresh mountain air taking in everything around him. The platform was on the edge of town facing the small lines of buildings going towards the town center.





The man wore a black pinstripe suit and a black top hat. He held a long wooden cane in his hand. The cane was for show more than practicality. The man was young, fresh out of university and well versed in the rules of business. The man stepped off the platform and started walking down the rows of buildings, his black shoes clicking off the cobblestones. The man had a light spring to his step.








Dust gathered from the town center where a large amount of people were standing around a gallows. Everyone was off work that morning to witness the hanging. The villagers shouted insults and threw rotten fruit and vegetables at a man kneeling on the platform. Two guards stood on the platform adjusting the noose. The business man skirted around the line of people and walked up to the platform. The guards glanced at him still adjusting the knot.
“Who are you?” barked one of the guards. The man smiled and held out his hand, “Mr. Kinowski.”










“What’d he do?” Mr. Kinowski asked pointing towards the man still kneeling. As he looked closer he noticed that the man was missing his left hand.



“Bastard stole from me,” said a man down at the front of the crowd.


“What’d he take?” asked Mr. Kinowski.






“Three loaves of bread” The man replied.






“I hardly think a hanging is worth three loaves of bread” Mr. Kinowski said quietly.
“We like to protect the good intentions of the more honest of us. Mr. Smith requested this man’s head, and we were only too happy to oblige. The price of thievery is death, you know that.”












“For stealing a large sum of gold. Not a few measly loaves of bread” Mr. Kinowski replied. “And who are you to tell us what do newcomer?” asked one of the guards. Mr. Kinowski smiled. “Soon I’ll own this town. I’ll have more authority than anyone else here. You mark my words.”










“You can’t own the town. Not even the mayor owns the town” cried one of the villagers.
“Figuratively speaking” Mr. Kinowski replied, “Soon I’ll buy out everything here, making me most of your employers. You better start being nice to me now.”



“Well that makes no difference. This man is a criminal and deserves to die!” yelled Mr. Smith.












“I’ll pay you for him” Mr. Kinowski said.





“What?” asked Mr. Smith puzzled.







“I’ll pay you for whatever he owes you along with what you think he is worth to let him walk free and work for me. I’ll even through in some for the law to make the rest of you happy.”











“Why the hell would you want him?” asked Mr. Smith, “He’s lame! Missing an entire hand he is. Not to mention the fact that he’s a bloody criminal!”





“I’ll make good use of him” replied Mr. Kinowski. “Well the law won’t be bribed so easily” said one of the guards.








“I’ll double whatever you’re making to set him free.”




“Don’t matter. He’s got no family left. And I don’t see you taking care of him forever.”
“What happened to his parents?” asked Mr. Kinowski.




“His father died in the war. His mother died of pneumonia about a year later. I think it was because his father was selfish and got himself killed leaving her with a lame son, but that’s what the doctors but on paper.” “Doesn’t the government take care of the families of its soldiers?”











“Maybe in the capitol, but not here. This is our town, and we make the rules.”

“Soon this will be my town. And I want that man” replied Mr. Kinowski.


“Well you can’t have him. I’ve gone through too much trouble to see him walk free” said Mr. Smith.











“And was it all worth it?” asked Mr. Kinowski, “All of the lawsuits and money just to bring him here over three measly loaves of bread.”





“You’re right. I should’ve just taken him out and shot him.”



“No, I meant pardon him.”








“Pardon him? You can’t be f*ing serious! Take your head out of your ass and look around will you! This ain’t the f*ing capitol, where money does the talking and if you don’t have it, you won’t get it. Here the only thing that matters is whether you are an honest hard worker! And that man is not!” Mr. Smith yelled, spit flying from his mouth as he jabbed his fingers at the prisoner.









“Did you ever give him a chance?” asked Mr. Kinowski.




“Fine! I don’t care anymore! Give me your money and take that f*er and you’ll just prove my case!” Mr. Smith screamed, his face the color of ripe tomatoes. Mr. Kinowski tossed him a wad of cash and walked over to the kneeling man.





“You Poor Bastard,” the man said, “You really think I’m worth something?” Mr. Kinowski smiled, “You’ll do just fine.”