Deputy Joe Bob was really up against it now. The Sheriff was so pissed off at him that he could hardly speak. When he did speak it was only to say bad things to Joe Bob.

“It were an accident, Sheriff!”

“I hope to God it was an accident! I’d hate to think you did it on purpose!”

“I was jus’ checkin to see iffen it was loaded. I snapped ‘er shut an it suddenly went off! Honest to gum!”

“Joe Bob, you had to have pulled the trigger. A revolver doesn’t just go off.”

“Golly gee, Sheriff, why would I shot my own self?”

“I don’t know why. I do know that I’d like to shoot you myself along about now. No, it’s all my fault. I gave you that gun. Jeez, Joe Bob, you been around guns all your life! How could you shoot yourself?”

“Well, I never had a pistol afore. I always jus’ had rifles.”

“Ever shoot yourself with a rifle, Joe Bob?”

“Nah, sir! Never!”

The Sheriff was in a quandary. Everyone knew about the self-inflicted wound by now. Joe Bob would be a laughingstock. What kind of respect would he get after this? Joe Bob didn’t have a lot of respect to be wasting any of it. A cop shooting himself by accident!

“Joe Bob, who all saw this happen?”

“Well, they was Mosh, but he’s been crazier than a coon dog on a leash ever since he got blowed up. I think they was more damage than-”

“I don’t care about how damaged or undamaged Mosh is!! I care about the damage you’re doing this office!!”, the Sheriff shouted.

“Now, Sheriff, they be no need to do no shoutin’ I’m real proud of this uniform and this here badge. I’d never do nothing to disgrace it. iffen you want, I’ll give you back the badge. I won’t be no embarrassment to ya.”

The Sheriff considered that. He considered it and considered it some more. No, it wouldn’t be right to let Joe Bob quit. It was an accident. He told Joe Bob to go on back out on patrol.

“Thank you, Sheriff. Can I have my gun back now?”

“No”.